sport An. What Iohn Nay skyl not a whit An. What meanes this Asse Iohn T'wyll teache the hoorecup wyt H'yll hang handsome young men for the foote sinne of loue When so his knauery himselfe a bawdy iack doth proue An. His wordes séemeth straunge somwhat is a wry Iohn VVel I hyll sée his shoulders from 's iowle to flye An. VVhose shoulders friend Iohn As though you dyd know An. VVhome Iohn Lord Promos An. Yes my most accursed foe But what of him Iohn Thou kenst An. No. Iohn Sayst not yes An. Yes Iohn So An. But friend thou took'st my wordes amys I know nothing in what state Promos is Iohn Thou knowst and thou knowest not out horson foole Leaue stealing Cunnyes and get thee to scoole Farewell An. Soft Iohn O to arte no foole good théefe Saue my mony take my life An. Tush be breefe Some newes of lewde Lord Promos tell mée And wyth lyfe and mony I le set thee free Iohn I wyll thou knowst the King now at Iulio An. Very well Iohn Thou canst tel as wel as I. Let me goe An. Nay I le see if thou dost lye If thou dost yle whip thee when thou hast done Iohn Kissyng and lying ich see is all one And c haue no mony chul tell true therfore An. Dispatch then Iohn Then lying Promoter this more Casgandra scusde Promos of honestie And killyng Ramstrugio for baudry An. What more Iohn The king at Promos great pleasure did take And Casgandra an honest woman to make The King maunded him her strayght to marry And for killyng her brother he must dye An. Is this true Iohn Why how say you doe I lye An. Well so or noe for thy newes haue this connie Iohn Gods boores geue it me to be swete t is to cheape But Lady yet tyll sunday it will keepe Well now god bwye Mas lying Promoter Wees see at the soort An. I peraduenture Iohn Since can not finde my Mare on foote chull goe Ych thinke each daye a nowre to be at Iulio Exit An. Straunge are the newes the Clowne hath showne to me Not straunge a whyt if they well scanned be For God we see styll throwes the Tyrant downe Euen in the heyght and pride of his renowne Lorde Promos rule nay tyranny in deede For Iudges is a mirror worthy héede The wretched man with showe of Iustice zeale Throughly dyd with poore offenders deale The wicked man both knewe and iudg'd abuse And none so much as he her faultes dyd vse He fellons hang'd yet by extorcion stoale He wantons plag'd himselfe a doating foole He others checkt for suing for their right And he himselfe mayntained wrongs by might But sée the rule of mischiefe in his pride He headlong falles when least he thought to slide Well by his fall I maye perhaps aryse Andrugio yet in clyming be thou wyse What styll vnknowne shall I liue in this wood Not so Go wraye these newes no doubt vnto my good Yet ere I go I wyll my selfe disguise As in the Towne in spyte of Linxes eyes I wyll vnknowne learne howe the game doth go But ere I go syth eased is my woe My thankes to God I first in song wyll shoe Andrugios Song TO thee O Lorde with harte and voyce I syng VVhose mercie great from mone to sweete delight ▪ From griefe to ioye my troubled soule doest bring Yea more thy wrath hath foylde my foe in syght VVho sought my lyfe which thou O God didst saue Thy scorge hath brought vntimelie to his graue VVhose griefe wyll gawle a thousande Iudges more And wyll them see them selues and sentence iust When blacke reproche this thundring shame shall shoe A Iudge condemde for murder thefte and luste This scorge O God the lewde in feare wyll bring The iust for ioye thy prayses lowde wyll syng Exit Gresco with three other with bylles bringing in Lamia prisoner GRes Come on faire Dame since faire words works no héede Now fowle meanes shall in you repentaunce bréede La. Maister Gresco where you maye helpe hurt not Gres And nothing but chastment wyll helpe you to amende Well I wyll not hurt you your lewdnes to defende La. My lewdnes Syr what is the difference Betwixt wantons and hoorders of pence Gres Thou hast winde at wyll but in thy eyes no water Tho' arte full of Grace howe she blusheth at the matter La. Howe sample I your wyfe and daughter Syr Gres Are mee when whypping hath chaung'd thy Nature La. What whypping why am I a Horse or a Mare Gres No but a beast that méetelie well wyll bare La. In déede as nowe perforce I beare this flowt But vse me well else I fayth gette I out Looke for quittaunce Byl. First Bilm Binde hir to the Peace Syr So maye your Worship be out of daunger Gres Bring hir awaye I knowe howe to tame hir La. Perhaps Syr no the worst is but shame hir Byl. Secōd Bilm Come ye drab La. Howe nowe scab bandes of my Gowne Byl. Third Bil. Care not for this yuse haue a blew one soone Exeunt Cassandra CAs Cassandra Vnhappy Wench the more I séeke for to abandone griefe The furder off I wretched finde both comfort and reliefe My Brother first for wanton faultes condempned was to dye To saue whose life my sute wrought hope of Grace but haples I. By such request my honor spoyld and gayned not his breath For which deceyte I haue pursude Lorde Promos vnto death Who is my Husbande nowe become it pleasd our Soueraigne so For to repayre my crased Fame but that nowe workes my wo. This day he must oh léese his head my Brothers death to quite And therin Fortune hath alas showne me hir greatest spyte Nature wyld mée my Brother loue now dutie commaunds mée To preferre before kyn or friend my Husbands safetie But O aye mée by Fortune I am made his chiefest foe T' was I al 's euen onely I. that wrought his ouerthroe What shall I doo to worke amends for this my haynous déede The tyme is short my power small his succors axeth spéede And shall I séeke to saue his blood that lately sought his lyfe O yea I then was sworne his foe but nowe as faithfull Wife I must and wyll preferre his health God sende me good successe For nowe vnto the King I wyll my chaunged minde to expresse Exit PHal. Phallax Was euer man set more fréer then I First went my goodes then my Office dyd flye But had the King set me frée from flattrie The next deare yeare I might haue staru'd perdie But Lorde Promos hath a farre more fréer chaunce He free from Landes goodes and Office doth daunce And shal be free from life ere long with a Launce The Officers and chiefe men of Iulio Vengeaunce lyberall themselues lykewise shoe Poore knaues and queanes that vp and downe do goe These horesen kinde crustes in houses bestoe But yet poore chéere they haue marry for heate They whyp them vntyll verie blood they sweate But see
deuise Which proues in loue a certaine godhed lyes And Goddes rule yearely by wisdome from the skyes Whose wyls thinke I are wrought best by the wise In déede diuine I thinke loues working is From reasons vse in that my sences swarue In pleasure paine in payne I fynde a blysse On woe I féede in sight of foode I stearue These strange effects by loue are lodgd in mée My thoughts are bound yet I my selfe am free Phal Well my Good Lord I axe with pardon sought Who she may be that hath your thrauldome wrought Pro. The example is such as I sygh to showe Syster she is to dampned Andrugio Phal All the better for you the game doth goe The prouerbe sayth that kyt wyll vnto kinde If it be true this comfort then I fynde Cassandras flesh is as her brothers frayle Then wyll shée stoupe in chéefe when Lords assayle Pro. The contrary through feare doth worke my payne For in her face such modesty doth raigne As cuttes of louing sutes with chaste disdayne Phal What loue wyll not necessity shall gayne Her brothers lyfe will make her glad and fayne Pro. What is it best Andrugio frée to set Ere I am sure his systers loue to gette Phal My louyng Lord your seruaunt meanes not so But if you will elsewhere in secret goe To worke your wyll assist I hope to showe Pro. With ryght good wyll for such my sicknes is As I shall dye if her good will I mys Exeunt Actus 2. Scena 5. The Hangman with a greate many ropes abought his necke THe wynd is yl blowes no mans gaine for cold I néede not care Here is nyne and twenty sutes of apparell for my share And some berlady very good for so standeth the case As neyther gentelman nor other Lord Promos sheweth Grace But I maruell much poore slaues that they are hanged so soone They were wont to staye a day or two now scarce an after noone All the better for the hangman I pardons dreaded sore Would cutters saue whose clothes are good I neuer feard the poore Let mée see I must be dapper in this my facultie Heare are new ropes how are my knots I saith fyr slippery At fast or loose with my Giptian I meane to haue a cast Tenne to one I read his fortune by the Marymas fast Serg. A way what a stur is this to sée men goe to hanging Han. Hark ▪ god bwy ye I must begone the prisners are a cōming Exit Actus 2. Scena 6. Sixe prisoners bounde with cordes Two Hacksters one VVoman one lyke a Giptian the rest poore Roges a Preacher with other Offycers They sing WIth harte and voyce to thee O Lorde At latter gaspe for grace we crie Vnto our sutes good God accorde VVhich thus appeale to thy mercie Forsake vs not in this distresse Which vnto thee our sinnes confesse Forsake vs not in this distresse VVhich vnto thee our sinnes confesse HAc First Hackster Al sorts of men beware by vs whom presēt death assaults Looke in your conscience what you find sorow for your faults Example take by our fresh harmes see here the fruites of pride I for my part deserued death long ere my theft was spide O careles youth lead lead awrie with euerie pleasing toy Note well my words they are of woorth the cause though my annoy Shun to be pranckt in peacocks plumes for gaze which only are Hate hate the dyce euen as the diuell of wanton Dames beware I was intist by lawles men on theeuish spoyles to feede And nusled once in wicked deedes I feard not to offende From had to worse and worst I fell I would at leysure mende But oh presuming ouer much styll to escape in hope My faultes were found and I adiudgde to totter in a rope To which I go with these my mates likewise for breach of lawes For murder some for theeuerie some and some for litle cause Second nackster ¶ Bewared are frende of quarelling thirst spoile of no mās breaths Blood areth blood I sheeding blood vntimelie catch y death VVo. A woman Maides women shun pride sloth the rootes of euery vice My death ere lōg wil shew their ends God graūt it make you wise Ca. A scoffing catch pole How now Giptian All a mort knaue for want of company Be crustie man the Hangman straight wil reade Fortunes with thée Prea The preacher With this thy scoffing speach good friend offend him not His faults are scorged thine scape perhaps that do deserue his lot Rog. A poors Roge. Iesus saue me I am cast for a purse with three halfepence Of. A churlish officer Dispatch prating knaue and he hangd that we were iogging hēce ¶ They leysurablie depart synging The Preacher whispering some one or other of the Prisoners styll in the care They sing ⧠Our secrete thoughts thou Christ dost knowe VVhome the worlde doth hate in thrall Yet hope we that thou wilt not soe On whome alone we thus do call Forsake vs not in this distresse VVhich vnto thee our sinnes confesse Forsake vs not c. Actus 3. Scena 1. Promos alone PRo Do what I can no reason cooles desire The more I striue my fonde affectes to fame The hotter oh I feele a burning fire Within my breast vaine thoughts to forge and frame O straying effectes of blinde affected Loue From wisdomes pathes which doth astraye our wittes Which makes vs haunt that which our harmes doth moue A sicknesse lyke the Feuer Etticke fittes Which shakes with colde when we do burne like fire Euen so in Loue we freese through chilling feare When as our hartes doth frye with hote desire What saide I lyke to Etticke fittes nothing neare In sowrest Loue some sweete is euer suckt The Louer findeth peace in wrangling strife So that if paine were from his pleasure pluckt There were no Heauen like to the Louers life But why stande I to pleade their ioye or woe And rest vnsure of hir I wish to haue I knowe not if Cassandra loue or no But yet admytte she graunt not what I craue If I benyce to hir brother lyfe to giue Hir brothers life too much wyll make hir yeelde A promise then to let hir brother lyue Hath force inough to make hir flie the fielde Thus though sute fayle necessitie shall wyn Of Lordlie rule the conquering power is such But oh sweete sight see where she enters in Both hope and dreade at once my harte doth tuch Actus 3. Scena 2. Cassandra Promos CAss Cassandra Speakes to her selfe I see two thralles sweete seemes a lytle ioye For fancies free Andrugios breast hath scope But least detract doth rayse a new annoye I nowe will seeke to turne to happe his hope See as I wisht Lord Promos is in place Nowe in my suts God graunt I maye finde grace Shee kneeling speaks to Promos ¶ Renowned Lorde whylst life in me doth last In homage bondes I binde my selfe to thee And though I did thy goodnesse latelie taste
Coyne Exit ¶ Enter the King Promos Mrico Maior Gonsago Phallax with two other attendantes KIng Sir Gonsago if that we henceforth heare With will or wealth you doe our subiects wrong Looke not agayne this fauour for to fynde We vse thie grace to wyn you to amende If not our wrath shall feare you to offende God spade you Gousago doth reuerence and departeth KYng I see by proofe that true the prouer be is Myght maisters right wealth is such a canker As woundes the conscience of his Maister And deuoures the hart of his poore neyghbour To cure which sore Iustice his pryde must pyue Which Iustice ought in Princes most to shine And syth subiects lyue by their princes law Whose lawes in cheefe the rytch should keepe in awe The poore in wrouges but sildome doth delyght They haue inuffe for to desende their right It much behoues the maker of these lawes This mony findes in them so many flawes To see his lawes obser'd as they are ment Or else good lawes wyll turne to euyll intent Well ere I leaue my poorest subiects shall Both lyue and lyke and by the richest stawll Pro. Regarded and most mightie Prince your clemency herein Those harts your rule cōmands through feare to faithful loue shal win Vl. Renowmed king I am for to complaine Of Phallax Lord Promos secondary Whose hainous wrouges many poore men doth paine By me who pray your highnes remedy King. My Lord Promes it seemes you rule at large When as your clarkes are officers vniust Pro. Dread king I thinke he can these wrong discharge Kyng Doe you but thinke syr a sure speare to trust A dum death and blynde Iudge can do as much Well well God graunt your owne lyfe byde the tutch Syr Vlrice your complaynt continew Vl. Gratious King his wrouges be these insew Fyrst Phallax is a coumon Barriter In office a lewd extortioner The crafty man oft puts these wronges in vre If poore men haue that lykes his searching eye He showeth gould the needy soules to lure Which if they take so tast he doth them tye That by some bonde or couenaunt forfayted They are inforst farre beneath the vallew To let him haue what his eye coueyted And for to proue that this report is true I showe no more then witnesse prou'd by oth Whose names and handes defends it heare as troth Vlrice deliuers the King a writing with names at it King. How now Promos how thinke you of your man Vse both your wyttes to cleare him if you can Pro. Dread King my hart to heare his faultes doth bleede King. Howe far'de it then to suffer it indéede It dyde I trowe or now you speake in iest Thy Master 's mute Phallax I hould it best That thou speake for thy selfe Phal I humbly craue Of your grace for aunswere respyt to haue King. Why to deuise a cloke to hyde a knaue Friend veritas non querit angulos And if your selfe you on your truth repose You may be bould these faultes for to deny Some lyttel care vpon their othes to lye Sée if any in your behalfe will sweare Phal O Lord God is there no knyghtes of the poste heare Well then of force I must sing Peccaui And crye out ryght to the king for mercy O King I am in faulte I must confesse The which I wyll with repentaunce redresse King. Thy confession doth meryt some fauour But repentaunce payes not thy poore neyghbour Wherefore Syr Vlrico his goods sease you And those he wrong'd restore you to their due Vl. Looke what he gettes most thinke he wastes straight waye Vpon a leawde harlot named Lamia So that his goods wyll scarse pay euery wight King. Where naught is left the king must lose his right Pay as you may I hould it no offence If eache pay somewhat for experience But by the way you rule the citty well That suffer by your nose such dames to dwell And now Phallax thy further pennaunce ys That forthwith thou do resigne thy office Vlrico to his account lykewise sée Vl. It shal be done King. Phallax further heare mée Because thou didst thy faultes at first confesse From punishment ▪ thy person I release Phal I most humbly do thanke your maiesty Pro. Ah out alas Cassandra heare I see Cassandra in a blewe gowne shadowed with black Cas O would the teares myght tel my tale I shame so much my fall Or else Lord Promos lewdnes showen would death would ende my thrall Pro. Welcome my sweete Cassandra Cas Murdrous varlet away Renowmed King I pardon craue for this my hould attempt In preasing thus so neare your grace my sorrow to present And least my foe false Promos heare doe interrupt my tale Graunt gratious King that vncontrould I may report my bale King. How now Promos how lyke you of this song Say on fayre dame I long to heare thy wrong Cas Then knowe dread souerayne that he this doome did gene That my Brother for wantonnesse should lose his head And that the mayde which sind should euer after lyue In some religious house to sorrowe her misdeede To saue my brother iug'd to dye with teares I sought to moue Lord Promos hart to showe him grace but he with lawles loue Was fyred by and by ▪ and knowing necessity To saue my brothers lyfe would make me yéeld to much He cran'd this raunsome to haue my virginitie No teares could worke restraynt his wicked lust was such Two euils here were one must I chuse though bad were very best To sée my brother put to death or graunt his lewde request In fyne subdude with naturall loue I did agree Vpon these two poyntes that marry mee he should And that from prison vyle he should my brother free All this with moustrous othes he promised he would But O this periurd Promos when he had wrought his wyll Fyrst cast me of and after causd the Gailer for to kill My brother raunsomde with the spoyle of my good name So that for companing with such a hellish feende I haue condemnde my selfe to weare these weedes of shame Whose cognisance doth showe that I haue fleshly sind Loe thus hie and renowned king Cassandra endes her tale And this is wicked Promos that hath wrought her endles bale King. If this be true so towle a deede shall not vnpunisht goe How sayst thou Promos to her playnte arte giltye yea or noe Why speakst thou not a faulty harte thy scilence sure doth showe Pro. My gilty hart commaunds my tongue O king to tell a truth I doe confesse this tale is true and I deserue thy wrath King. And is it so this wicked deede thou shalt ere long buy deare Cassandra take comfort in care be of good cheere Thy forced fault was free from euill intent So long no shame can blot thee any way And though at ful I hardly can content thee Yet as I may assure thy selfe I wyl Thou wycked man might it not thee suffice By worse then force to spoyle
she agreede to Promos First that he should pardon her brother and after marry her Promos as feareles in promisse as carelesse in performance with sollemne vowe sygned her conditions but worse then any Infydel his will satisfyed he performed neither the one nor the other for to keepe his aucthoritye vnspotted with fauour and to preuent Cassandraes clamors he commaunded the Gayler secretly to present Cassandra with her brothers head The Gayler with the outcryes of Andrugio abhorryng Promos lewdenes by the prouidence of God prouided thus for his safety He presented Cassandra with a Felons head newlie executed who being mangled knew it not from her brothers by the Gayler who was set at libertie was so agreeued at this trecherye that at the pointe to kyl her selfe she spared that stroke to be auenged of Promos And deuisyng a way she concluded to make her fortunes knowne vnto the kinge She executinge this resolution was so highly fauoured of the King that forth with he hasted to do Iustice on Promos whose iudgement was to marrye Cassandra to repaire her crased Honour which donne for his hainous offence he should lose his head This mary age solempnised Cassandra tyed in the greatest bondes of affection to her husband became an earnest suter for his life the Kinge tendringe the generall benefit of the cōmon weale before her special ease although he fauoured her much would not graunt her sute Andrugio disguised amonge the company … ing the griefe of his sister bewrayde his safetye and craued 〈◊〉 The Kinge to renowne the vertues of Cassandra pardoned both him and Promos The circumstances of this rare Historye in action lyuelye foloweth ⸫ ⧠The Historie of Promos and Cassandra Actus 1. Scena 1. ¶ Promos Mayor Shirife Sworde bearer One with a bunche of keyes Phallax Promos man. YOu Officers which now in Iulio staye Know you our leadge the King of Hungarie Sent me Promos to ioyne with you in sway That styll we may to Iustice haue an eye And now to show my rule power at lardge Attentiuelie his Letters Pattents heare Phallax reade out my Soueraines chardge Phal As you commaunde I wyll giue héedefull eare ¶ Phallax readeth the Kinges Letters Patents which must be fayre written in parchment with some great counterfeat zeale PRo Loe here you sée what is our Soueraignes wyl Loe beare his wish that right not might beare swaye Loe heare his care to weede from good the yll To scoorge the wights good Lawes that disobay Such zeale he beares vnto the Common weale How so he byds the ignoraunt to saue As he commaundes the lewde doo rigor féele Such is his wish such is my wyll to haue And such a Iudge here Promos vowes to be No wylfull wrong sharpe punishment shall mysse The simple thrall shal be iudgde with mercie Each shall be doombde euen as his merite is Loue shall not staye nor hate reuenge procure Ne yet shall Coyne corrupt or fester wrong I doo protest whylste that my charge indure For friende nor foe to singe a partiall song Thus haue you heard howe my Commission goes He absent I present our Soueraigne styll It aunsweres then each one his dutie showes To mee as him what I commaunde and wyll Ma. Worthy Deputie at thy chardge we ioye We doe submitte our selues to worke thy heast Receyue the sword of Iustice to destroy The wicked impes and to defend the rest Shri. Our Citty keyes take wisht Liftenaunt heare We doe committe our safetie to thy head Thy wyse foresight will kéepe vs voyde of feare Yet wyll we be assistant still at néede Pro. Both Swoorde and Keies vnto my Princes vse I doo receyue and gladlie take my chardge It resteth nowe for to reforme abuse We poynt a tyme of Councell more at lardge To treate of which a whyle we wyll depart Al speake To worke your wyll we yéelde a wylling hart Exeunt Actus 1. Scena 2. Lamia a Curtizane entreth synging The Song AL a flaunt now vaunt it braue wenche cast away care With Layes of Loue chaunt it for no cost see thou spare ⧠Sith Nature hath made thee with bewty most braue Sith Fortune doth lade thee with what thou wouldst haue Ere Pleasure doth vade thee thy selfe set to sale All wantons wyll trade thee and stowpe to thy stale All a flaunt Vt Supra ⧠Yong Ruflers maintaines thee defends thee and thine Olde Dottrels retaines thee thy Beuties so shine Though many disdaynes thee yet none maye thee tuch Thus Enuie refraynes thee thy countenaunce is such All a flaunt Vt Supra Shee speaketh TRiumphe fayre Lamia now thy wanton flag aduaunce Set foorth thy selfe to brauest show bost thou of happy chaunce Gyrle accompt thou thy selfe the chéefe of Lady Pleasures traine Thy face is faire thy forme cōtent thy Fortunes both doth straine Euen as thou wouldst thy house doth stande thy furniture is gay Thy wéedes are braue thy face is fine who for this doth paye Thou thy selfe no the rushing Youthes the bathe in wanton blisse Yea olde and dooting fooles sometimes doo helpe to paye for this Frée cost betwéene them both I haue all this for my behoue I am the sterne that gides their thoughts looke what I like they loue Few of them sturre that I byd staie if I bid go they flye If I on foe pursue reuenge Alarme a hundred crye The brauest I their harts their handes their purses holde at wyl Ioynde with the credite of the best to bowlster mee in yll But see wher as my trustie man doth run what newes brings he Actus 1. Scena 3. Rosko Lamias man Lamia ROs Good people did none of you my mistresse Lamia see La. Rosko what newes that in such haste you come blowing Ros Mistresse you must shut vp your shops leaue your occupying La. What so they be foolish knaue tell mee true Ros Oh yll for thirtie besydes you La. For mee good fellowe I praye thee why so Ros Be patient Mistresse and you shall knowe La. Go too saye on Ros Marrie right nowe at the Sessions I was And thirtie must to Trussum corde go Among the which I weepe to showe alas La. Why what 's the matter man Ros O Andrugio For louing too kindlie must loose his heade And his sweete hart must we are the shamefull weedes Ordainde for Dames that fall through fleshly deedes La. Is this offence in question come againe Tell tell no more ' t ys tyme this tale were done See sée howe soone my triumphe turnes to paine Ros Mistresse you promised to be quiet For Gods sake for your owne sake be so La. Alas poore Rosko our dayntie dyet Our brauerie and all we must forgo Ros I am sorie La. Yea but out alas sorrowe wyll not serue Rosko thou must néedes prouide thée else where My gaynes are past yea I my selfe might starue Saue that I did prouide for a deare yeare Ros They rewarde fayre their haruest in the stacke When winter coms that
Wherefore Shriefe execute with spéedy pace The dampned wightes to cutte of hope of Grace Shriefe It shal be done Cas Cassandra to hir selfe O cruell words they make my hart to bleede Now now I must this dome seeke to reuoke Least grace come short when starued is the steede She kneeling speakes to Promos Most mighty Lord worthy Iudge thy iudgemēt sharpe abate Vaile thou thine eares to heare the plaint that wretched I relate Behold the wofull Syster here of poore Andrugio Whom though that lawe awardeth death yet mercy do him show Way his yong yeares the force of loue which forced his amis Way way that Mariage works amends for what committed is He hath defilde no nuptial bed nor forced rape hath mou'd He fel through loue who neuer ment but wiue the wight he lou'd And wātons sure to keepe in awe these statutes first were made Or none but lust full leachers should with rygrous law be payd And yet to adde intent thereto is farre from my pretence I sue with teares to wyn him grace that sorrows his offence Wherefore herein renowned Lorde Iustice with pitie payse Which two in equal ballance waide to heauē your fame will raise Pro. Cassandra leaue of thy bootlesse sute by law he hath bene tride Lawe founde his faulte Lawe iudgde him death Cas Yet this maye be replide That law a mischiefe oft permits to keepe due forme of lawe That lawe small faultes with greatest doomes to keepe men styl in axe Yet Kings or such as execute regall authoritie If mends be made may ouer rule the force of lawe with mercie Here is no wylful murder wrought which axeth blood againe Andrugios faulte may valued be Mariage wipes out his stayne Pro. Faire Dame I see the naturall zeale thou bearest to Andrugio And for thy sake not his desart this fauour wyll I showe I wyll repriue him yet a whyle and on the matter pawse To morrowe you shall lycence haue a fresh to pleade his cause Shriefe execute my chardge but staye Andrugio Vntill that you in this behalfe more of my pleasure knowe Shri. I wyll performe your wyll Cas O most worthy Magistrate my selfe thy thrall I finde Euen for this lytle lightning hope which at thy handes I finde Now wyl I go and comfort him which hangs twixt death life Exit Pro. Happie is the man that inioyes the loue of such a wife I do protest hir modest wordes hath wrought in me a maze Though she be farre she is not deackt with garish shewes for gaze Hir bewtie lures hir lookes cut off fond sutes with chast disdain O God I feele a sodaine change that doth my fréedome chayne What didst thou say fie Promos fie of hir auoide the thought And so I will my other cares wyll cure what loue hath wrought Come awaye Exeunt Actus 2. Scena 4. Phallax Promos offycer Gripax and Rapax Promoters PHal. My trusty friendes about your businesse straight With symple showes your subtile meanings bayte Promote all faults vp into my office Then turne me lose the offenders to fleece Gri. Tush to finde lawe breakers let me alone I haue eyes will looke into a Mylstone Phal God a mercy Gripax Ra. And I am so subtyll sighted I trowe As I the very thoughts of men doo know Gri. I fayth Rapax what thought thy wife when she To lye with the preest by night stole from thee Ra. Marry she knew you and I were at square And least we fell to blowes she did prepare To arme my head to match thy horned browe Gri. Goe and a knaue with thée Ra. I stay for you Phal No harme is done here is but blow for blew Byrds of a fether best flye together Then like partners about your market goe Marrowes adew God sent you fayre wether Gri. Fare you well for vs take no care With vs this brode spéeche sildome breedeth square Exeunt Phal Marry syr welfare an office what some euer it be The very countenaunce is great though slender be the sée I thanke my good Lord Promos now I am an officer made In sooth more by hap then desart in secret be it sayde No force for that each shyft for one for Phallax will doo so Well fare a head can take his tyme nay watch for time I trow I smyle to thinke of my fell ▪ wes how some braue it some waight And thinke reward there seruice iust with offred shifts wyl bayght When they poore soules in troth do falle a myle vpon account For flattery and feruent plesing are meanes to make men mount I speake on proofe Lord Promos I haue pleased many a day Yet am I neither learned true nor honest any way What skyls for that by wit or wyle I haue an office got By force wherof euery lycence warrant pattent pasport Leace fyne fee et cetera pas and repas through Phallax hands Disorored persons brybe me wel to escape from Iustice bands And welthy churles for to promote I now haue set a worke Such hungry lads as soone will smell where statute breakers lurk And if they come within our Grype we meane to stripe them so As if they scape from open shame their bagges with vs shall goe And trust me this we officers of this mylde mould are wrought Agrée with vs and sure your shame by vs shal not be sought But soft a whyle I see my Lord what makes him lowre so ▪ I wyll intrude into his sight perhaps his greefe to know Actus 2. Scena 4. Phallax Promos PRo Well mette Phallax I long haue wysht to showe A cause to thee which none but I yet know Phal Say on my Lord a happy man weare I If any way your wish I could supply Pro. Faine would I speake but oh a chylling feare The case is such makes mee from speech forbeare Phal These wordes my Lord whome euer haue bene iust Now makes me thinke that you my truth mistrust But cease suspect my wyll with yours shall gree What so or against whome your dealing be Pro. Against a wight of small account it is And yet I feare I shall my purpose mys Phal Feare not my Lorde the olde Prouerbe doth saye Faynt harts doth steale fayre Ladyes seld away Pro. Fayre Ladyes O no Lady is my loue And yet the sure as coye as they wyl proue Phal I thought as much loue dyd torment you so But what is she that dare saye Promos noe Pro. Doe what one can fyre wyll breake forth I sée My words vnwares hath showen what gréeueth mee My wound is such as loue must be my leache Which cure wyll brynging Grauity in spéeche For what maye be a folly of more note Then for to see a man gray beard to dote Phal No my Lorde Amor omnia vincit And Ouid sayth Forma numen habet And for to proue loues seruice séemes the wise Set Sallomon and Sampson before your eyes For wyt and strength who wonne the cheefest prise And both lyu'd by the lawes loue did
Leaue mone swete wife I doe deserue this death Farewell farewell They all depart saue Polina Cassandra and her vvoman CAs My louing Lorde farewell I hope ere long my soule with thine shall dwell Po. Now good Madame leaue of this bootelesse griefe Cas O Polina sorrowe is my reliefe Wherfore sweete wenche helpe me to rue my woe With me vyle wretche thy bytter plaintes bestowe To hasten lyngring death who wanteth might I sée alone to sley the wretched wight Po. Nay first powre foorth your playnts to the powers Diuine When hate doth clowde all worldly grace whose mercies styll do shine Cas O so or no thy motion doeth well Swan lyke in song to towle my passing Bell. The Song of Cassandra ¶ Deare Dames diuorse your minds frō ioy helpe to bewayle my wo Condole with me whose heauy sights the pangs of death do shoe Rend heairs shed teares poore wēch distrest to hast the means to dye VVhose ioye annoy reliefe whose griefe hath spoyld with crueltie My brother slaine my husband ah at poynt to lose his head VVhy lyue I then vnhappy wench my suckers being dead O time O cryme O cause O lawes that Iudgd them thus to dye I blame you all my shame my thrall you hate that harmelesse trye This Tragidy they haue begun conclude I vvretched must O vvelcome care consume the thread thereto my life doth trust Sound bell my knell avvay delaie and geue mee leaue to dye Les hope haue scope vnto my hart a fresh for ayde to flye Enter Ganio sometime Andrugios Boye GA. O swéete newes for Polina and Cassandra Andrugio lyues Po. What doth poore Ganie saye Ga. Andrugio lyues and Promos is repriu'd Cas Vaine is thy hope I sawe Andrugio dead Ga. Well then from death he is againe reuyu'd Euen nowe I sawe him in the market stead Po. His wordes are straunge Cas Too swéete God wot for true Ga. I praye you who are these here in your view Cas The King. Ga. Who more Po. O. I see Andrugio Cas And I my Lorde Promos adue sorrowe Enter the King Andrugio Promos Vlrico the Marthall PO. My good Andrugio An. My swéete Polina Cas Lyues Andrugio welcome swéete brother An. Cassandra Cas I. An. Howe fare my deare Syster King. Andrugio you shall haue more leysure To gréete one another it is our pleasure That you forthwith your Fortunes here declare And by what meanes you thus preserued weare An. My faull through loue and iudgement for my faulte Lorde Promos wronges vnto my Sister done My death supposde dreade King were vaine to tell Cassandra heare those dealinges all hath showne The rest are these When I should dye the Gayler mou'd to ruth Declard to mée what Promos pleasure was Amazde wherat I tolde him all the trueth What betwene Cassandra and him dyd passe He much agrieu'd Lorde Promos guylt to heare Was verie lothe mée wofull man to harme At length iust God to set me wretched cleare With this defence his wylling minde dyd arme Two dayes afore to death were diuers done For seuerall faultes by them committed So that of them he tooke the head from one And to Cassandra the same presented Affirming it to be bi r brothers head Which done by night he sent me post away None but supposed that I in déde was dead When as in trueth in vncouth hauntes I laye In fine a Clowne came peaking through the wood Wherin I lyu'd your Graces being here And Promos death by whome I vnderstood Glad of which newes howe so I lyud in feare I ventured to sée his wretched fall To free suspect yet straunger lyke arayde I hether came but loe the inwarde thrall Of Cassandra the hate so sore dismayde Which I conceyued agaynst my brother Promos That loe I chews'd to yeeld my selfe to death To set him free for otherwyse I knew His death ere long would sure haue stopt her breath Loe gratious king in breefe I here haue showne Such aduentures as wretched I haue past Beseeching you with grace to thinke vpon The wight that wayles his follyes at the last King. A strange discourse as straungely come to light Gods pleasure is that thou should'st pardoned be To salue the fault thou with Polina mad'st But marry her and heare I set thee frée An. Most gratious Prince thereto I gladly grée Poli. Polina the happiest newes of all for thee Cas Most gratious King with these my ioye to match Vouchsafe to geue my dampned husbande lyfe King. If I doo so let him thanke thée his Wife Cassandra I haue noted thy distresse Thy vertues eke from first vnto the last And glad I am without offence it lyes In me to ease thy griefe and heauines Andrugio sau'd the iuell of thy ioye And for thy sake I pardon Promos faulte Yea let them both thy vertues rare commende In that their woes with this delyght doth ende Company God preserue your Maiestie Pro. Cassandra howe shall I discharge thy due Cas I dyd but what a Wife shoulde do for you King. Well fince all partes are pleased as they woulde Before I parte yet Promos this to thee Henceforth forethinke of thy forepassed faultes And measure Grace with Iustice euermore Vnto the poore haue euermore an eye And let not might out countenaunce their right Thy Officers trust not in euery tale In chiefe when they are meanes in strifes and sutes Though thou be iust yet coyne maye them corrupt And if by them thou dost vniustice showe T ys thou shalt beare the burden of their faultes Be louing to good Cassandra thy Wife And friendlie to thy brother Andrugio Whome I commaund as faythfull for to be To thée as beseemes the duety of a brother And now agayne thy gouernment receyue Inioye it so as thou in Iustice ioye If thou be wyse thy fall maye make thee ryse The lost shéepe founde for ioye the feast was made Well here an ende of my aduise I make As I haue sayde be good vnto the poore And Iustice ioyne with mercie enermore Pro. Most gratious King I wyll not fayle my best In these preceptes to followe your beheast FINIS G. Whetstone Loue hate and gaine the causes of Iniustice The scurge of lawe and not zeale keepeth the lewde in awe Note The force of loue A good lawe yll executed Might masters right The strumpets and Crocodiles teares a lyke ¶ Imprinted at London by Richarde Ihones and are to be solde ouer agaynst Saint Sepulchres Church without Newgate August 20. 1578.
Yet once againe on knees I mercie seeke In his behalfe that hanges twene death and life Who styll is preast if you the mendes do leeke His lawles loue to make his lawfull wife Pro. Faire Dame I wel haue wayd thy sute wish to do thée good But all in vaine al things conclude to haue thy brothers blood The stricknes of the lawe condempnes an ignoraunt abuse Then wylfull faultes are hardlie helpt or cloked with excuse And what maye be more wylfull then a Maide to violate Cas The force was smal when with hir wyl he wretch the conquest gate Pro. Lawe euer at the worst doth conster euyl intent Cas And lawe euen with the worst awardes them punishment And sith that rigorous lawe adiudgd him to dye Your glorie will be much the more in showing him mercie The world wil think how the you do but graūt him grace on cause And where cause is there mercy should abate the force of lawes Pro. Cassandra in thy brothers halfe thou hast sayde what may be And for thy sake it is if I doe set Andrugio frée Short tale to make thy beauty hath surprysed mee with loue That maugre wit I turne my thoughts as blynd affections moue And quite subdude by Cupids might néede makes mée sue for grace To thée Cassandra which doest holde my fréedome in a lace Yéelde to my will and then commaund euen what thou wilt of mée Thy brothers life and all that else may with thy liking grée Cas Cassādra to hir self And may it be a Iudge himself the selfe same fault should vse For which he domes an others death O crime without excuse Renowned Lorde you vse this speach I hope your thrall to trye If otherwise my brothers life so deare I will not bye Pro. Faire Dame my outward looks my inward thoughts bewray If you mistrust to search my harte would God you had a kaye Cas If that you loue as so you saye the force of loue you know Which fealt in conscience you should my brother fauour show Pro. In doubtfull warre one prisoner still doth set another frée Cas VVhat so warre séekes loue vnto warre contrary is you sée Hate fostreth warre loue cannot hate then maye it couet force Pro. The Louer ofte sues to his foe and findeth no remorse Then if he hap to haue a helpe to wyn his frowarde foe Too kinde a foole I will him holde that lets such vantage goe Cas Well to be short my selfe wyll dye ere I my honor staine You know my minde leaue off to tempt your offers are in vaine Pro. Bethink your self at price inough I purchase sweet your loue Andrugios life suffis'd alone your straungenes to remoue The which I graunt with any wealth that else you wyll require Who buyeth loue at such a rate payes well for his desire Cas No Promos no honor neuer at value maye be solde Honor farre dearer is then life which passeth price of golde Pro. To bnie this Iuell at the full my wife I may thée make Cas For vnsure hope that péereles pearle I neuer will forsake Pro. These sutes seemes strange at first I see wher modesty beares sway To himself I therfore wil set down my wyll for hir answer staye Fayre Cassandra the iuell of my ioye Howe so in showe my tale seemes straunge to thee The same well waide thou need'st not be so coye Yet for to giue thee respite to agree I wyll two daies hope styll of thy consent VVhich if thou graunt to cleare my clowdes of care Cloth'd like a Page suspect for to preuent Vnto my Court some night sweet wenche repaire Tyl then adue thou these my words in works perform'd shalt find Cas Farewel my Lord but in this sute you bootles wast your wind Cassandra O most vnhappy subiect to euerie woe What tōgue can tel what thought cōceiue what pen thy griefe can show Whom to scurge Nature heauē earth do heapes of thral ordain Whose words in waste whose works are lost whose wishes are in vain That which to others cōfort yéelds doth cause my heuy chéer I meane my beautie bréedes my bale which many hold so deere I woulde to God that kinde else where bestowed had this blase My vertues then had wrought regard my shape now giues the gase This forme so Promos fiers with Loue as wisdom can not quench His hote desire tyll he lust in Venus seas hath drencht At these wordes Ganio must be readie to speake Actus 3. Scena 3. Ganio And rugios boye Cassandra GA. Mistres Cassandra my Master lōgs to heare of your good spéed Cas Poore Ganio his death-alas fierce Fortune hath decréed Ga. His death God forbyd all his hope should turne to such successe For Gods sake go and comfort him I sorrowe his distresse Cas I néedes must go although with heauy chéere Ga. Sir your syster Cassandra is here Exit Actus 3. Scena 4. Andrugio out of prison Cassandra on the stage AN. My Cassandra what newes good sister showe Cas All thinges conclude thy death Andrugio Prepare thy selfe to hope it ware in vaine An. My death alas what raysed this new disdayne Cas Not Iustice zeale in wicked Promos sure An. Swéete show the cause I must this dome indure Cas If thou dost liue I must my honor lose Thy raunsome is to Promos fleshly wyll That I do yelde then which I rather chose With torments sharpe my selfe he first should kyll Thus am I bent thou séest thy death at hand O would my life would satisfie his yre Cassandra then would cancell soone thy band An. And may it be a Iudge of his account Can spot his minde with lawles loue or lust But more may he doome any fault with death When in such faute he findes himselfe iniust Syster that wise men loue we often sée And where loue rules gainst thornes doth reason spurne But who so loues if he reiected be His passing loue to péeuish hate will turne Deare sister then note how my fortune stands That Promos loue the like is oft in vse And sith he craue this kindnesse at your hands Thinke this if you his pleasure do refuse I in his rage poore wretch shall sing Peccaui Here are two euyls the best harde to digest But where as things are driuen vnto necessity There are we byd of both euyls choose the least Cas And of these euils the least I hold is death To shun whose dart we can no meane deuise Yet honor lyues when death hath done his worst Thus fame then lyfe is of farre more emprise An. Nay Cassandra if thou thy selfe submyt To saue my life to Promos fleashly wyll Iustice wyll say thou dost no cryme commit For in forst faultes is no intent of yll Cass How so th' intent is construed in offence The Prouerbe saies that tenne good turnes lye dead And one yll deede tenne tymes beyonde pretence By enuious tounges report abrode doth spread Andrugio so my fame shall vallewed bee Dispite wyll blase my