that will driue th' unwilling to their death Or frustrate death in those that faine would die Offend alike They spoile that bootelesse spare ANGH. But will my teares and mournings moue you nought GVEN. Then is it best to die when friends doe mourne ANGH. Ech where is death that fates haue well ordainde That ech man may bereaue himselfe of life But none of death death is so sure a doome A thousand wayes doe guide vs to our graues Who then can euer come too late to that Whence when h 'is come he neuer can returne Or what auailes to hasten on our ends And long for that which destenies haue sworne Looke backe in time to late is to repent When furious rage hath once cut of the choice GVEN. Death is an end of paine no paine it selfe Is 't meéte a plague for such excessiue wrong Should be so short Should one stroke answere all And wouldst thou dye Well that contents the lawes What then for Arthurs ire What for thy fame Which thou hast stainde What for thy stocke thou shamst Not death nor life alone can giue a full Reuenge ioyne both in one Die and yet liue Where paine may not be oft let it be long Seéke out some lingring death whereby thy corse May neither touch the dead nor ioy the quicke Dye but no common death passe Natures boundes ANGH. Set plaintes aside despaire yeélds no reliefe The more you search a wounde the more it stings GVEN. When guiltie mindes torment them selues they heale Whiles woundes be cur'd griefe is a salue for griefe ANGH. Griefe is no iust esteémer of our deédes What so hath yet beéne done proceédes from chaunce GVEN. The minde and not the chaunce doth make th' unchast ANGH. Then is your fault from Fate you rest excusde None can be deémed faultie for her Fate GVEN. No Fate but manners fayle when we offende Impute mishaps to Fates to manners faultes ANGH. Loue is an error that may blinde the best GVEN. A mightie error oft hath seémde a sinne My death is vowed and death must neédes take place But such a death as standes with iust remorse Death to the worlde and to her slipperie ioyes A full deuorce from all this Courtly pompe Where dayly pennance done for each offence May render due reuenge for euery wrong Which to accomplish pray my deérest friends That they forthwith attyrde in saddest guise Conduct me to the Cloister next hereby There to professe and to renounce the world ANGH. Alas What chaunge were that from Kingly rooffes To Cloistered celles To liue and die at once To want your stately troupes your friends and kinne To shun the shewes and sights of stately Court To seé in sort aliue your Countries death Yea what so'er euen Death it selfe withdrawes From any els that life with drawes from you Yet since your highnes is so fully bent I will obay the whiles asswage your griefe Exit The fourth scene Mordred Gueneuora Conan MORD. THE houre which earst I alwaies feared most The certaine ruine of my desperate state Is happened now why turnst thou minde thy back Why at the first assault doest thou recoile Trust to 't the angry Heauens contriue some spight And dreadfull doome t' augment thy cursed hap Oppose to ech reuenge thy guiltie heade And shun no paine nor plague fit for thy fact What shouldst thou feare that seést not what to hope No danger 's left before all 's at thy backe He safely stands that stands beyond his harmes Thine death is all that East or West can seé For theé we liue our comming is not long Spare vs but whiles we may prepare our graues Though thou wert slowe we hasten of our selues The houre that gaue did also take our liues No sooner men then mortall were we borne I seé mine end drawes on I feéle my plagues GVEN. No plague for one ill borne to dye as ill MORD. O Queéne my sweéte associate in this plunge And desperate plight beholde the time is come That either iustifies our former faults Or shortly sets vs freé from euery feare GVEN. My feare is past and wedlock loue hath woonne Retire we thither yet whence first we ought Not to haue stird Call backe chast faith againe The way that leads to good is ne'r to late Who so repents is guiltlesse of his crimes MORD. What meanes this course Is Arthurs wedlocke safe Or can he loue that hath iust cause to hate That nothing else were to be feard Is most apparant that he hates at home What e'r he be whose fansie strayes abroad Thinke then our loue is not vnknowen to him Whereof what patience can be safely hopte Nor loue nor soueraignetie can beare a peére GVEN. Why dost thou still stirre vp my flames delayde His strayes and errors must not moue my minde A law for priuate men bindes not the King What that I ought not to condemne my liedge Nor can thus guiltie to myne owne offence Where both haue done amisse both will relent He will forgiue that neédes must be forgiuen MORD. A likely thing your faults must make you friends What sets you both at odds must ioine you both Thinke well he casts already for reuenge And how to plague vs both I know his law A Iudge seuere to vs milde to himselfe What then auailes you to returne to late When you haue past to farre You feéde vaine hopes GVEN. The further past the more this fault is yours It seru'd your turne t' usurpe your fathers Crowne His is the crime whom crime stands most in steéde MORD. They that conspire in faults offend a like Crime makes them equall whom it iointly staines If for my sake you then pertooke my guilt You cannot guiltlesse seéme the crime was ioint GVEN. Well should should she seéme most guiltlesse vnto theé Whate'r she be that 's guiltie for thy sake The remnant of that sober minde which thou Hadst heretofore nere vanquisht yet resists Suppresse for shame that impious mouth so taught And to much skild t' abuse the wedded bed Looke backe to former Fates Troy still had stoode Had not her Prince made light of wedlocks lore The vice that threw downe Troy doth threat thy Throne Take heéde there Mordred stands whence Paris fell Exit CONA. Since that your highnes knowes for certaine truth What power your sire prepares to claime his right It neérely now concernes you to resolue In humbliest sort to reconcile your selfe Gainst his returne MORD. will warre CONA. that lies in chaunce MORD. I haue as great a share in chaunce as he CONA. His waies be blinde that maketh chaunce his guide MORD Whose refuge lies in chaunce what dares he not CONA. Warres were a crime farre worse then all the rest MORD. The safest passage is from bad to worse CONA. That were to passe too farre and put no meane MORD. He is a foole that puts a meane in crimes CONA. But sword and fire would cause a common wound MORD. So sword and fire will often seare the soare
Soueraignes heast The third scene Gawin King of Albanie Aschillus King of Denmarke King of Norway A number of Souldiers ARTH. O Friends and fellowes of my weriest toyles Which haue borne out with me so many brunts And desperate stormes of wars and brainsicke Mars Loe now the hundreth month wherein we winne Hath all the bloud we spent in forreine Coasts The wounds and deaths and winters boad abroade Deserued thus to be disgrac'd at home All Brytaine rings of warres No towne nor fielde But swarmes with armed troupes the mustering traines Stop vp the streétes no lesse a tumult 's raisde Then when Hengistus fell and Horsus fierce With treacherous truce did ouerrunne the Realme Each corner threatneth Death both farre and nere Is Arthur vext What if my force had faild And standarde falne and ensignes all beene torne And Roman troupes pursude me at the heéles With lucklesse warres assaid in forreine soiles Now that our Fortune heaues vs vp thus hie And Heauens themselues renewe our olde renowme Must we be darde Nay let that Princocke come That knowes not yet himselfe nor Arthurs force That ne'r yet waged warres that 's yet to learne To giue the charge Yea let that Princocke come With sodayne Souldyers pampered vp in peace And gowned troupes and wantons worne with ease With sluggish Saxons crewe and Irish kernes And Scottish aide and false redshanked Picts Whose slaughters yet must teach their former foyle They shall perceaue with sorrow e'r they part When all their toyles be tolde that nothing workes So great a wast and ruine in this age As doe my warres O Mordred blessed Sonne No doubt these market mates so highly hier'd Must be the stay of thy vsurped state And least my head inclining now to yeares Should ioy the rest which yet it neuer reapt The Traytor Gilla traind in treacherous iarres Is chiefe in armes to reaue me of my Realme What corner ah for all my warres shall shrowde My bloodlesse age what seate for due deserts What towne or field for auncient Souldiers rest What house What rooffe What walls for weried lims Stretch out againe stretch out your conquering hands Still must we vse the force so often vsde To those that will pursue a wrong with wreke He giueth all that once denies the right Thou soile which erst Diana did ordaine The certaine seate and bowre of wandring Brute Thou Realme which ay I reuerence as my Saint Thou stately Brytaine th' auncient tipe of Troy Beare with my forced wrongs I am not he That willing would impeach thy peace with warres Lo here both farre and wide I Conqueror stand Arthur each where thine owne thy Liedge thy King Condemne not mine attempts he onely he Is sole in fault that makes me thus thy foe Here I renounce all leagues and treats of truce Thou Fortune henceforth art my garde and guide Hence peace on warres runne Fates let Mars be iudge I erst did trust to right but now to rage Goe tell the boy that Arthur feares no brags In vaine he seekes to braue it with his Sire I come Mordred I come but to thy paine Yea tell the boy his angry father comes To teach a Nouist both to die and dare Herault Exit HOWE If we without offence O greatest guide Of Brytish name may poure our iust complaints We most mislike that your too milde a moode Hath thus withheld our hands and swords from strokes For what were we behind in any helpe Or without cause did you misdoubt our force Or truth so often tried with good successe Goe to Conduct your army to the fielde Place man to man oppose vs to our foes As much we neéde to worke as wish your weale CADO. Seémes it so sowre to winne by ciuill warres Were it to goare with Pike my fathers braest Were it to riue and cleaue my brothers head Were it to teare peécemeale my dearest childe I would inforce my grudging handes to helpe I cannot terme that place my natiue soyle Whereto your trumpets send their warrlike sounds If case requir'd to batter downe the Towres Of any Towne that Arthur would destroy Yea wer 't of Brytaines selfe which most I rede Her bulwarkes fortresse rampiers walles and fence These armes should reare the Rams to runne them downe Wherefore ye Princes and the rest my mates If what I haue auerd in all your names Be likewise such as stands to your content Let all your Yeas auow my promise true SOVL. Yea yea c. ASCH. Wherein renowmed King my selfe or mine My life my Kingdome and all Denmarke powre May serue your turne account them all your owne KING And whatsoe'r my force or Norwaie aide Norway May helpe in your attempts I vow it here GAWI. As heretofore I alwayes serude your heast So let this daie be iudge of Gawins trust Either my brother Mordred dies the death By mine assault or I at least by his ARTH. Since thus my faithfull mates with vowes alike And equall loue to Arthurs cause you ioyne In common care to wreake my priuate wrongs Lift vp your Ensignes efts stretch out your strengths Pursue your Fates performe your hopes to Mars Loe here the last and outmost worke for blades This is the time that all our valour craues This time by due desert restores againe Our goods our lands our liues our weale and all This time declares by Fates whose cause is best This this condemnes the vanquisht side of guilt Wherefore if for my sake you scorne your selues And spare no sword nor fire in my defence Then whiles my censure iustifies your cause Fight fight amaine and cleare your blades from crime The Iudge once changde no warres are free from guilt The better cause giues vs the greater hope Of prosperous warres wherein if once I hap To spie the wonted signes that neuer failde Their guide your threatning lookes your firie eies And bustling bodies prest to present spoile The field is wonne Euen then me thinkes I see The wonted wasts and scattered heads of foes The Irish carcas kickt and Pictes opprest And Saxons slaine to swim in streames of bloud I quake with hope I can assure you all We neuer had a greater match in hand March on delaie no Fates whiles Fortune fawnes The greatest praise of warres consists in speed Exeunt Regis et Cohors The fourth scene Cador Arthur CADO. SInce thus victorious King your Peéres allies Your Lords and all your powres be ready prest For good for bad for whatsoe'r shall hap To spend both limme and life in your defence Cast of all doubts and rest your selfe on Mars A hopelesse feare forbids a happy Fate ARTH. In sooth good Cador so our Fortune fares As neédes we must returne to woonted force To warres we must but such vnhappy warres As yeéld no hope for right or wrong to scape My selfe foreseés the Fate it cannot fall Without our dearest blood much may the minde Of pensiue Sire presage whose Sonne so sinnes All truth all trust all blood all bands be
resolues That feare is couered best by daring most Then forth he pitcht the Saxon Duke withstoode Whom with one stroke he headlesse sent to Hell Not farre from thence he spide the Irish King Whose life he tooke as price of broken truce Then Cador foreward prest and haplie mette The Traytor Gilla worker of these warres Of whom by death he tooke his due reuenge The remnant then of both the Camps concurre They Brytaines all or most few Forreines left These wage the warres and hence the deaths insue Nor t'one nor t'other side that can destroy His foes so fast as t is it selfe destroyed The brethren broach their bloud the Sire his Sonnes The Sonne againe would proue by too much Wrath That he whom thus he slew was not his Sire No blood nor kinne can swage their irefull moodes No forreine foe they seéke nor care to finde The Brytaines bloud is sought on euery side A vaine discourse it were to paint at large The seuerall Fates and foiles of either side To tell what grones and sighes the parting Ghosts Sent forth who dying bare the fellest breast Who chaunged cheare at any Brytaines fall Who oftnest strooke who best bestowde his blade Who ventred most who stoode who fell who failde Th' effect declares it all thus far'd the field Of both these Hoasts so huge and maine at first There were not left on either side a score For Sonne and Sire to winne and loose the Realme The which when Mordred saw and that his Sire Gainst foes and Fares themselues would winne the field He sigh'd and twixt despaire and rage he cryed Here Arthur here and hence the Conquest comes Whiles Mordred liues the Crowne is yet vnwoonne Hereat the prince of prowesse much amaz'd With thrilling teares and countnance cast on ground Did groaning fetch a deépe and earnefull sigh Anone they fierce encountering both concur'd With griesly lookes and faces like their Fates But dispar mindes and inward moodes vnlike The Sire with minde to safegard both or t'one The Sonne to spoile the t'one or hazard both No feare nor fellnes failde on either side The wager lay on both their liues and bloods At length when Mordred spyde his force to faint And felt him selfe opprest with Arthurs strength O haplesse lad a match vnmeéte for him He loathes to liue in that afflicted state And valiant with a forced Uertue longs To die the death in which perplexed minde With grenning teéth and crabbed lookes he cryes I cannot winne yet will I not be wonne What should we shun our Fates or play with Mars Or thus defraude the warres of both our blouds Whereto doe we reserue our selues Or why Be we not sought ere this amongest the dead So many thousands murthred in our cause Must we suruiue and neither winne nor loose The Fates that will not smile on either side May frowne on both So saying forth he flings And desperate runs on point of Arthurs Sword A Sword alas prepar'd for no such vse Whereon engoarde he glides till nere approcht With dying hand he hewes his fathers head So through his owne annoy he noyes his Liedge And gaines by death accesse to daunt his Sire There Mordred fell but like a Prince he fell And as a braunch of great Pendragons grafte His life breaths out his eyes forsake the Sunne And fatall Cloudes inferre a lasting Clips There Arthur staggering scant sustaind him selfe There Cador found a deepe and deadly wound There ceast the warres and there was Brytaine lost There lay the chosen youths of Mars there lay The peérelesse Knights Bellona's brauest traine There lay the Mirrours rare of Martiall praise There lay the hope and braunch of Brute supprest There Fortune laid the prime of Brytaines pride There laide her pompe all topsie turuey turuie turnde Exit The third scene Gildas Conan GILD. COme cruell griefes spare not to stretch our strengths Whiles bailefull breastes inuite our thumping fists Let euery signe that mournefull passions worke Expresse what piteous plightes our mindes amaze This day supplants what no day can supply These handes haue wrought those wastes that neuer age Nor all the broode of Brute shall e'r repaire That future men may ioy the surer rest These warres preuent their birth and nip their spring What Nations earst the former age subdude With hourelie toyles to Brytaines yoke this day Hath set at large and backwardes turnde the Fates Hencefoorth the Kernes may safely tread their bogges The Scots may now their inrodes olde renewe The Saxons well may vow their former claimes And Danes without their danger driue vs out These warres found not the 'effect of woonted warres Nor doth their waight the like impression woorke There seuerall Fates annoyde but seuerall men Heere all the Realme and people finde one Fate What there did reache but to a Souldiers death Containes the death of all a Nation here These blades haue giuen this Isle a greater wounde Then tyme can heale The fruite of ciuill warres A Kingdom 's hand hath goard a Kingdom 's heart CONA. When Fame shall blaze these acts in latter yeares And time to come so many ages hence Shall efts report our toyles and Brytish paynes Or when perhaps our Childrens Children reade Our woefull warres displaid with skilfull penne They 'l thinke they heere some sounds of future facts And not the ruines olde of pompe long past T will mooue their mindes to ruth and frame a fresh New hopes and feares and vowes and many a wish And Arthurs cause shall still be fauour'd most He was the ioy and hope and hap of all The Realmes defence the sole delay of Fates He was our wall and forte twice thirteene yeares His shoulders did the Brytaine state support Whiles yet he raignd no forren foes preuailde Nor once could hope to binde the Brytaine boundes But still both farre and nere were forc'd to flie They thrall to vs we to our selues were free But now and hencefoorth aye adue that hope Adue that pompe that freedome rule and all Let Saxons now let Normans Danes and Scottes Enioye our medowes fieldes and pleasant plaines Come let vs flye to Mountaines Cliffes and Rockes A Nation hurt and ne'r in case to heale Hencefoorth the waight of Fates thus falne aside We rest secure from feare of greater foile Our leasure serues to thinke on former times And know what earst we were who now are thus Exeunt CHORVS 1 O Brytaines prosperous state wert Heauenlye powers But halfe so willing to preserue thy peace As they are prone to plague thee for thy warres But thus O Gods yea thus it likes you still When you decree to turne and touse the worlde To make our errors cause of your decrees We fretting fume and burning wax right wood We crye for swordes and harmefull harnesse craue We rashly raue whiles from our present rage You frame a cause of long foredeemed doome 2 When Brytaine so desir'd her owne decaie That eu'n her natiue broode would roote her vp Seamde it so huge a
which he gaind Are dasht at once one day inferres that forte Whereof so many yeares of yore were freé CHOR. ◠O willing world to magnifie man's state O most vnwilling to maintaine the same Of all misfortunes and vnhappy Fates Th' unhappiest seémes to haue beéne hapie once T' was Arthur sole that neuer found his ioyes Disturb'd with woe nor woes relieu'd with ioye In prosperous state all Heauenly powres aspir'd Now made a wretch not one that spares his spoile CHOR. 3 Yea Fortunes selfe in this afflicted case Exacts a paine for long continued pompe She vrgeth now the blisse of woonted weale And beares him downe with waight of former Fame His prayses past be present shame O tickle trust Whiles Fortune chops and chaungeth euery Chaunce What certaine blisse can we enioy a liue Unlesse whiles yet our blisse endures we die CHOR. 4 Yea since before his last and outmost gaspe None can be deemde a happy man or blest Who dares commit him selfe to prosperous Fates Whose death preparde attends not hard at hand That sithence death must once determine all His life may sooner flie then Fortune flitte The second scene Gorlois GORL. NOW Gorlois swage thy selfe Pride hath his pay Murther his price Adult'rie his desert Treason his meéde Disloyaltie his doome Wrong hath his wreake and Guilt his guerdon bearer Not one abuse erst offered by thy foes But since most sternely punisht is now purg'd Where thou didst fall eu'n on the selfe same soile Pendragon Arthur Mordred and their stocke Found all their foiles not one hath scapte reuenge Their line from first to last quite razed out Now rest content and worke no further plagues Let future age be freé from Gorlois Ghost Let Brytaine henceforth bath in endlesse weale Let Virgo come from Heauen the glorious Starre The Zodiac's ioy the Planets chiefe delight The hope of all the yeare the ease of Skies The Aires reliefe the comfort of the Earth That vertuous Virgo borne for Brytaines blisse That pierelesse braunch of Brute that sweéte remaine Of Priam's state that hope of springing Troy Which time to come and many ages hence Shall of all warres compound eternall peace Let her reduce the golden age againe Religion ease and wealth of former world Yea let that Virgo come and Saturnes raigne And yeares oft ten times tolde expirde in peace A Rule that else no Realme shall euer finde A Rule most rare vnheard vnseéne vnread The sole example that the world affordes That Brytaine that Renowme yea that is thine B' it so my wrath is wrought Ye furies blacke And vglie shapes that houle in holes beneath Thou Orcus darke and deepe Auernas nooke With duskish dennes out gnawne in gulfes belowe Receaue your ghastly charge Duke Gorlois Ghoast Make roome I gladly thus reuengde returne And though your paine surpasse I greete them tho He hates each other Heauen that haunteth Hell Descendit EPILOGVS SEe heére by this the tickle trust of tyme The false affiance of each mortall force The wauering waight of Fates the fickell trace That Fortune trips the many mockes of life The cheerelesse change the easelesse brunts and broyles That man abides the restlesse race he runnes But most of all seé héere the peérelesse paines The lasting panges the stintlesse greéfes the teares The sighes the grones the feares the hopes the hates The thoughts and cares that Kingly pompe impartes What follies then bewitch th ambicious mindes That thirst for Scepters pompe the well of woes Whereof alas should wretched man be proude Whose first conception is but Sinne whose birth But paine whose life but toyle and neédes must dye Sée heére the store of great Pendragons broode The to'ne quite dead the to'ther hastening on As men the Sonne but greene the Sire but ripe Yet both forestalde ere halfe their race were run As Kinges the mightiest Monarches in this age Yet both supprest and vanquisht by themselues Such is the brittle breath of mortall man Whiles humane Nature workes her dayly wrackes Such be the crazed crests of glorious Crownes Whiles worldly powers like sudden puffes do passe And yet for one that goes another comes Some borne some dead So still the store indures So that both Fates and common care prou'de That men must needes be borne and some must rule Wherefore ye Peéres and Lordings lift aloft And whosoe'r in Thrones that iudge your thralls Let not your Soueraingty heaue you to hye Nor their subiection presse them downe too lowe It is not pride that can augment your power Nor lowlie lookes that long can keepe them safe The Fates haue found a way whereby ere long The proude must leaue their hope the meeke their feare Who ere receau'd such fauor from aboue That could assure one day vnto himselfe Him whom the Morning found both stout and strong The Euening left all groueling on the ground This breath and heate wherewith mans life is fedde Is but a flash or flame that shines a while And once extinct is as it ne'r had bene Corruption hourely frets the bodies frame Youth tends to age and age to death by kinde Short is the race prefixed is the end Swift is the tyme wherein mans life doth run But by his deedes t' extend renowme and fame That onely vertue workes which neuer fades FINIS Thomas Hughes Sat cytò si sat benè vtcunque Quod non dat spes dat optio ¶ Heere after followe such speeches as were penned by others and pronounced in stead of some of the former speeches penned by Thomas Hughes A speach penned by William Falbecke gentleman one of the societie of Grayes-Inne and pronounced in stead of Gorlois his first speeche penned by Thomas Hughes and set downe in the first Scene of the first Acte ALecto thou that hast excluded mee From feeldes Elysyan where the guiltlesse soules Avoide the scourge of Radamanthus Ire Let it be lawfull sith I am remou'd From blessed Ilands to this cursed shoare This loathed earth where Arthurs table standes With Ordure foule of Harpies fierce disteind The fates and burden secrets to disclose Of blacke Coeytus and of Acheron The floudes of death the lakes of burning soules Where Hellish frogges doe prophecie reuenge Where Tartars sprights with carefull heede attende The dismall summons of Alectoes mouth My selfe by precept of Proserpina Commaunded was in presence to appeare Before the Synode of the damned sprightes In fearefull moode I did performe their hest And at my entrance in th' inchaunted snakes Which wrap themselus about the furies neckes Did hisse for ioy and from the dreadfull benthe The supreme furie thus assignde her charge Gorlois quoth she thou thither must ascend Whence through the rancour of malicious foes Wearyed with woundes thou didst descend to vs Make Brytaine now the marke of thy reuenge On ruthlesse Brytaines and Pendragons race Disbursse the treasure of thy Hellish plagues Let blood contend with blood Father with Sonne Subiect with Prince and let confusion raigne She therewithall enioynde the duskie cloudes Which with their darkenesse turnde the earth to Hell Conuert to blood and poure downe streames of blood Cornewell shall groane and Arthurs soule shall sigh Before the conscience of Gueneuora The map of hell shall hang and fiendes shall rage And Gorlois ghost exacting punishment With dreames with horrors and with deadly traunce Shall gripe their hearts the vision of his corse Shal be to them as was the terror vile Of flaming whippes to Agamemnons sonne And when the Trumpet calles them from their rest Aurora shall with watry cheekes behold Their slaughtered bodies prostrate to her beames And on the banckes of Cambala shall lye The bones of Arthur and of Arthurs knightes Whose fleete is now tryumphing on the seas But shall bee welcom'd with a Tragedie Thy natiue soyle shal be thy fatall gulfe Arthur thy place of birth thy place of death Mordred shal be the hammer of my hate To beate the bones of Cornish Lordes to dust Ye rauening birdes vnder Celenoes power I doe adiure you in Alectoes name Follow the sworde of Mordred where he goes Follow the sworde of Mordred for your foode Aspyring Mordred thou must also dye And on the Altar of Proserpina Thy vitall blood vnto my Ghost shall fume Heauen Earth and hell concurre t o'plague the man That is the plague of Heauen Earth and hell Thou bids Alecto I pursue my charge Let thy Cerastae whistle in mine eares And let the belles of Pluto ring reuenge ¶ One other speeche penned by the same gentleman and pronounced in steade of Gorlois his last speache penned by Thomas Hughes and set downe in the second Scene of the fift and last Act DEath hath his conquest hell hath had his wish Gorlois his vow Alecto her desire Sinne hath his pay and blood is quit with blood Reuenge in Tryumphe beares the strugling hearts Now Gorlois pearce the craggie Rockes of hell Through chinckes wherof infernall sprites do glaunce Returne this answere to the furies courte That Cornewell trembles with the thought of warre And Tamers flood with drooping pace doth flowe For feare of touching Camballs bloodie streame Brytaine remember write it on thy walles Which neyther tyme nor tyrannie may race That Rebelles Traytors and conspirators The semenarye of lewde Cateline The Bastard Coouie of Italian birdes Shall feele the flames of euer flaming fire Which are not quenched with a sea of teares And since in thee some glorious starre must shine When many yeares and ages are expirde Whose beames shall cleare the mist of miscontent And make the dampe of Plutoes pit retire Gorlois will neuer fray the Brytans more For Brytaine then becomes an Angels land Both Diuels and sprites must yeelde to Angels power Unto the goddesse of the Angels land Uaunt Brytaine vaunt of her renowmed raigne Whose face deterres the hagges of hell from thee Whose vertues holde the plagues of heauen from thee Whose presence makes the earth fruitfull to thee And with foresight of her thrice happie daies Brytaine I leaue thee to an endlesse praise Besides these speaches there was also penned a Chorus for the first act and an other for the second act by Maister Frauncis Flower which were pronounced accordingly The dumbe showes were partly deuised by Maister Christopher Yeluerton Maister Frauncis Bacon Maister Iohn Lancaster and others partly by the saide Maister Flower who with Maister Penroodocke and the said Maister Lancaster directed these proceedings at Court
good The meanes to clame it in such sorte was bad Yea rather then my Realme and natiue soile Should wounded fall thus brused with these warres I should haue left both Realme and right and all Or dur'd the death ordaind by Mordreds oath CADO. And yet so farre as Mars coulde bide a meane You hatelesse sought the safegard of them all Whereto the better cause or badder Chaunce Did drawe you still inclinde preferring oft The weaker side sometimes for loue sometimes For right as Fortune swaide your Sonne your selfe So pittie spar'd what reason sought to spoyle Till all at length with equall spoyle was spent CHOR. 3 Would Gods your minde had felt no such remorse And that your foes had no such fauour founde So mought your friends haue had far frendlier Fates If Rebels for their due deserts had dyde The wickeds death is safety to the iust To spare the Traitors was to spoile the true Of force he hurtes the good that helpes the bad In that you sought your Countries gaine t' was well In that you shunned not her losse t' was hard Good is the frend that seekes to do vs good A mighty frend that doth preuent our harmes ARTH. Well so it was it cannot be redrest The greater is my greefe that seés it so My lyfe I feele doth fade and sorrowes flowe The rather that my name is thus extinct In this respect so Mordred did succeede O that my selfe had falne and Mordred liu'd That hauing conquer'd all my foes but him I mought haue left you him that conquer'd me O heauie wretched lotte to be the last That falles to viewe the buriall of my Realme Where each man else hath fealt his seuerall Fate I onely pine opprest with all their Fates CHOR. 4 Although your Highnesse do susteine such greéde As needes enforceth all your Realme to rue Yet since such ruth affordeth no releefe Let due discretion swage each curelesse sore And beare the harmes that run without redresse The losse is ours that loose so rare a Prince The breathlesse body of Mordred in Armour as he fell is brought vpon the Stadge You onely win that see your foe here foilde ARTH. A causelesse foe When warres did call me hence He was in yeares but young in wit too olde As vertue shineth most in comliest wightes When inward gifts are deckt with outward grace So did his witte and feature feede that hope Which falsely trainde me to this wofull hap His minde transformed thus I cannot chuse But long to see what change his face sustaines My blood and kinred doubled in his birth Inspires a mixt and t'wice descending loue Which driues my dying vaines to wish his view Unhealme his luckelesse head set bare his face That face which earst pleas'd me and mine to much CHOR. 1 Seé worthest King the hope of all your Realme Had not his lust to rule preuented all ARTH. I see alas I see hide hide againe O spare mine eyes a witnesse of my crimes A fearefull vision of my former guilte A dreadfull horror of a future doome A present gaule of minde O happie they Whose spotlesse liues attaine a dreadlesse death And thou O haplesse boye O spight of Fates What mought I terme thee Nephew Sonne or both Alas how happie should we both haue bene If no ambitious thought had vext thy head Nor thou thus stem'de to reaue thy Fathers rule But staine thy tyme and not forstalde vs both CADO. The hoat spurde youth that forste the forward steédes Whiles neédes he would his Fathers Chariot guide Neglecting what his Sire had said in charge The fires which first he flung about the poles Himselfe at last most wofull wretch inflamde So to much loue to houer in the Heauens Made him to paie the price of rash attemptes ARTH. What ruth ah rent the wofull Fathers hart That sawe himselfe thus made a Sonnelesse Sire Well since both Heauens and Hell conspir'd in one To make our endes a mirror to the worlde Both of incestious life and wicked birth Would Gods the Fates that linckt our faultes alike Had also fram'de our minds of frendlier mouldes That as our linage had approcht too neere So our affections had not swaru'd to farre Then mought I liu'd t' inlarge the Brytaines praise In rearing efts the first triumphant Troy And after thou succeéding mine attempts Haue spent thy courage in a iuster cause But t' would not be Ambition grew to greate We could not ioyne our mindes our Fates we ioynde And through thy blood a way was made to mine CHOR. 2 And must we neédes O worthiest Peéres forgoe By this vntimely Fate our greatest hope That in your ripest yeares and likelyest time Your chiefest force should on this sodaine fall CHOR. 3 Haue you throughout your youth made Brytaines pompe A Soueraigne of so many Nations stout To th' end ere halfe your age vntimely death Should leaue vs Subiect to our woonted foiles CHOR. 4 See seé our idle hopes our brittle trust Our vaine desires our ouer fickle state Which though a while they sayle on quiet seas Yet sinke in surge ere they ariue to hode O wofull warres O Mordreds cursed pride That thus hath wrought both King and Kingdomes woe CADO. Let plaints and mournings passe set moanes a part They made much of themselues Yea too too much They lou'd to liue that seéing all their Realme Thus topsie turuey turuey turnd would grudge to dye ARTH. Yea sure since thus O Fates your censure seemes That freé from force of forreine foes there rests That Mordred reape the glory of our deaths B' it so driue on your doome worke your decreé We fearelesse bide what bane so e'r you bidde And though our ends thus hastened through your heasts Abruptly breake the course of great attempts Yet goe we not inglorious to the ground Set wish a part we haue perfourmd inough The Irish King and Nation wilde we tamde The Scots and Picts and Orcade Isles we wanne The Danes and Gothes and Friseland men with all The Isles inserted nere those Seas And next The Germaine King and Saxons we subdude Not Fraunce that could preuaile against our force Nor lastly Rome that rues her pride supprest Ech forreine power is parcell of our praise No titles want to make our foes affraide This onely now I craue O Fortune erst My faithfull friend let it be soone forgot Nor long in minde nor mouth where Arthur fell Yea though I Conquerour die and full of Fame Yet let my death and parture rest obscure No graue I neéde O Fates nor buriall rights Nor stately hearce nor tombe with haughty toppe But let my Carkasse lurke yea let my death Be ay vnknowen so that in euery Coast I still be feard and lookt for euery houre Exeunt Arthur Cador CHOR. 1 Lo here the end that Fortune sends at last To him whom first she heau'd to highest happe The flattering looke wherewith he long 〈◊〉 leâ—â— The smiling Fates that oft had fedde his Fame The many warres and Conquests
render iust reuenge for parents crimes And penance due t' asswadge my swelling wrath The whiles O Cassiopaea gempright signe Most sacred sight and sweéte Coelestiall starre This Clymat's ioy plac'd in imperiall throne With fragrant Oliue branche portending peace And whosoe'r besides ye heauenly pow'rs Her stately trayne with influence diuine And milde aspect all prone to Bryttaines good Foreseé what present plagues doe threate this Isle Preuent not this my wreake For you their rest 's A happier age a thousand yeares to come An age for peace religion wealth and ease When all the world shall wonder at your blisse That that is yours Leaue this to Gorlois ghoast And seé where com's one engine of my hate With moods and manners fit for my reuenge Exit The second scene Gneneuora Fronia GVEN. AND dares he after nine yeares space returne And seé her face whom he so long disdain'de Was I then chose and wedded for his stale To looke and gape for his retirelesse sayles Puft backe and flittering spread to euery winde O wrong content with no reuenge seeke out Undared plagues teach Mordred how to rage Attempt some bloodie dreadfull irkesome fact And such as Mordred would were rather his Why stayest it must be done let bridle goe Frame out some trap beyonde all vulgar guile Beyonde Medea's wiles attempt some fact That any wight vnwildie of her selfe That any spowse vnfaithfull to her phere Durst euer attempt in most dispaire of weale Spare no reuenge b' it poyson knyfe or fire FRON. Good Madame temper these outragious moodes And let not will vsurpe where wit should rule GVEN. The wrath that breatheth bloode doth loath to lurke What reason most with holdes rage wringes perforce I am disdainde so will I not be long 〈…〉 that he shall first arriue 〈…〉 shall aforde him life 〈…〉 lands nor warres abrode Sufficed for thy foyle yet shalt thou finde Farre woorse at home Thy deépe displeased spowse What e'r thou hast subdude in all thy stay This hand shall nowe subdue then stay thy fill What 's this my mind recoyls and yrkes these threats Anger delayes my griefe gynnes to asswage My furie faintes and sacred wedlockes faith Presents it selfe Why shunst thou fearefull wrath Add coales a freshe preserue me to this venge At lest exyle thy selfe to realmes vnknowen And steale his wealth to helpe thy banisht state For flight is best O base and hartlesse feare Theft exyle flight all these may Fortune sende Unsought but thee beséemes more high reuenge Come spitefull fiends come heapes of furies fell Not one by one but all at once my breast Raues not inough it likes me to be filde With greater monsters yet My hart doth throbbe My liuer boyles some what my minde portendes Uncertayne what but whatsoeuer it 's huge So it excéede be what it will it 's well Omit no plague and none will be inough Wrong cannot be reueng'd but by excesse FRON. O spare this heate you yeélde too much to rage Y' are too vniust is there no meane in wrong GVEN. Wrong claymes a meane when first you offer wronge The meane is vaine when wrong is in reuenge Great harmes cannot be hidde the griefe is small That can releaue aduise or rule it selfe FRON. Hatred concealde doth often happe to hurte But once profest it oftner failes reuenge How better tho wert to represse your yre A Ladies best reuenge is to forgiue What meane is in your hate how much soe'r You can inuent or dare so much you hate GVEN. And would you knowe what meane there is in hate Call loue to minde and seé what meane is there My loue redoubled loue and constant faith Engaged vnto Mordred workes so deépe That both my hart and marrow quite be burnt And synewes dried with force of woontlesse flames Desire to ioy him still torments my mynde Feare of his want doth and a double griefe Loe here the loue that stirres this meanelesse hate FRON. Eschew it farre such loue impugnes the lawes GVEN. Unlawfull loue doth like when lawfull lothes FRON. And is your loue of husbande quite extinct GVEN. The greater flame must neédes delay the lesse Besides his sore reuenge I greatly feare FRON. How can you then attempt a fresh offence GVEN. Who can appoint a stint to her offence FRON. But here the greatnesse of the fact should moue GVEN. The greater it the fitter for my griefe FRON. To kill your spowse GVEN. A stranger and a foe FRON. Your liedge and king GVEN. He wants both Realme and Crowne FRON. Nature affordes not to your sexe such strength GVEN. Loue anguish wrath will soone afforde inough FRON. What rage is this GVEN. Such as himselfe shall rue FRON. Whom Gods doe presse inough will you annoy GVEN. Whom Gods doe presse they bende whom man annoyes He breakes FRON. Your griefe is more then his desertes Ech fault requires an equall hate be not seuere Where crimes be light as you haue felt so greéue GVEN. And seémes it light to want him nine yeare space Then to be spoild of one I hold more deare Thinke all to much b' it ne'r so iust that feédes Continuall griefe the lasting woe is worst FRON. Yet let your highnesse shun these desperate moodes Cast of this rage and fell disposed minde Put not shame quite to flight haue some regard Both of your sex and future fame of life Use no such cruell thoughts as farre exceéde A manly minde much more a womans hart GVEN. Well shame is not so quite exilde but that I can and will respect your sage aduise Your Counsell I accept giue leaue a while Till fiery wrath may slake and rage relent Exit FRON. The third scene Gueneuora Angharat GVEN. THE loue that for his rage will not be rulde Must be restrainde fame shall receiue no foile Let Arthur liue whereof to make him sure My selfe will dye and so preuent his harmes Why stayest thou thus amazde O slouthfull wrath Mischiefe is meant dispatch it on thy selfe ANGH. Her breast not yet appeasde from former rage Hath chaungde her wrath which wanting meanes to worke An others woe for such is furies woont Seékes out his owne and raues vpon it selfe Asswage alas that ouer feruent ire Through to much anger you offend too much Thereby the rather you deserue to liue For seéming worthy in your selfe to dye GVEN. Death is decreéd what kinde of death I doubt Whether to dround or stifill vp his breath On forcing bloud to dye with dint of knife All hope of prosperous hap is gone my fame My faith my spouse no good is left vnlost My selfe am left ther 's left both seas and lands And sword and fire and chaines and choice of harmes O gnawing easelesse griefe Who now can heale My maymed minde it must be healde by death ANGH. No mischiefe must be done whiles I be by Or if there must there must be more then one If death it be you seeke I seéke it too Alone you may not die with me you may GVEN. They
Yet feare the first and last doe sielde agreé MORD. Nay dare the first and last haue many meanes But cease at length your speach molests me much My minde is fixt Giue Mordred leaue to doe What Conan neither can allow nor like CONA. But loe an Herault sent from Arthurs hoast Gods graunt his message may portend our good The third scene Herault Gawin Mordred HERA. YOUR Sire O Prince considering what distresse The Realme sustaines by both your mutuall warres Hath sent your brother Gawin Albane King To treate of truce and to imparle of peace MORD Speake brother what commaundment sends my Sire What message doe you bring My life or death GAWI. A message farre vnmeéte most neédefull tho The Sire commaunds not where the Sonne rebels His loue descends too deépe to wish your death MORD. And mine ascends to high to wish his life GAWI. Yet thus he offreth though your faults be great And most disloyall to his deépe abuse Yet yeélde your selfe he 'il be as prone to grace As you to ruth An Uncle Sire and Liedge And fitter were your due submission done Then wrongfull warres to reaue his right and Realme MORD. It is my fault that he doth want his right It is his owne to vexe the Realme with warres GAWI. It is his right that he attempts to seéke It is your wrong that driueth him thereto MORD. T' is his insatiate minde that is not so content Which hath so many Kingdomes more besides GAWI. The more you ought to tremble at his powre MORD. The greater is my conquest if I winne GAWI. The more your foile if you should hap to loose For Arthurs fame and vallure 's such as you Should rather imitate or at the least Enuie if hope of better fansies failde For whereas Enuie raignes though it repines Yet doth it feare a greater then it selfe MORD. He that enuies the valure of his foe Detects a want of valure in himselfe He fondly fights that fights with such a foe Where t' were a shame to loose no praise to winne But with a famous foe succeéde what will To winne is great renowne to loose lesse foile His conquests were they more dismaie me not The oftner they haue beéne the more they threat No danger can be thought both safe and oft And who hath oftner waged warres then he Escapes secure him not he owes the price Whom chaunce hath often mist chaunce hits at length Or if that Chaunce haue furthered his successe So may she mine for Chaunce hath made me king GAWI. As Chaunce hath made you King so Chaunce may change Prouide for peace that 's it the highest piers No state except euen Conquerours ought to seéke Remember Arthurs strength his conquestes late His fierie mynde his high aspiring heart Marke then the oddes he expert you vntried He ripe you greéne yeelde you whiles yet you may He will not yeelde he winnes his peace with warres MODR. If Chaunce may chaunge his Chaunce was last to winne The likelier now to loose his hautie heart And minde I know I feéle mine owne no lesse As for his strength and skill I leaue to happe Where many meéte it lies not all in one What though he vanquisht haue the Romaine troupes That bootes him not him selfe is vanquisht here Then waigh your wordes againe if Conquerours ought To seéke for peace The Conquered must perforce But he 'ill not yeélde he 'il purchase peace with warres Well yeelde that will I neither will nor can Come peace come warres chuse him my danger 's his His saffetie mine our states doe stande alike If peace be good as good for him as me If warres be good as good for me as him GAWI. What Cursed warres alas were those wherein Both sonne and sire shoulde so oppose themselues Him whom you nowe vnhappie man pursue If you should winne your selfe would first bewayle Giue him his Crowne to keepe it perill breeds MORD. The Crowne I le keepe my selfe insue what will Death must be once how soone I lest respect He best prouides that can beware in time Not why nor when but whence and where he fals What foole to liue a yeare or twaine in rest Woulde loose the state and honour of a Crowne GAWI. Consider then your Fathers griefe and want Whom you bereaue of Kingdome Realme and Crowne MORD. Trust me a huge and mightie kingdome t is To beare the want of Kingdome Realme and Crowne GAWI. A common want which woorkes ech worldlings woe That many haue too much but none inough It were his praise could he be so content Which makes you guiltie of the greater wrong Wherefore thinke on the doubtfull state of warres Where Mars hath sway he keepes no certayne course Sometimes he lettes the weaker to preuaile Some times the stronger stoupes hope feare and rage With eylesse lott rules all vncertayne good Most certaine harmes be his assured happes No lucke can last nowe here now their it lights No state alike Chaunce blindly snatcheth all And Fortune maketh guiltie whom she listes MORD. Since therefore feare and hope and happe in warres Be all obscure till their successe be seene Your speach doth rather driue me on to trie And trust them all mine onely refuge now GAWI. And feare you not so strange and vncouth warres MORD. No were they warres that grew from out the ground GAWI. Nor yet your sire so huge your selfe so small MORD. The smallest axe may fell the hugest oake GAWI. Nor that in felling him your selfe may fall MORD. He falleth well that falling fells his foe GAWI. Nor common Chance whereto each man is thrall MORD. Small manhood were to turne my backe to Chance GAWI. Nor that if Chance afflict kings brooke it not MORD. I beare no breast so vnpreparde for harmes Euen that I holde the kingliest point of all To brooke afflictions well And by how much The more his state and tottering Empire sagges To fixe so much the faster foote on ground No feare but doth foreiudge and many fall Into their Fate whiles they doe feare their Fate Where courage quailes the feare exceeds the harme Yea worse than warre it selfe is feare of warre GAWI. Warre seemeth sweete to such as haue not tried But wisedome wils we should forecast the worst The end allowes the act that plot is wise That knowes his meanes and least relies on Chance Eschue the course where errour lurkes their growes But griefe where paine is spent no hope to speed Striue not aboue your strength for where your force Is ouer matchte with your attempts it faints And fruitlesse leaues what bootlesse it began MORD. All things are rulde in constant course No Fate But is foreset The first daie leades the last No wisedome then but difference in conceit Which workes in many men as many mindes You loue the meane and follow vertues race I like the top and aime at greater blisse You rest content my minde aspires to more In briefe you feare I hope you doubt I dare Since then the sagest
counsailes are but strifes Where equall wits may wreast each side alike Let counsaile go my purpose must proceede Each likes his course mine owne doth like me best Wherefore e'r Arthur breath or gather strength Assault we him least he assault vs first He either must destroie or be destroide The mischiefe 's in the midst catch he that can GAWI. But will no reason rule that desperate minde MORD. A fickle minde that euerie reason rules I rest resolu'd and to my Sire say thus If here he stay but three daies to an end And not forthwith discharge his band and hoast T is Mordreds oath assure himselfe to die But if he finde his courage so to serue As for to stand to his defence with force In Cornewalle if he dare I 'le trye it out GAWI. O strange contempt like as the craggy rocke Resists the streames and flings the waltering waues Aloofe so he reiects and scornes my words Exit The fourth scene Gilla Gillamor Cheldrichus Dux Pictorum Conan MORD. LO where as they decreéd my faithfull friends Haue kept their time be all your powers repaird GILLA They be and all with ardent mindes to Mars They cry for warres and longing for th' allarme Euen now they wish t' incounter with their foes MORD. What could be wisht for more Puissant King For your great helpe and valiant Irish force If I obtaine the conquest in these warres Whereas my father claimes a tribute due Out of your Realme I here renounce it quite And if assistance neéde in doubtfull times I will not faile to aide you with the like GYLL. It doth suffice me to discharge my Realme Or at the least to wreke me on my foes I rather like to liue your friend and piere Then rest in Arthurs homage and disgrace MORD. Right noble Duke through whom the Saxons vowe Their liues with mine for my defence in warres If we preuaile and may subdue our foes I will in liew of your so high deserts Geue you and yours all Brytish lands that lie Betweene the floud of Humber and the Scottes Besides as much in Kent as Horsus and Hengistus had when Vortigern was King CHEL. Your gracious proffers I accept with thankes Not for the gaine but that the good desire I haue henceforth to be your subiect here May thereby take effect which I esteeme More then the rule I beare in Saxon soile MORD. Renowmed Lord for your right hardy Picts And chosen warriers to maintaine my cause If our attempts receiue a good successe The Albane Crowne I giue to you and yours PICT. Your highnes bountie in so high degreé Were cause inough to moue me to my best But sure your selfe without regard of meéde Should finde both me and mine at your commaund MORD. Lord Gilla if my hope may take successe And that I be thereby vndoubted King The Cornish Dukedome I allot to you GILLA· My Liedge to further your desir'd attempts I ioyfully shall spend my dearest blood The rather that I found the King your Sire So heauy Lord to me and all my stocke MORD. Since then our rest is on 't and we agreéd To warre it out what resteth now but blowes Driue Destnies on with swords Mars frames the meanes Henceforth what Mordred may now lies in you Ere long if Mars insue with good successe Looke whatsoe'r it be that Arthur claimes By right a wrong or conquests gaind with blood In Brytaine or abroade is mine to giue To shewe I would haue said I cannot giue What euery hand must giue vnto it selfe Whereof who lists to purchase any share Now let him seéke and winne it with his Sword The Fates haue laide it open in the field What Starres O Heauens or Poles or Powers diuine Doe graunt so great rewards for those that winne Since then our common good and ech mans care Requires our ioint assistance in these toyles Shall we not hazard our extreamest hap And rather spend our Fates then spare our foes The cause I care for most is chiefely yours This hand and hart shall make mine owne secure That man shall seé me foiled by my selfe What e'r he be that seés my foe vnfoilde Feare not the feild because of Mordreds faults Nor shrinke one iotte the more for Arthurs right Full safely Fortune guideth many a guilt And Fates haue none but wretches whom they wrenche Wherefore make speéde to cheare your Souldiers harts That to their fires you yet may adde more flames The side that seékes to winne in ciuill warres Must not content it selfe with woonted heate Exeunt omnes preter Mordred Conan CONA. WOuld God your highnes had beéne more aduisde Ere too much will had drawen your wits too farre Then had no warres indangerd you nor yours Nor Mordreds cause required forreine care MORD. A troubled head my minde reuolts to feare And beares my body backe I inwards feéle my fall My thoughts misgive me much downe terror I Perceiue mine ende and desperate though I must Despise Dispaire and somewhat hopelesse hope The more I doubt the more I dare by feare I finde the fact is fittest for my fame What though I be a ruine to the Realme And fall my selfe therewith No better end His last mishaps doe make a man secure Such was King Priams ende who when he dyed Closde and wrapt vp his Kingdome in his death A solemne pompe and fit for Mordreds minde To be a graue and tombe to all his Realme Exeunt CHORVS 1 Ye Princely Peéres extold to seates of State Seéke not the faire that soone will turne to fowle Oft is the fall of high and houering Fate And rare the roome which time doth not controwle The safest seate is not on highest hill Where windes and stormes and thunders thumpe their ill Farre safer were to follow sound aduise Then for such pride to pay so deare a price 2 The mounting minde that climes the hauty cliftes And soaring seékes the tip of lofty type Intoxicats the braine with guiddy drifts Then rowles and reéles and falles at length plum ripe Loe heauing hie is of so small forecast To totter first and tumble downe at last Yet Paegasus still reares himselfe on hie And coltishly doth kicke the cloudes in Skie 3 Who sawe the griefe engrauen in a Crowne Or knew the bad and bane whereto it 's bound Would neuer sticke to throwe and fling it downe Nor once vouchsafe to heaue it from the ground Such is the sweéte of this ambitious powre No sooner had then turnde eftsoones to sowre Atchieu'd with enuie exercisde with hate Garded with feare supported with debate 4 O restlesse race of high aspyring head O worthlesse rule both pittyed and inuied How many Millions to their losse you lead With loue and lure of Kingdomes blisse vntryed So things vntasted cause a quenchlesse thirst Which were they knowne would be refused first Yea oft we seé yet seéing cannot shonne The fact we finde as fondly dar'd as donne The argument of the third Act 1 IN the first Scene Cador and Howell
woorke O Heauens for you To tumble downe and quite subuert her state Unlesse so many Nations came in aide What thirst of spoile O Fates In ciuil warres Were you afraide to faint for want of blood But yet O wretched state in Brytaines fond What needed they to stoope to Mordreds yoke Or feare the man themselues so fearefull made Had they but lynckt like friendes in Arthurs bandes And ioynde their force against the forren foes These warres and ciuill sinnes had soone surceast And Mordred reft of rule had feard his Sire 3 Would Gods these warres had drawne no other blood Then such as sproong from breasts of forreine foes So that the fountaine fedde with chaungelesse course Had found no neerer vents for dearer iuyce Or if the Fates so thirst for Brytish blood And long so deepely for our last decaie O that the rest were sparde and safe reseru'd Both Saxons Danes and Normans most of all Heereof when ciuill warres haue worne vs out Must Brytaine stand a borrowed blood for Brute 4 When prosperous haps and long continuing blisse Haue past the ripenesse of their budding grouth They fall and foulter like the mellow fruite Surcharg'd with burden of their owne excesse So Fortune wearyed with our often warres Is forc'd to faint and leaue vs to our fates If men haue mindes presaging ought their harmes If euer heauie heart foreweene her woe What Brytaine liues so far remou'd from home In any Ayre or Pole or Coast abroade But that euen now through Natures sole instinct He feeles the fatall sword imbrue his breast Wherewith his natiue soyle for aye is slaine What hopes and happes lye wasted in these warres Who knowes the foyles he suffered in these fieldes The argument of the fift Act IN the first scene Arthur and Cador returned deadlie wounded and bewaild the misfortune of themselues and their Countrie and are likewise bewailed of the Chorus In the seconde scene the Ghoast of Gorlois returneth reioycing at his reuendge and wishing euer after a happier Fate vnto Brytaine which done he descendeth where he first rose ¶ The Argument and manner of the fift and last dumbe shewe SOunding the Musicke foure gentlemen all in blacke halfe armed halfe vnarmed with blacke skarffes ouerthwart their shoulders should come vppon the stage The first bearing alofte in the one hand on the trunchion of a speare an Helmet an arming sworde a Gauntlet c. representing the Trophea in the other hand a Target depicted with a mans hart sore wounded the blood gushing out crowned with a Crowne imperiall and a Lawrell garland thus written in the toppe En totum quod superest signifying the King of Norway which spent himselfe and all his power for Arthur and of whom there was lest nothing but his heart to inioy the conquest that insued The seconde bearing in the one hand a siluer vessell full of golde pearles and other iewels representing the Spolia in the other hande a Target with an Olephant and Dragon thereon fiercely combacting the Dragon vnder the Olephant and sucking by his extreme heate the blood from him is crushed in peeces with the fall of the Olephant so as both die at last this written aboue Victor an Victus representing the King of Denmarke who fell through Mordreds wound hauing first with his souldiers destroyed the most of Mordreds armie The third bearing in the one hand a Pyramis with a Lawrell wreath about it representing victorie In the other hand a Target with this deuise a man sleeping a snake drawing neere to sting him a Leazard preuenting the Snake by fight the Leazard being deadlie wounded awaketh the man who seeing the Leazard dying pursues the Snake and kils it this written aboue Tibi morimur Signifying Gawin King of Albanye slaine in Arthurs defence by Mordred whom Arthur afterwardes slewe The fourth bearing in the one hande a broken piller at the toppe thereof the Crowne and Scepter of the vanquisht King both broken asunder representing the conquest ouer vsurpation in the other hand a Target with two Cockes painted thereon the one lying dead the other with his winges broken his eyes pecked out and the bloode euerye where gushing foorth to the grounde he standing vppon the dead Cocke and crowing ouer him with this embleme in the toppe Qua vici perdidi signifying Cador deadly wounded by Gilla whom he slewe After these followed a King languishing in complet Harnesse blacke brused battered vnto him besprinkled with blood On his head a Lawrell garland leaning on the shoulders of two Heraults in mourning gownes hoods th'on in Mars his coate of arms the other in Arthurs presenting Arthur victoriously but yet deadly wounded there followed a page with a Target whereon was portraited a Pellican pecking her blood out of her brest to feede her young ones through which wound she dieth this writen in the toppe Quafoui perit signifying Arthurs too much indulgencie of Mordred the cause of his death All this represented the dismayed and vnfortunate victorie of Arthur which is the matter of the Act insuing THE FIFT ACT and first Scene Arthur Cador Chorus ARTH. COme Cador as our frendship was most firme Throughout our age so now let 's linke as fast Thus did we liue in warres thus let vs dye In peace and arme in arme pertake our Fates Our woundes our greéfe our wish our hap alike Our end so neere all craue eche others helpe CADO. O King beholde the fruite of all our Fame Lo here our Pompe consumed with our selues What all our age with all our warres had woonne Loe here one day hath lost it all at once Well so it likes the Heauens thus Fortune gibes She hoyseth vp to hurle the deeper downe CHOR. 1 O sacred Prince what sight is this we seé Why haue the Fates reseru'd vs to these woes Our onely hope the stay of all our Realme The piller of our state thus sore opprest O would the Gods had fauour'd vs so much That as we liu'd partakers of your paines And likewise ioyde the fruit of your exploytes So hauing thus bereft our Soueraignes blisse They had with more indifferent doome conioynd The Subiects both and Soueraignes bane in one It now alas ingendereth double greéfe To rue your want and to bewaile our woes ARTH. Rue not my Brytaines what my rage hath wrought But blame your King that thus hath rent your Realme My meanelesse moodes haue made the Fates thus fell And too much anger wrought in me too much For had impatient ire indu'rde abuse And yeélded where resistance threatned spoyle I mought haue liu'd in forreine coastes vnfoilde And six score thousand men had bene vnmoande But wrong incensing wrath to take reuenge Preferred Chaunce before a better choyse CHOR. 2 T' was Mordreds wrong and to vniust desertes That iustly mooude your Highnesse to such wrath Your claime requir'd no lesse then those attempts Your cause right good was prais'd and praide for most ARTH. I claimd my Crowne the cause of claime was