news o th' Kings and Queens approach Arriv'd here in the City Osr. All think him then their King still Eth. Yes yes and though he told us who he was The overwise Lords imputed that to his madnesse Osr. It seems he was not so mad but he could take The Queen into my bed Eth. Where she lik'd him so well That she now brings him home unto her own Still thinking him your person Osr. Whilst I lie here for his Accus'd of Parricide but I will not Reveal my self till trial Ent. Mildred Now all my sufferings are turn'd into delightful recreations Fairest of Virgins welcome marvail not That at first sight I knew you when my heart Wears the Impression of your Portraiture And all my intellectual faculties Bow to no other object but your beauty Mild. O Sir lay by this high dissimulation For though I find you now are not my brother Osr. Lo ye she knows I am not Anthynus Her vertue like the Sun will clear the mist Of error we were lost in Mild. Not Anthynus Yes the bright Sun discovers not a truth More evident then that you are Anthynus Nor ever shin'd on man I lov'd so well Or hop'd to marry since you are not my brother Osr. I understand not this Mild. Indeed I came To tell you so and could you clear your hand Of the foul stain of blood you are accus'd of Were I sole monarchess of all this Island I 'd kneel to beg a brides place in your bed Osr. If I can clear my self Mild. Nay mark me further If you clear not your self I 'l not outlive you To call to mind the man that I so lov'd Butcher'd his Father though he was not mine I lov'd him as a father oh good heaven How good how reverend a man was he Osr. Weep not but hear me or hear me though you weep I am not Anthynus Mild. I may say as well I do not love you Osr. I never had an hand In blood of any man Mild. Prove that I am yours Osr. Fetch me a Priest Edel. I saw one i' th next room Drinking and singing catches with some Prisoners Ed. Withhold your hands Anthynus now again Fair Lady is your brother Mild. Why did you mock me then Ed. To save you from your brother Offa's lust I feign'd that you were not his Sister that In hope to marry you he might forbear His divelish purpose Mild. Now I am lost for ever In being the Daughter of a murder'd Father And made uncapable of you in marriage Osr. Yet hear me and be comforted Mild. O me Ed. Hark my Lord Anthynus Osr. I do not know that name Ed. Go to go to nor you do not remember How I behav'd my self upon the eating of Spurging Comfects that your Brother Offa gave me And laid the fault on you pray Jove I say this murder Be no more his fault then yours A shout within Enter Keeper Osr. Hark the wide world abroad is fill'd with joy And must we only be shut from it now Keep My Lord Anthynus Osr. Still must I be Anthynus Keep You are call'd unto your Trial Osr. Who are my Judges Keep Those that are bribe-free I dare warrant 'em It may perhaps go somewhat the harder with you For nothing but white innocence can quit you Pray heaven you hav 't about you even the King And Queen the Queen and King I should have said For she 's our Soveraign 't is her Law must do it Osr. What King do you mean then Keep King Osriick you know nothing Osr. Yes I know him as well as he knows himself Keep Take heed Sir what you say Osr. I fear him not But am as good as he now carry me for something Mild. O pray take heed Keep How Mild. Peace he did not say so Keep Slid he 's as mad as his brother Offa Osr. Is Offa mad Keep O quite besides himself and talks the strangliest Of his fathers murder your running away And the desire he has to hang his brother here And then he is haunted with sprites too they say You will know all anon will you go my Lord Osr. Yes will you be so kind as to see my Trial Mild. Indeed I must not leave you Keep 'T is a kinde part indeed and may become A Sister like the wife that would not leave Her husband till she saw him totter Set the best foot forward and the best face You can my Lord upon the businesse Exeunt Hoboys Enter Theodwald and Eaufride Kelrick and Elkwin Theodrick Anthynus and Bertha Omn. Long live King Osriick and Queen Bertha Anth. I joyn with ye in your wishes for the Queen And wish well to King Osriick as a stranger Omn. How 's this Anth. But will no longer personate him For now be it known to you that I am no Osriick But he that warns you call me so no more Bert. What means my love Anth. Nay Madam 't is most serious Kelr. Elkw Blesse us Theodw. He 's madder now then e're he was Eauf. I am at my wits end too if marriage Will not tame him I know not what to say to 't Anth. I have told you truth and your fair grace can witnesse How violently I was thrown upon the fortune I thank those provident Lords against my vow Bert. I take it as the providence of Heaven And from the Son of that most injur'd Father Whom now in my joys strength I could shed tears for I yield you are my head and I your handmaid She sets him down and kneels he takes her up Eauf. So so a few nights trial has got her liking For ever fast enough what notable old Cockscombs Have we been made nay made our selves indeed Anth. Now further know my Lords I am Anthynus The Son of that old honest Lord 'gainst whom Your sulphurous malice kindled the Queens anger Elkw. who 'l have an head now for an half penny Kelr. And for tother two Tokens mine into the Bargain Enter Keeper with Osriick Ethelswick Edith Alfride Edelred Guard Keep Make way there for the Prisoner Eauf. See King Osriick Theodw. I this is our King indeed Theodr. O let me wash your feet Sir with my tears Osr. Thy trespasse is thine honour my Theodrick And I must thank your care my Lords as it deserves Your over-reaching care to give my Dignity As much as in you lay unto another And for your Letters counterfeit in my name By which the Queen is mock'd into a marriage Theodw. That was your policy your wit my Lord Eauf. A shame on 't would I were hang'd that I Might hear no more on 't Bert. Fair Sir the Queen is pleas'd and hopes you are In her that 's so much fairer in your thoughts Anth My Sister Mildred Osr Yes my noble Brother She stands in fortune equal with your self In being mine Anth. But not great Sir untill You are acquitted of my fathers murder Osr. I am clear of that as I am not Anthynus Anthynus is accus'd not Osriick Sir Your
father is required at your hands Bert. Ha! Arn. But his accuser reads another lesson Now Madam Offa brought bound in a Chair Off. Whither do you hurry me If I must answer 't give me yet some time To make provision of befitting Presents To supply the hard hands of my stern Judges Into a tender feeling of my cause I know what Eacus loves what Mines likes And what will make grave Radamanthus run Anth. He is distracted Arn. Yes and speaks hainous things Against himself both of my Lords murder And an intended rare against his Sister Anth. Incestuous monster Off. Hark how the Divel lies I have no Sister Ed. How he 's possess'd Of that strange error I must satisfie you That was meerly feign'd by me to save her honour From his outragious lust Arn. But here comes that Clears all at once Welcome my honour'd Lords Enter Segebert Alberto Jeff. Outlaw Jeff. A boon a boon my gratious Liege Arn Hold your peace fool Seg. My Son Anthynus living Osr. You are my Father in your Daughters right Seg. My blessing on my Girle Osr. But see Anthynus at a greater height Anth. My Father Bert. And my Father noble Sir Your pardon and for ever welcome Seg. If this were real now and not a Dream Jeff. Come leave your fooling hear a wise man speak Great King according unto thy behest With Knights adventurers I went in quest Through the Woods and Forrests wild To scoure the Dens of Outlaws vild Whence these old men this Knave I bring Together with this Starveling Whom I present not dead but quick Unto thy grace King Osriick Arn. Look this way fool This is King Osriick man Jeff. Whose fool am I then Osr. Mine Mild. And mine Anth. Mine Bert. And mine Jeff. Whoop hold a little best let me be every bodies fool Round about the house But amongst you all let me not lose reward I must not fool for nought the times are hard Osr. Still the fool's covetous Bert. I ow thee a just reward for I proclaim'd To him that brought this man alive or dead A thousand crowns but since thou art so fortunate To bring him home alive and well recover'd Out of such danger Jeff. I shall have nothing shall I Bert. I 'l double thy reward give thee two thousand crows Jeff. It is enough in conscience who bids more For till you are out-bidden I 'l be your fool But can you tell whose Favourite you are then Theodr. Where I was first I 'l ever wish to be Osr. And I 'l be thine Theodrick for thou in this Hast above favour shewn me unto blisse Seg. I have perform'd your Majesties command Though not in sending yet in bringing home My banish'd friend Lord Alberto the preserver Of my now happy life Bert. It shall be to his honour welcome Alberto Outl. Oh what an heavenly smell of meat is here Seg. All the unhappiness I now can see Is but an argument of tears for thee In whom I 'm justly punish'd Anth. Take him hence From my grieved fathers sight Seg. And pray let care Be had for his recovery his senses may Bring a new soul into him for which I pray Off. What am I freed Arn. Yes yes my Lord all 's well Off. I knew my bribes would do it Jeff. I 'l off with him for 't is unknown to you What good a fool may on a mad man do Ex. Arn. Offa Jeffrey Seg. This sword was evidence enough against him But here 's one of the Outlaws that confess'd it For whom since he is penitent I beg pardon Mild. The other two his fellows are both extant For whom together with three theevish workmen That were strong instruments in my delivery Let me beg mercy Anth. I have heard of them that robb'd my brothers Jewel-house 'T is a day of grace And we are taught by heavens abundant mercy Shewn upon us beyond our expectation To imitate that goodnesse Bert. I forgive All on my part Osr. I pardon all on mine Bert. And now right royal Sir let me entreat For former love to make our last compleat You will be pleas'd a month with us to stay In triumphs to commemorate this day Osr. Next to my sum of happinesse my Bride I should have sought that honour royal Sister Anth. Thus through tempestuous sighs and showres of tears Joy at the last more cheerfully appears Exeunt RIC. BROME Deus dedit his quoque Finem FINIS
THE QUEENES EXCHANGE A COMEDY Acted with generall applause at the BLACK-FRIERS BY His MAJESTIES Servants WRITTEN BY MR RICHARD BROME Regia res amor est LONDON Printed for Henry Brome at the Hand in Pauls Church-yard 1657 The Stationer to the Readers Gentlemen and Ladies THis short account I thought fit to give you of this Poem that it came to my hands among other things of this nature written and left by Mr. Rich. Broome a person whose excellency in Comical wit has been sufficiently proved and needs not my partial and weak commendation There are published already of his Playes the Northern Lass the Antipodes the Sparagus-garden the Merry Beggers the Lancashire Witches besides the 5. Playes lately published in a Volume The good acceptance of all which encourages me to publish this being no way inferior to the rest but when 't was written or where acted I know not Your kinde entertainment of this will enable me to make known to the World divers more of the same Authors works of this kind which have not yet seen light for my ayme is prodesse delectare by delighting thee to profit my self H. B. Farewel The Queens Exchange The Persons in the Play OSriick King of Northumbria Theodrick his Favourite and Embassador Ethelswick his Substitute Theodwald Eaufride Alfride Edelbert Lords of his Council A Physition Jeffrey the Kings fool 4. Clowns BErtha Queen of West Saxons Segebert Alberto two banished Lords Anthynus Offa Segeberts Sons Mildred Segeberts daughter Osriicks Queen Arnold an old servant of Offa Kelrick Elkwine Elfride three sycophant Lords Hermit and his Servant Keeper of Prison Edith Mildreds Nurse A Carpenter A Mason A Smith three Thieves Scene England Prolouge to the Queens Exchange THe writer of this Play who ever uses To usher with his modesty the Muses Unto the Stage He that scarce ever durst Of Poets rank himself above the worst Though most that he has writ has past the rest And found good approbation of the best He as he never knew to bow he saies As little fears the fortune of his Playes He yields their right to us and we submit All that they are in learning or in wit To your fair censure All is then but thus As you approve they are good or bad to us And all by way of favour we can crave Is that you not destroy where you may save The QUEENES Exchange ACT. I. SCEN. I. Enter Celerick Elkwin Segebert Bertha and Attendants Hoboyes Bart. SInce it has pleasd the highest Power to place me His substitute in Regal Soveraignty Over this Kingdom by the generall vote Of you my loyall Lords and loving Subjects Though grounded on my right of due Succession Being immediate heir and only child Of your late much deplored King my Father I am in a most reverend duty bound Unto that Power above me and a wel Befitting care towards you my faithfull people To rule and govern so at least so neere As by all possibility I may That I may shun Heavens anger and your grief Which that I may at our last consultation The better to passe through my weighty charge I gave you to consider of the Proposition Is made to me by the Northumbrian King Of marriage not only to enable me In my government but therby to strengthen This Kingdom in succeeding times by a line Of lawfull Successors I gave you all My strong most unanswerable reasons To which you seemd contented all but one Who with the rest by this I hope is satisfied 'T is you Lord Segebert you it is I mean Does it appear to you yet reasonable That I be matcht to the Northumbrian King I have with patience waited a whole moneth For you to rectifie your scrupulous judgement Whereby it might comply with these no way Inferiour to your self but are your Peers As well in their known wisdom as my favour Seg. Thus low unto your sacred Majesty I here devote my self and thus I meet With equal love th' embraces of these Lords I le joyn grow one body and one voice With them in all may adde unto your Honour And your dear Kingdoms good But pardon me My soverain Queen and I beseech you my Lords To weigh with your known wisdom the great danger This match may bring unto the Crown and Country T is true the King Osriick as wel in person As in his dignity may be thought fit To be endow'd with all you seem to yeild him But what becomes of all the wholsome Laws Customs and all the nerves of Government Your no less prudent than Majestick Father With power policy enricht this Land with And made the Saxons happy and your self A Queen of so great eminence Must all With so much Majestie and matchlesse beauty Be now subjected to a strangers foot And trod into disorder All your wealth Your state your laws your subjects and the hope Of flourishing future fortunes which your Father By his continual care and teadious study Gave as a Legacy unto this Kingdom Must all be altered or quite subverted And all by a wilful gift unto a stranger Bart. Peace stop his mouth Unreaverend old man How darst thou thus oppose thy Soveraignes will So well approvd by all thy fellow Peers Of which the meanest equals thee in judgement Seg. Do you approve their judgments Madam which Are grounded on your will I may not do 't Only I pray that you may understand But not unto your loss the difference Betwixt smooth flattery and honest judgements Bert. Do you hear this my Lords Celr My Lord Segebert Though you except against this King He may hereafter thank you in your kind Seg. Mean time I thank you for your prophesie Col. You cannot but allow succession is The life of Kingdoms if so you cannot But wish the Queen which Heaven grant speedily An happy husband Bert. I thank you good my Lord Elk. And if an husband why not him she affects Can it befit a Subject to controle The affection of his Princesse Heaven forbid Seg This is ear taking Musick Elk. Or suppose You might controle it whom in your great wisdom Would you allot the Queen Seg. I see your aym And know when I have said all that I dare What censure I must undergoe And thus I le meet it boldly you are sycophants all And doe provide but for your selves though all The Kingdom perish for 't May the justice That follows flattery overtake you for 't Seg. Take hence the mad man Colr. We are sorry for you Elk. And wish the troublesome spirit were out of you That so distracts your reason Elf. We have known you Speak and answer to the purpose Seg. Your question to no purpose Sir was this Whom my great wisdom would allot the Queen You are not worth my answer But my Soveraigne I do implore your gracious attention To these few words Celr. Lesse sense Elf. No matter Elk. Silence Speak your few words the Queen can give you hearing Seg. I wish
it perpetually on his bosome Elkw. We are dunces to him Emb Here just here And 't please your Majesty o' the hearts side shrugs Bert. Indeed I am pleas'd I 'l stay you but to night To morrow you shall hasten towards the King And for your speed wear this Emb. Most gracious Queen kisses her hand Exeunt Omnes SCEN. II. Enter Segebert Apthynus Offa Mildred Seg. 'T is the Queens pleasure children I must bear it Off. To Banishment good heaven forbid And Heaven I hope will not yet suffer it Seg. Whilst we expect the best from Heavens high will It suffers Princes to reward us ill Yet can I think it shakes an angry hand Over my head for some misdeed of mine Which I have unrepented let go by It must be something sure was pleasure to me What in the World has most delighted me To love my King and Country Neighbours Friends And sometimes Enemies I 'l passe o're that I have done well though I do not to boast it To succour and relieve all kind of wretches Poor souls that have half deafned me with Prayers Loud Prayers They 'l misse me now and I Shall have a misse of them too Let that passe What have I done at home since my Wife died No Turtle ever kept a widowhood More strict then I have done Then for my Children Offa. Come you hither Off. My Lord Father Anth. He might have call'd me first I am the Eldest Seg I am sure thou 'lt answer in behalf or one Have I not lov'd thee alwayes Off. O dear Sir I am all unworthy to acknowledge half Half of your pious bounties on a Son A wretch so ill deserving as my self Your hand has evermore been open to me Your blessings still more readily have showr'd Upon my head then I had grace to ask them For to my knowledge I ne're ask'd blessing yet With a good will in all my life some would Do Pennance in the Church with lesse perplexity Seg. I thou wast ever an obedient child Next you my Daughter Aath. Then I must be last Seg. How have you found my love Mild Sir far above my duty Seg. Do not weep but speak good child I have not long to stay with yee my three dayes Will scarce afford this hour to bide with you Weep Mild. Had I no tears nor sobs to interrupt My flattering Tongue but had speech as free As the best Orator that speaks for fee Could or durst I attempt t' express your goodness More then to say 't is more then I can say Seg. 'T is a good maid O Queen thou art too cruel Mild. But honour'd Father grant me yet one Bone Seg. What 's that my Girle Mild. You shall know presently Dries her eyes Pray give me leave to kneel unto the Queen To try what I can do for your repeal 'T were shame we should sit down and lose you thus The Queen affects me well You know she loves me And promis'd once she would deny me nothing Seg. For this thou shalt not trouble her besides You put me well in mind to charge you Daughter Upon my Blessing go no more to Court Shun it I charge thee as thou wouldst my curse If you have lovers there whom they call Servants Do as neat Surgeons do when they have touch'd Loathsome or pestilent Sores wash clean your hands Of all of 'em that are far more infectious And hear me daughter Mildred I am told The Northumbrian Embassador now at Court The great Kings greater Favourite made hot love to you And that he obtained your Picture which he wears More proud of 't then his undeserved Honours Let me now charge you further and observe it Shake off all thoughts of him Upon the match now He and whole Sholes of upstart Braveries Must hither needs attend their King But if Thou marry with him or any amongst them Though the greatest subject that his Master has Thou art divorcd for ever of my blessing Mild. I will in all obey you Off. I shall look to that Sir Seg. Enough Anthynus Anth. At last yet I am thought on Seg. Now there rests Of all my children but you to resolve me How you have found my love Anth. You ask me last Sir I presume cause you have had me longest To crown their testimony Seg. Yet you seem Anthinus by your leave the least to know me But like a stranger look upon me when These give me due respect Anth. Lesse then due I dare not give you and more were to abuse you Though I do not applaud I must approve You are a right good father Off. Umh Seg. Yet you speak in this but coldly Off. No no it sounds not well But you are wise Anth. I have observ'd but specially at Court Where flattery is too frequent the great scorn You have ever cast upon it and do fear To come within such danger of reproof Knowing your reason may as well detest it In your own house as in Kings Pallaces And when I hear another my dear Sister Heaven know I mean not you Speak like a flatterer I hold my peace And so come short of doing what I would For fear of over-doing But honour'd Sir When a Son can be found that dares do more For 's Fathers life or honour then my self I 'l forfeit mine inheritance and your blessing So much your love engages me Off. If this were hearty now not hollow Seg. No more Time calls away apace and I am satisfied Since I must undergo the Queens hard censure That it falls not upon me like a curse For wronging Crown or Country Neighbours Friends Or you my dearer children I will take it Not as a punishment but blessing rather To be remov'd from miseries Are like to fall on this unhappy Kingdom And I will think the Queen has done me favour To ease me of my cares a thousand wayes To make my rest of life all holidayes Now take my last directions Son Anthynus Anth. Son It is holyday with me to 'T is The first time he call'd me Son these three years Seg. Though you are eldest and my lawful heir And must be Lord at my decease of all My large Possessions Yet it is my will That till my death my Offa have the sway And government of all allowing you That yearly stipend formerly I gave you Let me not hear of any grudge betwixt you And be you both respectful of your Sister And you of them good Girle It is decreed That I shall never see you more Mild. Ay me Cries Seg. Go get thee in I prithe Mildred Go in I say thy brothers shall a little Shew me my way Go in I shall not speak else And I have more to say to them Good now go Mild. O O O. Seg. You will not disobey me Heaven blesse my Girle go and come again Mild. But must I never see you more Seg. Yes child in Heaven and then for evermore Mild. To wait your coming thither I 'l afore Exit Seg. Thither shall