then about your charge I wyll fore sée The Confort of Musick well plast to be Dow. I am gone syr Exit Actus 1. Scena 5. The Bedall of the Taylers Phallax BE. Heare you maister Phallax The Wardens of the Marchantaylers are Where with themselues they shall their Pageaunt place Phal With what strange showes doo they their Pageaunt graces Be. They haue Hercules of Monsters conqueryng Huge great Grants in a forest fighting With Lyons Beares VVolues Apes Foxes and Grayes Baiards Brockes c. Phal O woudrons frayes Marry syr since they are prouided thus Out of their wayes God kéepe Maister Pediculus Be. You are plesaunt syr but with spéede I pray You aunswere mée I was charged not to stay Phal Because I know you haue all things currant They shall stand where they shal no viewers want How say you to the ende of Ducke Alley Be. There all the beggers in the towne wil be Phal O most attendaunce is where beggers are Farewell away Be. I wyll your wyll declare Exit Actus 1. Scena 6. Phallax Two men apparrelled lyke greene men at the Mayors feast with clubbes of fyre worke PHal. This geare fadgeth now that these fellowes peare Friendes where waight you First In Iesus stréete to keepe a passadge cleare That the King and his trayne may passe with ease Phal O very good Second Ought else Syr do you please Phal No no about your charge Both. We are gone Exeunt Phal A syr heare is short knowledge to entertayne a kyng But O O quid non pecunia yea at a dayes warning The king in prouision that thought to take vs tardy As if we had a yeare bene warnd shall by his welcome sée I haue yet one chare to do but soft heare is Rotko I must néedes delyuer him a messadge before I goe Actus 1. Scena 7. Rosko Phallax Ros I sayth I haue noble newes for Lamia Phal Nay soft friend Rosko take myne in your way Ros Mayster Phallax Osyd I cry you mercy Phal Rosko with speede tell thy Mistris from mée The King straight wayes wyll come to the Cytie In whose great trayne there is a company Within her house with moe shall mery be Therefore for my sake wyll her to foresée To welcome them that nothing wanting be This is all I wyll for want of leysure Exit Ros I wyll not fayle syr to show your pleasure Mary in fayth these newes falles iumpe with the rest They shal be welcome and fare of the best But although they well fyll their bodyes thus Their purses will be dryuen to a non plus No force a whyt each pleasure hath his payne Better the purce then body starue of wayne Well I wyll trudge my welcome newes to tell And then abroade good company to smell Exit Actus 1. Scena 8. Coruinus the King Cassandra two counsellers And Vaislao a young noble man. KYng Cassandra we draw neare vnto the Towne So that I wyll that you from vs depart Tyll further of our pleasure you doe heare Yet rest assur'd that wycked Promos Shall abide such punishment as the world Shall hould mée iust and cleare thee of offence Cas Dread soueraigne as you wyl Cassandra goeth hence Exit King. I playnely see it tendes to great behoue That Prynces oft doo vayle their eares to heare The Misers playnt for though they doe appoynt Such as they thynke will Iustice execute Aucthority is such a commaunder As where as men by office beareth sway If they their rule by conscience measure not The poore mans ryght is ouercome by might If loue or hate from Iustice leade the Iudge Then money sure may ouer rule the case Thus one abuse is cause of many moe And therefore none in Iudges ought to be How Rulers wrong fewe tales are tould the King The reason is their power keepes in awe Such men as haue great cause for to complayne If Cassandra her goodes nay lyfe preferd Before reuenge of Promos trechery I had not knowne his detestable rape The which he forst to saue her brothers lyfe And furthermore Andrugios raunsome payde I had not knowne be put him vnto death For when good soule she had this treason tould Through very shame her honour so was spoyld She drewe her knyfe to wound her selfe to death Whose pysious plyght my hart prouockt to wrath At Promos wyles So that to vse undifferency to both Euen in the place where all these wronges were none My selfe am come to syt vpon the cause But see where Promos and the Mayor waight To welcome mee with great solemnity With cheereful showe I shadowe wyll the hate I beare to him for his insolency Perhaps I may learne more of his abuse Whereby the more his punishment may be Come my Lords to the Towne haste we apace All speake We all are prest to wayght vpon your Grace Actus 1. Scena 9. ¶ Promos Maior three Aldermen in red Gownes vvith a Sworde bearer awayghtes the Kinges comming Promos his briefe Oration PRo Renowned King lo here your faithful subiects preast to show The loyall duetie which in ryght they to your highnesse owe. Your presence cheares all sorts of vs yet ten times more we ioye You thinke vs stoarde our warning short for to receyue a Roye Our wyll is such as shall supplie I trust in vs all want And where good wyll the welcome geues prouision syld is scant Loe this is all yea for vs all that I in wordes bestowe Your Maiestie our further zeale in ready deedes shall knowe And first dreade King I render you the swoorde of Iustice heare Which as your Liuetenant I trust vprightlie I dyd heare The King delyuers the Sworde to one of his Counsell KIng Promos the good report of your good gouernment I heare Or at the least the good conceyte that towards you I beare To incourage you the more in Iustice to perseauer Is the chéefe cause I dyd addresse my Progresse heather Pro. I thanke your Highnesse The Maior presentes the King with a fayre Purse MA. Renowned King our ready wylles to showe In your behalfe our goodes nay lyues to spende In all our names I fréelie here bestowe On your Highnes this Purse vnto this ende To poâ—◠〈◊〉 your most Royall Maiestie In all our wealth therto bounde by duetie Kin Your great good wyls and gyfts with thanks I take But kéepe you styll your goodes to do you good It is inough and all that I do craue If néedes compels for your and our safety That you in part your proffers large performe And for this time as outward showes make proofe It is inough and all that I desire That your harts and tongues alyke byd me welcome All. Lord preserue your Maiesty ¶ Fiue or sixe the one halfe men the other vvomen neare vnto the Musick singing on some stage erected from the ground During the first parte of the song the King faineth to talke sadlie vvith some of his Counsell The Kings Gentleman Vsher. Forewards my Lordes They
Yet once againe on knees I mercie seeke In his behalfe that hanges twene death and life Who styll is preast if you the mendes do leeke His lawles loue to make his lawfull wife Pro. Faire Dame I wel haue wayd thy sute wish to do thée good But all in vaine al things conclude to haue thy brothers blood The stricknes of the lawe condempnes an ignoraunt abuse Then wylfull faultes are hardlie helpt or cloked with excuse And what maye be more wylfull then a Maide to violate Cas The force was smal when with hir wyl he wretch the conquest gate Pro. Lawe euer at the worst doth conster euyl intent Cas And lawe euen with the worst awardes them punishment And sith that rigorous lawe adiudgd him to dye Your glorie will be much the more in showing him mercie The world wil think how the you do but graūt him grace on cause And where cause is there mercy should abate the force of lawes Pro. Cassandra in thy brothers halfe thou hast sayde what may be And for thy sake it is if I doe set Andrugio frée Short tale to make thy beauty hath surprysed mee with loue That maugre wit I turne my thoughts as blynd affections moue And quite subdude by Cupids might néede makes mée sue for grace To thée Cassandra which doest holde my fréedome in a lace Yéelde to my will and then commaund euen what thou wilt of mée Thy brothers life and all that else may with thy liking grée Cas Cassādra to hir self And may it be a Iudge himself the selfe same fault should vse For which he domes an others death O crime without excuse Renowned Lorde you vse this speach I hope your thrall to trye If otherwise my brothers life so deare I will not bye Pro. Faire Dame my outward looks my inward thoughts bewray If you mistrust to search my harte would God you had a kaye Cas If that you loue as so you saye the force of loue you know Which fealt in conscience you should my brother fauour show Pro. In doubtfull warre one prisoner still doth set another frée Cas VVhat so warre séekes loue vnto warre contrary is you sée Hate fostreth warre loue cannot hate then maye it couet force Pro. The Louer ofte sues to his foe and findeth no remorse Then if he hap to haue a helpe to wyn his frowarde foe Too kinde a foole I will him holde that lets such vantage goe Cas Well to be short my selfe wyll dye ere I my honor staine You know my minde leaue off to tempt your offers are in vaine Pro. Bethink your self at price inough I purchase sweet your loue Andrugios life suffis'd alone your straungenes to remoue The which I graunt with any wealth that else you wyll require Who buyeth loue at such a rate payes well for his desire Cas No Promos no honor neuer at value maye be solde Honor farre dearer is then life which passeth price of golde Pro. To bnie this Iuell at the full my wife I may thée make Cas For vnsure hope that péereles pearle I neuer will forsake Pro. These sutes seemes strange at first I see wher modesty beares sway To himself I therfore wil set down my wyll for hir answer staye Fayre Cassandra the iuell of my ioye Howe so in showe my tale seemes straunge to thee The same well waide thou need'st not be so coye Yet for to giue thee respite to agree I wyll two daies hope styll of thy consent VVhich if thou graunt to cleare my clowdes of care Cloth'd like a Page suspect for to preuent Vnto my Court some night sweet wenche repaire Tyl then adue thou these my words in works perform'd shalt find Cas Farewel my Lord but in this sute you bootles wast your wind Cassandra O most vnhappy subiect to euerie woe What tōgue can tel what thought cōceiue what pen thy griefe can show Whom to scurge Nature heauē earth do heapes of thral ordain Whose words in waste whose works are lost whose wishes are in vain That which to others cōfort yéelds doth cause my heuy chéer I meane my beautie bréedes my bale which many hold so deere I woulde to God that kinde else where bestowed had this blase My vertues then had wrought regard my shape now giues the gase This forme so Promos fiers with Loue as wisdom can not quench His hote desire tyll he lust in Venus seas hath drencht At these wordes Ganio must be readie to speake Actus 3. Scena 3. Ganio And rugios boye Cassandra GA. Mistres Cassandra my Master lōgs to heare of your good spéed Cas Poore Ganio his death-alas fierce Fortune hath decréed Ga. His death God forbyd all his hope should turne to such successe For Gods sake go and comfort him I sorrowe his distresse Cas I néedes must go although with heauy chéere Ga. Sir your syster Cassandra is here Exit Actus 3. Scena 4. Andrugio out of prison Cassandra on the stage AN. My Cassandra what newes good sister showe Cas All thinges conclude thy death Andrugio Prepare thy selfe to hope it ware in vaine An. My death alas what raysed this new disdayne Cas Not Iustice zeale in wicked Promos sure An. Swéete show the cause I must this dome indure Cas If thou dost liue I must my honor lose Thy raunsome is to Promos fleshly wyll That I do yelde then which I rather chose With torments sharpe my selfe he first should kyll Thus am I bent thou séest thy death at hand O would my life would satisfie his yre Cassandra then would cancell soone thy band An. And may it be a Iudge of his account Can spot his minde with lawles loue or lust But more may he doome any fault with death When in such faute he findes himselfe iniust Syster that wise men loue we often sée And where loue rules gainst thornes doth reason spurne But who so loues if he reiected be His passing loue to péeuish hate will turne Deare sister then note how my fortune stands That Promos loue the like is oft in vse And sith he craue this kindnesse at your hands Thinke this if you his pleasure do refuse I in his rage poore wretch shall sing Peccaui Here are two euyls the best harde to digest But where as things are driuen vnto necessity There are we byd of both euyls choose the least Cas And of these euils the least I hold is death To shun whose dart we can no meane deuise Yet honor lyues when death hath done his worst Thus fame then lyfe is of farre more emprise An. Nay Cassandra if thou thy selfe submyt To saue my life to Promos fleashly wyll Iustice wyll say thou dost no cryme commit For in forst faultes is no intent of yll Cass How so th' intent is construed in offence The Prouerbe saies that tenne good turnes lye dead And one yll deede tenne tymes beyonde pretence By enuious tounges report abrode doth spread Andrugio so my fame shall vallewed bee Dispite wyll blase my
the Law from right to wrong La. If lawe you do professe I gladlie craue In a cause or two your aduise to haue Phal To resolue you you shall commaunde my skyll Wherfore like friendes le ts common in good wyll La. You are a merie man but leaue to ieast To morrowe night if you will be my Geast At my poore house you shall my causes knowe For good cause which I meane not here to showe Phal Willinglie and for that haste calles me hence My sute tyll then shall remaine in suspence Farewell Clyent to morrow looke for me Exit La. Your good welcome Sir your best cheere will be Ros I tolde you earst the nature of Phallax Money or faire Women workes him as waxe And yet I must commend your sober cheere You tolde your tale as if a Saint you were La. Well in seeréete be it sayde how so I séemd diuine I feared once a blew gowne would haue bene my shrine But nowe that paine is flead and pleasure kéepes his holde I knowe that Phallax will my Fame henceforth vpholde To entertaine which Geast I will some dayntie chéere prepare Yet ere I go in pleasant Song I meane to purge my care The Song ⧠A due poore care adue Go cloye some helples wretche My life to make me rue Thy forces do not stretche Thy harbor is the harte Whom wrong hath wrapt in woe But wrong doth take my parte VVith cloke of right in shoe My faultes inquirie scape At them the Iudges winke Those for my fall that gape To showe my lewdnesse shrinke Then silly care go packe Thou art no Geast for mee I haue and haue no lacke And lacke is shrowde for thee Exeunt Actus 3. Scena 7. Cassandra apparelled like a Page CAs Vnhappy wretche I blush my selfe to sée Apparelled thus monstrous to my kinde But oh my weedes wyll with my fault agrée When I haue pleasde lewde Promos fleshlie minde What shall I doo go proffer what he sought Or on more sute shall I giue my consent The best is sure since this must néedes be wrought I go and showe neede makes me to his bent My fluddes of teares from true intent which floe Maye quenche his lust or ope his musled eyen To sée that I deserue to be his wife Though now constrainde to be his Concubine But so or no I must the vent er giue No daunger feares the wight prickt foorth by néede And thus lyke one more glad to dye then lyue I forewarde set God graunt me well to speede Exit Actus 4. Scena 1. Dalia Lamias Maide going to market DA. With my Mistresse the worlde is chaunged well She fearde of late of whipping cheere to smell And nowe againe both gallant fresh and gaye Who in Iulio flauntes it out lyke Lamia A luckie friende yea one that beareth swaye Is nowe become a proppe of such a staye ▪ To hir good name as who is he dare saye That Lamia doeth offende nowe any waye This hir good friende wyll be hir Geast this night And that he maye in his welcome delyght To market I. in haste am sent to buye The best cheare that I fasten on my eye Exit Actus 4. Scena 2. Promos alone PRo By proofe I finde no reason cooles desire Cassandraes sute suffised to remoue My lewde request but contrarie the fire Hir teares inflam'd of lust and filthy Loue. And hauing thus the conquest in my handes No prayer seru'de to worke restraint in mee But needes I woulde vntye the precious bandes Of this fayre Dames spotles Virginitie The spoyle was sweete and wonne euen as I woulde And yet vngainde tyll I had giuen my trothe To marie hir and that hir brother shoulde Be free from death all which I bounde with oathe It resteth nowe vnlesse I wrong hir much I keepe my vowe and shall Andrugio lyue Such grace woulde mee with vnindifferencie tuch To pardon him that dyd commit a Rape To set him free I to Cassandra sware But no man else is priuie to the same And rage of Loue for thousande oathes nyll spare More then are kept when gotten is the game Well what I sayde then Louer like I sayde Nowe reason sayes vnto thy credite looke And hauing well the circumstaunces wayde I finde I must vnsweare the oathe I tooke But double wrong I so should do Cassandra No force for that my might commaundeth right Hir preuie manne hir open cryes will staye Or if not so my frowning will hir fright And thus shall rule conceale my filthy deede Nowe foorthwith I wyll to the Gayler sende That secretelie Andrugio he behead Whose head he shall with these same wordes commend Actus 4. Scena 5. Gayler Andrugio GAy. Andrugio as you loue our liues forthwith post you away For Gods sake to no lyuing friend your safety yet bewraye The prouerbe sayth two may kéepe counsell if that one be gone An. Assure thy selfe most faithful friend I wylbe knowne to none To none alas I sée my scape yéeldes mee but small reléefe Cassandra and Polina wyll destroye themselues with greefe Through thought that I am dead they dead to liue what helpeth me Gay Leaue of these plaints of smal auaile thank God that you are free For God it was within my mind that did your safety moue And that same God no doubt wyl worke for your and their behoue An. Most faithful friend I hope that God wyl worke as you do say And therfore to some place vnknowne I wyl my selfe conuaye Gayler fare wel for thy good deede I must remayne thy debter In meane whyle yet receyue this gyft tyll fortune sends a better Gay God bwy syr but kepe your mony your need you do not know An. I pas not now for fortuns threats yea though hir force she show And therefore styck not to receyue this smale reward in part Gay I wyll not sure such proffers leaue t ys time you doe depart An. Since so thou wilt I wylbe gone adue tyl fortune smile Exit Gay Syr fare you wel I wyl not fayle to pray for you the while Well I am glad that I haue sent him gone For by my fayth I lyu'd in perlous feare And yet God wot to see his bytter mone When he should dye would force a man forbeare From harming him if pitty might beare sway But see how God hath wrought for his safety A dead mans head that suffered th' other day Makes him thou'ht dead through out the citie Such a iust good and righted is God is he Although awhyle he let the wicked raygne Yet he releeues the wretch in misery And in his pryde he throwes the tyraunt downe I vse these wordes vpon this onely thought That Promos long his rod can not escape Who hath in thought a wylfull murder wrought Who hath in act performd a wicked rape Gods wyll be done who well Andrugio speede Once well I hope to heare of his good lucke For God thou knowest my conscience dyd this déede And no desire of any
byd their seruaunts packe Alas Mistresse if you turne mée off now Better then a Roge none wyll me allowe La. Thou shalt haue a Pasporte Ros Yea but after what sorte La. Why that thou wart my man. Ros O the Iudge sylde showes the fauour To let one théefe bayle another Tush I know ere long you so wyll slyp awaye As you for your selfe must séeke some testimony Of your good lyfe La. Neuer feare honestly Lamia nowe meanes to lyue euen tyll she dye Ros As iumpe as Apes in vewe of Nuttes to daunce Kytte wyll to kinde of custome or by chaunce Well howe so you stande vpon this holy poynt For the thing you knowe you wyll ieobarde a ioynt La. Admitte I woulde my hazarde were in vaine Ros Perhappes I know to turne the same to gaine La. Thou comforts mée good Rosko tell mée howe Ros You wyl be honest 't were fyn to hinder you La. I dyd but ieast good swéete seruaunt tell mée Ros Swéete seruaunt now and late pack syr god bwy ye La. Tush to trye thy vnwillingnesse I dyd but ieast Ros And I doo but trye how long you woulde be honest La. I thought thy talke was too sweete to be true Ros Yea but meant yon to byd honestie adue La. No I dyd so long since but inforste by neede To byd him welcome home againe I was decréede Ros Verie good Mistresse I know your minde And for your ease this remedie I finde Prying abroade for playe fellowes and such For you Mistresse I hearde of one Phallax A man estéemde of Promos verie much Of whose Nature I was so bolde to axe And I smealt he lou'd lase mutton well La. And what of this Ros Marry of this if you the waye can tell To towle him home he of you wyll be fayne Whose countenaunce wyll so excuse your faultes As none for life dare of your lyfe complaine La. A good deuice God graunt vs good successe But I praye thee what trade doth he professe Ros He is a paltrie petyfogger La. All the better suspition wyll be the lesse Well go thy wayes and if thou him espye Tell him from mee that I a cause or two Woulde put to him at leysure wyllinglie Ros Hir case is so common that smal pleading wyl serue I go nay ronne your commaundement to obserue La. Aye me alas lesse Phallax helpe poore wench vndone I am My foes nowe in the winde wyll lye to worke my open shame Now enuious eyes will prie abroade offenders to intrap Of force now Lamia must be chaste to shun a more mishap And wanton girle how wilt thou shift for garments fine and gay For dainty fare can crusts cōtent who shal thy houserent pay And that delights thee most of all thou must thy daliaunce leaue And can then the force of lawe or death thy minde of loue bereaue In good faith no the wight that once hath tast the fruits of loue Vntill hir dying daye will long Sir Chaucers iests to proue Actus 1. Sce. 4. Lamias mayde Lamia MAy Forsooth Mistris your thraule stayes for you at home La. Were you borne in a myll curtole you prate so hye May. The gentelman that came the last day with Captain Prie La. What young Hipolito May. Euen he La. Least he be gone home hye And will Dalia pop him in the neather roome And kéepe the falling doore close tyll I come And tell my thraule his fortune wyll not staye Exet. May. Wyll you ought else La. Pratyng vixen away Gallants adue I venter must Hipolito to sée He is both young and welthy yet the better spoyle for mée My hassard for his sake I trewe shall make him pray and pay He he shal pranck me in my plumes and deck mee braue and gay Of Curtisie I praye you yet if Phallax come this waye Report to put a case with him heare Lamia long dyd stay Exet. Actus 2. Scena 1. Cassandra a Mayde CAss Aye mee vnhappy wenche that I must liue the day To see Andrugio tymeles dye my brother and my stay The onely meane God wot that should our house aduaunce Who in the hope of his good hap must dy through wanton chance O blynde affectes in loue whose tormentes none can tell Yet wantous wyll hyde fyre and frost yea hassard death nay hell To taste thy sowre swéete frutes digested styll with care Fowle fall thee loue thy lightning ioyes hath blasted my welfare Thou fyerst affection fyrst within my brothers brest Thou mad'st Polina graūt him earst euen what he would request Thou mad'st him craue and haue a proofe of Venus meede For which foule act he is adiudgd eare long to lose his heade The lawe is so seuere in scourging fleshly sinne As marriage to worke after mends doth seldome fauor win A law first made of zeale but wrested much amis Faults should be measured by desart but all is one in this The lecher fyerd with lust is punished no more Then he which fel through force of loue whose mariage salues his sore So that poore I dispayre of my Audrugios lyfe O would my dayes myght end with his for to appease my stryfe Actus 2. Scena 2. Andrugio in prison Cassandra AN. My good Syster Cassandra Cass Who calleth Cassandra An. Thy wofull brother Andrugio Cas Andrugio O dismall day what gréefes doe mée assayle Condempned wretch to see thee here fast fettered now in Iayle Now haps thy wits were witched so the knowing death was meede Thou wouldest commit to stay vs both this vile laciuious deede An. O good Cassandra leaue to check and chide me thraule therfore If late repentaunce wrought me helpe I would doe so no more But out alas I wretch too late doe sorrowe my amys Vnles Lord Promos graunt me grace in vayne is hady wist Wherfore sweete sister whylst in hope my dāpned lyfe yet were Assaulte his hart in my behalfe with battering tyre of teares If thou by sute doest saue my lyfe it both our ioyes will be If not it may suffice thou soughst to set thy brother free Wherefore speede to proroge my dayes to morrowe else I dye Cas I wyll not fayle to pleade and praye to purchase the mercye Farewell a whyle God graunte mee well to speede An. Syster adew tyl thy returne I lyue twene hope and breede Cas Oh happy tyme see where Lord Promos coms Now tongue addresse thy selfe my minde to wray And yet least haste worke waste I hold it best In couert for some aduauntage to stay Actus 2. Scena 3. ¶ Promos with the Shriefe and their Officers PRo T is strange to thinke what swarms of vnthrifts liue Within this towne by rapine spoyle and theft That were it not that Iustice ofte them gréeue The iust mans goods by Ruflers should be reft At this our Syse are thirty iudgde to dye Whose falles I sée their fellowes smally feare So that the way is by seuerity Such wicked weedes euen by the rootes to teare
gone a foole company him In good soothe Sir this match fadged frim Well I wyll trudge to finde my tellewe Rowke To share the price that my deuise hath tooke Exit Actus 5. Scena 6. Cassandra in blacke CAs The heauy chardge that Nature bindes me too I haue perform'd ingrau'd my Brother is O woulde to God to ease my ceaseles woo My wretched bones intombed were with his But O in vaine this bootelesse wish I vse I poore I must lyue in sorrowe ioynde with shame And shall he lyue that dyd vs both abuse And quench through rule the coles of iust reuenge O no I wyll nowe hye me to the King To whome I wyll recount my wretched state Lewde Promos rape my Brothers death and all And though with shame I maye this tale relate To prooue that force enforced me to fall When I haue showne Lorde Promos fowle misdeedes This knife foorthwith shall ende my woe and shame My gored harte which at his feete then bleedes To scorge his faultes the King wyll more inflame In déedes to doo that I in woordes pretende I nowe aduise my iourney to the King Yet ere I go as Swans sing at their ende In solemne Song I meane my knell to ryng Cassandraes Song SIth fortune thwart doth crosse my ioyes with care Sith that my blisse is chaungde to bale by fate Sith frowarde chaunce my dayes in woe doth weare Sith I alas must mone without a mate I wretch haue vowde to sing both daye and night O sorrowe slaye all motions of delight ¶ Come grieslie griefe torment this harte of mine Come deepe dispaire and stoppe my loathed breath Come wretched woe my thought of hope to pine Come cruell care preferre my sute to death Death ende my wo which sing both daye and night O sorrowe slaye all motions of delight Exit FINIS G. W. ⧠The seconde part of the Famous Historie of Promos and Cassandra Set forth in a Comicall Discourse by George Whetstone Gent. Formae nulla fides ⧠The seconde parte of the Historie of Promos and Cassandra Actus 1. Scena 1. ¶ Polina in a blewe Gowne shadowed with a blacke Sarcenet going to the Temple to praye vpon Andrugios Tombe PRomise is debt and I my vowe haue past Andrugios Tombe to wash with daylie teares Which Sacrifice although God wot in waste I wyll performe my Alter is of cares Of fuming sighes my offring incense is My pittious playntes in steede of Prayers are Yea woulde to God in penaunce of my mys I with the rest my loathed lyfe might share But O in vaine I wish this welcomde ende Death is to slowe to slaye the wretched wight And all to soone he doth his forces bende To wounde their hartes which wallowe in delight Yet in my care styll goes my passing Bell So ofte as I. Andrugios death doo minde So ofte as men with poynted fingers tell Their friendes my faultes which by my weedes they finde But O the cause with Death which threates me most I wysh to dye I dye through wretched woe My dying harte desires to yéelde the ghost My traunces straunge a present death foreshowe But as the reede doth bow at euery blast To breake the same when rowghest stormes lackes might So wretched I with euery woe doe waste Yet care wants force to kyll my hart out ryght O gratious God and is my gilt so great As you the same with thousand deathes must wreake You will it so else care I could intreate With halfe these woes my thryd of lyfe to breake But what meanst thou Polina most accurst To muse why God this pennaunce ioynes thée to Whose correction although we take at worst To our great good he doth the same bestow So that syth grése can not relyue my friend Syth scorching syghes my sorrowes cannot drye Syth care himselfe lackes force my lyfe to ende Syth styll I lyue that euery howre doe dye Syth mighty God appoyntes my pennaunce so In mornefull song I wyll my patience show Polinas Song A Myd my bale the lightning ioy that pyning care doth bring VVith patience cheares my heauy hart as in my vvoes I sing I knovv my Gilt I feele my scurge my ease is death I see And care I fynde by peecemeale vveares my hart to set mee free O care my comfort and refuge feare not to worke thy vvyll VVith patience I thy corfiues byde feede on my life thy fyll Thy appetyte vvith syghes and teares I dayly vvyl procure And wretched I wil vaile to death throw when thou wilt thy Lure Exit Polina Actus 1. Scena 2. Enter a Messenger from the King. I Haue at length though wéery come in troth Obtaynd a fight of Iulios stately walles A Kings message can not be done with floth Whome he bids goé must runne through myre and dyrt And I am sent to Lord Promos in post To tel him that the king wyll sée him strayght But much I feare that Promos néedes not bost Of any gayne by his soueraygnes receyte But Holla tongue of lauysh spéeche beware Though subiects oft in Princes meaning prye They must their words and not their myndes declare Vnto which course I wyll my tongue apply Lord Promos shall my princes comming know My prince himselfe the cause thereof shall show Exit Actus 1. Scena 3. Rosko Lamias man. ROs I st possible that my Mistris Lamia Ouer the shooes should bâ—yn loue with Phallax Why by Iesâ—â— as she her selfe doth saye With pure good ioyll her harte doth melt lyke waxe And this I am sure euery howre they themselues By their sweete selues or by their letters greete But the sporte is to see the louing elues Byll together when they in secret meete She lowres he lauffes she syghes threwe pure loue Nay nay sayes he good pugges no more of this Well sayes shee and wéepes my griefe you do not proue Then strayght this storme is cheared with a kys And then a both sides three wordes and a smouch Within hir eare then whispereth this slouch And by the way he stumbleth on her lyppes Thus eyther stryues most louing signes to show Much good doo it them syth they are both content Once I am sure how so the game doth goe I haue no cause their lyking to repent I syldome doe betweene them message beare But that I haue an Item in the hande Well I must trudge to doe a certaine chare Which take I tyme cocke for my gayne doth stand Actus 1. Scena 4. Phallax Dowson a Carpenter PHal. Dispatch Dowson vp with the frame quickly So space your roomes as the nyne worthyes may Be so instauld as best may please the eye Dow. Very good I shall Phal Nay soft Dowson stay Let your man at saynt Annes crosse out of hande Ereckt a stage that the Wayghts in sight may stande Dow. Wyll you ought else Phal Soft awhyle let mée sée On Iesus gate the fowre vertues I trow Appoynted are to stand Dow. I syr they are so Phal Wel
Leaue mone swete wife I doe deserue this death Farewell farewell They all depart saue Polina Cassandra and her vvoman CAs My louing Lorde farewell I hope ere long my soule with thine shall dwell Po. Now good Madame leaue of this bootelesse griefe Cas O Polina sorrowe is my reliefe Wherfore sweete wenche helpe me to rue my woe With me vyle wretche thy bytter plaintes bestowe To hasten lyngring death who wanteth might I sée alone to sley the wretched wight Po. Nay first powre foorth your playnts to the powers Diuine When hate doth clowde all worldly grace whose mercies styll do shine Cas O so or no thy motion doeth well Swan lyke in song to towle my passing Bell. The Song of Cassandra ¶ Deare Dames diuorse your minds frō ioy helpe to bewayle my wo Condole with me whose heauy sights the pangs of death do shoe Rend heairs shed teares poore wēch distrest to hast the means to dye VVhose ioye annoy reliefe whose griefe hath spoyld with crueltie My brother slaine my husband ah at poynt to lose his head VVhy lyue I then vnhappy wench my suckers being dead O time O cryme O cause O lawes that Iudgd them thus to dye I blame you all my shame my thrall you hate that harmelesse trye This Tragidy they haue begun conclude I vvretched must O vvelcome care consume the thread thereto my life doth trust Sound bell my knell avvay delaie and geue mee leaue to dye Les hope haue scope vnto my hart a fresh for ayde to flye Enter Ganio sometime Andrugios Boye GA. O swéete newes for Polina and Cassandra Andrugio lyues Po. What doth poore Ganie saye Ga. Andrugio lyues and Promos is repriu'd Cas Vaine is thy hope I sawe Andrugio dead Ga. Well then from death he is againe reuyu'd Euen nowe I sawe him in the market stead Po. His wordes are straunge Cas Too swéete God wot for true Ga. I praye you who are these here in your view Cas The King. Ga. Who more Po. O. I see Andrugio Cas And I my Lorde Promos adue sorrowe Enter the King Andrugio Promos Vlrico the Marthall PO. My good Andrugio An. My swéete Polina Cas Lyues Andrugio welcome swéete brother An. Cassandra Cas I. An. Howe fare my deare Syster King. Andrugio you shall haue more leysure To gréete one another it is our pleasure That you forthwith your Fortunes here declare And by what meanes you thus preserued weare An. My faull through loue and iudgement for my faulte Lorde Promos wronges vnto my Sister done My death supposde dreade King were vaine to tell Cassandra heare those dealinges all hath showne The rest are these When I should dye the Gayler mou'd to ruth Declard to mée what Promos pleasure was Amazde wherat I tolde him all the trueth What betwene Cassandra and him dyd passe He much agrieu'd Lorde Promos guylt to heare Was verie lothe mée wofull man to harme At length iust God to set me wretched cleare With this defence his wylling minde dyd arme Two dayes afore to death were diuers done For seuerall faultes by them committed So that of them he tooke the head from one And to Cassandra the same presented Affirming it to be bi r brothers head Which done by night he sent me post away None but supposed that I in déde was dead When as in trueth in vncouth hauntes I laye In fine a Clowne came peaking through the wood Wherin I lyu'd your Graces being here And Promos death by whome I vnderstood Glad of which newes howe so I lyud in feare I ventured to sée his wretched fall To free suspect yet straunger lyke arayde I hether came but loe the inwarde thrall Of Cassandra the hate so sore dismayde Which I conceyued agaynst my brother Promos That loe I chews'd to yeeld my selfe to death To set him free for otherwyse I knew His death ere long would sure haue stopt her breath Loe gratious king in breefe I here haue showne Such aduentures as wretched I haue past Beseeching you with grace to thinke vpon The wight that wayles his follyes at the last King. A strange discourse as straungely come to light Gods pleasure is that thou should'st pardoned be To salue the fault thou with Polina mad'st But marry her and heare I set thee frée An. Most gratious Prince thereto I gladly grée Poli. Polina the happiest newes of all for thee Cas Most gratious King with these my ioye to match Vouchsafe to geue my dampned husbande lyfe King. If I doo so let him thanke thée his Wife Cassandra I haue noted thy distresse Thy vertues eke from first vnto the last And glad I am without offence it lyes In me to ease thy griefe and heauines Andrugio sau'd the iuell of thy ioye And for thy sake I pardon Promos faulte Yea let them both thy vertues rare commende In that their woes with this delyght doth ende Company God preserue your Maiestie Pro. Cassandra howe shall I discharge thy due Cas I dyd but what a Wife shoulde do for you King. Well fince all partes are pleased as they woulde Before I parte yet Promos this to thee Henceforth forethinke of thy forepassed faultes And measure Grace with Iustice euermore Vnto the poore haue euermore an eye And let not might out countenaunce their right Thy Officers trust not in euery tale In chiefe when they are meanes in strifes and sutes Though thou be iust yet coyne maye them corrupt And if by them thou dost vniustice showe T ys thou shalt beare the burden of their faultes Be louing to good Cassandra thy Wife And friendlie to thy brother Andrugio Whome I commaund as faythfull for to be To thée as beseemes the duety of a brother And now agayne thy gouernment receyue Inioye it so as thou in Iustice ioye If thou be wyse thy fall maye make thee ryse The lost shéepe founde for ioye the feast was made Well here an ende of my aduise I make As I haue sayde be good vnto the poore And Iustice ioyne with mercie enermore Pro. Most gratious King I wyll not fayle my best In these preceptes to followe your beheast FINIS G. Whetstone Loue hate and gaine the causes of Iniustice The scurge of lawe and not zeale keepeth the lewde in awe Note The force of loue A good lawe yll executed Might masters right The strumpets and Crocodiles teares a lyke ¶ Imprinted at London by Richarde Ihones and are to be solde ouer agaynst Saint Sepulchres Church without Newgate August 20. 1578.
crime but not the cause And thus although I fayne would set thée free Poore wench I feare the grype of slaunders pawes An. Nay sweete sister more slaunder would insawe Your spotles lyfe to reaue your brothers breath When you haue powre for to enlarge the same Once in your handes doth lye my lyfe and death Way that I am the selfe same flesh you are Thinke I once gone our house will goe to wrack Knowe forced faultes for slaunder neede not care Looke you for blame if I quaile through your lack Consider well my great extremitie If other wise this doome I could reuoke I would not spare for any ieberdye To free thee wench from this same heauy yoke But ah I see else no way saues my life And yet his hope may further thy consent He sayde he maye percase make thee his wife And t' is likelie he can not be content With one nights ioye if loue he after seekes And I dischargd if thou aloofe then be Before be lose thy selfe that so he leekes No dought but he to marryage wyll agree Cas And shall I sticke to stoupe to Promos wyll Since my brother inioyeth lyfe thereby No although it doth my credit kyll Ere that he should my selfe would chuse to dye My Andrugio take comfort in distresse Cassandra is wonne thy faunsome great to paye Such care she hath thy thraldome to releace As she consentes her honor for to slay Farewell I must my virgins weedes forsake And lyke a page to Promos lewde repayre Exit An. My good sister to God I thee betake To whome I pray that comforte change thy care Actus 3. Scena 5. Phallax alone PHal. T is more then straunge to see Lord Promos plight He fryskes abought as byrdes ware in his breech Euen now he seemes through hope to taste delight And straight through feare where he clawes it doth not ytch He museth now strayght wayes the man doth sing A sight in sooth vnseemely for his age He longing lookes when any newes shal bring To speake with him without there waytes a page O worthy wit fyt for a Iudges head Vnto a man to chaunge a shiftles mayde Wyncke not on me t was his and not my deede His nay his rule this Metamorphos made But Holla tongue no more of this I pray Non bonus est ludere cum sanctis The quietest and the thryftiest course they say Is not to checke but prayse great mens amys I finde it true for soothing Promos vaine None lyke my selfe is lykte in his conceyte While fauour last then good I fist for gaine For Grace wyll not byte alwayes at my bayte And as I wish at hande good Fortune see Here coms Phallax and Gripax but what 's this As good as fayre handsell God graunt it bee The knaues bring a Woman Coram nobis Actus 3. Scena 6. ¶ Phallax Gripax Rapax a Bedell and one with a browne Byll bring in Lamia and Rosko hir man. LA. Teare not my clothes my friends they cost more thē you are a ware Be. Tush soon you shal haue a blew gown for these take you no care Ro. If she tooke thy offer poore knaue thy wife would starue w cold Gri. Well syr whipping shall kéepe you warme Phal What meanes these knaues to scolde Ra. Maister Phallax we finde you in good time A VVoman here we haue brought afore you One to be chargde with many a wanton crime Which tryall will with proofe inough finde true A knaue of hirs we haue stayed likewise Both to be vs'd as you shall vs aduise Phal What call you hir name Ra. Lamia Phal Faire Dame hereto what do you saye La. Worshipfull Sir my selfe I happy reake VVith patience that my aunswer you will heare These naughtie men these wordes on mallice speake And for this cause yll wyll to me they beare I scornde to kéepe their mindes with money playe I meane to kéepe my life from open shame Yea if I lyu'd as lewdlie as they saye But I that knewe my selfe vnworthy shame Shrunk not to come vnto my triall nowe My tale is tolde conceyue as lyketh you Phal My friends what proofe haue you against this dame Speake on sure ground least that you reape the shame The wrong is great and craues great recompence To touch her honest name without offence Gri. All Iulio Syr doth ryng of her lewd lyfe Byl. In deede she is knowne for an ydle huswife Ros He lyes she is occupied day and night Phal To sweare against her is there any wight Ra. No not present but if you do detayne her There wil be found by oth some that wyll stayne her Phal I see she is then on suspition stayde Whose fawltes to search vpon my charge is layde From charge of her I therfore will set you frée My selfe will search her faultes if any be A Gods name you may depart 2 or 3. speake God bwy Syr. Gri. In such shares as this henceforth I will begin For all is his in his clawes that commeth in Exeunt Phal Fayre Lamia since that we are alone I plainely wyll discourse to you my minde I thinke you not to be so chast a one As that your lyfe this fauor ought to fynde No force for that since that you scot free goe Vnpunished whose life is iudged yll Yet thinke through loue this grace the Iudge doth show And loue with loue ought to be answered styll La. Indeede I graunt although I could reproue Their lewde Complayntes with goodnesse of my lyfe Your curtesy your detter doth me proue In that you tooke ▪ my honest fame in stryfe My aunswere for discharge of their report For which good turne I at your pleasure rest To worke amends in any honest sort Phal Away with honesty your answeare then in sooth Fyts me as iumpe as a pudding a Friars mouth Ros He is a craftie childe dally but do not La. Tush I warrant thee I am not so whot Your wordes are too harde Sir for me to conster Phal Then to be short your rare bewtie my hart hath wounded so As saue your loue become my leach I sure shall die with woe La. I see no signe of death in your face to appeare T is but some vsuall qualme you haue pitifull Dames to fears Phal Faire Lamia trust me I faine not betimes bestow som grace La. Well I admit it so onelie to argue in your case I am maried so that to set your loue on me were vaine Phal It suffiseth me that I may your secrete friend remaine Ros A holie Hoode makes not a Frier deuoute He will playe at small game or he sitte out La. Though for pleasure or to proue me these profers you do moue You are to wise to hassarde life vpon my yeelding loue The man is painde with present death that vseth wanton pleasure Phal To scape such paine wise men these ioyes without suspect cā measure Furthermore I haue ben my Girle a Lawier to too lōg If at a pinche I cannot wrest