THE English Princess OR THE DEATH OF RICHARD THE III. A TRAGEDY Written in the Year 1666 and Acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre Nec minimum meruêre decus vestigia Graeca Ausi deserere laudare domestica facta Horat. de Art Poet. LICENSED May 22. 1667. Roger L'Estrange LONDON Printed for Thomas Dring and are to be sold at his Shop at the Sign of the George in Fleetstreet neer St. Dunstans-Church 1667. PROLOGUE YOu must to day your Appetite prepare For a plain English Treat of homely Fare We neither Bisque nor Ollià s shall advance From Spanish Novel or from French Romance Nor shall we charm your Ears or feast your Eyes With Turkey-Works or Indian Rarityes But to plain Hollinshead and down-right Stow We the coarse Web of our Contrivance owe. Since Laces Ribbands and such Modish geer Fetcht from abroad are now forbidden here Amongst those Forreign Toys for ought we know Fine Plots for Plays may be included too Greece the first Mistress of the Tragick Muse To grace her Stage did her own Heroes chuse Their Pens adorn'd their Native Swords and thus What was not Grecian past for Barbarous On us our Country the same duty lays And English Wit should English Valour raise Why should our Land to any Land submit In choice of Heroes or in height of Wit This made him write who never writ till now Only to shew what better Pens should do And for his Pains he hopes he shall be thought Though a bad Poet a good Patriot The Persons King Richard the third Queen Dowager of Edward the fourth Princess Elizabeth Daughter of Edward the fourth Earl of Richmond Crown'd Henry the seventh Earl of Oxford Lord Lovel Lord Stanly Sir William Catesby Lord Strange his Son Sir Richard Ratclife Lord Chandew of Bretany Miles Forrest Sir William Stanly The Priour of Litchfield Mrs. Stanly A Captain A Lieutenant Charlot Page to the Princess Souldiers Guards and Artendants The Scenes are laid in the Head-quarters of King Richard and the Earl of Richmond when they are in sight of one another THE English Princess OR THE DEATH OF RICHARD III. A TRAGEDY ACTUS I. Enter King Lord Lovel Sir William Catesby Sir Richard Ratclife with Guards and Attendants King THe World must now confess that Monarchs are Of him who rules above the cheifest care For Richmond whom in vain so long I sought Whom I with half my Realm had gladly bought Is past retreat brought home to my own door Heaven could not give me nor I covet more Fond Boy what madness with such fatal speed Under my Justice hastens thee to bleed I owe thy Frenzy to my kinder Stars Who thus conclude my dangers and my wars L. Lovel The Powers above are now ambitious grown To bribe your Favour and preserve your Throne They give you Richmond and in giving him They from the power of chance your Crown redeem Should the world joyn this Kingdom to devour It would not weaken but declare your power Catesby Tumultuous and Unarm'd their Forces are And fit to make a riot not a war The Crown tempts Richmond like a silly Fly Which dazled with the flame does in it dy As Justice here below so Heaven does blind Their eyes whose execution is design'd King I both his rashness and his weakness know But those who now are weak may stronger grow I therefore have such preparations made As form an Army fitter to invade Whole Kingdoms then to quell a giddy Rout Of half-starv'd Fugitives newly thrust out From Forreign Lands Poor Worms they shall not long Attend their Fate Treason though ne're so young And weak should not be dally'd with but must When first it buds and in the shell be crush't Ratclife Great Sir these Fugitives will soon afford More bus'ness for your Heads-man then your Sword But 't is not now their number nor their armes That they confide in they have other charms Which draw into their Circle and bewitch All those whom either discontent or Itch Of novelty makes apt to be undone The Lady El'sabeth's weak right they own To ground their Treason on they boldly frame All Orders Warrants Summons in her Name And thus the easie Welch a Nation soon Stirr'd up and then again as soon laid down Caught with this Quail-pipe to their Camp resort And with Provisions the lean Troops support Catesby Young Richmond does himself her Champion own And brags his bus'ness is to place the Crown On that young Lady's head at least to dy In the attempt King O rare Knight-Errantry By these degrees he would himself prefer First to espouse her Quarrel and then Her But this bold Youth shall feel that he is more Out-match't in Wit and Policy then Powe She shall be crown'd and marry'd but by thee Young Fool nor crown'd nor marry'd shall she be For when she wears a Crown thou l't want a Head Thou in thy Grave she in her Maâ—â—â—age-Bed At the same time shall lye Catesby Sir will you give Me leave to ask how your pretentions thrive And what impression they have made upon That Lady's heart She cannot be all Stone And still make answer with a sullen No When so much Power and Eloquence shall woo King Something tow'rds Conquest in the Siege is done For in the Queen I have the out-works won But the main Fort is such a stubborn Rock As does all Parlies and all Stormings mock L. Lovel The Mother gain'd is more then half the day A Daughter's duty must not disobey And the two greatest Powers at once withstand Both of a Mother and a King's Command Catesby This present juncture of affairs requires A speedy answer to your just desires You must those strict Formalities lay by Which custom pays to Virgin Modesty For now the publick safety does perswade To court her like a Widow not a Maid King I know how much depends on this dispatch The Peace of Nations rests upon our match I and the Kingdom can no longer stay And if she will not love she must obey Enter Lord Stanly SCENA II. King Lord Stanly Lord Lovel Catesby Ratclife and Lord Strange c. Catesby Sir my Lord Stanly arriv'd King My best Of Friends O let me lodge thee in my breast The Person of the World most coveted For my occasions want thy Hand and Head Thy Councel and thy Action L. Stanly Sir to you All that I can all that I am is due King You now may shew it Stanly in defence Of your best Friend For Richmond with pretence Of right as weak as his starv'd Forces are Invades the Land whom nothing but despair Or hunger could have thrust on this design Unless some Traitors here should with him joyn L. Stanly Poor Mushrom His short date of Life is out Since all his hopes are in the fickle Rout Whose Favour is more various then the Winds Whose Fortunes are more desp'rate then their Minds But when your conqu'ring Army comes in sight You 'l find them fit for
slaughter not for fight Of this a signal proof now brought me hither For having notice there was drawn together A numerous body of the Borderers 'Twixt Cheshire and North-Wales urg'd by my fears Lest unsupprest at first this little Flame Grown wider might become too fierce to tame I strait did hasten to their Rendezvous And lest I should the fair advantage lose I did not for your Royal Order wait And Sir the issue was proportionate Both to my Zeal and Justice of your cause For now our Swords have left them to your Laws King My Lord this service to the full does shew How much a King may to his Subject owe For Richmond these and these had Richmond prop't Had not your Hand this budding Treason crop't And now my Lord I hope your Forces are Advancing hither For I ill can spare About my Person and within my call Such Troops as yours and such a General L. Stanly You are my Sov'raign Sir a double way Your Wisdom and your Power bear equal sway But Sir I fear th' effect if we should joyn And all our Strength within one Camp confine You know the Power by the Invader brought Compar'd to yours will scarce deserve your thought Much less your Fear He all his hopes does place Upon the Risings of the Populace And thinks his Snow-ball rowling to and fro Though slender yet to Bulk and Weight may grow If this be true judge how important then Divided Bodies are of chosen Men Who by their several motions may prevent Risings and Succours to the Rebels sent King So let it be I must confess my Lord Your reasons are convincing as your Sword Honour 's your Mistress and I clearly see You mean to rob me of the Victorie And make her wholly yours L. Stanly Sir I design The Glory to be yours the Hazard mine King Hazard and Glory are so linkt together That without both I can pretend to neither But how does your indulgent Lady bear This rash Invasion of her Son I fear That Treason countenanc'd by Nature may In a weak Mother's heart too strongly sway L. Stanly The secrets of her Mind she only knows I her but not her Passions did espouse King I dread her as a dang'rous Enemy Who in the arms of my best Friend does lye L. Stanly Her thoughts are free but by a trusty Guard From all disloyal Acts her Person 's bar'd Nature her self shall be divorc't from me When she rebels against my Loyaltie King My Lord your great Example may improve All my best Subjects in their Faith and Love And here you have a Son fit to inherit All that is yours So far his early Merit Into my Favour is advanc'd that I Am not at ease without his Company He shall remain though you are forc't from hence His stay must your departure recompence L. Strange apart His meaning is I must his Pris'ner be Love is the foulest Mask of Crueltie L Stanly I doubt your Favour 's too much antedate His Merit King Fear it not My Lord 't is late Whilst you stay here some of your time I know You must on Bus'ness and your Friends bestow Exit Ld. Stanly and Strange SCENA III. King Unhappy fate of Monarchs that we must Often depend on those we most distrust But of this Loyal Rhet'rick pray how much In your opinions will endure the touch Catesby Sir I believe 't is in his Power to be Your greatest Friend or your worst Enemie The softness of his words makes but that sound With which all hollow Bosoms most abound But his late Actions I confess have gain'd My Faith to think his honesty not feign'd The rising Borderers by him supprest That he is sound at heart give ample test King Methinks his great unwillingness to joyn Forces together argues some design And yet I must confess his reasons are Of weight and fitted to the Rules of War L. Lovell Sir my Lord Strange will for his Father be A good collateral securitie He sets such value on his young Son's Head That he 'll ne're pawn it to be forfeited King I know this bus'ness has a smiling face But Lovell watchful prudence cannot trace The subtle ways of a dissembling Heart I am well read in that mysterious Art And can discern where all my danger lyes Mines have destroy'd more Towns than Batteries Enter Sir William Stanly SCENA IV. Sir William Stanly Sir the rash Foe all your desires fulfills The Native Fortresses of Wales the Hills Which only could his certain Fate prolong He madly ha's forsaken and the Throng Have crost the Severn King Happy news at last Our little Caesar Rubicon ha's past Either he acts the part of a mad Lover Or hopes his Rashness may his Weakness cover Sir Will. Stanly Let him come on he what he seeks shall have Since English ground best likes him for a Grave King Sir William Stanly 't is beneath your Fame In War to fly at such ignoble Game These Vipers want their Teeth But I must ask Your powerful aid in a much harder task Sir Will. Stanly Nothing is hard to me when you command King Confirm me in that hope I understand You o're your Sister have no little power She waits upon the Saint whom I adore Procure her Mediation for my Love If she in the design successful prove You shall be less my Subject then my Friend My Gratitude shall all your Hopes transcend Sir Will. Stanly Reward did never yet my duty move And I am no good Advocate for Love But Sir my prompt Obedience shall fulfil All your Commands and help my want of skill King That Love from her which you obtain for me With double Int'rest shall rewarded be Exit King Lovel Catesby Ratclife Sir Wil. Stanly solus When Nature form'd this Monster she design'd No less then the destruction of Mankind His Enemies but poorly satisfie The Hunger of his Rage which seeks supply E'en from his nearest Blood and his own Bed His Wife was poyson'd and his Nephews bled To feed the Wolf His Friends are kept alive As Indians cramm'd for Sacrifice survive And now this Monster both in Crimes and Shape On fairest Innocence designs a Rape Enter the Princess crossing the Stage from her own lodgings to the Queen's Appartment In passing by Sir Will. Stanly speaks to his Sister waiting upon the Princess Sister a word Mrs. Stanly I instantly will come Mrs. Stanly leaves the Princess in the Queens Appartment and returns to her Brother SCENA V. Mrs. Stan. Now Brother what 's your will Sir W. Stan. I hope this Room Is private and secure Mrs. Stanly You need not fear An ambush no close Spies can harbour here But whence this Caution Sir Will. Stanly Wonder not I bring A strict Commission for you from the King You must his Mistress gain then happy we I shall a Prince and you a Princess be Mrs Stanly 'T is the great Art of Kings for their Intents To make right choice of proper Instruments But
sides lyes a vast Precipice Sir Will. Stanly My Stars have led me on to hazard all And rather then turn back again I 'le fall Mrs. Stanly The Rash will perish and they fall unmourn'd And losing Life their memory is scorn'd Attempts upon the King must fatal prove Much more your Aims at the great Princess Love Against so Potent Foes what can you do The King great Richmond and the Princess too Sir Will. Stanly Those Rivals shortly may themselves destroy And then why may not I the Prize enjoy When on their Ruines I shall raised be It will be level ground 'twixt her and me Mrs. Stanly Do not your thoughts on these Chimeras spend Impossible both in their means and End Could you as speedily in fact subdue All those great Powers as now in thought you do Yet you might sooner scale high Heaven then gain That Love which wild ambition would obtain Sir Will. Stanly If to my courage she her lost Crown owe I may partake the Gift which I bestow Our Souls have equal Fineness you mistake Thinking our drossie Parts the Difference make Mrs. Stanly Have you the Tyrant's strength who are alone In Passion strong which we our Weakness owne Consult your Reason 'T is a dangerous thing Poor Subject to be Rival to thy King Sir Will. Stanly To Cowards talk of Danger Love and Fear In the same Heart Joint-Tenants never were Mrs. Stanly Dear Brother these sick Fancies pray remove Know this last secret She does Richmond love Sir Will. Stanly Too late you tell me this when in one Flood The Poyson runs about me with my Blood Mrs. Stanly Love and all madness Brother ever raign Much lesse about the Heart then in the Brain Lovers may blame their Stars or Cupid's Bow Here dwells the Heat whence their Distempers grow Points to her head Those who are most possest with this Disease By Sleep and cooling med'cines found their Ease Sir Will. Stanly This sharpness Sister ought to be forborn My Sufferings ask your Pity not your Scorn Enter the Princess and Charlot Mrs Stanly Here comes the Princess Brother pray retire I wish my Tears could quench your Raging Fire Exit Sir William Stanly SCENA II. Princess Mrs. Stanly Charlot Charlot Madam yield not to these transports of Grief Until the cause proves worthy your Belief My Judgment thinks him true Princess Thou art a Fool And of thine own plain Heart dost make a Rule To measure others by That sudden Joy Spred through the Court too clearly does destroy All promis'd Hopes from this perfidious Lord. Char. My tender years small Judgment can afford But grant this Lord were true yet he must use These Arts and the misjudging world abuse His Loyal Purposes would not succeed Unlesse in this dark Method he proceed Mrs Stanly The Tyrant to that Height of Power is grown That open Force can never pull him down He 's to be conquer'd only by Surprise Those Arts must work his Fall which made him rise Who this Wild Bore adventures to destroy Must Toiles and Weapons both at once employ Prin. With raging Forces to destroy our Friends Is a strange method to effect our ends Mrs. Stanly Dark minds we must in Darkness overthrow To blind the King we must be blinded too Char. A Publick Errour must our Work secure Madam with Patience then you may endure Unpromising and false Appearances Which must be bad to gain a good Success Prin. Thy pretty Logick ha's a charming sound But the foundation wants a steady ground Can Stanly be for Richmond and invade The Friendly Succours rising to his aid The mystery I dread This treach'rous Lord Revolts from Honour and has broke his Word Private Concern within his narrow Soul Does all the Care of Publick good controul And his unworthy Fear for his young Son The Court 's great Pledge our bus'ness has undone Mrs. Stanly Ah Madam do not make this cruel haste With antedated Grief your Heart you waste He is my Brother and my Blood I 'm sure 'Gainst you no Taint of Treason will endure Prin. All hopes are past and we must ruin'd be Since the whole World takes part with Tyrannie Poor Richmond hastens to his Fatal End Lost by his Courage and a Treacherous Friend Enter L d Stanly Mrs. Stanly Behold my Brother It is he that must Make your Grief causless and your Fears unjust SCEN. III. L. Stanly Madam I hope you 'l pardon my delay In waiting on you this preposterous way Paying my first Debt last which your Concern Only can justify Princess By what I learn From the World's Voice I rather disallow Your hasty boldness to approch me now L. Stanly Humble Petitioners without Offence Though led by their own Wants approch their Prince I whom your Service brings may with lesse blame And better Title the like Freedom claim Prin. Place not on my Account what you have done I and the Tyrant are not yet all one L. Stanly You seem all one pray pardon what I say When with Reproch my Services you pay Prin. If other Payment you expect pray go To him for whom these Services you do L Stanly I never let to hire my Honesty I neither paid nor yet reproch't would be Prin. Are you so touch't in Honour my good Lord Who so apparently have broke your Word L. Stanly May I endure yours and your Vassals scorn When I infringe that Faith which I have sworn Princess These purging Imprecations let alone You have the Tyrant's thanks for what is done L Stanly I have deceiv'd the Tyrant and you too And I am thankt by him reprocht by you Yet this deceit of mine may him dethrone And Madam render you your Fathers Crown Thus blind all Censures are until we know Those hidden Roots whence outward Actions grow Princess Pray end these Mysteries Who did oppose Those Loyal Borderers that lately rose Against the King all Aids you did prevent By that unseas'nable discouragement L Stanly I did suppress them Madam But 't was I That rais'd them too Princess I cannot yet descry At what you aim L. Stanly Pray know that by my own Confed ' rates all that rising was begun Which I contriv'd only to be supprest This Art I us'd that in the Jealous breast Of our suspitious Tyrant I might gain Such Trust as will our purposes obtain And that you may reserve no Jealous thought Here my Credential Letters I have brought He delivers a Letter to the Princess who reads it out Madam The time draws neer in which I shall either restore you to the Inheritance of your Fathers Crown or dye a Martyr in your cause My Devotion to your Person and the Iustice of your Claim raise my hopes into an Assurance of Success In the mean time by the hands of my Lord Stanly your conceal'd and faithful Servant be pleased to accept this earnest of his Constancy who is Madam Your most devoted Servant Richmond Princess My Lord I know the hand and what to
not dare to touch that Heart Which Love ha's chosen for his Dart. Chorus Fair Innocence and Beauty are Of watchful Heaven the chiefest care But the devouring Monster shall A Sacrifice to Iustice fall II. Richmond does flye to your Redress Love's Messengers can do no less His Sword shall with one Blow Cut off your Fetters and the Tyrant too All Resistance vain will prove When Valour is inspir'd by Love Chorus Tyrants by Heaven and Earth are curst They swell with Blood until they burst But Lovers are wise Nature's eare What Iyrants ruine they repair Charlot This will the trouble of her thoughts allay 'T is time to give attendance let 's away Exeunt SCEN. V. The Scene changeth to the Earl of Richmond's Quarters Enter Earl of Richmond Earl of Oxford Lord Chandew and Officers c. Richmond My Lords the World must now be taught by you What a good Cause and a good Sword can do When Valour leagu'd with Justice goes to fight Both Heaven and Earth their Forces then unite Such Union can no more resisted be Then Men can save themselves from Destinie The odds of number on the Tyrant's side Are but the Signs which shew his Fear and Pride They are the fairer Mark Usurpers must In multitude of Guards repose their trust But whilst with numbers they their Camp o'recharge They but our Fame and Booty more enlarge Oxford When we engage with such a guilty Foe Heaven's Justice adds more weight to every blow We only to their swift Destruction move Who are condemn'd already from above Chandew The Plains of Redmore seem to be the place Where our Just Valour must the Guilty face Where Conquest will a noble Harvest yield And turn to Groves of Laurel Bosworth Field Oxford 'T is true we deal with a destructive Foe The neerest of his Blood have found him so But his pernicious Hands more practis'd are In private Murther then in open War Chandew Each common Souldier makes the cause his own As if none were concern'd but he alone But 't is not strange to see the Souldier fir'd To such a Height when by your Flame inspir'd Richmond My Lords I to your courteous praise agree They may be high because you heighten'd me The Priour of Litchfield Sir is lighted here Enter Souldier And humbly craves the favour of your Ear. Oxford 'T is he you sent for Sir whose Name is high For Learning Pious Life and Prophecy Richmond Those Leaders most shall prosper who advise With Heaven e're they begin their Enterprise Exeunt Oxford and Chandew SCEN. VI. Earl of Richmond Priour of Litchfield Richmond Excuse me Father for I think it rude To call you to a Camp from Solitude I am inform'd that you to private ears Foretold Events which cur'd my Partie's fears Your Power with Heaven is such as may obtain What otherwise I should despair to gain This Father is the cause of my address Priour Then Sir thank Heaven for you shall have success Richmond Now I believe the publick Voice is true Which does ascribe Prophetick Force to you Priour That Light dwells not in Sinners I should be Charg'd with the worst of Crimes Hypocrisie If I pretended to that holy Fire Which does the cleaner Hearts of Saints inspire But ' mongst the Records of our Priory Th' Authentick works of the wise Gildas lye Whose holy Life and whose Prophetick Fire The Ages past with rev'rence did admire In his large Volume I shall only trace What does concern your Person and your Race Richmond The Authours Value heighten'd by your Praise Does expectation to assurance raise Priour First he runso're the Conquests of this Land By Saxons Danes and by a Norman hand Then mentions the two Roses and in brief Foretels th' Event of that Intestine Strife Which has the noblest Blood of England cost And the best Provinces of France has lost Our Authour next upon the present state Of our own times more largely does dilate And savs the sury of a Savage Boar Shall his own Blood and then this Land devour Then he describes the Man and you are he Who must redeem this Realm from Tyrannie Who after Conquest shall by force of Love More then by War our happiness improve For peaceful England shall the Roses find No more in battel but in marriage joyn'd Richmond What can be more shall I successful prove In all my hopes of Empire and of Love Priour Sir much remains behind your Race shall do Things yet more worthy of themselves and you They shall an Union make of louder Fame And of two Kingdoms one great Empire frame But after this a Tempest does succeed Which Hell shall with contagious Vapours feed This Tempest will produce a deed so black That Murther then shall an example lack But from this dark Eclipse a Prince will rise Who shall all Vertues of your Race comprise Forreign and Native Foes he shall o'recome With force abroad with lenity at home Though in our sep'rate World this happy Land The center of his Power will fixed stand Yet here the wide Circumf'rence must not end But with the Ocean joyntly shall extend Let Envious and ungrateful Nations joyn His Birth-right to usurp or to confine When they invade his Empire on the Main They will but act the Gyants War again And when his Sea-Dominion they dispute His Thunder shall those Sons of Earth confute Richmond These great and glorious things whilst you recite You fill my Soul with Wonder and Delight Your Sccuts Sir are return'd and bring you word Enter Soldier That the Usurper's men have past the Ford. Richmond There 's for thy News I wish th' Allarum true Father we now must part yet we 'l pursue The same great End though in a diff'rent way For I must go to fight and you to pray Exit Priour Enter Oxford and Chandew SCEN. VII Richmond Oxford Chandew Oxford We both have view'd the Foe within our ken And we are certain they are Stanly's men Their Number 's not five thousand And their Post Is not so fixt but that it may be lost Sir we may force their Quarters And on these Begin the Number of your Victories Richmond No my dear Oxford Those whom now you see Must be unseen and need not conquer'd be For they are ours already But this must A Secret be for yours and Chandew's Trust. From their so neer advancing you may learn That the next Sun will end our great Concern My Lords we have but little time to spare Our Arms and men we must with speed prepare Oxford With Joy your Orders we shall all obey Our zeal to serve you suffers by Delay Exeunt The Scene is Changed to the Princess Lodging ACTUS QUARTUS SCEN. PRIMA Enter Sir Will. Stanly Mrs. Stanly L d Strange Sir W. Stanly Nephew pray leave us If the Guards should see Our close Converse we should suspected be L d Strange I am the Witty Tyrant's Cruel sport Fetter'd in Silk condemn'd to be at Court
Exit Strange Sir W. Stanly Sister pray tell the Queen by her Command That I wait here to kiss the Princess hand Mrs. Stanly If you reveal your madness you will lose The Glory of that Rescue you propose For such a daring Lover she 'l despise More then she hates her rudest Enemies Sir W. Stanly So far my sense with your advice accords That I 'le shew Deeds more daring then my Words Pray go O Coward Heart shall sudden fear Exit Mrs. Stanly Possess my Breast that was a Stranger there Must I now tremble at a Woman's sight Who was not born for Terrour but Delight Thus Natures Law is by Love's Power controll'd Which men disheartens and makes Women Bold Enter Princess SCEN. II. Princess Sir William Stanly Mrs. Stanly Madam I humbly beg that I may have Leave to expose my Life your Life to save My Zeal has long lain speechless though not weak And 't is your Danger now that makes it speak Prin. Sir by the Queen's Advertisement I learn How great a sense you have in my Concern You have a Brother too whose Constant Love By many secret Tryals I approve And though Court-Favours on his Person shine His Outside is the King 's his Inside mine Sir W. Stanly 'T is my Misfortune Madam that I must More then my own to others Merit trust And yet ere long I may deserve your Ear Without the help of an Interpreter I in your Favour should to none submit If more then all the World I merit it I hope if I relieve your present State You will my Love by my Performance rate Prin. Your Language too mysterious is more plain Expressions sooner will my Credit gain In your pretended Love you must not vye With those who wish me well by Natures tye Sir W. Stanly Madam There is a Love which does outgo All that of Sisters and of Mothers too Prin. Hold Sir These aiery Notions pray forbear For I am deaf to what I should not hear Give me no Cause to make a Foe of him Whose Friendship to my House I would esteem For I the Tyrant's Rage shall more approve Then the rude Boldness of a Subject's Love Sir W. Stanly So far from us below you are remov'd As makes you fit to be ador'd not lov'd Yet from such Love as does Heaven's Favour gain I need not Madam as from Sin abstain If Heavenly objects you resemble most Can Heaven be gain'd and you the same way lost Prin. Hold Sir This vain Discourse does ill become Her who is newly summon'd to her Tomb. Sir W. Stanly Madam those Summons ' you shall ne're obey I or the Tyrant first shall lead the Way Your Death design'd shall forfeit him his Crown The Grave he digs for you shall be his own Prin. What sure Foundation Sir can I descry Of this bold Promise which you raise so high Sir W. Stanly Foundations Madam are laid under Ground And mine though not expos'd to View are sound By painful Flattery and by long Address I to the Tyrant's Bosom have Access And Death by Steel or Poyson is his Due Who forms a black Design to murther you Prin. Those Southern Arts to stab or poyson Foes Become the Climates where such Poyson grows He that is born of a true English Race Never destroys a Foe but to his Face Sir W. Stanly But Madam can you give your Life away And to the Tyrant be a willing Prey Prin. To see him fairly kill'd I would resign All Right to what he holds and should be mine Sir W. Stanly Verst in the World but yet not knowing you Madam I ne're till now true Honour knew I am your Convert and so taught I may Ere long to perfect Glory find the way And Madam for a Tryal I this Vow Here solemnly declare to Heaven and you The Tyrant shall be slain and you releast Nobly by him whom Madam you love best In the Suns Eye and in the open Field Fierce Richard shall by Richmond's Sword be kill'd You Honour's Mistris when this Work is done Without Reproch your Proselite may owne Prin. I fear you take great pleasure to surprise My thoughts with Riddles and dark Prophecies I shall refer my Faith to their Event Now my last hours must otherwise be spent Exit Princess Sir W. Stanly As Chymists vex themselves and Nature too When her Elixir they in vain pursue And yet their toyl does other Secrets find Which improve Art and benefit Mankind So though a hidden Love I seek in vain Yet in the Pursuit I shall Glory gain Exit The Scene is changed to a Field adjoyning to Richmond's Quarters SCEN. III. Enter Earl of Richmond Lord Stanly Richmond Talk not of Victory Heaven can confer No Blessing on that Man who loseth Her L. Stanly I know the Tyrant when all hopes are past Reserves that bloody Stroke for the last Cast Surprise him with a Charge that may prevent The Execution of his dire Intent Richmond Could I destroy with the same ease and speed Him and his Camp as he can make her bleed Your Counsel then were good But else her Fate By my Attache I should accelerate The bloody Tyrant stung with Jealousie Will prest by Danger twice revenged be Including me in Her He cannot chuse But hastily destroy what he must lose L d Stanly It still has been the Care of Providence From sudden strokes to shelter Innocence Richmond I Providence adore But to expect A Miracle and so the means neglect When now the Danger of her Life is near Were to deserve the mischief which we fear L d Stanly No way but Conquest can prevent her Doom Richmond I 'le yield my self a Pris'ner in her Room L d Stanly Can the Restraint of her Preserver be The safest way to set the Pris'ner free Richmond 'T is all the way because the Tyrant's Fear Of Richmond makes his Cruelty to Her When I am in his gripe his Appetite Will in my Blood more then in hers delight L d Stanly Sir you mistake him both will please him best By drinking Blood the Thirst is still encreast Sir your important Life you freely may Lay out for her But throw it not away Richmond I am resolv'd that secretly to night You shall convey me to the Princess sight Stanly Shall I conduct you where you Death must meet Here let me rather perish at your Feet Richmond O friend my Love in this great Exigent Must Dangers seek which yours would fain prevent Nor can those Dangers be avoided here My Life and Safety are confin'd in Her Come guide me to the Princess that I may If not secure her Life her Death delay And be assur'd my Lord that her Commands With your Advice shall wholly guide my hands L d Stanly Sir I both yours and her Discretion know And on your Terms propos'd I yield to go But this great Enterprise you must disguise As well to your best Friends as Enemies For should it be divulg'd your Absence here May prove
as fatal as your Presence there Richmond Take me my Lord and rule me as you please You unsuspected yet may gain with ease Admission to the Tyrant's Court and I May pass helpt by the Night's Obscurity And a long Absence for your Officer Besides my Lord our Camps now joyn so neer That our Return may both prevent the Day And all Reports of being gone away L d Stanly Reason and Love when Danger they descry Did never yet make use of the same Eye For now this Hazard which your soaring Love Lessens to Nothing does my Horrour move But since it is my Duty to obey Let 's not encrease your Danger by Delay Richmond On you my Hopes and Happiness relye You are the Ruler of my Destiny The Scene is changed to Richmond's Quarters SCENA IV. Enter Earl of Oxford Lord Chandew Oxford Twice through our Quarters I have walk'd the Round And to my Wonder have not Richmond found Can he his Person in a Season hid When the next Day must Royalty decide The knowledge of his absence from the Camp Would all the Courage of our Army damp Chandew In Common Souldiers I did never see Minds so prepar'd for Fight and Victorie Oxford My Lord this Land does yield a sturdy breod Which when they are well fed will freely bleed You French have question'd if they eat or fight With greater appetite or more delight Chandew I must allow though yet a stranger here That your Clime only such a Race does bear French courage is to Noble Blood confin'd The rest are Slaves in Body and in Mind Enter Officer and delivers a Message Exit Oxford My Lord this message does encrease my Fear We nothing yet can of our Gen'ral hear Chandew Heaven give him safety and I only crave He may a Conquest find and I a Grave Oxford By sudden starts you shew a smother'd grief Unvented Sorrows seldom find relief Chandew I long have wisht to empty in your Breast A grief which may be pity'd not redrest A grief whose lenitive is such a Pain As strongest Nature hardly can sustain A Daughter's Death is all the Favour now That Heaven's Compassion can a Parent shew Oxford What most you love you hope and wish to lose What sadder Object can your Fears propose Chandew Here you the height of my affliction see I hope her Death I fear her Infamie Oxford Your Grief concludes too fast you cannot know But that she 's safe in Life and Honour too Chandew My Lord when I have told my Story out I shall too easily remove the doubt That Daughter who did once make all my Joy And all my Happiness does now destroy Did so forsake me in a Fatal Night That she twelve Moons has wasted out of sight And this with Horrour does my Grief renew For if by Force surpris'd she 's murther'd too If not I dread an uncompell'd Escape More then the mischief of a bloody Rape Oxford In this sad Story I confess there are Just grounds of Fear but not of your despair Those motives which induc'd her to withdraw Perhaps may do no wrong to Honour's Law For if she lives she does a Mind derive From you which cannot loss of Fame survive Chandew Your Friendship puts a favourable Gloss On actions which imply her Honour's loss But in this strait of Time I will forbear To make you longer a Joynt-sufferer Oxford The Night does waste and to the publick Eye 'T is fit our General 's absence we supply Exeunt SCEN V. The Scene is changed to the King's quarters Enter King L. Lovel Sir William Catesby Catesby Miles Forrest is his Name a fellow stout And yet so dull he never felt a doubt Nor questions deeds ill relisht by the Laws He weighs reward but measures not the Cause 'T was he Sir who out-went your swift commands When the two Brothers fell by his bold hands King I that 's a Friend Go Catesby call him in Exit Catesby My Justice on the Princess must begin Her favour'd Int'rest has a double sting For she can make and can unmake a King Enter Catesby and Forrest O fellow-Souldier welcome Nay come near What Office in our Army do you bear Forrest I am Lieutenant to Lord Lovel's Troop Catesby He does by more then common service hope That he already has your Favour won And merits to do more by what is done King Employment and Reward he shall not miss The first old Company that falls is his And that his present wants I may relieve Catesby let him two hundred Marks receive Forrest An 't please you I can't talk but I can do I can spur on through good and bad ways too King I like him he 's a blunt plain honest man Catesby Sir he 'l talk little but do all he can King Catesby I shall employ him in a deed Wherein he 'l shew he 's hearty by his speed Necessity of State will not allow Leisure for Scruples which from Conscience grow Who fellow Conscience often come too late Forrest Sir as to good or bad look you to that King Well spoken go and from our Catesby be Instructed your reward expect from me Exit Forrest Lovel Sir with your Person 's safety can no way Be found this Execution to delay Her bleeding when in publick understood Will cause a Fever in the Peoples Blood King If I prevail I am above the harms Of sudden Tumults or intestine arms If I am lost Richmond my Throne may have But he shall find his Mistress in her Grave Lovel Your Strength so far transcends your Enemies That such precautions you may well despise Enter L. Stanly King My Lord I am transported with your sight L. Stanly Your Souldiers now want but the morning's light To charge the Enemy who past retreat Are opportunely lodg'd for a defeat I come led by my Duty and my Care For your last Orders in this great affair King Our Councel's call'd and suddenly will sit You shall receive your Orders when we meet L. Stanly Sir in these Quarters I am much surpris'd Hearing the Princess is so ill advis'd I had the honour once of her esteem And now would fain serve you and her redeem Be pleas'd to grant me free access to try How far I may induce her to comply King After so many tryals your Success I question but I yield to your address L d Stanly Sir though I lose my Pains I 'le lose no Time Exi t L d Stanly King Is not that Subject guilty of a Crime Deserving Death who makes his Prince affraid Catesby It is the worst high Treason to invade The chiefest Right belonging to the Throne All should a Monarch fear but he fear none King Catesby I must on your great Care relye That his young Son may not escape your Eye Catesby Sir he is strictly watch'd King When we decide The Field he in these Quarters must abide If with the Father we should trust the Son In open Battel we should Hazard run L d Lovel
You make your Creatures useless when your Care Acts all the painful Bus'nes of the War King Mark these the stubborn Princess when I send To Catesby The King shews two Rings to Catesby This Ruby must her Life 's short story end And this when you receive young Strange must dye Catesby When you command my Duty must comply King I came not lazily to wear the Crown But 't was with watchful labour made my own And so I 'le keep it Princes are not wise Who sleep themselves and trust their Servants Eyes But if at last I must my Power resign It shall be Fortunes Errour and not mine L d Lovel Where so much strength and Conduct joyn in one Fortune is but an idle looker on The Scene is changed to the Princess Lodging SCEN. VI. Enter Princess Mrs. Stanly Charlot Prin. When I am dead let noble Richmond know That dying I did court the Tyrant's Blow To keep my Faith my Person is destroy'd I by a Grave the Tyrant's Bed avoid Charlot It doubly would to us your Death transfer If I should tell and he this message hear Madam to me it were a happier Doom If I might kindly perish in your Room Prin. To me Death's Face more dreadful did appear Far off then now when it approcheth near Death is a debt which all to Nature pay They clear it best who dye the noblest way Mrs. Stanly Heaven has design'd you for a Publick Good Your Greatness yet lyes folded in the bud No Tyrant's hand shall crop it whilst it grows You shall ripe Glory at the full disclose Prin. Your Kindness now does sound like flattery Truth only should be spoke to those that dye You need not cast these mists before my eyes I can my Danger see without surprise I only grieve that I must leave behind A Parent grown by too much love unkind A Mothers Tenderness makes our contest She loves my Safety I my Honour best SCENA VII Enter Earl of Richmond L d Stanly and Officer of the Guards Officer Though my Commission peremptory was Yet you my Lord upon your Word shall pass L d Stanly I know a Souldier's charge and would forbear Without full warrant to adventure here Exit Officer Prin. What may this vision mean which does my eyes At once with Horrour and Delight surprise But since the faithful Stanly does appear I cannot think him brought a Pris'ner here Richmond Led by the Duty of my Love I come Resolving to divert or share your Doom Prin. Ah! what can you divert by coming here Disguis'd and not an open Conquerer When you your Danger rashly thus encrease How can you hope to make my Sufferings less Charlot apart apart What does his cruel Passion mean to do He 'l lose himself and for my Rival too Richmond Let not my Hazard Madam waste your care Can I be safe when you in Danger are When you are gone what have I more to do All Cause of living perisheth with you Prin. Weak minds may throw away their Lives in vain And have Recourse to Death for fear of Pain If this were Courage Women would not do it Those who dare least are still most subject to it Richmond On your account I owne my want of Heart Here Fortune wounds me in my tend ' rest part All other Storms of Fate my Soul could bear Only your Danger Madam makes me fear Prin. Is it an Honour you reserve for me To be the cause of your Apostacie From that high Courage which has rais'd your Fame You must not cast such Scandal on our Flame By your Concern for me you must be more And not be less then what you were before Richmond Ah! Madam whilst my Fears you thus reprove You shew your self a Stranger grown to Love Your own Experience else had made it clear That Lovers Hearts are never void of fear Who thus are unconcern'd act not the part Of a Couragious but a hard'ned Heart Charlot If his be hard 't is only hard to me apart Prin. I blame not your Concern to set me free But your Despair which makes you thus neglect The only Means which can my Life protect For if my Danger may diverted be Your Conqu'ring Sword must force my Liberty Richmond How can I draw my Sword when I descry Your Fatal Ruine in my Victory The Monster balted and then Furious grown Will all his Rage discharge on you alone But what we cannot by a Rescue gain Perhaps by an Exchange we may obtain The Tyrant jealous of the Chance of War Will to be siez'd of me your Person spare I humbly beg this Favour at your Feet In which your Safety and my Glory meet Princess By such a change I shall a loser be The Ransome over-buys my Libertie Whilst you the Height of Love in this express You teach my Gratitude to do no less Which will not let you here usurp my Room Nor yield that you shall rob me of my Doom Richmond Has Heaven but mockt us with such excellence Only to shew it and then snatch it hence Can Providence want Power or Will to save Vertue her self from the devouring Grave Princess Take heed your Passion does unruly grow Against your Reason and Religion too Sir when you injure those you injure me You must obey not argue Heaven's decree And both our losses with a Courage bear Worthy of me and of a Conquerer Rich. What shall I do when Heaven and Love combine To make the Danger yours the Terrour mine You are the Person hurt and I complain Yours is the Wound and mine is all the Pain Princess These soft expressions of your kindness might In some more proper Season move delight But they offend me now when you should be Preparing in the Field for Victorie Pray Sir depart For you by Conquest must With Laurel crown my Temples or my Dust. Richmond If this perfection Heaven so like your own Must only fill a Tomb and not the Throne How will our Faith subsist how shall we know That those above have thoughts of us below Princess When you expect a Favour 't is not just Nor safe that you the giver should mistrust Let my example now instruct your mind Be much resolv'd and yet as much resign'd So Heaven preserve you Sir my Presence may Perhaps be guilty of your longer stay Exit Princess L. Stanly The Princess is retir'd pray Sir make haste The Night 's your shelter and begins to waste Richmond My Lord I go only a word from thee My faithful Boy which may my Cordial be To Charlot Say does our Mistress with an open Ear When thou dost speak for me thy pleading hear And yet alas What ease will it impart To lose her Person and to gain her Heart Charlot Your Highness now may well these questions spare Since her own Words did all her Thoughts declare Enter Mrs. Stan. Mrs. Stan. Pray Sir depart the Princess fears your stay Richmond O! who from Heaven and Her would haste away Exeunt SCEN.
Charlot Dispute with mine the Glory of the Day 'T would make a Monarch Bankrupt to bestow That just Reward which to thy Faith I owe. Chandew To himself What do my Eyes behold It must be she And her Disguise reveals her Infamie Richmond To Charlot Why speak'st thou not when all the World 's become So loud in praising thee canst thou be dumb Chandew Must she needs chuse the most Conspicuous Place Of the whole Earth to blazon my Disgrace Richmond What sudden damp does on thy spirits seise Chandew To himself Death of my Honour and my Souls Disease Thou art a Blot upon my Name which I Will rase out with thy Life Oxford Sir I descry A strange transport in my Lord Chandew too Richmond What Mysteries are these my Lord are you Concern'd in that brave Youth Chandew Sir 't is a Stray From my Enclosures it has broke away Richmond My Lord be well advis'd if you would gain My Credit and our former Love maintain Reproch him not Chandew I cannot much delight To bring that Creatures shame to publick sight But Sir in equal Justice you will give To the right Owner's hands a Fugitive Richmond You must not your displeasure thus express If you expect I shall my Claim release Charlot kneeling to my L d Chandew Sir I am yours and have deserv'd your Hate O let my Death end this unkind debate Take me and take my Life for 't is your due First as your Gift and now by forfeit too Chandew Since thou hast murder'd thy whole Family Offering to kill Charlot In their best Life their Honour thou shalt dye Rich. Hold Chandew hold What means this furious Heat In which you both your self and me forget 'T is well your merit weighs my anger down Chandew Pardon my Passion thus unruly grown It did my strength of Reason quite subdue Rich. More then my Pardon does belong to you But I am wrackt with Doubts Rise Boy and free My tortur'd Thoughts from this Perplexitie Charlot O Sir if I must here my Sins confess This Posture most becomes my Guiltiness And I this low submission doubly owe In presence of my Prince and Father too Rich. My Lord are you his Father Chandew Sir that Name Turns my whole Life to Sorrow and to Shame Rich. Rather to Glory and to Happiness A better Son cannot a Parent bless Oxford Sir I perceive where all our Errour lyes Charlot suppos'd his Son his Daughter is Rich. I am opprest with Wonder Charlot rise Whilst thy disputed Sex deludes our eyes Thou dost to me a Guardian Angel seem Which did the Princess sacred Life redeem SCEN. IX Enter Queen Princess and Attendants Rich. Madam at last Propitious Heaven affords Success to the Endeavour of our Swords We at your Royal Feet our Persons lay And all the mighty Trophies of the Day Princess Sir these Submissions must not come from you No Homage from a Conqu'rer can be due Your Laurel should in Justice be a Crown For all by double Conquest is your own Rich. How gloriously your Servants you reward Princess No Sir from that I am by Duty bar'd A Parent 's leave must first the Gift allow Ere I the merited Reward bestow Richmond To the Queen Sway'd by my Love to her whom you love best I have unduly my Respects addrest This Madam for her sake you 'l not reprove All Laws of Ceremony yield to Love Queen What you oblige me in needs no Excuse And Sir I were unjust should I refuse My vote to such a Publick Happiness May all the Powers above this Union bless Richmond to the Queen To the Prin. I must with humble adoration kiss The Hand which does confer so high a bliss Now Madam what say you Princess I must obey Rich. Succeeding Times shall magnify this Day Whose Fruitful Joys shall flow to distant Age And rescue Nations from Rebellious Rage But Madam in this Publick Jubilee Charlot's Concerns must not neglected be This Fav'rite to us both does newly find A Noble Father in my greatest Friend And what is yet more strange that Fathers Eye Does here a Daughter not a Son descry Princess I 'm lost in wonder but what ere he be No Sex can equal his great Loyaltie Now Charlot ease my Mind which longs to know The secret Cause whence all these Wonders flow Charlot Can any thing but Love such Wonders do As have disguis'd the Soul and Body too Madam I drunk my Poyson when my Eye Did first his Image whom you love descry I was too young to weigh how far above The level of my Birth I rais'd my love My wounded Heart in Bretany first bled And when our Exile thence to Paris fled Leaving my Home my Parents and my Shape To follow him I made a bold Escape And to his Service I soon gain'd access Helpt by Industrious Love and this feign'd dress Princess Charlot no History shall ever show So brave a Rival and so kind a Foe Pity and Envy both attend thy Fate Thou art more Generous I more Fortunate Richmond Ah gentle Charlot in a high degree Thou hast at once oblig'd and punish'd me The Torment of great minds I undergo Paying so little where so much I owe. Strange Sir I want Merit but your Goodness may For Service yet to come advance my pay Grant me your Favour in my great design Of off ' ring my Devotions at this Shrine I long have known her and with envious Eyes Have seen above my own her Vertue rise But Madam now a double change we find To Charlot For your Sex alter'd has transform'd my Mind My Jealousie grows Love and what before With Envy I beheld I now adore Richmond Thy Passion makes me happy and I know Your Father's Judgement will this choice allow Her Fortune as her Birth shall equal you Who marries her marries our Favour too Chandew I hope that in this happy Bride Your scrup'lous Honour now is satisfi'd Chandew Not only satisfi'd but much encreast Where I unhappy was I now am blest Charlot How much must I to such Indulgence owe As on the Guilty does Reward bestow But Sir no Power can former Vows release Which bar me from this proffer'd happiness Ambitious Flames will ever upwards tend They may their Object lose but ne're descend Mine still shall rise and in a Cloister chuse The lasting Love of an Immortal Spouse Strange Ah! leave us not Heaven wants you less then we Princess Vertue will leave that Land which loseth thee Charlot All Vertue stays when you are left behind Madam in vain you urge my setled Mind SCEN. X. Enter L. Stanly L. Stanly The Field does want you Sir The Souldiers call With loud Impatience for their General In this days Booty they the Crown have found And all cry out that Richmond must be crown'd Richmond My Lord they should their duty better know For common Hands must not the Crown bestow L. Stanly High swelling Torrents you as soon may swage As stop the Current of