the Prophet is an Asse whose prophecies come so to paile Said he not oft and sung it to Lluellen after much adoe Should in spite heaue vp his chin and be the highest of his kinne And see aloft Lluellens head Empalled with a crowne of lead My Lord let not this South-faire lacke That hath such cunning in his iacke Harper Dauid holde still your clacke Least your heeles make your neâ— cracke Frier Gentle Prophet and yee loue me for speâ— me not t is the worst â—ke in the world to sturre a wirche or anger a wise man maister unlesse haue wee anie nast best giue my horses some more â—aie Exeunt omnes Elinor in child-bed with her daughter Ione and other Ladies Qu. Eli. Cal forth those renowmed Friers come from France And raise me gentle Ladies in my bed That while this faultring engine of my speach I leane to vtter my concealed guilt I maie respect and so repent my sinnes Ione VVhat plague atracts your roiall Maiestie Qu. Eli. Ah Ione I perish through a double warres First in this painfull prison of my soule A world of dreadfull sins holpe thee to sight And Nature hauing lost her working power Yeeldes vp her earthlie Fortunes vnto death Next ouer VVar my soule is ouer preast In thee my Conscience loaden with misdeedes Sittes seeing my Conscience to ensue VVithout especiall fauour from aboue Ione Your Grace must account it a warriors crosse To make resist where daunger there is none Superdewe your Feuer by precious Art And helpe you still through hope of heauenlie aide Qu. Eli. The carelesse sleepe rule on the mountaines toppes That see the Sea-man floating on the swerge The threatning windes comes springing with the flouds To ouerwhelme and drowne his craised keele His tackes torne his sailes borne ouer boarde How pale like Vallowe flowres the mountaine standes Vppon his hatches waiting for his iearke Wringing his hands that ought to plaie the pompe Maie blaâ—e his feare that laboreth not for life So thou poore soule maie tell a seruile tale Maie councell me but I that prooue thy paine Maie heare thee talke but not redresse my harme But ghastlie death alreadie is addrest To gleane the latest blossome of my life My spirite failes me are these Friers come Enter the King and his brother in Friers weeds King Dominus vobiscum Edmund Et cum spiritu tuo Qu. Elinor Draw neare graue Fathers and approche my bed Forbeare our presence Ladies for a while And leaue vs to our secret conference King What cause hath moued your roiall Maiestie To call your seruaunts from their countreis bounds For to attend your pleasure here in Englands court Qu. Eli. See you not holie Friers mine estate My bodie weake inclining to my graue Edm. We see and sorrow for thy paine faire Queene Qu. Eli. By this eternall signes of my defectes Friers consecrate mine ineternall griefe My soule ah wretched soule within this brest Faint for to mount the Heauens with wings of grace A hundred by flocking troupes of sinne That stop my passage to my wished howres King The nearer Elinor so the greatest hope of health And daine to vs for to impart your quiet VVho by our praiers and counsaile ought to arme Aspiring soules to scale the heauenly grace Qu. Eli. Shame and remorse doth stop my course of speach King Madam you need not dread our conference VVho by the order of the holy Church Are all annoynted to sacred secrecie Qu. Eli. Did I not thinkeâ— naie were I not assured Your wisedomes would be silent in that cause No feare could make me to bewraie my selfe â—ue gentle fathers I haue thought it good Not to relie vppon these Englishmen But on your trothes you holy men of Fraunce Then as you loue your life and Englands weale Keepe secret my Confession from the king For why my storie nearelie toucheth him Whose loue compared with my losse delights With manie sorrowes that my heart affrights Edmund My heart misgiues King Be silent follow Frier Qu. Eli. In pride of youth when I was yong and faire And gracious in the king of Englands sight The daie before that night his Highnes should Possesse the pleasure of my wedlockes bed Caitife accursed monster as I was His brother Edmund beautifull and young Vppon my bridall couch by my concent Enioies the flowre and fauour of my loue The King be holdeth his brother wofully And I becam a Traitresse to my Lord King Facinus scelus in fandum nefas Edm. Madam through sickenes weakenes and your wittes t were verie good to bethinke yourselfe before you speake Qu. Eli. Good father not so weake but that I woe My heat doth rent to thinke vpon the time But whie exclaimes this holie Frier so Oh praie then for my faults religious man King T is charitie in men of my degree To sorrow for our neighbours hainous sinnes And Madam though some promise loue to you And zeale to Edmund brother to the King I praie the Heauens you both maie soone repent But might it please your Highnes to proceede Vnto this sinne a worser doth succeede Qu. Eli. For Ione of Acon the supposed child And daughter of my Lord the English King Is baselie borne begotten of a Frier Such time as I was their anued in Fraunce His one lie true and lawfull sonne my frendes He is my hope his sonne that should succeed Is Edward of Carnaruan latelie borne Now all the scruples of my troubled minde I sighing sound within your reuerent eares Oh praie for pittie praie for I must die Remitte my God the follie of my youth My groaned spirites attends thy mercies seate Queene Elinor dies Fathers farewell commend me to my King Commend me to my children and my friends And close mine eies for death will haue his due King Blushing I shut theie thine inticing lampes The wanton baites that make me sucke my bane Pirpus hardned flames did neuer reflect More hidious flames then from my brest arise VVhat fault more vilde vnto thy dearest Lord Our daughter base begotten of a Priest And Ned my brother partner of my loue Oh that those eies that lightned Cesars braine Oh that those lookes that mastered Phucebus brand Or else those lookes that staine Melisaes farre Should shrine discreet desire and lawles lust Vnhappie King dishonored in thy stocke Hence faigned weedes vnfaigned is my griefe Edm. Dread Prince my brother if my vowes auaile I call to witnes Heauen in my behalfe If zealous praier might driue you from suspect I bend my knees and humblie craue this boone That you will driue misdeedes out of your minde Maie neuer good betide my life my Lord If once I dreamde vppon this damned deede But my deceased sister and your Queene Afflicted with recurelesse maladies Impatient of her paine grew lunatick Discouering errors neuer dreamde vppon To proue this true the greatest men of all Within their learned volumes doe discord That all extreames and aland in naught but extremes Then thinke oh King her agonie
Palestine safe by his English Lords Receiued in triumphes like an earthly God He liues to weare his fathers Diadem And sway the sworde of brittish Albion But Elinor thy Elinor Lluellen And what of her Hath amorous Neptune gazd vpon my loue And stopt her passage with his forked mace Or that I rather feare O deadly feare Enamoured Nereus dooth he withhold my Elinor Guenther Nor Neptune Nereus nor other God Withholdeth from my gratious lord his loue But cruell Edward that iniurious king Withholds thy liefest louely Elmor Taking in a Pinnasse on the narrow seas By foure tall ships of Bristowe and with her Lord Emerick her vnhappie noble brother As from Mont argis hetherward they saild This say in breefe these letters tell at large Lluellen reades his brother Dauids letters Lluel Is Longshankes then so lustie now become Is my faire loue my beautious Elinor tane Villaine damnde villaines not to guard her safe Or fence her sacred person from her foes Sunne couldst thou shine and see my loue beset And didst not clothe thy cloudes in fierie coates Ore all the heauens with winged sulphure flames As when the beames like mounted combatants Battaild with Pyetion in the fallowed laies But if kinde Cambria deigne me good aspect To make me cheefest brute of westerne Wales I le short that gainlegd Longshanke by the top And make his flesh my murthering fawchions foode To armes true Britaine 's sprong of Troians seede And with your swordes write in the booke of Time Your Brittish names in Characters of bloud Owen ap Rice while we staie for further force Prepare awaie in poste and take with thee A hundred chosen of thy countrimen And scowre the marches with your Welshmens hookes That Englishmen may thinke the diuell is come Rice shall remaine with me make thou thy boade In resolution to reuenge these wronges With bloud of thousands guiltlesse of this rage Flie thou on them amaine Edward my loue Be thy liues bane Follow me countrimen VVords make no waie my Elinor is surprizd Robd am I of the comfort of my life And know I this and am not veng'd on him Exit Lluellen and the other lords Manet the Friar and Nouice Friar Come boie we must buckle I see The prince is of my profession right Rather than he wil lose his wenche He will fight Ab ouo vsque ad mala Nouice O maister doubt you not but your Nouice will prooue a whot shot with a bottle of Metheglin Exeunt ere the wenche fall into a Welsh song and the Friar aunswer and the Nouice betweene Enter the nine lordes of Scotland with their nine pages Gloster Sussex king Edward in his sute of Glasse Queene Elinor Queene Mother the King and Queene vnder a Canopie Iong. Nobles of Scotland we thanke you all For this daies gentle princelie seruice done To Edward Englands king and Scotlands lord Our Coronations due sollennitie Is ended with applause of all estates Now then let vs appose and rest vs heere But speciallie we thanke you gentle lords That you so well haue gouerned your greefes As being growne vnto a age all iarre You choose king Edward by your Messengers To calme to qualifie and to compound Thanke Britains strife of Scotlands climing peeres I haue no doubt faire lords but you well wot How factions waste the ritchest Commonwealth And discord spoiles the seates of mightie kings The Barons warres a tragicke wicked warre Nobles how hath it shaken Englands strength Industriouslie it seemes to me you haue Loiallie ventured to preuent this shock For which sith you haue chosen me your iudge My lord wil you stand to what I shall award Baliol. Victorious Edward to whom the Scottish kings Owe homage as their lorde and soueraigne Amongst vs nine is but one lawfull king But might we all be iudges in the case Then should in Scotland be nine kings at once And this contention neuer set or limited To staie these iarres we iointlie make appeale To thy imperiall throne who knowes our claimes We stand not on our titles before your grace But do submit our selues to your awarde And whome your Maiestie shall name to be our king To him wee le yeeld obedience as a king Thus willinglie and of their owne accorde Doth Scotland make great Englands king their iudge Lorg. Then nobles since you all agree in one That for a crowne so disagree in all Since what I do shall rest irreuocable And louelie England to thy louely Queene Louelie Queene Elinor vnto her turne thy eye Whose honor cannot but loue thee wel Holde vp your hands in sight with generall voice That are content to stand to our award They all holde vp their handes and say he shall Deliuer me the golden Diadem Loe here I holde the goale for which ye striued And heere behold my worthie men at armes For chiualrie and worthie wisdomes praise Worthie each one to weare a Diadem Expect my doome as erst at I da hilles The Goddesses deuine waited the award Of Danaes sonne Balioll stand farthest forth Baliol behold I giue thee the Scottish crowne Weare it with heart and with thankfulnes Sound Trumpets and say all after me God saue king Baliol the Scottish king The Trumpets sounds all crie aloud God saue King Baliol the Scottish king Thus lords though you require no reason why According to the conscience in the cause I make Iohn Balioll your anointed king Honor and loue him as behooues him best That is in peace of Scotlands crowne possest Baliol. Thankes roiall England for thy honor doone This iustice that hath calmd our ciuell strife Shall now be ceast with honourable loue So mooued of remorce and pittie We will erect a colledge of my name In Oxford will I build for memorie Of Baliols bountie and his gratitude And let me happie daies no longer see Then heere to England loyall I shall bee Elinor Now braue Iohn Balioll Lord of Gallaway And king of Scots shine with thy goulden head Shake thy speres in honour of his name Vnder whose roialtie thou wearst the same Queene Elinors speeche The welken spangled through with goulden spots Reflects no finer in a frostie night Then louely Longshankes in his Elinors eye So Ned thy Nell in euery part of thee Thy person 's garded with a troope of Queenes And euery Queene as braue as Elinor Giue glorie to these glorious christall quarries Where euery robe an obiect entertaines Of riche deuice and princelie maiestie Thus like Narcissus diuing in the deepe I die in honour and in Englands armes And if I drowne it is in my delight Whose companie is cheefest life in death From foorth whose currall lips I suck the sweete VVherewith are daintie Cupids candles made Then liue or die braue Ned or sinke or swim An earthlie blisse it is to looke on him On thee sweete Ned it shall become thy Nell Bounteous to be vnto the beauteous Ore prie the palmes sweete fountaines of my blisse And I will stand on tiptoe for a kisse
Edward a iollie boy Longsh. And Katherin who brings me that newes shal not goe emptie handed Exite omnes Enter Mortimor Lluellen and Meredith Mortimor Farewel Lluellen with thy louing Nell Exit Mortimor Lluellen Godamercy Mortimor and so farewel Mere. Farewel and be hangde half Sinons sapons brood Lluellen Good words Sir Rice wronges haue best remedy So taken with time patience and pollicy But where is the Friar who can tel Enter Friar That can I maister very wel And saie I faith what hath befel Must we at once to heauen or hel Elinor To heauen Frier Frier no fie Such heauie soules mount not so hie Frier lies downe Then Frier lie thee downe and die And if any aske the reason why Answere and say thou canst not tel Vnles because thou must to hel Eli No Frier because thou didst rebel Gentle Sir Rice ring out thy knel. Lluellen And Maddocke towle thy passing bel So there lies a strawe and now to the law maisters and friends naked came we in to the worlde naked are wee turnd out of the good townes into the wildernesse let mee saie Masse me thinkes we are a handsome Common-wealth a handful of goodfellowes set a sunning to dog on our own discretion what say you Sir we are enough to keepe a passage will you be ruled by mee wee le get the next daie from Brecknocke the booke of Robin Hood the Frier he shal instruct vs in his cause and wee le euen here fare and well since the king hath put vs amongst the discarding cardes and as it were turned vs with deuces and traies out of the decke euerie man take his standing on Mannocke deny and wander like irregulers vp and down the wildernesse I le be maister of misrule I le be Robin Hood that once cousin Rice thou shalt be little Iohn and hers Frier Dauid as fit as a die for Frier Tucke now my sweet Nel if you wil make vp the messe with a good heart for Maide marian and doe well with Lluellen vnder the greene wood trees with as good a wil as in the good townes why plena est curia Eli. My sweetest loue and this my infracte fortune could neuer vaunt har soueraignty and shouldest thou passe the foorde of Phlegeton or with Leander win the Hellispont in deserts Oenophrius euer dwell or builde thy bowre on Aetuas fierie tops thy Nel would follow thee and keepe with thee thy Nel would feede with thee and sleepe with thee Friar O Cupido quantus quantus Mere. Brauelie resolude Madam and then what rests my Lord Robin but we will liue and die together like Chamber Britaines Robin Hood little Iohn Frier Tucke and Maide marrian Llue. There rests nothing now cosin but that I sell my chaine to set vs all in greene and wee le al play the Pioners to make vs a caue and Cabban for al weathers Eli. My sweete Lluellen though this sweet bee gal Patience doth conquer me by out suffering al Frier Now Manmocke deny I hold thee a peny Thou shalt haue neither sheep nor goate But Frier Dauid Will fleeces his coate VVhere euer lacke my Nouice iet Al is fishe with him that comes to net Dauid this yeare thou paiest no dette Exeunt ambo Enter Mortimor solus Mortimor VVhy Frier is it so plaine in deede Lluellen art thou flatly so resolude To roust it out and roust so neare the king What shal we haue a passage kept in wales For men at armes and knights aduenturous By cocke Sir Rice I see no reason why Young Mortimor should make one among And play hi parton Mannocke dying here For loue of his beloued Elinor His Elinor where she this I wott The bitter Northern winde vppon the plaines The dampes that rise from out the quickly plots Nor influence of contagious aire should touch But shee should court yet with the proudest dames Rich in attire and sumptuous in her fare And take her ease in beds of safest Downe Why Mortimor may not thy offers moue And win sweet Elinor from Lluellens loue Why plesant gold and gentle eloquence Haue byset the chastest Nimphs the fairest dames And vants of words delights of wealth and ease Haue made a Nunne 10 yeelde Lluellens Being set to see the last of desperate chance Why should so faire a slarre stand in a vale And not be seene to sparkle in the skie It is enough Ioue change his glittering robes To see Mennosyne and the flies Maisters haue alter gentle Robinhood You are not so wel accompanied I hope But if a potter come to plaie his part You le giue him stripes or welcome good or worse Goe Mortimor and make their loue holidaies The king wil take a common scuse of thee And who hath more men to attend then Mortimor Exit Mortimor Enter Lluellen Meredith Frier Elinor and their traine They are all clad in greene c. sing c. Blith and bonny the song ended Lluellen speaketh Lluellen Why so I see my mates of olde All were not lies that Bedlams told Of Robin Hood and little Iohn Frier Tucke and Maide marian Frier I for sooth maister Lluellen How well they coucht in forrest green Frolike and liuelie with oaten teene And spent their daie in game and glee Lluellen doe seeke if ought please thee Nor though thy foot be out of towne Let thine looke blacke on Edwards Crowne Nor thinke this greene is not so gaie As was the golden rich array And if sweete Nel my Marrian Trust me as I am Gentle man Thou art as fine in this at tire As fine and fitte to my desire As when of Leisters Hal and bowre Thou wert the rose and sweetest flowres How saist thou Frier say I wel For anie thing becomes my Nell Frier Neuer made man of a woman borne A Bullockes taile a blowing horne Nor can an Asses hide disguise A Lion if he rampe and rise Eli. My Lord the Frier is wondrous wise Lluellen Beleeue him for he tels no lies But what doth little Iohn deuise Meredith That Robin Hood beware of spies An aged saying and a true Blacke wil take no other hue He that of old hath beene thy toe Wil die but wil continue so Frier O maisters whither shal we doth anie liuing creature knowe Lluellen Rice and I wil walke the round Frier see about the ground Enter Mortimor And spoile what praie is to be found My loue I leaue within in trust Because I knowe thy dealing lust Come Potter come and welcome to Fare as we fare and doe as we doe Exit Lluellen Meredith Frier Nell adiew we goe for newes A little serues the Frier's lust When nolens volens fast I must Maister at al that you refuse Mortimor Such a porter would I choose When I meane to blinde a skule While Robin walke with little Iohn The Frier wil licke his marrian So wil the Porter if he can Eli. Now Frier sith your lord is gone And you and I are left alone What can the Frier doe or saie
Englishe Edward stand agaste Versses Balioll hath chosen at this time to sturre To rouze him Lion like and cast the yoke That Scots ingloriouslie haue borne from thee And all the predecessors of thy line And make his roddes to reobtaine his rights And for his homage sends thee al this despight Edmund Why how now princockes pratest thou to a king Versses I doe my message truely from my king This sword and targot chide in lowder tearmes I bring defiance from king Iohn Balioll To English Edward and his Barons all Longsh. Mâ—ie so me thinkes thou defiest mee with a witnes Versses Balioll my king in Barwicke makes his Court His campe he spreads vppon the sandie plaine And dares thee to the battaile in his right Edmund VVhat Court and Campe in Englishmens despight Longsh. Hold messenger commend me to thy King Weare thou my chaine and carrie this to him Greete all his route of Rebels more or lesse Tel them such shamefull end will hit them all And wend with this as resolutely backe As thou to England broughst thy Scottish braues Tel then disdainefullie Balioll from vs VVee le rouze him from his hold and make him soone Disloge his Campe and take his walled towne Saie what I bid thee Versses to his teeth And earne this fauour and a better thing Versses Yes King of England whom my heart beloues Thinke as I promist him to braue thee heare So shall I bid Iohn Balioll bace from thee Longsh. So shalt thou earne my chaine and fauour Versses And carrie him this token that thou sendst VVhy now is Englands haruest ripe Barons now maie you reape the rich renowne That vnder warlicke colours springs in field And growes where ensignes wan vppon the plains False Balioll VVarwicke arwicke is no hold of proose To shrowd thee from the strength of Edwards arme No Scot thy Treasons feare shal make the breach For Englands pure renowne to enter one Omnes Amaine amaine vppon these treacherous Scottes Amaine saie all vppon these treacherous Scots Longsh. VVhile wee with Edmund Gloster and the rest VVith speedie iourne is gather vp our forces And beat these brauing Scots from Englands bounds Mortimor thou shalt take the route in taske That reuell here and spoile faire Cambria My Queene when shee is strong and well a foote Shall post to London and repaste her there Then God shall send vs happely all to meete And ioy the honors of our victories Take vantage of our foes and see the time Keepe stil our hold our fight yet on the plaine Balioll I come proud Balioll and ingrate Perswaded to chase thy men from Englands gate Exit Edward King Enter Balioll with his traine Balioll. Princes of Scotland and my louing friends VVhose neckes are ouer-wearied with the yoke And seruile bondage of these Englishmen List vp your hornes and with your brasen hoofes Spurre at the honor of your Enemies T is not ambitious thoughts of priuate rule Hath forst your king to take on him these Armes T is countreis cause it is the commons good Of vs and of our braue posterity to armes to armes Versses by this hath tolde the King our mindes And he hath braued proud England to the proofe VVe will renumerate his resolution With gold with glory and with kingly gifts Lorde By sweet Saint Ierem Versses will not spare To tell his message to the English King And beard the iolly Longshankes to his face VVere he the greatest Monarch in the world And here he comes his halter makes him hast Enter Versses Long liue my lord the rightfull King of Scots Balioll. Welcome Versses what newes from England Like to the measure of Scotlands King Versses Versses my Lord in tearmes like to himselfe Like to the messenger of Scottish King Defied the Peares of England and their lords That all his Barons trembles at my threats And Longshankes himselfe as dainted and amased Gazde on my face not witting what to say Till rouzing vp he shakte his threating haire Versses quoth he take thou King Edwards chaine Vppon condicion thou a message doe To Balioll false periurde Balioll For in these tearmes he bad me greete your Grace And gaue this halter to your excellences I tooke the chaine and gaue your Grace the rope Balioll. You tooke the chaine and giue my Grace the rope Lay hold on him why miscreaÌ„t recreant And darst thou bring a halter to thy King But I will quite thy paine and in that chaine Vppon a siluer Gallowes shalt thou hang That honored with a golden rope of England And a siluer Gibbet of Scotland Thou maist hang in the aire for fowles to feede vppon And men to wonder at awaie with him away After the sight of Iohn Balioll is done enter Mortimor pursuing of the Rebels Mort. Strike vp the drum follow pursue and chase Follow pursue spare not the proudest he That hauocks Englands sacred roialty Exit Morti. Then make the proclamation vpon the walles Sound Trumpets Enter Queene alone Now fits the time to purge our melancholly and bee reuenged vppon this London Dame Katherina Enter Katherina At hand Madam Queene Bring forth our London Maris here Kather. I will Madam Queene Now Nell be thee of some tortures for the Dame And purge thy choller to the vttermost Enter Maris and Katherine Now mistres Maris you haue attendance vrgde And therefore to requite your curtesie Our minde is to bestow an office on you straight Maris My selfe my life and seruice mighty Queen are humblie at your Maiesties commaund Queene Then mistres Maris saie whether will you be our Nurse or Landeres Maris Then maie it please your Maiestie to entertaine your handmaide for your Nurse shee will attende the craddle carefully Queene O no Nurse the Babe needes no great rockeing it can lull it selfe Katherina binde her in the chaire and let me see how shee le become a Nurse so now Katherin draw forth her brest and let the Serpent sucke his fil why so now shee is a Nurse sucke on sweet Babe Maris Ah Queene sweete Queene seeke not my bloud to spill For I shal die before this Adder haue his fil Queene Die or die not my minde is fullie pleased Come Katherina to London now wil we And leaue our Maris with her nurserie Kath. Farewel sweete Maris looke vnto the Babe Exeunt Queene and Kath. Maris Farewel proud Queen the Autor of my death The scourge of England and to English dames Ah husband sweete Iohn Bearmber Maior of London Ah didst thou know how Mary is perplext Soone wouldst thou come to Wales and rid me of this paine Here shee dies But oh I die my wishe is al in vaine Enter Lluellen running out before and Dauid with a halter ready to hang himselfe Lluellen The angry Heauens frownd on Brittains face To Ecclipse the glorie of faire Cambria VVith for or aspectes the dreadful Planets lowre Lluellen basely turne thy backe and flie No Welshmen fight it to the last and die For if my men safely haue got
in death Bereaues her sence and memorie at once So that shee spoke shee knew nor how nor what King Sir fir fain would your highnes hide your faults By cunning vowes and glosing tearmes of Arte And well thou maist delude these listning eares Yet neuer asswage by proofe this iealous heart Traitor thy head shal raunsome my disgrace Daughter of darkenes whose accursed bowre The Poet fained to liue vppon Auernus Whereas Cimerians darkenes checks the Sun Dauids iealousie afflict me not so sore Faire Queene Elinor could neuer be so false I but shee vowed these treasons at her death A time not fitte to fashion monstrous lies Ah my vngratefull brother as thou art Could not my loue naie more could not the law Naie further could not nature thee allure For to refraine from this incestuous sinne Hast from my sight call Ione of Acon here Exit Edmund The luke-warme spring distilling from his eies His othes his vowes his reasons rested with remorce From forth his breast impoisoned with suspect Faine would I deeme that false I finde too true Enter Ione of Acone I come to know what Englands King commands I wonder why your Highnes greetes me thus With strange regarde and vnacquainted tearmes Ki. Ah Ione this wonder needes must wound thy brest For it hath well nigh slaine my wretched heart Ione What is the Queen my soueraigne mother dead Woes in vnhappie Ladie we begonne King The Queene is dead yet Ione lament not thou Poore soule guiltles art thou of this deceite That hath more cause to curse then to complaine Ione My dreadful soule assailed with dolefull speach Ioynes me to bow my knees vnto the ground Beseeding your most roiall Maiestie To rid your woefull daughter of suspect King I daughter Ione poore soule thou art deceaued The King of England is no scorned Priest Ione Was not the Ladie Elinor your spouse And am not I the ofspring of your loins King I but when Ladies liste to runne astraie The poore supposed father weares the horne And pleating leaue their Liege in Princes laps Jone thou art daughter to a leacherous Frier A Frier was thy father haplesse Ione Thy mother in profession vowes no lesse And I vilde wretch which sorrowed hard no lesse Ione What am I then a Friers base borne brat Presumptuous wretch why preasse I fore my king How can I looke my husband in the face Why should I liue since my renowne is lost Awaie thou want on weede hence worlds delight Shee fals groueling on the ground Porcrine abbasia come vintoet flianco Defluer chain boceail fren glisproni alfianco King O sommo Dio come i guâ—dneo humans Spesse offuscan son danu membo oscunro Haplesse and wretched lift vp thy heauie head Nurse not so much as this vnhappie chance Vnconstant Fortune still will haue her course Ione My King my King let Fortune haue her course Flie thou my soule and take a better corse Aies me from roiall state I now am faine You purple springs that wander in my vaines And whilom wants to feede my heauie heart Now all at once make hast and pittie me And stop your powers and change your natiue course Disolue to aire your luke-warme blouddie streames And cease to be that I maie be no more Your curled lockes draw from this cursed head A base her pompe for Ione is baselie borne Ah Gloster thou poore Gloster hast the wrong Shee sodainly dies at the Queenes beds feete Die wretch hate death for Ione hath liued too long King Reuiue thee haples Ladie greeue not thus In vaine speake I for shee reuiues no more Poore haplesse soule thy owne espected mones Hath wrought her soddaine and vntimelie death Enter Edmund Gloster running with Ladies and conuaies Ione of Acon awaie Lords Ladies hast ah Gloster art thou come Then must I now present a Tragedie Thy Ione is dead yet grieue thou not her fall Shee was too base a spouse for such a Prince Gloster Conspire you then with Heauens to work my harmes O sweete asswagers of our martiall misse Desired death depriue me of my life That I in death maie end my life and loue King Gloster thy King is partner of thy heauines Although nor tongue nor eies bewraie his meane For I haue lost a flowre as faire as thine A loue more deare For Elinor is dead But since the heauen lie ordinance decrees That all thinges change in their prefixed time Be thou content and beare it in thy breast Thy swelling griefe as needes I must mine Thy Ione of Acon and my Queene deceast Shall haue that Honor as beseemes their state You peeres of England see in roiall pompe These breathles bodies be entombed straight With tried colours couered all with blacke Let Spanish steedes as swift as fleeting winde Conuaie these Princes to their funerall Before them let a hundred mourners ride In euerie time of their enforste aboade Reare vp a crosse in token of their worke Whereon faire Elinors picture shall be plaste Arriued at London neare our Pallas bounds Interre my louelie Elinor late deceast And in remembraunce of her roialtie Erect a rich and statelie carued Crosse Whereon her stature shall with glorie shine And hence forth see you call it Charing crosse For why the chancest and the choisest Queene That euer did delight my roiall eies Their dwell in darkenes whilst I die in griefe But soft what tidings with these Purciuants Enter Messenger approch from Mortimor Messenger Sir Roger Mortimor with all Sussex as earste your Grace by message did commaund is here at hande in purpose to present your Highnes with his signes of victorie and trothles Balioll their accursed King with fire and sword doth threat Northumberland King How one affliction cals another ouer First death torments me then I feele disgrace Againe Lluellen he rebels in VVales And false Balioll meanes to braue me to But I will finde prouision for them all My constancie shall conquer death and shame And Mortimor t is thou must hast to wales And rouse that Rebel from his starting holes And rid thy King of his contentions foe VVhilst I with Elinor Gloster and the rest With speedie iourney gather vp our force And beat these brauing Scots from out our bounds Courage braue Souldiers fates hath done their worst Now Vertue let me triumphe in thine aide Exite Edward Gloster solus Gloster Now Ione of Acon let me mourne thy fal Sole here alone now set thee downe and sigh Sigh haples Gloster for thy sodaine losse Pale death alas hath bannished all thy pride Thy wedlocke vowes how ought haue I beheld Enter Mortimor with the head Thy eies thy lookes thy lippes and euerie part How nature store in them to shew their Art In shine in shape in colour and compare But now hath death the enemie of loue Staind and deformed the shine the shape the reede With pale and dimnes and my loue is dead Ah dead my loue vile wretch whi cam I liuing So willeth fates and I must be contented All pompe in time must fade and grow to nothing VVept I like Niobe yet it profits nothing Then cease my sighs since I maie not regaine her And woe to wretched death that this hath slaine her Exit Gloster Yours By George Peele Maister of Artes in Oxenford Finis
To passe the wearie time away Wearie God wot poore wench to thee That neuer thought these daies to see Mortimor Breake heart and split mine eies in twaine Neuer let me heare those wordes againe Frier What can the Frier doe or saie To passe the wearie time awaie More dare I doe then he dare saie Because he doubts to haue away Eli. Doe somewhat Frier saie or sing That may to sorrowes so lace bring And I meane while wil Garlands make Morti. O Mortimor were it for thy sake A Garland were the happiest stake That euer this hand vnhappie drew Frier Mistres shal I tel you true I haue a song I learnd it long agoe I wot not whether yo le like it wel or ill T is short and sweete but somewhat brolde before Once let me sing it and I aske no more Eli. What Frier will you so indeede Agrees it somewhat with your neede Frier Why mistres shal I sing my creede Eli. That 's fitter of the two at neede Morti. O wench how maist thou hope to speede Frier O mistres out it goes Looke what comes next the Frier throes The Frier sittes along and singes Morti. Such a sitting who euer saw An Eagles bird of a Iacke dawe Eli. So Sir is this all Morti. Sweete heart here 's no more Eli. How now good fellow more indeede By one then was before Frier How now the diuel in steede of a dittie Morti. Frier a dittie come late from the cittie To aske some pitty of this lasse so pretty Some pitty sweete mistres I praie you Eli. How now Frier where are we now and you play not the man Frier Friend Copes mate you that come late from the Cittie To aske some pittie of this lasse so prettie In likenes of a doleful dittie Hang me if I doe not paie yee Mortimor O Frier you grow chollericke wel yo le Haue no man to Court your mislers but your selfe On my word I le take you downe a botton hole Frier Ye talk ye talke childe Enter Lluellen and Meredith Lluellen T is wel potter you fight in a good quarrel Meredith Mas this blade wil holde let mee see then Frier Frier Mines for mine owne turne I warrant giue his Tooles rise and le ts to it but no and you loue me I skorne the oddes I can tel you see faire play and you be Gentlemen Lluellen Mary shal we Frier let vs see be their staues of a length good so now let vs deeme of the matter Frier and Potter without more clatter I haue cast your water and see as deepe into your desire as he that hadde diued everie day into your bosome O Frier wil nothing serue your turne but Larkes Are such fiue birds for such course Clarkes None but my Marian can serue your turne Eli. Cast water for the house wil burne Frier O mistres mistres flesh is fraile Ware when the signe is in the taile MIghtie is loue and doth preuaile Lluellen Therefore Frier shalt thou not faile But mightily your foe assaile And thrash this Potter with thy flaile And Potter neuer raue nor raile Not aske questions what I aile But take this toole and doe not quaile But thrash this Friers russet cote They take the Flailes And make him sing a dastards note And crie Peccaus miserere Dauid In amo amavi Goe to Mortimor Strike strike Frier Strike Potter be thou liefe or loth And if you le not strike I le strike for both Potter strikes He must needs go that the diuel driues Then Frier beware of other mens wiues Frier strikes I wish maister proud Potter the Diuell haue my soule But I le make my flaile circumscribe your noule Lluellen Why so now it cottens now the game beginnes One knaue currieth another for his sinnes Frier kneeles O maister short en my offences in mine eies If this Crucifige doe not suffice Send me to Heauen in a hempen sacrifice Frier kneeles O maisters maisters let this bee warning The Frier hath infected me with his learning Lluellen Villains do not touch the forbidden haire now to delude or to dishonor me Frier O maister quae nagata sunt grata sunt Lluellen Rice euery day thus shal it be wee le haue a thrashing set among the Friers and he that of these chalengers laies on slowest loade be thou at hand Rice to gore him with thy gode Frier A Potter Potter the Frier may rue That euer this day this our quarrel he knew My pate adle mine armes blacke and blue Potter Ah Frier who may his fates force eschew I thinke Frier you are prettilie scholde Frier And I thinke the Potter is handsomlie coold Exeunt ambo Morti. No Martimor here that Eternal fire That burnes and flames with brands of hot desire Why Martimor why doest thou not discouer Thy selfe her knight her liegeman and her louer Exit Martimor Enter Iohn Balioll King of Scots with his traine Lords of Albana and my peeres in France Since Balioll is inuested in his rights And weares the roial Scottish Diadem Time is to rouze him that the world may wotte Scotland disdaines to carrie Englands yoke Therefore my friend thus put in readines Why slacke we time to greete the English king With resolute message to let him know our minds Lord Versses though thy faith and oath be tane To follow Baliols armes for Scotlands right Yet is thy heart to Englands honor knit Therefore in spite of England and thy selfe Beare thou defiaunce proudly to thy king Tel him Albania findes heart and hope To shake of Englands tiranny be time To reskue Scotlands honor with his sword Lorde Bruce see cast about Versses necke A strangling halter that he minde his hast How farest thou Versses wilt thou doe this message Versses Although no comon post yet for my king I wil to England maugre Englands might And doe mine arrand boldly as becomes Albeit I honor English Edwards name And hold this slauish contemnment to skorne Balioll. Then hie away as swift as swallow flies And meete me on our rodes on Englands ground We there thinke of thy message and thy hast Sound Trumpets Exit Balioll. Enter King Edward Longshankes Edmund Duke of Lancaster Gloster Sussex Dauid Crespall booted from Northam Longsh. Now haue I leasure Lords to bid you welcome into Wales Welcome sweet Edmund to christen thy young nephew And welcome Cressingham giue me thy hand But Sussex what became of Mortimor We haue not seene the man this manie a daie Sussex Before your highnes rid frō hence to Northam Sir Roger was a suter to your Grace Touching faire Elinor Lluellens loue And so belike denide with discontent A discontinues from your Roial presence Longsh. Why Sussex saide we not for Elinor So she would leaue whom she had loued too long Shee might haue fauour with my Queene and me But man her minde about her fortune mounts And that 's a cause she failes in her accounts But goe with me my lord of Lancaster We will goe see my beauteous louely
Queene That hath inricht me with a goodly boye King Edward Edmund and Gloster goes into the the Queenes Chamber the Queenes Tent opens shee is discouered in her bed attended by Mary Dutches of Lancaster Ione of Acon her daughter the Queen dandles his young sonne Longsh Ladies by your leaue how doth my Nell mine owne my loue my life my heart my deare my doue my Queene my wife Eli. Ned art thou come sweet Ned welcome my ioy Thy Nell presents thee with a louely boy Kisse him and christen him after thine owne name Hey ho whom doe I see my lord of Lancaster welcome hartely Lancaster I thanke your grace sweet Nell wel mette withall Q. Eli. Brother Emund hers a kinsman of yours you must neede be acquainted Edmund A goodly boy God blesse him giue mee your hand Sir you are welcome into Wales Qu. Eli. Brother ther 's a fist I warrant you wil holde Mace as fast as euer did father or grandfather before him Longsh. But tel in now lapt in Lillie bands How with my Queen my louely boye it stands After thy iourney and these child bed paines Qu. Eli. Sicke mine owne Ned thy Nell for thy companie That lured her with thy lies all so farre To follow thee vnweldie in thy warre But I forgiue thee Ned my lims delight So thy young sonne thou see be brauelie dight And in Carnaruan christened roiallie Sweet loue let him be lapt most curiouslie He is thine owne as true as he is thine Take order then that he be passing fine Longsh My louelie Ladie let that care be lesse For my young sonne the countrey wil I feast And haue him borne as brauely to the funt As euer yet Kings sonne to Christning went Lacke thou no precious thing to comfort thee De reare then Englands Diadem vnto me Qu. Eli. Thankes gentle Lord nurse rocke the Cradle fie The King so neare and here the boie to crie Ione take him vp and sing a Lullabie Longsh. T is wel beleeue me wench godamercie Ione Edmund Shee learnes my Lord to lull a young one of her owne Qu. Eli. Giue me some drinke Longsh. Drinke Nectar my sweete Nell Worthy for seat in heauen with Ioue to dwell Eli. Gramercis Ned now wel remembred yet I haue a suite sweete lord but you must not denie it Whereas my Lord of Gloster good Clare mine host my guide Good Ned let Ione of Acon be his bride Assure your selfe that they are throughly wooed Longsh. God send the King be taken in the mood Then Neece t is like that you shall haue a husband Come hither Gloster hold giue her thy hand Take her sole daughter to the Queene of England Longsh. giues her to Gloster For newes hee brought Nell of my young sonne I promist him as much as I haue done Gloster and Ione hand in hand We humbly thanke your maiestie Edmund Much ioy may them betide A gallant bridegrome and a princely bride Longsh. Now say sweete Queene what doth my Lady craue Tell me what name shal this young Welshman haue Borne Prince of wales by Cambrias full consent Eli. Edward the name that doth me wel content Longsh. Then Edward of Carnaruan shal he be And Prince of Wales christned in roialtie D. Edmund My Lord I thinke the Queene woulde take a nappe Ione Nurse take the childe and hold in your lappe Longsh. Farewell good Ione be careful of my Queen Sleepe Nell the fairest Swan mine eies haue seene They close the Tent D. Edmund I had forgot-to aske your Maiesty How doe you with the Abbies here in Wales Longsh. As kings with rebels Mun our right preuails We haue good Robin Hood and little Iohn The Frier and the good Maid marrian Why our Lluellen is a mightie man Gloster Trust me my Lord me thinks t were very good That some good fellowes went and scourd the wood And take in hand to cudgell Robin Hood I thinke the Frier for all his lusty lookes Nor Robin rule with their gleames and hookes But would be quickely driuen to the nookes Dauid I can assure your highnes what I knowe The false Lluellen will not runne nor goe Or giue an inche of ground come man for man Nor that proude rebel called little Iohn To him that welds the massiest sword of England Gloster Welshman how wilt thou that we vnderstand But for Lluellen Dauid I denie England hath men will make Lluellen flie Maugre his beard and hide him in a hole VVearie of Englands dints and manly dole D. Edm. Gloster grow not so hot in Englands right That paints his honor out in euerie sight Long. By Gis faire Lords ere many daies be past England shall giue this Robin Hood his breakfast Dauid be secrete friend to that I saie And if I vse thy skill thou knowest the waie VVhere this proude Robin and his yeomen rome Dauid I do my Lord and blindfold thither can I run Longsh. Dauid enough as I am a Gentleman I le haue one merrie flirt with little Iohn And Robin Hood and his Maide marrian Be thou my counsell and my companie And thou maist Enlands resolution see Enter Sussex before the foure Barons of Wales Sussex May it please your maiestie here are 4. good Squires of the Cantréds where they do dwell come in the name of the whole countrey to gratulate vnto your highnes all your good fortunes and by me offer their most humble seruice to your young sonne their Prince whom they most heartely beseech God to blesse with long life and honor Longsh. Wel said Sussex I pray bid them come teare Sir Dan trust me this is kindly don of your cuntrey me Dauid Villains Traitors to the ancient glory and renowne of Cambria Morris Vaghan art thou there and thou proude Lord of Anglesee They kneele downe Enter Sussex with the foure Barrons of Wales with the Mantle of frise Mantle Barrons The poore countrey of Cambria by vs vnworthie messengers gratulats to your maiesty the birth of your young sonne Prince of Wales and in this poore prest express their most zealous duetie and affection which with all humblenes we present to your highnes sweete and sacred hands Longsh Gramercis Barons for your giftes and good wils by this means my boie shal weare a Mantle of cuntries weauing to keepe him warm and liue for Englands honor and Cambrias good I shall not neede I trust curteously to inuite you I doubt not Lords but you wil be all in readines to waite on your young Prince and doe him honor at his christning Sussex The whole countrey of Cambria round about all wel horst and attended on both men and women in their best array are come downe to doe seruice of loue and honour to our late born Prince your Maiesties son and honnie the men and women of Sowdone especially haue sent in great abundance of cattle corn enough by computacion for your highnes housheld a whole month and more Long. We thank them all and wil present our Q with