Lords Tears stop my voice your wisdoms know my meaning Alas I know my Brother Richard's heart Affects not Empire he would rather choose To make return again to Palestine And be a scourge unto the Infidels As for my Lord he is impatient The more my grief the lesser is my hope Yet Princes thus he sends you word by me He will submit himself to your award And labour to amend what is amiss All I have said or can device to say Is few words of great worth Make unity Bohe. Madam that we have suffer'd you to kneel so long Agrees not with your dignity nor ours Thus we excuse it when we once are set In solemn Councel of Election We may not rise till somewhat be concluded So much for that touching your earnest sure Your Majestie doth know how it concerns us Comfort your self as we do hope the best But tell us Madam wher 's your Husband now Empress I left him at his prayers good my Lord Saxon. At prayers Madam that 's a miracle Pall. Vndoubtedly your Highness did mistake 'T was sure some Book of Conjuration I think he never said pray'r in his life Empress Ah me my fear I fear will take effect Your hate to him and love unto my Brother Will break my heart and spoil th' Imperial peace Mentz My Lord of Saxon and Prince Pallatine This hard opinion yet is more than needs But gracious Madam leave us to our selves Empress I go and Heav'n that holds the Hearts of Kings Direct your Counsels unto unity Exit Bohe. Now to the depth of that we have in hand This is the question whether the King of Spain Shall still continue in the Royal throne Or yield it up unto Plantagenet Or we proceed unto a third Eelection Saxon. E're such a viperous blood-thirsty Spaniard Shall suck the hearts of our Nobility Th' Imperial Sword which Saxony doth bear Shall be unsheath'd to War against the world Pall. My hate is more than words can testifie Slave as he is he murdered my Father Coll. Prince Richard is the Champion of the world Learned and mild fit for the Government Bohe. And what have we to do with Englishmen They are divided from our Continent But now that we may orderly proceed To our high Office of Election To you my Lord of Mentz it doth belong Having first voice in this Imperial Synod To name a worthy man for Emperour Mentz It may be thought most grave and reverend Princes That in respect of divers sums of gold Which Richard of meer charitable love Not as a bribe but as a deed of Alms Disburs'd for me unto the Duke of Brunschweige That I dare name no other man but he Or should I nominate an other Prince Upon the contrary I may be thought A most ingrateful wretch unto my Friend But private cause must yield to publick good Therefore me thinks it were the fittest course To choose the worthiest upon this Bench Bohem. We are all Germans why should we be yoak'd Either by Englishmen or Spaniards Saxo. The Earl of Cornwall by a full consent Was sent for out of England Mentz Though he were Our later thoughts are purer than our first And to conclude I think this end were best Since we have once chosen him Emperour That some great Prince of wisdom and of power Whose countenance may overbear his pride Be joynd in equal Government with Alphonsus Bohem. Your Holiness hath soundly in few words Set down a mean to quiet all these broyls Trier So may we hope for peace if he amend But shall Prince Richard then be joynd with him Pal. Why should your Highness ask that question As if a Prince of so high Kingly Birth Would live in couples with so base a Cur Bohe. Prince Pallatine such words do ill become thee Saxon. He said but right and call'd Dog a Dog Bohe. His Birth is Princely Saxo. His manners villanous And vertuous Richard scorns so base a yoak Bohe. My Lord of Saxon give me leave to tell you Ambition blinds your judgement in this case You hope if by your means Richard be Emperour He in requital of so great advancement Will make the long-desired Marriage up Between the Prince of England and your Sister And to that end Edward the Prince of Wales Hath born his Uncle Company to Germany Saxo. Why King of Bohem i' st unknown to thee How oft the Saxons Sons have marryed Queens And Daughters Kings yea mightiest Emperours If Edward like her beauty and behaviour He 'l make no question of her Princely Birth But let that pass I say as erst I said That vertuous Richard scorns so base a yoak Mentz If Richard scorn some one upon this Bench Whose power may overbear Alphonsus pride Is to be named What think you my Lords Saxon. I think it was a mighty mass of Gold That made your grace of this opinion Mentz My Lord of Saxony you wrong me much And know I highly scorn to take a bribe Pal. I think you scorn indeed to have it known But to the purpose if it must be so Who is the fittest man to joyn with him Collen First with an Oxe to plough will I be yok'd Mentz The fittest is your grace in mine opinion Bohem. I am content to stay these mutinies To take upon me what you do impose Saxon. Why here 's a tempest quickly overblown God give you joy my Lord of half the Empire For me I will not meddle in the matter But warn your Majestie to have a care And vigilant respect unto your person I 'l hie me home to fortifie my Towns Not to offend but to defend my self Pals. Ha' with you Cosin and adieu my Lords I am afraid this suddain knitted Peace Will turn unto a tedious lasting War Only thus much we do request you all Deal honourably with the Earl of Cornwall And so adieu Exeunt Saxon. and Pals Brand. I like not this strange Farewel of the Dukes Bohem. In all elections some are malcontent It doth concern us now with speed to know How the Competitors will like of this And therefore you my Lord Archbishop of Trier Impart this order of arbitrament Unto the Emperour bid him be content To stand content with half or lose the whole My Lord of Mentz go you unto Prince Richard And tell him flatly here 's no Crown nor Empire For English Islanders tell him 't were his best To hie him home to help the King his Brother Against the Earl of Leicester and the Barons Collen My Lord of Mentz sweet words will qualifie When bitter tearms will adde unto his rage 'T is no small hope that hath deceiv'd the Duke Therefore be mild I know an Englishman Being flattered is a Lamb threatned a Lion Tell him his charges what so e're they are Shal be repaid with treble vantages Do this we will expect their resolutions Mentz Brother of Collen I entreat your grace To take this charge upon you in my stead For why I shame to look him in
shall hang a sacred Lamp Which till the day of doom shall ever burn Yea after ages shall speak of thy renown And go a Pilgrimage to thy sacred Tomb Grief stops my voice who loves his Emperour Lay to his helping hand and bear him hence Sweet Father and redeemer of my life Exeunt Manet Alexander Alex. Now is my Lord sole Emperour of Rome And three Conspirators of my Fathers death Are cunningly sent unto Heaven or Hell Like subtilty to this was never seen Alas poor Mentz I pittying thy prayers Could do no less than lend a helping hand Thou wert a famous flatterer in thy life And now hast reapt the fruits thereof in death But thou shalt be rewarded like a Saint With Masses Bels dirges and burning Lamps 'T is good I envie not thy happiness But ah the sweet remembrance of that night That night I mean of sweetness and of stealth When for a Prince a Princess did imbrace me Paying the first fruits of her Marriage Bed Makes me forget all other accidents O Saxon I would willingly forgive The deadly trespass of my Fathers death So I might have thy Daughter to my Wife And to be plain I have best right unto her And love her best and have deserv'd her best But thou art fond to think on such a match Thou must imagin nothing but revenge And if my computation fail me not Ere long I shall be thorowly reveng'd Exit Enter the Duke of Saxon and Hedewick with the Child Saxon. Come forth thou perfect map of miserie Desolate Daughter and distressed Mother In whom the Father and the Son are curst Thus once again we will assay the Prince 'T may be the sight of his own flesh and blood Will now at last pierce his obdurate heart Jailor how fares it with thy prisoner Let him appear upon the battlements Hede. O mein deere vatter ich habe in dis lang lang 30. weeken welche mich duncket sein 40. iahr gewesen ein litte Englisch gelernet vnd ich hope he will me verstohn vnd shew me a little pittie Enter Edward on the Walls and Iailor Saxon. Good morrow to your grace Edward of Wales Son and immediate Heir to Henry the third King of England and Lord of Ireland Thy Fathers comfort and the peoples hope 'T is not in mockage nor at unawares That I am ceremonious to repeat Thy high descent ioynd with thy Kingly might But therewithall to intimate unto thee What God expecteth from the higher powers Justice and mercie truth sobrietie Relenting hearts hands innocent of blood Princes are Gods chief substitutes on earth And should be Lamps unto the common sort But you will say I am become a Preacher No Prince I am an humble suppliant And to prepare thine ears make this exordium To pierce thine eyes and heart behold this spectacle Three Generations of the Saxon blood Descended lineallie from forth my Loyns Kneeling and crying to thy mightiness First look on me and think what I have been For now I think my self of no account Next Caesar greatest man in Germanie Neerly a lyed and ever friend to England But Womens sighs move more in manly hearts O see the hands she elevates to Heaven Behold those eyes that whilome were thy joyes Uttering domb eloquence in Christal tears If these exclames and sights be ordinarie Then look with pittie on thy other self This is thy flesh and blood bone of thy bone A goodly Boy the Image of his sire Turn'st thou away O were thy Father here He would as I do take him in his arms And sweetly kiss his Grand-child in the face O Edward too young in experience That canst not look into the grievous wrack Ensuing this thy obstinate deniall O Edward too young in experience That canst not see into the future good Ensuing thy most just acknowledgement Hear me thy truest friend I will repeat them For good thou hast an Heir indubitate Whose eyes already sparckle Majesty Born in true Wedlock of a Princely Mother And all the German Princes to thy friends Where on the contrary thine eyes shall see The speedy Tragedie of thee and thine Like Athamas first will I ceize upon Thy young unchristened and despised Son And with his guiltless brains bepaint the Stones Then like Virginius will I kill my Child Unto thine eyes a pleasing spectacle Yet shall it be a momentarie pleasure Henry of England shall mourn with me For thou thy self Edward shall make the third And be an actor in this bloody Scean Hede. Ah myne seete Edouart mein herzkin myne scherzkin mein herziges einiges herz mein allerleivest husband I preedee mein leefe see me friendlich one good feete harte tell de trut and at lest to me and dyne allerleefest schild shew pitty dan ich bin dyne vnd dow bist myne dow hast me geven ein kindelein O Edouart feete Edouart erbarmet sein Edw. O Hedewick peace thy speeches pierce my soul Hede. Hedewick doe yow excellencie hight me Hedewick seete Edouart yow weete ich bin yowr allerlieueste wife Edward The Priest I must confess made thee my Wife Curst be the damned villanous adulterer That with so fowl a blot divorc'd our love Hede. O mein allerleevester hieborne Furst vnd Herr dinck dat unser Herr Gott sitts in himmells trone and sees dat hart vnd will my cause woll recken Saxon. Edward hold me not up with long delays But quickly say wilt thou confess the truth Edward As true as I am born of Kingly Linage And am the best Plantagenet next my Father I never carnallie did touch her body Saxon. Edward this answer had we long ago Seest thou this brat speak quickly or he dyes Edward His death will be more piercing to thine eyes Than unto mine he is not of my kin Hede. O Father O myne Uatter spare myne kindt O Edouart O Prince Edouart spreak now oder nimmermehr die kindt ist mein it soll nicht sterben Saxon. Have I dishonoured my self so much To bow my Knee to thee which never bow'd But to my God and am I thus rewarded Is he not thine speak murderous-minded Prince Edward O Saxon Saxon mitigate thy rage First thy exceeding great humilitie When to thy captive prisoner thou didst kneel Had almost made my lying tongue confess The deed which I protest I never did But thy not causeless furious madding humour Together with thy Daughters pitious cryes Whom as my life and soul I dearly love Had thorowly almost perswaded me To save her honour and belie my self And were I not a Prince of so high blood And Bastards have no scepter-bearing hands I would in silence smother up this blot And in compassion of thy Daughters wrong Be counted Father to an others Child For why my soul knows her unguiltiness Saxon. Smooth words in bitter sense is thine answer Hede. Ey vatter geue mir mein kindt die kind i st mein Saxon. Das weis ich
THE TRAGEDY OF ALPHONSUS EMPEROUR OF GERMANY As it hath been very often acted with great applause at the Private house in BLACK-FRIERS by his MAIESTIES Servants By George Chapman Gent LONDON Printed for HUMPHREY MOSELEY and are to be sold at his Shopp at the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard 1614 To the Reader I Shall not need to bespeak thee Courteous if thou hast seen this Piece presented with all the Elegance of Life and Action on the Black-Friers Stage But if it be a Stranger to thee give me leave to prepare thy acceptation by telling thee it was receiv'd with general applause and thy judgement I doubt not will be satisfied in the reading I will not raise thy Expectation further nor delay thy Entertainment by a tedious Preface The Design is high the Contrivement subtle and will deserve thy grave Attention in the perusall Farewell Dramatis Personae ALphonsus Emperour of Germany The seven Electors of the German Empire King of Bohemia Bishop of Mentz Bishop of Collen Bishop of Tryer Pallatine of the Rhein Duke of Saxon Marquess of Brandenburgh Prince Edward of England Richard Duke of Cornwall Lorenzo de Cipres Secretary to the Emperour Alexander his Son the Emperours Page Isabella the Empress Hedewick Daughter to the Duke of Saxon Captain of the Guard Souldiers Jaylor Two Boores ALPHONSUS Emperour of Germany Enter Alphonsus the Emperour in his night-gown and his shirt and a torch in his hand Alexander de Tripes his Page following him Al. BOy give me the Master Key of all the doors To Bed again and leave me to my self Exit Alexder Is Richard come have four Electors sworn To make him Keisar in despite of me Why then Alphonsus it is time to wake No Englishman thou art too hot at hand Too shallow braind to undermine my throne The Spanish Sun hath purifi'd my wit And dry'd up all gross humours in my head That I am sighted as the King of Birds And can discern thy deepest Stratagems I am the lawful German Emperour Chosen enstall'd by general consent And they may tearm me Tyrant as they please I will be King and Tyrant if I please For what is Empire but a Tyrannie And none but children use it otherwise Of seven Electors four are falln away The other three I dare not greatly trust My Wife is Sister to mine enemy And therefore wisely to be dealt withall But why do I except in special When this position must be general That no man living must be credited Further than tends unto thy proper good But to the purpose of my silent walk Within this Chamber lyes my Secretary Lorenzo de Cipres in whose learned brain Is all the compass of the world containd And as the ignorant and simple age Of our forefathers blinded in their zeal Receiv'd dark answers from Appollo's shrine And honour'd him as Patron of their bliss So I not muffled in simplicitie Zealous indeed of nothing but my good Hast to the Augur of my happiness To lay the ground of my ensuing Wars He learns his wisdom not by flight of Birds By prying into sacrificed beasts By Hares that cross the way by howling Wolves By gazing on the Starry Element Or vain imaginary calculations But from a setled wisdom in it self Which teacheth to be void of passion To be Religious as the ravenous Wolf Who loves the Lamb for hunger and for prey To threaten our inferiors with our looks To flatter our Superiors at our need To be an outward Saint an inward Devill These are the lectures that my Master reads This Key commands all Chambers in the Court Now on a sudain will I try his wit I know my comming is unlook'd for He opens the door and finds Lorenzo sleep a loft Nay sleep Lorenzo I will walk a while As nature in the framing of the world Ordain'd there should be nihil vacuum Even so me thinks his wisdom should contrive That all his Study should be full of wit And every corner stuft with sentences What 's this Plato Aristotle tush these are ordinary It seems this is a note but newly written He reads a note which he finds among his Books Una arbusta non alit duos Erithicos which being granted the Roman Empire will not suffice Alphonsus King of Castile and Richard Earl of Cornwall his competitor thy wisdom teacheth thee to cleave to the strongest Alphonsus is in possession and therefore the strongest but he is in hatred with the Electors and men rather honour the Sunrising than the Sun going down I marry this is argued like himself and now me thinks he wakes Lorenzo Riseth and snatches at his sword which hung by his Bed side Loren. What are there thieves within the Emperour's Court Villain thou dy'st what mak'st thou in my Chamber Alphon. How now Lorenzo wilt thou slay thy Lord Loren. I do beseech your sacred Majesty to pardon me I did not know your grace Alphon. Ly down Lorenzo I will sit by thee The ayr is sharp and piercing tremble not Had it been any other but our self He must have been a villain and a thief Loren. Alas my Lord what means your excellence To walk by night in these so dangerous times Alphon. Have I not reason now to walk and watch When I am compast with so many foes They ward they watch they cast and they conspire To win confederate Princes to their aid And batter down the Eagle from my creast O my Lorenzo if thou help me not Th' Imperial Crown is shaken from my head And giv'n from me unto an English Earl Thou knowest how all things stand as well as we Who are our enemies and who our friends Who must be threatned and who dallyed with Who won by words and who by force of arms For all the honour I have done to thee Now speak and speak to purpose in the cause Nay rest thy body labour with thy brain And of thy words my self will be the scribe Loren. Why then my Lord take Paper Pen and Ink Write first this maxim it shall do you good 1. A Prince must be of the nature of the Lion and the Fox but not the one without the other Alphon. The Fox is subtil but he wanteth force The Lion strong but scorneth policie I 'l imitate Lysander in this point And where the Lion's hide is thin and scant I 'l firmly patch it with the Foxes fell Let it suffice I can be both in one Loren. 2. A Prince above all things must seem devout but there is nothing so dangerous to his state as to regard his promise or his oath Alphon. Tush fear not me my promise are sound But he that trusts them shall be sure to fail Loren. Nay my good Lord but that I know your Majesty To be a ready quickwitted Scholar I would bestow a comment on the text 3. Trust not a reconciled friend for good turns cannot blot out old grudges Alphon. Then must I watch the Palatine of the Rhein I caus'd his Father to be
the face Collen Your Holiness shall pardon me in this Had I the profit I would take the pains With shame enough your Grace may bring the message Mentz Thus am I wrong'd God knows unguiltily Brand. Then arm your countenance with innocency And boldly do the message to the Prince For no man else will be the messenger Mentz Why then I must since ther 's no remedy Exit Mentz Brand. If Heav'n that guides the hearts of mighty men Do calm the Winds of these great Potentates And make them like of this Arbitrament Sweet Peace will tryumph thorough Christendom And Germany shall bless this happy day Enter Alexander de Toledo the Page Alexand. O me most miserable O my dear Father Bohem. What means this passionate accent what art thou That sounds these acclamations in our ears Alex. Pardon me Princes I have lost a Father O me the name of Father kils my heart O! I shall never see my Father more H 'as tane his leave of me for age and age Collen What was thy Father Alex. Ah me I what was a not Noble Rich valiant well-belov'd of all The glory and the wisdom of his age Chief Secretary to the Emperour Collen Lorenzo de Toledo is he dead Alex. Dead ay me dead ay me my life is dead Strangely this night bereft of breath and sense And I poor I am comforted in nothing But that the Emperour laments with me As I exclame so he he rings his hands And makes me mad to see his Majesty Excruciate himself with endless sorrow Collen The happiest news that ever I did hear Thy Father was a villain murderer Witty not wise lov'd like a Scorpion Grown rich by the impoverishing of others The chiefest cause of all these mutinies And Caesar's tutor to all villanie Alex. None but an open lyar terms him so Col. What Boy so malepert Bohem. Good Collen bear with him it was his Father Dutch-land is blessed in Lorenzo's Death Brand. Did never live a viler minded man Exeunt Manet Alex. Alex. Nor King nor Churfurst should be privileg'd To call me Boy and rayl upon my Father Were I wehrsafflig but in Germany A man must be a Boy at 40. years And dares not draw his weapon at a Dog Till being soundly box'd about the ears His Lord and Master gird him with a sword The time will come I shall be made a man Till then I 'l pine with thought of dire revenge And live in Hell untill I take revenge ACT. II. Enter Alphonsus Richard Earl of Cornwall Mentz Trier Prince Edward Bohemia Collen Brandenburge Attendants and Pages with a sword Bohem. Behold here come the Princes hand in hand Pleas'd highly with the sentence as it seems Alphon. Princes and Pillars of the Monarchy We do admire your wisdoms in this cause And do accept the King of Bohemia As worthy partner in the Government Alas my Lords I flatly now confess I was alone too weak to underprop So great a burden as the Roman Empire And hope to make you all admire the course That we intend in this conjunction Richard That I was call'd from England with consent Of all the seven Electors to this place Your selves best know who wrote for me to come 'T was no ambition mov'd me to the journey But pitty of your half declining State Which being likely now to be repayr'd By the united force of these two Kings I rest content to see you satisfied Mentz Brave Earl wonder of Princely patience I hope your grace will not mis-think of me Who for your good and for the Empires best Bethought this means to set the world at Peace Edward No doubt this means might have been thought upon Although your Holiness had dy'd in Prison Mentz Peace peace young Prince you want experience Your Unckle knows what cares accompany And wait upon the Crowns of mightiest Kings And glad he is that he hath shak'd it off Edward Heark in your ear my Lord hear me one word Although it were more than a million Which these two Kings bestow'd upon your grace Mine Unckle Richards million sav'd your life Mentz Your were best to say your Vnckle brib'd me then Edward I do but say mine Vnckle sav'd your life You know Count Mansfield your fellow Prisoner Was by the Duke of Brunschwig put to death Mentz You are a Child my Lord your words are wind Edward You are a Fox my Lord and past a Child Bohem. My Lord of Cornwall your great forwardness Crossing the Seas with aid of Englishmen Is more than we can any way requite But this your admirable patience In being pleas'd with our election Deserves far more than thanks can satisfie In any thing command the Emperours Who live to honour Richard Earl of Cornwall Alpho. Our deeds shall make our Protestations good Mean while brave Princes let us leave this place And solace us with joy of this accord Enter Isabella the Empress Hedewick the Duke of Saxon's Daughter apparelled like Fortune drawn on a Globe with a Cup in her hand wherein are Bay leaves whereupon are written the lots A train of Ladies following with Musick Empress To gratulate this unexpected Peace This glorious league confirm'd against all hope Joyful Isabella doth present this shew Of Fortunes triumph as the custom is At Coronation of our Emperours If therefore every party be well pleas'd And stand content with this arbitriment Then daign to do as your Progenitors And draw in sequence Lots for Offices Alphon. This is an order here in Germany For Princes to disport themselves with all In sign their hearts so firmly are conjoyn'd That they will bear all fortunes equally And that the world may know I scorn no state Or course of life to do the Empire good I take my chance My Fortune is to be the Forrester Emp. If we want Venson either red or fallow Wild bore or bear you must be fin'd my Lord Bohem. The Emperour's Taster I Emp. Your Majesty hath been tasted to so oft That you have need of small instructions Richard I am the bowr Sister what is my charge Emp. Tyr'd like a Carter and a Clownish Bowr To bring a load of Wood into the Kitchin Now for my self Faith I am Chamber Maid I know my charge proceed unto the next Alphon. Prince Edward standeth melancholy still Please it your Grace my Lord to draw your lot Emp. Nephew you must be solemn with the sad And given to myrth in sportful Company The German Princes when they will be lusty Shake of all cares and Clowns and they are Fellows Edward Sweet Aunt I do not know the Country guise Yet would be glad to learn all fashions Since I am next good Fortune be my guide Brand. A most ingenuous countenance hath this Prince Worthy to be the King of England's Heir Edward Be it no disparagement to you my Lords I am your Emperour Alphon. Sound trumpets God save the Emperour Collen The world could never worse have fitted me I am not old enough to be the Cook
Empress If you be Cook there is no remedy But you must dress one Mess of meat you self Branden. I am Physician Trier I am Secretary Mentz I am the Jester Edward O excellent is your Holiness the Vice Fortune hath fitted you y'faith my Lord You 'l play the Ambodexter cunningly Mentz Your Highness is to bitter in your Jests Alphon. Come hither Alexander to comfort thee After the death of thy beloved Father Whose life was deer unto his Emperour Thou shalt make one in this solemnity Yet e're thou draw my self will honour thee And as the custom is make thee a man Stand stiff Sir Boy now com'st thou to thy tryal Take this and that and therewithall this Sword He gives Alexander a Box on the ear or two If while thou live thou ever take the like Of me or any man I here pronounce Thou art a schelm otherwise a man Now draw thy lot and Fortune be thy speed Edward Vnckle I pray why did be box the fellow Foul lubber as he is to take such blows Richard Thus do the Princes make their Pages men Edward But that is strange to make a man with blows We say in England that he is a man That like a man dare meet his enemy And in my judgement 't is the sounder tryal Alex. Fortune hath made me Marshall of the tryumphs Alphon. Now what remains Emperess That Fortune draw her lot She opens it and gives it to the Emperess to read Empress Sound trumpets Fortune is your Emperess Alphon. This happens right for Fortune will be Queen Now Emperour you must unmask her face And tell us how you like your Emperess In my opinion England breeds no fairer Bohe. Fair Hedewick the Duke of Saxons daughter Young Prince of England you are bravely match'd Edward Tell me sweet Aunt is that this Saxon Princess Whose beauties fame made Edward cross the Seas Emperess Nephew it is hath fame been prodigal Or over sparing in the Princess praise Edward Fame I accuse thee thou did'st niggardize And faintly sound my loves perfections Great Lady Fortune and fair Emperess Whom chance this day hath thrown into my arms More welcome than the Roman Emperess Edward kisses her Hede. See doch dass ist hier kein gebrauch Mein Got ist dass dir Englisch manier dass dich Edward What meaneth this why chafes my Emperess Alphon. Now by my troth I did expect this jest Prince Edward us'd his Country fashion Edward I am an Englishman why should I not Emp. Fy Nephew Edward here in Germany To kiss a Maid a fault intollerable Edward Why should not German Maids be kist aswell as others Richard Nephew because you did not know the fashion And want the language to excuse your self I 'l be your spokes-man to your Emperess Edward Excuse it thus I like the first so well That tell her she shall chide me twice as much For such an other nay tell her more than so I 'l double kiss on kiss and give her leave To chide and braul and cry ten thousand dass dich And make her weary of her fretting humour E're I be weary of my kissing vein Dass dich a Iungfraw angry for a kiss Empress Nephew she thinks you mock her in her mirth Edward I think the Princes make a scorn of me If any do I 'l prove it with my Sword That English Courtship leaves it from the world Bohem. The pleasant'st accident that I have seen Bran. Me thinks the Prince is chaf'd as well as she Rich. Gnediges frawlin Hede. Dass dich mast ich arme kindt zu schanden gemacht werden Edward Dass dich I have kist as good as you Pray Unckle tell her if she mislike the kiss I 'l take it off agen with such an other Rich. Ey Lirbes frawlin nim es all fur gutti Es i st die Englisch manier Und gebrauche Hede. Ewer gnaden weissts woll es ist mir ein grosse schande Edward Good Aunt teach me so much Dutch to ask her pardon Empress Say so Gnediges frawlin vergebet mirs ich wills nimmermehr thuen Then kiss your hand three times upsy Dutch Edward Ich wills nimmermehr thuen if I understand it right That 's as much to say as I 'l do so no more Empr. True Nephew Edward Nay Aunt pardon me I pray I hope to kiss her many thousand times And shall I go to her like a great Boy and say I 'l do so no more Empress I pray Cosin say as I tell you Edward Gnediges frawlin vergebet mirss ich wills nimmermehr thuen Alphon. For wahr kein schandt Hedew. Gnediger hochgeborner Furst vndt herr Wan ich konte so vil englisch sprechen ich wolt ewer Gnaden Fur wahr ein filtz geben ich hoffe aber ich soll etnmahl So viel lernen dass Die mich verstrhen soll Edward What says she Alphon. O excellent young Prince look to your self She swears she 'l learn some English for your sake To make you understand her when she chides Edward I 'l teach her English she shall teach me Dutch Gnediges frawlin c. Bohem. It is great pitty that the Duke of Saxon Is absent at this joyful accident I see no reason if his Grace were here But that the Marriage might be solemniz'd I think the Prince of Wales were well content Edward I left sweet England to none other end And though the Prince her Father be not here This Royal presence knows his mind in this Emp. Since you do come so roundly to the purpose 'T is time for me to speak the Maid is mine Giv'n freely by her Father unto me And to the end these broyls may have an end I give the Father's interest and mine own Unto my Nephew Edward Prince of Wales Edward A Jewel of incomparable price Your Majesty hath here bestowed on me How shall I ask her if she be content Empr. Say thus i st ewer gnaden woll hiemit zufrieden Edward I st ewer Gnaden woll hiemit zufrieden Hede. Wass ihr durleichtigkeit dass will dass will mein vattter vndt Wass mein vatter will darmit muss ich zufrieden sein Alphon. It is enough she doth confirm the match We will dispatch a Post unto her Father On Sunday shall the Revels and the Wedding Be both solemnized with mutual joy Sound trumpets each one look unto his charge For preparation of the Festivals Exeunt Manent Alphonsus and Alexander Alphon. Come hither Alexander thy Fathers joy If tears and sighs and deep-fetcht deadly groans Could serve t' evert inexorable fate Divine Lorenzo whom in life my heart In death my soul and better part adores Had to thy comfort and his Prince's honour Surviv'd and drawn this day this breath of life Alexan. Dread Caesar prostrate on my bended Knee I thank your Majesty for all favours shewn To my deceased Father and my self I must confess I spend but bootless tears Yet cannot
of bloud and death are hapned Saxon. My mind misgave a massacre this night Rich. How do's Prince Edward then Sax. How do's my Daughter Collen How goes it with the Palsgrave of the Rhein Brand. Prince Edward and his Bridle do live in health And shall be brought unto you when you please Saxon. Let them be presently deliver'd Coll. Lives not the Palsgrave too Mentz In Heaven or Hell he lives and reaps the merrit of his deeds Coll. What damned hand hath butchered the Prince Saxon. O that demand is needless who but he That seeks to be the Butcher of us all But vengeance and revenge shall light on him Bran. Be patient noble Princes hear the rest The two great Kings of Bohem and Castile God comfort them lie now at point of death Both poyson'd by the Palsgrave yesterday Rich. How is that possible so must my Sister The Pallatine himself and Alexander Who drunk out of the bowl be poysoned too Mentz Nor is that hainous deed alone the cause Though cause enough to ruin Monarchies He hath defil'd with lust th' Imperial Bed And by the Emperour in the fact was slain Collen O worthy guiltless Prince O had he fled Rich. But say where is the Empress where 's my Sister Mentz Not burnt to ashes yet but shall be shortly Rich. I hope her Majesty will live to see A hundred thousand flattering turncoat slaves Such as your Holiness dye a shameful death Brand. She is in prison and attends her tryal Saxon. O strange heart-breaking mischievous intents Give me my children if you love your lives No safety is in this enchanted Fort O see in happy hour there comes my Daughter And loving son scapt from the Massacre Enter Edward and Hedewick Edward My body lives although my heart be slain O Princes this hath been the dismall'st night That ever eye of sorrow did behold Here lay the Palsgrave weltring in his bloud Dying Alphonsus standing over him Upon the other hand the King of Bohem Still looking when his poyson'd bulk would break But that which pierc'd my soul with natures touch Was my tormented Aunt with blubberd cheeks Torn bloody Garments and disheveld hair Waiting for death deservedly or no That knows the searcher of all humane thoughts For these devices are beyond my reach Saxon. Sast dorh liches doister who wart dow dicselbirmafl Hede. Ais who who solt ich sem ich war in bette Saxon. Wert dow allrin so wart dow gar vorschrocken Hede. Ich ha mist audes gememt dam das ich wolt allrin geschlaffne haben abur vmb mitternaist kam meiner bridegroom bundt si flaffet bey mir bis wir mit dem getunnuel erwacht waren Edward What says she came her Bridegroom to her at midnight Rich. Nephew I see you were not over-reach'd Although she slipt out of your arms at first You ceiz'd her surely e're you left the chace Saxon. But left your Grace your Bride alone in Bed Or did she run together in the Larum Edward Alas my Lords this is no time to jest I lay full sadly in my Bed alone Not able for my life to sleep a wink Till that the Larum Bell began to Ring And then I starred from my weary couch Saxon. How now this rimes not with my daughters speech She says you found her Bed and lay with her Edward Not I your Highness did mistake her words Collen Deny it not Prince Edward 't is an honour Edward My Lords I know no reason to deny it T' have found her Bed I would have given a million Saxon. Hedswick der Furst sagt er satt mist be dir schlafin Hede. Es gefelt ihm also zum sagun aber ich habes woll gerfralet Rich. She say's you are dispos'd to jest with her But yesternight she felt it in good earnest Edward Unckle these jests are too unsavorie Ill suited to these times and please me not Lab ich bin you geshlapen yesternight Hede. I leff warum snlt ihrs fragen Saxon. Edward I tell thee 't is no jesting matter Say plainly wa'st thou by her I or no Edward As I am Prince true heir to Englands Crown I never toucht her body in a Bed Hede. Das haste gethan order holle mich der divell Richard Nephew take heed you hear the Princess words Edward It is not she nor you nor all the world Shall make me say I did anothers deed Saxon. Anothers deed what think'st thou her a whore Saxon strikes Edward Edward She may be Whore and thou a villain too Strook me the Emperour I will strike again Collen Content you Princes buffet not like boys Richard Hold you the one and I will hold the other Hede. O her got help help oich arms kindt Saxon. Souldiers lay hands upon the Prince of Wales Convey him speedily unto a prison And load his Legs with grievous bolts of Iron Some bring the Whore my Daughter from my fight And thou smooth Englishman to thee I speak My hate extends to all thy Nation Pack thee out of my sight and that with speed Your English practises have all to long Muffled our German eyes pack pack I say Richard Although your Grace have reason for your rage Yet be not like a madman to your friends Saxon. My friends I scorn the friendship of such mates That seek my Daughters spoil and my dishonour But I will teach the Boy another lesson His head shall pay the ransom of his fault Richard His head Saxon. And thy head too O how my heart doth swell Was there no other Prince to mock but me First woo then marry her then lye with her And having had the pleasure of her Bed Call her a Whore in open audience None but a villain and a slave would do it My Lords of Mentz of Tryer and Brandenburg Make ope the Gates receive me as a friend I 'le be a scourge unto the English Nation Mentz Your Grace shall be the welcom'st guest alive Collen None but a madman would do such a deed Saxon. Then Collen count me mad for I will do it I 'le set my life and Land upon the hazard But I will thoroughly found this deceit What will your Grace leave me or follow me Collen No Saxon know I will not follow thee And leave Prince Richard in so great extreams Saxon. Then I defy you both and so farwell Rich. Yet Saxon hear me speak before thou go Look to the Princes life as to thine own Each perisht hair that falleth from his head By thy default shall cost a Saxon City Henry of England will not lose his heir And so farwel and think upon my words Saxon. Away I do disdain to answer thee Pack thee with shame again into thy Countrie I 'le have a Cock-boat at my proper charge And send th' Imperial Crown which thou hast won To England by Prince Edward after thee Exeunt Man Rich and Coll. Collen Answer him not Prince Richard he is mad Choler and grief
have rob'd him of his senses Like accident to this was never heard Rich. Break heart and dye flie hence my troubled spirit I am not able for to underbear The weight of sorrow which doth bruze my soul O Edward O sweet Edward O my life O noble Collen last of all my hopes The only friend in my extremities If thou doest love me as I know thou doest Unsheath thy sword and rid me of this sorrow Collen Away with abject thoughts fie Princely Richard Rowze up thy self and call thy senses home Shake of this base pusillanimitie And cast about to remedie these wrongs Richard Alas I see no means of remedie Collen The hearken to my Counsel and advice We will Intrench our selves not far from hence With those small pow'rs we have and send for more If they do make assault we will defend If violence be offer'd to the Prince We 'l rescue him with venture of our lives Let us with patience attend advantage Time may reveal the author of these treasons For why undoubtedly the sweet young Princess Fowly beguild by night with cunning shew Hath to some villain lost her Maiden-head Rich. O that I knew the foul incestuous wretch Thus would I tear him with my teeth and nails Had Saxon sense he would conceave so much And not revenge on guiltless Edwards life Collen Perswade your self he will be twice advis'd Before he offer wrong unto the Prince Rich. In that good hope I will have patience Come gentle Prince whose pitty to a stranger Is rare and admirable not to be spoken England cannot requite this gentleness Collen Tush talk not of requital let us go To fortifie our selves within our trench Exeunt Enter Alphonso carried in the Couch Saxony Mentz Tryer Brandenburg Alexander Alphon. O most excessive pain O raging Fire Is burning Cancer or the Scorpion Descended from the Heavenly Zodiack To parch mine Entrals with a quenchless flame Drink drink I say give drink or I shall dye Fill a thousand bowls of Wine Water I say Water from forth the cold Tartarian hils I feel th' ascending flame lick up my blood Mine Entrals shrink together like a scrowl Of burning parchment and my Marrow fries Bring hugie Cakes of Ice and Flakes of Snow That I may drink of them being dissolved Saxon. We do beseech your Majestie have patience Alphon. Had I but drunk an ordinary poyson The sight of thee great Duke of Saxony My friend in death in life my greatest foe Might both allay the venom and the torment But that adulterous Palsgrave and my Wife Upon whose life and soul I vengeance cry Gave me a mineral not to be digested Which burning eats and eating burns my heart My Lord of Tryer run to the King of Bohem Commend me to him ask him how he fares None but my self can rightly pitty him For none but we have sympathie of pains Tell him when he is dead my time 's not long And when I dye bid him prepare to follow Exit Tryer Now now it works a fresh are you my friends Then throw me on the cold swift running Rhyn And let me bath there for an hour or two I cannot bear this pain Mentz O would th' unpartial fates afflict on me These deadly pains and ease my Emperour How willing would I bear them for his sake Alphon. O Mentz I would not wish unto a Dog The least of thousand torments that afflict me Much less unto your Princely holiness See see my Lord of Mentz he points at you Mentz It is your fantasie and nothing else But were death here I would dispute with him And tell him to his teeth he doth unjustice To take your Majesty in the prime of youth Such wither'd rotten branches as my self Should first be lopt had he not partial hands And here I do protest upon my Knee I would as willingly now leave my life To save my King and Emperour alive As erst my Mother brought me to the world Brand. My Lord of Mentz this flattery is too gross A Prince of your experience and calling Should not so fondly call the Heavens to witness Mentz Think you my Lord I would not hold my word Brand. You know my Lord death is a bitter guest Mentz To ease his pain and save my Emperour I sweetly would embrace that bitterness Alex. If I were death I knew what I would do Mentz But see his Majesty is faln a sleep Ah me I fear it is a dying slumber Alphon. My Lord of Saxonie do you hear this jest Saxon. What should I hear my Lord Alphon. Do you not hear How loudly death proclames it in mine ears Swearing by trophies Tombs and deadmens Graves If I have any friend so dear to me That to excuse my life will lose his own I shall be presently restor'd to health Enter Tryer Mentz I would he durst make good his promises Alphon. My Lord of Tryer how fares my fellow Emperour Tryer. His Majesty is eas'd of all his pains Alphon. O happy news now have I hope of health Mentz My joyful heart doth spring within my bodie To hear those words Comfort your Majestie I will excuse you Or at the least will bear you Company Alphon. My hope is vain now now my heart will break My Lord of Tryer you did but flatter me Tell me the truth how fares his Majestie Tryer. I told your Highness eas'd of all his pain Alphon. I understand thee now he 's eas'd by death And now I feel an alteration Farewel sweet Lords farewel my Lord of Mentz The truest friend that ever earth did bear Live long in happiness to revenge my death Upon my Wife and all the English brood My Lord of Saxonie your Grace hath cause Mentz I dare thee death to take away my life Some charitable hand that loves his Prince And hath the heart draw forth his Sword and rid me of my life Alex. I love my Prince and have the heart to do it Mentz O stay a while Alex. Nay now it is to late Bran. Villain what hast thou done th' ast slain a Prince Alex. I did no more than he intreated me Alphon. How now what make I in my Couch so late Princes why stand you so gazing about me Or who is that lies slain before my face O I have wrong my soul was half in Heaven His holiness did know the joys above And therefore is ascended in my stead Come Princes let us bear the body hence I 'le spend a Million to embalm the same Let all the Bels within the Empire Ring Let Mass be said in every Church and Chappel And that I may perform my latest vow I will procure so much by Gold or friends That my sweet Mentz shall be Canonized And numbred in the Bed-role of the Saints I hope the Pope will not deny it me I 'le build a Church in honour of thy name Within the antient famous Citie Mentz Fairer than any one in Germany There shalt thou be interrd with Kingly Pomp Over thy Tomb
woll er sagt esist nicht sein therefore it dyes He dashes out the Childs brains Hede. O Got in seinem trone O mein kindt mein kindt Saxon. There murderer take his head and breathless lymbs Ther 's flesh enough bury it in thy bowels Eat that or dye for hunger I protest Thou getst no other food till that be spent And now to thee lewd Whore dishonour'd strumpet Thy turn is next therefore prepare to dye Edward O mighty Duke of Saxon spare thy Child Sax. She is thy Wife Edward and thou shouldst spare her One Gracious word of thine will save her life Edward I do confess Saxon she is mine own As I have marryed her I will live with her Comfort thy self sweet Hedewick and sweet Wife Hede. Ach ach vnd wehe warumb sagt your Excellence nicht so before now i st to late vnser arme kindt ist kilt Edward Though thou be mine and I do pittie thee I would not Nurse a Bastard for a Son Hede. O Edouard now ich mark your mening ich sholdt be your whore mein Uatter ich begehr upon meine knee last mich lieber sterben ade falce Edouart falce Prince ich begehrs nicht Saxon. Unprincely thoughts do hammer in thy head I' st not enough that thou hast sham'd her once And seen the Bastard torn before thy face But thou wouldst get more brats for Butcherie No Hedewick thou shalt not live the day Hede. O Herr Gott nimb meine feele in deiner henden Saxon. It is thy hand that gives this deadly stroak Hede. O Herr Sabote das mein vnschuldt an tag kommen mocht Edward Her blood be on that wretched villains head That is the cause of all this misery Saxon. Now murderous-minded Prince hast thou beheld Vpon my Child and Childs Child thy desire Swear to thy self that here I firmly swear That thou shall surely follow her to morrow In Company of thy adulterous Aunt Jaylor convey him to his Dungeon If he be hungrie I have thrown him meat If thirstie let him suck the newly born lymbs Edward O Heavens and Heavenly powers if you be just Reward the author of this wickedness Exit Edw. Iaoler Enter Alexander Alex. To arms great Duke of Saxonie to arms My Lord of Collen and the Earl of Cornwall In rescue of Prince Edward and the Empress Have levy'd fresh supplies and presently Will bid you battail in the open Field Sax. They never could have come in fitter time Thirst they for blood and they shall quench their thirst Alex. O piteous spectacle poor Princess Hedewick Sax. Stand not to pittie lend a helping hand Alex. What slave hath murdered this guiltless Child Sax. What dar'st thou call me slave unto my face I tell thee villain I have done this deed And seeing the Father and the Grand-sires heart Can give consent and execute their own Wherefore should such a rascal as thy self Presume to pittie them whom we have slain Alex. Pardon me if it be presumption To pittie them I will presume no more Sax. Then help I long to be amidst my foes Exeunt ACT. V. Alarum and Retreat Enter Richard and Collen with Drums and Souldiers Richard What means your Excellence to sound retreat This is the day of doom unto our Friends Before Sun set my Sister and my Nephew Vnless we rescue them must lose their lives The cause admits no dalliance nor delay He that so tyrant-like hath slain his own Will take no pittie on a strangers blood Collen At my entreaty e're we strike the battail Let 's summon out our enemies to a parle Words spoken in time have vertue power and price And mildness may prevail and take effect When dynt of Sword perhaps will aggravate Rich. Then sound a Parly to fulfill your mind Although I know no good can follow it A Parley Enter Alphonso Empress Saxon Edward prisoner Tryer Brandenburg Alexander and Souldiers Alphon. Why how now Emperour that should have been Are these the English Generals bravado's Make you assault so hotly at the first And in the self same moment sound retreat To let you know that neither War nor words Have power for to divert their fatall doom Thus are we both resolv'd if we tryumph And by the right and justice of our cause Obtain the victorie as I doubt it not Then both of you shall bear them Company And e're Sun set we will perform our oaths With just effusion of their guilty bloods If you be Conquerours and we overcome Carry not that conceit to rescue them My self will be the Executioner And with these Ponyards frustrate all your hopes Making you tryumph in a bloodie Field Saxon. To put you out of doubt that we intend it Please it your Majesty to take your Seate And make a demonstration of your meaning Alphon. First on my right hand bind the English Whore That venemous Serpent nurst within my breast To suck the vitall bloud out of my veins My Empress must have some preheminence Especially at such a bloodie Banquet Her State and love to me deserves no less Saxon. That to Prince Edward I may shew my love And do the latest honour to his State These hands of mine that never chained any Shall fasten him in fetters to the Chair Now Princes are you ready for the battail Collen Now art thou right the picture of thy self Seated in height of all thy Tyrannie But tell us what intends this spectacle Alphon. To make the certaintie of their deaths more plain And Cancel all your hopes to save their lives While Saxon leads the troups into the Field Thus will I vex their souls with sight of death Loudly exclaming in their half dead ears That if we win they shall have companie Viz. The English Emperour And you my Lord Archbishop of Collen If we be vanquisht then they must expect Speedy dispatch from these two Daggers points Collen What canst thou tyrant then expect but death Alphon. Tush hear me out that hand which shed their blood Can do the like to rid me out of bonds Rich. But that 's a damned resolution Alphon. So must this desperate disease be cur'd Rich. O Saxon I 'le yield my self and all my power To save my Nephew though my Sister dye Sax. Thy Brothers Kingdom shall not save his life Edward Uncle you see these savage minded men Will have no other ransom but my blood England hath Heirs though I be never King And hearts and hands to scourge this tyrannie And so farewel Emp. A thousand times farewel Sweet Brother Richard and brave Prince of Collen Sax. What Richard hath this object pierc'd thy heart By this imagine how it went with me When yesterday I slew my Children Rich. O Saxon I entreat thee on my Knees Sax. Thou shalt obtain like mercy with thy kneeling As lately I obtaind at Edward's hands Rich. Pitty the tears I powr before thy feet Sax. Pitty those tears why I shed bloudie tears Rich. I 'le do the like
to save Prince Edwards life Sax. Then like a Warrior spill it in the Field My griefull anger cannot be appeaz'd By sacrifice of any but himself Thou hast dishonour'd me and thou shalt dye Therefore alarum alarum to the fight That thousands more may bear thee company Rich. Nephew and Sister now farewell for ever Ed. Heaven and the Right prevail and let me die Uncle farewell Emp. Brother farewell untill wee meet in Heaven Exeunt Manent Alphon. Edw. Emp. Alex. Alphon. Here 's farewell Brother Nephew Vncle Aunt As if in thousand years you should not meet Good Nephew and good Aunt content your selves The Sword of Saxon and these Daggers-points Before the Evening-Star doth shew it self Will take sufficient order for your meeting But Alexander my trustie Alexander Run to the Watch-Tow'r as I pointed thee And by thy life I charge thee look unto it Thou be the first to bring me certain word I we be Conquerors or Conquered Alex. With carefull speed I will perform this charge Exit Alphon Now have I leasure yet to talk with you Fair Isabell the Palsgrave's Paramour Wherein was he a better man than I Or wherfore should thy love to him effect Such deadly hate unto thy Emperour Yet welfare wenches that can love Good fellows And not mix Murder with Adulterie Emp. Great Emperor I dare not call you Husband Your Conscience knows my hearts unguiltiness Alpho. Didst thou not poison or consent to poison us Emp. Should any but your Highness tell me so I should forget my patience at my death And call him Villain Liar Murderer Alphon. She that doth so miscall me at her end Edward I prethee speak thy Conscience Thinkst thou not that in her prosperitie Sh' hath vext my Soul with bitter Words and Deeds O Prince of England I do count thee wise That thou wilt not be cumber'd with a wife When thou hadst stoln her daintie rose Corance And pluck'd the flow'r of her virginitie Edw. Tyrant of Spain thou liest in thy threat Alpho. Good words thou seest thy life is in our hands Edw. I see thou art become a common Hangman An Office farre more fitting to thy mind Than princelie to the Imperiall dignitie Alphon. I do not exercise on common persons Your Highness is a Prince and she an Empress I therefore count not of a dignitie Hark Edward how they labour all in vain With loss of many a valiant Soldiers life To rescue them whom Heaven and we have doom'd Dost thou not tremble when thou think'st upon 't Edw. Let guiltie minds tremble at sight of Death My heart is of the nature of the Palm Not to be broken till the highest Bud Be bent and ti'd unto the lowest Root I rather wonder that thy Tyrants heart Can give consent that those thy Butcherous hands Should offer violence to thy Flesh and Blood See how her guiltless innocence doth plead In silent Oratorie of her chastest tears Alphon. Those tears proceed from Fury and curst heart I know the stomach of your English Dames Emp. No Emperour these tears proceed from grief Alphon. Grief that thou canst not be reveng'd of Vs Emp. Grief that your Highness is so ill advis'd To offer violence to my Nephew Edward Since then there must be sacrifice of Blood Let my heart-blood save both your bloods unspilt For of his death thy Heart must pay the guilt Edw. No Auut I will not buy my life so dear Therefore Alphonso if thou beest a man Shed manly blood and let me end this strife Alphon. Here 's straining curtesie at a bitter Feast Content thee Empress for thou art my Wife Thou shalt obtain thy Boon and die the death And for it were unprinceby to deny So slight request unto so great a Lord Edward shall bear thee company in Death A Retreat But hark the heat of battail hath an end One side or other hath the victory Enter Alexander And see where Alexander sweating comes Speak man what newes speak shall I die or live Shall I stab sure or els prolong their lives To grievous Torments speak am I Conquerour What hath thy hast bereft thee of thy speech Hast thou not breath to speak one siliable O speak thy dalliance kills me wonn or lost Amaz'd lets fall the Daggers Alex. Lost Alphon. Ah me my Senses fail my sight is gon Alex. Will not your Grace dispatch the Strumpet Queen Shall she then live and we be doom'd to death Is your Heart faint or is your Hand too weak Shall servill fear break your so sacred Oaths Me thinks an Emperour should hold his word Give me the Weapons I will soon dispatch them My Fathers yelling Ghost cries for revenge His Blood within my Veins boyls for revenge O give me leave Cesar to take revenge Alphon. Vpon condition that thou wilt protest To take revenge upon the Murtherers Without respect of dignity or State Afflicted speedy pittiless Revenge I will commit this Dagger to thy trust And give thee leave to execute thy Will Alex. What need I here reiterate the Deeds Which deadly sorrow made me perpetrate How neer did I entrap Prince Richard's life How sure set I the Knife to Mentz his heart How cunninglie was Palsgrave doom'd to death How subtilly was Bohem poisoned How slily did I satisfie my lust Commixing dulcet Love with deadly Hate When Princesse Hedwick lost her Maidenhead Sweetly embracing me for Englands Heir Edw. O execrable deeds Emp. O salvage mind Alex. Edward I give thee leave to hear of this But will forbid the blabbing of your tongue Now gratious Lord and sacred Emperour Your highness knowing these and many more Which fearles pregnancie hath wrought in me You do me wrong to doubt that I will dive Into their hearts that have not spar'd their betters Be therefore suddain lest we die our selves I know the Conquerour hasts to rescue them Alphon. Thy Reasons are effectuall take this Dagger Yet pawse a while Emp. Sweet Nephew now farewell Alphon. They are most dear to me whom thou must kill Edward Hark Aunt he now begins to pittie you Alex. But they consented to my Fathers death Alphon. More then consented they did execute Emp. I will not make his Majestie a Lyar I kill'd thy Father therefore let me die But save the life of this unguilty Prince Edward I kill'd thy Father therefore let me die But save the life of this unguiltie Empress Alphon Hark thou to me and think their words as wind I kill'd thy Father therfore let me die And save the lives of these two guiltless Princes Art thou amaz'd to hear what I have said There take the weapon now revenge at full Thy Fathers death and those my dire deceits That made thee murtherer of so many Souls Alex. O Emperour how cunningly wouldst thou entrap My simple youth to credit Fictions Thou kill my Father no no Emperour Caesar did love Lorentzo all to dearly Seeing thy Forces now are vanquished Frustrate thy hopes thy Highness like to fall Into the cruel and
reason why because he only knew All Plotts and complots of his villanie His death was made the Basis and the Ground Of every mischief that hath troubled you Saxon. If thou thy Father and thy Progenie Were hang'd and burnt and broken on the Wheel How could their deaths heap mischief on our heads Alex. And if you will not hear the Reason chuse I tell thee I have slain an Emperour And thereby think my self as good a man As thou or any man in Christendom Thou shalt entreat me ere I tell thee more Brand. Proceed Alex. Not I Saxon. I prethe now proceed Alex. Since you intreat me then I will proceed This murtherous Devill having slain my Father Buz'd cunningly into my credulous ears That by a General Councell of the States And as it were by Act of Parlement The seven Electors had set down his death And made the Empress Executioner Transferring all the guilt from him to you This I believ'd and first did set upon The life of Princely Richard by the Boors But how my purpose faild in that his Grace best knows Next by a double intricate deceit Midst all his Mirth was Bohem poysoned And good old Mentz to save Alphonso's life Who at that instant was in perfect health Twixt jest and earnest was made a Sacrifice As for the Palatine your Graces knew His Highness and the Queens unguiltines But now my Lord of Saxon hark to me Father of Saxon should I rather call you T was I that made your Grace a Grandfather Prince Edward plow'd the ground I sow'd the Seed Poor Hedewick bore the most unhappy fruit Created in a most unluckie hour To a most violent and untimely death Sax. O loathsome Villain O detested deeds O guiltless Prince O me most miserable Brand. But tell us who reveal'd to thee at last This shamefull guilt and our unguiltiness Alex. Why that 's the wonder Lords and thus it was When like a tyrant he had tane his seat And that the furie of the Fight began Upon the highest Watch-Tow'r of the Fort It was my office to behold alofft The Warres event and having seen the end I saw how Victory with equal wings Hang hovering 'twixt the Battails here and there Till at the last the English Lyons fled And Saxon's side obtain'd the Victory Which seen I posted from the turrets top More furiously than ere Laocoon ran When Trojan hands drew in Troy's overthrow But yet as fatally as he or any The tyrant seeing me star'd in my face And suddainly demanded what 's the newes I as the Fates would have it hoping that he Even in a twinkling would have slain 'em both For so he swore before the Fight began Cri'd bitterly that he had lost the day The sound whereof did kill his dastard heart And made the Villain desperatly confess The murther of my Father praying me With dire revenge to ridd him of his life Short tale to make I bound him cunningly Told him of the deceit triumphing over him And lastly with my Rapier slew him dead Sax. O Heavens justly have you tane revenge But thou thou murtherous adulterous slave What Bull of Phalaris what strange device Shall we invent to take away thy life Alex. If Edward and the Empress whom I sav'd Will not requite it now and save my life Then let me die contentedly I die Having at last reveng'd my Fathers death Sax. Villain not all the world shall save thy life Edw. Hadst thou not been Author of my Hedewicks death I would have certainly sav'd thee from death But if my Sentence now may take effect I would adjudge the Villain to be hang'd As here the Jewes are hang'd in Germany Sax. Young Prince it shall be so go dragg the Slave Unto the place of execution There let the Iudas on a Jewish Gallowes Hang by the heels between two English Mastives There feed on Doggs let Doggs there feed on thee And by all means prolong his miserie Alex. O might thy self and all these English Currs Instead of Mastive-Doggs hang by my side How sweetly would I tugg upon your Flesh Exit Alex. Sax. Away with him suffer him not to speak And now my lords Collen Tryer and Barndenburg Whose Hearts are bruz'd to think upon these woes Though no man hast such reason as my self We of the seven Electors that remain After so many bloody Massacres Kneeling upon our Knees humbly intreat Your Excellence to be our Emperour The Royalties of the Coronation Shall be at Aix shortly solemnized Cullen Brave Princely Richard now refuse it not Though the Election be made in Tears Joy shall attend thy Coronation Richard It stands not with mine Honour to deny it Yet by mine Honour fain I would refuse it Edward Uncle the weight of all these Miseries Maketh my heart as heavy as your own But an Imperial Crown would lighten it Let this one reason make you take the Crown Richard What 's that sweet nephew Edward Sweet Uncle this it is Was never Englishman yet Emperour Therefore to honour England and your self Let private sorrow yield to publike Fame That once an Englishman bare Caesar's name Richard Nephew thou hast prevail'd Princes stand up We humbly do accept your sacred offer Cullen Then sound the Trumpets and cry Vivat Caesar All Vivat Caesar Cullen Richardus Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus Comes Cornubiae Richard Sweet Sister now let Caesar comfort you And all the rest that yet are comfortless Let them expect from English Caesar's hands Peace and abundance of all earthly Joy FINIS