Selected quad for the lemma: prince_n
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A58114
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King Edgar and Alfreda a tragi-comedy : acted at the Theatre-Royal / written by Edward Ravenscroft ...
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Ravenscroft, Edward, 1654?-1707.
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1677
(1677)
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Wing R331; ESTC R14144
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45,131
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86
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KING EDGAR AND ALFREDA A Tragi-Comedy Acted at the Theatre-Royal Written By EDWARD RAVENSCROFT Gent. Illud quod medium est atque inter utrumque probamus Mart. LONDON Printed for M. Turner near Turn-Style in Holbourn M.DC.LXXVII READER INstead of a Preface I will only treat you with the Life of Edgar as I find it in our English Chronicles No Romance Affords more variety in so few words and the pleasure of reading it will recompence the trouble The LIFE of EDGAR King of the West Saxons EDgar by his Brother's death became King of all England at Sixteen Years of age but his Coronation when and where and by whom is uncertain Some say he was Crown'd at Kingston upon Thames by Otho Archbishop of Canterbury in the First Year of his Reign others say not till the Twelfth and William of Malmsbury not till the Thirtieth Another Chronicle saith in his Eleventh year and that in the City of Bath by the hands of Dunstan whom he call'd home out of Flanders where he liv'd in Exile This King had no Warr all his Reign yet always well prepar'd for Warr he govern'd the Kingdome in great Peace Honour and Prosperity gaining thence the Sirname of Peaceable The Saxons acknowledg'd him their sole Soveraign without Division of Provinces and Titles under him ended the Heptarchy till then the Land was cantl'd out into Seven Principalities His Acts were some Virtuous some Politick some Just and some Pious and some with a mixture of Vice but those related to Women His Care and Wisdome was great in guarding the Coast round with Ships to the Number of Three thousand six hundred which he divided into Four Squadrons to sayl to and fro about the Four Quarters of the Land meeting each other Thus he kept out wisely the Force of Strangers prevented Foreign Warr and secur'd the Coasts from Pyrats He would himself sayl round his Kingdome once every Summer In the Winter and Spring time he usually Rode the Circuit as a Judge Itinerant through all his Provinces to see Justice well administer'd and the poor not oppressed he severely punish'd his Judges if he found them corrupted with Bribes To repress Drunkenness which the Danes had brought in he made a Law ordaining a size by certain pinns in the Cup with penalty to any that shou'd presume to drink deeper then the Mark. To clear the Land from Wolves which in his dayes did great annoyance to his Country he wholly remitted the Tribute imposed on the Princes of Wales by King Athelston appointing in lieu thereof a certain Number of Wolves yearly to be paid whereof the Prince of North Wales for his part was to pay Three hundred which continu'd for Three years space and in the fourth year there was not a Wolf to be found and so the Tribute ceas'd Towards the end of his Reign the Welsh-men mov'd some Rebellion against whom he went with a Mighty Army and chastis'd the Authors but when his Souldiers had gotten great Spoyls and made prey upon the Innocent Country people he commanded them to restore it all back again which if it made some few English angry it pleas'd the whole Country of the Welsh and rais'd him high in their admiration His Pious Acts were that he built and re-edify'd seven and forty Monasteries and meant to have made them up Fifty but was prevented by Death In his Progress going to Chester he summon'd to his Court there all the Kings that held of him took homage of them their names are Kened King of Scots Malcolm of Cumberland Maccuse of the Iles Five of Wales Duffnall Howell Griffith Iago Iudethil These he had in such awe that going one day into a Gally he caus'd them to take each man an Oar and row him down the River Dee whilst himself sate at the Stern saying That his Successors might then glory to be Kings of England when they had such Honour done them The same Year he gave to Kened the Scottish King many Rich Presents and the whole Country of Lawdian or Lothien to hold of him on condition That he and his Successors shou'd repair to the English Court at high Festivals when the King sate Crown'd gave him also many Lodging places by the way which till the dayes of Henry the Second were still held by the Kings of Scotland He was of Stature not tall of body slender yet so well made that in strength he chose to contend with such as were thought strongest and dislik'd nothing more then that they shou'd spare him for Respect or fear to hurt him Kened King of Scots then in the Court of Edgar sitting one day at Table was heard to say jestingly among his Servants He wondered how so many Provinces could be held in subjection by such a little dapper man His words were brought to the King's Ear he sends for Kened as about some private business and in talk drawing him forth to a secret place produces two Swords gave one of them to Kened And now saith he it shall be try'd which ought to be the Subject for it is shameful for a King to boast at Table and shrink in Fight Kened abash'd demanded his pardon for what he had simply spoken and no way intended in contempt or to his disparagement wherewith the King was satisfy'd His Faults were that he deflowr'd a sacred Nunn call'd Wolsechild on whom yet he begot a Saint the Chaste Edyth After her he took another Virgin out by force call'd Ethelfâ—ede where she was placed by her Friends to avoid his pursuit For her excellent Beauty she was call'd Ethelfâ—ed the White He kept her as his Concubine but liv'd not obstinately in the offence for sharply reproved by the Archbishop Dunstan he submitted to seven years penance Another Story there goes of him that he chanc'd to hear of a Virgin Daughter to a Western Duke exceedingly prais'd for Beauty and coming to Andover commanded her to his Bed The Mother not daring flatly to deny yet abhorring that her Daughter shou'd be so deflowr'd brought in the dark her Maid to him dress'd in her Daughters Cloaths A Wench it seems not unhandsom nor unwitty who supply'd the place of her Young Lady In the Morning making haste to rise daylight scarce yet appearing was by the King ask'd Why she made such haste She answered To do the Work her Lady had set her not daring to hazard her displeasure by a longer stay By which words the King perceiv'd the Deceit and turn'd it to a Jest. But so well lik'd her company that he kept her with him advanc'd her in Honour above her Mistress and made her take place of her in publick Lov'd her and accompany'd her only till he marry'd Alfreda Alfreda was the only Daughter of Ordgar Duke of Devonshire Founder of Tavestock Abby in that County She was extreamly cry'd up for a Beauty the King hearing the loud Commendations sent his Favourite Earl Ethelwold to see her intending if she were found such as answer'd report to demand
man's O Tyrant Custome But more Tyrants men whose Censures do Uphold that power is usurpt of thee They blame the Passions we unurg'd reveal Yet feel the same but cannot theirs conceal Exeunt Enter King and Aldernald King I wish Alfreda's form had given report Just ground to proclaim her Natures miracle The Earl by me was sent to view her Beauties Alder. Heavens Did he for this call me from the Camp Shall I ungrateful King from thy own mouth Aside Be told how ill thou didst intend to requite The service I have done King If Ethelwold had confirm'd my belief That in Alfreda those many graces met Fame so loudly has bestow'd on her She should have been my Queen Alder. Your Queen King Yes Aldernald if Love or that title Had charmes to win her heart I ever thought thy loyal Family Worthy my Allyance and by this tye Design'd t' advance its antient glory Alder. Indeed Sir had she been your Queen King Yes Aldernald my Queen why this wonder Alder. I cannot Sir but wonder If she should have been your Queen why she was not King Look there and let all wonder cease Gives him two Pictures Not wanting Allyes nor necessitated To marry for State-Interest I propos'd to indulge my Genius That Beauty should Crown my Nuptials with Love The solid blessing of a married life A blessing Princes but rarely find No Country more than this for Beauty fam'd My intents conceal'd a general Collection Of their Pictures that were much renown'd I procur'd Of all that number None but that one excell'd Alfreda Alder. This the Queens it do's her beauty Justice This Alfreda's This my Sister's King Yes is it not like her Takes a Picture out of his pocket shews it the King Alder. I have a piece more exact King O what Charmes are here How like the Beauty of my mornings dream Alfreda was that Heav'nly form Ethelwold Was the Serpent that bore away that Scene of Glory Enter Ruthin I have been betray'd Ruth Sir in what Gives Ruthin the Pictures There read the Treason thence guess the Traytor What Musick is this so loud Musick without Ruth This Musick will discover all Alder. Not all my Lord. Enter Oswold King The occasion of this Publick joy Osw. Earl Ethelwold is this morning married King And who is his Bride Alder. My Sister Sir King Thy Sister in Town and married this morning And to Ethelwold when came she Alder. With me last night King What reasons urg'd this hast And to conceal your self and her Alder. To preserve her Honour King Her Honour what danger cou'd attend it Alder. The Earl sent by you to my Father declared that you design'd King What Alder. My Faith 's so criminal Shame will not let me speak it King What said he I design'd Alder. Sir read it in my blushes Or think the worst and that is it King O my apprehensions Speak Aldernald what was 't Alder. The dishonour of our Family King O Impiety Ald. That you wou'd make her not your Queen but whore King O Prophanation Alder. Our hope 's not so ambitious to believe Our Family merited that Honour With ease gave credit to the other King When Fame had made such often repetitions Of her Excellencies you on his single assertion Might as justly suspect my Virtue As I her Beauty If you yet doubt me There 's one can witness my intentions Turns to Ruthin To her and to your Family were just Alder. And he can witness too the Earl's deceit So positively he affirm'd this for truth That he believ'd it too For my Father was guided by his Counsels Which he receiv'd by Letters King How Alder. After the Earl return'd to Town And had obtain'd your leave to marry her Being to return agen into the Countrey When upon account of business You countermanded his journey We grew suspicious of your intents And then my Lord there zealous in our service Counsel'd she should be brought to Town And married here King He counsel this Alder. Wisely concluding that when you knew The Honour of two such Families were concern'd ' Twou'd be a prevailing argument To alter your Intentions King He advis'd like a Friend Earl Odgare Acted as a Father you like a Brother 'T is a Virtue to be jealous of our Honour Alder. But not of our Prince King The fault was Ethelwold's but I pardon all His Crimes were but Errors of Love Which is the madness of the mind Tell him I 'le be his Guest this day at dinner But conceal my knowledge of his Guilt I 'de have his mind rest in a confidence I think him Innocent That all his Thoughts May be imployed to heighten the pleasures He this night must ravish from his Bride Alder. Mercy is the Monarch-Virtue in a Prince Exeunt Ruth Alder. And that is the Ornament of your Soul King False Traitor has Love his Loyalty betray'd Those Eyes must have powerful Charmes can draw The hearts of Subjects from their Allegiance Exit Enter Oswold Durzo Dur. But what do you with these Ladies here Osw. We Court Complement and Gallant ' em Dur. What is that Courting ' em Osw. Sometimes 't is call'd making Love to 'em You must have a Mistress if you stay long at Court Dur. Must I which of ' em Osw. Her you like best Dur. Why I like 'em all Osw. You must appropriate but one Dur. I 'de have a whole Tier of ' em Osw. Every man must have his share Make choice of her you think most handsome Dur. But how may a man know a handsome Woman Osw. Iâ—le give you the description of my Mistress For a Pattern to choose one by She has Hair I know not how to term it Nature affords not a comparison Dur. I like not That she 's like no body then Osw. Her Fore-head high and fair eyes black and sparkling They twinkle like the Stars Dur. They are then Gemini Osw. Her Brows like Arches Cut out of purest Snow consolidate A Nose exactly to the square of Beauty Her Cheeks plump not by Art but Nature painted Her mouth little red Lips and white Teeth A Pearly Portcullis with a Ruby Gate Dur. Ay that 's fine Osw. A Chin dimpl'd but in that little Pitt A thousand hearts lie bury'd Dur. They are thrown in then as fast as we heave dead Men over board in a Sea-fight Osw. Her neck smooth fat white and soft as the Down on Swans Dur. Ay That Osw. Her Breasts those milky Fountains snowy Alpes Round and not limber their motions pant Beholders hearts into an Extasie No Pride about her but what they swell with They rise and fall like Waves blown up by gentle winds Dur. O O O feel here Pulls Owald's hand to his breast Osw. Auh your heart beats high We shall have boisterous weather I perceive it coming Dur. Ay my heart begins to leap and play Like a Porpice before a Storm Osw. An Arm a Hand small white and Round the bloud blushing through the fair skin