Go tell your Master in Segeia plain To the Messenger I 'll give him Battel tho I should be slain To morrow morning e're it be high noon I 'll gain or lose great Albions Royal Crown Go Ferdinando muster all our Force I shall command the Foot and you the Horse Ferdin I 'm set on edge to hear Alberlo boast He talks as we were ruined and lost His sawcy Letter either tear or burn Execunt Infort Belgicus and Flavius In clouds of smoak we 'll send him a return Messeng Are you Don Ferdinando Ferdin I am the Man Messeng Then I have here to you A Letter and a private Paper too I brought them from Alberlo in my Shooe Taketh the Letter out of his Shooe Ferdinando taketh the Letter and private Paper and readeth them in haste and then speaketh to the Messenger Ferdin Go quickly tell your Master that I 'm still His real Friend and will obey his will Let him draw up his Forces one and all And meet us tho his army should be small I can find out a Thousand pretty things That will undo and ruin Petty Kings I will do more not by my Sword but Wit Than I to Ink and Paper will commit Only go tell Alberlo that I will Prove his true Friend and humble Servant still Exit Messen The SCENE Alberlo's Quarters Enter Alberlo and Manlius Alber. I 'm vext that King Infortunatus thought That I for Gold or Greatness would be bought I value not Promotion whilst I Am Great enough unstain'd in Loyalty And tho Religion now doth lye at stake I 'll take no notice for Romanus sake Man By George and by this Py-bald coat of mine His Surpless I rather be a Duke than a Divine You 're great enough indeed but by my Miter I 'll prove in time of War as good a fighter Alb. You 're a couragious Rampant Church-man here And will on Service fight but in the Rear And scold at distance as a Cannoneer Enter Messenger in haste Mess I 've done your message and in haste do bring You back another from the start-up King To morrow morning e're it be high Noon He 'll give you Battle gain or lose his Crown His Forces are but few all torn and rent Ill disciplin'd his Ammunition's spent But he speaks Great and will unless he lye Romanus power and all his force defy And make your Army like the Dust to fly Alb. But what did old Don Ferdinando say Mess He vows that he his Master will betray Alber. May he prove true to me false to his King Manl. A Traytor is a necessary thing But once a Knave Rogue and a great Trapan Can ne're be trusted like an honest man Alber. If he be Rogue enough I will him bring Once more in Favour with Romanus King And if his Treason take a good Effect I from the Hangman's hands shall save his neck But wilâ— to morrow e're it be quite light Have all my men in readiness to fight ACT III. The SCENE Segeia Plain Enter Infortunatus with Officers and Souldiers and draw up in one side of the Scene in Battle array Armed and ready to fight Drums beating Trumpets sounding c. every one having a small green Bough for a Sign Infort NOW Brother Souldiers let us rather dye Upon the spot than from our Standard fly I fight my Head against a Royal Crown You fight for Greatness Honour and Renown Since time began ne're was a juster cause Than Lives Religion Liberty and Laws We fight for Heaven our Kingdom Church and State Submitting all we have to Divine Fate Better we stand and gain the Victory Than run and by the Hands of Papists dye Even those who to accomplish their Desire Did burn our Ancestors in Smithfield Fire Then let us fight with Courage Heart and Hand And none give o're whilst he hath strength to stand Enter Alberlo with his Forces and draw up against Infortunatus 's every one having a white Handerchief in his Hat for a Sign Alber. Now Gentlemen you see your fatal Doom Either to dye or gain the cause of Rome The Pope your King Romanus and his Queen As good a Roman Saint as e're was seen Will lose their Right both to our Church and State And be the Object of the Nations hate Rome's cause is lame I cannot well deny But what it wants in Money we 'll supply Then with a brazen Confidence out-do Those men who if not slain will conquer you Since whole Files will be troublesom and inconvenient and several Advancings Firings and Fallings back but superfluous three in a File the Muskets lin'd with Pikes may be enough to shew an Emblem of War and demonstrate to the curious Spectators the result of a bloody Fight Infortun and Alberlo Make ready Both at close Order Kneel stoop and stand Present Give Fire They on both sides flash their Pans Recover your Arms. Fall on fall on fall on Here the Souldiers on both sides club their Muskets and present their Pikes and come to a close Fight Flavius and Manlius two warlike Divines firing the Cannon Whilst Infortunatus driveth all before him Romanus 's Guards give ground whilst others come in to assist them The Body of Infortunatus 's Army after a sharp dispute is broke several being killed Infort Where is deceitful Ferdinando now A Rogue a Coward and Perfidious too Infortunatus with his Forces being beat marcheth off making good the Rear Whilst Alberlo pursueth The SCENE Alba Aula Regalis Enter Romanus Cancellarius Calamus Rom. I long to hear what news we 've from the West I must raise men and send them there in haste I hear Alberlo's beat and all his Force Is put unto the rout both Foot and Horse Calam If it be so the News will quickly fly But I suppose the Rumour 's but a Lye May it prove so else I shall quickly dye Enter Messenger in Haste Mess Great Sir the Deed is done the worst is past We have o'recome your Enemies at last That Myrmidonian Crew is brought to nought Which your Undoing and Confusion sought Rom. And is it so indeed Mess Yes truly so Rom. And what 's become of my late Mortal Foe Mess He 's fled but where he is there 's none doth know Rom. Tho he be fled he shall be quickly found Dead or alive if he be on the ground And he that finds him have five thousand pound But for your News which you have brought me now I will requite and likewise Knight you too Both rewardeth and Knighteth him Enter Manlius Manl. Great Sir I 'm come in haste the News to bring That we have beat and took the Western King With Ferdinando he in haste did fly Into a Field where both asleep did lye Where they were found secur'd and will be here Rom. Your News was always welcome to mine ear Their Lives are forfeit they 're already Dead And King Infortunate shall lose his Head Manl. Don Ferdinando did your Foes betray Through his Deceit Alberlo
untrain'd rebellious Crew And afterwards compel them to inherit The just reward of their Deserts and Merit Yet tho' the Sword of Justice be a thing That 's much to be desired in a King Better his Subjects love him for his Good Than tremble at his shedding Seas of Blood Then pardon those deluded Men that rose Against their King and sided with his Foes Rom. I 'll take your Counsel for 't is wise and good I 'll live in Peace and shed no Subjects Blood Yet will in Spite of all my Subjects Noses Promote the Pope whoever it opposes Pap. Think you a drop of base rebellious Blood Can quench my Rage that doth require a Flood And will incense the Universe and Sky Unless the Western Country Rebels dye No no Revenge my Passion doth recruit And every Tree shall hang with human Fruit. Go Cancellarius soon and imp your Rage With all the Furies of this stubborn Age Fly to the West let your Revenge be hot Disgorge out Halters from your fiery Throat Hang up those Traytors of the Western King And every Rebel to Subjection bring No pity take but pass a lawless Doom On all who did not own the cause of Rome Let Widows tears and Orphans crys prevail No more with you than Toueser with his Tail Of Human Bodies Sinews Blood and Bone I 'll Beacons build as high as Babylon Canc. I 'll smoak in Fury and perform your Will Whatever you command be 't good or ill I 'll take no pity but possess their Wealth And hang themselves up to the Kings Good Health Rom. Since she must have it so pray get you gone I 'm sure e're long she 'll pull me from my Throne Calam. Great Queen 't is neither necessar nor wise To prosecute so bad an Enterprize 'T is strange to see you in your Fury strive To make your Foes your Greatness to survive Pap. I 'll have my Will and make the Traytors fall I 'll reign and rule I 'm one against them all Exit Canc. Enter Don Ferdinando and falleth on his Knees Ferd. I 'm come to beg Forgiveness of my Crimes That 's lately done and that of older Times If that your Majesty will pardon me I 'll henceforth still a Loyal Subject be Rom. Hence get thee gone Thou author of Mischief Thou mad'st the Breach and cur'd it to my Grief Go live in shame no punishment of Time Can equalize a Turn-Coat Traytors Crime Ferd. I am the Man that kept you on your Throne And now you slight and bid get me gone Your foes I did out-wit on your account And this is all to which it doth amount I do deserve to be promoted high And be your greatest Subject till I dye Rom. A Traytor once will be a Traytor still Turns with the Times t' accomplish all his Will Hence then thou Villain Bane of Church and State I love the Treason but the Traytor hate Exeunt Omnes The SCENE Villa Rasa Occidentalis Enter Cancellarius with Four Constables Canc. By King Romanus I was hither sent Treasons and Insurrections to prevent And to reward those Rebels who of late Strove to subvert both Kingdom Church and State Const We in Obedience to our King did seize Such Rebels as their Fancy fond to please Did in Rebellion rise to overthrow The Government with King Romanus Foe Speak but the word we 'll bring them here to you That you may judge them and condemn them too Canc. We 'll hang them first and then to Tryal bring Such Traytors as rose up against their King They shall be hurry'd hence that others may Be made more wary what to do or say I 'll take no pity nor prolong the time But every one shall suffer for his crime Then bring them here that I may quickly ease Papissa's Fury and Romanus please Exeunt Three Constables Enter Country-maid in a straw Hat and falleth upon her knees before Cancellarius Maid Thrice noble Sir grave Judge that 's just and true With mournful Tears I do petition you Canc. Speak on fair Maid for certainly I will Grant your Request and your Desire fulfil Maid My Sweet-Heart went to see the Rebels Host And was imprison'd there till all was lost Now since he was detain'd by warlike Force And neither serv'd as Souldier Foot nor Horse Forgive his crime preserve him safe and sound And you shall have in Gold Three Hundred pound Canc. Give me your Gold and I shall save his Life I hope you 'll prove to him a loving Wife Maid Here is the Gold I freely give it you Giveth him a Bag of Guineas As you have spoke I hope you 'll likewise do Canc. Let me be hang'd or else in Prison lye To my last Breath if your Sweet-Heart shall dye Enter Lady Penelope in an old torn Gown a Page holding up her Train in a sorrowful manner and presenteth a Petition to Cancellarius which he readeth thus To the Right Honourable c. The Humble Petition of Sir Roger Ringwode Knight Sheweth THat at the earnest request of my Sweet-heart who is now my Wife and the Bearer hereof I was made a Knight of Honour by King Infortunatus of Blessed Memory whom I faithfully served all the time he was in the West and therefore think it contrary to the nature of Law and Chivalry to try a Person of Quality with the ordinary Rabble or hang an honest man with the common crew Therefore thought it convenient to advise you to let me have the judgment and sentence of a free Parliament But if without any delay you will be pleased to set me at Liberty my Lady will give you five pound which is more than what we are worth in the world Which of you do your Petitioner will be always willing to serve you Sir R. R. Knight Canc. Where are those pounds that are in number five For which I must preserve a Knight alive She giveth him a Bag with Five Pound I 'll take the mony for 't is none of yours And make you an Example to all Whores Your Life is forfeit and your Husbands too With all the Necks of the Rebellious Crew Which with Infortunatus did combine To prosecute his desperate design Your name 's Penelope I heard of you And all your pranks of Treason you did do You gave your King a Petticoat of Scarlet To be a Standard like a bold-fac'd Harlot Take her away in Prison let her lye The Constable layeth hold on her For Treason she shall with Sir Roger dye Pen. What aid could I to any Host afford Who never could endure to touch a Sword 'T is true I to Infortunatus sold A Petticoat which he repay'd in Gold But how can this so great a crime set forth To sell a thing for more than thrice the worth Const Pray spare the womans Life and let her be From her Confinement set at Liberty Canc. If I her life preserve I 'll make her dance Another Jigg than she can learn in France Constable leadeth Penelope
to the Door where he leaveth her and returneth Enter three Constables with several Prisoners chain'd Sir Roger in a torn Red Coat walking foremost with two women and the Hang-man following after with his Ropes Canc. Rebels advance receive your final doom For kicking at the Pope and Church of Rome And striving to depose your lawful King And these three Nations to confusion bring Come hang them up we have no need to stay To waste our time in judging such as they Unto the Kings good Health hang up a score And to the Queens promote a hundred more Maid Did you not take three hundred pounds to save My Sweet-hearts life and keep him from his Grave Caneell I mind no promises come hang them all We 'll save Expence make but one Funeral But since sair Maid you would preserve his life In hopes to be the young mans wedded Wife When dead you shall receive at my command Of his that which you love best in your hand You Executioner be sure so do Since I have laid my strict commands on you Maid Is this the Judge by King Romanus sent To do the Nation justice and prevent All Insurrections and again restore And mend the breach as it hath been before May Justice seize such Judges for he lyes That calls him just or good or grave or wise Kisseth her Sweet-heart in Chains and Exit weeping Cancell Talk what you will till you your self confound I 'll bear a little for three hundred pound Sir Roger. I am a Knight of Honour and deny With this mad Rabble in a Rope to dye Come try me first and after pass my doom And do not hang me for the Cause of Rome Could I come at him I th' old Rogue would kill And should I longer live oppose him still Cancell You are a ragged Knight of Rogues the worst We 'll honour you by hanging you up first You 're obstinate mischievous in your mind And have some wicked enterprize design'd We must dispatch you soon with all the Crew Who suddenly shall bid the World adieu Sir Rog. Shall we not have some time before we dye To fit our selves for long Eternity Canc. No not one Minute more for dye you shall Now instantly and none prevent your fall Come hang them up Const What shall be done to these two Women here They say they 're guiltless and from Treason clear Canc. I say they 're guilty whores already dead This shall be burnt and that shall lose her Head Wom. I gave a Man whom I took for a Saint Money to buy those things which he did want Who prov'd on Tryal to be one of those Whom you repute to be your Mortal Foes And this is all my Crime for which I must Be burnt to ashes and dissolv'd in dust Yet rather suffer Death for Charity Than to a Saint a Widows mite deny 2 Wom. I lodg'd two Strangers in my House all night And am convinc'd that it was just and right You term them Rogues and Rebels of the West Who did the Kingdom Church and State molest What 's that to me I question'd not at all Their Business my Kindness was so small Now innocent to please you I must dye Whilst all my crime is Hospitality Canc. I have no patience nor can I delay Justice to hear what tattling Traytors say Hang up Sir Roger first that I may see Three Kingdoms from his Treachery set free And after him the common crew shall dye Within the twinkling of the Hangmans eye As for these women after all the Males Are put to Death then they must low their Sails Make haste I 'll to Romanus drink a Cup Whilst these base Rebels are a hanging up The Constables carry the Prisoners under the Hangings whence a Gibbet turneth out like a crane or yards Arm with a great many men Hanging on 't Enter Widows mourning and Orphans crying Canc. This prospect doth rejoyce my Soul and I Am overjoy'd to see those Rebels dye I hope that henceforth we shall live at ease Only our Lusts and Appetites to please Widows Sad sight to see our Husbands and our Sons Hang'd up to please a crew of Friers and of Nuns Hell take them all and you among the rest Pointeth at Canc. You 're all so bad that none can know the best May King Romanus from his Kingdom fly The Gibbet turneth in again and Exeunt omnes And end his Life within a Monastry ACT V. The SCENE Alba Aula Regalis Enter Papissa big Belly'd convey'd by Povicena and Petrus Impostor Papissa THE Tempest of my Fury is o'repast And now my Rage is quenched by this last Blast of Revenge which hath dispers'd the Cloud Of my Confusion which fell out in Blood Wherein I swim yet do not fear to sink More pleas'd with such a Sea than Meat and Drink Povi Came think no more of Rebels but of things Concerning Princes Emperours and Kings The time draws nigh wherein you must prepare To furnish Albion with a Lawful Heir Pap. I 've bore this Pillow six months on my Womb And must do so for three Months yet to come And since my Time of Labour doth draw nigh I must augment and set the Pillow high Rip up the Prince and put some Cotton in He will not cry altho you prick his Skin Pulleth the Pillow from her Womb and giveth it to the Lady who stuffeth it with a pound of Cotton Pointing at Petrus Call in the Midwife and Petrona too I 'll take advice of them how I shall do Pov. This greasy Pillow is a nasty thing It ne're will be a good Prince nor a King Pap. Leave off to jest 't is not a fitting time Of that which known would prove a deadly crime Enter Midwife Petrona big with Child and Petrus Impostor Pap. You know Petrona that I do design To add an Heir unto the Royal line Which must be done by Hocus means when I Shall counterfeit a Labour and Out-cry You must be there and privately convey Your child to me if that it be a Boy When you are brought to Bed and till you be I 'll grunt and groan that none may question me You are of my Religion you know how That this will all the Hereticks o'rethrow That live in Albun For their Prince shall be Prought up at Rome and train'd in Popery Now what shall I give for your Child if it Should prove a Boy and all my projects hit Pet. Five thousand pound the matter will decide My Child 's a Boy it lyes in the right side Pap. Five thousand pound to make your Son a King This is a more than ordinary thing But will not stand what you have said to do If to a constant secrecy you 'll vow Petron. I by our Lady's Girdle and her Garter Rather than speak one word will dye a Martyr Petrus That will not do but whispering to prevent On what you say you's take the Sacrament Papissa Let it be so for then we 'll have some ground