Empress If you be Cook there is no remedy But you must dress one Mess of meat you self Branden. I am Physician Trier I am Secretary Mentz I am the Jester Edward O excellent is your Holiness the Vice Fortune hath fitted you y'faith my Lord You 'l play the Ambodexter cunningly Mentz Your Highness is to bitter in your Jests Alphon. Come hither Alexander to comfort thee After the death of thy beloved Father Whose life was deer unto his Emperour Thou shalt make one in this solemnity Yet e're thou draw my self will honour thee And as the custom is make thee a man Stand stiff Sir Boy now com'st thou to thy tryal Take this and that and therewithall this Sword He gives Alexander a Box on the ear or two If while thou live thou ever take the like Of me or any man I here pronounce Thou art a schelm otherwise a man Now draw thy lot and Fortune be thy speed Edward Vnckle I pray why did be box the fellow Foul lubber as he is to take such blows Richard Thus do the Princes make their Pages men Edward But that is strange to make a man with blows We say in England that he is a man That like a man dare meet his enemy And in my judgement 't is the sounder tryal Alex. Fortune hath made me Marshall of the tryumphs Alphon. Now what remains Emperess That Fortune draw her lot She opens it and gives it to the Emperess to read Empress Sound trumpets Fortune is your Emperess Alphon. This happens right for Fortune will be Queen Now Emperour you must unmask her face And tell us how you like your Emperess In my opinion England breeds no fairer Bohe. Fair Hedewick the Duke of Saxons daughter Young Prince of England you are bravely match'd Edward Tell me sweet Aunt is that this Saxon Princess Whose beauties fame made Edward cross the Seas Emperess Nephew it is hath fame been prodigal Or over sparing in the Princess praise Edward Fame I accuse thee thou did'st niggardize And faintly sound my loves perfections Great Lady Fortune and fair Emperess Whom chance this day hath thrown into my arms More welcome than the Roman Emperess Edward kisses her Hede. See doch dass ist hier kein gebrauch Mein Got ist dass dir Englisch manier dass dich Edward What meaneth this why chafes my Emperess Alphon. Now by my troth I did expect this jest Prince Edward us'd his Country fashion Edward I am an Englishman why should I not Emp. Fy Nephew Edward here in Germany To kiss a Maid a fault intollerable Edward Why should not German Maids be kist aswell as others Richard Nephew because you did not know the fashion And want the language to excuse your self I 'l be your spokes-man to your Emperess Edward Excuse it thus I like the first so well That tell her she shall chide me twice as much For such an other nay tell her more than so I 'l double kiss on kiss and give her leave To chide and braul and cry ten thousand dass dich And make her weary of her fretting humour E're I be weary of my kissing vein Dass dich a Iungfraw angry for a kiss Empress Nephew she thinks you mock her in her mirth Edward I think the Princes make a scorn of me If any do I 'l prove it with my Sword That English Courtship leaves it from the world Bohem. The pleasant'st accident that I have seen Bran. Me thinks the Prince is chaf'd as well as she Rich. Gnediges frawlin Hede. Dass dich mast ich arme kindt zu schanden gemacht werden Edward Dass dich I have kist as good as you Pray Unckle tell her if she mislike the kiss I 'l take it off agen with such an other Rich. Ey Lirbes frawlin nim es all fur gutti Es i st die Englisch manier Und gebrauche Hede. Ewer gnaden weissts woll es ist mir ein grosse schande Edward Good Aunt teach me so much Dutch to ask her pardon Empress Say so Gnediges frawlin vergebet mirs ich wills nimmermehr thuen Then kiss your hand three times upsy Dutch Edward Ich wills nimmermehr thuen if I understand it right That 's as much to say as I 'l do so no more Empr. True Nephew Edward Nay Aunt pardon me I pray I hope to kiss her many thousand times And shall I go to her like a great Boy and say I 'l do so no more Empress I pray Cosin say as I tell you Edward Gnediges frawlin vergebet mirss ich wills nimmermehr thuen Alphon. For wahr kein schandt Hedew. Gnediger hochgeborner Furst vndt herr Wan ich konte so vil englisch sprechen ich wolt ewer Gnaden Fur wahr ein filtz geben ich hoffe aber ich soll etnmahl So viel lernen dass Die mich verstrhen soll Edward What says she Alphon. O excellent young Prince look to your self She swears she 'l learn some English for your sake To make you understand her when she chides Edward I 'l teach her English she shall teach me Dutch Gnediges frawlin c. Bohem. It is great pitty that the Duke of Saxon Is absent at this joyful accident I see no reason if his Grace were here But that the Marriage might be solemniz'd I think the Prince of Wales were well content Edward I left sweet England to none other end And though the Prince her Father be not here This Royal presence knows his mind in this Emp. Since you do come so roundly to the purpose 'T is time for me to speak the Maid is mine Giv'n freely by her Father unto me And to the end these broyls may have an end I give the Father's interest and mine own Unto my Nephew Edward Prince of Wales Edward A Jewel of incomparable price Your Majesty hath here bestowed on me How shall I ask her if she be content Empr. Say thus i st ewer gnaden woll hiemit zufrieden Edward I st ewer Gnaden woll hiemit zufrieden Hede. Wass ihr durleichtigkeit dass will dass will mein vattter vndt Wass mein vatter will darmit muss ich zufrieden sein Alphon. It is enough she doth confirm the match We will dispatch a Post unto her Father On Sunday shall the Revels and the Wedding Be both solemnized with mutual joy Sound trumpets each one look unto his charge For preparation of the Festivals Exeunt Manent Alphonsus and Alexander Alphon. Come hither Alexander thy Fathers joy If tears and sighs and deep-fetcht deadly groans Could serve t' evert inexorable fate Divine Lorenzo whom in life my heart In death my soul and better part adores Had to thy comfort and his Prince's honour Surviv'd and drawn this day this breath of life Alexan. Dread Caesar prostrate on my bended Knee I thank your Majesty for all favours shewn To my deceased Father and my self I must confess I spend but bootless tears Yet cannot
Lords Tears stop my voice your wisdoms know my meaning Alas I know my Brother Richard's heart Affects not Empire he would rather choose To make return again to Palestine And be a scourge unto the Infidels As for my Lord he is impatient The more my grief the lesser is my hope Yet Princes thus he sends you word by me He will submit himself to your award And labour to amend what is amiss All I have said or can device to say Is few words of great worth Make unity Bohe. Madam that we have suffer'd you to kneel so long Agrees not with your dignity nor ours Thus we excuse it when we once are set In solemn Councel of Election We may not rise till somewhat be concluded So much for that touching your earnest sure Your Majestie doth know how it concerns us Comfort your self as we do hope the best But tell us Madam wher 's your Husband now Empress I left him at his prayers good my Lord Saxon. At prayers Madam that 's a miracle Pall. Vndoubtedly your Highness did mistake 'T was sure some Book of Conjuration I think he never said pray'r in his life Empress Ah me my fear I fear will take effect Your hate to him and love unto my Brother Will break my heart and spoil th' Imperial peace Mentz My Lord of Saxon and Prince Pallatine This hard opinion yet is more than needs But gracious Madam leave us to our selves Empress I go and Heav'n that holds the Hearts of Kings Direct your Counsels unto unity Exit Bohe. Now to the depth of that we have in hand This is the question whether the King of Spain Shall still continue in the Royal throne Or yield it up unto Plantagenet Or we proceed unto a third Eelection Saxon. E're such a viperous blood-thirsty Spaniard Shall suck the hearts of our Nobility Th' Imperial Sword which Saxony doth bear Shall be unsheath'd to War against the world Pall. My hate is more than words can testifie Slave as he is he murdered my Father Coll. Prince Richard is the Champion of the world Learned and mild fit for the Government Bohe. And what have we to do with Englishmen They are divided from our Continent But now that we may orderly proceed To our high Office of Election To you my Lord of Mentz it doth belong Having first voice in this Imperial Synod To name a worthy man for Emperour Mentz It may be thought most grave and reverend Princes That in respect of divers sums of gold Which Richard of meer charitable love Not as a bribe but as a deed of Alms Disburs'd for me unto the Duke of Brunschweige That I dare name no other man but he Or should I nominate an other Prince Upon the contrary I may be thought A most ingrateful wretch unto my Friend But private cause must yield to publick good Therefore me thinks it were the fittest course To choose the worthiest upon this Bench Bohem. We are all Germans why should we be yoak'd Either by Englishmen or Spaniards Saxo. The Earl of Cornwall by a full consent Was sent for out of England Mentz Though he were Our later thoughts are purer than our first And to conclude I think this end were best Since we have once chosen him Emperour That some great Prince of wisdom and of power Whose countenance may overbear his pride Be joynd in equal Government with Alphonsus Bohem. Your Holiness hath soundly in few words Set down a mean to quiet all these broyls Trier So may we hope for peace if he amend But shall Prince Richard then be joynd with him Pal. Why should your Highness ask that question As if a Prince of so high Kingly Birth Would live in couples with so base a Cur Bohe. Prince Pallatine such words do ill become thee Saxon. He said but right and call'd Dog a Dog Bohe. His Birth is Princely Saxo. His manners villanous And vertuous Richard scorns so base a yoak Bohe. My Lord of Saxon give me leave to tell you Ambition blinds your judgement in this case You hope if by your means Richard be Emperour He in requital of so great advancement Will make the long-desired Marriage up Between the Prince of England and your Sister And to that end Edward the Prince of Wales Hath born his Uncle Company to Germany Saxo. Why King of Bohem i' st unknown to thee How oft the Saxons Sons have marryed Queens And Daughters Kings yea mightiest Emperours If Edward like her beauty and behaviour He 'l make no question of her Princely Birth But let that pass I say as erst I said That vertuous Richard scorns so base a yoak Mentz If Richard scorn some one upon this Bench Whose power may overbear Alphonsus pride Is to be named What think you my Lords Saxon. I think it was a mighty mass of Gold That made your grace of this opinion Mentz My Lord of Saxony you wrong me much And know I highly scorn to take a bribe Pal. I think you scorn indeed to have it known But to the purpose if it must be so Who is the fittest man to joyn with him Collen First with an Oxe to plough will I be yok'd Mentz The fittest is your grace in mine opinion Bohem. I am content to stay these mutinies To take upon me what you do impose Saxon. Why here 's a tempest quickly overblown God give you joy my Lord of half the Empire For me I will not meddle in the matter But warn your Majestie to have a care And vigilant respect unto your person I 'l hie me home to fortifie my Towns Not to offend but to defend my self Pals. Ha' with you Cosin and adieu my Lords I am afraid this suddain knitted Peace Will turn unto a tedious lasting War Only thus much we do request you all Deal honourably with the Earl of Cornwall And so adieu Exeunt Saxon. and Pals Brand. I like not this strange Farewel of the Dukes Bohem. In all elections some are malcontent It doth concern us now with speed to know How the Competitors will like of this And therefore you my Lord Archbishop of Trier Impart this order of arbitrament Unto the Emperour bid him be content To stand content with half or lose the whole My Lord of Mentz go you unto Prince Richard And tell him flatly here 's no Crown nor Empire For English Islanders tell him 't were his best To hie him home to help the King his Brother Against the Earl of Leicester and the Barons Collen My Lord of Mentz sweet words will qualifie When bitter tearms will adde unto his rage 'T is no small hope that hath deceiv'd the Duke Therefore be mild I know an Englishman Being flattered is a Lamb threatned a Lion Tell him his charges what so e're they are Shal be repaid with treble vantages Do this we will expect their resolutions Mentz Brother of Collen I entreat your grace To take this charge upon you in my stead For why I shame to look him in
his Office was to dress a mess of meat with that Wood which the English Prince should bring in but he hath neither seen Dutch Wood nor English prince therefore he desires you hold him excus'd Alphon. I wonder where Prince Richard stays so long Alex. An 't please your Majesty he 's come at length And with him has he brought a crew of Bowrs A hipse bowr maikins fresh as Flow'rs in May With whom they mean to dance a Saxon round In honour of the Bridegroom and his Bride Edward So has he made amends for his long tarrying I prethee Marshall them into the presence Alphon. Lives Richard then I had thought th' hadst made him sure Alex. O I could tear my flesh to think upon 't He lives and secretly hath brought with him The Palsgrave and the Duke of Saxonie Clad like two Bowrs even in the same apparrel That Hans and Ierick wore when they went out to murder him It now behooves us to be circumspect Alphon. It likes me not Away Marshal bring them Exit Alexander I long to see this sports conclusion Bohem. I' st not a lovely sight to see this couple Sit sweetly billing like two Turtle Doves Alphon. I promise you it sets my Teeth an Edge That I must take mine Empress in mine arms Come hither Isabel though thy roabs be homely Thy face and countenance holds colour still Enter Alexander Collen Mentz Richard Saxony Palsgrave Collen Cook with a gamon of raw bacon and links or puddings in a platter Richard Palsgrave Saxon Mentz like Clowns with each of them a Miter with Corances on their heads Collen Dread Emperour and Emperess for to day I Your appointed Cook untill to morrow Have by the Marshal sent my just excuse And hope your Highness is therewith content Our Carter here for whom I now do speak Says that his Axletree broke by the way That is his answer and for you shall not famish He and his fellow bowrs of the next dorp Have brought a schinkel of good raw Bacon And that 's a common meat with us unsod Desiring you you would not scorn the fare 'T wil make a cup of Wine taste nippitate Edward Welcome good fellows we thank you for your present Richard So spell fresh up and let us rommer daunsen Alex. Please it your Highness to dance with your Bride Edward Alas I cannot dance your German dances Bohem. I do beseech your Highness mock us not We Germans have no changes in our dances An Almain and an upspring that is all So dance the Princes Burgers and the Bowrs Brand. So daunc'd our Auncestors for thousand years Edward It is a sign the Dutch are not new fangled I 'le follow in the measure Marshal lead Alexander and Mentz have the fore dance with each of them a glass of Wine in their hands then Edward and Hedewick Palsgrave and Empress and two other couple after Drum and Trumpet The Palsgrave whispers with the Empress Alphon. I think the Bowr is amorous of my Empress Fort bowr and leffel morgen when thou com'st to house Collen Now is your Graces time to steal away Look to 't or else you 'l lie alone to night Edward steals away the Bride Alex. Drinketh to the Palsgrave Skelt bowre Palsgrave Sain Gott The Palsgrave requests the Empress Ey Iungfraw helpe mich doch ein Iungfraw drunck Es gelt guter fcenudt ein frolecken drink Alphon. Sam Gott mein frundt ich will gern bescheidt thun Alphonsus takes the Cup of the Palsgrave and drinks to the King of Bohemia and after he hath drunk puts poyson into the Beaker Half this I drink unto your Highness health It is the first since we were joynd in Office Bohem. I thank your Majesty I 'le pledge you half As Bohem is a drinking e're he hath drunk it all out Alphonsus pulls the Beaker from his mouth Alphon. Hold hold your Majesty drink not too much Bohem. What means your Highness Alphon. Methinks that something grates between my teeth Pray God there be not poyson in the bowl Bohem. Marry God forbid Alex. So were I pepper'd Alphon. I highly do mistrust this schelmish bowr Lay hands on him I le make him drink the rest Whas ist whas ist wat will you nut mee machen Alphon. Drink out drink out oder der divell soll dich holen Pals. Ey geb you to frieden ich will gein drink Saxon. Drink not Prince Pallatine throw it on the ground It is not good to trust his Spanish flies Bohem. Saxon and Palsgrave this cannot be good Alphon. 'T was not for nought my mind misgave me so This hath Prince Richard done t' entrap our lives Richard No Alphonsus I disdain to be a traytor Empress O sheath your swords forbear these needless broyls Alphon. Away I do mistrust thee as the rest Bohem. Lord's hear me speak to pacify these broyls For my part I feel no distemperature How do you feel your self Alphon. I cannot tell not ill and yet methinks I am not well Bohem. Were it a poyson 't would begin to work Alphon. Not so all poysons do not work alike Pals. If there were poyson in which God forbid The Empress and my self and Alexander Have cause to fear as well as any other Alphon. Why didst thou throw the Wine upon the earth Hadst thou but drunk thou hadst satisfied our minds Pals. I will not be enforc't by Spanish hands Alphon. If all be well with us that schuce shall serve If not the Spaniards blood will be reveng'd Rich. Your Majesty is more afraid than hurt Bohem. For me I do not fear my self a whit Let all be friends and forward with our mirth Enter Edward in his night-gown and his shirt Richard Nephew how now is all well with you Bohem. I lay my life the Prince has lost his bride Edward I hope not so she is but stray'd a little Alphon. Your Grace must not be angry though we laugh Edward If it had hapned by default of mine You might have worthily laught me to scorn But to be so deceiv'd so over reach'd Even as I meant to clasp her in mine arms The grief is intollerable not to be guest Or comprehended by the thought of any But by a man that hath been so deceiv'd And that 's by no man living but my self Saxon. My Princely Son-in-Law God give you joy Edward Of what my Princely Father Saxon. O' my Daughter Your new betroathed Wife and Bed-fellow Edward I thank you Father indeed I must confess She is my Wife but not my Bed-fellow Saxon. How so young Prince I saw you steal her hence And as me thought she went full willingly Edward 'T is true I stole her finely from amongst you And by the Arch-Bishop of Collens help Got her alone into the Bride-Chamber Where having lockt the Door thought all was well I could not speak but pointed to the Bed She answered Ia and gan for to unlace her I seeing that suspected no deceit But straight
of bloud and death are hapned Saxon. My mind misgave a massacre this night Rich. How do's Prince Edward then Sax. How do's my Daughter Collen How goes it with the Palsgrave of the Rhein Brand. Prince Edward and his Bridle do live in health And shall be brought unto you when you please Saxon. Let them be presently deliver'd Coll. Lives not the Palsgrave too Mentz In Heaven or Hell he lives and reaps the merrit of his deeds Coll. What damned hand hath butchered the Prince Saxon. O that demand is needless who but he That seeks to be the Butcher of us all But vengeance and revenge shall light on him Bran. Be patient noble Princes hear the rest The two great Kings of Bohem and Castile God comfort them lie now at point of death Both poyson'd by the Palsgrave yesterday Rich. How is that possible so must my Sister The Pallatine himself and Alexander Who drunk out of the bowl be poysoned too Mentz Nor is that hainous deed alone the cause Though cause enough to ruin Monarchies He hath defil'd with lust th' Imperial Bed And by the Emperour in the fact was slain Collen O worthy guiltless Prince O had he fled Rich. But say where is the Empress where 's my Sister Mentz Not burnt to ashes yet but shall be shortly Rich. I hope her Majesty will live to see A hundred thousand flattering turncoat slaves Such as your Holiness dye a shameful death Brand. She is in prison and attends her tryal Saxon. O strange heart-breaking mischievous intents Give me my children if you love your lives No safety is in this enchanted Fort O see in happy hour there comes my Daughter And loving son scapt from the Massacre Enter Edward and Hedewick Edward My body lives although my heart be slain O Princes this hath been the dismall'st night That ever eye of sorrow did behold Here lay the Palsgrave weltring in his bloud Dying Alphonsus standing over him Upon the other hand the King of Bohem Still looking when his poyson'd bulk would break But that which pierc'd my soul with natures touch Was my tormented Aunt with blubberd cheeks Torn bloody Garments and disheveld hair Waiting for death deservedly or no That knows the searcher of all humane thoughts For these devices are beyond my reach Saxon. Sast dorh liches doister who wart dow dicselbirmafl Hede. Ais who who solt ich sem ich war in bette Saxon. Wert dow allrin so wart dow gar vorschrocken Hede. Ich ha mist audes gememt dam das ich wolt allrin geschlaffne haben abur vmb mitternaist kam meiner bridegroom bundt si flaffet bey mir bis wir mit dem getunnuel erwacht waren Edward What says she came her Bridegroom to her at midnight Rich. Nephew I see you were not over-reach'd Although she slipt out of your arms at first You ceiz'd her surely e're you left the chace Saxon. But left your Grace your Bride alone in Bed Or did she run together in the Larum Edward Alas my Lords this is no time to jest I lay full sadly in my Bed alone Not able for my life to sleep a wink Till that the Larum Bell began to Ring And then I starred from my weary couch Saxon. How now this rimes not with my daughters speech She says you found her Bed and lay with her Edward Not I your Highness did mistake her words Collen Deny it not Prince Edward 't is an honour Edward My Lords I know no reason to deny it T' have found her Bed I would have given a million Saxon. Hedswick der Furst sagt er satt mist be dir schlafin Hede. Es gefelt ihm also zum sagun aber ich habes woll gerfralet Rich. She say's you are dispos'd to jest with her But yesternight she felt it in good earnest Edward Unckle these jests are too unsavorie Ill suited to these times and please me not Lab ich bin you geshlapen yesternight Hede. I leff warum snlt ihrs fragen Saxon. Edward I tell thee 't is no jesting matter Say plainly wa'st thou by her I or no Edward As I am Prince true heir to Englands Crown I never toucht her body in a Bed Hede. Das haste gethan order holle mich der divell Richard Nephew take heed you hear the Princess words Edward It is not she nor you nor all the world Shall make me say I did anothers deed Saxon. Anothers deed what think'st thou her a whore Saxon strikes Edward Edward She may be Whore and thou a villain too Strook me the Emperour I will strike again Collen Content you Princes buffet not like boys Richard Hold you the one and I will hold the other Hede. O her got help help oich arms kindt Saxon. Souldiers lay hands upon the Prince of Wales Convey him speedily unto a prison And load his Legs with grievous bolts of Iron Some bring the Whore my Daughter from my fight And thou smooth Englishman to thee I speak My hate extends to all thy Nation Pack thee out of my sight and that with speed Your English practises have all to long Muffled our German eyes pack pack I say Richard Although your Grace have reason for your rage Yet be not like a madman to your friends Saxon. My friends I scorn the friendship of such mates That seek my Daughters spoil and my dishonour But I will teach the Boy another lesson His head shall pay the ransom of his fault Richard His head Saxon. And thy head too O how my heart doth swell Was there no other Prince to mock but me First woo then marry her then lye with her And having had the pleasure of her Bed Call her a Whore in open audience None but a villain and a slave would do it My Lords of Mentz of Tryer and Brandenburg Make ope the Gates receive me as a friend I 'le be a scourge unto the English Nation Mentz Your Grace shall be the welcom'st guest alive Collen None but a madman would do such a deed Saxon. Then Collen count me mad for I will do it I 'le set my life and Land upon the hazard But I will thoroughly found this deceit What will your Grace leave me or follow me Collen No Saxon know I will not follow thee And leave Prince Richard in so great extreams Saxon. Then I defy you both and so farwell Rich. Yet Saxon hear me speak before thou go Look to the Princes life as to thine own Each perisht hair that falleth from his head By thy default shall cost a Saxon City Henry of England will not lose his heir And so farwel and think upon my words Saxon. Away I do disdain to answer thee Pack thee with shame again into thy Countrie I 'le have a Cock-boat at my proper charge And send th' Imperial Crown which thou hast won To England by Prince Edward after thee Exeunt Man Rich and Coll. Collen Answer him not Prince Richard he is mad Choler and grief
shall hang a sacred Lamp Which till the day of doom shall ever burn Yea after ages shall speak of thy renown And go a Pilgrimage to thy sacred Tomb Grief stops my voice who loves his Emperour Lay to his helping hand and bear him hence Sweet Father and redeemer of my life Exeunt Manet Alexander Alex. Now is my Lord sole Emperour of Rome And three Conspirators of my Fathers death Are cunningly sent unto Heaven or Hell Like subtilty to this was never seen Alas poor Mentz I pittying thy prayers Could do no less than lend a helping hand Thou wert a famous flatterer in thy life And now hast reapt the fruits thereof in death But thou shalt be rewarded like a Saint With Masses Bels dirges and burning Lamps 'T is good I envie not thy happiness But ah the sweet remembrance of that night That night I mean of sweetness and of stealth When for a Prince a Princess did imbrace me Paying the first fruits of her Marriage Bed Makes me forget all other accidents O Saxon I would willingly forgive The deadly trespass of my Fathers death So I might have thy Daughter to my Wife And to be plain I have best right unto her And love her best and have deserv'd her best But thou art fond to think on such a match Thou must imagin nothing but revenge And if my computation fail me not Ere long I shall be thorowly reveng'd Exit Enter the Duke of Saxon and Hedewick with the Child Saxon. Come forth thou perfect map of miserie Desolate Daughter and distressed Mother In whom the Father and the Son are curst Thus once again we will assay the Prince 'T may be the sight of his own flesh and blood Will now at last pierce his obdurate heart Jailor how fares it with thy prisoner Let him appear upon the battlements Hede. O mein deere vatter ich habe in dis lang lang 30. weeken welche mich duncket sein 40. iahr gewesen ein litte Englisch gelernet vnd ich hope he will me verstohn vnd shew me a little pittie Enter Edward on the Walls and Iailor Saxon. Good morrow to your grace Edward of Wales Son and immediate Heir to Henry the third King of England and Lord of Ireland Thy Fathers comfort and the peoples hope 'T is not in mockage nor at unawares That I am ceremonious to repeat Thy high descent ioynd with thy Kingly might But therewithall to intimate unto thee What God expecteth from the higher powers Justice and mercie truth sobrietie Relenting hearts hands innocent of blood Princes are Gods chief substitutes on earth And should be Lamps unto the common sort But you will say I am become a Preacher No Prince I am an humble suppliant And to prepare thine ears make this exordium To pierce thine eyes and heart behold this spectacle Three Generations of the Saxon blood Descended lineallie from forth my Loyns Kneeling and crying to thy mightiness First look on me and think what I have been For now I think my self of no account Next Caesar greatest man in Germanie Neerly a lyed and ever friend to England But Womens sighs move more in manly hearts O see the hands she elevates to Heaven Behold those eyes that whilome were thy joyes Uttering domb eloquence in Christal tears If these exclames and sights be ordinarie Then look with pittie on thy other self This is thy flesh and blood bone of thy bone A goodly Boy the Image of his sire Turn'st thou away O were thy Father here He would as I do take him in his arms And sweetly kiss his Grand-child in the face O Edward too young in experience That canst not look into the grievous wrack Ensuing this thy obstinate deniall O Edward too young in experience That canst not see into the future good Ensuing thy most just acknowledgement Hear me thy truest friend I will repeat them For good thou hast an Heir indubitate Whose eyes already sparckle Majesty Born in true Wedlock of a Princely Mother And all the German Princes to thy friends Where on the contrary thine eyes shall see The speedy Tragedie of thee and thine Like Athamas first will I ceize upon Thy young unchristened and despised Son And with his guiltless brains bepaint the Stones Then like Virginius will I kill my Child Unto thine eyes a pleasing spectacle Yet shall it be a momentarie pleasure Henry of England shall mourn with me For thou thy self Edward shall make the third And be an actor in this bloody Scean Hede. Ah myne seete Edouart mein herzkin myne scherzkin mein herziges einiges herz mein allerleivest husband I preedee mein leefe see me friendlich one good feete harte tell de trut and at lest to me and dyne allerleefest schild shew pitty dan ich bin dyne vnd dow bist myne dow hast me geven ein kindelein O Edouart feete Edouart erbarmet sein Edw. O Hedewick peace thy speeches pierce my soul Hede. Hedewick doe yow excellencie hight me Hedewick seete Edouart yow weete ich bin yowr allerlieueste wife Edward The Priest I must confess made thee my Wife Curst be the damned villanous adulterer That with so fowl a blot divorc'd our love Hede. O mein allerleevester hieborne Furst vnd Herr dinck dat unser Herr Gott sitts in himmells trone and sees dat hart vnd will my cause woll recken Saxon. Edward hold me not up with long delays But quickly say wilt thou confess the truth Edward As true as I am born of Kingly Linage And am the best Plantagenet next my Father I never carnallie did touch her body Saxon. Edward this answer had we long ago Seest thou this brat speak quickly or he dyes Edward His death will be more piercing to thine eyes Than unto mine he is not of my kin Hede. O Father O myne Uatter spare myne kindt O Edouart O Prince Edouart spreak now oder nimmermehr die kindt ist mein it soll nicht sterben Saxon. Have I dishonoured my self so much To bow my Knee to thee which never bow'd But to my God and am I thus rewarded Is he not thine speak murderous-minded Prince Edward O Saxon Saxon mitigate thy rage First thy exceeding great humilitie When to thy captive prisoner thou didst kneel Had almost made my lying tongue confess The deed which I protest I never did But thy not causeless furious madding humour Together with thy Daughters pitious cryes Whom as my life and soul I dearly love Had thorowly almost perswaded me To save her honour and belie my self And were I not a Prince of so high blood And Bastards have no scepter-bearing hands I would in silence smother up this blot And in compassion of thy Daughters wrong Be counted Father to an others Child For why my soul knows her unguiltiness Saxon. Smooth words in bitter sense is thine answer Hede. Ey vatter geue mir mein kindt die kind i st mein Saxon. Das weis ich
to save Prince Edwards life Sax. Then like a Warrior spill it in the Field My griefull anger cannot be appeaz'd By sacrifice of any but himself Thou hast dishonour'd me and thou shalt dye Therefore alarum alarum to the fight That thousands more may bear thee company Rich. Nephew and Sister now farewell for ever Ed. Heaven and the Right prevail and let me die Uncle farewell Emp. Brother farewell untill wee meet in Heaven Exeunt Manent Alphon. Edw. Emp. Alex. Alphon. Here 's farewell Brother Nephew Vncle Aunt As if in thousand years you should not meet Good Nephew and good Aunt content your selves The Sword of Saxon and these Daggers-points Before the Evening-Star doth shew it self Will take sufficient order for your meeting But Alexander my trustie Alexander Run to the Watch-Tow'r as I pointed thee And by thy life I charge thee look unto it Thou be the first to bring me certain word I we be Conquerors or Conquered Alex. With carefull speed I will perform this charge Exit Alphon Now have I leasure yet to talk with you Fair Isabell the Palsgrave's Paramour Wherein was he a better man than I Or wherfore should thy love to him effect Such deadly hate unto thy Emperour Yet welfare wenches that can love Good fellows And not mix Murder with Adulterie Emp. Great Emperor I dare not call you Husband Your Conscience knows my hearts unguiltiness Alpho. Didst thou not poison or consent to poison us Emp. Should any but your Highness tell me so I should forget my patience at my death And call him Villain Liar Murderer Alphon. She that doth so miscall me at her end Edward I prethee speak thy Conscience Thinkst thou not that in her prosperitie Sh' hath vext my Soul with bitter Words and Deeds O Prince of England I do count thee wise That thou wilt not be cumber'd with a wife When thou hadst stoln her daintie rose Corance And pluck'd the flow'r of her virginitie Edw. Tyrant of Spain thou liest in thy threat Alpho. Good words thou seest thy life is in our hands Edw. I see thou art become a common Hangman An Office farre more fitting to thy mind Than princelie to the Imperiall dignitie Alphon. I do not exercise on common persons Your Highness is a Prince and she an Empress I therefore count not of a dignitie Hark Edward how they labour all in vain With loss of many a valiant Soldiers life To rescue them whom Heaven and we have doom'd Dost thou not tremble when thou think'st upon 't Edw. Let guiltie minds tremble at sight of Death My heart is of the nature of the Palm Not to be broken till the highest Bud Be bent and ti'd unto the lowest Root I rather wonder that thy Tyrants heart Can give consent that those thy Butcherous hands Should offer violence to thy Flesh and Blood See how her guiltless innocence doth plead In silent Oratorie of her chastest tears Alphon. Those tears proceed from Fury and curst heart I know the stomach of your English Dames Emp. No Emperour these tears proceed from grief Alphon. Grief that thou canst not be reveng'd of Vs Emp. Grief that your Highness is so ill advis'd To offer violence to my Nephew Edward Since then there must be sacrifice of Blood Let my heart-blood save both your bloods unspilt For of his death thy Heart must pay the guilt Edw. No Auut I will not buy my life so dear Therefore Alphonso if thou beest a man Shed manly blood and let me end this strife Alphon. Here 's straining curtesie at a bitter Feast Content thee Empress for thou art my Wife Thou shalt obtain thy Boon and die the death And for it were unprinceby to deny So slight request unto so great a Lord Edward shall bear thee company in Death A Retreat But hark the heat of battail hath an end One side or other hath the victory Enter Alexander And see where Alexander sweating comes Speak man what newes speak shall I die or live Shall I stab sure or els prolong their lives To grievous Torments speak am I Conquerour What hath thy hast bereft thee of thy speech Hast thou not breath to speak one siliable O speak thy dalliance kills me wonn or lost Amaz'd lets fall the Daggers Alex. Lost Alphon. Ah me my Senses fail my sight is gon Alex. Will not your Grace dispatch the Strumpet Queen Shall she then live and we be doom'd to death Is your Heart faint or is your Hand too weak Shall servill fear break your so sacred Oaths Me thinks an Emperour should hold his word Give me the Weapons I will soon dispatch them My Fathers yelling Ghost cries for revenge His Blood within my Veins boyls for revenge O give me leave Cesar to take revenge Alphon. Vpon condition that thou wilt protest To take revenge upon the Murtherers Without respect of dignity or State Afflicted speedy pittiless Revenge I will commit this Dagger to thy trust And give thee leave to execute thy Will Alex. What need I here reiterate the Deeds Which deadly sorrow made me perpetrate How neer did I entrap Prince Richard's life How sure set I the Knife to Mentz his heart How cunninglie was Palsgrave doom'd to death How subtilly was Bohem poisoned How slily did I satisfie my lust Commixing dulcet Love with deadly Hate When Princesse Hedwick lost her Maidenhead Sweetly embracing me for Englands Heir Edw. O execrable deeds Emp. O salvage mind Alex. Edward I give thee leave to hear of this But will forbid the blabbing of your tongue Now gratious Lord and sacred Emperour Your highness knowing these and many more Which fearles pregnancie hath wrought in me You do me wrong to doubt that I will dive Into their hearts that have not spar'd their betters Be therefore suddain lest we die our selves I know the Conquerour hasts to rescue them Alphon. Thy Reasons are effectuall take this Dagger Yet pawse a while Emp. Sweet Nephew now farewell Alphon. They are most dear to me whom thou must kill Edward Hark Aunt he now begins to pittie you Alex. But they consented to my Fathers death Alphon. More then consented they did execute Emp. I will not make his Majestie a Lyar I kill'd thy Father therefore let me die But save the life of this unguilty Prince Edward I kill'd thy Father therefore let me die But save the life of this unguiltie Empress Alphon Hark thou to me and think their words as wind I kill'd thy Father therfore let me die And save the lives of these two guiltless Princes Art thou amaz'd to hear what I have said There take the weapon now revenge at full Thy Fathers death and those my dire deceits That made thee murtherer of so many Souls Alex. O Emperour how cunningly wouldst thou entrap My simple youth to credit Fictions Thou kill my Father no no Emperour Caesar did love Lorentzo all to dearly Seeing thy Forces now are vanquished Frustrate thy hopes thy Highness like to fall Into the cruel and
the face Collen Your Holiness shall pardon me in this Had I the profit I would take the pains With shame enough your Grace may bring the message Mentz Thus am I wrong'd God knows unguiltily Brand. Then arm your countenance with innocency And boldly do the message to the Prince For no man else will be the messenger Mentz Why then I must since ther 's no remedy Exit Mentz Brand. If Heav'n that guides the hearts of mighty men Do calm the Winds of these great Potentates And make them like of this Arbitrament Sweet Peace will tryumph thorough Christendom And Germany shall bless this happy day Enter Alexander de Toledo the Page Alexand. O me most miserable O my dear Father Bohem. What means this passionate accent what art thou That sounds these acclamations in our ears Alex. Pardon me Princes I have lost a Father O me the name of Father kils my heart O! I shall never see my Father more H 'as tane his leave of me for age and age Collen What was thy Father Alex. Ah me I what was a not Noble Rich valiant well-belov'd of all The glory and the wisdom of his age Chief Secretary to the Emperour Collen Lorenzo de Toledo is he dead Alex. Dead ay me dead ay me my life is dead Strangely this night bereft of breath and sense And I poor I am comforted in nothing But that the Emperour laments with me As I exclame so he he rings his hands And makes me mad to see his Majesty Excruciate himself with endless sorrow Collen The happiest news that ever I did hear Thy Father was a villain murderer Witty not wise lov'd like a Scorpion Grown rich by the impoverishing of others The chiefest cause of all these mutinies And Caesar's tutor to all villanie Alex. None but an open lyar terms him so Col. What Boy so malepert Bohem. Good Collen bear with him it was his Father Dutch-land is blessed in Lorenzo's Death Brand. Did never live a viler minded man Exeunt Manet Alex. Alex. Nor King nor Churfurst should be privileg'd To call me Boy and rayl upon my Father Were I wehrsafflig but in Germany A man must be a Boy at 40. years And dares not draw his weapon at a Dog Till being soundly box'd about the ears His Lord and Master gird him with a sword The time will come I shall be made a man Till then I 'l pine with thought of dire revenge And live in Hell untill I take revenge ACT. II. Enter Alphonsus Richard Earl of Cornwall Mentz Trier Prince Edward Bohemia Collen Brandenburge Attendants and Pages with a sword Bohem. Behold here come the Princes hand in hand Pleas'd highly with the sentence as it seems Alphon. Princes and Pillars of the Monarchy We do admire your wisdoms in this cause And do accept the King of Bohemia As worthy partner in the Government Alas my Lords I flatly now confess I was alone too weak to underprop So great a burden as the Roman Empire And hope to make you all admire the course That we intend in this conjunction Richard That I was call'd from England with consent Of all the seven Electors to this place Your selves best know who wrote for me to come 'T was no ambition mov'd me to the journey But pitty of your half declining State Which being likely now to be repayr'd By the united force of these two Kings I rest content to see you satisfied Mentz Brave Earl wonder of Princely patience I hope your grace will not mis-think of me Who for your good and for the Empires best Bethought this means to set the world at Peace Edward No doubt this means might have been thought upon Although your Holiness had dy'd in Prison Mentz Peace peace young Prince you want experience Your Unckle knows what cares accompany And wait upon the Crowns of mightiest Kings And glad he is that he hath shak'd it off Edward Heark in your ear my Lord hear me one word Although it were more than a million Which these two Kings bestow'd upon your grace Mine Unckle Richards million sav'd your life Mentz Your were best to say your Vnckle brib'd me then Edward I do but say mine Vnckle sav'd your life You know Count Mansfield your fellow Prisoner Was by the Duke of Brunschwig put to death Mentz You are a Child my Lord your words are wind Edward You are a Fox my Lord and past a Child Bohem. My Lord of Cornwall your great forwardness Crossing the Seas with aid of Englishmen Is more than we can any way requite But this your admirable patience In being pleas'd with our election Deserves far more than thanks can satisfie In any thing command the Emperours Who live to honour Richard Earl of Cornwall Alpho. Our deeds shall make our Protestations good Mean while brave Princes let us leave this place And solace us with joy of this accord Enter Isabella the Empress Hedewick the Duke of Saxon's Daughter apparelled like Fortune drawn on a Globe with a Cup in her hand wherein are Bay leaves whereupon are written the lots A train of Ladies following with Musick Empress To gratulate this unexpected Peace This glorious league confirm'd against all hope Joyful Isabella doth present this shew Of Fortunes triumph as the custom is At Coronation of our Emperours If therefore every party be well pleas'd And stand content with this arbitriment Then daign to do as your Progenitors And draw in sequence Lots for Offices Alphon. This is an order here in Germany For Princes to disport themselves with all In sign their hearts so firmly are conjoyn'd That they will bear all fortunes equally And that the world may know I scorn no state Or course of life to do the Empire good I take my chance My Fortune is to be the Forrester Emp. If we want Venson either red or fallow Wild bore or bear you must be fin'd my Lord Bohem. The Emperour's Taster I Emp. Your Majesty hath been tasted to so oft That you have need of small instructions Richard I am the bowr Sister what is my charge Emp. Tyr'd like a Carter and a Clownish Bowr To bring a load of Wood into the Kitchin Now for my self Faith I am Chamber Maid I know my charge proceed unto the next Alphon. Prince Edward standeth melancholy still Please it your Grace my Lord to draw your lot Emp. Nephew you must be solemn with the sad And given to myrth in sportful Company The German Princes when they will be lusty Shake of all cares and Clowns and they are Fellows Edward Sweet Aunt I do not know the Country guise Yet would be glad to learn all fashions Since I am next good Fortune be my guide Brand. A most ingenuous countenance hath this Prince Worthy to be the King of England's Heir Edward Be it no disparagement to you my Lords I am your Emperour Alphon. Sound trumpets God save the Emperour Collen The world could never worse have fitted me I am not old enough to be the Cook
suspect vs Rich. Alas I know not whom I should suspect But yet my heart cannot misdoubt your Graces Saxon. How came your Highness into this apparrel Rich. We as the manner is drew lots for Offices My hap was hardest to be made a Carter And by this letter which some villain wrote I was betray'd here to be murdered But Heav'n which doth defend the Innocent Arm'd me with strength and policy together That I escap'd out of their treacherous snare Pals. Were it well sounded I dare lay my life The Spanish tyrant knew of this conspiracie Therefore the better to dive into the depth Of this most devillish murderous complot As also secretly to be beholders Of the long-wisht for wedding of your daughter We will disrobe these bowrs of their apparrel Clapping their rustick cases on our backs And help your Highness for to drive the Cart T' may be the traytor that did write these lines Mistaking us for them will shew himself Richard Prince Palatine this plot doth please me well I make no doubt if we deal cunningly But we shall find the writer of this seroul Saxon. And in that hope I will disrobe this slave Come Princes in the neighbouring thicket here We may disguise our selves and talk at pleasure Fye on him heavy lubber how he weighs Richard The sin of murder hangs upon his soul It is no mervail then if he be heavy Exeunt ACT. III Enter to the Revels Edward with an Imperial Crown Hedewig the Empress Bohemia the Taster Alphonsus the Forrester Mentz the Gester Empress the Chambermaid Brandenburg Physician Tryer Secretarie Alexander the Marshal with his Marshals staff and all the rest in their proper apparrel and Attendants and Pages Alex. Princes and Princes Superiors Lords and Lords fellows Gentlemen and Gentlemens Masters and all the rest of the States here assembled as well Masculine as Feminine be it known unto you by these presence that I Alexander de Toledo Fortunes chief Marshal do will and command you by the authority of my said Office to take your places in manner and form following First the Emperour and the Empress then the Taster the Secretary the Forrester the Physician as for the Chambermaid and my self we will take our places at the neither end the Jester is to wait up and live by the crums that fall from the Emperours trencher But now I have Marshal'd you to the table what remains Mentz Every fool can tell that when men are set to dinner they commonly expect meat Edward That 's the best Jest the fool made since he came into his Office Marshal walk into the Kitchin and see how the Churfurst of Collen bestirs himself Exit Alex. Mentz Shall I go with him too I love to be imploy'd in the Kitchin Edward I prethee go that we may be rid of thy wicked Jests Mentz Have with thee Marshal the fool rides thee Exit on Alex. back Alphon. Now by mine honour my Lord of Mentz plays the fool the worst that ever I saw Edward He do's all by contraries for I am sure he playd the wiseman like a fool and now he plays the fool wisely Alphon. Princes and Churfursts let us frolick now This is a joyful day to Christendome When Christian Princes joyn in amity Schinck bowls of Reinfal and the purest Wine We 'l spend this evening lustie upsie Dutch In honour of this unexpected league Empres. Nay gentle Forrester there you range amiss His looks are fitly suited to his thoughts His glorious Empress makes his heart tryumph And hearts tryumphing makes his countenance stai'd In contemplation of his lives delight Edward Good Aunt let me excuse my self in this I and an Emperour but for a day She Empress of my heart while life doth last Then give me leave to use Imperial looks Nay if I be an Emperour I 'l take leave And here I do pronounce it openly What I have lately whisper'd in her ears I love mine Empress more than Empery I love her looks above my fortunes hope Alphon. Saving your looks dread Emperour es gelt a bowl Unto the health of your fair Bride and Empress Edward Sain Got es soll mir en liebe drunk sein so much Dutch have I learnt since I came into Germany Bran. When you have drunk a dozen of these bowls So can your Majesty with a full mouth Trowl out high Dutch till then it sounds not right Darauff es gelt noch eins thr Maiestat Edward Sain Got lass lauffen Bohem. My Lord of Brandenburg spoken like a good Dutch Brother But most unlike a good Physician You should consider what he has to do His Bride will give you little thanks to night Alphon. Ha ha my Lord now give me leave to laugh He need not therefore shun one Beaker full In Saxon Land you know it is the use That the first night the Bridegroom spares the Bride Bohem. 'T is true indeed that had I quite forgotten Edward How understand I that Alphon. That the first night The Bride and Bridegroom never sleep together Edward That may well be perchance they wake together Bohem. Nay without fallace they have several Beds Edward I in one Chamber that is most Princely Alphon. Not onely several Beds but several Chambers Lockt soundly too with Iron Bolts and Bars Empr. Beleeve me Nephew that 's the custom here Edward O my good Aunt the world is now grown new Old customs are but superstitions I 'm sure this day this presence all can witness The high and mighty Prince th' Archbishop of Collen Who now is busie in the skullery Joyn'd us together in St. Peters Church And he that would disjoyn us two to night 'Twixt jest and earnest be it proudly spoken Shall eat a piece of ill-digesting Iron Bride wilt dow dis nicht ben mee schlapen Hede. Da behute mich Gott fur Ich hoffe Eure maiestat wills von mir mitt begeran Edward What says she behuie mich Got fur Alphon. She says God bless her from such a deed Edward Tush Empress clap thy hands upon thy head And God will bless thee I have a Iacobs staff Shall take the Elevation of the Pole For I have heard it sayd the Dutch North star Is a degree or two higher than ours Bohem. Nay though we talk le ts drink and Emperour I 'l tell you plainly what you must trust unto Can they deceive you of your Bride to night They 'll surely do 't therefore look to your self Edward If she deceive me not let all do their worst Alphon. Assure you Emperour she 'l do her best Edward I think the Maids in Germany are mad E're they be marryed they will not kiss And being marryed will not go to Bed We drink about let 's talk no more of this Well warn'd half arm'd our English proverb say Alphon. Holla Marshal what says the Cook Enter Alexander Belike he thinks we have fed so well already That we disdain his simple Cookery Alex. Faith the Gook says so that
untrust my points uncas'd my self And in a moment slipt between the Sheets There lying in deep contemplation The Princess of her self drew neer to me Gave me her hand spake prettily in Dutch I know not what and kist me lovingly And as I shrank out of my luke warm place To make her room she clapt thrice with her feet And through a trap-door sunck out of my sight Knew I but her Confederates in the deed I say no more Empress Tush Cosin be content So many Lands so many fashions It is the German use be not impatient She will be so much welcomer to morrow Rich. Come Nephew we 'l be Bed-fellows to night Edward Nay if I find her not I 'le lye alone I have good hope to ferret out her Bed And so good night sweet Princess all at once Alphon. Godnight to all Marshal discharge the train Alex. To Bed to Bed the Marshal crys 't is time Exeunt Flourish Cornets Manent Saxon Richard Palsgrave Collen Empress Saxon. Now Princes it is time that we advise Now we are all fast in the Fowlers gin Not to escape his subtle snares alive Unless by force we break the Nets asunder When he begins to cavil and pick quarrels I will not trust him in the least degree Empress It may beseem me evill to mistrust My Lord and Emperour of so foul a fact But love unto his honour and your lives Makes me with tears intreat your Excellencies To fly with speed out of his dangerous reach His cloudy brow foretells a suddain storm Of blood not natural but prodigious Rich. The Castle gates are shut how should we fly But were they open I would lose my life E're I would leave my Nephew to the slaughter He and his Bride were sure to bear the brunt Saxon. Could I get out of doors I 'ld venture that And yet I hold their persons dear enough I would not doubt but e're the morning Sun Should half way run his course into the South To compass and begirt him in his Fort With Saxon lansknights and brunt-bearing Switzers Who lye in Ambuscado not far hence That he should come to Composition And with safe conduct bring into our tents Both Bride and Bridegroom and all other friends Empress My Chamber Window stands upon the Wall And thence with ease you may escape away Saxon. Prince Richard you will bear me Company Richard I will my Lord Saxon. And you Prince Pallatine Pals. The Spanish Tyrant hath me in suspect Of poysoning him I 'l therefore stay it out To fly upon 't were to accuse my self Empress If need require I 'le hide the Pallatine Untill to morrow if you stay no longer Saxon. If God be with us e're to morrow noon We 'll be with Ensigns spread before the Walls We leave dear pledges of our quick return Emp. May the Heavens prosper your just intents Exeunt Enter Alphonsus Alphon. This dangerous plot was happily overheard Here didst thou listen in a blessed howr Alexander where do'st thou hide thy self I 've sought thee in each Corner of the Court And now or never must thou play the man Alex. And now or never must your Highness stir Treason hath round encompassed your life Alphon. I have no leasure now to hear thy talk Seest thou this Key Alex. Intends your Majesty that I should steal into the Princes Chambers And sleeping stab them in their Beds to night That cannot be Alphon. Wilt thou not hear me speak Alex. The Prince of England Saxon and of Collen Are in the Empress Chamber privily Alphon. All this is nothing they would murder me I come not there to night seest thou this Key Alex. They mean to fly out at the Chamber Window And raise an Army to beseege your Grace Now may your Highness take them with the deed Alphon. The Prince of Wales I hope is none of them Alex. Him and his Bride by force they will recover Alphon. What makes the cursed Palsgrave of the Rhein Alex. Him hath the Empress taken to her charge And in her Closet means to hide him safe Alphon. To hide him in her Closet of bold deeds The dearest charge that e're she undertook Well let them bring their Complots to an end I 'le undermine to meet them in their works Alex. Will not your Grace surprize them e're they fly Alphon. No let them bring their purpose to effect I 'le fall upon them at my best advantage Seest thou this Key there take it Alexander Yet take it not unless thou be resolv'd Tush I am fond to make a doubt of thee Take it I say it doth command all Doors And will make open way to dire revenge Alex. I know not what your Majesty doth mean Alphon. Hie thee with speed into the inner Chamber Next to the Chappe and there shalt thou find The danty trembling Bride coutcht in her Bed Having beguil'd her Bridegroom of his hopes Taking her farewel of Virginity Which she to morrow night expects to lose By night all Cats are gray and in the dark She will imbrace thee for the Prince of Wales Thinking that he hath found her Chamber out Fall to thy business and make few words And having pleas'd thy senses with delight And fild thy beating vains with stealing joy Make thence agen before the break of day What strange events will follow this device We need not study on our foes shall find How now how standst thou hast thou not the heart Alex. Should I not have the heart to do this deed I were a Bastard villain and no man Her sweetness and the sweetness of revenge Tickles my senses in a double sense And so I wish your Majesty good night Alphon. God night sweet Venus prosper thy attempt Alex. Sweet Venus and grim Ate I implore Stand both of you to me auspicious Exit Alexander Alphon. It had been pitty of his Fathers life Whose death hath made him such a perfect villain What murder wrack and causeless enmity 'Twixt dearest friends that are my strongest foes Will follow suddainly upon this rape I hope to live to see and laugh thereat And yet this peece of practice is not all The King of Bohem though he little feel it Because in twenty hours it will not work Hath from my Knives point suck'd his deadly bane Whereof I will be least of all suspected For I will feign my self as sick as he And blind mine enemies eyes with deadly groans Upon the Palsgrave and mine Emperess Heavy suspect shall light to bruze their bones Though Saxon would not suffer him to taste The deadly potion provided for him He cannot save him from the Sword of Iustice When all the world shall think that like a villain He hath poyson'd two great Emperours with one draught That deed is done and by this time I hope The other is a doing Alexander I doubt it not will do it thorowly While these things are a brewing I 'l not sleep But sudainly break ope the Chamber doors And rush upon my Empress and the Palsgrave Holla
wher 's the Captain of the Guard Enter Captain and Souldiers Cap. What would your Majesty Alphon. Take six travants well arm'd and followe They break with violence into the Chamber and Alphonsu trayls the Empress by the hair Enter Alphonsus Empress Souldiers c. Alphon. Come forth thou damned Witch adulteror Whore Foul scandal to thy name thy sex thy blood Emp. O Emperour gentle Husband pitty me Alphon. Canst thou deny thou wert confederate With my arch enemies that sought my blood And like a Strumpet through thy Chamber Window Hast with thine own hands helpt to let them down With an intent that they should gather arms Besiege my Court and take away my life Emp. Ah my Alphonsus Alphon. Thy Alphonsus Whore Emp. O pierce my heart trail me not by my hair What I have done I did it for the best Alphon. So for the best advantage of thy lust Hast thou in secret Clytemnestra like Hid thy Aegestus thy adulterous love Emp. Heav'n be the record 'twixt my Lord and me How pure and sacred I do hold thy Bed Alphon. Art thou so impudent to bely the deed Is not the Palsgrave hidden in thy Chamber Empe. That I have hid the Palsgrave I confess But to no ill intent your conscience knows Alphon. Thy treasons murders incests sorceries Are all committed to a good intent Thou know'st he was my deadly enemy Emp. By this device I hop'd to make your friends Alphon. Then bring him forth we 'l reconcile our selves Emp. Should I betray so great a Prince's life Alphon. Thou holdst his life far dearer than thy Lords This very night hast thou betrayd my blood But thus and thus will I revenge my self And but thou speedily deliver him I 'le trail thee through the Kennels of the Street And cut the Nose from thy bewitching face And into England send thee like a Strumpet Emp. Pull every hair from off my head Drag me at Horses tayls cut off my nose My Princely tongue shall not betray a Prince Alphon. That will I try Emp. O Heav'n revenge my shame Enter Palsgrave Pal. Is Caesar now become a torturer A Hangman of his Wife turn'd murderer Here is the Pallatine what wouldst thou more Alphon. Upon him Souldiers strike him to the ground Emp. Ah Souldiers spare the Princely Pallatine Alphon. Down with the damn'd adulterous murderer Kill him I say his blood be on my head They kill the Pallatine Run to the Tow'r and Ring the Larum Bell That fore the world I may excuse my self And tell the reason of this bloody deed Enter Edward in his night gown and shirt Edw. How now what means this sudain strange Allarm What wretched dame is this with blubbered cheeks And rent dishevel'd hair Emp. O my dear Nephew Fly fly the Shambles for thy turn is next Edward What my Imperial Aunt then break my heart Alphon. Brave Prince be still as I am nobly born There is no ill intended to thy person Enter Mentz Tryer Branden Bohem. Mentz Where is my Page bring me my two hand Sword Tryer. What is the matter is the Court a fire Bran. Whos 's that the Emperour with his weapon drawn Bohem. Though deadly sick yet am I forc'd to rise To know the reason of this hurley burley Alphon. Princes be silent I will tell the cause Though sudainly a grining at my heart Forbids my tongue his wanted course of speech See you this Harlot traytress to my life See you this murderer stain to mine honour These twain I found together in my Bed Shamefully committing lewd Adultery And hainously conspiring all your deaths I mean your deaths that are not dead already As for the King of Boheme and my self We are not of this world we have our transports Giv'n in the bowl by this adulterous Prince And least the poyson work too strong with me Before that I have warnd you of your harms I will be brief in the relation That he hath staind my Bed these eyes have seen That he hath murder'd two Imperial Kings Our speedy deaths will be too sudain proof That he and she have bought and sold your lives To Saxon Collen and the English Prince Their Ensigns spread before the Walls to morrow Will all too sudainly bid you defiance Now tell me Princes have I not just cause To slay the murderer of so many souls And have not all cause to applaud the deed More would I utter but the poysons force Forbids my speech you can conceive the rest Bohem. Your Majesty reach me your dying hand With thousand thanks for this so just revenge O how the poysons force begins to work Mentz The world may pitty and applaud the deed Brand. Did never age bring forth such hainous acts Edward My senses are confounded and amaz'd Emp. The God of Heav'n knows my unguiltiness Enter Messenger Mes. Arm arm my Lords we have descry'd a far An Army of ten thousand men at arms Alphon. Some run unto the Walls some draw up the Sluce Some speedily let the Purculless down Mentz Now may we see the Emperours words are true To prison with the wicked murderous Whore Exeunt ACT. IV. Enter Saxon and Richard with Souldiers Saxon. My Lord of Cornwall let us march before To speedy rescue of our dearest friends The rereward with the armed Legions Committed to the Prince of Collen's charge Cannot so lightly pass the mountain tops Richard Let 's summon sudainly unto a Parly I do not doubt but e're we need their helps Collen with all his forces will be here Enter Collen with Drums and an Army Richard Your Holiness hath made good hast to day And like a beaten Souldier lead your troops Collen In time of peace I am an Arch-Bishop And like a Church-man can both sing and say But when the innocent do suffer wrong I cast my rocket off upon the Altar And like a Prince betake my self to arms Enter above Mentz Tryer and Brandeburg Mentz Great Prince of Saxonie what mean these arms Richard of Cornwall what may this intend Brother of Collen no more Churchman now Instead of Miter and a Crossier Staff Have you betane you to your Helm and Targe Were you so merry yesterday as friends Cloaking your treason in your Clowns attire Saxon. Mentz we return the traytor in thy face To save our lives and to release our friends Out of the Spaniards deadly trapping Snares Without intent of ill this power is rais'd Therefore grave Prince Marquess of Brandenburg My loving Cosin as indifferent Judge To you an aged Peace-maker we speak Deliver with safe conduct in our tents Prince Edward and his Bride the Pallatine With every one of high or low degree That are suspicious of the King of Spain So shall you see that in the self same howr We marched to the Walls with colours spread We will cashier our troups and part good friends Brand. Alas my Lord crave you the Pallatine Rich. If craving will not serve we will command Brand. Ah me since your departure good my Lords Strange accidents
have rob'd him of his senses Like accident to this was never heard Rich. Break heart and dye flie hence my troubled spirit I am not able for to underbear The weight of sorrow which doth bruze my soul O Edward O sweet Edward O my life O noble Collen last of all my hopes The only friend in my extremities If thou doest love me as I know thou doest Unsheath thy sword and rid me of this sorrow Collen Away with abject thoughts fie Princely Richard Rowze up thy self and call thy senses home Shake of this base pusillanimitie And cast about to remedie these wrongs Richard Alas I see no means of remedie Collen The hearken to my Counsel and advice We will Intrench our selves not far from hence With those small pow'rs we have and send for more If they do make assault we will defend If violence be offer'd to the Prince We 'l rescue him with venture of our lives Let us with patience attend advantage Time may reveal the author of these treasons For why undoubtedly the sweet young Princess Fowly beguild by night with cunning shew Hath to some villain lost her Maiden-head Rich. O that I knew the foul incestuous wretch Thus would I tear him with my teeth and nails Had Saxon sense he would conceave so much And not revenge on guiltless Edwards life Collen Perswade your self he will be twice advis'd Before he offer wrong unto the Prince Rich. In that good hope I will have patience Come gentle Prince whose pitty to a stranger Is rare and admirable not to be spoken England cannot requite this gentleness Collen Tush talk not of requital let us go To fortifie our selves within our trench Exeunt Enter Alphonso carried in the Couch Saxony Mentz Tryer Brandenburg Alexander Alphon. O most excessive pain O raging Fire Is burning Cancer or the Scorpion Descended from the Heavenly Zodiack To parch mine Entrals with a quenchless flame Drink drink I say give drink or I shall dye Fill a thousand bowls of Wine Water I say Water from forth the cold Tartarian hils I feel th' ascending flame lick up my blood Mine Entrals shrink together like a scrowl Of burning parchment and my Marrow fries Bring hugie Cakes of Ice and Flakes of Snow That I may drink of them being dissolved Saxon. We do beseech your Majestie have patience Alphon. Had I but drunk an ordinary poyson The sight of thee great Duke of Saxony My friend in death in life my greatest foe Might both allay the venom and the torment But that adulterous Palsgrave and my Wife Upon whose life and soul I vengeance cry Gave me a mineral not to be digested Which burning eats and eating burns my heart My Lord of Tryer run to the King of Bohem Commend me to him ask him how he fares None but my self can rightly pitty him For none but we have sympathie of pains Tell him when he is dead my time 's not long And when I dye bid him prepare to follow Exit Tryer Now now it works a fresh are you my friends Then throw me on the cold swift running Rhyn And let me bath there for an hour or two I cannot bear this pain Mentz O would th' unpartial fates afflict on me These deadly pains and ease my Emperour How willing would I bear them for his sake Alphon. O Mentz I would not wish unto a Dog The least of thousand torments that afflict me Much less unto your Princely holiness See see my Lord of Mentz he points at you Mentz It is your fantasie and nothing else But were death here I would dispute with him And tell him to his teeth he doth unjustice To take your Majesty in the prime of youth Such wither'd rotten branches as my self Should first be lopt had he not partial hands And here I do protest upon my Knee I would as willingly now leave my life To save my King and Emperour alive As erst my Mother brought me to the world Brand. My Lord of Mentz this flattery is too gross A Prince of your experience and calling Should not so fondly call the Heavens to witness Mentz Think you my Lord I would not hold my word Brand. You know my Lord death is a bitter guest Mentz To ease his pain and save my Emperour I sweetly would embrace that bitterness Alex. If I were death I knew what I would do Mentz But see his Majesty is faln a sleep Ah me I fear it is a dying slumber Alphon. My Lord of Saxonie do you hear this jest Saxon. What should I hear my Lord Alphon. Do you not hear How loudly death proclames it in mine ears Swearing by trophies Tombs and deadmens Graves If I have any friend so dear to me That to excuse my life will lose his own I shall be presently restor'd to health Enter Tryer Mentz I would he durst make good his promises Alphon. My Lord of Tryer how fares my fellow Emperour Tryer. His Majesty is eas'd of all his pains Alphon. O happy news now have I hope of health Mentz My joyful heart doth spring within my bodie To hear those words Comfort your Majestie I will excuse you Or at the least will bear you Company Alphon. My hope is vain now now my heart will break My Lord of Tryer you did but flatter me Tell me the truth how fares his Majestie Tryer. I told your Highness eas'd of all his pain Alphon. I understand thee now he 's eas'd by death And now I feel an alteration Farewel sweet Lords farewel my Lord of Mentz The truest friend that ever earth did bear Live long in happiness to revenge my death Upon my Wife and all the English brood My Lord of Saxonie your Grace hath cause Mentz I dare thee death to take away my life Some charitable hand that loves his Prince And hath the heart draw forth his Sword and rid me of my life Alex. I love my Prince and have the heart to do it Mentz O stay a while Alex. Nay now it is to late Bran. Villain what hast thou done th' ast slain a Prince Alex. I did no more than he intreated me Alphon. How now what make I in my Couch so late Princes why stand you so gazing about me Or who is that lies slain before my face O I have wrong my soul was half in Heaven His holiness did know the joys above And therefore is ascended in my stead Come Princes let us bear the body hence I 'le spend a Million to embalm the same Let all the Bels within the Empire Ring Let Mass be said in every Church and Chappel And that I may perform my latest vow I will procure so much by Gold or friends That my sweet Mentz shall be Canonized And numbred in the Bed-role of the Saints I hope the Pope will not deny it me I 'le build a Church in honour of thy name Within the antient famous Citie Mentz Fairer than any one in Germany There shalt thou be interrd with Kingly Pomp Over thy Tomb
woll er sagt esist nicht sein therefore it dyes He dashes out the Childs brains Hede. O Got in seinem trone O mein kindt mein kindt Saxon. There murderer take his head and breathless lymbs Ther 's flesh enough bury it in thy bowels Eat that or dye for hunger I protest Thou getst no other food till that be spent And now to thee lewd Whore dishonour'd strumpet Thy turn is next therefore prepare to dye Edward O mighty Duke of Saxon spare thy Child Sax. She is thy Wife Edward and thou shouldst spare her One Gracious word of thine will save her life Edward I do confess Saxon she is mine own As I have marryed her I will live with her Comfort thy self sweet Hedewick and sweet Wife Hede. Ach ach vnd wehe warumb sagt your Excellence nicht so before now i st to late vnser arme kindt ist kilt Edward Though thou be mine and I do pittie thee I would not Nurse a Bastard for a Son Hede. O Edouard now ich mark your mening ich sholdt be your whore mein Uatter ich begehr upon meine knee last mich lieber sterben ade falce Edouart falce Prince ich begehrs nicht Saxon. Unprincely thoughts do hammer in thy head I' st not enough that thou hast sham'd her once And seen the Bastard torn before thy face But thou wouldst get more brats for Butcherie No Hedewick thou shalt not live the day Hede. O Herr Gott nimb meine feele in deiner henden Saxon. It is thy hand that gives this deadly stroak Hede. O Herr Sabote das mein vnschuldt an tag kommen mocht Edward Her blood be on that wretched villains head That is the cause of all this misery Saxon. Now murderous-minded Prince hast thou beheld Vpon my Child and Childs Child thy desire Swear to thy self that here I firmly swear That thou shall surely follow her to morrow In Company of thy adulterous Aunt Jaylor convey him to his Dungeon If he be hungrie I have thrown him meat If thirstie let him suck the newly born lymbs Edward O Heavens and Heavenly powers if you be just Reward the author of this wickedness Exit Edw. Iaoler Enter Alexander Alex. To arms great Duke of Saxonie to arms My Lord of Collen and the Earl of Cornwall In rescue of Prince Edward and the Empress Have levy'd fresh supplies and presently Will bid you battail in the open Field Sax. They never could have come in fitter time Thirst they for blood and they shall quench their thirst Alex. O piteous spectacle poor Princess Hedewick Sax. Stand not to pittie lend a helping hand Alex. What slave hath murdered this guiltless Child Sax. What dar'st thou call me slave unto my face I tell thee villain I have done this deed And seeing the Father and the Grand-sires heart Can give consent and execute their own Wherefore should such a rascal as thy self Presume to pittie them whom we have slain Alex. Pardon me if it be presumption To pittie them I will presume no more Sax. Then help I long to be amidst my foes Exeunt ACT. V. Alarum and Retreat Enter Richard and Collen with Drums and Souldiers Richard What means your Excellence to sound retreat This is the day of doom unto our Friends Before Sun set my Sister and my Nephew Vnless we rescue them must lose their lives The cause admits no dalliance nor delay He that so tyrant-like hath slain his own Will take no pittie on a strangers blood Collen At my entreaty e're we strike the battail Let 's summon out our enemies to a parle Words spoken in time have vertue power and price And mildness may prevail and take effect When dynt of Sword perhaps will aggravate Rich. Then sound a Parly to fulfill your mind Although I know no good can follow it A Parley Enter Alphonso Empress Saxon Edward prisoner Tryer Brandenburg Alexander and Souldiers Alphon. Why how now Emperour that should have been Are these the English Generals bravado's Make you assault so hotly at the first And in the self same moment sound retreat To let you know that neither War nor words Have power for to divert their fatall doom Thus are we both resolv'd if we tryumph And by the right and justice of our cause Obtain the victorie as I doubt it not Then both of you shall bear them Company And e're Sun set we will perform our oaths With just effusion of their guilty bloods If you be Conquerours and we overcome Carry not that conceit to rescue them My self will be the Executioner And with these Ponyards frustrate all your hopes Making you tryumph in a bloodie Field Saxon. To put you out of doubt that we intend it Please it your Majesty to take your Seate And make a demonstration of your meaning Alphon. First on my right hand bind the English Whore That venemous Serpent nurst within my breast To suck the vitall bloud out of my veins My Empress must have some preheminence Especially at such a bloodie Banquet Her State and love to me deserves no less Saxon. That to Prince Edward I may shew my love And do the latest honour to his State These hands of mine that never chained any Shall fasten him in fetters to the Chair Now Princes are you ready for the battail Collen Now art thou right the picture of thy self Seated in height of all thy Tyrannie But tell us what intends this spectacle Alphon. To make the certaintie of their deaths more plain And Cancel all your hopes to save their lives While Saxon leads the troups into the Field Thus will I vex their souls with sight of death Loudly exclaming in their half dead ears That if we win they shall have companie Viz. The English Emperour And you my Lord Archbishop of Collen If we be vanquisht then they must expect Speedy dispatch from these two Daggers points Collen What canst thou tyrant then expect but death Alphon. Tush hear me out that hand which shed their blood Can do the like to rid me out of bonds Rich. But that 's a damned resolution Alphon. So must this desperate disease be cur'd Rich. O Saxon I 'le yield my self and all my power To save my Nephew though my Sister dye Sax. Thy Brothers Kingdom shall not save his life Edward Uncle you see these savage minded men Will have no other ransom but my blood England hath Heirs though I be never King And hearts and hands to scourge this tyrannie And so farewel Emp. A thousand times farewel Sweet Brother Richard and brave Prince of Collen Sax. What Richard hath this object pierc'd thy heart By this imagine how it went with me When yesterday I slew my Children Rich. O Saxon I entreat thee on my Knees Sax. Thou shalt obtain like mercy with thy kneeling As lately I obtaind at Edward's hands Rich. Pitty the tears I powr before thy feet Sax. Pitty those tears why I shed bloudie tears Rich. I 'le do the like
revengefull hands Of merciless incensed Enemies Like Caius Cassius wearie of thy life Now wouldst thou make thy Page an instrument By suddain stroak to rid thee of thy bonds Alphon. Hast thou forgotten how that very night Thy Father dy'd I took the Master-Key And with a lighted Torch walk'd through the Court Alex. I must remember that for to my death I never shall forget the slightest deed Which on that dismall Night or Day I did Alphon. Thou wast no sooner in thy restfull Bed But I disturb'd thy Father of his rest And to be short not that I hated him But for he knew my deepest Secrets With cunning Poison I did end his life Art thou his Son express it with a Stabb And make account if I had prospered Thy date was out thou wast already doom'd Thou knewst too much of me to live with me Alex. What wonders do I hear great Emperour Not that I do stedfastlie believe That thou didst murder my beloved Father But in meer pittie of thy vanquish'd state I undertake this execution Yet for I fear the sparkling Majestie Which issues from thy most Imperial eyes May strike relenting Passion to my heart And after wound receiv'd from fainting hand Thou fall halfe dead among thine Enemies I crave thy Highness leave to bind thee first Alphon. Then bind me quickly use me as thou please Emp. O Villain wilt thou kill thy Sovereign Alex. Your Highness sees that I am forc'd unto it Alphon. Fair Empress I shame to ask thee pardon Whom I have wrong'd so many thousand waies Emp. Dread Lord and Husband leave these desperat thoughts Doubt not the Princes may be reconcil'd Alex. 'T may be the Princes will be reconciled But what is that to me all Potentates on Earth Can never reconcile my grieved Soul Thou slew'st my Father thou didst make this hand Mad with Revenge to murther Innocents Now hear how in the height of all thy pride The rightfull Gods hove powr'd their justfull wrath Upon thy Tyrants head Devill as thou art And sav'd by miracle these Princes lives For know thy side hath got the Victory Saxon triumphs over his dearest friends Richard and Collen both are Prisoners And every thing hath sorted to thy wish Only hath Heaven put it in my mind for he alone directed then my thoughts Although my meaning was most mischievous To tell thee thou hadst lost in certain hope That suddainly thou wouldst have stain them both For if the Princes came to talk about it I greatly feard their lives might be prolong'd Art thou not mad to think on this deceit I le make thee madder with tormenting thee I tell thee Arch-Thief Villain Murtherer Thy Forces have obtaind the Victory Victory leads thy Foes in captive bands This Victory hath crown'd thee Emperour Only my self have vanquisht Victory And triumph in the Victors overthrow Alphon. O Alexander spare thy Princes life Alex. Even now thou didst entreat the contrary Alphon. Think what I am that begg my life of thee Alex. Think what he was whom thou hast doom'd to death But least the Princes do surprize us here Before I have perform'd my strange revenge I will be suddain in the execution Alphon. I will accept any condition Alex. Then in the presence of the Emperess The captive Prince of England and my self Forswear the joyes of Heaven the sight of God Thy Souls salvation and thy Saviour Christ Damning thy Soul to endless pains of Hell Do this or die upon my Rapiers point Emp. Sweet Lord and Husband spit in 's face Die like a man and live not like a Devill Alex. What wilt thou save thy life and damn thy Soul Alph. O hold thy hand Alphonsus doth renounce Edward Aunt stop your years hear not this Blasphemy Empr. Sweet Husband think that Christ did dy for thee Alphon. Alphonsus doth renounce the joyes of Heaven The sight of Angells and his Saviours blood And gives his Soul unto the Devills power Alex. Thus will I make delivery of the Deed Die and be damn'd now am I satisfied Edward O damned Miscreant what hast thou done Alex. When I have leasure I will answer thee Mean while I 'le take my heels and save my self If I be ever call'd in question I hope your Majesties will save my life You have so happily preserved yours Did I not think it both of you should die Exit Alex. Enter Saxon Branden Tryer Richard and Collen as prisoners and Soldiers Saxon. Bring forth these daring Champions to the Block Comfort your selves you shall have company Great Emperor where is his Majestie What bloody spectacle do I behold Emp. Revenge revenge O Saxon Brandenburg My Lord is slain Caesar is doom'd to death Edward Princes make haste follow the murtherer Saxon. Is Caesar slain Edward Follow the Murtherer Emp. Why stand you gasing on an other thus Follow the Murtherer Saxon. What Murtherer Edward The villain Alexander hath slain his Lord Make after him with speed so shall you hear Such villanie as you have never heard Brand. My Lord of Tryer we both with our light Horse Will scoure the Coasts and quickly bring him in Saxon. That can your Excellence alone perform Stay you my Lord and guard the Prisoners While I alas unhappiest Prince alive Over his Trunk consume my self in Tears Hath Alexander done this damned deed That cannot be why should he slay his Lord O cruel Fate O miserable me Me thinks I now present Mark Antony Folding dead Iulius Caesar in mine arms No no I rather will present Achilles And on Patroclus Tomb do sacrifise Let me be spurn'd and hated as a Dogg But I perform more direfull bloody Rites Than Thetis Son for Menctiades Edward Leave mourning for thy Foes pitty thy Friends Sax. Friends have I none and that which grieves my Soul Is want of Foes to work my wreak upon But were you Traitors 4 four hundred thousand Then might I satisfie my self with Blood Enter Brandenb Alexand. and Soldiers Saxon. See Alexander where Caesar lieth slain The guilt whereof the Traitors cast on thee Speak canst thou tell who slew thy Soveraign Alexan. Why who but I how should I curse my self If any but my self had done this deed This happy hand blest be my hand therefore Reveng'd my Fathers death upon his Soul And Saxon thou hast cause to curse and bann That he is dead before thou didst inflict Torments on him that so hath torn thy heart Saxon. What Mysteries are these Bran. Princes can you inform us of the Truth Edward The Deed 's so heinous that my faltering tongue Abhorres the utterance Yet I must tell it Alex. Your Highness shall not need to take the pains What you abhorr to tell I joy to tell Therefore be silent and give audience You mighty men and Rulers of the Earth Prepare your Ears to hear of Stratagems Whose dire effects have gaul'd your princely hearts Confounded your conceits muffled your eyes First to begin this villanous Fiend of Hell Murther'd my Father sleeping in his Chair The
reason why because he only knew All Plotts and complots of his villanie His death was made the Basis and the Ground Of every mischief that hath troubled you Saxon. If thou thy Father and thy Progenie Were hang'd and burnt and broken on the Wheel How could their deaths heap mischief on our heads Alex. And if you will not hear the Reason chuse I tell thee I have slain an Emperour And thereby think my self as good a man As thou or any man in Christendom Thou shalt entreat me ere I tell thee more Brand. Proceed Alex. Not I Saxon. I prethe now proceed Alex. Since you intreat me then I will proceed This murtherous Devill having slain my Father Buz'd cunningly into my credulous ears That by a General Councell of the States And as it were by Act of Parlement The seven Electors had set down his death And made the Empress Executioner Transferring all the guilt from him to you This I believ'd and first did set upon The life of Princely Richard by the Boors But how my purpose faild in that his Grace best knows Next by a double intricate deceit Midst all his Mirth was Bohem poysoned And good old Mentz to save Alphonso's life Who at that instant was in perfect health Twixt jest and earnest was made a Sacrifice As for the Palatine your Graces knew His Highness and the Queens unguiltines But now my Lord of Saxon hark to me Father of Saxon should I rather call you T was I that made your Grace a Grandfather Prince Edward plow'd the ground I sow'd the Seed Poor Hedewick bore the most unhappy fruit Created in a most unluckie hour To a most violent and untimely death Sax. O loathsome Villain O detested deeds O guiltless Prince O me most miserable Brand. But tell us who reveal'd to thee at last This shamefull guilt and our unguiltiness Alex. Why that 's the wonder Lords and thus it was When like a tyrant he had tane his seat And that the furie of the Fight began Upon the highest Watch-Tow'r of the Fort It was my office to behold alofft The Warres event and having seen the end I saw how Victory with equal wings Hang hovering 'twixt the Battails here and there Till at the last the English Lyons fled And Saxon's side obtain'd the Victory Which seen I posted from the turrets top More furiously than ere Laocoon ran When Trojan hands drew in Troy's overthrow But yet as fatally as he or any The tyrant seeing me star'd in my face And suddainly demanded what 's the newes I as the Fates would have it hoping that he Even in a twinkling would have slain 'em both For so he swore before the Fight began Cri'd bitterly that he had lost the day The sound whereof did kill his dastard heart And made the Villain desperatly confess The murther of my Father praying me With dire revenge to ridd him of his life Short tale to make I bound him cunningly Told him of the deceit triumphing over him And lastly with my Rapier slew him dead Sax. O Heavens justly have you tane revenge But thou thou murtherous adulterous slave What Bull of Phalaris what strange device Shall we invent to take away thy life Alex. If Edward and the Empress whom I sav'd Will not requite it now and save my life Then let me die contentedly I die Having at last reveng'd my Fathers death Sax. Villain not all the world shall save thy life Edw. Hadst thou not been Author of my Hedewicks death I would have certainly sav'd thee from death But if my Sentence now may take effect I would adjudge the Villain to be hang'd As here the Jewes are hang'd in Germany Sax. Young Prince it shall be so go dragg the Slave Unto the place of execution There let the Iudas on a Jewish Gallowes Hang by the heels between two English Mastives There feed on Doggs let Doggs there feed on thee And by all means prolong his miserie Alex. O might thy self and all these English Currs Instead of Mastive-Doggs hang by my side How sweetly would I tugg upon your Flesh Exit Alex. Sax. Away with him suffer him not to speak And now my lords Collen Tryer and Barndenburg Whose Hearts are bruz'd to think upon these woes Though no man hast such reason as my self We of the seven Electors that remain After so many bloody Massacres Kneeling upon our Knees humbly intreat Your Excellence to be our Emperour The Royalties of the Coronation Shall be at Aix shortly solemnized Cullen Brave Princely Richard now refuse it not Though the Election be made in Tears Joy shall attend thy Coronation Richard It stands not with mine Honour to deny it Yet by mine Honour fain I would refuse it Edward Uncle the weight of all these Miseries Maketh my heart as heavy as your own But an Imperial Crown would lighten it Let this one reason make you take the Crown Richard What 's that sweet nephew Edward Sweet Uncle this it is Was never Englishman yet Emperour Therefore to honour England and your self Let private sorrow yield to publike Fame That once an Englishman bare Caesar's name Richard Nephew thou hast prevail'd Princes stand up We humbly do accept your sacred offer Cullen Then sound the Trumpets and cry Vivat Caesar All Vivat Caesar Cullen Richardus Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus Comes Cornubiae Richard Sweet Sister now let Caesar comfort you And all the rest that yet are comfortless Let them expect from English Caesar's hands Peace and abundance of all earthly Joy FINIS