The first and second partes of King Edward the Fourth Containing his mery pastime with the tanner of Tamworth, as also his loue to faire Mistrisse Shoare, her great promotion, fall and miserie, and lastly the lamentable death of both her and her husband. Likewise the besieging of London, by the bastard Falconbridge, and the valiant defence of the same by the Lord Maior and the citizens. As it hath diuers times beene publikely played by the Right Honorable the Earle of Derbie his seruants. — King Edward the Fourth

Author: Heywood, Thomas, d. 1641.1600

THE FIRST AND SECOND partes of King Edward the fourth.

Contayning his merrie pastime with the Tanner of Tamwoorth, as also his loue to fayre Mistresse Shoare, her great promotion, fall and miserie, and lastly the lamentable death of both her and her husband.

Enter King Edward, the Dutches of Yorke, the Queene, the Lord Howard, and sir Thomas Sellinger.

Dutchesse.

SOnne, I tell ye you haue done you know not what:

King.

I haue married a woman, else I am decesue [...] mot [...]er.

Dutch.

Married a woman? married indéed,

Here is a marriage that befits a King:

It is no matudile it was done in haste,

Here is a B [...]dall and with hell to boote,

You haue mad [...] worke?

King.

Faith mother some we haue indéed, but ere long you shall see vs make worke for an heire apparant I doubt not, nay, nay, come-come, Gods will what chid [...]g stille

Dutch.

O God that [...]re I [...]de to see this day.

King.

B [...] my faith mother, I hope you [...]al see the night too, and in the morning I wil be bold to [...]ld you to the Christ [...]ing Gr [...]ndmother, and Godmother to a Prince of Wales, tut mother, tis a st [...]ing world.

Dutch.

Haue you sent Warwicke into France for this?

King.

[Page]

No by my faith mother I sent Warwicke into France for [...]n other, but this by chance being néerer hand, and comming in the way I cannot tell how, we concluded, and now (as you see) are going about to get a young King.

Dutch.

But tell me sonne how will you answere this?

Ist possible [...]our rash vnlawfull act,

Should not bréed mortail hate betwixt the Kealme [...]

What may the French King thinke when he shall heare

That whilst you send to entreat about his daughter,

Basely to take a subiect of your owne?

What may the Princesse Bona think of this?

Our noble Cosin Warwicke that great Lord,

That Center-shaking [...] of warre,

That like a Colum propt the house of Yorke:

And boare our white Rose brau [...]ly in his top,

When he shall heare his embassage abusor,

In this but made an instrument by you,

I know his soule will blush within his bosome,

And shame will sit i [...] Scarl [...]t on his Brew,

To haue his hon [...]r toucht with this foule ble [...]h

Sonne, sonne I tell [...]ou that is done by you,

Which yet the child that is vnborne shall rue.

King.

[...]sh mother you are dece [...]ude, all true subiectes shall haue [...] use to thanke God, to haue their King borne of a true Engl [...] woman, I tell you it was neuer u [...]ll since wee imatched wi [...]h strangers, so our children haue béene still l [...]ke Chickens of the halfe kind but where the rocke and the hen be both of one [...]reede, there is like to be birdes of the game: h [...]re you mother, heare you, had I gone to it by fortune, I [...]d made your sonnes George and Dicke to haue stoode gaping after the crowne: this wench mother is a widow, and hath made proofe of her valour, and for any thing I know, I am as like to do the deed as John Gray her husband was, I had rather the people praied to blesse mine heire, then selide me an heire: hold your peace, if you can see, there was neuer mother had a to warder sonne, why Cosin Howard and [Page] Tom Sellinger heard you euer such a coyle about a wife?

How.

My soueraigne Lord with patience beare her spl [...]

Your princely mothers zeale is like a riuer,

That from the free aboundance of the waters,

Breakes out into this inundation,

From her aboundant care this rage proceeds,

O'er swolne with the extremitie of loue.

Sel.

My Lord, my Lord, auoid a womans humor,

If you resist this tumor of her will,

Here you shall haue her dwell vpon this passion,

Untill she lade and dull our eares againe:

Séeme you but sorie for what you haue done,

And straight shéele put the finger in the e [...]e,

With comfort now, since it cannot be helpt:

But make you shew to iustifie the act

If euer other language in her lips,

Then out vpon it, it is abhominable, I dare be hangde,

Say any thing it makes no matter what,

Then thus be wearied with a womans chat.

Dutch.

I, I, you are the spamels of the Court,

And thus you sawn and sooth your want [...]n king,

But Edward hadst thou prizde thy maic [...]ie,

Thou neuer wouldst haue staind thy princely state,

with the base leauings of a subiects bed:

Nor borne the blemish of her Bigamie.

A widow, ist not a goodly thing?

Grayes children come aske blessing of the King.

Qu.

Nay I beséech your Grace my Lady York,

Euen as you are a Princesse and a widow,

Thinke not so meanely of my widowhood,

A spotlesse virgin came I first to Gray,

With him I [...]ude a true and faithfull wife:

And since his hie emperiall maiestie,

Hath pleas [...]e to blesse my poore del [...]ed state

With the high Soueraigne title of his Quéene,

I here protest before the host of heauen,

[Page] I came as chasse a widow to his bed,

As when a virgin [...] to Gray was wed.

King.

Come, come haue done, n [...]w haue you ch [...]d [...]nough, G [...]ds [...]ote, we were as merie ere she came, as any people in Chrstendome, I with the mist [...]s, and these with the ma [...]es: onely wee haue no fidlers at our feast, but mother you haue m [...]de a sit of mirth: welcome to Grafton mother, by my troth you are euen [...]ust come as I wished you here, let vs go to supper, and in Charitie giue vs your blessing ere we go to Bedde.

Du [...]c.

O Edward, Edward, stic and leaue this place,

Wherein poore Gllie King thou art inchanted,

This is her d [...]m of Bedtords worke her mother,

That hath be w [...]tcht thée Edwa [...]d my poore childe,

D [...]honour not the Princes of thy land,

To make the [...] kneele with reuerence at her féete,

That ere thou dl [...]st e [...]pale with soueraintie,

The [...] would haue scorned to haue looked vpon,

T [...]eres no such differen [...]e twixt the greatest Péere,

And the poore sill [...]st kitching maide that liues,

A [...]ls bet wirt thy worthines and hers.

Q [...]ee.

I do confesse it, yet my Ladie Yorke,

M [...] mother is a duchesse as you are,

A Princesse borne, the Duke of Bedfords wi [...]e,

And as you [...]no, a daughter and a sister,

U [...]to the royall bloud of Burgundie.

But you cannot so basely thinke on me,

As I do thinke of these vaine worldly titles,

God fro [...] soule my sinne as farre dcuide.

As I am farre [...]rom boasting in this pride,

Selling.

Madam, she is the mirror of her kind,

H [...]d she but so much spleene as hath a gnatte,,

Her spirits would startle to abide your taunts,

She is a Sain [...], and Madam you blaspheme,

[...]o wrong so sweete a Ladie.

Duch.

Thou art a [...]nion and a slatterer.

Sellin.

[Page]

Madam but that you are my soueraignes mother,

I would let you know you wrong a Gentleman,

Howard.

Good Cosin Sellinger haue patience,

Her Graces rage by too much violence,

Hath spent it selfe alreadie into [...]re:

Déere Madam I beseeth you on my knee,

Tender that louing kindnesse to the Quéene,

That I dare sweare she doth in soule to you.

Edw.

Well said good Cose, I pray thee make them friends, why how now Besse, what weepe? nay then ile chide y [...]u: what sodaine newes comes by this messenger?

Enter a Messenger.

Mes.

My soueraigne Lord, the bastard Falconbridge,

Of late hath stird rebellion in the South,

Incouraging his forces to deliuer,

King Henrie late deposde out of the Towre,

To him the malcontented commons flocke,

From euerie part of Sussex, Kent, and Esier,

His armic waxed twentie thousand strong.

And as it is supposde by circumstance,

Meane to take London, if not well defended.

Ed.

Well let this Phaeton that is mountel thus,

Looke he sit surely, or by Englands George,

Ile breake his necke, this is no new euasion,

I surely thought that one day I should see,

That bastard Falcon take his wings to mount,

Into our Eagle airie, me thought I saw,

Blacke [...]iscontent sit euer on his brow,

And now I see I calculated well,

Good Cosin Howard, and Tom Sellinger,

This night wéele spend in fe [...]st and [...]llitie,

With our new Quéene, a [...]d our beloued mother,

To morrow you shall hau [...] commission,

To raise vp power against this haughtie rebell:

Sirra depart not till you know our pleas [...]re,

You shall conuey vs letters backe to London,

[Page] Unto the Maior, Recorder, and our friends,

Is supper readie? come by my bonnie Besse,

Welcome mother, we are all your guests.

Exeunt.

Enter Falconbridge with his troupes marching, Spicing, Smoake, Chub, and others.

Fal.

Hold drumme,

1. Spi.

Hold drumme and be hangde,

2. Smoke.

Hold drumme hold, peace then ho, silence to the 3 proclamation.

1. Spi.

You lie you rogue, tis to the Oration,

Chub.

Nay then you all lie, it is to the coblication,

Fal.

True hearted English and our valiant friends,

all.

Do braue generall isaith.

Spi.

Peace there you rogues, or I will split your chaps:

Fal.

De are countrimen, I publikely proclaime,

If any wronged discontented English,

Toucht with true faeling of King Hennes wrongs,

Henrie the [...]rt the lawfull King of England,

Who by that tyrant Edward the vsurper,

Is held a wretched prisoner in the Lowre,

If any man that faine would be enfranchisde,

From the sad yoake of [...]orkrsh seruitude,

Under which w [...] toile like naked Gallislaues,

Know he that Thomas Neuill the Lord Falconbridridge:

all.

I &, a Falconbridge a falconbridge:

Spi.

P [...]ace ye clamorous rogues, on General on with poor

Oration, peace there,

Fal.

Pit [...]ing King Henries poore destressed case,

Armde with his title, and a subiects zeale,

Takes vp iust arm [...]s against the house of Yorks:

And do proclaime our ancient libertie:

all.

Libertie, libertie, libertie, generall libertie.

Fal.

We do not rise like Tiler, Cade, and Straw,

Blewbeard, & other of that rascall route,

Bascly like Linkers, or such mnddle [...]anes,

[Page] For mending measures, or the price of corne,

Or for some common in the wild of Kent,

Thats by some gréedie Cormorant inclosde:

But in the true and ancient lawfull right,

Of the redoubted bouse of Lancaster.

Our bloud is noble, by our birth a Neuill,

And by our lawfull line Lord Falconbridge,

Whose here thats of so dull a leaden temper,

That is not fired with a Neuils name?

All.

A Neuill, a Neuill, a Neuill.

Fa.

Our quarrell like our selfe is honourable,

The law our warrant.

Smoke.

I, I, the law is on our side.

Chub.

I, the law is in our own hands,

Spi.

Peace you rogues.

Fal.

And more, a blessing by the word proposoe,

To those that aide a true annointed King,

Courage braue spirits and crie a Falconbridge,

All.

A Falconbridge, a Falconbridge.

Fal.

We will be masters of the mint our selues,

And set our owne stampe on the golden coyne:

Wéele shooe our neighing coursers with no worse

Then the purest s [...]iuer that is sold in Cheape.

At Leaden hall weele sell pearles by the pecke,

As now the mealemen vse to sell their meale:

In Westminster wéele kéep a solemne court,

And build it bigger to receiue our men,

Crie Falconbridge my hearts libertie,

All.

Falconbridge and libertie, &c.

Smoke.

Peace ye slaues, or I will smoke ye else,

Chub.

Peace ye slaues, or I will chub your chappes, but indeede thou maist well smoke them, because thy name is Smoke.

Smoke.

Why sirra, I hope Smoke the Smith of Chepsted, is as good a man as Chub the Chandler of Sandwich.

Spicing.

Peace ye rogues, what are you quarrelling? and [Page] now list to Captaine Spicing.

You know Cheapeside there are the Mercers shops,

Where we will measure veluet by the pikes:

And Silkes and Sattens by the streetes whole bredth:

Weele take the Tankards from the Conduit cockes,

To fill with Ip [...]ras and drinke carowse.

Where chaines of gold and plate shall be as plentie,

As wodden dishes in the wild of Kent:

Smoake.

Oh brauely said Ned Spicing, the honestest Lad that euer punde spice in a mortar, now speakes Captaine Smoke.

Looke Lads for from this hil ye may discerne,

The louely towne which we are ma [...]hing to,

That same is London Lads yelook [...] vpon,

Raunge all arow my hearts and stand at gaze,

As doe the heards of Déere at some strange sight:

Or as a troupe of hungrie trauel [...]s,

That fire their eies vpon a fur [...]d feast,

Looke how the Towre doth tice vs to come on,

To take out Henry the sixt there prisoner,

See how S. Katherines smokes, wipe slaues vour eies

And whet your stomackes for the good mault pies.

Chub.

Why then belike I am no bodie: roome and auoydance, for now speakes Captaine Chub:

No sooner in London will we be,

But the Bakers for you, the Brewers for me,

Bir [...]hin lane shall sute vs, the Costermongers fruite vs:

The Poulters send vs in sowle,

And Butchers meat without controule:

And euer when we sup or dine,

The Vintners freely bring vs in wine:

If any bodie aske who shall pay,

Cut off his head and send him away.

This is Captaine Chubs law whosoeuer say nay.

Fal.

Brauely resolude, so m [...]rch we forward all,

And boldly say, good lucke shall vs be [...]all.

Exeunt.

[Page] Enter the Lord Maior, M. Shoare. M. Iosseline, in their veluet coates, and gorgets, and leading staues.

Ma.

This is well done, thus should good Cittizens,

F [...]hion themselues as well for warre as peace:

Haue yee command [...]d that in euerie streese,

They h [...]g forth ligh [...]s as soone as [...]ght comes one

Say Colin Sn [...]are that was referd to you.

[...]hoare [...] haue my Lord, besides from euerie hall

T [...]ere is at least two hund [...]ed men in armes.

Ma.

[...] cheares my heart to heare this readines,

Let neuer r [...]bels put true Subiects downe,

Come when they will, th [...] welcome shall be such,

As they had better kept them further off.

But where is M. Recorder? his aduise,

Must not be wanting in these high affaires.

Sho.

About an houre agoe, and somewhat more,

I left him fortifying the bridge my Lord,

Which done he purposed to méete you here:

Ma.

A discreet paineful Gentleman he is,

And we must all of vs be so inclinde:

If we entend to haue the Citie safe,

Or looke for thanks, and credit with the King,

I tell ye maisters, aged though I be,

I (for my pa [...]t) will to no bed this night.

Ioss.

Why is it thought the Bastard is so neare?

Ma.

How [...]cane ye M. Iosseline by neare?

He neither comes from Italy nor Spaine:

But out of Kent, and Esser which you know,

Are both so neare, as nearer cannot be.

Ioss.

Nay, by your patience good my Lord a word,

Simple though I am, yet I must confesse,

A mischiefe further off, would, and so forth,

You know my meaning, things not seene before,

Are, and so forth, yet in good sadnes,

I would that all were well, and perchance,

[Page] It may be so, what, were it not for hope,

The heart, and so forth, but to the matter,

You meane and purpose, I, I, am sure ye doe?

Ma.

Well M. Iosseline, we are sure ye mean well

Although somewhat defectiue in your vtterance.

Ios.

I, I, my Lord Maior, I am you know,

Willing readie, & so forth, tut, tut, for me, ha, ha,

My Manston is at Ham, and thence you know,

I come to helpe you in this néedfull time:

When rebels are so busie, and so forth,

What masters, age must neuer be despisde,

You shall find me my Lord, still, and so forth.

Enter Vrswicke the Recorder.

Sho.

My Lord, now here comes M. Recorder.

Re.

Good euen my good Lord Maior, the stréets are chainde,

The bridge well manned & euerie place preparde,

Shall we now go together and consult.

What else there is to be determinde of?

Ma.

Your comming M. Recorder was the thing

We all desired, therefore let vs consult,

And now what say ye, if with halfe our power,

Wee issue forth, and giue the rebels fight?

Recor.

Before they do prouoke vs nearer hand

There were no way to that, if all be pleasde,

Whats your opinion M. Iosseline?

Ios.

Good soo [...]h my L. Maior, and M. Recorder,

You may take your choice, but in my conceit,

Issue if you will, or else stay if you will,

A man can neuer be too warie and so forth,

Yet as to issue will not be the worst,

Euen so to tarrie, wel, you may thinke more on't,

But all is one, we shall be sure to fight,

And you are wise enough, to sée your time, I, I, a Gods name.

Rec.

My Lord accept his meaning better then his counsell.

Ma.

[Page]

I, so we do, or else we were to blame,

What if we stoppe the passage of the Thames,

With such prouision as we haue of shippes?

Recor.

Its doubtfull yet my Lord, whether the rebels,

Purpose that way to séeke our detriment,

Rather me séemeth they will come by land,

And either make assault at London bridge,

Or else at Algate, both which enterances,

Were good they should be strongly lortified.

Ios.

Well said master Recorder, you do, I I, Iye warrant

Recor.

As for the other, the whole companies

Of Mercers, Grocers, Drapers, and the rest,

Are drawne together for their best defence,

Beside the Towre, a neighbour to that place,

As on the one side it will cléere the riuer,

So on the other with their ordenance,

It may repulse and beate them from the gate,

Ma.

What noyse is this? prouide ye sodainely:

A noyse within.

And euerie man betake him to his charge.

Enter a Messenger.

Sho.

Soft who is this, how now my friend what newes?

Mes.

My master the Lieutenant of the Towre, giues ye to vnderstand, he hath descride the armie of the rebels.

Recor.

Which may come they?

Mes.

From Essexward, and therefore tis his mind,

You guarde both Algate wel, and Bishopsgate.

Ma.

Saint George away, and let vs all resolue,

Either to vanquish this rebellious rout,

Preserue our goods, our children and our wiues,

Or seale our resolution with our liues.

Exeu [...]t.

Enter Falconbridge, Spicing, with his troupes.

Fal.

Summon the Citie, and commaund our entrance,

Which if we shall be stubbornly denide,

Our power shal rush like thunder through the walles,

Spi.

Open your gates slaues when I commaund ye,

Spicing beates on the gates, and then enters the Lord Maior [Page] and his associates with prentises.

Whats he that beates thus at the Cittie gates,

Commaun [...]ing entrance as [...]e were a King?

Fa.

He that will haue releasement for a King:

I [...] Neuell the Lord Falconbridge.

Spi

H [...] sirra, you, clapp [...]n, [...]che, [...]olt,

Or [...]e bolt you if I get in, stand you preaching with a pore?

Ma.

We haue no warrant I ho. Falconbridge,

To let your armed troupes into our Citie,

Considering you haue taken vp these armes,

Against our soueraigne and our c [...]untries peace.

Fal.

I tell thee Mawr, and know he tels thée so,

That commeth armed in a Kings defence,

That I craue entrance in Kings He [...]es name,

In right of the true line of Lancaster,

Me thinks that word spoke from a Ne [...]ls mouth

Should like an earthquake rend your chained gates,

And teare in péeces your port [...]ullcises,

I thunder it againe into you eares,

You stout and braue couragious London [...]rs,

In Henries name I craue my entrance in.

[...]R.

Should Henries name commaund thee entrance here

We should denie allrageance unt [...] Edward,

Whose true and f [...]thfull subiects we are [...]uorne,

And in whose presence is our sw [...] vp bo [...]ne.

Fal.

I tell thee traitor then th [...]u bearst thy [...]

Against thy true vndoubted King.

Sho.

Nay then I tell thee bastard Falconbridge,

My Lord Ma [...]or beares his sword in his defence,

That put the sword into the armes of London,

Made the Lord Malors for euer after Knights,

Richard, d [...]osde . . . Henrie Bollingbrooke,

From whom the house of Yorke doth claime their right.

Fal.

Whats he that answeres vs thus saucil [...]

Smo.

Sirra your name, that we may know ye hereafter,

Sho.

My name is Shoare, a Goldsmith by my trade,

Fal.

[Page]

What not that Shoare that hath the da [...]e wife,

Shoares wife, the flowre of London for her beautie.

Sho.

Yes rebell euen the verie same.

Spi.

Runne rascall and fetch thy wife to our Generall presently, or else all the Gold in Cheapside cannot ransome her: wilt thou not stirre when I bid thee.

Fal.

Shoare listen me, thy wise is mine thats flat,

This night in thine owne house shée sleepes with mee,

Now Crosebie Lord Maior shall we enter in?

Ma.

Crosebie the Lord Maior tels thée proud rebell no.

Fal.

No Croseby shall I not: then doating Lord,

I cra [...]e the name of rebell down thy throat,

Theres not the poorest rascall of my campe,

But if he chance to meete thee in Cheapside

Upon thy footcloath, he shall make thee light,

And hold his stirrop while he mount thy horse,

Then lackie him which way he please to goe,

Crosebie [...]le make the Citizens be glad,

To send thee and the Aldermen thy brethren,

All m [...]nicled, and chainde like Gally slanes,

To ransome them, and to redéeme the Citie.

Nay then proud [...]bel, pause & heare me speak,

Theres not the poorest and meanest Citizen,

That is a faithfull subiect to the King.

But in despight of thy rebellious route,

Shall walke to Bowe, a small wand in his [...]d

Although thou lie encamped at M [...]leend Greene,

And not the proudest rebell of you all,

Shall dare to touch him for his damned soule.

Come, we will pull vp our port [...]ses,

And let me see thee enter if thou dare.

Fal.

Spoken like a man, and true Veluet [...]acket,

And we will enter or strike by the way.

Exeunt.

Enter Lord Mai [...]r, Recorder, and losseline.

Ma.

Wheres master Recorder, and master Iosseline?

Recor.

Here my Lord Maior, wee now haue mande the [Page] walles, and fortified such places as were need [...]ll,

Ma.

Why it is well, brothers and Citizens,

Sticke to your Citie as good men should do,

Thinke that in Richards time euen such a rebell,

Was then by Walworth the L. Maior of London,

Stabd dead in Smithfield:

Then shew your selues as it be fits the time.

And let this find a hundreth Walworth, now,

Dare stabbe a rebell were he made of brasse,

And Prentises sticke to your officers,

For you may come to be as we are now,

God and our King against an arrant rebel,

Brothers away, let vs defend our walles:

1. Pren

My Lord your words are able to in [...]use,

A double courage in a cowards breast,

Then feare not vs although our chinnes be bare,

Our hearts are good, the triall shall be séene,

Against these rebels on this champion gréene.

2. Pre.

We haue no tricks nor pollices of warre,

But by the ancient custome of our Fathers,

Wéele soundly lay it on, takte off that will.

And London Prentises be rulde by me,

Die ere ye loose faire Londons libertie.

How now my flatcaps, are you grown so braue?

Tis but your words, whē matters come to proose

Youle scudde as twere a companie of shéepe,

My counsaile therefore is to kéepe your shops,

What lack you, better will bes [...]em your mouths,

Then termes of warre, in sooth you are too yong:

Pr.

Sirra go too, you shall not find it so,

Flatcaps thou calst vs, wée scorne not the name,

And shortly by the vertue of our swords,

Wéele make your cap so sit vnto your crowne,

As sconce and cap and all kisse the ground.

2. Pr.

You are those desperate idle swaggering mates,

That haunt the suburbs in the time of peace,

[Page] And raise vp a [...]-house braules in the stréet,

And when the rumor of the warre begins,

You hide your heads, and are not to be found,

Thou termest it better that we kéepe our shops,

It's good indéed we should haue such a care,

But yet for all our kéeping now and then,

Your Pelfring fingers breake into our lockes,

Vntill at Tyborne you acquite the fault:

Go to, albeit by custome we are milde,

As those that doe professe ciuilitie,

Yet being moude, a nest of angrie hornets

Shall not be more offensi [...] then we will,

Wéele flie about your eares and sting your hearts.

Ioss.

He tels you truth my friends, and so foorth.

Fa.

Who can endure to be so vrauce by boyes?

1. Pr.

Nay scorne vs not that we are Prentises,

The Chronicles of England can report,

What memorable actions we haue done,

To which this daies atchieuement shall be knit,

To make the volume larger then it is.

Ma.

Now of mine honor, yée doe cheare my heart

Braue English ofsprings, valiantly resolude.

2. Pre.

My Lord returne you backe, let vs alone,

You are our Masters, giue vs leaue to worke,

And if we do not banquish them in fight,

Let vs go supperles to bed at night.

Exeunt all but Spicing, Smoke, and their crew.

Spi. Sm.

Get thée vp on the top of S. Buttolphs stéeple, and make a proclamation.

Smoke.

What a plague should I proclaime there?

Spi.

That the hels be rung backward,

And cutting of throats be cride hauocke,

No more calling of lanthorne and candlelight,

That maidenheads be valued at iust nothing:

And Sacke be sold by the Sallet.

[Page] That no pidling slaue stand to picke a locke, but slash me off the hinges, as one would slit vp a Cowes paunch.

Spicing.

Let no man haue lesse then a warehouse to his wardrope: crie a figge for a Sergeant, and walke by the Counter like a Lord, plucke out the clapper of Bow bell, and hang vp all the Sextons in the Cittie.

Smoke.

Rantam Scantam, Rogues follow your leader, Caualero Spicing the maddest slaue that ere pund spice in a morter.

Spi.

Take me an Vsurer by the gr [...]asie pouch, and shake out his Crownes, as a hungrie dog would shake a Haggas, Barre foule play Rogues, and liue by honest silching and stealing, he that hath a true finger, let him [...]aite his face to the fryingpan.

Follow your Leader Rogues, follow your Leader.

Smoake.

Assault, Assault, and crie a Falconbridge.

Iosseline on the walles cries to them.

Ios.

Sirra Spicing, if Spicing bee thy name, we are here for matters and causes as it might [...]me for the King, therefore it were good, and so forth.

Spi.

Open the gates, or if we be the picklocks, ye Rogues weele play the Mastiffe dogs amongst you: If I woorie not a thousand of you with my teeth, let mee bee hangde in a packethreed, and so forth.

Ios.

Fond fellow, iustice is to be vsed, I marie is it, and law in some sort as it were is to be followed, oh God forbid else, this our Magistrate hath power as might seeme, and soforth, for dutie is to be obserued, and Officers must be obeyed, in sort and calling, and so forth.

Spi.

Weele talke more anone, good M. and so forth.

Here is a verie fierce assault on all sides, wherein the Prentises do great seruice.

Enter Falconbridge angrie with his men.

Fal.

Why this it is to trust to these base Rogues.

This durtie scun [...] of rascall [...]esanirie:

[Page] This hartles rout of base rascalitie;

A plague vpon you all, you cowardly Rogues;

You crauand curres, you s [...]y muddy clownes,

Whose courage but consistes in multitude,

Like shéepe and [...]eat that follow one another,

Which if one runne away, all follow after:

This hedge-bred rascal, this filthie frie of ditches,

A vengeance take you all, this t'is to lead you,

Now doe you crie and shrike at euery shocke,

A hot consuming mischiefe follow you.

Spi.

Swounds scale rogues, scale, a Falconbridge, a Falconbridge.

Enter Lord Maior and histraine.

Ma.

Set open the gates, nay then wéel sally out,

It neuer shall be said when I was Maior,

The Londoners were shut vp in the Citie,

Then crie King Edward, and lets vs issue out.

Fal.

Now if ye be true hearted Englishmen,

The gat'es set open and the portcullise vp:

Lets Pel Mel in, to stop their passage out,

He that first enters, be possest of Cheape,

I giue him it fréely, and the chiefest wench.

Spi.

That he can find, let that lie in the bargaine.

Exeunt.

The Lord Maior and the Citizens hauing valiantly repulsed the Rebels from the Citie: Enters Falconbridge and Spicing and the [...] traine wounded and dismaied.

Spi.

Hear'st thou Generall, theres hote drinking at the mouth of Bishopsgate, for our soldiours are all Mouth, they lie like Rascals with their brains beaten out, therefore since we are all like to féed h [...]gs in Houndsditch, let vs retire our troupes, and saue our maimed men, or if we issue further, we are put to the sword euery mothers sonne of vs.

Fal.

Art thou that villaine in whose damned mouth,

Was neuer heard of any word but wounds?

[Page] Whose r [...]rcant limbes are nocht with gaping scarres,

Thicker then any carking craft-mans score,

Whose very skalpe is scracht and crasde and broken,

Like an old mazzer beaten on the stones,

And standest thou now to saue our maimed men?

A plague vpon thee coward.

Spi.

Why how now base Thomas? Swounds, wert thou a base Viall, thou art but a rascall and a rebell as I am, hearest thou, if I do not turne true Su [...]ed and leaue thee, let me be wooried with dogs, Swounds dost thou impeach my manhood? Tom Neuill thou hadst as good to haue [...]nnde thy selfe as vttered such a word, flatly I forsake thee, and all that loue Ned Spicing follow me.

Here the rest offer to follow.

Fal.

Come come yee testic s [...]le, thou séest me gréende,

Yet canst not beare with mine infirmitie,

Thou knowest I hold thee for as tall a man

As any lines or breathes our English ay [...]e,

I know there liues not a more fierie spirit,

A more resolued daliant, a plague vpon it,

Thou knowest I loue thée, yet if a word escape

[...]y lips in anger, how teastie then thou art?

I had rather all men left me then thy selfe,

Thou art my soule, thou art my Genius:

I cannot liue without thee not an hower,

Thus must I still be forc'd against my will,

aside,

To sooth this durtic slaue, this cowardly rascall.

Come, come be friends, ye teastie firebrand,

We must retire there is no remedie.

Spi.

Nay Tom, if thou wilt haue me mount on the walles,

And cast my selfe downe headlong on their pikes,

He doe it, but to impeach my valour,

Had any man but thou spoke halfe so much,

I would haue sp [...]t his heart, still be ware

My valour, such words go hardly downe,

Well, I am friends, thou thoughtest not as thou spakest.

Fal.

[Page]

No on my soule, thou thinkest not that I did,

Sound a retreat there I commaund ye strait,

But whither shall wée retire

Spi.

To Mileend Greene, theres no fitter place.

Fal.

Then let vs backe retire to Mil [...]nd Greene,

And there expect fresh succour from our friends,

With such supply as shall ere long assure

The Citic is our owne, march on, away.

Exeunt.

Enter the L. Maior with his traine and Prentises.

Maior.

Ye haue best [...]d yée like good Cittizens,

And she wne your selues true subiects to your king,

You worthily p [...]entise bestirde your selues,

That it did th [...]re my heart to sée your valour,

The rebels are retirde to M [...]eerd Greene,

Re.

Where so we may not suffer them to rest.

But issue forth vpon them with fresh force.

los.

My L. Maior, d [...]gence doth well, and so forth. Matters must be looked into as they ought, indéed should they, when things are well done, they are, and so forth, for causes and things must indeede be look [...] into.

Ma.

Well sir, we ver [...]e well conceiue your meaning,

And you haue [...]wne your selfe a worthie gentleman:

See that our wals be kept with courts of guard,

And well defended against the enemie,

For we will now withdraw vs to Guild hall,

To take aduise what further must be don.

Exeunt.

Enter Master Shoare and Ianc his wife.

Shore.

Be not afraid (swéet heart) the worst is past,

God haue the praise, the victorie is ours,

We haue preuailde, the rebels are repulsoe,

And euerie str [...]te of London soundeth ioy,

Canst thou then (gentle Ianc) be sad alone?

Ianc.

I am not sad now you are here with me,

[Page] My toy, my hope, my comfort, and my loue,

My déere, déere husband, kindest Mathew shoare,

But when these armes the circles of my soule,

Were in the fight so forward as I heard,

How could I choose, swéet heart, but be afraid?

Sho.

Why dost thou tremble now, when perilspast [...]

Ia.

I thinke vpon the horror of the tune,

But tell me why you fought so desperately?

Sho.

First to maintaine King Edwards royaltie,

Next to defend the Cities libertic,

But chiefly [...]anc to keepe thee from the foyle,

Of him that to my face did how thy spoyle,

Had he prcua [...]de, where then had béene our liues,

Dishonored our daughters, rauished our faire wiues,

Possest our goods, and set our seruants free,

Yet all this nothing to the losse of thee.

Ia.

Of mee sweet heart? why how should I be lost?

Were I by thousand stormes of fortune tost?

And should endure the poorest wretched life,

Yet Iane will be thy honest loyall wife,

The greatest Prince the sunne did euer see,

Shall neuer make me proue vntruc to thee:

Sh.

I feare not faire meanes, but a rebels force,

Ia.

These hands shal make this bodie a dead corse,

[...]re force or flatterie shall mine honour staine,

Sh.

True fame sur [...]iues, when death the [...]sh hath slaine.

Enter an Officer from the Lord Maior.

Of.

God saue ye maister Shore, and mistris by your leaue,

Sir my L. Maior sends for ye by Maio [...],

And prates your speedie presence at Guild hall,

Theres newes the rebels haue made head again,

And haue ensco [...]de themselues vpon Mileeud,

And prescutly our armed men must out,

You being Captaine of two companies

In honour of your v [...]lour and your skill,

[Page] Must lead the vaward, God & right stand with yee.

Sh.

Friend tell my Lord ile wait vpon him strait.

Ia.

Friend tel my Lord he does my husband wrong,

To set him formost in the danger still,

Ye shall not go if I may haue my will,

Peace wife, no more, friend I wil follow yée,

Exit.

Ia.

I faith ye shall not, prethée do not go.

Sh.

Not go swéet heart? that were a cowards trick,

A traitors part to shrinke when others fight,

Enuie shall neuer say that Mathew Shoare

The Goldsmith [...]aid, when other men went out,

To meete his Kings and countries enemie,

No Iane gainst all the rebels on Mileend,

I dare alone K. Edwards right defend.

Ia.

If you be slaine, what shall become of mée?

Sh.

Kight well my w [...]ch, [...]nowe wil marrie thée,

I leaue thee worth at least fiue thousand pound.

Ia.

Marrie again. that word my heart doth wound,

Ile neuer marrie, nor I will not liue,

She weeps.

If thou be kild, let me go with thée Mat.

Sh.

[...]is idle talke good Iane, no more of that,

Go to my Ladie Maioresse and the rest,

As you are still companion with the best,

With them be merrie, and pray for our good speed,

Ia.

To part from thee my very heart doth bléed.

Exeunt.

Enter Falconbridge with his troupes marching, as being at Mileend.

Fa.

Yet stand we in the sight of v [...]card Troy,

And sucke the ayre she drawes: our [...]erie breath

Flies from our nostrils warme vnto the walles,

We beard her bristling spires, her battled towres,

And proudly stand and g [...]e her in the sace,

Looke on me, and I doubt not ye imagine,

My worth as great as any one of yours,

[Page] My fortunes, would I basely fawne on Edward,

To be as faire as anie mans in England,

But he that kéepes your soueraigne in the Towre,

Hath sea [...]de my land, and robd me of my right:

I am a Gentleman as well as hee,

What he hath got, he bolds by tyrannie,

Now if you faint, or cowardly should flie,

There is no hope for anie one to liue,

We heare the Londoners will leaue the Citie,

And bid vs battaile here on [...]ilcend Greene,

Whom if we vanquish, then we take the towne,

And ride in triumph thorow Cheape to Paules,

The Mint is ours, Cheap, Lumbard stréet our owne

The meanest souldier wealthier then a king.

Spi.

March faire ye rogues, all kings or capknitters: dost thou heare Tom Falconbridge? I pre thee grant me one boone I shall aske thee.

Fa.

What is it Ned: its hard I should denie thee.

Spi.

Why that when we haue woune the Crie, as we cannot chuse but winne it, that I may haue the knighting of all these rogues and rascalles.

Fal.

What then?

Spi.

What then? Zonnds I scorne your scuruie way mouthed, what then? now a pore take me it I fight a blow.

Fal.

Why this is fine, go to, knight whom thou wilt:

Spi.

Who, I knight any of them? Ile sée them hangde first for a companie of tattred ragged rascailes, if I were a king, I would not knight one of them?

Chub.

What not mee Caualero Chub?

Spi.

Yes, I care not if I knight thee: and yet ile see thee hangd ere ile honour thee so much: I care not so much for the matter, but I would not be denide my humour.

Fal.

Why what a peruerse fellow art thou Ned?

Spi.

Ho my sine Tom, my braue Falconbridge, my mad Greeke, my lustie Neuill: thou art a king, a Cesar, a plague [...] thee, I loue thee not, and yet ile die with thee.

[Page] Enter the Lord Maior, Recorder, Iosseline, Shoare, and their Souldiours marching.

Maior.

See how rebellion can exalt it selfe,

[...]ing the feathers of sicke discipline.

Recer.

They thinke they can outlooke our tr [...]r lookes,

Sho.

Marke but the scornefull eie of Falconbridge.

Ma.

I rather thinke tis feare vpon his cheeke,

Decyphers pale disturbance in his heart.

Ios.

Our comming forth hath, well, I say no more,

But shall we take occasion, and so forth,

Rebellion should haue no respite, oh my Lord,

The time hath [...]ene, but all is one for that.

Spi.

How like a troupe of ranke oreridden iades,

You hu [...]se bearded Citizens appeare?

Chub.

Nay, rather so many men in the Moone,

And euerie one a forzen bush in his mouth.

Spi.

The so [...] and [...] wards? now faire befall them,

Would anie one haue thought before this houre,

There had béene such increase of muddie slaues?

Spi.

Peace soldsours, they are resolute you sée,

And not to sta [...] vs, nor fauour them,

Such haughtie sto [...]hs seldome haue béene séene,

Imbodied in the breasts of Cittizens,

How sternly in their owne peculiar strength,

Without the assistance of their lingring king,

Did they of late repulse vs from their walles?

And now againe how expeditiously,

And vnexpected they haue met vs here?

Were we more deadly incensed then we are,

I would not but commend their chiualrie.

Spi.

Captaine, shall we go challenge them to fight?

Sbloud we burne daylight, theile thinke anon,

We are afraid to sée their glittering swords.

Ch.

Tell them they come in stéed of pudding pies,

And Stratford cakes to makes a banquet here.

Fal.

Soft giue me leaue, I will deuise with words,

[Page] To weaken and abash their fortitude,

Re.

The bastard offers to come forth my Lord.

Ma.

I am the man intend to answere him.

Fa.

Crosbie.

Ma.

Traytor.

all

Traitour? zounds downe with him.

Fa.

Be patient, giue me leaue I say to speake,

I doubt not but the traitors name shall rest

With those that keeps their lawfull K. in bonds:

Meane time ye men of London once againe,

Behold my warlike colours are displaide,

Which I haue vowd shal neuer be wrapt vp,

Untill your loftie buildings kisse our féet,

Unles you grant me passagethrough your stréets.

Re.

Passage, saist thou? that must be ore our breasts,

If any passage thou art like to haue.

Fa.

Why then vpon your bodies will I tread,

And wade through standing pooles of your lost bloud.

Sh.

We know thy threats, and reckon them as wind,

Not of suffecient powre to shake a reede.

Spi.

But we shooke your gates not long agoe,

And made your walles to shake like yrish bogges.

Chub.

I, and so terrified ye, that not one of ye [...]rst come to fetch a pinte of sacke at the mouth at Bishopsgate, no not for your lines.

Ios.

I but you know what followed, and so forth.

Spi.

Etretera? are you there? mee thinks the sight of the dun Bull, the Neuels honored crest, should make you leaue your broken sentences, and quite forget euer to speake at all.

Sho.

Nay then looke thou vpon our Citties armes.

Wherein is a bloudie dagger, that is it,

Where with a rebell like to Falconbridge,

Had his desert, meete for his trecherie,

Can you behold that, and not quake for feare?

Re.

Since when, it is successfuely decreed,

[Page] Traitors with vs shall neuer better speede.

Spi.

Captaine and fellow soldiers talke no more,

But draw your meaning forth in down right blows.

Falcon.

Sound then alarum.

Maior.

Do the like for vs, and where the right is, there attend successe.

Ios.

Stay and be better aduisde, why countr [...],

What is this Falconbridge you follow so?

I could instruct you, but you know my mind.

And Falconbridge what are these rusticalles,

Thou shouldst repose such confidense in glasse,

Shal I informe thee? no, thou art wise inough,

Edward of Yorke delaies the time you say,

Therefore hée will not come, imagine so,

The Citties weake, hold that opinion still,

And your pretence King Henries libertie.

True, but as how? shall I declare you? no.

What thē? youle fight, a gods name take your choise,

I canno more but giue you mine aduise.

Fal.

Away with this parentheses of words,

Crosbie courage thy men, and on this greene,

Whose cause is right, let it be quickly séene.

Maior.

I am as readic as thou canst desire,

On then a Gods name.

They fight, the rebels driue them backe: then Enter Falconbridge and Spicing.

Fal.

This was well fought, now Spicing list to me.

The Cittizens thus hauing giuen vs ground,

And therefore somewhat daunted, take a band

Of Essex souldiours, and with all the spéede

Thou possibly canst make, withdraw thy selfe,

And get between the Cittie gates and them.

Spi.

Oh braue Tom Neuill, gallant Falconbridge,

Ayme at thy intended pollicie,

[Page] This is thy meaning, while thou art imploide,

And holdst them battaile here on Mileend Greene,

I must prouide as harbenger before,

There be not onely cleere and open passage,

But the best marchants houses to receiue

Vs and our retinew, I am proud of that,

And will not sléepe vpon thy iust commaund.

Fal.

Away then I will follow as I may,

And doubt not but that ours will be the day.

After some excursions, enter Lord Maior and Master Shoare.

Ma.

We haue recouered what before we lost,

And heauen stands with the iustice of our cause,

But this I noted in the fight euen now,

That part of this rebellious crew is sent,

By what direction, or for what intent,

I cannot ghesse, but may suspect the worst,

And as it séemes, they compasse it about,

To hemme vs in, or get the gate of vs,

And therefore Cosin Shoare, as I repose

Trust in thy valour and thy loyaltie,

Draw forth thrée hundred [...]wmen, and some pikes,

And presently encounter their assault.

Sho.

I haue your meaning, and effect my Lord,

I trust shall disappoint them of their hope.

After an alarum, Enter Spicing with a drum and certaine Soldiours.

Spi.

Come on my harts, we will be kings to night,

Carouse in Gold, and sléepe with marchants wiues,

While their poore husbands loose their liues abroad,

We are now quite behind our enemies backs,

And theres no let or hindrance in the way,

But we may take possession of the towne,

Ah you mad rogues, this is the wished houre,

Follow your leader, and be resolute.

[Page] As he marcheth, thinking to enter, Shoare and his souldiours issue forth and repulse him, after excursions, wherein the rebels are disperst. Enter Maior, Reco. Shoa. Iosseline, and a Messenger talking with the Maior.

Ma.

I, my good friend, so certifie his grace,

The Rebels are dispersed all and fled,

And now his Highnes méetes with victorie.

Exit. Mess.

Marshall your sclues, and kéepe in good aray:

To adde more glorie to this victorie:

The King in person commeth to this place,

How great an honour haue you gainde to day?

And how much is this Citie famde for euer,

That twise without the helpe, eyther of King,

Or any, but of God, and our owne selues,

We haue preuailde against our countries foes?

Thankes to his maiestie assisted vs,

Who alwaies helps true subiects in their néed.

The Trumpets sound, then enters king Edward, L. How. Sellenger and the traine.

King.

Where is my Lord Maior?

Ma.

Here dread Soueraigne.

I hold no Lordship nor no dignitie,

In presence of my gracious Lord the King,

But all I humble at your highnes féete,

With the most happie conquest of proud rebels,

Dispearst and fled, that now remaines no doubt,

Of euer making head to vexe vs more.

King.

You haue not [...]ane the bastard Falconbridge:

Or is he slaine?

Ma.

Neither my gracious Lord.

Although we labourd to our vttermost,

Yet all our care came ouer short,

For apprehending him or Spicing eyther

But some are taken, others on proffered grace

[Page] Yéelded themselues, and at your mercie stand.

Thanks good L. Maior, you may condemne vs

Of too much slacknes in such vrgent néed:

But we assure you on our royall word,

So soone as we had gathered vs a power,

We dallied not, but mane all hast we could,

What order haue ye tane for Falconbridge,

And his confederates in this rebellion?

Ma.

Vnder your leaue my Liedge, we haue proclaimd

Who bringeth Falconbridge aliue or dead,

Shall be requited with a thousand markes,

As much for Spicing, others of lesse worth

At easier rates are set.

Well haue ye done,

And wee will see it paid from our Erchequer.

Now leaue we this and come to you,

That haue so well veserude in these affaires,

Affaires, I meane of so maine consequence.

Kneele downe and all of you receiue in field,

The honor you haue merited in field.

There he drawes his sword and knights them.

Arise Sir Iohn Crosbie, L. Maior of London & Knight.

Arise vp Sir Ralph Iosseline knight.

Arise Sir Thomas Vrswicke our Recorder of London, and Knight.

Now tell me which is M. Shoare.

Ma.

This same my Lord,

And hand to hand he fought with Falconbridge.

King.

Shoare knéele thou downe.

What call yée else his name?

Recor.

His name is Mathew Shoare my Lord.

Shoare, why kneelest thou not, and at thy Souetaignes hand receiue thy right?

Shoare.

Pardon me gracious Lord,

I do not stand contemptuous or des [...]ising

Such royall fauour of my Soueraigne,

[Page] But to acknowledge mine vnworthines:

Farre be it from the thought of Mathew Shoare,

That he should be aduanc'de with Aldermen,

With our L. Maior, & our right grane Recorder.

If any thing hath béene performde by me,

That may deserue your Highnes mean'st respect,

I haue inough, and I desire no more.

Then let me craue that I may haue no more.

King.

Well, be it as thou wilt, some other way

We will deuise to quittance thy deserts,

And not to faile therein vpon my word.

Now let me tell ye all my friends at once,

Your King is married, since you saw him last,

And haste to helpe you in this néedfull time,

Made me on sudden to forsake my bride.

But séeing all things are fallen out so well,

And there remaines no further doubt of ill,

Let me [...]ntreate you would goe boote your selues,

And bring your King a little on his way.

How say you my Lord, shall it be so?

Ma.

Now God forbid but that my Lord the King

Should alwaies haue his Subiects at command.

Ios.

Forbid quotha? I in good sadnes, your maiestie shall finde vs alwaies readie, and so forth.

King.

Why then set forward Gentlemen,

And come L. Maior, I must conferre with you.

Exeunt.

Enter Falconbridge and spicing with their weapons in their hands.

Spi.

Art thou the man whose victories drawn at sea,

Fild cuerie heart with terror of thy name?

Art thou that Neuill whom we tooke thee for?

Thou art a lowse, thou bastard Falconbridge?

Thou baser then a bastard, in whose birth

The very dregs of seruitude appeares,

Why tell me, liuer of some rotten shéepe,

[Page] After by thy allurements we are brought,

To vndertake this course, after thy promises

Of many golden mountaines to eusue,

Is this the greatest comfort thou canst glu [...]?

Hast thou insnarde our héedles feet with death,

And brought vs to the Jebbet of defame,

And now do'st bid vs shift and saue our selues?

No crauen were I sure I should be tane,

I would not stirre my feete, vntill this hand

Had venged me on thee for misguiding vs.

Fal.

Opprobrious villaine, stable excrement,

That neuer dreamst of other manhood yet,

But how to ierke a horse, vntill my words

Insusde into thee resolutions sire.

Controlst thou me for that wherein thy selfe,

Art onely the occasion of mishap?

Hadst thou and they stood to it as well as I,

The day had beene our owne, and London now,

That laughes in triumph, should haue wept in teares,

But being backt by such faint harted slaues

No marualle if the Lion go to wracke,

As though it were not incident to Kings,

Sometime to take repulse, mine is no more:

Nor is not for that muddie braine of thine

To tutor me how to digest my losse,

Then flie with those that are alreadie fled,

Or stay behind, and hang all but the head.

Spi.

Oh preiudice to Spicings conquering name,

Whose valor euen the hacks this sword has made

Vpon the flint, and yron barres at Aldgate:

Like mouthes wil publish whiles the City stands

That I shrunke backe [...] that I was neuer seene

To shew my manly spleene, but with a whipe.

I tell thee Falconbridge the least of these,

Do challenge bloud before they be appeasde,

Fal.

Away ye scoundrell, tempt not my resolue,

[Page] The courage that sur [...]es in Falconbridge,

Scornes the incounter of so base a drudge.

Spi.

By the pure temper of this sword of mine,

By this true flesh and bloud that gripes the same,

And by the honour I did winne of late,

Against those frostie bearded Citizens,

It shall be tride before we do depart,

Whether accuseth other wrongfully,

Or which of vs two is the better man.

Fal.

I shall but quit the Hangman of a labour,

Yet rather then to be [...]pbraided thus,

The Eagle once will stoope to féede on tarrion.

They fight, Enter Chub.

Ch.

Hold if ye be men, if not, hold as ye are: rebels & [...] théeues: I bring you newes of a proclamation, the King hath promised that whosoeuer can bring the head of Falconbridge, or Spicing, shal haue for his labour a thousand crownes, what meane you then to swagger? saue your selues.

Spi.

This proclamation comes in happie time,

Ile banquish Falconbridge, and with this sword

Cut off his head, and beare it to the King,

So not alone shall I be pardoned,

But haue the thousand crownes is promised.

Fal.

This rascall was ordainde to saue my life,

For now when I haue ouerthrowne the wretch,

Euen with his head [...]le yéeld me to the King,

His princely word is past to pardon mee,

And though I were the chiefe in this rebellion,

Yet this will be a meanes to make my peace.

Ch.

Oh that I knew how to betray them both.

Fal.

How saist thou Spi. wilt thou yéeld thy selfe?

For I haue vowde eyther aliue or dead

To bring thee to King Edward?

Spi.

And I haue vowde the like by thee.

How will these two bad contarie [...]s agree?

Chub.

And I the same by both of you.

Fal.

[Page]

Come sir, ile quickly c [...]d you of that care.

Spi.

And what thou lottest me, shall be thy share.

Chub.

Here comes a miller, helpe to part the fray,

These are the rebels Falconbridge and Spicing,

The worst of them is worth a thousand crownes.

Mill.

Marrie and such a bootic should I haue,

Submit, submit, it is in vaine to striue,

Exit Fal.

Spi.

Why what art thou:

Mill.

One that will hamper yon,

But whats the other that is fled away?

Chub.

Oh miller, that was Falconbridge,

And this is Spicing his companion.

Spi.

I tell thée miller thou hast béene the meanes,

To hinder the most charitable déed,

What euer honest Christian vndertooke.

Chub.

Thou canst beare nie witnesse I had fane

That most notorious rebell but for him.

But I haue taken thée, and the world knowes,

That Spicing is as bad as who is best.

Spi.

Why thou mistakst, I am a true subsect.

Chub.

Miller hée lies, be sure to hold him fast.

Spi.

Dost thou accuse me? apprehend him too,

For hees as guiltie as any of vs.

Mill.

Come you shall both togither answere it,

Before my Lord Maior, and here he comes.

Enter Lord Maior, Iosseline, and other attendants.

Ma.

Sir Ralph Iosseline, haue you euer séen a Prince more a [...] sable then Edward is? what merry talke he had vpon the way.

Ios.

Doubtlesse my Lord héeie prooue a royal King.

But how now what are these?

Mill.

God saue your honour,

Here I present vnto you my Lord Maior,

A paire of rebels, whom I did espie

As I was busie grinding at my mill,

And taking them for vagrant idle k [...]ucs,

That had beset some trueman from his house,

[Page] I came to kéepe the peace, but afterward,

Found that it was the bastard Falconbridge,

And this his mate together by the eares,

The one, for all that I could doo, escapte,

The other standeth at your mercie here.

Ma.

It is the rebell Spicing.

Spi.

It is indeed?

I see you are not blind, you know mee then.

Ma.

Wel miller, thou hast done a subic [...]s part,

And worthily deserust that recompence

Is publikely proclaimed by the King,

But whats this other? I haue séene his face,

And as I take it, he is one of them.

Mill.

I must confesse, I tooke them both togither,

[...]ee ayded me to apprehend the rest.

Chub.

A telles you true my Lord, I am Chub the Chaundler, and I curse the time that euer I saw their faces, for if they had not been, I had liude an honest man in mine own countrie, and neuer come to this,

Spi.

Out rogue, dost thou recant for feare of death?

I Ma [...]or, I am he that sought to cut your thrpate,

And since I haue miscaried in the fact,

Ile néere denie it, do the worst you can.

Ma.

Bring him a way, he shall haue martiall law, and at the next tree we do come vnto,

Be hangde to rid the world of such a wretch.

Miller thy dutie is a thousand markes,

Which must be sharde bet wixt thée and this poore fellow, that did reueale him. And sirra, your life is saude on this condition, that you hang vp Spicing, how saist thou, wilt thou do it?

Chub.

Will I doe it? what a question is that?

I would hang him if he were my father to saue mine own life.

Ma.

Then when yée haue done it, come home to my house, and there ve truly shall haue your reward.

Spi.

Well sirra, then thou must be my hangman?

Chub.

[Page]

I by my troth sir, for fault of a better.

Spi.

Well, commend me to little Pim, and pray her to red [...]me my pande hose, they lie at the blew Bore for eleuen pence, and if my hostesse wil haue the other odde penie, tell her she is a damned bawde, and there is no truth in her score.

Chub.

Take no thought sir for your pande hose, they are lowsie, and not worth the redéeming.

Spi.

There is a Constable stickes in my minde, he got my sword from me, that night I should haue killed blacke Ralph, if I had [...]ude, I would haue béene meete with him.

Chub.

I sir, but heres a thing shall take an order for that.

Spi.

Cemmend me to blacke Luce, bouncing Besse, & lustie [...]ate, and the other pretie morsels of mans flesh. Farewell Pinke and Pinnesse, [...]libote, and Caruell, Turnbuil, and Spittle, I die like a man.

Chub.

Oh Captaine Spicing, thy vaine inticing, brought me from my trade,

From good candles making, to this paines taking, a rebell to be made,

Therefore Ned Spicicing, to quit thy enticing, this must be th [...] hope,

By one of thy fellowes, to be led to the Gallowes, to end in a rope.

Exeunt.

Enter Hobs the Tanner of Tamworth:

Hobs.

Dudgeon, dost thou he are, looke well to Brocke my mare, driue Dunne and her faire and softly downe the hill, and take héede the thornes teare not the hornes of my Cow hides, as thou goest neere the hedges: ha what saist thou knaue? is the Bulles hide downe? why lay it vp again, what rare I? He meete thee at the stile, and helpe to set all straight. And yet God helpe, its a crooked world, and an vnthriftie, for some that haue nere a shooe, had rather go barefoote, then buy clo [...]-leather to mend the old, when they can buy no new, for they haue time inough to mend all, they sit so long betweene the cup and the wall, well God amend them, God amende them. Let me see by my executor heere, my leather pouch, [Page] what I haue taken, what I haue spent, what I haue gained. what I haue lost, & what I haue laid cut: my taking is more thē my spending, for heres store left. I haue spent but a groat, a penie for my two iades, a penie to the poore, a penie pot of ale, and a penie cake for my man and me, a dicker of Cowehides cost mee.

Here enter the Queene & Duchesse with their riding rods, vnpinning their masks, Hobs goes forward.

Snailes who comes here? mistris Ferries, or mistris what call ye her? Put vp Iohn Hobs, money tempts beauty.

Du.

Well met good fellow, sawest thou not the hart?

Ho.

My heart? God blesse me from séeing my heart.

Du.

Thy heart? the déereman, we demaund the decre.

Hobs.

Do you demaund whats déere? mary corne and cow hides, Masse a good sni [...]g lasse, well like my daughter Nell, I had rather then a bend of leather shee and I might smutch togither.

Dutchesse.

Camst thou not downe the wood?

Hobs.

Yes mistris that I did.

Dutch.

And sawst thou not the déere imbost?

Hobs.

By my hood ye make me laugh, what the dickens is it loue that makes ye prate to me so fondly, by my fathers soule I would I had iobd faces with you.

Huntsm.

Why how now Hobs, so saucie with the Dutchesse and the Quéene?

Hobs.

Much Queene I trow, these be but women, and one of them is like my wench, I would she had her rags, I would giue a load of haire and hornes, and a fat of leather, to match her to some iustice, by the meghollie.

2. Huntsm.

Be silent Tanner, and aske pardon of the Queen.

Hobs.

And ye be the Queene, I crie ye mercie good mistris Queene.

Queen.

No fault my friend, Madam lets take our bowes,

And in the standing seeke to get a shoote.

Dutch.

Come bende our bowes, and bring the herde of d [...]re.

Exeunt.

Hobs.

[Page]

God send yée-good standing, and good striking, and fat flesh, sée if all Gentle women be not alike when their blacke facce be on, I tooke the Quéene, as I am true Tanner, for mistris Ferris.

Enter Sellenger and Howard in Greene.

Hobs.

Soft, who comes here, more knaues yet?

Sel.

Ho good fellow, saw [...] thou not the King?

Hobs.

No good fellow, I saw no King, which King doost thou aske for.

How.

Why King Edward, what King is there else?

Hob.

Theres another King and ye could hit on him, one Harrie, one Harrie, and by our Ladie they say, hees the honester man of the two.

Sel.

Sirra beware you speake not treason.

Hob.

What if I doe?

Sell.

Then thoult be hangde.

Hob.

A dogs death, [...]le not meddle with it, for by my troth I know not when I speake treason, when I do not, theres such halting betwirt two Kings, that a man cannot goe vpright, but he shal offend tone of them, I would God had them both for me.

How.

Well, thou sawst not the King?

Hob.

No, is he in the countrie?

How.

[...]es hunting here at Drayton Basset.

Hob.

The deuill he is, God blesse his Mastership: I saw a woman here that they said was the Quéene, shees as like my daughter, but my daughter is the fairer, as euer I sée.

Sell.

Fare well fellow, speake well of the King,

Exeunt.

Hob.

God make him an honest man, I hope thats well spoken, for byth mouse foot, some giue him hard words, whether be [...]rues vm or not, let him looke to that, ile meddle of my cow hide, and let the world slide.

Enter the king disguised.

The diuell in a dung cart, how these roysters swarme in the [...]trie now the King is so neere? God liuer me from this, for this [...] like a [...]heese, but a man cannot tell amongst [Page] these Courtnoles whose true.

K. Ed.

[...]olla my friend, good fellow pre thée stay.

Hob.

No such matter, I haue more haste of my way.

K. Ed.

If thou be a good fellow, let me borrow a word.

Hob.

My purse thou meanest, I am no good fellow, and I pray God thou beest not one.

K. Ed.

Why? dost thou not loue a good fellow?

Hobs.

No, good fellowes be theeues.

K. Ed.

Dost thou thinke I am one?

Hob.

Thought is frée, and thou art not my ghostly father.

K. Ed.

I meane thée no harme.

Hob.

Who knowes that but thy selfe? I pray God he spie not my purse.

K. Ed.

On my troth I meane shee none.

Hob.

Upon thy oth ile stay: now, what saist thou to me? Speake quickly, for my companie staies for me beneath at the next stile.

K. Ed.

The King is hunting hereabouts, didst thou see his Maiestie?

Hob.

His maiestie, whats that? his horse, or his mare?

K. Ed.

Tush, I meane his Grace.

Hob.

Grace quotha? pray God he haue any: which King dost thou quire for?

K. Ed.

Why for King Edward, knowst thou anie more Kings then one?

Hob.

I know not so many, for I tel thee I know none, marrie I heare of King Edward.

K. Ed.

Didst thou see his Highnesse?

Hob.

By my hollida [...]e, thats the best tearme thou gaust him yet, hees high inough, but hee has put poore King Harrie low inough.

K. Ed.

How low hath he put him?

Hob.

Nay, I cannot tel, but he has put him down, for he has got the crowne, much good doot him with it.

K. Ed.

Amen, I like thy talk so wel, I would I knew thy name.

Hob.

Dost thou not know mee?

K. Ed.

[Page]

No.

Hobs.

Then thou knowest no bodie: didst neuer heare of Iohn Hobs the Tanner of [...]am worth?

K. Ed.

Not till now I promise thee, but now I like thee wel.

Hobs.

So do not I thee, I feare thou art some out-rider, that liues by taking of purses here on Basse [...]s heath, but I feare thée n [...]t, for I haue wared all my money in Cowhides, at Colesill market, and my man & my mare are hard by at the hill foote.

K. Ed.

[...]s that thy grey mare thats tide at the stile with the h [...]es on her backe':

Hobs.

Thats Brocke my mare, and theres Dunne my nag, and Dadgeon my man.

K. Ed.

Theres neither man nor horse, but onely one mare.

Hob.

Gods bl [...]w budkin, has the knaue serud me so? farewel, [...] may loose h [...]s, horns, and mare & all, by prating with thee.

K. Ed.

[...]arry man, tarry, th [...]le sooner take my gelding then thy grav mare, for I [...]ue tide mine by her.

Hobs.

That will I see afore ile take your word.

K. Ed.

Il [...] beare thée companie.

Hob.

I had as lieue go alone:

Exeunt.

Enter the two huntsmen againe with the Bowes.

1 Hunts.

[...]ow on my troth the Queene shoots passing wel.

2. Hunts.

So did the Dutchesse when she was as young.

1. Hunts.

Age s [...]s the hand, and shoots both wide & short:

2. Hunts.

What haue they giuen vs?

1. Hunts.

S [...]re rose nobles lust:

2. Hunts.

The Queene gaue foure.

1. Hunts.

True, and the Dutchesse twaine.

2. Hunts.

O were we euer so paide for our paine.

1. Hunts.

[...]ut, had the King come, as they said he would, he [...] haue ra [...]de vpon vs showres of gold.

2 Hunts.

Why he is hunting some where here about, lets first go drinke, and then go seeke him out.

Exeunt.

Enter King Edward againe, and Hobs.

K. Ed

How [...]st thou Tanner, wilt thou take my cour [...] s [...]t for thy mare?

Ho.

[Page]

Courser callst thou him? so ill mought I fare, thy skittish iade will neuer abide, to carry my lether, my hornes nor hide. But if I were so mad to scorce, what boote wouldst thou giue nice?

K. Ed.

May boote, thats boote woorthie, I looke for boot of thée.

Hob.

Ha, ha, a merrie Iigge, why man, Brocke my mare knowes ha and ree, and will stand when I crie ho, and let me get vp and downe, and make water when I doe.

Ed.

Ile giue thee a Noble if I like her pace, lay thy Cowbides in my saddle, and lets iog towards Drayton.

Hob.

It's out of my way, but I begin to like thee well.

Ed.

Thou wilt like me better before we doe part,

I pray thée tell [...]ee, what say they of the King?

Hob.

Of the kings thou mean'st, art thou no blab if I tel thée.

Ed.

If the King know't not now, hee shall neuer know it for mee.

Hob.

Masse they say King Harrie's a very aduowtrie man.

King.

A [...]uout man, and whats King Edward?

Hob.

Hees a franke franion, a merr [...] companion, and loues a wench well, they say he has married a poore widdow because shecs faire.

King.

Dol [...] thou like him the worse for that?

Hob.

No by my feckens, but the better, for though I bee a pla [...] Tanner, I loue a faire lasse my selfe.

King.

Prée thee tell mee, how loue they King Edward?

Hob.

Faith as poore folks loue hollidaies, glad to haue them now and then, but to haue them come too often, will vnd [...] them, so to sée the king now and then ti's comfort, but euerse day would begger vs, and I may to thée, we feare wée shalbe troubled to lend him no money, for we doubt hees but néedie.

King.

Wouldst thou lend him no money if he should neede?

Hob.

By my hallidome yes, he shall haue halfe my st [...], and ile [...]ell sole leather to helpe him to more.

King.

Faith whether louest thou better Harry or Edward.

Hob.

Nay, thats coúnsel, & two may kéep it, if one be a way.

Kin.

Shal I say my conscience? I think Harry is the true king.

Hob.

[Page]

Art ad [...]isde of that? Harrie's of the old house of Lancasber, and that progenitie do I loue.

And thou dost not hate the house of Yorke?

Why no, for I am [...]ust a kin to Sutton Wind-mill, I can grinde which way so ere the wind blow, if it bee Harrie I can say wel fare Lancaster, if it be Edward I can sing, Yorke, Yorke for my monse.

Kin.

Thou art of my mind, but I say Harrie [...]s the lawfull King, Edward is but an vsurper, and a foole and a coward.

Nay there thou lyest, he has wit inough, and courage inough, do [...] thou not speake treason?

King.

I, but I know to whom I speake it.

Hob.

Dost thou? well if I were Constable, I shoulde be forsworne if I set the [...] not in the stockes for it.

King.

Well let it go no further, for I did serue King Harrie and I loue him best, though now I serue King Edward.

Hob.

Thou art the arranter knaue to speake ill of thy ma [...] ster, but sirra whats thy name, what office hast thou? and what will the King doe for thee?

King.

My name is Ned, I am the Kings Butler, and he wil do more for me, then for any Noble man in the Court.

Hob.

The d [...]uel he wil, hees the more foole, and so ile tel him, if ere I see him, & I wouid I might sée him in my poore house at Tamworth.

Go with me to the Court and ile bring thée to the king, & what sute so ere thou haue to him, the warrant thée to speede

I ha nothing to do at Court, ile home with my cowhids, and if the King will come to me he shall be welcome.

Hast thou no sute touching thy trade, to transport hides or sell leather onely in a certaine circuite, or about Barke, or such like, to haue letters pattents?

By the Masse and the Mattens I like not those Pattents, sirra they that haue them, doe as the Priests did in old [...]ne, buy and sell the sinnes of the people, so they make the King belée [...] they mend whats amisse, and for money they [Page] make the thing worse then it is, theres another thing in [...], the mor is the pitie?

What pittie Iohn Hobs? I prée thée say all.

Hobs.

Faith ti's pittie that one subica should haue in his hand that might do good to many through the land.

Satcst thou me so [...]anner well lets cast lots whether thou shalt go with me to Drayton, or I go home with th [...]e to Tamworth.

Lot me no lotting, ile not goe with thee, if thou wilt go with me, cause thart my Lciges man (and yet I thinke bee has many honester) thou shalt bee welcome to Iohn Hobs, thou shalt be welcome to [...]ese and bacon, and perhaps a bagpudding, and my daughter Nell shall pop a possell vpon thee when thou gost to bed.

Heres my hand, ile but go & see the King seru'de, and [...]le be at home as soone as thy selfe.

Dost thou heare me Ned? if I shall be thy host,

Make haste thou art best, for feare thou kisse the [...]ost.

Exit, Hobs.

Farewell Iohn Hobs, the honest true Tanner

I see plaine men by obseruation,

Of things that alter in the chaunge of times,

Doghter knowledge, and the meanest life,

Proporrioned with content sufficiencie,

Is mericr then the mightie state of Kings.

Enters How, an Sellinger.

Now now? what newes bring ye sirs,

Wheres the Quoene?

Sel.

Her Highnes and your mother my dread Lord,

Are both inuited by Sir Humphrey Bowes,

Where they entend to feast and lodge this night,

And do expect your Graces presence there.

Tom Sellinger I haue other busines;

Astray from you and all my other traine,

I met a Tanner, such a merrie mate,

So frolicke, and so full of good conceit,

That I haue giuen my word to be his guest,

[Page] Because he knowes me not to be the King:

Good Cosen Howard grudge not at the lest,

But greete my mother and my wife from mee,

Bid them be merrie, I must haue my humor,

Let them both sup and sléepe when they see time,

Commend me kindly to Sir Humphrey Bowes,

Tell him at breakefast I will visite him.

This night Tom Sellinger and I must feast

With Hobs the Tanner, there plaine Ned & Tom.

No King nor Sellinger for a thousand pound.

Enter a Messenger booted with letters, and kneeling giues them to the King.

How.

The Queen & Dutches will be discontent,

Because his [...]ighnes comes not to the feast.

Sel.

Sir Humphrey Bowes may take the most conceit,

But whats the end, the King will haue his pleasure?

King.

Good newes my boyes, Harrie the sixt is dead, peruse that letter: sirra, drinke you that, giues his purse, and stay not but poste backe againe for life, and thanke my brother Gloster for his newes, commende me to him, ile see him to morrow night. How like yée it sirs?

Exit Messenger.

Sel.

O passing well my Liege, you may be merrie for these happie newes.

King.

The merrier with our host the Tanner Tom,

My Lord take you that letter to the Ladies,

Bidde them be merrie with that second course,

And if wee see them not before wee goe,

Pray them to iourney easily after vs,

Wéele post to London, so good night my Lord.

Exeunt.

Enter Hobs and his daughter Nell.

Hobs.

Come Nell, come daughter, is your hands and your face washed?

Nell.

I forsooth Father.

Hob.

Yee must bee cleanely I tell yee, for there comes a Courtnole hither to night, the kings master ships Butler, Ned, a spruce youth, but beware ye be not in loue nor ouertaken [Page] by him, for Courtiers be slipperie lads.

Nell.

No forsooth father.

Hobs.

Gods blessing on thee, that halfe yéeres schooling at Liechfield, was better to thee then house and land, it has put such manners into thee, I forsooth and no forsooth at euerie word, yee haue a cleane smocke on. I like your apparrel well, is supper readie?

Nell.

I forsooth father.

Hobs.

Haue wee a good barley bagpudding, a péece of fat Bacon, a good cow heele, a hard cheese, and a browne loafe.

Nell.

All this forsooth, and more, yee shall haue a posset, but indeed the rats haue spoyled your hard cheese.

Hobs.

Now the dtuell choake them, so they haue eate mee a farthing candle the other night.

Dudgeon within.

What maister maister.

Hobs.

How now knaue, what faist thou Dudgeon?

Dud.

Heres guests come, wheres Hellen?

Hobs.

What guests be they?

Dud.

A courtnole, one Ned the kings Butcher he sapes, and his friends too.

Hobs.

Ned the kings butcher? ha, ha, the kings butler, take their horses, and walke them, and bid them come neare house, Nell lay the cloth, and clap supper oth b [...]rd.

Exit Nell.

Enter King Edward and Sellenger.

Mas heres Ned indeed and another misproud [...]uffian,

Welcome Ned, I like thy honestie, thou keepest promise.

K. Ed.

I faith honest Tanner, ile euer keep promise with thée, pre thee bid my friend welcome.

Hobs.

By my troth ye are both welcome to Tamwoorth: friend I know not your name.

Sel.

My name is Tom Twist?

Hobs.

Beleeue ye that list: but ye are welcome both, and I like you both well but for one thing.

Sel.

Whats that?

Hobs.

Nay that I keepe to my selfe, for I sigh to see and thinke, that pride brings many one to er [...]ion.

King.

[Page]

Pre thee tell v [...] thy meaning.

Hobs.

Troth I doubt ye nere came truly by all these gay ragges. Tis not your bare wages and thinne f [...]s yee haue of the King, can keepe ye thus fine, but eyther yee must rob the King priuily, or his subiectes openly, to maintaine your probicallitie.

Sel.

Thinkest thou so Tanner:

Hobs.

Tis no matter what I thinke, come lets go to supper,

What Nell, what Dudgeon, where be these folkes?

Enter Nell and Dudgeon, with a Table couered.

Daughter bid my friends welcome.

Nell.

Ye are welcome Gentlemen as I may say.

Sell.

I thanke yee faire maid.

kisse her both.

King.

A prettie wench be my faye.

Hobs.

How likest her Ned?

King.

I like her so well, I would yee would make mée your sonne in law.

Hobs.

And I like thée so well Ned, that hadst thou an occupation, for seruice is no heritage, a young courtier, an olde begger, I could sinde in my heart to cast her away vpon thée, and if thou wilt forsake the court and turne La [...]ner, or vind thy selfe to a shoomaker in Liechfield, [...]le giue thee twentie nobles readie money, with my Nell, and trust thée with a dicker of leather, to set vp thy trade.

Sel.

Ned he offers ye saire, if ye haue the grace to take it.

King.

He does indeed, Tom, and hereafter ile tell him more.

Hob.

Come sit downe to supper: go to Nell, no more sheeps eies, ye may be caught I tell ye, these be licorish lads.

Nell.

I warrant ye father, yet in truth Ned is a very proper man, and tother may serue, but Neds a pearle in mine eye.

Hob.

Daughter, cal Dudgeon and his fellowes, weele haue a thrée men song, to make our guests merrie.

Exit Nell.

Nailes what courtnoles are yee? yéele neither talke nor cate, What newes at the court? do somewhat for your meat.

King.

Heauie newes there, King Henrie is dead.

Thats light newes & merie for your master king Edward.

King.

[Page]

But how will the commons take it?

Hob.

Well, God be with good King Henrie, faith the commons will take it as a common thing, deaths an bonest man, for he spares not the King: for as one comes, anothers taue away, and seldome comes the better, thats all we say.

Sellin.

Shrewdly spoken Tanner by my faye.

Hob.

Come fill me a cup of mother Whetstones ale, I may drinke to my friendes, and driue downe my tale.

Here Ned and Tom I drinke to ye: and yet if I come to the court, I doubt youle not know me.

Kin.

Yes, Tom shal be thy suretie Tanner I wil know thée.

Sel.

If thou dost not Ned, by my troth I beshrew thee.

King.

I drinke to my wife that may be.

Sel.

Faith Ned thou maist liue to make her a Ladie.

King.

Tush, her father offers nothing, hauing no more children but her.

Hob.

I would I had not, condition she had all. But I haue a knaue to my son, I remember him by you, euen such an [...] thrist as one of you two, that spends all on gay cloathes and new fashions, and no work wil downe with him, that I feare héele be hangd, God blesse you from a better fortune, yet you weare such filthie bréeks, Lord, were not this a good fashion? yes, and would saue many a faire penie.

King.

Let that passe, and let vs heare your song.

Hob.

Agréed, agréed, come, sol, sol, sol, fa, fa, fa, say Dudgeon.

Here they sing the threemans Song.
Agencourt, Agencourt, know ye not Agencourt.
Where the English slew and hurt,
all the French foemen:
With our Gunnes and billes browne,
O the French were beaten downe,
Morrys pikes and bowmen, &c.

Sel.

Well sung good fellowes, I would the King heard yee.

Hob.

So should I faith, I shoulde straine a noate for him: Come take away, and lets to bed, yee shall haue cleane [Page] sheets Ned, but they be course, good strong hempe, of my baughters owne spinning and I tell thee, your Chamber pot, must be a faire horne, a badge of our occupation, for we buy no bending peauter, nor bending earth.

King.

No matter Hobs, wee will not go to bed.

Hobs.

What then?

King.

Euen what thou wilt, for it is neere day.

Tanner, Gramercies for our heartie cheere,

If ere it be thy chance to come to court,

Enquire for mee Ned the Kings butler,

Or Tom of the Kings chamber my companion,

And see what welcome wee will giue thee there.

Hobs.

I haue heard of courtiers haue said as much as you, and when they haue been tride, would not bid their friendes [...]rinke.

Sel.

We are none such, let our horses bee brought out,

For we must a way, and so with thanks farewell.

Hob.

Farewel to ye both, commend me to the king, & tel him I would haue been glad to haue seen his worship here.

Exit.

King.

Come Tom for London, horse, and hence away.

Enter the Vice-admirall and the Captaine of the Ile of Wight, with Falconbridge bound, the headsman bearing the axe before him.

Mor.

Thomas Neuil, yet hast thou grarious time

Of deer repentance, now discharge thy cōscience,

Lay open thine offences to the world,

That we may witnesse thou doost die a Christian.

Fal.

Why sir Harry Moorton haue you arraignde,

Condcnmde, and brought me to this place,

Of bloudie execution, and now aske,

If I be guiltie, therein doth appeare,

What iustice you haue vsed, call you this law?

Ca.

[...] dost mistake our meaning Falconbridge,

Wee do not aske as being ignorant,

Of thy transgression, but as vrging thee,

[Page] To heartie sorrow for thy vile misdéeds,

That heauen may take compassion on thy soule.

Fal.

How charitable you would séeme to [...]:

I feare anon youle say it is for loue,

You bind me thus, and bring me to the blocke,

And that of méere affcaion you are moude

To cut my head off, cunning pollicie:

Such butchers as your selues neuer want,

A colour to excuse your slaughterous minds.

Mor.

We butcher thée? canst thou deny thy self,

But thou hast béen a pyrate on the sea?

Canst thou denie but with the communaltie

Of Kent and Essex, thou didst rise in armes,

And twise assault the Cittie London, where

Thou twise didst take repulse, and since that time,

Canst thou denie, that being fled from hence,

Thou ioynedst in con federarie with Fraunce,

And camest with them to burn Southampton here,

Are these no faults, thou shuldst so much presume,

To cléere thy selfe, and lay thy bloud on vs?

Fal.

Heare me sir Harrie, since we must dispute.

Cap.

Dispute bnciuil wretch, what néeds dispute,

Did not the Viceadmirall héere, and I

Incountring with the Nauie of the French,

Attach thee in a ship of Normandie,

And wilt thou stand vpon thine innocence?

Dispatch, thou art as rightfully condemnde

As euer rebell was. And thou shalt die.

Fal.

I make no question of it, I must die,

But let me tell you how I scorne your threats,

So little doo I reckon of the name

Of ougly death, as were he bisible,

I'lde wrastle with him for the victorie,

And tugge the slaue, and teare him with my téeth,

But I would make him stoope to Falconbridge,

And for this life, this paltrie brittle life,

[Page] This blast of winde which you haue labourde fo,

By iuries, sessions, and I know not what,

To rob me off, is of so vile repute:

That to attaine that I might liue mine age,

I would not giue the value of a poynt,

You cannot be so cruell to afflict,

But I will bée as forward to indure.

Mor.

Go to, leaue of these [...]ole braues of thine:

And thinke vpon thy soules health Falconbridge.

Cap.

Submit and aske forgiuenesse of thy King.

Fal.

What King?

Mor.

Why Edward of the house of Yorke.

Fal.

He is no King of mine, he does vsurpe,

And if the destinies had giuen me leaue,

I would haue told him so before this time,

And puld the Diademe from off his head.

Mo.

Thou art a traitor, stop thy traitors mouth.

Fal.

I am no traitor, Lancaster is King,

If that be treason to defend his right,

What ist for them that do imprison him?

If insurrection to aduance his scepter,

What fault is theirs that step into his throane?

Oh God, thou pour'dst the balme vpon his head,

Can that pure vnction be wipte off againe?

Thou once didst crown him in his insancie,

Shall wicked men now in his age depose him?

Oh pardon me, if I expostulate,

More then becomes a sinfull man to doe,

England I feare thou wilt thy folly rue.

Cap.

Thou triflest time, and dost but wearie vs

With dilatorie questions, make an end,

Fal.

Indeed the end of all kingdomes must end,

Honour and riches, all must haue an end.

And he that thinkes he doth the most preu [...]le,

His head once laid, there resteth but a tale:

Come fellow, do thy office, what me thinks,

[Page] Thou lookest as if thy heart were in thy hose,

Pull vp thy spirits, it will be quickly done,

A blow or two at most will serue the turne.

Head.

Forgiue me sir your death.

Fal.

Forgiue thée? I and giue thoe too,

Hold, there is some few crowns for thée to drink,

Tush wéepe not man, giue loosers leaue to plaine,

And yet [...]faith my losse I count a gaine,

First let me see, is thy are sharpe inough,

I am indifferent, wel a Gods name to this geare,

Hea.

Come & yéeld your head gently to the block,

Fal.

Gently saist thou: thou wilt not vse me so:

But all is one for that, what strength hast thou,

Throughout the whole proportion of thy limbes,

Keuoke it all into thy manly armes,

And spare me not, I am a Gentleman,

A Neuill and a Falconbridge beside,

Then do thy worke, thou maist get credit by it,

For if thou dost not, I must tell thee plaine,

I shall be passing angrie when tis done.

Head.

I warrant you sir, none in the land shall do it better.

Fal.

Why now thou pleasest me, England farewel

And old Plantagenet, if thou suruiue,

Thinke on my loue, although it did not thriue.

He is led forth.

Mor.

As for his head, it shall be sent with spéed

To London, and the promised reward,

Allotted for the apprehending him,

Be giuen vnto the poore of Southhampton here:

How say you Captaine are you so content?

Cap.

With all my heart, but I do maruel much

We heare not of the messenger we sent,

To giue the King intelligence of this?

Take truce with your surmises, here he comes.

[Page] Enter a Messenger.

Follow it séemes that thou art slow of gate,

Or verie negligent in our affaires,

What saies King Edward to our seruice done?

Mes.

To answere you directly and as briefly,

I spoke with him, for when I was come

To Drayton Basset, where they said he was,

T was told me there, that euen the night before,

His highnes in all hast, was rid towards London:

The occasion, Henries death within the Tower,

Of which t [...]e people are in sundrie tales,

Some thinking he was murdred, some againe

Supposing that he died a naturall death.

Mor.

Well how so ere, that concernes not [...]s,

We haue to doe with no mans death, but his,

That for his treason here hath lost his head.

Come let vs giue direction as before,

And afterward make back vnto the shore.

Exeunt.

Enter the Lord Maior in his scarlet gowne, with a guilded rapier by his side.

Ma.

I marie Crosbie this befits thée well,

But some wil marua [...]le that with a scarlet gown,

I weare a guilded rapier by my side:

Why le [...] them know, I was knighted in the field

For my good seruice to my Lord the king,

And therefore I may weare it lawfully,

In Court, in Cittie, or at any royall banquet.

But soft Iohn Crosbie, thou forgetst thy selfe,

And dost not mind thy birth and parentage,

Where thou wast born, & whence thou art deriu'd,

I do not shame to say, the Hospitall

Of London was my chiefest fostering place,

There did I learne, that neare vnto a Crosse,

Commonly called Cow Crosse neare Islington,

An honest Citizen did chaunce to find me,

A poore Shooemaker by trade he was,

[Page] And doubting of my Chrystendome or no,

Calde me according to the place he found me,

Iohn Crosbie, finding me so by a Crosse.

The Maisters of the Hospitall at further yeares,

Bound me apprentise to the Grocers trade,

Wherin God pleasde to blesse my poore endeuors

That by his blessings I am come to this.

The man that found me I haue well requited,

And to the Hospitall my fostering place,

An hundred pound a yeare I giue for euer,

Likewise in memorie of me Iohn Crosbie

In Bishopgate stréete a poore house haue I built,

And as my name haue called it Crosbie house,

And when as God shall take me from this life,

In little S. Hellens will I be buried:

All this declares, I boast not of my birth,

But found on earth, I must returne to earth.

But God for his pittie I forget my selfe,

The King my Soueraigne Lord wil come anone,

And nothing is as yet in readines.

Where are ye cosin Shoare? nay where is Mistris Shoare?

Oh I am sory that shee staies so long,

See what it is to be a widower,

And lacke a Ladie Maioresse in such need.

Enter M. Shoare and Mistresse Shoare.

Oh are ye come? welcome good Cosin Shoare,

But you indéed are welcome gentle Niece.

Needs must you be our Ladie Maioresse now,

And helpe vs, or else we are shamde for euer,

Good Cosin still thus am I bolde with you.

Sh.

With all my heart my Lord, & thank ye too,

That you do please to vse our homely help.

Ma.

Why sée how neatly she bestirs her selfe,

And in good sooth makes huswifery to shine?

Ah had my Ladie Maioresse liu'de to see

Faire Mistresse Shoare thus beautifie her house,

[Page] She would haue beene not little proud thereof.

Iane.

Well my Lord Maior I thanke you for that flout,

But let his Highnesse now come when he please,

All things are in a perfect readines.

They bring forth a Table, and serue in the banquet.

Maio.

The more am I beholding Niece to you,

That take such paines to saue our credit now:

My seruants are so slacke, his Maiestie,

Might haue béene here before we were preparde,

But peace here comes his Highnes.

The Trumpets sound, and enters king Edward, How. Sellinger, and the traine.

Now my Lord Maior, haue we not kept our word?

Because we could not stay to dine with you:

At our departure hence, we promised,

First food we tasted at our backe returne,

Should be with you, still yeelding heartie thanks,

To you and all our London Cittizens,

For the great seruice which you did performe

Against that bold [...]de rebell Falconbridge.

My gracious Lord what then we did,

We did account no more then was our dutie,

Thereto obliged by true subic as zeale,

And may he neuer liue that not defends,

The honor of his king and countrie:

Next thanke I God, it likes your Maiestie,

To blesse my poore roofe, with your royall presence,

To me could come no greater happines.

Thanks good Lord Maior, but wheres my Ladie Maioresse, I hope that she will bid vs welcome too.

Shee would my Liedge, and with no little ioy,

Had shée but liu [...]d to see this blessed day,

But in her sreed this Gentle woman here,

My Cosins wife, that office will supply:

How say you m [...]resse Shoare?

How? mistresse Shoare? what not his wife

[Page] That did refuse his knighthood at our hand?

Ma.

The verie same my Lord and here hée is.

What M. Shoare, we are your debter still,

But by Gods grace entend not so to die:

And Gentlewoman, now before your face,

I must condemne him of discourtesie,

Yea, and of great wrong that he hath offred you,

For you had béene a Ladie but for him.

He was in fault, trust me he was to blame,

To hinder vertue of her due by right.

Ia.

My gracious L. my poore & humble thoughts,

Nere had an eye to such vnworthinesse,

And though some hold it as a maxime,

That womens minds by nature doo aspire,

Yet how both God and M. Shoare I thanke

For my continuance in this humble state,

And likewise how I loue your Maiestie:

For gracious sufferance that it may be so:

Heauen beare true record of my inward soule:

Now it remaines, on my Lord Maiors behalfe,

I doe such dutie as becommeth me,

To bid your Highnesse welcome to his house,

Were welcomes vertue powerfull in my word,

The King of England should not doubt thereof.

Nor do I mistris Shoare, now my Lo. Maior

Edward dare boldly sweare that he is welcome,

You spake the word well, verie well ifaith,

But mistris Shoare her tougue hath guilded it,

Tell me Cosin Howard and Tom Sellinger,

Had euer Cittizen so faire a wife?

How.

Of flesh and bloud I neuer did behold,

A woman eueric way so absolute.

Sel.

Nor I my Liedge, were Sellinger a King,

He could afford Shoares wife to be a Quéene.

Why how now Tom? Nay rather how now Ned?

What chaunge is this? proud, saucie roauing eye,

[Page] What whisperst in my brain, that she is faire?

I know it, I sée it, fayrer then my Quéene?

[...]oulost thou maintain it? what & thou traitor heart,

Wouldst thou shake hands in this conspiracie?

Downe rebell, backe base trecherous conceit,

I will not credite thée, my Besse is faire,

And Shoares wife but a blouze, comparde to her,

Come let vs sit, here will I take my place.

And my Lord Maior, fill me a bowle of wine,

That I may drinke to your elected Maioresse,

And M. Shoare tell me how like you this,

My L. Maior makes your wife his L. Maioresse?

Sho.

So well my Lord as better cannot be,

All in the honor of your Maiestie.

The Lord Maior brings a bowle of wine, & humbly on his knees offers it to the king.

Kin.

Nay drinke to vs L. Maior, wéele haue it so,

Go to I say, you are our Taster now,

Drinke then, and we will pledge yee.

Al health & happines to my soueraign.

he drinks.

Fill [...] our cup, and Ladie Maioresse,

This [...]ll carowse we meane to drinke to you,

And you must pledge vs, but yet no more,

Th [...]n you shall please to answere vs withall.

He drinks, & the Trumpets sound, then wine is brought to her, and she offers to drinke.

Nay you must drinke to some body, yea Tom to thee?

Well sirra, see you doe her right:

For Edward would, oh would to God he might.

Yet idle eye, wilt thou be gadding still?

Keepe home, kéepe home, for feare of further ill.

Enter a Messenger with letters.

How now? letters to vs, from whom?

Mess.

My Liedge, this from the D. of Burgundy.

A [...]d this is from the Constable of Fraunce.

What newes from them?

[Page] He opens the letter and reades.

To clayme our right in Fraunce?

And they will ayde vs, yea, will ye so?

But other ayde must ayde vs ere we goe.

He seemes to read the letters but glaunces on Mistresse Shoare in his reading.

A womans aid, that hath more power then France

To crowne vs, or to kill vs with mischance.

If chast resolue be to such beautie tyed,

Sue how thou canst, thou wilt be still denied,

Her husband hath deserued well of thee,

Tut, loue makes no respect where [...]re it be,

Thou wrongst thy Quéene: euerie enforced ill,

Must be endur'de, where beautie séekes to kill:

Thou seemst to read, onely to blind their eyes,

Who knowing it, thy folly would despise.

He starts from the Table.

Thanks for my cheare L. Maior, I am not well,

I know not how to take these newes. This fit I [...],

That hath berest me of all reason eleane.

God shield my Soueraigne.

Nay nothing I shall be well anone.

Ian.

May it please your Highnes sit.

I, faine with thee, nay we must néeds be gon,

Cosin Howard conuey these letters to our counsel,

And bid them giue vs their aduise of them,

Thanks for my cheare L. Maior, farewell to you

And farewell Mistresse Shoare, La. Maioresse I should say,

It's you haue causde our parting at this time.

Farewell M. Shoare, farewell to all,

Weele meet once more to make amends for this.

Exeunt King. How. and Sel.

Oh God here to be ill?

My house to cause my Soueraignes discontent?

Cosin Shoare I had rather spent.

Sho.

Content your selfe my L. kings haue their humor [...]

[Page] The letters did containe somewhat no doubt,

That did displease him.

Iane.

So my Lord thinke I,

But by Gods helpe he will be well againe.

I hope so too, well Cosin for your paines,

I can but thanke ye, chiefly you faire Niece,

At night I pray yée both come sup with me.

How say ye? will yee?

Sh.

Yes my Lord wee will.

So for this time we humbly take our leaue.

Exeunt Shoare and his wife.

Oh now the sudden sicknesse of my Liedge,

Afflictes my soule with many passions?

His Highnes did entend to be right merrie,

And God he knowes how it would glad my soule,

If I had seene his Highnes satisfied

With the poore entertainement of his Maior,

His humble vassaile, whose lands, whose life and all

Are, and in dutie must be alwaies his.

Well, God I trust will blesse his Graces health,

And quickly ease him of his sudden fit.

Take away there ho, rid this place,

And God of heauen blesse my Soueraignes Grace.

Exit.

Enter two prentizes preparing the Goldsmiths Shop with plate.

1. Pren.

Sirra Iacke, come set out.

2. Pren.

You are the elder Prentise, I pray you do it, least my mistcis talke with you when shée comes downe, what is it a clocke?

1. Pren.

Sir by Alhallowes.

2. Pren.

Lying and stealing will bring ye to the Gallowes.

Is here all the plate?

1. Pren.

I that must serue to day,

Where is the weights and ballance?

2. Pr.

All readie, harke my mistris comes.

Exit 1. Pren.

Enter Mistris Shoare with her worke in her hand.

Iane.

[Page]

Sir boy, while I attend the shop my selfe,

See if the workeman haue dispatcht the Cup,

How many ounces weighes it:

2. Pren.

Twentie [...]orsooth.

Iane.

What said the Gentleman to the fashiou?

2. Pren.

He told my maister I was not within.

Iane.

Go sir make hast, your M. is in Cheapeside:

Take h [...]d ye were best your loytring be not spide.

The boy departs, & she sits sowing in her shop. Enter the king disguised.

Well fare a case to put a King in yet,

Good mistris Shoare this doth your loue procure,

This shape is secret, and I hope ti's sure,

The Wlatermen that daily vse the Court,

And see me often, knew me not in this,

At Lyon key I landed in their view,

Yet none of them tooke knowledge of the King,

If any gallant striue to haue the wall,

Ile yéelde it gently: Soft here must I turne,

Heeres Lumbard stréete, and heres the Pellican,

And theres the Phenix in the Pellicans nest,

O rare perfection of rich natures worke,

Bright twinkling sparke of pretious Diamond,

Of greater value then all India,

Were there no Sunne, by whose kind louely heat

The earth brings forth those stones we hold of prize,

Her radiant eyes deiected to the ground,

Would turne each peble to a Diamond.

Gaze gréedie eies and be not satisfied,

Till you finde rest, where hearts desire doth bide.

Ia.

What would you buy sir that you looke on here?

Your fairest iewell, bée it not too deare.

First how this Saphyre mistris that you weare?

Iane.

Sir it is right that will I warrant yee,

No Ieweller in London showes a better.

No, nor the like, you praise it passing well.

Iane.

[Page]

Do [...]no, if some Lapidary had the [...]ne, more would not buy it then I can demaund. Tis as well set I thinke as ere yee saw.

K. Ed.

Tis set indeed vpon the fairest hand, that ere I saw.

Iane.

You are disposde to iest, but for value, his Maiestis might weare it.

K. Ed.

Might he ifaith?

Iane.

Sir tis the ring I meane.

K. Ed.

I meant the hand.

Iane.

You are a merrie man,

I see you come to cheape, and not to buy.

K. Ed.

Yet hée that offers fairer then ile doe, shal hardly find a partner in his bargaine.

Iane.

Perhaps in buying things of so smal value?

King.

Rather because no wealth can purchase it.

Ian.

He were too fond, that would so highly prize,

The thing which once was giuen away for loue.

Kin.

His hap was good that came so easily by it.

Iane.

The gift so small, that askte, who could denie it?

King.

Oh she gaue more, that such a gift then gaue,

Then earth ere had, or world shall euer haue.

Iane.

His hap is ill, should it be as you say,

That hauing giuen him what you rate so high,

And yet is still the poorer by the match.

King.

That easely prooues he doth not know the worth.

Iane.

Yet hauing had the vse of it so long,

It rather prooues you ouer rate the thing,

He being a chapman, as it séemes you are.

King.

Indéed none should aduenture on the thing,

Thats to bée purchast onely by a King.

Iane.

If Kings loue that, which no man else respects,

It may be so, else do I sée small reason,

A King should take delight in such course stuffe.

King.

Liues there a King, that would not giue his crowne,

To purchase such a kingdome of content?

Iane.

In [...] conceit, right well you aske that question.

[Page] The world I thinke containes not such fond king.

King.

Why mistresse Shoare, I am the man will do it.

Iane.

Its proudly spoke, although I not beléeue it,

Were he King Edward that should offer it.

King.

But shall I haue it?

Iane.

Upon what acquaintance?

King.

Why since I saw thée last.

Iane,

Where was that?

At the L. Maiors, in the presence of the King.

Iane.

I haue forgotten that I saw you there,

For there were many that I tooke small note of.

King.

Of me you did, and we had some discourse.

Iane.

You are deceiued Sir, I had then no time,

For my attendance on his maiestie.

King.

Ile gage my hand vnto your hand of that,

Looke well vpon me.

He discouers himselfe.

Iane.

Now I beséech you let this strange disguise

she kneels.

Excuse my boldnes to your maiesty.

What euer we possesse is all your highnesse,

Onely mine honor, which I cannot grant,

Onely thy loue (bright angel) Edward craues,

For which I thus aduentured to sée thée.

Enter Maister Shoare.

Ia.

But here comes one, to whom I only gaue it.

And he I doubt will say you shal not haue it.

King.

Am I so soone cut off? oh spight.

How say ye mistris, will ye take my offer?

Ia.

Indeed I cannot sir afford it so.

King.

Youle not be offered fairlier I beléeue.

Iane.

Indeed you offer like a Gentleman,

But yet the iewel will not so be left.

Sho.

Sir, if you bid not too much vnder-foot,

Ile driue the bargaine twixt you and my wife.

Alas good Shoare, my selfe dare answere no.

King aside.

Nothing can make thée such a iewel forgoe.

[Page] She faith you shall be too much looser by it.

Sho.

See in the row then, if you can spéed better.

King.

See many worlds arow, affords not like.

As he goes forth, Shoare lookes earnestly, and perceiues it is the king, whereat he seemeth greatly discontented.

Why lookst thou Mat? knowst thou the [...]?

Alas what ailes thée that thou lookst so pale?

What théere swéet hart? alas, where hast thou béen?

Sho.

Nay nothing Iane, know you the Gentleman?

Iane.

Not I sweet heart, alas why do you aske?

Is he thine enemie?

Sho.

[...] cannot tell,

What came hee here to cheapen at our shoppe?

Iane.

This Iewell loue.

Sho.

Well I pray God he came for nothing else.

Iane.

Why who is it? I do suspect him Shoare.

That you demaund thus doubtedly of me.

Sho.

Ah Iane, it is the King.

Ia.

The king? what then? ist for that thou sighst?

Were he a thousand kings thou hast no cause

To feare his presence, or suspect my lout.

Sho.

I know I haue not, sée he comes againe.

The king enters againe, mussled in his cloake.

King.

Still is my hindzer there? be patient heart,

Some fitter season must asswage the smart.

What will ye take that mistris which I offred ye?

I come againe sir, as one willing to buy.

Iane.

Indeed I cannot sir, I pray ye

Deale with my husband, heare what he will say.

Sho.

Ile sell it worth your money, if you please,

I pray you come neare sir.

King.

I am too néere alreadie, thou so neere.

Nay, nay, she knowes what I did offer her,

And in good sadnesse, I can giue no more,

So fare ye well sir, I will not deale with you.

Exit.

Ia.

[Page]

You are deceiude (swéet heart) tis not the king,

Thinke you hee would aduenture thus alone?

Sho.

I do assure thee Iane it is the King.

Oh God, twixt the extreames of loue and feare,

In what a shiuering ague sits my soule?

Keepe wée our treasure secret, yet so fond,

As set so rich a beautie as this is,

In the wide view of euerie gazers eye.

Oh traitor beautie, oh deceitfull good,

That dost conspire against thy selfe and loue,

No sooner got, but wisht againe of others,

In thine owne selfe, iniurious to thy selfe,

Oh rich poore portion, thou good euil thing?

How many ioyfull woes still dost thou bring?

Ia.

I pray thée come, swéet loue, and sit by mee,

No king thats vnder heauen I loue like thee.

Exit.

Enter sir Humphrey Bowes, and maister Aston, being two Iustices, Harrie Grudgen, Robert Godfellow, and Iohn Hobs the Tannet.

Bow.

Neighbors and friends, the cause that you are called,

Concernes the Kings most excellent maiestie,

Whose right you know by his progenitors,

Unto the Crowne and soueraintie of France,

Is wrongfully detained by the French,

Which to reuenge and royally regaine.

His Highnes meanes to put himselfe in Armes.

And in his princely person to conduct

His warlike troupes against the enemie.

But for his Coffers are vnfurnished,

Through ciuill discord and intestine warre,

(Whose bleeding scarres our eyes may yet behold)

He praies his faithfull louing subiects helpe,

To further this his iust great enterprize.

Hobs.

So the fecke and meaning, whereby as it were of all your long purgation Sir Humphrey is no more in some respect, but the king wants mony & would [Page] haue some of his Comentie.

Bo.

Tanner you rightly vnderstand the matter.

Ast.

Note this withal, where his dread Maiesty,

(Our lawfull Soucraigne, and most royal King)

Might haue exacted or imposde a Taxe

Or borrowed greater summes then we can spare,

(For all we haue is at his dread commaund,)

He doth not so, but mildly doth entreat

Our kind ben [...]uolence, what we will giue,

With willing minds to wards this mightycharge.

Enter Lord Howard.

Which to receiue, his n [...]ble Counsellor

And kinsman the Lord Howard here is come.

Now good sir Humphrey Bowes, and M. As [...],

Haue ye declared y ^• kings most gracious pleasure?

Bo.

We haue my Lord.

How.

His highnes will not force,

As loane or tribute, but wil take your gift,

In gratefull part and recompence your loue.

To shew my loue, though mony now be scarce

A hundreth pound ile giue his Maiestie.

Ho.

Tis well sir Humphrey.

Aston.

I a hundred markes.

Ho.

Thanks M. Aston, you both show your loue,

Now as [...]c your neighbors what they wil bestow?

Bow.

Come master Hadland your beneuolence.

Had.

O good sir Humphrey do not racke my purse,

You know my state, I lately sold my land.

Aston.

Then you haue money, let the king haue part.

Hob.

I, do master Hadland do, they say ye sold a foule deale of durtie land for faire gold and siluer, let the king haue some now while you haue it, for if yee bee forborne a while, all will be spent, for he that cannot kéepe land that lies fast, wil haue much a do to hold money, its slipperic ware, tis melting ware, tis melting ware.

How.

Gramercy Tanner.

Bowes.

[Page]

Say, what shall we haue?

Hadland.

My fortie shillings.

Aston.

Robert Goodfellowe.

I know you will be liberall to the King.

Good.

O M. Aston be content I pray ye,

You know my charge, my household very great,

And my housekéeping holdes me verie hare:

Thréescore vprising, and downe lying Sir,

Spends no sinall store of vittailes in a yeare,

Two brace of Greyhounds, tt. couple of hounds,

And then my iades deuoure a deale of Corne,

My Christmas cost, & then my friends that come

Amounts to charge, I am Robin Goodfellow,

That welcomes all and kéepes a frolicke house,

I haue no money pray ye pardon me.

How.

Héeres a plaine Tanner can teach you how to thriue,

Kéepe fewer dogs, and then ye may féede men:

Yet féede no idle men, tis néedles charge,

You that on hounds and hunting mates will spend,

No doubt but something to your King youle lend.

Good.

My brace of Angels, by my troth thats all.

Hob.

Masse and tis well thy Curres haue left so much, I thought they would haue eaten vp thy house and landere this.

Bowes.

Now Harrie Grudgen.

Grudgen.

What would you haue of mee? Money I haue none, and ile sell no stocke, heres olde polling, subsidie, fiftéen, soldiers, and to the poore, and you may haue your will, youle soone shut me out a doore.

Hob.

Heare ye worships, will ye let me answere my neighbour Grudgen? By my hallidome Harry Grudgen, tha'rt but a grumbling, grudging Churle, thou hast two ploughes going, and neare a Cradle rocking, tha'st a pecke of money, goe to, turne thée loose, thou'lt goe to law with the Micat for a tyth goose, and wilt not spare the King foure or fiue pound.

Grudgen.

Gep goodman Tanner, are ye so round? your [Page] prolicatenes has brought your sonne to the gallowes almost, you can be franke of an other mans cost.

Hob.

Thart no honest man to twit me with my sonne, hee may out liue thee yet for ought that hee has done, my sonnes ith gayle, is hee the first has beene there, and thou [...]rt a man, as thart a beast, I would haue thee by the eares.

How.

Friend thou wantste nurture, to vpbrasd a Father Weeping.

With a sunnes fault, we sit not here for this;

Whats thy beneuolence towards his maiestie?

Hob.

His benegligence? hang him heele not giue a pennis willingly.

Gr.

I care not much to cast away fortie pence.

Ho.

Out grudging pesant, base ill nurturd groome,

Is th [...] the loue thou bearest vnto the King?

Gentlemen take notice of the slaue,

And if he fault let him be soundly plagude?

Now frolicke Ianner, what wilt thou afforde?

Hob.

Twentie olde Angels and a score of hides, if that be too little, take twentie Nobles more, while I haue it my king shall spend of my stor [...].

How.

The King shall know thy louing liberall heart.

Hob.

Shall hee ifaith, I thanke ye heartely, but heare yée Gentleman, you come from the Court?

How.

I doe.

Hob.

Lord how does the King, and how does Ned the Kings Butler, and Tom of his Chamber, I am sure ye know them?

How.

They doe verie well.

Hob.

For want of better guests they were at my house one night.

How.

I know they were.

Hob.

They promist me a good turne for kissing my daughter Nell, and now I ha cagion to trie them, my sonnes in Dy hell here in Caperdochie, itha Gayle for péeping into another mans purse, and outstep the King be miserable, hees [Page] like to totter, can that same Ned the Butler doe any thing with the King?

How.

More then my selfe, or any other Lord.

Hob.

A halter he can, by my troth yee reiounce my heart to heare it.

How.

Come to the Court I warrant thy sonnes life,

Ned will saue that, and do thée greater good.

Hob.

Ile weane Brocke my maressole, and come vp to the King, and it shall go hard but two fat hens for your paines I will bring.

Bowes.

My Lord this fellow gladly now will giue,

fiue pounds so you will pardon his rude speech.

How.

For fiue and fiue I cannot brooke the beast.

Grud.

What giues the Tanner, I am as able as hee

Aston.

He giues ten pound.

Grud.

Take twentie then of me.

I pray yée my Lord forgiue my rough heaud speech

I wis I ment no hurt vnto my Liedge.

Bowes.

Let vs entreat your Lordships patience.

How.

I do at your request remit the offence,

So lets depart, heres all we haue to doe.

Ast.

Ti's for this time and place my Lord, sirra bring your money.

Hob.

What haue you sau'de now goodman Grudgen, by your hinching and your pinching, not the worth of a blacke pudding.

Exeunt.

Enter mistris Shoare, and mistris Blage.

M. Bla.

Now mistris Shoare, what vrgent cause is that, Which made ye send for me in such great haste? I [...] it made me halfe afraid, you were not well.

Iane.

Trust me, nor sicke, nor well, but troubled still with the disease I told yée: heere is another le [...]er from the King, was neuer poore soule so importuned.

M. Bla.

But will no answere serue?

Iane.

No mistris Blage, no answere will sustize,

He, he it is, that with a violent siedge

[Page] Labours to breake into my plighted faith,

Oh what am I, he should so much forget

His royall State, and his high maiestie?

Still doth he come disguised to my house,

And in most humble termes be wraies his loue,

My husband gréeues, alas how can he choose,

Fearing the dispossessement of his Iane?

And when he cannot come (for him) he writes,

Offering beside incomparable gifts,

And all to winne me to his princely will.

M. Bla.

Beléeue me M. Shoare, a dangerous case,

And euery way repeat with doubtfull feare,

If you should yéeld, your vertuous name were foild

And your beloued husband made a scorne,

And if not yéeld, its likely that his loue,

Which now admires ye, will conuert to hate,

And who knowes not a princes hate is death?

Yet I will not be she shall counsaile yée,

Good mistresse Shoare do what ye will for me.

Iane.

Then counsaile me what I were best to do.

M. B.

You know his greatnes rā dispense with il,

Making the sinne séeme lesser by his worth,

And you your selfe, your children & your friends,

Be all adn [...]nced to worldly dignitie,

And this worlds pompe you know is a goodly thing,

Yet I will not be shee shall connsaile ye,

Good mistresse Shoare doe what ye will for mee.

Iane.

Alas I know that I was bound by oath,

To kéepe the promise that I made at first,

And vertue liues, when pompe consumes to dust.

M, Blague.

So we do say, dishonour is no shame,

When slaunder does not touch th'offenders name,

You shall be folded in a princes armes,

Whose becke disperseth euen the greatest harmes,

Many that sit themselues in high degree,

Will then be glad to stoope, and bende the knee,

[Page] And who ist, hauing plentie in the hand,

Neuer commaunded, but doth still commaund,

That cannot worke in such excesse of things,

To quit the guilt one small transgression brings?

Yet I will not be shée shall counsaile ye,

Good mistresse Shoare do what ye will for mée.

Iane.

Here do I liue, although in meane estate,

Yet with a conscience free from all debate,

Where higher footing may in time procure,

A sudden fall, and mixe my swéete with sowre.

Mi. Blague.

True, I confesse a priuate life is good,

Nor would I otherwise be vnderstood,

To be a Goldsmiths wife is some content,

But da [...]es in court more pleasantly are spent,

A households gouernment deserues renowne,

But what is a companion to a crowne?

The name of mistresse is a prettie thing,

But Madam at each word doth glory bring.

Yet I will not be shee shal counsel yée,

Good mistresse Shoare do what ye will for nice.

Ia.

Oh that I knew which were the best of twain,

Which for I do not, I am sick [...] with paine.

Enter her Boy.

How now sir boy, what is the newes with you?

Boy.

The Gentleman forsooth the other day,

That would haue bought the iewell at our stall,

Is here to speake with yee.

Iane.

Oh God it is the King.

Good mistresse Blague withdraw ye from this place,

Oh come anon, so soone as he is gone,

And sirra get you to the shop againe.

Exit Boy.

M. Bla.

Now mistris Shoare bethink ye what to do.

Such suters come not euerie day to wooe.

Mistris Blague departs, and the king enters in his former disguise.

Thou maist conuid me (beauties pride) of boldnes,

[Page] That I intrude like an vnbidden guest,

But loue being guide, my fault will séem the lesse.

Ia.

Most welcome to your subiects homely roofe,

The foote my Soueraigne, seldome doth offend,

Vnlesse the heart some other hurt intend.

King.

The most thou seest is hurt vnto my selfe

How for thy sake, is maiestie disroabde?

Riches made poore, and dignitie brought low,

Onely that thou mightst our affection know.

Iane.

The more the pittie, that within the skie,

The sunne that should all other vapours drie,

And guide the world with his most glorious light

Is muffled vp himselfe in [...]full night.

The want of thée, faire Cinthia is the cause,

Spread thou thy siluer-brightnesse in the aire,

And strait the gladsome morning will appeare.

Iane.

I may not wander, he that guides my carre,

Is an im [...]nooued, constant, fixed starre,

Ki.

But I will giue that starre a comets name,

And shie [...]d both thée and him from further blame.

Iane.

How if the host of heauen at this abuse

Kepine? who can the prodig [...]e excuse?

It lies within the compasse of my powre,

To dim their enu [...]ous eies, dare séeme to lowre,

But leauing this our Enigmatike talke,

Thou must sweet Iane repaire vnto the Court,

His tongue intreats, controls the greatest péere,

His hand plights loue, a royall scepter holds,

And in his heart bee hath confirmde thy good,

Which may not, must not, shal not be withstood.

Iane.

If you enforce me, I haue nought to say,

But wish I had not liude to see this day.

Blame not the time, thou shalt h [...]ue cause to soy.

Iane in the eueniug I will send for thee,

And thou and thine shall bee aduancde by mee.

In signe whereof receiue this true-loue kisse,

[Page] Nothing il meant, there can be no amisse.

Exit.

Iane.

Well I will in, and ere the time beginne,

Learne how to be repentant for my sinne.

Exit.

Enter Lord Maior, maister Shoa [...]e and Fraunces Emersley.

Maior.

But Cosin Shoare, are yee assurde it was the King you saw in such disguise?

Sho.

Do I know you the vncle to my wife? know I Franke Emersley her brother here? so surely doe I know that counterseit to bee King.

Fran.

Well, admit all this. And that his Maiestie in such disguise, please to suruey the maner of our City, or what occasion else may like himselfe. Mee thinks you haue small reason brother Shoare, to be displeasde thereat.

Ma.

Oh I haue sound him now.

Because my Niece his wife is beautifull,

And well reputed for her vertuous parts:

He in his fond conceit misdoubts the King,

Doth doate on her in his affection.

I know not Cosin how she way be changde,

By any cause in you procuring it,

From the faire cariage of her wonted course:

But well I wot, I haue oft heard you say,

Shee merited no scruple of mislike.

If now some gyddie fancie in your braine,

Make you conceiue sinisterly of her,

And with a person of such difference.

I tell you Cosin, more for her respect,

Then to sooth you in such sottishnes,

I would reucale yée open to the world,

And let your folly iustly plague your selfe.

Sho.

Vnckle you are too forward in your rage,

And much mistake me in this suddennes,

Your Nieces reputation haue I prizde,

And shrined as deuoutly in my soule

As you, or any that it can concerne.

[Page] Nor when I tell you that it is the King,

Comes muffled like a common Seruingman,

Doe I inferre thereby my wife is false?

Or swerues one iot from wonted modestie.

Though in my shop shée sit, more to respect,

Her seruants dutie, then for any skill,

Shee doth, or can pretend in what we trade,

Is it not strange, that euer when he comes,

It is to her, and will not deale with me?

Ah Vncle Franke, nay, would all her kin,

Were here to censure of my cause aright:

Though I misoéeme not her, yet giue me leaue,

To doubt what his slie walking may entend.

And let me tell yée, hee that is possest,

Of such a beautie, feares vndermining guests:

Especially a mightie one, like him,

Whose greatnes may guilde ouer vgly sinne.

But say his comming is not to my wife,

Then hath he some slie ayming at my life,

By false compounded mettals, or light gold,

Or else some other trifle to be sold.

When kings themselues so narrowly do prie

Into the world, men feare, and why not I?

Fran.

Beléeue my brother in this doubtful case

I know not well how I should answere yee,

I wonder in this serious busie time,

Of this great gathered beneuolence,

For his regaining of his right in France,

The day and nightly turmoile of his Lords,

Yea of the whole estate in generall,

He can be spared from these great affaires,

And wander here disguised in this sort.

But is not this your boy?

Enter the Boy.

Sho.

Yes marie is it: how now, what newes with thée?

Boy.

Maister, my mistresse by a Nobleman,

[Page] Is sent for to the King in a close Coach,

Shées gon with him, these are the newes I bring.

Ma.

How? my [...] sent for to the King?

By a Nobleman, and she is gone with him?

Nay, then I like it not?

Fran.

How, gone saist thon?

Be patient Vnckle, storme not gentle Franke:

The wrong is [...], by whom? a king,

To talke of such it is no common thing.

She is gone thou saist?

Boy.

Yes truely sir, tis so.

Sho.

I cannot helpe it, a Gods name let her goe,

You cannot helpe it Vnckle, no, nor you,

Where kings are medlers, meaner men must rue.

I storme against it? no, farewell lane Shoare.

Once thou wast mine, but must be so no more.

Maior.

Gone to the Court?

Exit Maior.

Sho.

Yet vnckle will ye rage?

Let mine example your high heat asswage.

To note offences in a mightie man,

It is inough, amend it he that can,

Franke Emersley, my wife thy sister was,

Lands, goods and all I haue, to thée I passe,

Saue that poore portion must along with me,

To beare me from this badge of obloquie,

It neuer shall be said that Mathew Shoare,

A Kings dishonour in his bonnet wore.

Fran.

Good brother.

Sh.

Striue not to change me, for I am resolud,

And will not tarrie. England fare thou well,

And Edward, for requiting me so well,

But dare I speake of him? forbeare, forbeare,

Come Franke I will surrender all to thee,

And then abroad, where ere my fortune be

Exeunt.

Enter king Edward, Howard, Sellinger, &c.

And haue our countrie subiects béene so franke

[Page] And bountifull in their beneuolence,

Toward our present expedition?

Thanks Cosin Howard for thy paines herein:

We will ha [...]e letters sent to euerie Shire

Of thankfull gratitude, that they may know,

How highly we respect their gentlenes.

How.

One thing my L. I had wel néere forgot,

Your pleasant hoast the Tanner of Tamworth.

King.

What of him Cosin?

How.

Hee was right liberall,

I wentie old Angels did he send your Grace,

And others séeing him so bountifull,

Stretcht further then otherwise they had done.

Trust me I must requite that honest Tanner.

Oh had he kept his word, and come to Court,

Then in good sadnesse we had had good sport.

How.

That is not long my L. which comes at last

Hees come to London, on an earnest cause,

His sonne lies prisoner in Safford Iayle,

And is condemned for a robberie.

Your Highnesse pardoning his sonnes [...]ffence,

May yéeld the Tanner no meane recompence.

But who hath séen him since he came to rowne?

Sel.

My Lord in Holborne twas my hap to sée him

Gazing about, I sent away my men,

And clapping on one of their liuerie cloak [...],

Came to him, and the Tanner knew we straite,

How dost thou Tom? and how doth Ned quoth he

That honest merrie hangman, how doth he?

I knowing that your Maiestie entended

This day in person to come to the Tower,

There bad him méete me, where Ned and I,

Would bring him to the presence of the King,

And there procure a pardon for his sonne.

King.

Haue then a care we be not séene of him,

Vntill we bée prouided for the purpose,

[Page] Because once more wéele haue a little sport,

Tom Sellinger, let that care be yours.

Sel.

I warrant yée my Lord let me alone.

Enter the Lord Maior.

Welcome L. Maior, what haue you signified

Our thankfulnes vnto our Citizens,

For their [...]ate gathered beneuolence?

Ma.

Before the Citizens in our Guildhall,

Maister Recorder made a good Oration,

Of thankfull gentitude vnto them all,

Which they receiued with so kind respect,

And loue vnto your royall maiestie,

As it appearde to vs they sorrowed,

Their bountie to your highnesse was no more,

King.

Lord Maior, thanks to your selfe and them,

And go ye with vs now into the Tower,

To sée the order that we shall obserue,

In this so needfull preparation,

The better may you signifie to them,

What need there was of their beneuolence.

Ma.

Ile waite vpon your gracious maiestie,

Yet there is one thing that much grieueth me. aside.

Exeunt.

Enter Shoare, & two watermen bearing his trunks.

Sho.

Go honest fellow, beare my trunks aboord,

And tell the maister ile come presently.

Enter mistris Shoare Lady-like attired, with diuers supplications in her hand, she vnpinning her maske, & attended on by many sutors.

1. Wa.

We wil sir, but what Ladie haue we here?

Belike she is of no meane countenance,

That hath so many sutors waiting on her.

Sho.

Go one of you I pray ye, enquire her name,

1. Wa.

My honest friend, what Ladie call ye this?

Aire.

Her name is mistris Shoare, the kings belou [...]d,

[Page] A speciall friend to sutors at the court.

Her name is mistris Shoare the kings beloued,

Where shall I hide my head, or stop mine eares.

But like an owle I shall be wondred at?

When she with me was wont to walk the stréets,

The people then as she did passe along,

would say, there goes faire modest mistris Shoare,

When she attended like a Cittie Dame,

Was praised of matrons. So that Cittizens,

When they would speake of ought vnto their wiues

Fetcht their example still from mistris Shoare,

But now she goes deckt in her courtly robes,

This is not shée, that once in séemely blacke,

Was the chaste sober wife of Mathew Shoare,

For now she is King Edwards Concubine,

Oh great ill title, honourable shame,

Her good I had, but King her ill is thine,

Once Shoares true wife, now Edwards Concubine,

Amongst the rest ile note her new behauiour.

All this while she stands conferring priuatly with her sutors, and looking on their bils.

Aire.

Good mistris Shoare remember my sons life.

Iane.

What is thy name?

Aire.

My name is Thomas Aire.

Iane.

There is his pardon signed by the King.

Aire.

In signe of humble heartie thankfulnes,

Take this in Angels twentie pound.

Iane.

What thinke ye, that I buy & sell for bribes,

His highnesse fauour, or his subiects bloud?

No, without gifts God grant I may do good,

For all my good cannot redéeme my ill,

Yet to do good I willendeauour still.

Sho.

Yet all this good doth but guild ore thy ill.

aside.

Palmer.

Mistris the restitution of my lands,

Taken perforce by his highnesse officers.

Iane.

The King is content your goods shall be restorde,

[Page] But the officers will hardly yéeld thereto,

Yet bée content, ile see ye haue no wrong.

Sho.

Thou canst not say to mée so, I haue wrong.

Iockie.

Mistris gude faith gin yeele helpe me till my laund, whilke the faulse loune Billie Grime of Glendale hauds wranfully frea me: ise white your gudenes with a bonnie uag, sall swum away so deftly as the winde.

Iane.

Your sute my friend, requires a longer time,

Yet since you dwell so farre off, to ease your charge,

Your diet with my ser [...]ants you may take,

And some reliefe ile get thee of the King.

Sho.

Its cold reliefe thou getst mée from the King.

Iockie.

Now Gods blessing light on that gudely faire face, ise be your true beadsman mistresse, I indead, sal I.

Pal.

God blesse the care you haue of doing good.

Aire.

Pittie she should miscarrie in her life,

That beares so swéete a mind in doing good.

Sho.

So say I too, ah Iane this kils my heart,

That thou recks others, and not ru'st my smart.

Rufford.

Mistresse I feare you haue forgot my sute?

Iane.

Oh, tis for a licence to transport corne from this land. and lead to forrain Realmes, I had your bil, but I haue torne your bill, and tware no shame I thinke, to teare your eares, that care not how you wound the commonwealth. The poore must sterue for food to fill your purse. And the enemie bandie bullets of our lead. No maister Rufford, ile not speake for you, except it be to haue you punished.

Iockie.

By the messe a dest lasse, Christ benison light on her.

She espies her husband walking aloofe off, and not knowing him, takes him for another Sutor.

Iane.

Is that another sutor? I haue no bill of his,

Go one of you, and know what he would haue.

Sho.

Yes Iane, the bill of my [...]bliged faith,

And I had thine, but thou hast canceld [...].

Here she knowes him, and lamenting, comes to him.

Iane.

[Page]

Oh God it is my husband, kind Mathew Shoare.

Shoare.

Ah Iane, whats he dare say he is thy husband?

Thou wast a wife, but now thou art not so,

Thou wast a maide, a maide when thou wast wife,

Thou wast a wife euen when thou wast a maide,

So good, so modest, and so chaste thou wast,

But now thou art diuorcde, whiles yet hee liues,

That was thy husband, while thou wast his wife.

Thy wisehood stainde, by thy dishonoured life,

For now thou art nor widdow, maide, nor wife.

Iane.

I must confesse I yeelded vp the Forte,

Wherein lay all the riches of my [...]y,

But yet sweete Shoare, before I yeelded it,

[...] did endure the longst and greatest siege,

That euer battred on poore chastitie,

And but to him that did a [...]ault the same,

For euer it had béene inuincible,

But I will yéeld it backe againe to thee.

He cannot blame me, though it be so done,

To loose by me, what first by me was wonne.

Sho.

No Iane, there is no place allowde for m [...]e,

Where once a King hath tane possession,

Meane men brooke not a Riuall in their loue,

Much lesse so high vnriualde Maiestie,

[...]oncubine to one so great as Edward.

Is tarre too great to be the wife of Shoare,

Iane.

I will refuse the pleasures [...]f the Court,

Let me go with thee Shoare, though not as a wife,

Yet as thy slaue, since I haue lost that name,

I will redéeme the wrong that I haue done thee,

With my true seruice, if thou wilt accept it.

Sho.

Thou go with mee Iane, oh God forbid,

That I should be a traitour to my King,

Shall I become a fellon to his pleasures,

And flie away as guiltie of the theft?

No my deere Iane, I say it may not bee,

[Page] Oh what haue subiects that is not their kings,

He not examine his prerogatiue.

Ia.

Why then swéet Mat. let me intreat thée stay,

What ist with Edward that I cannot do?

Ile make thee wealthier then ere Richard was,

That entertaind the thrée greatst kings in Europe,

And feasted them in London on a day

Aske what thou wilt, were it a million,

That may content thée, thou shalt haue it Shoare.

Sho.

Indeed this were some comfort to a man,

That tasted want or worldly miserie,

But I haue lost what wealth cannot returne,

All worldly losses are but toyes to mine,

Oh, all my wealth, the losse of thee was more,

Then euer time or Fortune can restore.

Therfore swéet Iane farewell, once thou wast mine,

Too rich for me, and that King Edward knewe,

Adiew, oh world, he shall deceiued bee,

That puts his trust in women or in thee.

Ia.

Ah Shoare farewel, poore heart in death ile tell,

I euer loude thée Shoare, farewell, farewell.

Exit.

Enter king Edward, Lord Maior, Howard, Sellinger, and the traine.

King.

Hauing awakte forth of their sléepis dens,

Our drourie Cannons, which ere long shal charme

The watchfull French, with deaths eternall sléepe,

And all things else in readinesse for France,

A while we will giue truce vnto our care,

There is a merrie Tanner néere at hand,

With whom we meane to be a little merrie.

Therefore Lord Maior, and you my other friends,

I must intreat you not, to knowledge me,

No man stand bare, all as companions,

Giue me a Cloake, that I may be disguisd [...],

Tom Sellinger, go thou and take another,

[Page] So Tanner, now come when yee please, we are prouided,

And in good time, see hee is come alreadie.

Enter the Tanner.

Tom Sellenger, go thou and meete him.

Sel.

What Iohn Hobs? welcome ifaith to court,

Hob.

Gramercies honest Tom, where is the hangman

Ned? where is that mad rascall, shall I not see him?

Sel.

See where he stands, that same is hee.

Hob.

What Ned? a plague found thee, how dost thou for a villaine? how dost thou madde Kogue, and how, and how?

King.

In health Iohn Hobs, and verie glad to see thee,

But say, what winde droue thee to London.

Hobs.

Ah Ned, I was brought hither with a whirlewinde man, my sonne, my sonne, did I not tell thee I had a knaue to my sonne?

King.

Yes Tanner, what of him?

Hob.

Faith hees in Caperdoche Ned, in Stafford Goale, for a robberie, and is like to be hangde, except thou get the King to be more miserable to him.

King.

If that be all Tanner, ile warrant him,

I will procure his pardon of the King.

Hobs.

Wilt thou Ned? for those good words, see what my Daughter Nell hath sent thee, a handkercher wrought with as good Couentrie silke blew threed as euer thou sawest.

King.

And I perhaps may weare it for her sake,

In better presence then thou art aware off,

Hobs.

How Ned, a better present? that canst thou not haue for silke, cloath, and workemanship, why Nell made it man. But Ned? is not the King in this companie, wshat hee in the long beard and the redde petticoate? before God I misooubt Ned that is the King, I know it by my Lord what ye cals players.

King.

How by them Tanner?

Hob.

Euer when they play an Enterloute or a Commodity at Tamworth, the King alwaies is in a long beard, and a red gowne like him, therefore I spekt him to be the King

King.

[Page]

No trust me Tanner, this is not the King, but thou shalt see the King before thou goest, and haue a pardon for thy sonne too with thee.

This man is the Lord Maior, Lord Maior of London, héere was the Recorder too, but hee is gone.

Hobs.

What Nicnames these courtnoles haue? Mare and Corder quotha? we haue no such at Liechfield, there is the honest Bayliffe and his brethren, such words grée best with vs.

King.

My Lord Maior, I pray ye for my sake, to bidde this honest Tanner welcome.

Maior.

You are welcome my honest friend,

In signe whereof I pray you see my house,

And suppe with mee this night.

Hobs.

I thanke yee good goodman Masor, but I care not for no meate, my stomacke is like to a sicke swines, that will neither eate nor drinke, till shée know what shal become of her pigge. Ned and Tom, you promisde me a good turne when I came to Court, either doo it now, or go hang your selues.

King.

No sooner comes the King, but I will doo it.

Sel.

I warrant thee Tanner, feare not thy sonnes life.

Hobs.

Nay, I feare not his life, I feare his death.

Enter Maister of Saint Katherines, and Widow Norton.

Maiste.

All health and happinesse to my Soueraigne.

King.

The Maister of Saint Katherines hath marde all:

Hobs.

Out alas that euer I was borne.

The Tanner falles in a swound, they labour to reuiue him, meane while the king puts on his roy all robes.

King.

Looke to the Tanner there, he takes no harme,

I would not haue him (for my crowne) miscarrie.

Wid.

Let me come to him by my kings good leaue,

[Page] Heres ginger honest man, bite it.

Hobs.

Bite ginger, bite ginger, bite a dogs date, I am but a dead man, ah my Liedge, that you should deale so with a poore well meaniug man, but it makes no matter, I can but die.

King.

But when Tanner canst thou tell?

Hobs.

Nay euen when you please, for I haue so defended ye, by calling ye plaine Ned, mad rogue and rascall, that I know youle haue me hangde. Theref [...]re make no more adoe, but send me downe to Stafford, and there a Gods name hang me with my sonne. And heres another as honest as your selfe, you made me call him plaine Tom, I warrant his name is Thomas, and some man of worship too, therfore lets to it, euen when and where ye will.

King.

Tanner attend, not onely doo we pardon thee,

But in all princely kindnesse welcome thee,

And thy sonnes trespasse doe we pardon too,

Ore goe and sée that forthwith it bee drawne,

Vnder our seale of England, as it ought,

And fortie pounds wée giue thée to defray

Thy charges in thy comming vp to London.

Now Tanner, what saist thou to vs?

Hobs.

Marrie you speake like an honest man, if you meane as you say.

King.

Wee meane it Tanner, on our royall word.

Now maister of S. Katherines, what would you?

My gracious Lord, the great beneuolence,

(Though small to that your subiects could afford,

Of poore S. Katherines do I bring your grace,)

Fiue hundred pounds here haue they sent by me.

For the easier portage, all in Angell gold,

What this good widow mistris Norton will,

She comes her selfe, and brings her gift with her.

Wid.

Pardon me gratious Lord, presumption,

Nor ouer w [...]ning in mine owne conceit,

[Page] Makes me thus bold to come before your Grace,

But loue and dutie to your maiestie:

And great desire to sée my Lord the King,

Our maister here spake of beneuolence,

And said my twentie Nobles was inough,

I thought not so, but at your Highnes féete,

A widowes mite, a token of her zeale,

In humble dutie giues you twentie pound.

Ki.

Now by my crowne, a gallant Iustie Girle,

Of all the exhibition yet bestowed,

This womans liberalitie likes me best.

Is thy name Norton?

Wid.

I my gracious Liedge.

King.

How long hast thou béene a Widow?

Wid.

It is my Lord,

Since I did burie Wilkin my goodman,

At Shrouetide next euen iust a dozen yeares.

In al which space, couldst thou not find a man.

On whom thou mightst bestow thy selfe againe?

Wid.

Not any like my Wilkin whose deare loue,

I know is matchlesse, in respect of whom,

I thinke not any worthie of a kisse.

No widow? that ile trie, how like you this?

He kisseth her.

VVid.

Beshrew my heart, it was a honnie kisse,

Able to make an aged woman young:

And for the same most swéet and louely Prince,

See what the widow giues you from her store,

Fortie olde Angels but for one kisse more.

Marie Widow and thou shalt haue it,

Iohn Hobs thou art a widower,

Lackst thou such a wife?

Hobs.

Snailes, twentie pound a kisse? had shee as many [Page] twentie pound bags as I haue knobs of barke in my tansat shee might kisse them away in a quarter of a yeare. [...]e no Saint Katherines widowes, if kisses be so deare.

Widow.

Clubs and clouted shooes, theres none enamourd here.

King.

Lord Maior, we thanke you and entreat withall,

To recommend vs to our Cittizens:

We must for France, we bid you all farewell,

Come Tanner thou shalt with vs to Court,

To marrow you shal dine with my Lord Maior,

And after ward set homeward when ye please:

God and our right that onely fights for vs,

Adiew, pray that our toyle proue prosperous.

Exeunt.

FINIS.

[Page]

THE SECOND PART of King Edward the Fourth.

Containing his iourney into France, for obtaining of his right there: The trecherous falshood of the Duke of Burgundie, and the Constable of France vsed against him, and his returne home againe. Likewise the prosecution of the historie of M. Shoare and his faire wife: Concluding with the lamentable death of them both.

Enter king Edward, Howard, Sellinger, and Soldiers marching.

Edward.

IS this the aide our Cosin Burgundie,

And the great Constable of France assured vs?

Haue we marched thus farte through the heart of France?

And with the terror of our English Drums:

kourde the poore trembling French, which leaue their towns

That now the Wolues affrighted from the fields,

Do get their pray, and kennell in their stréets?

Our thundring Canons, now this fortnight space,

Like common Bell-men in some market towne,

Haue cried the Constable and Burgundie:

But yet I see they come not to our aide,

Wéele bring them in, or by the blessed light,

Wéele search the Ground-stilles of their Cittis walles,

[Page] Since you haue brought me hither: I will make,

The proudest Tower that stands in France to quake,

I maruaile Scales returnes not, for by him

I doe respect to heare their resolutions.

Enter the Lord Scales.

How.

My Soueraigne he is happily returnde.

Ed.

Welcome my Lord, welcome good Cosin Scales,

What newes from Burgundie, what is his answer?

What comes he to our succour as he promised?

Scal.

Not by his good wil, for ought that I can see

He lingers still in his long fiedge at Nuse.

I vrgde his promise and your expectation,

Euen to the force and compasse of my spirit,

I chéerde my firme perswasions, with your hopes.

And gylded them with my best Oratorie,

I framde my spéech still fitly as I [...]ound

The temper of his humor, to be wrought vpon,

But still I found him earthly, vnresolude,

Muddie, and me thought euer through his eies,

I saw his wauering and vnsetled spirit,

And to be short, subtile and trecherous,

And one that doth entend no good to you,

And he will come, and yet he wanteth power,

He would fai [...]e come, but may not leaue the siege,

He hopes he shall, but yet he knowes not when,

He purposed, but some unpediments,

Haue hindred his determined intent,

Briefly, I thinke he will not come at all.

Ed.

But is he like to take the towne of Nuse?

Sca.

My Lord the towne is liker to take him,

That if he chance to come to you at all,

Ti [...]s but for succour.

Ed.

But what saies Count Saint Paul?

Scales.

My Lord he lies, and reuelles at S. Quintins,

And laughs at Edwards comming into France,

There Dominering with his drunken crue,

[Page] Make Jigges of vs, and in their slau [...]ring i [...]sts,

Tell how like rogues we lie here in the field,

Then comes a slaue one of those drunken sots,

In with a Tauerne reckoning for a supplication,

Disguised with a cushion on his head,

A Drawers Apron for a Heralds Coate.

And tels the Count, the King of England craues

One of his worthie honors Dog-kennels,

To be his lodging for a day or two.

With some such other Tauerne foolerie:

With that this filthie rascall greasie rout,

Brast out in laughter at this worthie iest,

Neighing like horses: thus the Count Saint Paul

Regardes his promise to your maiestie.

Ed.

Wil no man thrust the slaue into a sackbut?

Scl.

Now by this light were I but néere the slaue with a black Jacke I would beat out his braines.

Ho.

If it please your highnes but to say the word,

Wéele plucke him out of Quintins by the cares.

Ed.

No cosin Howard, wéele reserue our valour,

For better purpose, since they both refuse vs,

Our selues will be vnriualde in our honour.

Now our first cast my Lord is at maine France,

Whilst yet our Armie is in health and strong,

And haue we once but broke vnto that warre,

I will not leaue S. Paul, nor Burgundie,

Not a bare Pigscoate to shroud them in.

Heraulde.

He.

My Soueraigne.

Ed.

Go Derauld, [...] to Lewes the French King,

Denounce sterne warre, and tell him I am c [...]me,

To take possession of my Realme of France.

Defie him boldly from vs, be thy voice

As fierce as thunder, to affright his soule:

Derauld be gone I say, and be thy breath,

Percing as lightning, and thy words as death

Her.

[Page]

I goe my Liedge resolude to your hie will.

Exit.

Ed.

Sound Drum I say, set forward with our power,

And France ere long expect a dreadfull hower,

I will not take the English standard downe,

Till thou empale my temples with thy Crowne.

Enter Lewes the French king, Burbon, and S. Pier, with the Heraulde of England.

K. Lewes.

Heraulde of England, we are pleased to heare,

What message thou hast brought vs from thy King,

Prepare thy selfe, and be aduisde in speech.

English Heraulde, Right gratious and most Christian king of France,

I come not to thy presence vnpreparde

To doe the message of my Royall Liedge.

Edward the Fourth, of England and of France,

The lawfull King, and Lord of Ireland,

Whose puissant magnanimious breast incensde,

Through manifest notorious iniuries,

Offred by thee King Lewes and thy French,

Against his title to the crowne of France,

And right in all these Dukedomes following,

Aquitaine, Aniow, Guyen, A guilesme,

Breathes forth by me the Organe of his spéech,

Hostile defiance to thy realme and thee:

And trampling now vpon the face of France,

With barbed horse, and valiant armed foote:

Himselfe the leader of those martiall troupes,

Bids thée to battell, where and when thou darst,

Except thou make such restitution

And yearely tribute on good hostages,

As may content his iust conceiued wrath,

And to this message answere I expect.

Lew.

Right peremptorie is this embassage,

And were my royal Brother of England pleasde,

[Page] To entertaine those kind affections,

Where with we d [...]e [...]brace his amitie:

N [...]olesse were all these thunder-threatning words,

Let heauen (where all our thoughts are registred)

Beare record, with what déepe desire of peace,

We shall subscribe to such conditions,

As equitie for England shall propound,

If Edward haue sustained wrong in France,

Lewes was neuer author of that wrong,

Yet faultles we will make due recompence,

We are assurde that his [...] thoughts

In his milde spirit [...]o neuer meane these warres,

Till Charles Burgundie once our fawning friend,

But now our open foe, and Count S. Paul,

Our subiect once and Constable of France,

But now a traytor to our Realme and vs,

Were motiues to incite him vnto Armes,

Which hauing done will leaue him on my life.

Her.

The King my master reckes not Burgundy,

And scornes S. Paul that trecherous Constable,

His puissance is sufficient in it selfe,

To conquer France like his progenitors.

K. L.

He shall not néed to waste by force of warre,

Where peace shall yéeld him more then he can win:

We couet peace, and we will purchase it

At any rate that reason can demaund,

And it is better England ioyne in league

With vs his strong, old, open enemie,

Than with those weake & new dissenibling friends,

We doe secure vs from our open foes,

But trust in friends (though faithles) we repose,

My Lord S. Piere and cosin Burbon speake,

What censure you of Burgundy, and S. Paul?

S. Pi.

Dread Lord, it is wel knowne that Burgundy

Made shew of tender seruice to your maiestie,

Till by the engine of his flatteries,

[Page] He made a breach into your Highnes loue,

Where entred once and thereof full posse [...],

He so abusde that royall excellence,

By getting footing into many townes,

Castles and forts belonging to your Crowne,

That now he holds them gainst your realme & you.

Burb.

And Count S. Paul the Constable of France,

Ambitious in that high authoritie,

[...]surps the lands and Seigneuries of those

That are true subiects, noble [...] of France,

Your boundlesse fauours did him first suborne,

And now to be your Liegeman he thinks scorne.

Lew.

By this coniecture, the vnsteady course,

Thy royall master vndertakes in France,

And Herald intimate what seruent [...]eale,

We haue to league with Edward and his English,

Thrée hundred crownes we giue thée for reward,

And of rich Crimson veluet thirtie yardes,

In hope thou wilt vnto thy Soueraigne tell,

We shew thée not one discontented looke,

Nor render him one misbeholden word:

But his defiance and his dare to warre,

We swallow with the s [...]pple oyle of peace:

Which gentle Herald if thou canst procure,

A thousand crowne shall iustly guerdon thée.

Her.

So please it your most sacred Maiestie,

To send vnto my gra [...]ious Soueraigne,

Equall conditions for the bonds of peace,

And restitution of his iniuries,

His temper is not of obdurate malice,

But swéete relenting princely clemencie,

Performe your promise of a thousand crownes,

And second me with some fit messenger,

And I will vndertake to worke your peace.

Lew.

By the true honour of a Christian King,

Effect our peace and thou shalt haue our crownes,

[Page] And we will poste a Herald after thee,

That shall confirme thy speech, and our designes:

Goe Mugeroune, see to this Herald giuen

The veluet, and thrée hundred crownes pre [...]osde,

Farewell good friend, remember our request,

And kindly recommend vs to King Edward.

Exeunt English Herald and Mugero [...]ne.

How think you Lords, st [...] not more requisite

To make our peace, then warre with Englands power.

Burb.

Yes gratious Lord, the wounds are bléeding yet,

That Talbot, Bedford, and King Henry made,

Which peace must cure, or France shall languish still.

S. Piere.

Besides (my Liege) by these intestine foes,

The Constable and trecherous Burgundie,

The States in danger if the English stirré.

Enter Mugeroune.

K. Lew.

Tis perilous, and full of doubt my Lords,

We must haue peace with England euery way,

Who shall be Herald in these high affayres?

Bur.

No better man then Monsieur Mugeroune,

Whose wit is sharpe, whose eloquence is sound,

His presence gratious, and his courage good,

A gentleman, a scholler, and a souldiour,

A compleate man for such an Embassage:

Art thou content to be employde Mugeroune,

In this negotiation to King Edward?

Mug.

If your most sacred Maiestie commaund,

Your humble vassall Mugeroune shall goe.

K. Lew.

Gramercies Mugeroune, but thou must assume,

A Heralds habit, and his office both,

To pleade our loue, and to procure vs peace

With English Edward, for the good of France.

Mug.

I know the matter and the forme my Lord,

Giue me my Heralds coate, and I am gone.

K. Lew.

Thou art a man composoe for businesse,

Attend on vs for thy instructions.

[Page] And other fit supplies for these affayres,

And for thy diligence expect reward.

Exeunt.

Enter seuerall waies Burgundie and the Constable of France.

Con.

Whither away so fast goes Burgundy?

Bur.

Nay rather whither goes the Constable?

Con.

Why to King Edward (man) is he not come?

Meanst thou not like wise to goe visit him?

Bur.

Oh excellent, I know that in thy soule,

Thou knowst that I doe purpose nothing lesse,

Nay I doe know for all thy outward shew,

Thou hast no meaning once to looke on him.

Brother dissembler, leaue this colouring,

With him that meanes as falsely as thy selfe.

Con.

I, but thou knowst y ^• Edward on our letters,

And hoping our assistance when he came,

Did make this purposde voyage into France,

And with his forces is he here arriude,

Trusting that we will kéepe our word with him.

Now, though we meane it not, yet set a face

Vpon the matter, as though we intended

To kéepe our word with him effectnally.

Bur.

And for my better countenance in this case,

My lingring siege at Nuse will serue the turne,

There will I spend the time to disappoynt,

King Edwards hope of my consoyning with him.

Con.

And I will kéepe me still here in S. Quintins,

Pretending mightie matters for his aide,

But not performing any on my word,

The rather Burgundy, because I aime,

At matters which perhaps may cost your head,

All this aside

If all hit right to expectation,

In the meane space like a good craftie knaue,

That hugs the man, he wisheth hangd in hart,

[Page] Kéepe I faire weather still with Burgundy.

Till matters fall out for my purpose fit.

Ici sont mon secrets, beau temps pour moy.

Bur.

Ici sont mon secrets, beau temps pour moy.

Are ye so craftie Constable? procéede, procéede,

You quick sharpe sighted man, imagine me

Blinde, witlesse, and a fillie Idiot,

That pries not into all your policies,

Who I? no, God doth know my simple wit,

Can neuer sound a iudgement of such reach,

As is our cunning Constable of France:

Perswade thy selfe so still, and when time serues,

And that thou art in most extremitie,

Néeding my helpe, then take thou héede of me,

In meane while Sir, you are the only man

That hath my heart, hath? I, and great reason too,

Thus it befits men of déepe reach to doo.

Well Constable, youle back againe to Nuse,

And not aide English Edward?

Con.

What else man?

And kéepe thée in S. Quintins, so shall we

Smile at King Edwards weake capacitie.

Exeunt.

Enter King Edward, with Burgundie, Howard, Sellenger, and Scales.

K. Ed.

Tell not me Burgundie, tis I am wrongd,

And you haue dealt like a disloyall Knight.

Edward of England, these are vnkingly words,

King.

He that wil do (my Lord) what he should not,

Must and shall heare of me what he would not,

I say againe you haue deluded me.

Bur.

Am I not come according to my word?

No Charles of Burgundie, thy word was giuen

To méete with me in Aprill, now tis August,

The place appointed Calice, not Lorraine,

And thy approach to be with martiall troupes:

But thou art come, not hauing in thy traine,

[Page] So much as Page or Lackie to attend thee,

As who should say thy presence were munition,

And strength enough to answer our expect:

Summer is almost spent, yet nothing done,

And all by dalliance with vncertaine hope.

Burg.

My forces lay before the citie Nuse,

From which I could not rise, but with dishonour,

Unlesse vpon some composition had.

K. Ed.

There was no such exception in your letters.

Why smiles Lord Scales?

Scales.

My man reports my Lord,

The composition that the Duke there made,

Was méere compulsion: for the citizens

Draue him from thence perforce.

K. Ed.

I thought so much:

We should not yet haue seene your excellence,

But that your héeles were better then your hands.

Lord Scales, thou dost me wrong to slander me.

K. Ed.

Letting that passe, it shall be seene my Lord,

That we are able of our selfe to claime

Our right in France, without or your assistance,

Or any others, but the helpe of heauen.

Bur.

I make no question of it, yet the Constable

Prest with no such occasion as I was,

Might haue excusde vs both if he had pleasde.

K. Ed.

Accuse him not, your cities as we came,

Were euen as much to be condemnde as his,

They gaue vs leaue to lye within the field,

And scarcely would affoord vs meate for money.

This was small friendship in respect of that,

You had ingagde your honour to performe.

But march we forward as we were determined,

This is S. Quintins, where you say my Lord,

The Constable is readie to receiue vs.

Bur.

So much he signified to me by letter.

K. Ed.

Well we shall see his entertainment: forward.

[Page] As they march vpon the stage, the Lord Scales is strooke downe, and two souldiours slaine outright, with great shot from the towne.

Flie to our maine battaile, bid them stand,

Theres treason plotted: speake to me Lord Scales,

Or if there be no power of life remaining,

To vtter thy hearts gr [...]euance, make a signe,

Two of our common souldiours slaine beside,

This is hard welcome: but it was not you,

At whom the tatall enginer did aime,

My breast the leuell was, though you the marke,

In which conspiracie answer me Duke,

Is not thy soule as guiltie as the Earles?

Bur.

Perish my soule, King Edward, if I knew

Of any such intention: yet I did, and grieue that it

hath sped no otherwise.

K. Ed.

Howard and Sellinger?

Burgundie steales away.

What is there hope of life in none of them?

Ho.

The souldiours are both slaine outright my Lord,

But the Lord Scales a little is recouered.

K. Ed.

Conuay his body to our Pauillion,

And let our Surgeons vse all diligence

They can deuise for safegard of his life,

Whilst we with all extremitie of warre,

Goe plague S. Quintins: Howard fetch on our powers,

We will not stirre a foote, till we haue she wne

Just vengeance on the Constable of France.

Oh God, to wooe vs first to passe the sea,

And at our comming thus to halt with vs,

I thinke the like thereof was neuer seene.

But wheres the Duke?

Scl.

Gone as it seemes my Lord,

Stept secretly away, as one that knew

His conscience would accuse him if he staide.

K. Ed.

[Page]

A paire of most dissembling hypocrites,

Is he and this base Earle, on whom I vow,

Leauing King Lewis vnpreiudizde in peace,

To spend the whole measure of my kindled rage,

Their stréetes shall sweate with their effused blood,

And this bright Sunne be darkned with the smoke,

Of smouldring cinders, when their citie lies

Buried in ashes of reuengefull fire,

On whose pale superstcies in the stead

Of parchmēt, with my launce Ile draw these lines,

Edward of England left this memorie,

In iust reuenge of hatefull trecherie.

Enter Howard againe.

Lord Howard haue ye done as I commanded?

How.

Our battailes are disposde, and on the brow

Of euery inferiour seruiter my Lord,

You might behold destruction figured,

Greedily thrusting to begin the fight:

But when no longer they might be restrainde,

And that the drumme and trumpet both began

To sound warres chéerefull harmonie: behold,

A flagge of truce vpon the walles was hangd,

And forth the gates did issue méekly pac't,

Thrée men, whereof the Constable is one,

The other two the Gunner and his mate,

By whose grosse ouer-sight (as they report)

This sudden chance vnwittingly befell.

K. Ed.

Bring forth the Constable: the other two,

Sée them safe guarded, till you know our pleasure.

Enter the Constable and Howard.

Now my Lord Howard, how [...] with Scales?

Ho.

Well my dread Soueraigne, now his wound is drest,

And by the opinion of the Surgeons,

Its thought he shall not perish by this hurt.

K. Ed.

I am the gladder, but vnfaithfull Earle,

I doe not see how yet I can dispence

[Page] With thy submission, this was not the welcome,

Your letters sent to England, promisde me.

Con.

Right high and mightie Prince cond [...]mne me not,

That am as innocent in this offence,

As any souldiour in the English armie,

The fault was in our gunners ignorance,

Who taking you for Lewis King of France,

That likewise is within the cities kenne,

Made that vnluckie shot to beate him backe,

And not of malice to your maiestie,

To knowledge which, I brought thē with my selfe,

And thirtie thousand crownes within this purse,

Sent by the Burgers to redéeme your lacke.

K. Ed.

Constable of France, we will not sell a drop

Of English blood, for all the gold in France:

But in so much two of our men are slaine,

To quit their deaths, those two that came with thée

Shall both be cramde into a Cannons mouth,

And so he shot into the towne againe:

It is not like but that they knew our Colours,

And of set purpose did this villanie:

Nor can I be perswaded thorowly,

But that our person was the mark they aimed at;

Yet are we well content to hold you excusde,

Mary our souldiours must be satisfied,

And therefore first shall be distributed,

These crownes amongst thē, then you shal returne,

And of your best prouision send to vs,

Thirtie waine loade, beside twelue t [...]ne of wine.

This if the Burgers will subscribe vnto,

Their peace is made, otherwise I will proclaime,

Frée libertie for all to take the spoyle.

Con.

Your highnes shall be answerd presently,

And I will see these articles performed.

K. Ed.

Yet one thing more, I will that you my Lord,

Together with the Duke of Burgundie,

[Page] Doe ere to morrow noone bring all your force,

And toyne with ours, or else we doe recant,

And these conditions shall be frustrate.

Mine are at hand my Lord, and I will write,

The Duke may like wise be in readinesse.

K. Ed.

Let him haue safe conduct through our army,

And gainst the morning euery leader see,

His troupes be furnisht, for no longer time,

God willing shall the triall be deferred,

Twixt Lewis and vs. What echoing sound is this?

Sel.

A gentleman from the K. of France my Lord,

Craues parlance with your excellence.

K. Ed.

A gentleman, bring him in.

What newes a Gods name frō our brother Lewis?

Enter Mugeroune.

Mu.

Most puissant and most honourable King,

My royall master, Lewis the King of France,

Doth gréete your Highnes with vnfained loue,

Wishing your health, prosperitie, and rule,

And thus he saies by me. When was it séene,

That euer Lewis pretended hurt to England,

Either by close conspirators sent ouer,

To vndermine your state; or openly,

By taking armes, with purpose to inuade?

Nay when was it, that Lewis was euer heard,

So much as to detract from Edwards name?

But still hath done him all his due of spéech,

By blazing to the world his high deserts,

Of wisedome, valour, and his heroicke birth:

Whence is it then that Edward is incensoe,

To render hate for loue, for amitie sterne warre?

Not of himselfe we know: but by the meanes

Of some infectious counsell, that like mud,

Would spoyle the pure temper of his noble minde,

It is the Duke, and that pernicious rebell,

Earle of S. Paul, haue set abroach these warres,

[Page] Who of themselues, vnable to procéede,

Would make your Grace the instrument of wrong,

And when you haue done what you can for them,

You shall be sure of nothing but of this,

Still to be doubled and dissembled with.

But if it might séeme gratious in your eye,

To cast off these despisde consederates,

Vnfit companions for so great a Prince,

And ioyne in league with Lewis my royall master,

Him shall you finde as willing as of power,

To doe your Grace all offices of loue:

And what commoditie may spring thereby,

To both the Realmes, your Grace is wise enough,

Without my rude suggestions to imagine,

Besides, much bloodshed for this present time,

Will be preuented when two such personages,

Shall méete together to shake hands in peace,

And not with shock of Launce and Curtelaxe,

That Lewis is willing, I am his substitute,

And he himselfe in person if you please,

Not farre from hence will signifie as much.

K. Ed.

Sir, withdra [...] and giue vs leaue a while,

To take aduisement of our Counsellors,

What say ye Lords vnto this proffered truce?

Ho.

In my conceit let it not be slipt my Lord.

Sel.

Wilt not be dishonour hauing landed

So great an armie in these parts of France,

And not to fight before we doe returne:

Ho.

How can it when the enemie submits,

And of himselfe makes tender of allegiance?

Sel.

I thats the question whether he will yéeld,

And doe King Edward fealtie or no.

Ed.

What talke ye Lords? he shall subscribe to that,

Or no conditions Ile accept at all.

Ho.

Let him be bound my Lord to pay your Grace,

Toward your expences, since your comming ouer,

[Page] Seauentie fine thousand crownes of the Sunne,

And yéerely after fiftie thousand more,

During your life, with homage there withall,

That he doth hold his royaltie from you,

And take his offer, twill not beamisse.

Ed.

It shall be so, draw you the articles,

And Sellinger call forth the messenger,

Bring with thée too a cup of massie gold,

And bid the bearer of our priuie purse,

J [...]lose therein a hundred English Kyals,

Friend we doe accept thy masters League,

With no lesse firme affection then he craues,

If he will méete vs here betwixt our tents,

It shall on both sides be confirmde by oth,

On this condition that he will subscribe,

To certaine Articles shall be proposde,

And so thou hast thy answer, to requite

Thy paines herein, we giue to thée this cup.

Her.

Health and [...]crease of honour waite on Edward.

Ed.

Lord Howard bring the Frenchman on his way.

Ed.

King Lewis is one that neuer was precise:

But now Lord Howard and Tom Sellinger,

There is a taske remaines for you to doe,

And that is this, you two shall be disguisde,

And one of you [...]yre to Burgundie,

The other to the Constable of France,

Where you shall learne in secret if you can,

If they intend to méete vs here to morrow,

Or how they take this our accord with France,

Somewhat it giues me you will bring from thence

Worthie the noting, will you vndertake it?

Sel.

With all my hart my L. I am for Burgun [...]e.

How.

And I am for the Constable of France.

Exeunt.

Ed.

Make spéede againe, what newes?

Mest.

The king of France my L. attended royally,

[Page] Is marching hitherward to méete your Grace.

Ed.

He shall be welcome, hast thou drawne the articles?

Mess.

Yes my dread Soueraigne.

Ed.

Goe, call foorth our traine,

We may receiue him with like maiestie.

Enter certaine Noblemen and Souldiours with a Drum, they march about the stage, then enter king Lewis, and his traine, and meete with King Edward, the Kings embrace.

K. Lewis.

My princely brother, we are grieued much,

To thinke you haue béen at so great a charge,

And toyld your royall selfe so farre from home,

Vpon the vnconstant promise of those men,

That both bissemble with your Grace and me.

K. Ed.

Brother of France, you might condenme vs rightly,

Not only of great wrong and toyle sustaind,

But of excéeding solly, if incited,

We had presumde to enter these Dominions,

Vpon no other reason then the word,

And weake assistance of the Earle S. Paul,

Or Burgundies perswasion: tis our right,

That wings the bodie of composed warre,

And though we listned to their [...]atteries,

Yet so we shapte the course of our affayres,

As of our selfe we might be able found,

Without the trusting to a broken staffe.

Lew.

I know your maiestie had more discretion,

But this is not the occasion of our méeting,

If you be pleasde to entertaine a peace,

My kingly brother in the sight of these,

And of the al-discouering eye of beauen,

Let vs embrace, for as my life I sweare,

I tender England and your happines.

K. Ed.

The like do I by you and warlike France:

But princely brother ere this knot be knit,

[Page] There are some few conditions to be signde,

That done, I am as readie as your selfe.

K. Lew.

Faire brother, let vs heare them what they be.

K. Ed.

Herald repeate the articles.

Her.

First it is couenanted that Lewis King of France, according to the custome of his predecessors, shall doe homage to King Edward, King of England, as his Soueraigne and true heire to all the Dominions of France.

Burb.

How as his Soueraigne? that were to depose

And quite bereaue him of his Diademe,

Will kingly Lewis stoope to such vassallage?

K. Ed.

Burbon and if he will not let him chuse.

K. Lew.

Brother haue patience, Burbon seale your lips,

And interrupt not these high consequents.

Forward Herald, what is else demaunded?

Her.

Secondly it is couenanted that Lewis King of France, shall pay vnto Edward King of England, immediatly vpon the agréement betwixt their Maiesties, seauentie fiue thousand crownes of the sunne, toward the charge King Edward hath béen at since his arriuall in these parts of France.

Burb.

Mort dieu, héele neither leaue him Crown nor coyne.

K. Lew.

Burbon I say be silent, Herald reade on.

Her.

Thirdly and lastly, it is couenanted, that ouer and beside those seauentie fiue thousand crownes of the sunne, now presently to be paied, Lewis King of France shal yéerely hereafter, during the life of Edward King of England, pay fiftie thousand crownes more without fraude or guile, to bee tendred at his Maiesties Castle, commonly called the Tower of London.

Burb.

Nay bind him that he bring his Lordship a couple of

Capons too euery yéere beside.

Here is a peace indéed farre worse then warre.

K. Ed.

Brother of France are you resolude to doe,

According as you heare the couenants drawne?

K. Lew.

Brother of England, mount your royall throne,

For subiects weale, and glorie of my God,

[Page] And to deale iustly with the world beside,

Knowing your title to be lineall,

From the great Edward of that name the third,

Your predecessor, thus I doe resigne,

Giuing my Crowne and Scepter to your hand,

As an obedient Liegeman to your Grace.

K Ed.

The same doe I deliuer backe againe,

With as large interest as you had before.

Now for the other couenants.

K. Lew.

Those my Lord,

Shall likewise be performde with expedition,

And euer after, as you haue prescribde,

The yéerely pension shall be truly paid.

Her.

Sweare on this booke King Lewis so helpe you God,

You meane no otherwise then you haue said.

K. Lew.

So helpe me God as I dissemble not.

K. Ed.

And so helpe he me as I entend to kéepe,

Vnfained league and truce with noble France:

And kingly brother now to consummate,

This happie day feast in our royall tent,

English and French are one, so it is meant.

Exeunt.

Enter at one dore, Burgundie chafing, with him Sellinger disguised like a souldiour; at another the Constable of France, with him Howard in the like disguise.

Bur.

A peace concluded, saiest thou? ist not so?

Sel.

My Lord I doe assure you it is so.

Con.

And thou affirmst the like? say, dost thou not?

How.

I doe my Lord, and that for certaintie.

Bur.

I haue found it now, the villaine Constable

Hath secretly with Edward thus compact,

To ioyne our King and him in amitie,

And thereby doubtlesse got into his hands,

Such lands and Dukedomes as I aymed at,

[Page] And leaues me disappointed in my hope,

A plague vpon such crastie cosening,

aside.

Now shall I be a marke for them to aime at,

And that bile [...]ane to triumph in my toyle.

Con.

[...] so, for it can be no otherwise,

Burgundie hath béen priuie to this plot,

Conspiros with Lewis and the English King,

To saue [...] [...]ne stake, and assure himselfe,

Of all those Seigneuries I hoped for,

And thereupon this close peace is contriude,

Now must the Constable be as a butte,

[...] all their bullets to be leueld at,

Hell and hot vengeance light on Burgundle,

For this his subtile secret villanie.

Bur.

Well fellow for thy paines take that,

Leaue me alone, for I am much displeasoe.

to Sel.

Con.

And get thée gone my friend, theres for thy paines, to Howard.

So leaue me to my selfe.

Sel.

Fare ye well Sir, I hope I haue pepperd ye.

How.

And so I thinke haue I my Constable.

Exeunt Sellin. and How.

Bur.

Now Constable, this peace, this peace,

What thinke ye of it man?

Con.

Nay rather what thinks Burgundie?

Bur.

I thinke he that did contriue the same,

Was little lesse then a dissembling villaine.

Con.

Dog bite thy selfe, come on, come on,

Haue not you plaid Iohn for the King,

To saue your selfe Sir?

Bur.

I, art thou good at that?

Adiew Sir, I may chance to hit you pat.

Exit.

Con.

You may Sir, I perhaps may be before ye,

And for this cunning through the nose to bore ye.

Exeunt.

Enter King Edward, King Lewis, Howard, Sellinger, and their traine.

K. Ed.

[Page]

So Sellinger, we then perceiue by thée

The Duke is passing angrie at our league?

Sel.

I, my dread Lord beyond comparison,

Like a mad dog snatching at euerie one

That passeth by: shall I but shew you how,

And act the manner of his tragicke furie?

No stay a while, me thought I heard thée say,

They meant to gréet vs by their messengers.

Sel.

They did my Lord.

King.

What and the Constable too?

How.

My Soueraigne yes.

King.

But how t [...]ke he the newes?

How.

Faith euen as discontented as might be,

But being a more déepe melancholiste,

And sullenner of temper then the Duke,

He chawes his malice, fumes & frothes at mouth,

Vttering but little more then what we gather

By his disturbed lookes and riueld front,

Sauing that now and then his boyling passion,

Damnd vp as in a surnace, finding vent

Breaks through his seuerd lips into short pusses,

And then he mumbles forth a word or two,

As doth a toothles Monke when hées at mattens.

Oh it was sport alone to note their cariage,

Se.

Sport my Lord? wil you but heare me speak,

And if I do not wearie you with laughter,

Nere trust Tom Sellinger more vpon his word.

Sound a Trumpet.

I pray thée peace, by this it should appeare

One of their messengers is come, go see,

Vpon my life we shall haue some deuise,

Of new dissimulation how now Tom?

Sel.

Tis as your highnes did suppose my Lord,

[...]ere is a messenger from Burgundie.

King.

Excellent good, admit him presently,

And brother of France, let me intreat your grace

[Page] To stand aside a little in my tent,

Least finding vs together, he refraine,

To tell the message he is sent about,

So sure I am perswaded we shall find

Some notable péece of knauerie set a foote.

K. L.

With al my hart, vrge him speak loud enough,

That I my Lord may vnderstand him too.

Exit.

Enter the Lord of Conte.

K. Ed.

Feare not, I haue the method in my mind:

What it is you my Lord of Conte [...] welcome.

How doth the valiant Duke, in health I hope?

Co.

In health (my Lord) of bodie, though in mind

Somewhat distemperd, that your Grace hath ioind

In league with his professed enemie.

K. E.

How say you y ^• my Lord? pray you speake out,

For I of late, by reason of a cold,

Am somewhat thicke of hearing.

Con.

Thus my Lord,

Your Grace demanded if the Duke were well,

I answere you, he is in health of bodie,

Though inwardly in mind somewhat perplext,

That you without his knowledge haue tane truce

With childish Lewes that hartlesse King of France.

K. Ed.

With whom I pray y [...] a little lowder sir.

With childish Lewes that hartlesse K. of France.

K. Ed.

I now do vnderstand you, is it that

He takes vnkindly? why if he had come

With his expected forces as he promist,

I had béene still vncapable of peace,

But he deceiuing me, the fault was his.

Con.

No my good Lord, the fault was not in him,

But in that lewde pernicious counterfait,

That craftie Fore the Constable of France,

Who counseld him to kéepe him at his siege,

Saying it would be more dishonorable

To rise from thence, then any way profitable,

[Page] To méete your Maiestie, beside my Lord,

It hath bin proued since, how much the Constable

Hates your procéedings, by that wilfull shot,

Was made against you from S. Quintins wals,

Which though he séemde to colour with faire spéech,

The truth is, they did leuell at your selfe,

And grieued when they heard you were not slaine.

K. Ed.

May I be bold to credit your report?

Con.

The Duke vpon his honour bad me say,

That it was true, and there withall quoth he,

Tell noble Edward if he will recant,

And fall from Lewes againe, knowing it is

More for his dignitie to be sole King,

And conquer France as did his ancestors,

Then take a fée, and so be satisfied,

That I am readie with twelue thousand soldiers

All well appointed, and not onely will,

Deliuer him the Constable of France,

That he may punish him as he sées good,

But seat him in the threne imperial,

Which now another basely doth vsurpe,

K. E.

Speak that again, I heard not your last words

Con.

But seate you in the throne imperiall,

Which now another basely doth vsurpe.

King.

I thanke his honour for his good regard,

Pleaseth you stay till wee haue pausde vpon it,

And you shall haue our answere to the Duke,

Tom Sellinger receiue him to your tent,

And let him taste a cuppe of Drleance wine,

Now my kingly brother, haue you heard this news?

K. L.

So plainly my Lord, that I scarce held my selfe,

From stepping forth, hearing my royall name,

So much prophande and slubberd as it was,

But I do weigh the person like himselfe

From whence it came, a slie dissembler,

And spight my anger I was forst sometime,

[Page] To smile to thinke the Duke doth hang his friend,

Behinde his backe, whom to his face he smothes.

K. E.

But we shall haue farre better sport anone:

Howard tels me that another messenger,

is come in Post-bast from the Constable,

As you haue begun with patience heare the re [...].

K. Le.

No more adoe, ile to my place againe,

Remember that you still be deafe my Lord,

K. E.

I warrant you, Howard, call in the messenger.

Enter the messenger from the Constable.

Mes.

Health to the victorious King of England:

K. E.

Tell him he must straine out his voice alowd,

For I am somewhat deafe, and cannot heare.

How.

His Maiestie requests you to speake out,

Because his hearing is of late decayde.

Mes.

The worthie Earle S. Paul.

King. Ed.

Come néere mée.

Mes.

The worthy Earle S. Paul gréets noble Edwa.

And giues your grace to vnderstand by me,

That whereas Charles that painted sepulchre,

And most disloyall Duke of Burgundie,

Hath but vsurpt the habit of a friend,

Being in heart your deadly enemie,

As well appeares in his false breach of promise,

And that whereas he neuer meant himselfe,

To send you aide, but likewise was the meanes,

To binder my Lords well affected dutie,

Alleadging you desirde his companie

But that you might betray him to his King,

Beside whereas it will be proude my Lord,

That he did hire the Gunner of S. Quintins,

For a large summe of money, to discharge

Thrée seuerall péeces of great Ordenance,

Vpon your comming to that cursed towne,

To slay your Maiestie: in which regard

If it will please you to reuoke from France.

[Page] And thinke of Burgundie as hee deserues,

The Duke with expedition bad me say,

That he would put the Earle into your hands.

Wherby you might reuenge his trecherous purpose

And ayde you too with twise flue thousand men,

And seate you like a conquerour in France,

K. Ed.

Can it séeme possible that two such friends,

So firmely knit together as they were,

Should on a sodaine now be such great soes [...]

The Earle my Lord could neuer abide y ^e Duke

Since his last treason against your sacred person,

Before Saint Quintins came to open light.

Was that the cause of their dissention the [...]

Mes.

It was my lord.

K. Ed.

Well I will thinke vpont,

And you shall haue our answere by and by,

Cosin Howard take him aside,

But let him be kept from the others sight.

Ho.

Sir wil you walke in, my Lord wil take aduise,

And so dispatch you backe againe vnto the Earle,

K. Le.

Heres bying of billanie who shall haue all,

Fraude with deceite, deceite with fraude outfacde,

I would the diuell were there to crie swoope-stake,

But how intends your Grace to deale with them?

K. Ed.

Faith in their kind, I am the stéele you sée,

Against the which their enuie being strooke,

The Sparkles of hypocriste flie forth,

T were not amisse to quench them in their bloud.

Enter another messenger to the king of France with letters.

Mes.

My Lord heres letters to your Maiestie, One from the Duke of Burgundie, the other from the Constable,

K. L.

More villany, a thousand crowns to nothing:

K. p.

Can there be more then is alreadie broacht,

[Page] We thinkes they haue alreadie done so well,

As this may scrue to bring them both to hell.

K. L.

No, no, they are indifferently well loden,

But yet their fraughte, not full, sée other ware,

Other prouision to prepare their waie,

The verie same (my Lord) which they pretend,

In loue to you against my life and crowne,

The same they vndertake to doe for me

Against your safetie, vrging if I please,

That they will ioyne their forces both with mine,

And in your backe returne to Calice, cut the throats

Of you and all your soldiers.

K. Ed.

Oh damnable.

But that I see it figurde in these lines,

I would haue sworne there had bin nothing left,

For their pernitious braine to worke vpon.

K. L.

A traitor is like, a boldfacde hypocrite,

That neuer will be brought vnto a nonplus,

So long as hee hath libertie to speake.

K. Ed.

The way to cure them, is to cut them off,

Call forth their messengers once more to vs,

How.

Both of them my Lord?

K. Ed.

Yes, both together.

Wéele sée if they haue grace to blush or no,

At that their maisters shame now to attempt.

Enter both the Messengers.

Con.

What is his Maiestie of France so neere?

And Mounsier Rosse the Earles secretarie?

I feare some hurt depends vpon his presence,

How comes it that I sée the french King here?

I and the Lord of Countie too me thinkes,

Pray God our message be not made a scorne.

K. E.

You told me that you came from earle S. Paul.

Mes.

I did my Lord, and therein fabled not.

K. Ed.

You told me too of many kinde indeyour [...]

Which hee intended for our benefite?

Mes.

[Page]

No more then hee is willing to performe.

K. Ed.

Know you his hand-writing if you séete?

Mes.

I doe my Lord.

K. Ed.

Is this his hand or no [...]:

Mes.

I cannot say but that it is his hand.

K. Ed.

How comes it then that vnderneath his hand

My death is sought, when you that are his mouth,

Tune to our eares a quite contrarie tale?

The like read you decyphred in this paper,

Concerning trecherous wauering Burgundie,

Vnlesse you grant they can deuide themselues,

And of two shapes become foure substances,

How is it I should haue their knightly aide,

And yet by them be vtterly destroide?

K. L.

And I to be protected by their meanes,

And yet they shall conspire against my life.

K. Ed.

What call you this, but vile hypocrisie?

K. L.

Nay pesant-like vnheard of trecherie

Con.

My Lord vpbraid not me with this offence:

I do protest I knew of no such letters.

Nor any other intention of the Duke,

More then before was vttred in my message.

Sel.

Will you bee halting too before a creeple?

Do you not remember what they were,

That first did certifie the Duke of truce,

Betwixt the renowmed Edward and the French?

Co.

Yes they were two soldiers, what of that?

Sel.

Those soldiers were this Gentleman and I,

Where we did heare y ^e foule mouthde Duke exclaim

Against our noble Soueraigne and this Prince,

And rorde and bellowed like a parish bull,

And that in hearing both of you and him,

His words so please my Lord I can repeat,

As he did speake them at that verie time.

K. Ed.

Well they are messengers, & for that cause

We are content to beare with their amisse,

[Page] But kéepe them safe, and let them not returne,

To carrie tales vnto those counterfeits,

Vntill you haue them both as fast insnarde,

To compasse which the better, brother of France,

Fiue thousand of our soldiours here we leaue,

To be imployde in seruice to that end,

The rest with vs to England shall returne.

Exit.

Enter Chorus.

Ch.

King Edward is returned home to England,

And Lewes King of France soone afterward,

Surprized both his subtill enemies,

Rewarding them with traiterous recompence.

Now do we draw the curtaine of our Scene,

To speake of Shoare and his faire wife againe,

With other matters thereupon depending,

You must imagine since you saw him last

Preparde for trauaile, he hath bin abroade,

And séene the sundrie fashions of the world,

Vlysses like, his countries loue at length,

Hoping his wiues death, and to see his friends,

Such as did sorrow for his great mishaps,

Come home is hee, but so vnluckily,

As hée is like to loose his life thereby:

His and her fortunes shall we now pursue,

Gracde with your gentle sufferance & view.

Exeunt.

Enter mistris Shoare with Iockie her man, and some attendants more, and is met by sir Robert Brackenburie.

Iane Shoare.

Haue ye bestowde our small beneuolence,

On the poore prisoners in the common Gaole,

Of the white Lion and the Kings bench?

Iockie.

Yes forsooth?

Iane.

What prisons this?

Iockie.

The Marshalsea for sooth.

Enter sir Robert Brackenburie.

Bra.

Well met faire Ladie, in the happiest time,

And choyse [...] place that my desire could wish,

[Page] Without offence, where haue yée béene this way?

Ia.

To take the aire here in Saint Georges field,

Sir Robert Brackenburie, and to visit some

Poore patients that cannot visit me [...].

Bra.

Are you a physition?

Iane.

I a simple one.

Bra.

What disease cure yee?

Iane.

Faith none perfectly,

My physicke doth but mittigate the pain [...]

A little while, and then it comes againe.

Bra.

Swéet mistris Shoare, I vnderstand ye not.

Iane.

Maister lieutenant I beléeue you well.

Iockie.

Gude faith Sir Robert brobenbellie, may maistres spéekes deftly and truly, for shee hes beene till see thore that cannot come till see her: and theyes peatients perforce. The prisoners man in the twea prisons. And shée hes gynne tham her siller and her géere till bay tham fude.

Bra.

Gramercies Iockie thou resolust my doubt.

A comfort ministring kind physition,

That once a wéeke in her owne person visits,

The prisoners and the poore in Hospitalles,

In London or néere London euerie way,

Whose purse is open to the hungrie soule,

Whose pittious heart saue many a tall mans life.

Iane.

Peace good sir Robert, tis not worthy praise,

Nor yet worth thanks, that is of dutie doone,

For you know well, the world doth know too well,

That all the coales of my poore charitie,

Cannot consume the scandall of my name,

What remedie? well, tell me gentle knight,

What meant your kinde salute and gentle spéech,

At our first meetin [...], when you seemde to blesse

The time and place of our encounter heere?

Bra.

Ladie there lies here prisonde in the Marshalsea,

A gentleman of good parents and good discent.

My deare néere kinsman, Captaine Harrie Stranguidge,

[Page] As tall a skilfull Nauigator tride,

As ere set foote in any ship at sea,

Whose lucke it was to take a prize of France,

As hée from Rochell was for London bound:

For which (except his pardon be obtainde,

By some especiall fauorite of the King).

Hee and his crew, a companie of proper men,

Are sure to die, because twas since the League.

Iane.

Let me sée him and all his companie.

Bra.

Kéeper bring forth the Captain & his crew.

Enter Keeper, Stranguidge, Shoare disguisde, and three more fettered.

Iockie.

Now say oth diell, that sike bonnie men sud be hampert like plue Iades, weas me for ye gude Lads.

Bra.

I Cosin Harrie, this is mistris Shoare,

Pearelesse in Court, for beautie, bountie, pittie.

Iane viewes them all.

And if she can not saue thee, thou must die.

Stran.

Will shee if she can?

Bra.

I Cosin Stranguidge I.

Sho.

O torment worse then death to see her face,

That causde her shame, & my vniust disgrace,

Sho. aside

O that our mutuall eies were, Basilisks,

To kill each other at his enteruiew,

Bra.

How like ye him Ladie? you haue viewd him well?

Iane.

I pittie him, and that same proper man,

That turnes his backe, ashamde of this distresse.

Sho.

Ashamde of thee, cause of my heauinesse?

Ia.

And all the rest, oh were the king returnde,

There might be hope, but ere his comming home,

They may be tride, condemnd, and iudgde, and dead.

Sho.

[Page]

I am condemnd by sentence of vefame,

aside.

O were I dead I might not sée my shame.

Bra.

Your credit Ladie may prolong their triall,

What Iudge is he that will giue you deniall:

Ia.

Ile rack my credit, and wil lanch my crownes,

To saue their liues, if they haue done no murther.

aside.

Sh.

O thou hast crackt thy credit with a crown.

And murdred me poore Mathew Shoare aliue.

Stran.

Faire Ladie, we did shed no drop of bloud

Nor cast one Frenchman ouer bord, and yet,

Because the league was made before the fact,

Which we poore sea men God knowes neuer heard:

We doubt our liues, yea though we should restore

Treble the value that we tooke, and more.

Twas lawfull prize when I put out to sea,

And warranted in my commission.

The kings are since combinde in amitie,

(Long may it last) and I vnwittingly

Haue tooke a Frenchman since the truce was tanc

And if I die, via, one day I must.

And God will pardon all my sins I trust,

My griefe will be for these poore harmelesse men,

Who thought my warrant might suborne the deed,

Chiefly that Gentleman that stands sadly there,

Who on (my soule) was but a passenger.

Iane.

Well Captaine Stranguidge, were the king at home,

I could say more.

Stran.

Ladie, hees come a shore.

Last night at Douer, my boy came from thence,

And saw his highnesse land.

Iane.

Then courage sirs

Ile vse my fayrest meanes to saue your liues,

In the meane season spend that for my sake.

casts her purse.

Enter Lord Marquesse Dorset, and claps her on the shoulder.

Mar.

[Page]

By your leaue mistris Shoare, I haue taken pain [...],

To find you out, come you must go with me.

Iane.

Whither my Lord?

Mar.

Vnto the Quéene my mother.

Iane.

Good my Lord Marquesse Dorset wrong me not.

Mar.

I can not wrong thee as thou wrongst my mother,

Ile bring thee to her let her vse her pleasure.

Iane.

Against my wil I wrong her good my Lord,

Yet am ashamde to sée her maiestie.

Swéet Lord excuse me, say ye saw me not.

Mar.

Shall I delude my mother for a whore?

No mistris Shoare ye must go to the Quéene.

Iane.

Must I my Lord? what will she do to me?

Use violence on me now the kinges away?

Alas my Lord, behold this showre of teares,

Which kind King Edward would compassionate,

Bring me not to her, she will slit my nose.

Or mark my face, or spurne me vnto death.

Looke on me Lord, can yee find in your heart?

To haue me spoild that neuer thought you harme?

O rather with your rapier runne me through,

Then carrie me to the displeased Quéene.

Shoare.

O hadst thou neuer broke thy how to me

From feare and wrong had I defended thee.

Mar.

I am inexorable, therefore arise,

And go with me, what rascall crue is this,

Mistris Shoares suters, such slaues make her proud,

What sir Robert Brackenburie you a Shorist too?

Bra.

No Shorist, but to saue my Cosins life.

Mar.

Then ile be hangde if he escape for this,

The rather for your meanes to mistris Shoare.

My mother can do nothing, this whore all,

Come away minion you shall prate no more.

Ia.

Pray for me friends and I will pray for you,

God send you better hap then I expect,

Go to my lodging you, and if I perish,

[Page] Take what is there in lieu of your true seruice.

Ioc.

Na a maye sale ayse nere forsake my gude maistresse,

Till aye hea séene tha worst that spight can du her.

Exeunt Marquesse, and Iane and theirs.

Sho.

For all the wrong that thou hast done to me,

They should not hurt thée yet if I were free.

Bra.

Sée cosin Stranguidge how the case is changde,

She that should helpe thee can not helpe her selfe.

Stran.

What remedie? the God of heauen helps all.

What say ye mates? our hope of life is dasht,

Now none but God, lets put our trust in him,

And cuerie man repent him of his sinne,

And as together we haue liu'de like men,

So like tall men together let vs die:

The best is if we die for this offence,

Our ignorance shall plead our innocence,

Keep.

Your meat is readie (Captaine) you must in.

Stran.

Must I? I will: Cosin what will you do?

Bra.

Visit you soone, but now I will to Court

To see what shall become of mistris Shoare.

Stran.

God speed ye well.

Keep.

Come sir will you go in?

Sho.

Ile eate no meat, giue me leaue to walke here,

Am I now left alone? no millions

Of miseries attend me euery where:

Ah Mathew Shoare, how doth all séeing heauen,

Punish some sinne, from thy blind conscience hid?

Inflicting pame where all thy pleasure was,

And by my wife came all these woes to passe,

She falsde her faith, and brake her wedlocks band,

Her honour falue, how could my credit stand?

Yet will not I poore Iane on thee exclaime,

Though guiltie thou, I guiltlesse suffer shame.

I left this land too little for my griefe,

Returning, am accounted as a theese,

Who in that ship came but a passenger,

[Page] To sée my friends, hoping the death of her,

At fight of whom some sparkes of former loue,

(Hid in affections ashes) pittie moue,

Kindling compassion in my broken heart,

That bleeds to thinke on her insuing smart.

O see weake womens imperfections,

That leaue their husbands safe protections,

Hazarding all on strangers flatteries,

Whose [...] ala [...]d, leaues them to miseries,

See what dishonor breach of wedlocke brings,

Which is not safe euen in the armes of kings:

Thus do I Iane lament thy present state,

Wishing my teares thy torments might abate.

Exit.

Enter the Queene, Marquesse Dorset leading mistrls Shoare, who fals downe on her knees before the Queene fearefull and weeping.

Qu.

Now (as I am a Quéene) a goodly creature,

Sonne how was she attended where you found her?

Mar.

Madame I found her at the Marshalsea,

Going to visit the poore prisoners,

As she came by, hauing beene to take the ayre,

And there the keeper told me she ost deales

Such bounteous almes as seldome hath béene séene.

Qu.

Now before God, she would make a gallant Queene,

But good sonne Dorset stand aside a while.

God saue your maiestiomy my Ladie Shoare,

My Ladie Shoare said I? Oh blasphemie,

To wrong your title with a Ladies name,

Queene Shoore, nay rather Empresse Shoare,

God saue your grace, your maiesty, your highnes

Lord I want titles, you must pardon me:

What? you knéele there, king Edwards bedfellow

And I your subiect sit? sie, sie for shame.

Come take your place, & [...]e knéele where you do,

[Page] I may take your place, you haue taken mine,

Good Lord that you will so debase your selfe:

I am sure you are our sister Queene at least.

Nay that you are, then let vs sit togither.

Iane.

Great Queene, yet heare me, if my sinne committed,

Haue not stopt vp all passage to your mercie,

To tel y ^• wrongs that I haue done your highnes,

Might make reuenge exceed extremitie,

Oh had I words or tongue to vtter it,

To plead my womans weaknesse, & his strength,

That was the onely worker of my fall.

Euen innocence her selfe would blush for shame,

Once to be namde or spoken of in this,

Let them expect for mercie whose offence,

May but be called sinne, oh mine is more,

Prostrate as earth, before your highnesse féete,

Inflict what torments you shal thinke most meet.

Ma.

Spurne the whore (mother) teare those enticing eies,

That robd you of King Edwards dearest loue.

Mangle those locks, the baits to his desires,

Let me come to her, you but stand and talke,

As if reuenge consisted but in words.

Qu.

Sonne stand aloofe, and do not trouble me,

Alas poore soule, as much adoe haue I,

aside.

To for beare teares to keepe her companie.

Yet once more will I to my former humor.

Why as I am, thinke that thou wert a Queene,

And I as thou should wrong thy princely bed,

And winne the king thy husband, as thou mine:

Would it not sting thy soule? Or if that I

Being a Queen, while y ^• didst loue thy husband:

Should but haue done as thou hast done to me,

Would it not grieue thee? yes I warrant thee.

There's not the meanest woman that doth liue,

But if she like and loue her husband well,

She had rather feele his warme l [...]mmes in her bed

[Page] Then sée him in the armes of any Queene,

You are flesh and bloud as we, and we as you,

And all alike in our affections,

Though maiestic makes vs the more ambitious.

What tis to fall into so great a hand,

Knowledge might teach thée. There was once a king

Henry the second, who did keepe his lemman,

Cag'de vp at Woodstocke in a Labyrinth,

His Quéene yet got a tricke to finde her out,

And how she vsde her, I am sure thou hast heard,

Thou art not mewde vp in some secret place,

But kept in Court here vnderneath my nose,

Now in the absence of my Lord the King,

Haue I not time most fitting for reuenge?

Faire Rosamond, she a pure virgin was,

Vntill the King seduc'de her to his will.

She wrongd but one bed, only the angry Quéenes,

But thou hast wronged two, mine & thy husbands,

Be thine owne Iudge, and now in iustice see,

What due reuenge I ought to take on thee.

Ia.

Euen what you wil (great Quéen) here do I lie,

Humble and prostrate at your Highnesse feet,

Inflict on me what may reuenge your wrong,

Was neuer lambe abode more patiently,

Then I will doe. Call all your griefes to mind,

And do euen what you will, or how likes you,

I will not stirre, I wil not shrike or crie,

Be it torture poison, any punishment,

Was neuer Done, or Turtle more submisse,

Then I wil be vnto your chastisement.

Fetcht I her for this? mother let me come to her,

And what compassion will not suffer you

To d [...] to her, referre the same to me.

Qu.

Touch her not sonne, vpon thy life I charge thee,

But kéepe off still, if thou wilt haue my loue.

Exit. Ma.

I am glad to heare ye are so well resolu'de,

[Page] To beare the burthen of my iust displeasure.

She drawes foorth a knife, and making as though she meant to spoyle her face, runs to her, and falling on her knees, embraces and kisses her, casting away the knife.

Thus then Ile doe, alas poore soule,

Shall I wéepe with thée? in saith poore hart I will,

Be of good comfort, thou shalt haue no harme,

But if that kisses haue the power to kill thée,

Thus, thus, and thus, a thousand times ile stab thée.

Iane I forgiue thée: what fort is so strong,

But with be sieging he will batter it?

Wéepe not (sweete Iane) alas I know thy sexe,

Toucht with the selfesame weaknes that thou art,

And if my state had béen as meane as thine,

And such a beautie to allure his eye,

(Though I may promise much to mine owne strength)

What might haue hapt to me, I cannot tell.

Nay feare not, for I speake it with my hart,

And in thy sorrow truly beare a part.

Ia.

Most high and mightie Quéene, may I beléeue

There can be found such mercie in a woman,

And in a Quéene, more then in a wife,

So déeply wrongd as I haue wronged you?

In this bright christall myrror of your mercie,

I sée the greatnesse of my sinne the more,

And makes my fault more odious in mine eyes,

Your princely pitie now doth wound me more,

Then all your threatnings euer did before.

Rise my swéet Iane, I say thou shalt not knéele,

Oh God for bid, that Edwards Quéene should hate

Her, whom she knowes he both so dearely loue,

My loue to her, may purchase me his loue.

Iane, speake well vnto the King of me and mine,

Remember not my sonnes ore-hastie spéech,

Thou art my sister, and I loue thée so.

[Page] I know thou maiest doe much with my déere Lord,

Speake well of vs to him in any case,

And I and mine will loue and cherish thee.

Iane.

All I can do is all too little too,

Tut to requite the least part of this grace,

The dearest thoughts that harbour in this breast,

Shall in your seruice onely be exprest.

Enter King Edward angerly, his Lords following, and sir Robert Brackenburie.

King.

What is my Iane with her [...] it is too true,

See where she hath her downe vpon her knees.

Why how now Besse? what, will ye wrong my Iane?

Come hither loue, what hath she done to thee?

Iane fals on her Knees to the King.

Iane.

Oh royall Edward, loue, loue, thy beauteous Quéene,

The onely perfect myrrour of her kind,

For all the thoysest vertues can be nam'de.

Oh let not my bewitching lookes withdraw

Your deare affections from yo [...] déerer Queene,

But to requite the grace that she hath showne,

To me the worthlesse creature on this earth,

To banish me the Court immediately,

Great King let me [...]t beg one boone of thee,

That Shoares wife nere do her more iniurie.

As Iane kneeles on one side the king, so the Queene steps and kneeles on the other.

Qu.

Nay then ile beg against her royall Edward,

Loue thy Iane still, nay more if more may be,

kissing her.

And this is all the harme that at my hands

She shall endure for it, Oh where my Edward loues,

It ill beseemes his Queene to grudge thereat.

King.

Sayest thou me so Besse, on my kingly word,

Edward will honour thee in heart for this:

But trust me Besse, I greatly was asraid,

I should not finde ye in so good a tune,

[Page] How now, what would our Constable of the Towre?

Bra.

The Queene and [...]strts Shoare do know my sute.

Qu.

It is for Stranguidge and his men at sea,

Edward needs must you pardon them.

King.

Haue I not vowed the contrarie alreadie?

Dishonour mee when I haue made a league?

My word is past, and they shall suffer death,

Or neuer [...]re let mee see France againe.

Iane.

Why there is one was but a passenger.

Shall hee die too?

King.

Passe me no passage Iane, fuc [...] he in companie, hee dies for companie.

Qu.

Good Iane intreat for them.

Iane.

Come Edward, I must not take this answere.

Needs must I haue some grace for Stranguidge.

King.

Why Iane, haue I not denide my Quéenes

Yet what ist Iane I would denie to thee?

I pretheel / Brackenkutie be not thou displeasde,

My word is past, not one of them shall liue,

One go & see them forth with sent to death.

Exeunt.

Enter Clarence, Gloster, and Shaw.

Glost.

I cannot see this prophesie you speake of,

Should any way so much displease the [...]ing,

And yet I promise you good Brother Clarence,

Tis such a letter as concernes vs both,

That G. should put away King Edwards children,

And sit vpon his throne? that G. should? well.

Cla.

God blesse the king, & th [...]se two swéet young Princes.

Glo.

Amen good brother Clarence:

Shaw.

Amen.

Glo.

And send them all to heauen shortly I beseech him.

Cla.

The Kinges much troubled in his sicknesse with it.

Glo.

I promise you hee is, and verie much,

But Doctor Shaw, who prophested that G. should be so sadly

[Page] ominious to vs?

Shaw.

My Lord of Glocester, I recefude the same

From old Frier Anselme of S. Bartholmewes.

Glo.

A great learned man he was, and as I haue heard,

Hath prophested of very many things,

I promise you it troubles me,

I hope in me his propheste is true.

aside.

Cla.

And so it does me, I tell you brother Glocester.

Glo.

I am sure it does, for looke you brother Clarence,

We know not how his Highnes will applie it,

We are but two, your selfe my Lord and I,

Should the young Princes faile, which God defend.

Cla.

Which God defend.

D. Shaw.

Which God defend.

Glo. aside.

But they should be cut off: Amen, Amen.

You brother first, and should your issue faile,

Poore I am next, the youngest of the thrée.

But how farre I am from a thought of that,

Heauen witnes with me, that I wish you dead.

aside.

Cla.

Brother I durst be sworne.

Glo.

God blesse you al, and take you to him if it be his will.

Now brother, this prophesse of G. troubling the King,

He may as well applie it vnto Glocester,

My Dukedomes name, if he be fealfous,

As vnto George your [...]ame, good brother Clarence,

God helpe, God helpe: [...]faith it troubles me,

You would not thinke how: aside. that any of you liue.

Cla.

It cannot thuse: how innocent I am,

And how vnspotted are my loyall thoughts

Vnto his Highnes, and those swéete yong Princes,

God be my record.

Glo.

Who you, I, I durst answer for you,

That I shall cut you off ere it be long.

aside.

But reuerend Doctor, you can onely tell,

Being his Highnes Confessor, how he takes it.

aside to Shaw.

Shaw, you know my minde, a villaine like my selfe.

Shaw.

[Page]

My Lord of Clarence, I must tell your Lord [...],

His Highnes is much troubled in his sicknes

With this same prophesie of G. Who is this G?

Oft times he will demaund, then will he sigh,

And name his brother George, your selfe my Lord,

And then he strikes his breast, I promise you,

This morning in th'extreamest of his fitte,

He lay so still, we all thought he had slept,

When suddenly, George is the G. quoth he,

And gaue a groane, and turnde his face away.

Cla.

God be my witnesse, witnesse with my soule,

My iust and vpright thoughts to him and his,

I stand so guiltlesse and so innocent,

As I could wish my breast to be transparent,

And my thoughts written in great letters there,

The world might read the secrets of my soule.

Glo.

Ah brother Clarence, when you are suspected,

Well, well, it is a wicked world the while:

But shall I tell you brother in plaine tearmes,

I feare, your selfe and I haue enemies,

About the King, God pardon them,

The world was neuer worser to be trusted:

Ah brother George, where is that loue that was?

Ah it is banisht brother from the world:

Ah Conscience, Conscience, and true brotherhood,

Tis gone, tis gone, brother I am your friend,

I am your louing brother, your owne selfe,

And loue you as my soule, vse me in what you please,

And you shall see Ile doe a brothers part,

Send you to heauen I hope, ere it be long,

aside.

I am a true stampt villaine as euer liude.

Cla.

I know you will, then brother I beséech you,

Pleade you mine innocence vnto the King,

And in meane time to tell my loyaltie,

Ile kéepe within my house at Bainards Castle,

Vntill I heare how my dread Soueraigne takes it.

Glo.

[Page]

Do so good brother.

Cla.

Farewell good brother Gloster.

Glo.

My teares will searcely let me take my leaue,

I loue you so: Farewell sweet George.

Exit Cla.

So, is he gone: now Shaw tis in thy power,

To binde me to thee euerlastingly,

And there is not one step that I shall rise,

But I will draw thee with me vnto greatnesse,

Thou shalt sit in my bosome as my soule,

Incense the king, now being as thou art,

So neere about him, and his Confessor,

That this G. onely is George Duke of Clarence,

Doctor thou needst not my instruction,

Thou hast a searching braine, a nimble spirit,

Able to master any mans affections.

Effect it Shaw, and bring it to passe [...]ce,

Ile make thee the greatest Shaw that euer was.

Sha.

My Lord, I am going by commanndement,

Vnto the Marshalsea, to Captaine Stranguidge,

For Pyracie of late condemnde to die,

There to confesse him and his companie,

That done, [...]e come with spéed backe to the king,

And make no doubt but [...]e effect the thing.

Glo.

Farewell gentle Doctor.

Sha.

Farewell my Lord of Gloster.

Exit.

Glo.

Let me awake my sléeping wits a while,

[...]a, the marke thou aimst at Richard is a crowne,

And many stand betwixt thee and the same,

What of all that? Doctor play thou thy part,

Ile climbe vp by degrees, through many a heart.

Exit.

Enter Brackenburie with Vaux the Keeper.

Bra.

Why maister Vaux is there no remedie?

[Page] But instantly they must be led to death?

Can it not be deferd till after noone,

Or but two howres, in hope to get reprie?

Maister Lieutenant, tis in vaine to speake,

The kinges incensde, and will not pardon them,

The men are patient, and resolude to die,

The Captaine and that other Gentleman,

Haue cast the dice whether shall suffer first.

Bra.

How fell the Lot, to Stranguidge or to him?

Kee.

The guiltlesse passenger must first go toot,

Bra.

They are all guiltlesse from intent of ill.

Kee.

And yet must die for doing of the deed,

Besides the Duke of Exeter found dead,

And naked floating vp and downe the sea,

Twixt Calice and our coast, is laid to them,

That they should rob, and cast him ouerboord.

Bra.

My soule be pauwne, they neuer knew of it.

Kee.

Well bring them forth.

Bra.

Stay them yet but an houre.

Kee.

I dare not do it sir Robert Brackenburie,

You are Lieutenant of the Towre your selfe,

And know the perill of protracting time,

Moreouer heres that pickthanke Doctor Shaw,

The Duke of Glosters spaniell shriuing them,

Come bring them forth.

Bra.

Poore Stranguidge must thou die?

Enter one bearing a siluer Oare before Stranguidge, Shoare, and two or three more pinionde, and two or three with bils, and a hangman.

Bra. stil.

I dare not say good morrow, but ill day,

That Harrie Stranguidge is thus cast away.

Strah. Good Cosin Brackenbury be as wel content

To see me die, as I to suffer death,

Be witnesse that I die an honest man,

[Page] Because my fact proues ill through ignorance,

And for the Duke of Erceter his death,

So spéede my soule as I am innocent,

Here goes my griefe, this guiltlesse gentleman,

L [...]ke A [...]sops Storke, that dyes for companie,

And came (God knowes) but as a passenger.

Ah master [...]lud, a thousand floods of woe

Ore-slow my soule, that thou must perish so.

Sho.

Good Captaine set no perturbation,

[...]inder our passage to a better world,

This last breaths blast will wafte our weary soules,

Ouer deaths gulfe, to heauens most happy port,

There is a little battaile to be fought.

This while the hangman prepares, Shoare at this speech mounts vp the ladder.

Wherein by lot the leading must be mine,

Second me Captaine, and this bitter breakfast,

Shall bring a sweeter supper with the Saints.

D. S.

This Christian patiece at the point of death,

Doth argue he hath led no wicked life,

How euer heauen hath laid this crosse on him,

Well Mathew Flud. for so thou calst thy selfe,

Finish a good course as thou hast begun,

And cl [...]re thy conscience by confession,

What knowst thou of the Duke of Exceters death?

Sho.

So God respect the waygate of my soule, as I know nothing.

Do. S.

Then concerning this for which thou diett, knew Stranguidge of the league betwixt the Kings before he tooke that prize?

Sho.

No in my conscience.

Do. S.

Stranguidge what say you?

You see theres but a turne betwixt your liues,

You must be next, confesse and saue yeur soule,

[Page] Concerning that wherein I questionde him:

I am your ghostly father to absolue

You of your sinnes, if you confesse the truth.

Stran.

True D. Shaw, and as I hope for heauen,

In that great day when we shall all appeare,

I neither knew how that good Duke came dead,

Nor of the league, till I had tane the prize.

Neither was Fludde, (that innocent dying man)

Euer with mee but as a passenger.

D. S.

More happie he, well Flud forgiue the world,

As thou wilt haue forgiuenesse from the heauens.

Sho.

O so I doe, and pray the world forgiue,

What wrong I did whilst I therein did liue,

And now I pray you turne your paines to them,

And leaue mee priuate for a little space,

To meditate vpon my parting hence.

D. Sha.

Do gentle Flud, and we wil pray for thée.

Sho.

Pray not for Flud, but pray for Mathew Shoare,

For Shoare couered with the cloake of Flud,

aside.

If I haue sinnde in chaunging of my name,

Forgiue mee God, twas done to hide my shame,

And I forgiue the world, King Edward first,

That wrackt my state, by winning of my wife,

And though he would not pardon trespasse small,

In these, in me God knowes no fault at all,

I pardon him, though guiltie of my fall.

Perhaps he would, if hee had knowne twas I,

But twentie deaths I rather wish to die,

Than liue beholding for one minutes breath

To him, that liuing, wounded me with death.

Death of my ioy, and hell of my defame,

Which now shall die vnder this borrowed name.

Iane.

God forgiue thée, euen as I forgiue,

And pray thou maist repent while thou dost liue,

I am as glad to leaue this loathed light,

As to imbrace thee on our marriage night.

[Page] To die vnknowne thus, is my greatest good,

That Mathew Shoares not hangde, but Mathew floud.

For flouds of woe haue washt away the shore

That neuer wife nor kinne shall looke on more:

Now when ye will, I am preparde to go.

Enter Iockie running and crying.

Iockie.

Hawd, hawd, saye for spéede, vntaye, vntrusse, pull downe, pul off, God seaue the King: off with the helters, hence with the prisoners, a pardon a pardon.

Bra.

Good newes vnlookt for, welcome gentle friend, who brings the pardon?

Iockie.

Stay first lat ma blaw: my mastres, mastres Shoare shoe brings tha pardoune, tha kings pardoune: off with thore bands, bestow them o tha hangman, may mastres made mee runue the néerest way ore tha fields, she rayds a pace the hee way, shees at hand bay this: sirra yee that preech, come down, lat Doctor Shaw hea your place, hees tha better scholler, mastres Shoare bring a new lesson for you.

Shoare.

O I had read my latest lesson well.

Had hee béene readie to haue said, Amen.

point to the hangman.

Now shall I liue to see my shame agen.

Shoare comes downe.

O had I dide vnwitting to my wife,

Rather then see her, though she bring me life.

Enter Iane in haste, in her riding cloake and sauegard, with a pardon in her hand.

Iane.

Alas I see that euen my smallest stay,

Had lost my labour, and cast them away,

God knowes I basted all that ere I might,

Here master Vaux, King Edward gréets ye well,

[Page] His gracious pardon frées this Gentleman,

And all his companie from shameful death.

All.

God saue the king, & God blesse mistris Shoare.

Ioc.

Amen, & kéep these frea cōming here any marre.

Iane.

You must discharge them paying of their fées,

Which for I feare their store is verie small,

I will defray, hold, here, take purse and all,

Nay master Vaux tis gold, if not inough,

Send to me, I will pay you royally.

Stran.

Ladie, in the behalfe of all the rest,

With humble thanks I yéeld my selfe your slaue,

Commaund their seruice, and commaund my life.

Ia.

No Captain Stranguidge, let the king command

Your liues and seruice, who hath giuen you life,

These and such offices conscience bids me doe.

D. Sh.

Pittie that ere awry she trode her shoe.

Sh.

O had that cōscience prickt when loue prouokt.

Bra.

Ladie the last but not the least in debt,

To your deuotion for my Cofins life,

I render thankes, yet thanks is but a breath,

Commaund (Madame) during life,

Olde Brackenburie bowes for you to stand,

Whil'st I haue limmes or any foote of land.

Sho.

Thus is her glory builded on the sand.

Iane.

Thanks good M. Lieutenant of the Towre.

Sirra prepare my borse, why stay you here?

to Iockie

Pray ye commend me to my noble friend

The Duke of Clarence now your prisoner,

Bid him not doubt the kings displeasures past

I hope to gaine him fauour and release.

Br.

God grant ye may, hées a noble Gentleman.

D. Sh.

My patrone Gloster will crosse it if he can.

Enter a Messenger.

Nuntio.

Wheres mistris Shoare? Ladie I come in post,

The King hath had a verie dangerous fit

[Page] Since you came from him, twice his maiestie,

Hath swounded, and with much a doe reuiu'de,

And still as breath will giue him leaue to speake,

He cals for you: the Quéene and all the Lords

Haue sent to séeke ye, hast vnto his Grace,

Or else I feare you'le neuer see his face.

Ia.

O God desend, good friends pray for the king,

More bitter are the newes which he doth bring,

Then those were swéet I brought to you but late:

If Edward die, confounded is my state,

Ile hast vnto him and will spend my bloud,

To saue his life or do him any good.

Exeunt she and the Messenger.

Sh.

And so would I for thée hadst thou béen true:

But if I die, hid all thy pompe adieu.

Bra.

Bra. Belee [...] but I do not like these newes,

Of the Kings dangerous sicknesse.

Keeper.

No nor I,

Captaine, and maister Fludde, and all the rest,

I dorcioice your pardon was obtainde,

Before these newes, these inauspicious newes,

If the king die, the state will soone be changde,

Lieutenant, you'l goe to the Tower:

Ile take my leane, gallants God buoye all.

Exeunt Vaux and his traine.

St.

God buoy M. Vaux, I was ye ha lost good guests.

Bra.

You shall be my guest for a night or two,

Cosin, till your owne lodging be preparde,

But tell me sir what meanes hath M. Fludde.

Stran.

I cannot tell, ile aske him if ye will.

Bra.

Do so, and if his fortunes be debasde,

Ile entertaine him if heele dwell with me,

On good condition.

Stran. M.

Mathew Fludde,

He are ye my Cosin Brackenburies mind?

He hath concetude such liking of your parts,

[Page] That if your meanes surmount not his suppose,

Héele entertaine ye gladly at the Tower,

To waite on him, and put ye in great trust.

Sho.

In what I undertake I will be iust,

And hold me happie, if my diligence

May please so worthie a Gentleman as he,

What ere my fortunes haue béene, they are now,

Such as to seruice make their maister bow.

Bra.

No Fludde more like a frieud & fellow mate,

I meane to vse thee, then a seruitor,

And place thee in some credit in the Tower,

And giue thée meanes to liue in some good sort.

Sh.

I thanke ye sir, God grant I may deserue it.

Bra.

Cosin and all your crue come home with me,

Where after sorrow we may merrie be.

Sho.

The Tower will be a place of secret rest,

Where I may heare good newes & bad, and vse the best,

God blesse the king, a worse may wear the crown

And then Iane Shoare thy credit will come down,

For though ile neuer bed nor bord with thee,

Yet thy destruction with I not to see,

Because I lou'de thee when thou wast my wise,

Not for now sauing my disdained life,

Which lasts too long. God graut vs both to mend,

Well I must in my seruice to attend.

Exit.

The Lord Louell and Doctor Shaw meet on the stage.

Sha.

Well met my good Lord Louell.

Lo.

Whither away so fast goes Doctor Shaw?

Sha.

Why to the Tower, to shriue the Duke of Clarence,

Who as I heare is salne so grieuous sicke,

As it is thought be can by no meanes scape.

Lo.

He neither can nor shall I warrant thee:

Sh.

I hope my Lord he is not dead alreadie?

Lo.

But I hope sir he is, I am sure I saw him dead,

[Page] Of a Flies death, drownd in a butte of Malmesey.

Sha.

Dround in a butte of Malmesey? that is strange,

Doubtlesse he neuer wonid misdoe himselfe?

Lo.

No, that thou knowest right well, he had some helpers,

Thy hand was in it with the Duke of Glosters,

As smothly as thou séekst to couer it.

Sha.

Oh fowle words my Lord, no more of that,

The world knowes nothing, then what should I feare?

Doth not your honour séeke promotion?

Oh giue the Doctor then a little leaue,

So that he gaine preferment with a King,

Cares not who goes to wracke, whose heart doth wring.

Lo.

A King? what King?

Sh.

Wy Richard man? who else? good Lord I see,

Wise men sometimes haue weake capacitie.

Lo.

Why is not Edward liuing? and if he were not,

Hath be not children? what shall become of them?

Sh.

Why man, lining for beds, a knife, or so,

What make a boy a King, and a man by,

Richard, a man for vs? fie that were a shame.

Nay then I sée if Edward were deceast,

Which way the game would go.

Sha.

What else my Lord?

That way the current of our fortune runnes,

By noble Richard gallant royall Richard,

He is the man must onely doe vs good,

So I haue honour, let me swimme through bloud.

My Lord, be but at Pauls crosse on Sunday next,

I hope I haue it here shall soundly proue,

King Edwards chtldren not legitimate.

Nay, and that for Edward ruling now,

And George the Duke of Clarence so late dead:

Their mother hapt to tread the shoe awry,

Why what is Richard then?

Sha.

Tut, lawfull man, he saies it so himselfe.

And what he saies ile be so hold to sweare,

[Page] Though in my soule I know it otherwise,

Beware promotion while you liue my Lord.

Enter Catesbie.

Ca.

A staffe, a staffe, a thousand crownes for a staffe.

Lo.

What staffe sir William Catesbie?

Ca.

Why man a white staffe for my lord Protector.

Lo.

Why is King Edward dead?

Ca.

Dead Louel, dead, and Richard our good Lord

Is made Protector of the sweete young Prince.

Oh for a staffe, where might I haue a staffe,

That I might first present it to his hand?

Sh.

Now do I smell two Bishopricks at least,

My sermon shall be pepperd sound for this.

Enter mistris Shoare weeping, Iockie following.

Ca.

Why how now mistris Shoare? what, put finger in the ese,

Nay then I see you haue some cause to erie.

Lo.

I blame her not, her chiefest stay is gene,

The onely staffe, she had to leane vpon,

I see by her these tidings are too true.

Ia.

I my Lord Louell, they are too true indeed,

Royall King Edward now hath breath'd his last,

The Quéene turnd out, and euerie friend put by,

None now admitted, but whom Richard please.

Lo.

Why doubtlesse Richard wil be kind to you.

Iane.

Ah my Lord Louell, God blesse me from his kindnes:

No sooner was the white staffe in his hand,

But finding me and the right wofull Queene,

Sadly bemoning such a mightie losse:

Here is no place quoth he, you must be gone,

We haue other matters now to thinke vpon.

For you, (quoth he to me) ant bit his lip,

And stroke me with his staffe, but said no more.

[Page] Whereby I know he meaneth me no good.

Cat.

Wel mistris Shoare, its like to be a busie time,

Shift for your selfe, come lads let vs be gone,

Royall King Richard must be waite vpon.

Sh.

Well mistris Shoare, if you haue need of me,

You shall commaund me to the vttermost.

Exeunt.

Ia.

First let me die ere I do put my trust,

In any fliering Spaniel of you all.

Go Iockie, take downe all my hangings,

And quickly see my trunks be conuayde forth,

To mistris Blages, an Inne in Lombardstreete,

The Flower de Luce, good Iockie make some speed,

She, she must be my refuge in this néed.

Sée it done quickly Iockie.

Exit.

Iockie.

Whickly quoth a? marrie heres a whicke chaunge indéed, sike whicke change did I nere sée before. Now dreame I, that ise be a verie pure fellow, and hardly ha any siller to drinke with a gude fellow. But what stand I tatling heere. I must goe do my maistres bidding, carrie all her stuffe and géere to mistres Blages, at the Flower de luce in Lombardstréet, whicke then dispatch.

Exit.

Enter Brackenburie, and Floud, to them the two young princes, Edward and Richard, Gloster, Cates. Louell and Tirill.

Bra.

Come hither Floud let me heare thy opinion,

Thou knowest I build vpon thy confidence,

And henest dealing in thy greatst affaires:

I haue receiued letters from the Duke,

Gloster I meane, Protector of the land,

Who giues in charge the Tower be preparde,

This night to entertaine the two young princes,

It is my [...]utie to obey I know,

[Page] But manifold suspicion troubles me.

Flo.

He is their vncle Sir, and in that sence,

Nature should warrant their securitie,

Next his deceased brother at his death,

To Richards care communitted both the realme,

And their protection: where humanitie

Stands as an Orator to plead ag [...]inst

All wrong suggestion of vnciuill thoughts:

Beside you are Lieutenant of the Tower,

Say there should be any hurt prefended,

The priuiledge of your authoritie

Pries into euerie corner of this house,

And what can then be done without your knowledge?

Br.

Thou sayest true Floud, though Richard be Protector,

When once they are within the Tower limits,

The charge of them (vnlesse he derogate)

From this my office, which was neuer siene,

In any kings time; doth belong to me:

And ere that Brackenburie will consent,

Or suffer wrong be done vnto these babes,

His sword, & all the strength within the Tower

Shall be opposoe against the proudest commer,

Be it to my soule as I intend to them.

Fl.

And faith in me vnto this commonwealth,

And truth to men hath hitherto béene séene,

The Pylot that hath guided my liues course,

Though twas my fortune to be wrongd in both:

And therefore Sir neither the mighties frowne,

Nor any bribes shall winne me otherwise.

Bra.

Tis well resolued: still me thinks they should

Be safe enough with vs, and yet I feare,

But now no more, it séemes they are at hand.

Pr. Ed.

Vncle, what Gentleman is that?

Enter.

Glost.

It is (swéet Prince) Lieutenant of the Tower.

Pr. Ed.

Sir we are come to be your guests to night:

I pray you tell me did you euer know,

[Page] Our father Edward lodgde within this place,

Bra.

Neuer to lodge (my liege) but oftentunes,

On other occasions I haue seene him here.

Ri.

Brother last night when you did send for me

My mother told me, hearing we should lodge

Within the Tower, that it was a prison,

And therefore marueld that my vncle Gloster,

Of all the houses for a Kings receipt,

Within this Citie, had appointed none,

Where you might keepe your court but onely here.

Gl.

Vile brats, how they do descant on the Towre.

[...] gentle Nephew they were ill abuisde,

To tutor you with such vnfitting tearmes,

(Who ere they were) against this royall mansion:

What if some part of it hath béene reseru'd,

To be a prison for Nobilitie?

Followes it therefore that it cannot serue,

To any other vse? Cesar himselfe

That built the same, within it kept his Court,

And many kings since him, the roomes are large,

The building stately, and for strength beside,

It is the safest and the surest hold you haue.

Pr. Ed.

Vncle of Gloster, if you thinke it so,

Tis not for me to contradict your will,

We must allow it, and are well content.

Glo.

On then a Gods name.

Pr. Ed.

Yet before we go,

One question more with you M. Lieutenant,

We like you well, and but we do perceiue,

More comfort in your lookes, then in these walles,

For all our vncle Glosters friendly spéech,

Our hearts would be as heauie still as lead,

I pray you tell me, at which doore or gate

Was it my vncle Clarence did go in,

When he was sent a prisoner to this place?

Bra.

At this my [...]iedge: why sighs your maiestie?

Pr. Ed.

[Page]

He went in here that nere came back againe,

But as God hath decreede, so let it be,

Come brother shall we go?

Fish.

Yes brother, any where with you.

Exeunt.

Tirill puls Catesbie by the sleeue.

Tir.

Sir were it best I did attend the Duke,

Or stay his leysure till his backe returne?

Cat.

I pray master Tirill stay without,

It is not good you should be seene by day

Within the Towre, especially at this time,

Ile tell his honour of your being here,

And you shall know his pleasure presently.

Tir.

Euen so fir [...]men would be glad by any means.

To raise themselues, that haue béene ouerthrowne,

By fortunes scorne, and I am one of them.

Enter Duke of Glocester.

Here comes the Duke.

Glo.

Catesbie, is this the man?

Cat.

It is ift like your excellencie.

Glo.

Come neere.

Thy name I heare is Tirill, is it not?

Tir.

Iames Tirill is my name, my gracious Lord.

Glo.

Welcome, it should appeare that thou hast bin

In better state then now it séemes thou art.

Tir.

I haue bin by my fey my Lord, though now deprest,

And clouded ouer with aduersitie.

Glo.

Be rulde by me, & then thou shalt rise againe,

And prooue more happie then thou euer wast,

There is but onely two degrees by which

It shall be néedfull for thee to ascend,

And that is faith and taciturnitie.

Tir.

If euer I proue false vnto your grace,

Conuert your fauour to afflictions.

Glo.

But canst thou too bee secret?

Tiril.

[Page]

Trie me my Lord:

This tongue was neuer knowne to be a blab.

Glo.

Thy countenance hath like a siluer key,

Opend the closet of my heart, read there,

If scholler like thou canst expound those lines,

Thou art the man ordainde to serue my turne.

Tir.

So farre as my capacitie will reach,

The sense my Lord is this, this night you say,

The two young Princes both must suffer death.

Gl.

Thou hast my meaning, wilt thou do it, speak?

Tiril.

It shall be done.

Glo.

Inough, come follow me,

For thy direction, and for gold to fée,

Such as must ayde thee in their Tragedie.

Enter mistris Blage and Iockie loden.

Bla.

Welcome good Iockie, what good newes bring you?

Iockie

Marrie mastres my gude mastres gréets ye mastres, and praies ye mastres till dight vppe her Chamber, for sheel lig we ye to night mastres. And heres her catte skinne till she come.

Enter Iane.

Iane.

Why how now loyterer? make ye no more haste?

When will my trunkes and all my stuffe be brought,

If you thus loyter, go, make hast withall.

Iockie.

Marie sall aye, gynne yéele be bud petient a while.

Exit.

Iane.

Now gentle mistris Blage the onely friend,

That fortune leaues mée to relie vpon,

My counsels Closet and my Towre of strength,

To whom for safetie I retire my selfe,

To be secure in these tempestuous times,

O smile on mee, and giue me gentle lookes,

If I be welcome, then with chéerefull heart,

And willing hand shew me true signes thereof.

Bla.

Doubt ye of welcome Ladie to your friend?

Nay to your seruant, to your bradswoman,

To speake but truth, your bounties bond woman:

[Page] Use me, commaund me, call my house your owne,

And all I haue swéete Ladie at your will.

Iane.

A way with titles, lay by courtly tearmes,

The Case is altred now the King is dead,

And with his life my fauouring friends are fled,

No Madam now, but as I was before,

Your faithfull kind companion, poore Iane Shoare.

Bla.

I loude you then, and since, and euer shall,

You are the woman, though your fortunes fall,

You when my husbands lewde transgression

Of all our wealth had lost possession,

By forfaiture into his Highnes hands,

Got restitution of our goods and lands,

He fled, and died in France, to heale that harme,

You helpte me to three mannors in fée farme,

The worst of which cléers thréescore pound a yéere,

Haue I not reason then to hold ye déere?

Yes happe what will vntill my life do end,

You are and shall be my best beloued friend,

Iane.

How if misfortune my folly do succéed.

Bla.

Trust me true friends bide touch in time of need.

Iane.

If want consume the wealth I had before.

Bla.

My wealth is yours, and you shall spend my store.

Iane.

But the Protector prosecutes his hate.

Bla.

With me liue secret from the worlds debates

Iane.

You will be wearie of so badde a guest.

Bla.

Then let me neuer on the earth be blest.

Iane.

Ah mistris Blage, you tender me such loue,

As all my sorrowes from my soule remoue,

And though my portion be not verie large,

Yet come I not to you to be a charge,

Coyne, plate, and fewels prizde at lowest rate,

I bring with me to maintaine my estate,

Worth twentie thousand pound, and my array,

If you suruiue to sée my dying day,

From you no pennie will I giue away.

Blage.

[Page]

And I thanke you that so my wealth increast,

Am worth I trow, tenne thousand pounds at least,

I thinke like two warme widowes we may liue,

Vntill good fortune two good husbands giue,

For surely mistris Shoare your husbandes dead,

When heard yee of him?

Iane.

Neuer since he fledde.

O mistris Blage, now put you in my head

That kils my heart, why should I breath this ayre,

Whose lost good name no treasure can repaire?

Oh were he here with mee to lead his life,

Although hee neuer vsde mee as a wife,

But as a drudge to spurne mee with his [...]ecte,

Yet should I thinke with him that life were swéete,

Bla.

How can ye once conceit so base a thing,

That haue béene kist and cokerd by a king,

Wéepe not, you hurt your self by Gods blest mother,

Your husbands dead woman, thinke vpon another,

Let vs in to supper, drinke wine, cheere your heart,

And whilst I liue, be sure ile take your part.

Exit.

Enter Brakenburie, Shoare, Dighton, Forrest, Tirill.

Tir.

Sir I assure ou tis my Lord Protectors warrant.

Bra.

My friend, I haue conferd it with his letters,

And tis his hand indéed, ile not denie,

But blame mee not although I be precise,

In matters that so neerely do concerne mee.

Digh.

My Lord Protector, sir I make no doubt,

Dare iustifie his warrant, though perhaps,

He doth not now acquaint you why he doth it.

Bra.

I thinke sic theres no subiect now in England,

Will vrge his Grace, to shew what he dare doe,

Nor will I aske him why hee does it,

I would I might, to ridde mee of my doubt.

aside.

For.

Why sir I thinke he néeds no president,

[Page] For what he does, I thinke his power is absolute inough.

Bra.

I haue no power sir to examine it.

Nor will I do: obey your warrant,

Which I wil keepe for my securitie.

Tir.

You shall do well in that sir.

Bra.

Heres the keyes.

Sho.

And yet I could wish my Lord Protector,

Had sent his warrāt thither by some other, aside.

I do not like their lookes I tell you true.

Bra.

Nor I Flud I assure thee.

For.

What does that slaue mutter to his master?

Digh.

I heare him say hée does not like our lookes?

Tir.

Why not our lookes sir?

For.

Sirra we heare you.

Sho.

I am glad you doe sir? all is one for that,

But if you did not hearken better now,

I neuer saw three faces in whose lookes,

Did euer sit more terror: or more death,

God blesse the Princes if it bee his will,

I do not like these villaines.

Digh.

Zounds stab the villane, sirra do you brane vs?

Sh.

I thats your comming, for you come to stab.

Forrest.

Stab him.

Shoare.

Nay then ile stabbe with thee.

Tirill.

Zbloud cut his throat.

Braken.

Hold Gentle men I pray you.

Shoare.

Sir I am hurt, stabd in the arme,

Braken.

This is not to be iustified my friends, I

To draw your weapons here within the Towre,

And by the law it is no lesse then death,

I cannot thinke the Duke will like of this,

I pray yee be content, too much is done.

Tir.

He might haue held his peace then, and beene quiet Farewell, farewell.

Shoare.

Hell and damnation follow murtherers.

Bra.

Goe Flud get thee some surgeon to looke to thy wound.

[Page] Hast no acquaintance with some skilfull surgeon?

Keepe thy wound close, and let it not take aire.

And for my owne part, I will not stay here.

Whither wilt thou go that I may send to thee.

Sho.

To one mistris Blages, an Inne in Gracious stróete,

There you shall finde mee, or shall heare of mee.

Bra.

Swéete Princely babes, farewell I feare you sore,

I doubt these eies shall neuer sée you more.

Enter the two young Princes, Edward and Richard in their gownes and cappes vubuttond, and vntrust.

Richard.

How does your Lordshippe?

Edward.

Well good brother Richard, how does your selfe's

You told me your headaked.

Richard.

Indeed it does, my Lord feele with your hands how hot it is.

He laies his hand on his brothers head.

Edward.

Indeed you haue caught cold,

With sitting yester night to heare me read,

I pray thee go to bed, swéet Dick, poore little heart.

Richard.

Doule giue me leaue to wait vpon your Lordship.

Edward.

I had more need brother to wait on you:

For you are sicke, and so am not I.

Richard.

O Lord, me thinks this going to our bed,

How like it is to going to our graue:

Edward.

I pray thee do not speake of graues sweet heart,

Indeed thou frightest mee.

Ri.

Why my Lord Brother, did not our Tutor teach vs,

That when at night we want vnto our bed,

We still should thinke we sent vnto our graue.

Ed.

Yes thats true, y ^e we should do as euery christian ought.

To bee preparde to die at euery howre, but I am heauie.

Richard.

Indeed and so am I.

Edward.

Then let vs say our praiers and go to bed.

[Page] They kneele, and solemne musicke the while within, the musicke ceaseth, and they rise.

Richard.

What, bléedes your Grace?

Edward.

I two drops and no more.

Richard.

God blesse vs both, and I desire no more,

Edward.

Brother see here what Dauid saies, and so say [...]

Lord in thee will I trust although I die.

As the young Princes go out, enter Tirill.

Tirill.

Go lay ye downe, but neuer more to rise,

I haue put my hand into the foulest murder,

That euer was committed since the world,

The verie sencelesse stones here in the walles,

Breake out in teares but to behold the fact,

Me thinkes the bodies lying dead in graues,

Should rise and crie against [...]s O harke, harke,

A noyse within.

The Mandrakes shreeks are musicke to their cries,

The verie night is frighted, and the starres,

Do drop like torches, to behold this déed:

The verie Center of the earth doth shake,

Me thinks the Towre should rent downe from the toppe,

To let the heauen looke on this monstrous deede.

Enter at the one doore Dighton, with Edward vnder his arme, at the other doore, Forrest with Richard.

Digh.

Stand further damned rogue, and come not néere me.

Fo.

Nay stand thou further villaine, stand aside.

Digh.

Are we not both damned for this cur [...]cd deed?

Fo.

Thou art the witnesse that thou bearst the King

Digh.

And what hearst thou?

Fo.

It is too true, oh I am damnde indeed,

Helookes downe on the boy vnder his arme.

Ti.

I am as deepe as you, although my hand

Did not the deede.

Digh.

O villaine, art thou there?

Fo.

A plague light on thee.

Ti.

Curse not, a thousand plagues will light vpon vs all.

[Page] They lay them downe.

The priest here in the Towre will burie them,

Let vs away.

Enter mistris Blage & her two men, bringing in Shoare alias Floud, in a chaire, his arme bleeding apace

Bla.

So, set him here a while, where is more aire,

How cheere you sir, alacke he doth beginne

To change his colour, where is mistris Shoare?

Gone to her Closet for a precious Balme,

The same (she said) King Edward vsde himselfe.

Alacke I feare héele die before st [...]ée come.

Ranne quickly for some Rosa-solis, faint not sir,

Be of good comfort, come good mistris Shoare,

What haue you there?

Iane.

Stand by and giue me leaue.

Bla.

Unhappie me to lodge him in my house.

Iane.

I warrant you woman, be not so afraid,

If not this bloud-stone hangdc about his necke,

This balme will stanch it by the helpe of God:

Lift vp his arme whilst I do bath his wound,

The signe belike was here when he was hurt,

Or else some principal and chiefe veine is pierst.

Bla.

How euer sure the surgeon was a knaue,

That lookt no better to him at the first.

Ia.

Blame him not mistris Blage, the best of them

In such a case as this, may bée to séeke.

Bla.

Now God be blessed, sée the crimson bloud,

That was precipitate, and falling downe

Into his arme, retires into his face,

How fare you sir? how do you féele your selfe?

Sh.

Oh wherfore haue you wakt me from my sleepe?

And broke the quiet slumber I was in,

Me thought I sate in such a pleasant place,

So full of all delight as neuer eie

Beheld, nor heart of man could comprehend,

[Page] If you had let me go I felt no paine,

But being now reuok't my griefe renewes.

Iane.

Giue him some Rosa-solis mistris Blage,

And that will like wise animate the sprites,

And send alacritie vnto the heart,

That hath bin strugling with the pangs of death.

Bla.

Here sir drinke this, you néed not feare it sir,

It is no hurt, sée I will be your taster,

Then drinke I pray you.

Ia.

Now fellowes raise hi [...] body from the chair [...]

And gently let him walke a turne or two.

Bla.

Good sooth mistris Shoare, I did not thinke till now

You had béene such a cunning skilde Phisitian.

Sho.

Oh mistris Blage, though I must néeds confesse,

It would haue béene more welcome to my soule,

If I had died and beene remoude at last,

From the confused troubles of this world,

Whereof I haue sustained no meane waight,

Then lingring here be made a packhorse still

Of torments, in comparison of which

Death is but as the pricking of a thorne,

Yet I do thanke you for your taken paines,

And would to God I could requite your loue.

Bla.

Sir I did you little good, what was done

Ascribe the benefit and praise thereof

Unto this Gentlewoman, kind mistris Shoare,

Who next to God preserude your féeble life.

Sho.

How? Mistris Shoare, good friends let go your hold,

My strength is now sufficient of it selfe.

Oh is it she that still prolongs my wo [...]?

Was it ordainde not onely at the first,

She should be my destruction, but now twise,

When gracious destinies had brought about,

To ende this wearie pilgrimage of mine,

Must she and none but she preuent that good,

And stop my entrance to eternall blisse?

[Page] Oh lasting plague, oh endlesse corrasiue,

It now repents me double that I scap'te,

Since lifes made death, and lifes author hate.

Ia.

Sir take my counsell and sit downe againe,

It is not good to be so bold of foot,

Vpon the sudden till you haue more strength.

Sho.

Mistris I thanke you, and I care not much

If I be rulde by you.

sits downe.

Oh God that she should pittie me vnknowne,

That knowing me by her was ouerthrowne,

Or ignorantly she should regard this smart,

That heretofore sparde not to stab my heart.

Enter Brackenburie.

Bra.

By your leaue mistris Blague, I am somewhat bold,

Is there not a Gentleman within your house,

Cald M. Floud, came hither hurt last night?

Bla.

Is his name Floud, I knew it not till now,

But here he is, and well recouered,

Thanks to this Gentlewoman mistris Shoare.

Bra.

Pardon me mistris Shoare, I saw you not,

And trust me I am sorie at the heart,

So good a creature as your selfe hath béene,

Should be so vilely dealt with as you are,

I momise you the world laments your case.

Ia.

How mean [...] you sir? I vnderstand you not?

Lament my case, for what? for Edwards death?

I know that I haue lost a gracious friend,

But that is not to be remedied now.

Bra.

No mistris Shoare, it is for Richards hate,

That too much enuies your prosperitie.

Ia.

I know he loues me not and for that cause,

I haue withdrawne me wholly from the court.

Bra.

You haue not séene the Proclamation then?

Ia.

The proclamation? no, what proclamation?

Bra

Oh mistris Shoare, the king in euery stréet

Of London, and in euerie borough towne,

[Page] Throughout this land hath publikely proclaimd,

On paine of death that none shal barbour you,

Or giue you food or cloathes to kéep you warme,

But hauing first done shamefull penance here,

You shall be then thrust forth the Citie gates,

Into the naked cold forsaken field,

I fable not, I would to God I did,

Sée, heres the manner of it put in print,

Tis to be sold in euerie Stationers shop,

Besides a number of them clapt on poasts.

Where people crowding as they read your fall,

Some murmure, and some sigh, but most of them,

Haue their relenting eies euen big with teares.

Ia.

Gods wil be done, I know my sinne is great,

And he that is omnipotent and iust,

Cannot but must reward me heauily.

Bra.

It grieues me mistris Shoare, it was my chance,

To be the first reporter of this newes.

Ia.

Let it not grieue, I must haue heard of it,

And now as good, as at another time.

Bra.

I pray yee mistris Blage haue care of Floud,

And what his charge is I will sée you paide,

Exit.

Ia.

Farewell to all that still shall be my song,

Let men impose vpon me nere such wrong,

And this extremitie shall seeme the lesse,

In that I haue a friend to leane vnto,

Sweet mistris Blage, there were vpon the earth,

No comfort left for miserable Iane,

But that I do presume vpon your loue,

I know though tyrant Richard had set downe,

A greater penaltie then is proclaimd,

Which cannot wel be thought, yet in your house,

I should haue succour and reliefe beside.

Bla

What, and so I should be a traitor, should I?

Is that the care you haue of me and mine?

I thanke you truly, no theres no such matter,

[Page] I loue you well, but loue my selfe better:

As long as you were held a true subiect,

I made account of you accordingly,

But being otherwise, I do reiect you,

And will not cherish my kings enemie:

You know the danger of the Proclamation:

I would to God you would depart my house.

Ia.

When was it euer éen Iane Shoare was false

Eyther vnto her countrey, or her king?

And therefore tis not well good mistris Blage,

That you vpbraid me with a traitors name.

Bla.

I, but you haue béene a wicked liuer,

And now you see what tis to be vnchaste,

You should haue kept you [...] your honest husband:

T was neuer other like but that such filthinesse,

Would haue a foule and detestable end.

Ia.

Time was that you did tell me otherwise,

And studied how to set a glosse on that

Which now you say is vgly and deformde.

Bla.

I told you then as then the time did serue,

And more indéed to trie your disposition,

Then any way to incourage you to sinne:

But when I say you were ambitious,

And saintly stood on tearmes of modestie,

I left you to your owne arbiterment:

Can you denie it was not so? how say you?

Ia.

We will not mistris Blage dispute of that,

But now in charitie and womanhood,

Let me find fauour if it be but this,

That in some barne or stable I may shrowde.

Till otherwise I be prouided for.

Bla.

I pray you do not vrge me mistris Shoare.

I will not haue my house indangered so.

Ia.

Oh you did promise I should neuer want,

And that your house was mine, & swore the same,

To keepe your oath be then compassionate.

Bla,

[Page]

So you did sweare you would be true to Shore,

But you were not so good as your word,

My oathes disherit which by the kings commaund.

Iane.

Yet let me haue those iewels and that money,

Which is within my trunkes.

Bla.

I know of none:

If there be any, ile be so bold,

As kéepe it for your diet and your mans,

It is no little charge I haue beene at,

To [...]de your daintie tooth, since you came hither,

Beside houseroome, I am sure is somwhat worth.

Sho.

Ah Iane I cannot chuse but pittie thee,

Heres the first step to thy déepe miserie.

Ia.

Oh that my graue had thē bin made my house,

When either first I went vnto the Court,

Or from the court returnd vnto this place.

Enter two Apparators.

Ser.

How now, what are you? it had béen maners

You should haue knockt before you had come in.

1. Ap.

We are the Bishops Parators my friend,

And mistris Shoare our errand is to you.

This day it is commanded by the King,

You must be stript out of your rich attire,

And in a white shéete go from Temple barre,

Untill you come to Algate, bare footed,

Your haire about your eares, and in your hand,

A burning taper, therefore go with vs.

Iane.

Euen when and whither you wil, and would to God,

The King as soone could ridde my soule of sinne,

As he may stript my bodie of these ragges.

2. Ap.

That would be soone enough, but come away,

And mistris Blage youle hardly answere it,

When it is knowne we found her in your house.

1. Ap.

It séemes you do not feare to harbour her.

Bla.

I harbour her? out on her strumpet queane,

She prest vpon me where I would or no:

[Page] Ile see her hangde ere I will harbour her.

So now her iewels and her gold is mine,

And I am made at least foure thousand pound,

Wealthier by this match then I was before:

And what can be obiected for the same,

That once I lou'de her: well perhaps I did,

And women all are gouernd by the Moone,

But now I am of another humour,

Which is you know a planet that will change.

Cat.

Now M. Sheriffe of London do your office,

Attach this rebell to his Maiestie,

And hauing stript her to her petticoate,

Turne her out a dores, with this condition,

That no man harbour her, that durst presume

To harbour that lewde curtizan Shoares wife,

Against the strait commandement of the King.

Bla.

I beséech you sir.

Cat.

Away with her I say.

The while [...]le seaze vpon her house & goods,

Which wholly are confiscate to the King.

Exit.

Sho.

Oh what haue I beheld, were I as young,

As when I came to London to be prentice,

This pageant were sufficient to instruct,

And teach me euer after to be wise.

First haue I séene desert of wantonnesse,

And breach of wedlocke: then of flatterie,

Next of dissembilng loue, and last of all,

The ruine of base catching auarice:

But poore Iane Shore in that I lou'de thee once,

And w [...]s thy husband I must pittie, thee,

The sparkes of olde affection long agoe,

[...] vp in ashes of displeasure kindle,

And in this furnace of aduersitie,

The world shall see a husbands loyaltie.

Exit.

Enter Doctor Shaw pensiuely reading on his booke, after [Page] him followes the Ghost of Frier Anselme, with a lighted torch.

Sha.

Spuria vitulamina non agent radices altas.

Bastardly slips haue alwaies slender grouth.

Ah Shaw, this was the cursed theame,

That at Pauls crosse thou madest thy sermon of,

To proue the lawfull issue of thy King,

Got out of wedlocke, illegittimate.

Ah Duke of Gloster this didst thou procure.

Did Richard (villaine) no it was thy fault,

Thou wouldst be wonne to such a damned déed,

Which now to think on makes my soule to bléed.

Ah Frier Anselme, sleepe among the blest,

Thy propheste thus falsely did I wrest.

Enter Anselme.

An.

Thou didst, and be thou damnde therefore,

Nere come thy soule where blessednesse abides,

Didst thou not know the letter G. was Gloster?

Sh.

Anselme I did.

An.

Why then didst thou affirme,

That it was meant by George the duke of Clarēce

That honourable harmelesse Gentleman,

Whose thoughts all innocent as any child,

Yet came through thée to such a lucklesse death.

Sa.

I was inforced by the Duke of Gloster.

An.

Enforst saist thou? wouldst y ^u then be enforst,

Being a man of thy profession,

To sinne so vilely, and with thine owne mouth,

To damne thy soule? No thou wast not enforc't,

But gaine and hope of high promotion

Hyrde thée thereto, say was it so or no?

Sha.

It did, it did.

An.

Why then record in thy black hellish thoughts,

How many mischiefes haue ensude hereon?

First wronged Clarence drowned in the Towre,

Next, Edwards children murdred in the Towre:

[Page] This day at Pomfret noble Gentlemen,

Thrée the Quéenes kinred, lose their harmelesse heads.

Thinkst thou that here this floud of mischiefe [...]

No villaine, many are markt to the blocke,

And they the nearest, thinke them furthest off,

Euen Buckingham, creator of that king,

Shall he to woe and wretched ending bring.

All this (accursed man) hath come by thee,

And thy false wresting of my prophecie,

For Englands good disclosed to thy trust,

And so it had béene, hadst thou proued iust.

But thou and euerie one that had a hand,

In that most wofull murther of the Princes,

To satall ends you are appointed all.

Here in thy studie shalt thou sterue thy selfe,

And from this houre not taste one bit of foode,

The rest shall after follow on a row,

To all their deaths, vengeance will not be slow.

Enter a Messenger to Shaw.

Mes.

Where is M. Doctor Shaw?

Sha.

Here friend, what is thy will with me?

Mes.

K. Richard praies yee to come to him strait.

For he would be consest.

Sha.

I cannot come, I pray thée take that Frier,

For he can do it better farre then I.

Mes.

A Frier M. Doctor I sée none.

Sha.

Doest thou not? no, thy vntainted soule

Cannot discerne the horrors that I do.

An.

Shaw go with him, & tell that tyrant Richard,

He hath but thrée yeares limited for life,

And then a shamefull death takes hold on him,

That done, returne, and in thy studie end

Thy loathed life that didst vs all offend,

Sha.

With all my heart, would it were ended now,

So it were done, I care not where nor how.

Exeunt.

[Page] Enter the two Parators, with mistris Shoare in a white sheet, barefooted, with her haire about her eares, and in her hand a waxe taper.

1. Par.

Now mistris Shoare, here our commissionends,

Put off your roabe of shame, for this is Algate,

Whither it was appointed we should bring you,

Ia.

My roabe of shame? Oh that so soule a name

Should be applied vnto so faire a garment,

Which is no more to bée condemnde of shame,

Then snow of putrefaction is deserude,

To couer an infectious heape of dung,

My roabe of shame, but not my shame put off,

For that sits branded on my forehead still,

And therefore in derision was I wrapt,

In this white Sheete: and in derision bore

This burning taper, to expresse my folly,

That hauing light of reason to direct mee,

Delighted yet in by-waies of darke error.

2. P.

Wel mistris Shoare, I hope you grudge not vs,

We she wde you all the fauour poore men could.

Iane.

Oh God forbid: I know the Kings Edia

Set you a worke, and not your owne desires.

1. Par.

I truly mistris, and for our parts,

We could be well content twere otherwise,

But that the lawes seuere, and so we leaue you.

Exit.

Iane.

Farewell vnto you both: and London too,

Farewell to thee, where first I was inticde,

That scandalizde thy dignitie with shame,

But now thou hast returnde me treble blame,

My tongue that gaue consent inioynde to beg.

Mine eies adiudgde to hourely laments,

Mine armes for their imbracings, catch the aire,

And these quicke nimble féet that were so readie

To step into a kings for bidden bed,

London thy [...]ints haue punisht for their pride,

[Page] And thou hast drunke their bloud for thy reuenge,

What now auailes to thinke what I haue béene,

Then welcome nakednesse and pouertie,

Welcome contempt, welcome you barren fields,

Welcome the lacke of meat, and lacke of friends,

And wretched Iane, according to thy state,

Sit here, sit here, and lower if might be:

All things that breath in their extremitie,

Haue some recourse of succour, thou hast none,

The child offended flies vnto the mother,

The Soldiour strucke, retires vnto his Captain,

The fish distressed, slides into the riuer,

Birds of the ayre do flie vnto their dammes,

And vnderneath their wings are quickly shrouded

Nay, beat the spanniel, & his master mones him,

But I haue neither where to shroud my selfe,

Nor any one to make my mone vnto,

Come patience then, and though my bodie pine,

Make then a banquet to refresh my soule,

Let hearts déepe throbbing sighs be all my bread,

My drink salt tears, my guests repentāt thoughts

That who so knew me, and doth sée me now,

May shunne by me the breach of wedlockes vow.

Enter Brackenburie with a prayer booke, & some reliefe in a cloath for mistris shoare.

Bra.

Oh God how full of dangers growes these til

And no assurance séene in any state,

No man can say that hee is maister now,

Of any thing is his, such is the tide

Of sharpe disturbance running through the land,

I haue giuen ouer my office in the Towre,

Because I cannot brooke their vile complots,

Nor smoother such outragious villanies:

But mistris Shoare, to be so basely wrongde,

[Page] And vildly vsde, that hath so well deserude,

It doth afflict me in the verie soule,

She sau'de my kinsman, Harrie Stranguidge life,

Th [...]refore in dutie am I bound to her,

To do what good I way, though law forbid,

Sée where she sits, God comfort thée good soule,

First take that to reléeue thy bodie with,

And next receiue this booke, wherein is foode,

Manna of heauen to refresh thy soule:

These holy meditations mistris Shoare,

Will yeeld much comfort in this miserie,

Whereon contemplate still, and neuer linne,

That God may be vnmindfull of thy sinne.

Ia.

Master Lieutenant, in my hart I thank ye,

For this kind comfort to a wretched soule:

Welcome [...]wéet prayer-booke, food of my life,

The soueraigne balme for my sicke conscience:

Thou shalt be my soules pleasure and delight,

To wipe my sinnes out of Ichouacs sight.

B. Do so good mistris Shoare, now I must leaue ye,

Because some other businesse cals me hence,

And God I pray regard your penitence.

Exit.

Ia.

Farewell sir Robert, and for this good to mée,

The God of heauen bee mindfull still of thee.

As she sits weeping and praying, enters at one doore young M. Aire, and old Rufford at another.

Aire.

This way she went, and cannot be far off,

For but euen now I met the officers,

That were attendant on her in her penance,

Yonder she sits, now then Aire shew thy selfe,

Thankfull to her, that sometime sau'de thy life,

When Law had made thée subiect to base death,

Giue her thy purse, for here comes some Ladie,

Stand by a while, for feare thou be discouered.

Ruff.

[Page]

What mistris Shoare, King Edwards concubin [...],

Set on a mole-hill, oh disparagement.

A throne were [...]tter for your Ladiship,

Fie will you [...]ubber these faire cheekes with feares?

Or sit so solitarie, wheres all your seruants?

Where is your gowne of silke, your periwigs,

Your fine reba [...]oes, and your costly iewels,

What not so much as a shooe vpon your foote,

Nay then I see the world goes hard with whoores.

Aire.

The villaine slaue gibes at her miserie.

Ruf.

Now whether is it better to be in court,

And there to beg a licence of the King,

For transportation of commodities,

Then here to sit forsaken as thou dost,

I thinke vpon condition Edward liude,

And thou were still in fauour as before,

Thou woulds not say that Rufford had deserude,

To haue his eares rent for a worser suite,

Then licence to shippe ouer corne and leade,

What not a word, faith wench ile tell thee what,

If thou dost thinke thy olde trade out of date,

Go learne to play the bawde another while.

Ai.

Jnbum [...]e wretch, why dost thou scorne her so,

And vere her grieued soule with bitter taunts,

Ruf.

Because I will, shee is a curtisan,

And one abhorred of the world for lust.

Air.

If all thy faultes were in thy forehead writ,

Perhaps thou wouldst thy selfe appeare no lesse,

But much more horrible then she doth now.

Ruff.

You are no iudge of mine sir.

Aire.

Why nor thou of her.

Ruf.

The world hath iudgde, and found her guilty,

And tis the Kings commaund she be held odious.

Aire.

The King of heauen commandeth otherwise,

And if thou b [...] not willing to relieue her,

Let it suffize thou seest her miserable,

[Page] And studie not to amplifie her griefe.

Enter mistris Blage verie poorely a begging, with her basket and clap-dish.

What other wofull spectacle comes here?

Mistris take that and spend it for my sake.

When Rufford lookes away, Aire throwes his purse to mistris Shoare.

Bla.

Oh I am pincht with more thē common want,

Where shall I find reliefe? Good Gentleman,

Pittie a wretched woman like to starue,

And I will pray for yee. One halfepennie

For Christs sake, to comfort me withall.

Ruf.

What mistris Blage, ist you? no maruaile sure,

But you should be relieude, a halfepenie quotha?

I marie sir, and so be hangde my selfe,

Not I, this Gentleman may if he please,

Get you to your companion mistris Shoare,

And then there is a paire of queanes wellmet,

Now I bethinke mee, ile go to the King,

And tell him that some will relieue Shoares wife,

Except some officer there be appointed,

That carefully regards it be not so.

Thereof my selfe will I make offer to him,

Which questionlesse hee cannot but accept,

So shall I stil pursue Shoares wife with hate,

That scornd mée in her high whoores estate.

Exit.

Bla.

Good Gentleman bestow your charitie,

One single halfepennie to helpe my neede.

Aire.

Not one, were I the master of a mint,

What? succour thee that didst betray thy friend?

See where she sits, whom thou didst scorne indeed,

And therefore rightly art thou scornde againe:

Thou thoughtst to beene riched with her goods,

But thou hast now lost both thy owne and hers,

And for my part, knew It would saue thy life,

[Page] Thou shouldst not get so much as a crum of bread

Packe counterfeit, packe a way dissembling drab.

Bla.

Oh miserie, but shall I stay to looke

Her in her face, whom I so much haue wrongde?

Ia.

Yes mistris Blage, I fréely pardon you,

You haue done me no wrong, come sit by mee:

Twas so in wealth, w [...]y not in pouertie?

Bla.

Oh willingly if yo u can brooke her presence,

Whom you haue great er reason to despise.

Ia.

Why woman, Ric hard that hath banisht me,

And séekes my ruine (c [...]uselesse though it bee)

Do I in heart pray for, and will do still,

Come thou & share wit h me what God hath sent,

A stranger gaue it mee, and part thereof

I do as fréely now bestow on you.

Bla.

I thanke you mistris Shoare, this courtesie

Renewes the griefe of my inconstancie.

Enter master Shoare with reliefe for his wife.

Sho.

Yonder shee sits how like a withered tree,

That is in winter leauelesse and bereft

Of liuely sappe, sits she poore abic [...] soule,

How much vnlike the woman is sh [...] now,

She was but yesterday: so short and brittle

Is this worlds happines: but who is that.

False mistris Blage? how canst thou brook hir Iane?

I thou wast alwaies mild and pittifull,

Oh hadst thon béene as chast, we had béene blest,

But now no more of that: she shall not starue,

So long as this, and such as this may serue,

Here mistris Shoare, féed on these homely Cates,

And there is wine to drinke them downe withal.

Ia.

Good sir your name, that pities poore Ia. Shoare

That in my praiers I may remember you.

Sho.

No matter for my name, I am a friend,

That loues you well, so farewell mistiris Shoare,

[Page] When that is spent, I vow to bring you more.

Ia.

Gods blessing be your guide where ere you go,

Thus mistris Blage you sée [...]idst our woe,

For all the world can doe, God sends reliefe,

And will not yet wée peris [...] in our griefe,

Come let vs step into some secret place.

Bla.

Tis not amisse, if you be so content,

For here the fieldes too open & frequent.

Exeunt.

Where vndisturbde we may partake this grace.

Master Shoare enters againe.

Sho.

What is she gone so soone? alacke poore Iane,

How I compassionate thy wofull case?

Whereas we liude tog [...]ther man and wife,

Oft on an humble stoole by the fire side,

Sate she contented, when as my high heat,

Would chid her for it. But what would she saye

Husband we both must lower sit one day,

When I dare sweare thee neuer dreamd of this,

But see good God what prophesying is.

Enter Rufford and Fogge, with the counterfait letters Pattents, Shoare stands aside.

Ruff.

This is King Richards hand, I know it well,

And this of thine is iustly counterfeit,

As hee himselfe would sweare it were [...] ou n [...].

Sho.

The kings hand [...] more of that.

Ruff.

Why cu [...]e letter, euerie little [...]ash,

In all respectes alike, how may I vse,

My transportation of my cozne and hides,

Without the danger of forbidding lawe,

And so I would haue done in Edwards daies,

But that good [...]ris Shoare did please to crosse mée,

But marke how now I will requite her for it.

I moude my sute, and plainely tolde the King,

Som would relie [...]e her, if no man had charge,

To sée seucrcly to the contrarie.

[Page] Forth with his Grace appointed mee the man,

And gaue mee officers to waite vpon mee,

Which will so countenance thy cunning worke,

As I shall no way be suspected in it: how saist thou Fogge?

Fogge.

It will do well indéed:

But good sir haue a care in any case,

For else you know what barme may come thereon.

Ruff.

A care saist thou? why man, I will not trust

My house, my strongest locks, nor any place,

But mine owne bosome, there will I kéepe it still,

If I miscarrie, so doth it with mee.

Shoare.

Are yee so cunning sir, I say no more,

Iane Shoare or I may quittance you for this.

Exit.

Ruff.

Well Fogge I haue contented thee,

Thou maist be gone, I must about my charge,

To sée that none reléeue Shoares wife with ought.

Exit. Fog.

Enter the Officers with bils.

Come on good fellowes, you that must atcend,

King Richards seruice vnder my commaund,

Your charge is to be verie vigilant,

Ouer that strumpet whom they call Shoares wife:

If any traitour giue her but a mite,

A draught of water, or a crust of bread,

Or any other foode what ere it bee,

Lay hold on him, for it is present death,

By good King Richards proclamation,

This is her haunt, here stand I Sentincll,

Kéepe you vnséene, and aide mee when I call.

Enter Iockie and Ieffrey, with a bottle of Ale, Cheese, and halfepennie loaues, to play at bowles, mistres Shoare enters and sits where she was wont.

Iock.

Now must I vnder colour of playing at bowles, help till relieue my gude maistres, maistres Shoare. Come, Ieffrey, wee will play fiue vp for this bottle of Ale, and yonder gude pure woman shall keepe the stakes, and this cheese shall be the measter.

[Page] They play still toward her, and Iockie often breakes bread and cheese, & giues her, till Ieffrey being cald away then he giues her all, and is apprehended.

Ruf.

Here is a villaine, that wil not relieue her,

But yet héele loose he bowles, that way to helpe her,

Apprehend him fellowes when I bid ye:

Although his mate be gone, he shal pay for it.

Take him, and let the Beadles whip him well.

Iock.

Heare ye sir, shall they be whipt and hangd that gfu [...] to the pure, then they shall bee damne that take fro the pure.

They lead him away.

Enter young Aire againe, and Shoare stands aloofe off.

Aire.

Oh yonder sits the swéet forsaken soule,

To whom for euer I stand déeply bound:

She sau'de my life, then Aire helpe to saue hers.

Ruf.

Whither go ye sir?

You come to giue this strumpet some reliefe.

Air.

She did more good then euer thou canst doe,

And if thou wilt not pittie her thy selfe,

Giue others leaue, by dutie bound thereto:

Here mistris Shoare, take this, and would to God

It were so much as my poore heart could wish.

He giues his purse.

Sho.

Who is it that thus pitties my poore wife?

Ti [...] M. Aire, Gods blessing on him for it.

Ruf.

Darest thou do so Aire?

Air.

Rufford I dare do more:

Here is my ring, it waies an ounce of Gold,

And take my cloake to keepe yée from the cold.

Ruf.

Thou art a traitor Aire.

Air.

Rufford, thou art a villaine so to call me.

Ruf.

Lay hold on him, attach him officers.

Air.

Rufford, [...]e answere thine arrest with this.

[Page] He drawes his rapler, but is apprehended.

Ruff.

All this contending sir will not auaile,

This treason will be rated at thy life.

Aire.

Life is too little for her sake that sau'de it.

Sho.

Is he a traitour sir, for doing good?

God saue the King, a true heart meanes no ill.

I trust he hath reclaimde his [...]arpe edict,

And will not that his poorest subiect perish,

And so perswaded I my selfe will doe,

That which both loue and nature binds me to.

I c [...]nnot giue her as she well deserues.

For she hath lost a greater benefite.

[...] take that purse.

Ruff.

[...] [...]kte away.

Sho.

You shall not sir, for I will answere it,

Before the King if you inforce it so.

Ruff.

It must be so, you shall vnto the King.

Sho.

You will be he will first repent the thing:

Come M. Aire, ile beare ye companie,

Which wise men doth say ease calamitie,

Exeunt.

Iane.

If grie [...]e to spéech frée passage could afford,

Or [...] w [...]e I had a fitting word,

I migh [...] complaine, or if my flouds of teares,

Could moue remorse of minds, or pearce dul ears,

Or wash away my cares, or cleanse my crime:

With words & teares I would be waile the time.

But it is bootlesse, why liue I to see,

All those despised that do pittie me.

Despisde? alas, destroyed, and led to death,

That gaue me almes here to prolong my breath.

Faire Dames behold, let my example proue,

There is no loue like to a husbands loue.

Exit.

Enter King Richard, Louell, Catesbie, Rufford, Sho [...]ar, and Ayre pinioned, and led betwixt two Officers.

Glo.

Now tell vs Rufford which of these it is,

[Page] That in the heat of his vpheaued spléene,

Contemnes our crowne, disdaines our dignitie,

And armes himselfe against authoritie.

Ruff.

Both haue offended my dread soueraigne,

Though not alike, yet both faults capitall,

These l [...]es declare what, when, & where it was.

Glo.

Which is that Aire?

Ruff.

This young man my Liege.

Glo.

I thought it was some hot distempred blood,

That fierd his gyddie braine with businesse:

Is thy name Aire?

Aire.

It is.

Glo.

This paper saies so.

Aire.

Perish may he that made that paper speak.

Glo.

Ha? Dost thou wish confusion vnto vs?

This paper is the Organe of our power,

And shall pronounce thy condemnation,

We make it speake thy treasons to thy face,

And thy malicious tongue speakes treas [...]n still.

Relieu'st thou Shoares wife in contempt of vs?

Aire.

No, but her iust desert,

She sau'de my life, which I had forfeited,

Whereby my goods and life she me [...]ited.

Glo.

And thou shalt pay it in the selfe same place,

Where thou this man our Officer, didst out face,

And scorndst vs saying if we stoode by,

Thou wouldst relieue her.

Aire.

I do not denie,

For want of food her breath was néere expirde,

I gaue her meanes to buy it vndesirde,

And rather chuse to die for charitie,

Then liue condemned of ingratitude.

Gl.

Your good d [...]tion brings you to y ^• gall [...]ws,

He hath his sentence, Rufford sée him [...]gd.

They lead out Aire.

Now sir your name?

Sho.

[Page]

Is it not written there?

Glo.

Heres Mathew Floud.

Ruf.

That is his name my Lord.

Glo.

Is thy name Floud?

Sho.

So M. Rufford sates.

Glo.

Floud and Aire? the elements conspire,

In ayre and water to confound our power:

Didst thou relieue that hateful wretch Shoares wife?

Sho.

I did relieue that wofull wretch Shoares wife.

Gl.

Thou séemst a man well staid and temperate,

Durst thou infringe our proclamation?

Sho.

I did not breake it.

Ruf.

Yes, and added more,

That you would answere it before the King.

Sho.

And added more, you would repent the thing.

Ru.

Who, I? his Highnes knowes my innocence,

And readie seruice with my goods and life,

Answere thy treasons to his maiestie.

Glo.

What canst thou say Floud why thou shouldst not die?

Sho.

Nothing, for I am mortall and must die,

When my time comes, but that I thinkes not yet,

Although (God knowes) ech houre I wish it were,

So full of dolor is my wearje life:

Now say I this, that I do know the man,

Which doth abette that traiterous libeller,

Who did compose & spread that slauderous rime,

Which scandals you, and doth abuse the time.

Glo.

What libeller? another Collingborne?

That wrote: The Cat, the Rat, and Louell our Dog,

Do rule all England vnder a Hog.

Canst thou repeat it Floud?

Sho.

I thinke I can if you commaund me so.

Glo.

We do commaund thee.

Sho.

In this sort it goes.

The crooke bakt Boare the way hath found,

To roote our Roses from our ground,

[Page] Both flower and bud will he confound,

Till King of beasts the swine be crownde:

And then the Dog, the Cat, and Rat,

Shall in his trough feed and be fat.

Finis

quoth M. Fogge, chiefe secretarie and counsellor to M. Rufford.

Glo.

How saist thou Floud, doth Rufford [...] this?

Sho.

He is a traitor if he do my Lord.

Ruf.

I [...] it? dread Lord I aske no grace,

If I be guiltie of this libelling,

Vouchsafe me iustice as you are my Prince,

Against this traitor that accuseth me.

Sh.

What iustice crau'st thou? I will combat thée,

In signe whereof I do vnbutton me,

And in my shirt my chalenge will maintaine,

Thou cal'st me traitor, I will proue thee one,

Open thy bosome like me if thou darest?

Ruff.

I will not be so rude before his grace.

Sh.

Thou wilt not ope the packe of thy disgrace.

Because thy doublets stuft with traiterous libels.

Glo.

Catesbie teare off the buttons from his breast.

What findst thou there?

Cat.

Your highnes hand and seale,

For transportation of Hides, Corne and Lead.

Glo.

Traitor, did I signe that commission?

Ruf.

O pardon me most royall King.

Glo.

Pardon? to counterfeit my hand and seale?

Haue I bestowed such loue, such countenance?

Such trust on thee, and such authoritie,

To haue my hand and signet counterfet?

To carrie Corne the food of all the land,

And Lead, which after might annoy the land,

And Hides, whose leather must relieue the land,

To strangers enemies vnto the land:

Didst thou so néerely connterfet my hand?

Ruf.

Not I my liege, but Fogge the Atturney.

Glo.

[Page]

Away with him Louell and Catesbie, go,

[...] the Sheriffes of London presently,

To see h [...]m drawne, and hango, and quartered,

Let them not drinke before they see him dead.

Hast you againe.

Louell and Catesbie lead out Rufford.

Ruff.

Well Floud thou art my death,

I might haue liudet' haue séene thee lose thy head.

Sho.

Thou hast but [...]ustice for thy crueltie,

Against the guiltlesse soules in miserie,

I aske no fau [...]ur if I merit death.

Glo.

Cra [...]st thou no fauour? then I tell thee Floud,

Thou art a traitor [...]reaking our edict,

By succouring that traitrous quean Shoares wife.

And thou shalt die.

Sho.

If I haue broke the law.

Glo.

If [...]? didst thou not giue her thy purse?

And d [...]st thou not maintaine the deed?

Enter Louell and Catesbie againe.

Sho.

I do, if it be death to the relenting heart,

Of a kind husband, wronged by a King,

To [...] his [...] seduced wife,

Whom all the world must suffer by commaund,

To pine and perish for the want of food:

If it be treason for her husband then,

In the deare bowels of his former loue,

To burie his owne wrong and her misdéed,

And giue her meat whom he was wont to féede,

Then Shoare must die, for Floud is not my name,

Though once I tooke it to conceale my shame,

Pittic permits not iniured Shoare passe by,

And see his once loude wife with famine die.

Glo.

Louell & Catesbie, this is Shoare indéed,

Shoare,

We confesse that thou hast p [...]ledge,

And art excepted in our Proclamation,

Because thou art her husband whom it concerns,

[Page] And thou maist lawfully relieue thy wife,

Upon condition thou forgiue her fault,

Take her againe, and vse her as before,

Hazard new hornes, how sasist thou, wilt thou Shoare?

Sho.

If any but your Grace should so vpbraid,

Such rude reproch should roughly be repaid.

Suppose for treason that she lay condemnde,

Might I not séede her till her houre of death,

And yet my selfe no traitor for it?

Glo.

Thou mightste.

Sh.

And why not now (O pardon me dread lord)

When she hath had both punishment and shame

Sufficient, since a King did cause her blame,

May I not giue her food to saue her life,

Yet neuer take and vse her as my wife?

Glo.

Except thou take her home againe to thée,

Thou art a stranger, and it shall not be,

For if thou do, expect what doth belong.

Sho.

I neuer can forget so great a wrong.

Glo.

Then neuer féede her whom thou canst not loue.

Sho.

My charitie doth that compassion moue.

Gl.

Moue vs no more, Louell let Aire be hangde,

Just in the place where he relicud Shoares wife:

Shoare hath his pardon for this first offence.

The name of husband pleads his innocence,

Away with them: Catesbie come you with v [...]?

Exeunt.

Iockie is led to whipping oner the stage, speaking some words, but of no importance. Then is young Aire brought foorth to execution, with the Sheriffe and Officers, Mistris Shoare weeping, and M. Shoare standing by.

Aire.

Good mistris Shoare, [...] not with your teares,

But let me go in quiet to mine end.

Iane.

Alas poore soule,

Was neuer innocent thus put to death.

Air.

[Page]

The mores my ioy, that I am innocent,

My death is the lesse grieuous, I am so.

Ia.

Ah M. Aire the time hath béene ere now,

When I haue kn [...]eld to Edward on my knees,

And begd for him, that now doth make me beg.

I haue giuen him, when he hath begd of me,

Though he forbids to giue me when I beg,

I haue ere now relieued him and his,

Though he and his denie reliefe to me:

Had I béene enuious then, as Richard now,

I had not staru'd, nor Edwards sons bin murdred,

Nor Richard liu'de to put you now to death.

Aire.

The more Iane is thy vertue and his sinne.

Sher.

Come sir dispatch.

Aire.

Dispatch say you? dispatch you may it call,

He cannot stay when death dispatcheth all.

Ia.

Lord, is my sinne so horrible and grieuous,

That I should now become a murderer?

I haue sau'de the life of many a man condemnd,

But neuer was the death of man before.

That any man thus for my sake should die,

Afflicts me more then all my miserie.

Aire.

Iane be content,

I am as much indebted vnto thee,

As vnto nature, I owed thee a life,

When it was forfeit vnto death by law,

Thou b [...]gdst it of the king and gau'st it me:

This house of flesh wherein this soule doth dwel,

Is thine, and thou art Landladie of it,

And this poore life a Tenant but at pleasure,

It neuer came to pay the rent till now,

But hath runne in arerage all this while,

And now for verie shame comes to discharge it,

When death distraines for what is but thy due,

I had not ought thée so much as I doe,

But by thy onely mercie to preserue it,

[Page] Untill I loose it for my charitie.

Thou giu'st me more then euer I can pay,

Then do thy pleasure executioner,

And now farewell kind vertuous mistris Shoare,

In heauen wéele méete againe, in earth no more.

Here he is executed.

Ia.

Farewel, farewel, thou for thy almes dost die.

And I must end here starude in miserie,

In life my friend, in death ile not forsake thee,

Thou goest to heauen, I hope to ouertake thee.

Sho.

O world what art thou? man, euen from his birth

Findes nothing else but miserie on earth,

Thou neuer (world) scorn'dst mée so much before,

But I (vaine world) do hate thee ten times more.

I am glad I féele approaching death so nie,

World thou hatest mée, I thée vaine world defie.

I pray yee yet good master officers,

Do but this kindnesse to poore wretched soules,

As let vs haue the buriall of our friend,

It is but so much labour saude for you.

She.

There take his body, bury it where you wil,

So it be quickly done out of the way.

Exit Sherife and Officers.

Ia.

Whats he that begs the buriall of my friend,

And hath so oftentimes relieued mee?

Ah gentle sir, to comfort my sad woe,

Let mee that good kind man of mercie know.

Sho.

Ah Iane, now there is none but thou and I

Looke on mee well, knowest thou thy Ma. Shoare?

Ia.

My Husband? then breake and liue no more.

She swounds, and he supports her in his armes.

Sho.

Ah my déere Iane, comfort thy heauie soule,

Go not away so soone, a little stay,

A little, little while, that thou and I,

Like man and wife may here together die,

Iane.

How can I looke vpon my husbands face,

[Page] That shamde my self, and wrought his déep disgrace [...]

Sho.

Iane be content, our woes are now alike,

With one selfe rod thou séest God d [...] vs strike,

If for thy [...], ile pray to heauen for thee,

And if for mine, do thou as much for mee.

Iane.

Ah Shoare, ist possible thou canst forgine mée?

Shoare.

Yes Iane, I doc.

Iane.

I cannot hope thou wilt:

My faults so great that I cannot expect it.

Sho.

I faith I doe, as fréely from my soule,

As at Gods hands I hope to be forgiuen.

Ia.

Then God reward thée, for we now must part,

I féele cold death doth seize vpon my heart.

Sho.

And hee is come to mee, here he lies,

I féele him readie to close vp mine eies,

Lend mée thy hand to burie this our friend,

And then we both will hasten to our end.

Here they put the bodie of young Aire into a Coffin, and then he fits downe on the one side of it, and she on the other.

Iane

sit thou there, here I my place will haue,

Giue mée thy hand, thus wée embrace our graue,

Ah Iane, he that the depth of woe will see,

Let him but now behold our miserie:

But be content, this is the best of al,

Lower then now we are, wée cannot fall.

Iane.

Ah, I am faint, how happie Airc art thou,

Not féeling that which doth afflict vs now?

Sho.

Oh happie graue, to vs this comfort giuing,

Here lics two liuing dead, here one dead liuing,

Here for his sake, loe this we doe for thee,

Thou lookste for one, and art poss [...]st of thrée.

Ia.

Oh dying marriage, o [...], swéet married death

Thou graue which only shouldst part faithfull friends,

Bringst vs togither, and dast i [...]yne our h [...]nds,

Oh [...]ing death, euen in this d [...]ing life,

[Page] Yet ere I go, once Mathew kisse thy wife.

He kisseth her, and she dies.

Ah my swéet Iane, farewel, farewel poore soule,

Now tyrant Richard doo the worst thou canst,

She doth defie thée, oh vnconstant world,

Here lies a true Anatom [...]e of thee,

A King had all my ioy, that her inioyde,

And by a King againe [...] was destroyde:

All ages of my kingly w [...]es shall tell,

Once more inconstant world farewell, farewell.

he dies.

Enter sir Robert Brackenburie, with two or three of his seruants.

Bra.

Sirs if the King, or else the Duke of Buckingham

Do send for me, I will attend them straight,

But what are these here openly lie dead,

Oh God, the one is mistris Shoare, & this is Floud,

That was my man: the third is master Aire,

Who suffered death for his reléeuing her,

They shall not thus lie in the open way,

Lend me your hands, and heauie hearts withall,

At mine owne charge lie giue them buriall.

They beare them thence.

Enter King Richard crowned, Buckingham, Aire of Warwicke, Louell, Cafesbie, Fogge, and attendants.

Richard.

Most noble Lords, since it hath pleased you,

Beyend our expectation on yeut bounties,

T' [...] mpale my temples with the Diademe.

How farre my quiet thoughts haue euer béene,

From this great [...],

Heauen best can [...]nesse: I am your King,

Long may I be so, to deserue your loue,

But I will be a seruant to you all,

Pray God my broken sléeps may giue you rest.

[Page] But onely that my bloud doth chalenge it,

Being your lawfull Prince by true succession,

I could haue wisht, with all my heart I could,

This maiestie had sitten on the browe

Of any other: so much do I affect a priuate life,

To spend my dates in contemplation.

But since that heauen and you will haue it so,

I take the crowue as méekely at your hands,

As free and pure from an ambitious thought,

As any new borne babe. Thus must thou Richard

Séeme as a saint to men in outward shew, aside.

Being a verie diuell in thy heart:

Thus must thou couer all thy villanies,

And kéepe them close from ouerlookers eyes.

Buck.

My Soueraigne by the generall consent

Of all the Lords aud commons of the land,

I tender to your royall maiestie,

This princely Lady, the Lady Anne of Warwick

Iudged the onely worthiest of your loue,

To be your highnes bride, faire Englands Quéen

Rich.

My royall Princely Cosin Buckingham,

I see you striue to blesse mee more and more,

Your bountie is so large and ample to mee,

You ouerflow my spirits with your great loue,

I willingly accept this vertuous Princesse,

And crowne her Angell beautie with my loue.

Lo.

Then as the hand of your high parliament,

I giue her here vnto your maiestie.

Rich.

Lord Louell I as heartily receiue her,

Welcome faire Queene.

And from the Lords & commons of your land

I giue the frée and voluntarie oath,

Of their allegeance to your maiesty.

As to their soueraigne and liege Lord and Ladie,

Richard the third, & beauteous Anne his Quéene,

The true and lawfull King & Quéene of England.

Rich.

[Page]

I doe accept it Catesbie, and returne,

Exchange of mutuall and partie loue.

Now Fogge too, that in your traiterous Libels,

Besides the counterfeiting of our hand and seale

For Rufford, though so great a fault deserud [...]

To suffer death, as hee alreadie hath,

Going about to siubber our renowue,

And wound vs with reproach and infamie,

Yet Fogge that thou thy selfe maist plainely see,

How farre I am from séeking sharp reuenge,

Fogge I forgiue thee, and withall wee doe,

Repeale our heauie sentence gainst Shoares wi [...]e,

Restoring all her goods, for we intend,

With all the world now to be perfect friends.

Cat.

Why my good Lord, you kn [...]w shées dead alreadie.

True Catesbie, else I nere had spoke such words,

aside.

Alas I see our kindnesse comes too late,

For Catesbie tels me she is dead alreadie.

Cat.

I my good Lord, so is her husband too.

Rich.

Would they had liude, to see our friendly change,

But Catesbie say, where dide Shoare and his wife?

Cat.

Where Aire was hangde for giuing her reliefe,

There both of them round circkling his cold graue,

And arme in arme departed from this life:

The people for the loue they beare to her,

And her kind husband, pittying his wrongs,

For euer after meane to call the ditch,

Shoares Ditch, as in the memorie of them,

Their bodies in the Friers minorites,

Are in one graue enterred all together,

But mistris Blage for ingratitude,

To mistris Shoare, lies dead vnburied,

And no one will afford her buriall.

Ric.

But mistris Blage she shal haue burial too,

What now we must be friends, indeed we must,

And now my Lords, I giue you all to know,

[Page] In memorie of our eternall loue,

I do ordame an order of the Bathe,

Twelue knights in number of that royall sort,

Which order with all princely ceremonies,

Shall be obserued in all royall pompe,

As Edwards our forefather of the Barter,

Which feast our selfe, and our beloued Quéene,

Will presently solemnize in our person.

Buc.

Now am I bold to put your grace in mind

Of my long suite, and partly your owne promise,

The Earle of Herefords lands.

Rich.

Cosin wéele better thinke on that here after.

Buc.

M [...] pains my Lord hath not deserude delay.

Ric.

W [...]l you appoint our time: then you shal stay,

For this hote hastinesse sir you shall stay,

Moo [...] [...] no more you were best.

Buc.

I Richard, is it come to this?

In my first suite of all, dost thou dense mee?

Breake thine o [...] word, & turne me off so slieghtly,

Richard thoud hadst as good haue damnde thy soule,

As basely thus to beale with Buckingham:

Richard ile sit vpon thy cru [...]ped shoulder:

I faith I will, if heauen will giue me leaue,

And Harrie Richmond, this hand alone,

Shall fetch thée home, and seat thee in his throne.

Exit.

Rich.

What is he gone in heat, why farewell bee,

He is displeasde, let him be pleasde againe,

We haue no time to thinke on angrie men:

Come my swéet Quéene, let vs go solemnize,

Our Knighthoods order in most royall wise.

Exeunt.

FINIS.

[Page]

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