Execution straight All that have Names contain'd within this Pardon Her Foolish Father Proud Northumberland And his three other Sons Away with 'em When that is Acted as she likes the Shew Let they begin it Come my Lord. Exeunt Gard. and Pemb Ia. Come to me Gilford cleave thou to my Breast Till as one Soul we one lov'd Body grow And equal Pain and equal Death divide us Gilf. O Iane Ia. What dire thoughts possess my Love Gilf. Oh! Ia. Breathe thy Immortal Soul with mine at once And let us mount on Wings of Cherubims together Gilf. But e'er that comes there is a gloomy Vale A Darkness worse than Chaos to be pass'd How shall I wander how go through the Maze Without thy hand to guide Ia. Thou dearer far Than new born Babes are to their tender Mothers Fear not my Love I 'll trust thee from thy Iane No farther than the Nurse her tender Charge She fain wou'd teach to go watching its steps Beholds it trip but e'er it falls to Ground Catches it thus and hugs it in her Arms. Gilf. Wilt thou Ia. I 'll overtake thee in that dreadful Vale Hallow aloud and cry My Love where art thou But e'er my Voice can reach thee thou shalt spy The Nuptial Beams fresh kindl'd in my Eyes To bring me to thee stumbling as thou art And bear my Child away Gilf. Be not so tender if thou mean'st to part Thou give'st me Kisses and instead of dreining Dost pour more Oil into my dying Lamp Re-enter Pembrook and Gardner Ia. My Lords is my unhappy Father dead Pemb. He is no more I saw the Ax as Mortal as the Plague In one short space sweep Families away Northumberland dy'd sullen and reserv'd Made a short Speech and then as short a Prayer Beg'd Pardon of the Queen and said he dy'd A real Convert to the Church of Rome Ia. Heav'n spare his Faults and Crown his just Intent Gilf. Are they all dead Pemb. They are But oh how pitiful it was to see There lay the Duke with his three Sons surrounded Like a vast Oak its Branches spreading wide By some huge Storm laid flat upon the ground Thy Father's Death O Iane succeeded his Gilf. There wanted me to make the Pomp more awful Pemb. Permit me oh to end this dreadful Tale For sure my Tongue was doom'd to tell thee Horrors Thy Mother likewise in a Fit of Frenzie Resign'd her Spirit to that milder Region Where Souls refine like purest Gold from dross Ia. Enough enough Gilf. Break Heart of Adamant enough Ia. Then our turn 's next lead which way must we follow And where commerce the last Degree of Mortals Since like the first of all my Sinful Sex I wrought my dearest Husband to his Fall 'T is just I lead the way to Punishment Gilf. By that kind simpathizing Sun who to Avoid the dismal Object of thy Death Is now retir'd behind you Cloud to mourn I swear thou shalt not By our Loves I charm thee If e'er thou wert Obedient or had Virtue Let me die first Cruel Hard-hearted Iane If thou deny'st me this Ia. Thou art my Lord. Gilf. Come bring me to your Shambles Where 's my Death Gard. Draw then that Curtain Ia. O hear the tender voice of Pity cry Do not disclose that dreadful Scene of Horror But lead my Love some other way Pemb. Do so Gilf. O Iane That precious Purple nearest to my Heart In whose pure Stream the Soul imbalm'd does lie Is not so hugg'd within my Breast as thou Yet we must part For lo the Fight 's prepar'd And Honour calls me to begin the Charge Remember Iane Ia. Courage Heroick Gilford Face but this Tyrant of the World a Moment Then see thy Iane her self shall quickly come And bring thee Succors from the Camp of Love Shall chace grim Death and all its Fears away Farewell Gilf. O Dart there is no Armour against thee Darkness and Death attends it on a suddain O Star O Planet of my Life Farewell Ia. No more Farewell Gilf. When this tempestuous Blast I go to meet Has blown my glimmering Flame of Life quite out O haste thou Brightness to relume my Torch Ia. Our Loves bright Tapers ne'er shall be extinguish'd This parting 's but the Door that 's shut between us But when that 's o'er and Death has broke the Bars We 'll mingle and unite our Beams together Let endless silence now like Seas divide us Thy Lips end all their Charms in this last Kiss And lock thy Speech for ever in my Bosom Gilf. A Sigh or Groan cannot be call'd a Word Hands Eyes and Heart conclude my Mournful Song For thy Commands like Death have charm'd my Tongue Pemb. How now my Lord Wants this the Virtue to extract your Pity My Eyes are too big loaded to be hid Were Bonner in thy place a' wou'd have wept Yet save his Life and thine To Jane Gard. Lead him away tho' stubborn as she is We will have Pity on his Youth my Lord. Some Reverend Prelate of the Faith be by Invoke the Saints say Mattins for his Soul And sprinkle him with Pardon Ia. Courage my Gilford shut thy Eyes and Ears Be Blind and Deaf to all their Tricks and Prayers Let not one Superstitious Drop remain But with thy Tears wash off the Brinish stain Whilst they their Picture-Gods invoke to hear Call thou on Luther Cranmer Latimer One Syllable of theirs shall aid thee more Than all the thousand Saints that they adore Gard. Away with him Gilf. O Iane Ia. Turn turn my Gilford one last look again Expand thy longing Arms 't is not in vain And take my Wishes though deny'd thy Iane. Exit Gilford to Execution Pemb. Unhappy Pair O Innocent Usurper Ia. Dry up those Tears and now with Joy prepare To do your last kind Office to your Mistress When I am dead and laid upon the Scasfold Protect I pray these bashful Limbs from Shame See not in Death their Innocence expos'd That when alive had awful Modesty To Guard 'em Here receive this Scarf It was my Maiden-Present to my Gilford In it I wrought the Tale of Iphegenia A Fatal Omen of this Fatal Day Doom'd by her Cruel Parent to be Slain In this when th' Ax has done its welcome Office Be sure you wrap my Husband's Head and with it This Head that 's to be Sacrific'd to Peace Now I am ready Scene draws and discovers Gilford and the rest lying upon it beheaded Is then this Pomp of Death this dreaded Horrour So talk'd on and so fear'd by all Mankind So quickly o'er Come bring me to the Test Where is my Lord Pemb. There Look not upon 't methinks it shou'd offend you Ia. Not at all What signifies this Clay that mangl'd Head The broken Casket now the Jewel 's fled Gilford I come this Moment sends me to thee Pemb. Yet save thy exquisite and precious Life Gard. Do not these dismal Objects stir thee No fright nor fear of Pain can make thee turn Yet hear Ia. Away with me were they alive again Shou'd Father Mother Kindred all Joyn'd with this fatal number with me fall And in the very Moment of their Deaths Shot Curses on me with their flying Breaths To save their gasping Lives I wou'd not chuse One hour of Immortality to lose Sou'd all your torterous Racks on me be try'd Broil me on Grid-Irons turn the other side Till-the Abortive Infant where it lay Shou'd from my flaming Intrails burst its way To my vow'd Faith I 'll be for ever true In spight of all your Roman Gods and you Curtain falls FINIS
my welcome Son let me embrace you But are you griev'd for this Apostacy A real Catholick now and do believe There is no other Faith on Earth to save you And are resolv'd to die in that Opinion North. I am and by my Vows and Tears confirm it Gard. O then let me adopt thee North. Best of Fathers Mine gave me Birth and launch'd me to the World He lent this Frame but you an Arm to steer it O Pilate of the Soul blest Guide to Heav'n That with the softest and the mildest Function Brings Man to Glory through a Milky way Gard. Enough North. Cou'd I but win my Gilford too in death To Seal the Roman Faith with Dudley's Blood Then had I all that I can wish Gard. O Miracle That were a Triumph worthy of the Cause Mark me O gallant Duke Bring but young Gilford home to deck Rome's Lawrels And that proud Champion of their Worship Iane To make thee happy and reward thee greatly The Powers of either World shall be at strife I 'll give thee Heav'n the Queen shall grant thee Life North. Shall they have Mercy too Gard. Yes all shall live I 'll instantly about it to the Queen Who shall send Orders to conduct you to ' em Enter Dutchess of Suffolk Behold fall'n Man the Slaughter of Ambition Pride like a Vulture tears the lovely Quarry This Woman once an Angel in her Sphere Has now within her Breast a greater Hell Than those damn'd Spirits that for her vice so fell Why is this Fury let abroad Dutch I come to seek a Virtuous Priest like thee And that I may be sure I hunt by Night Grope in the Dark Gard. And why by Night Dutch O there 's a Reason for it For mind me Sirs by Day they are as thick As Whales in Forrests or as Stars at Noon So thick they cross the Scent Besides by Day we know not one from t'other They all look grave and wise like Thee and Godly But then at Midnight mark me if I find As 't is a chance and very rare my Lords One on his knees a Fasting and a Praying Then I let loose my Guard of Furies on him That worry him to Death I 'll have no Praying Amongst your Tribe at all but in the Pulpit Nor Fasting but at Meals Ha! what does ail me Gard. A little sick of Pride a Fit o' th' Mother Dutch Ha! am I troubled then with thy Disease I 'll turn Physician first and kill more Bodies Than thou hast made despair and murder'd Souls Say Reverend Hypocrites wilt thou teach me Gard. 'T is like she 'd fall to Physick after eating Dutch Ha! now you talk of eating rarely thought Pray will your Lordship sup with me to Night Gard. Why Dutch I invite you to a Dish you love Gard. What is 't Dutch It is a fine plump Diocess Larded with six fat Parsonages at least Besides two Bishopricks of Hereticks Sticking like Gizards to it in Comendam Gard. Malice and Pride turns Witchcraft straight or Madness This sickness of the Mind ill bodes the Body You are not well Repent and think of dying Dutch I will not think of Death this twenty I am non fifty yet and find my self As gay and young as any of my Daughters Look I not killing fit to grace the Park Looks in her Pocket-Glass I 'll take the Air to Night My Charriot ready Hear me you Slaves be sure I have my Coach Which the Queen said was finer than her own I 'll have eight Horses too to draw me thither Six is a sneaking number Fy upon it My Chaplain's Wife that was my Chamber Maid Has six and has not dub'd her Husband yet a Bishop Gard. How her Brain soars and her Ambition praunces The Asp has stung like Tarrantala Dutch So is my Charriot come My Lords farewell Wou'd you have any Service where I 'm going Gard. Where 's that Dutch I 'll tell you in your Ear to Hell my Lord Resolve to go and bear me company My Flanders Mares are somewhat of the heaviest But if you please I 'll go your Lordships pace And lay fresh Horses to be there betimes Will you my Lord Come take me by the hand To North. Hang creeping in a Sledge 't is base and vile You that was such a high and towring Falcon And flew at nought but Crowns Dost see that Churchman The Devil and he are drawing Cuts to have thee I pity thy Estate Priest I defie thee Gard. How curst is Madness when it turns Prophane Dutch O what a gaudy Kingdom is this Hell Courts made of burning Brass and dropping Gold Gallants a riding in hot Emrold Coaches Shining like Meteors in the fiery Region With Horses that have Flames instead of Wings Ladies that scorching Planets have for eyes Freckl'd all o'er with Carbuncles and Rubies That glow like Stars and crackle with the heat There sumptuous Bagnio's carv'd of Rocky Ice Here Ponds of liquid Crystal made to bathe in That 's colder in degree than Hell is hot Who wou'd not be a Knave to be so tortur'd North. Alas my Lord she 's pitiful Dutch Ha! what a gallant smell of Roman French Italian Essences and rich Perfumes here are It overcomes me and corrects the steem Of Hell Ha! ha ha Gard. What does she see now Dutch My Lord Northumberland does your Grace see ' em North. See whom Dutch Empson and Dudley gaping wide as Famine And two stout Fiends with Buckets full of Ore Pouring the melted Mass into their Mouths Which they disgorge into a Leathern Sack That Richmond laughing out aloud does hold Betwixt 'em Ha! ha ha Exeunt Gilford and Jane lying on the Floor asleep A Basket of Flowers and a Garland Gilford wakes Gilf. Who calls Methought I heard 'em cry awake The Ax is ready and the Scaffold fix'd For an Immortal Diadem prepare The swarming Streets with gazing Crowds are fill'd Turrets and Windows like a Day of Triumph With Tissue hung and cruel Beauties throng'd To see us mount the dismal Throne of Death Arise my Soul 's couragious Guard my Iane Wake wake my Love thy fatal hour's at hand Ha! how she sleeps Such were her looks when in my Arms she slep't The happy Morning to our Marriage-Night Thus heav'd her panting Breasts and thus she smil'd The bubbling Joys born from our eager Kisses Like wanton Spirits dancing on her Lips O Virtue most Divine O form Angellick How rich a paint is Innocence to Beauty How calm they sleep whom Pious Thoughts have lull'd What charming Stories do they count in Dreams Whose Prayers like thine are Prologue to their Slumbers Ia. Where is my Love where think'st thou I have been Is this the World and this the Ground we rest on And are we yet the Gulf of Death to pass Gilf. Behold if thou canst form within thy mind That dismal Fall of Waters near to view How like two Arrows down the Stream it shoots us There we must plunge for loe they come to fetch
years of Life perhaps Some days may finish what we prize so dearly Would'st thou consent that I shou'd forfeit Heav'n My Spotless Innocent and Bosom Faith Forsake the Truth that was so lov'd by me And lose the Joys of Immortality Gilf. I know what I wou'd act were I my Iane Were Gilford's safety only in the Ballance O all you Saints that wear Immortal Crowns Spirits of Martyrs that bright Angels are Not Racks nor Tortures burning Pincers Fires Shou'd make me leave this Faith the most Divine Which adorns thee and thou hast made to shine Ia. O Young O Good O Youth belov'd of Heav'n Gilf. But when I see a Father's Agonies Sweating cold Drops with terrour to behold The Heads-man diving in thy Gilford's Bowels And in the Hearts of four unhappy Brothers But oh and which is more than all the Lives Of all the Sons and Daughters of Mankind Thy precious Life if that 's a Crime to save You Heavenly Powers if then 't is Sin to change The Fact it self wou'd from your doom appeal And quash Damnation with the very mention North. Ay there my Son do press her hold her there Ia. What is my Husband Traytor to my Soul Then I may say as Caesar did to Brutus Dost thou too Gilford stab me to the Heart North. Come prostrate fall with me Lo at your Feet The Sad and Miserable Dudley lies See on the Ground the Father and the Son Thy Husband too that shou'd Command thee all And reign the Conq'ring Rival of thy Soul O say the word thou Woman most Divine Quick e'er they come to fetch thee and my Children Like a dumb Drove with Pantings to the Shambles First they begin with him and in in thy sight Fasten his Manly Body to the Sledge Which ne'er was bound before but in thy Arms. Then see the Villain with a Butcher's Knife Ripping his Bowels open to the Throat And tearing thence the Heart he holds to view That Heart which did so oft in silent Language Whisper the Story of your Faithful Loves But now insenc'd leaps in the Ruffin's hand And cries more fierce the Cruelty of Iane. Then then it stabs and e'er I come to die Breaks his poor Father's Heart and all the Standers by Ia. What must be done must then be done this Moment The time is suddain but the Gate of Heav'n Is easie to be lock'd yet hard to open It has a Spring without a Key which when We shut too rashly we no more can enter I am resolv'd North. Of what Ia. Not to be chang'd till I am dead For all the Blood that 's threaten'd to be shed Nor for the Crown took lately trom this head North. Hell Scalding Lead and Sulphures said'st thou ha O Iane think think of the Pains of Death remember Thy tortur'd Father and the Womb that bore thee Who brought thee not into this Cursed World With half the Pangs that thou and they must suffer Ia. No more I have inevitably said North. Fly Gilford fly let 's vanish from her Presence Damnation came from Woman first and still The mischief reigns in her and all the Sex O Woman Woman false as are thy Beauties Thou art a Tempting Fair Deceitful Way Leading by smooth Degrees to narrow Fastness Through which most Mortal Men do slide to Ruine But out of Ruine none Gilf. Stay stay my Lord. North. Not were the Ax a falling on my Head And she shou'd cry aloud I turn I turn Were there but one Religion in the World I 'd sooner die an Atheist and be Damn'd Than be of one Belief with her Gilf. Alas North. Since first the Serpent tempted Womankind The Snake lies lurking in the Sex's mind False Subtile Vain to keep your Faith 's secure There need a thousand Bolts to bar the Door Without like gilded Sepulchers you shine But open'd full of Rottenness and Sin At best who hopes to find a Goddess there Is cheated with a Bubble fraught with Air. Therefore the safe retreat of Human Life Is far from all the Sex but most a Wife Gilford why should we fear worse pains to feel The Marry'd Wretch has sure no other Hell Exit North. Enter Pembrook Gardner attended Gard. I met the Duke your Victim led to Death Not as we wish'd with Roman Laurels Crown'd Nor with the Visage of a Conqueror When 't is in your sole Power Ia. My Lord Rome's Markets ne'er were counted cheap Which makes me fear the Purchase being so great The price is more than my Estate can pay Gard. O thou whose wond'rous Mind and Body 's blest With all the parts and Beauties of thy Sex And Excellence of Man I come not here To wean an Infant turn a spleenful Woman To her resolv'd and fix'd Chymera wed But to a Judge who though a Child in Years Is fit to teach Philosophy a Rule And tell the Schools they erre Ia. Alas my Lord This Flattery bespeaks you more a Courtier Than an Embassador from the Court of Heav'n Gard. Yet Madam let it not be thought that you To cruel Niceness should have such regard That Iane out of a sullen Piety Ia. My Lord You will confess that one Divinity One Center moves the Catholick Faith and yours That wise Religious are like Skilful Pilots May with contrary winds the same way steer And meet together in one Port at last Gard. There you come close be wise and oh come nearer Then since not our Beliefs but Forms do vary This difference only seems 'twixt us and you Ours is a nearer Cut but o'er a River And yours a new invented Way through Desarts who 'd then refuse to pass the narrow Water And go vast Leagues about for fear of drowning Ia. My Lord I am a Wretch condemn'd to die And now am almost at my Journey 's end Is this a time to tempt me to draw back And tell me I have left a nearer way Gard. Yet save your Life and all their Lives Consider Say but the word and this shall hold the Ax. Ia. Witness you Powers so woven is my Belief So one with me that as my Nurses Milk Infus'd its Nourishment into my Blood Heav'n did distil this Balm into my Soul Yet had not the Almighty taught me this The Truth to me another Godhead is A Faith that no Apostacy endures Nor envy I that constancy in yours Far be my hopes but you in Heav'n may shine Live you in yours and let me die in mine Gard. Then since no President from Time can win you No Arguments Divine nor Human Wisdom Nor yet those Wretches Lives your Marble Heart Can turn you drive the Law to take its course Ia. Go on I dare the utmost of your Malice Till with your Cruelty my Death become What was your Justice Noble Martyrdom I see your Plots contriv'd in dark Cabals Your Leopard Consciences and freckl'd Souls All your feign'd Zeal that your great Lord may Raign Tyrant of Souls and Landlord of their Gain Gard. Haste lead 'em all to
ignoble fears But joyn with us and meet this Tide of Glory Hail thou true Successor of Warwick's Fame North. Are we alone the Court has list'ning Ears And Knaves in ev'ry corner Suff. What 's the News Dutch Great Spirit of Man Is Edward now no more North. He lives nor cou'd he die till this was done This is his Passport now to Heav'n a' goes Suff. Alas North. What voice was that We are one mind Dutch Whom left you with the King North. Cranmer and Ridley Who has been praying by his Watch this hour And such another space will surely end him Dutch What will he live so long Suff. O cruel Panther North. He cannot breathe a quarter of that time The Woman that pretended to restore him Last night was turn'd away and the Physicians Again were call'd who finding him so desperate Stood mute and gaz'd like Wretches scap'd from Fire Viewing their Houses and Estates in Flames When past their Power to quench the Conflagration Dutch What must be done with Mary when he dies North. That has been long debated of in Council And wisely thought by all that Edward's death Should be kept secret for some time and Letters Sent to the Princess in her Brother's Name Inviting her to see him e'er he dies Whom when she comes we mean so to secure That she shall ne'er have hopes to Reign in England Dutch Whom send you with these Orders North. Valiant Sussex Who has Commission too to head some Forces And lead 'em with him speedily to Norfolk To keep those parts in awe where now she dwells Suff. Wisely intended but I doubt the Person North. No Brave Design was ever done alone And in Vast Numbers all are to be fear'd Therefore because we doubt must none be trusted Enter Pembrook My Lord left you the King Pemb. I came now from him But curst am I who am the first Informer The King has left you me and all the World Alas he 's dead Dutch Sweet Prince Pemb. Sweet Prince Sweet Saint Sweet Angel more nay Prince of Cherubims North. All Tongues be silent yet of his departure As is the Grave or mouth of Death it self Madam find out the Queen in her Apartment I call her so but yet she must not know it As likewise Edward's death the News is stunning A Banquet of such Joy should be prepar'd And wisely serv'd to furnish several Feasts Exit Dutch Pemb. You mist a sight wou'd fix your admiration For oh to see this Miracle depart Was such Instruction to Mankind that all The Volumes of Disciples Chronicles of Martyrs Cou'd never parallel He liv'd like Age Yet dy'd as if he ne'er had known the World Suff. It was an Object full of Dread and Pity Pemb. Tho' Flesh and Blood his Thoughts were still Divine No Vice cou'd ever make Impression there Have you not seen the Swan on Isis Stream To dive her Downy Neck beneath the Flood White as the Snow upon the tops of Cedars Then lifting up her Iv'ry Crest again The Crystal Drops despairing slide away Leaving no track nor watery stain behind Thus he in all his fiercest Blooming Youth Harder to Govern than a Raging Steed And Hunting Pleasures like the rushing Winds Yet then oh then did he hold fast the Reins And in the midst of Flames was never scorch'd North. The King my Lord dy'd in the same resolve Pemb. The last words that he spar'd from his Devotion Were that his Cousin Iane shou'd after him Be Queen North. May she Reign long and dye at last like him Pemb. If Spirits sent from Heaven were ever doom'd To suffer Penance here in Mortal Bodies Sure his was such For none but one acquainted with such Joys Cou'd part so willingly with Life and Empire And long to lay 'em both as Burthens down So dy'd this Prince beneath the stroak of Death As silent as the Lamb lies down to sleep As Blossoms when the Tree is shaken fall Or tender Grass before the Mower's hand North. My Lord I doubt not but the Cause has reach'd you Wherefore the King hath Disinherited His Sisters Mary and Elizabeth King Harry's Marriage with Prince Arthur's Widdow The Mother of the first was for that Reason By all the Laws of England disannull'd Then Anna Bullen in Attainder dead By Parliament her Issue was Excluded Whereto I think your Lordship gave your Vote Pemb. I well remember it 't was just when Age Had Priviledg'd me to sit among the Peers North. There was another Motive yet more urging The Princess Mary is a fierce Bigot 'T is to be fear'd if e're she wears the Crown This Reformation which King Harry planted And Edward all his Reign with care increas'd She 'll blast and turn to Ruine in a Day Then yours and mine and all our choicest Mannors Like Limbs hack'd off from the great See of Rome Will soon return to Animate that Monster Whilst like a great Coloss he sets his Foot And strides o're us as over half the World Pemb. These Accidents the young King wisely weigh'd North. There is a third the like to be avoided Lest Harry's Daughter shou'd some Monarch Wed Who having of his own a larger Kingdom Shou'd leave us to be Govern'd by some Proxy And make the Less depend upon the Greater Pemb. How can we be assur'd this Queen will not We have the like fear of Suffolk's Daughter North. There you are come to touch the String that will Soft Musick yield or jar in England's Ear. Now Pembrook hear and Sensure like a Friend Believe with all the pitying Powers above And purge this Act of an Ambitious stain For who 's not ignorant the mighty Dudly Whose Rank is next the foremost in three Kingdoms And Second to his Prince Fear'd and Ador'd By all can add more Glory to his Name Were it himself by Bedding of a Queen And be at best but Subject to a Wife The Queen has chos'n a Husband Pemb. Whom intends she North. She is already Marry'd Pemb. Ha! North. Last Night took a Companion in her Bosom Disclos'd the Beauties of her Mind and Person More worth than England's Crown she carries with ' em To my best Son my Lov'd my Darling Guilford Pemb. Heavens whither will this Man's Ambition hurl him Till he has rais'd the Ladder of Vain Hopes Aside To such prodigious height till it has nought But Airy Clouds to rest upon But hold 'T is now the times Necessity to flatter Sir you surprize me both with Joy and Wonder At your Son's strange Promotion to a Crown Thus I Congratulate your Hopes and think None but so Fortunate and Wise a Man As great Northumberland cou'd bring 't to pass North. Their Innocent Scenes of Love were acted first In our young Monarch's Life-time long before She was design'd by Edward to Succeed And as a lucky Crime without my Knowledge Were privately Contracted Judge then you That know this Miracle of Innocence Sooner an Angel wou'd Blaspheme in Heaven Than she to gain the Empire
a Crown Shouts within A Crown O Sacred and Immortal sound Does not the dazling Object fill thy Breast With such AEtherial Brightness strange Delight As Eden's Goddess when her Eyes were open'd And saw the World her Subjects all Obey her Ia. Indeed 't is not unlike but has this difference She dreaded not the Poyson she had swallow'd This is Damnation we too surely know A Sin will Edge the Flaming Sword of Justice To drive us from our Paradise of Love Where is the Princess Mary She 's not Dead Gilf. But Disinherited Ia. It cannot be 't is such a horrid Act That is not in the Power of Hell to do Gilf. The King who left it you Has cut off both his Sisters from the Throne Ia. He durst not cou'd not Oh! he was too good 'T was in his Sleep or else when cruel Pain Had stole his Sences that some Devil appear'd And if it be so guided his weak hand To give another's Right the Nation 's Choice And Heav'ns Prerogative away Far be the thoughts of such a Guilt from us Gilford I will not take the Crown Gilf. Ha! Ia. Pardon this one denial of thy Iane This only Disobedience of thy Wife And all the Meekness of a Tender Bride Is thine hereafter Gilf. What! not be a Queen Ia. Rouze rouze my Gilford from this deadly slumber Start from this Lethargy of vile Ambition A fatal Vision of deceitful Glory Lest it shou'd prove with thee like him who dreamt That he was mounted on a Precipice And finding it was real when he wak'd Did in a Frenzy to the bottom fall And dasht his Bones to pieces Gilf. O my Angel Ia. Come to these Arms far safer than a Crown Let us the noise of Courts and Courtiers shun And heavier load of interrupting State The little God will bend beneath the weight Gilf. O my Goddess Ia. Wou'd you this Empire leave to Reign with Guilt This Lambent Crown for one of drossy Gold Shall we this Heav'n forego and Heav'n hereafter To live and wear the hated Name of Tyrants And die the death of Traitors Gilf. Ha! Ia. Do you love me and do you prize my Love Gilf. O Heav'ns Why doubts my Soul Ia. Wou'd you indure to see this Body then Which Heav'n and Earth all Vote to be thy Right Torn from thy Embraces and before thy Face By these lov'd Tresses fasten'd to the Ground This Bosom threaten'd and these Beauties mangl'd Ravish'd and made the Lustful Victor's Prize Gilf. Mothers would see their Infants with less Moans Torn from their Breasts and dasht against the Flints Ia. O Gilford Thou 'st Condemn'd us both to snatch The Crown and Mary's Birth-Right from her Head Such Ravishers are we Gilf. Forgive thy Husband Ia. I know thou wou'dst not Had I my Sexes Appetite unbound Let loose the Raging Woman from her Temper And seiz'd the Crown thou wou'dst have child thy Iane Pull'd from my Head the Sacrilegious Plunder And streight restor'd the Royal Theft again Take Counsel of this Faithful Breast that loves thee Resolve no more to split upon a Throne Let 's wear our Innocence but not the Crown Enter Northumberland Duke and Dutchess of Suffolk Officers of State Lords Ladies Attendants and Guards All kneel North. Long live the Virtuous Happy and Ador'd Iane Queen of England France and Ireland Ia. Kneel not to me I charge you by those Powers That first taught Children Duty to their Parents Oh! here are some this posture not befits Were I the Queen of all the wealthy Globe If Angels shou'd descend and worship Men It would not be to me so strange a sight Rise or I 'll grow thus one with Earth for ever Why is all this to me North. Be pleas'd to wear th' Imperial Crown of England The Sacred Relicks of most Pious Edward At whose Commands and by consent of all We beg you wou'd Adorn and put 'em on Suff. And make the Widdow'd Nation happy Ia. My Lords whose Crown wou'd you invest me with North. Deceas'd King Edward's Ia. And tell me whose Estate d' you now enjoy North. My Father's Madam Ia. Cou'd then this most deplor'd the best of Kings Our Royal Master Owner of that Crown Suppose the Will have so much Power to be Unjust and take your own Inheritance By Law and Right of Nature only yours And give it to a Stranger North. I think not Ia. Yet you wou'd take his Crown his Sister 's Right And make a Gift of it to me these Kingdoms That are as justly now the Princess's Portion As are your Father's Lordships yours North. Ha! Gilford Ia. I see y' are fix'd with wonder at my words North. Madam Ia. Illustrious Parents Lords and Country Men Why mock you this Unroyal Head with Crowns This head that was not made for Rule But to Obey for here 's my Lord To serve is all the scope of my Ambition What me O Father Lords and Councellors And all good English Men forbid O be not Be not so rash as in the Fable once The Woods and Trees the Rebels of the Forrest That sought t'elect a Monarch of their own And basely chose the Bramble for their King Whilst the tall Princely Cedar stood neglected Suff. O Child of Virtue Dutch Daughter North. Rebellious Boy Is this all real Ia. Are you so soon forgetful of the Wounds Whose Scars you carry fresh about you like So many gaping Witnesses against you When the Revengeful House of Lancaster And that of York did from your selves and Fathers By Usurpation drain a Sea of Blood When the white Rose Grew Crimson with the Vitals of the Red And the bold Red turn'd White with the vast Blood It lost That I shou'd be th' Agressor The hanging Meteor that shou'd bode your Ruines O take me rather quench me from this Orb This Basilisk and lay me deep in Earth Dutch Degenerate Girl North. Furies and Death Is this in earnest Madam Ia. O that these Drops were Tongues instead of Tears And every word a Seraphim to charm you With all the Virtues Graces Worth of her That is your Queen add too divinely born Daughter and Sister to your two late Kings Whom do the Savages in Desarts chuse To be their Head but of the Lyon's Race And whom the Feather'd Songsters of the Air But of the Royal Eagle's Brood Let not Birds and Brute Beasts instruct your Loyalty None but Mankind from smooth Succession strays But only Man nor God nor King obeys North. My Lords in low Submission to the Queen All this more shews her Noble Mind to Govern Than just Excuses to refuse the Crown You know how deep our hands are in how close Our Lives are with this Common Interest joyn'd Consult of this within and in a Moment Exeunt Officers of State I will expect your Resolutions Madam By all your precious hopes y' are lost and ruin'd Unless you mean to dally with the Crown As your uncertain Sex deal all with Love And the same Moment both refuse