THE BIRTH OF MERLIN OR The Childe hath found his Father As it hath been several times Acted with great Applause Written by William Shakespear and William Rowley Placere cupio LONDON Printed by Tho. Iohnson for Francis Kirkman and Henry Marsh and are to be sold at the Princes Arms in Chancery-Lane 1662 Drammatis Personae The Scene BRITTAIN AVrelius King of Brittain Vortiger King of Brittain Vter Pendragon the Prince Brother to Aurelius Donobert a Nobleman and Father to Constantia and Modestia The Earl of Gloster and Father to Edwyn Edoll Earl of Chester and General to King Aurelius Cador Earl of Cornwal and Suitor to Constantia Edwyn Son to the Earl of Gloster and Suitor to Modestia Toclio and Oswald two Noblemen Merlin the Prophet Anselme the Hermit after Bishop of Winchester Clown brother to Ione mother of Merlin Sir Nichodemus Nothing a Courtier The Devil father of Merlin Ostorius the Saxon General Octa a Saxon Nobleman Proximus a Saxon Magician Two Bishops Two Saxon Lords Two of Edols Captains Two Gentlemen A little Antick Spirit Artesia Sister to Ostorius the Saxon General Constantia and Modestia Daughters to Donobert Ione Goe-too 't Mother of Merlin A Waiting-woman to Artesia Lucina Queen of the Shades The BIRTH of MERLIN OR The Childe hath found his Father ACTUS I. Enter Donobert Gloster Cador Edwin Constantia and Modestia Cador YOu teach me language sir as one that knows the Debt of Love I owe unto their Vertues wherein like a true Courtier I have fed my self with hope of fair Success and now attend your wisht consent to my long Suit Dono. Believe me youthful Lord time could not give an opportunity more fitting your desires always provided my Daughters love be suited with my Grant Cador. 'T is the condition sir her Promise seal'd Dono. I st so Constantia Constan. I was content to give him words for oathes he swore so oft he lov'd me Dono. That thou believest him Const. He is a man I hope Dono. That 's in the trial Girl Const. However I am a woman sir Dono. The Law 's on thy side then sha't have a Husband I and a worthy one Take her brave Cornwal and make our happiness great as our wishes Cador. Sir I thank you Glost. Double the fortunes of the day my Lord and crown my wishes too I have a son here who in my absence would protest no less unto your other Daughter Dono. Ha Gloster is it so what says Lord Edwin will she protest as much to thee Edwin Else must she want some of her Sisters faith Sir Modesta. Of her credulity much rather Sir My Lord you are a Soldier and methinks the height of that Profession should diminish all heat of Loves desires being so late employ'd in blood and ruine Edwin The more my Conscience tyes me to repair the worlds losses in a new succession Modest. Necessity it seems ties your affections then and at that rate I would unwillingly be thrust upon you a wife is a dish soon cloys sir Edwin Weak and diseased appetites it may Modest. Most of your making have dull stomacks sir Dono. If that be all Girl thou shalt quicken him be kinde to him Modesta: Noble Edwin let it suffice what 's mine in her speaks yours For her consent let your fair suit go on She is a woman sir and will be won Enter Toclio. Edwin You give me comfort sir Dono. Now Toclio Toclio. The King my honor'd Lords requires your presence and calls a Councel for return of answer unto the parling enemy whose Embassadors are on the way to Court Dono. So suddenly Chester it seems has ply'd them hard at war they sue so fast for peace which by my advice they ne're shall have unless they leave the Realm Come noble Gloster let 's attend the King it lies sir in your Son to do me pleasure and save the charges of a Wedding Dinner If you 'l make haste to end your Love affairs One cost may give discharge to both my cares Exit Dono. Glost. Edwin I 'le do my best Cador. Now Toclio what stirring news at Court Toclio. Oh my Lord the Court 's all fill'd with rumor the City with news and the Country with wonder and all the bells i' th' Kingdom must proclaim it we have a new Holy-day a coming Consta. A holy-day for whom for thee Toclio. Me Madam 'sfoot I 'de be loath that any man should make a holy-day for me yet In brief 't is thus there 's here arriv'd at Court sent by the Earl of Chester to the King a man of rare esteem for holyness a reverent Hermit that by miracle not onely saved our army but without aid of man o'rethrew the pagan Host and with such wonder sir as might confirm a Kingdom to his faith Edwin This is strange news indeed where is he Toclio. In conference with the King that much respects him Modest. Trust me I long to see him Toclio. Faith you will finde no great pleasure in him for ought that I can see Lady they say he is half a Prophet too would he could tell me any news of the lost Prince there 's twenty Talents offer'd to him that finds him Cador. Such news was breeding in the morning Toclio. And now it has birth and life sir if fortune bless me I 'le once more search those woods where then we lost him I know not yet what fate may follow me Exit Cador. Fortune go with you sir come fair Mistriss your Sister and Lord Edwin are in game and all their wits at stake to win the Set Consta. My sister has the hand yet we had best leave them She will be out anon as well as I He wants but cunning to put in a Dye Exit Cador Constan. Edwin You are a cunning Gamester Madam Modest. It is a desperate Game indeed this Marriage where there 's no winning without loss to either Edwin Why what but your perfection noble Lady can bar the worthiness of this my suit if so you please I count my happiness from difficult obtaining you shall see my duty and observance Modest. There shall be place to neither noble sir I do beseech you let this mild Reply give answer to your suit for here I vow if e're I change my Virgin name by you it gains or looses Edwin My wishes have their crown Modest. Let them confine you then as to my promise you give faith and credence Edwin In your command my willing absence speaks it Exit Modest. Noble and vertuous could I dream of Marriage I should affect thee Edwin oh my soul here 's something tells me that these best of creatures these models of the world weak man and woman should have their souls their making life and being to some more excellent use if what the sense calls pleasure were our ends we might justly blame great natures wisdom who rear'd a building of so much art and beauty to entertain a guest so far incertain so imperfect if onely speech distinguish us
be equal to the Gods and consummate my Marriage with this woman Bishop Her self gives barr my Lord to your desires and our performance 't is against the Law and Orders of the Church to force a Marriage Cador. How am I wrong'd was this your trick my Lord Dono. I am abus'd past sufferance grief and amazement strive which Sense of mine shall loose her being first yet let me call thee Daughter Cador. Me Wife Const. Your words are air you speak of want to wealth And wish her sickness newly rais'd to health Dono. Bewitched Girls tempt not an old mans fury that hath no strength to uphold his feeble age but what your sights give life to oh beware and do not make me curse you Kneel Modest. Dear father here at your feet we kneel grant us but this that in your sight and hearing the good Hermit may plead our Cause which if it shall not give such satisfaction as your Age desires we will submit to you Const. You gave us life save not our bodies but our souls from death Dono. This gives some comfort yet Rise with my blessings Have patience noble Cador worthy Edwin send for the Hermit that we may confer for sure Religion tyes you not to leave Your careful Father thus if so it be Take you content and give all grief to me Exeunt Thunder and Lighning Enter Devil Devil Mix light and darkness earth and heaven dissolve be of one piece agen and turn to Chaos break all your works you powers and spoil the world or if you will maintain earth still give way and life to this abortive birth now coming whose fame shall add unto your Oracles Lucina Hecate dreadful Queen of Night bright Proserpine be pleas'd for Ceres love from Stigian darkness summon up the Fates And in a moment bring them quickly hither Lest death do vent her birth and her together Thunder Assist you spirits of infernal deeps squint ey'd Erictho midinght Incubus Enter Lucina and the three Fates Rise rise to aid this birth prodigious Thanks Hecate hail sister to the Gods there lies your way haste with the Fates and help give quick dispatch unto her laboring throws to bring this mixture of infernal seed to humane being Exit Tates And to beguil her pains till back you come Anticks shall dance and Musick fill the room Dance Devil Thanks Queen of Shades Lucina Farewel great servant to th' infernal King In honor of this childe the Fates shall bring All their assisting powers of Knowledge Arts Learning Wisdom all the hidden parts Of all-admiring Prophecy to fore-see The event of times to come his Art shall stand A wall of brass to guard the Brittain Land Even from this minute all his Arts appears Manlike in Judgement Person State and years Upon his brest the Fates have fixt his name And since his birth place war this forrest here They now have nam'd him Merlin Silvester Devil And Merlins name in Brittain shall live Whilst men inhabit here or Fates can give Power to amazing wonder envy shall weep And mischief sit and shake her ebbone wings Whilst all the world of Merlins magick sings Exit Enter Clown Clown Well I wonder how my poor sister does after all this thundering I think she 's dead for I can hear no tidings of her those woods yields small comfort for her I could meet nothing but a swinherds wife keeping hogs by the Forestside but neither she nor none of her sowes would stir a foot to help us indeed I think she durst not trust her self amongst the trees with me for I must needs confess I offer'd some kindness to her well I would fain know what 's become of my sister if she have brought me a yong Cousin his face may be a picture to finde his Father by so oh sister Ioan Ioan Go-too't where art thou Within Ioan Here here brother stay but a while I come to thee Clown O brave she 's alive still I know her voice she speaks and speaks cherfully methinks how now what Moon-calf has she got with her Enter Ioan and Merlin with a Book Ioan. Come my dear Merlin why dost thou six thine eye so deeply on that book Merlin To sound the depth of Arts of Learning Wisdom Knowledge Ioan. Oh my dear dear son those studies fits thee when thou art a man Merlin Why mother I can be but half a man at best And that is your mortality the rest In me is spirit 't is not meat nor time That gives this growth and bigness no my years Shall be more strange then yet my birth appears Look mother there 's my Uncle Ioan. How doest thou know him son thou never saw'st him Merlin Yet I know him and know the pains he has taken for ye to finde out my Father give me your hand good Uncle Clown Ha ha I 'de laugh at that yfaith do you know me sir Merlin Yes by the same token that even now you kist the swinherds-wife i th' woods and would have done more if she would have let you Uncle Clown A witch a witch a witch sister rid him out of your company he is either a witch or a conjurer he could never have known this else Ioan. Pray love him brother he is my son Clown Ha ha this is worse then all the rest yfaith by his beard he is more like your husband let me see is your great belly gone Ioan. Yes and this the happy fruit Clown What this Hartichoke A Childe born with a beard on his face Merlin Yes and strong legs to go and teeth to eat Clown You can nurse up your self then There 's some charges sav'd for Soap and Candle 'slid I have heard of some that has been born with teeth but never none with such a talking tongue before Ioan. Come come you must use him kindly brother did you but know his worth you would make much of him Clown Make much of a Moncky This is worse then Tom Thumb that let a fart in his Mothers belly a Childe to speak eat and go the first hour of his birth nay such a Baby as had need of a Barber before he was born too why sister this is monstrous and shames all our kindred Ioan. That thus 'gainst nature and our common births he comes thus furnisht to salute the world is power of Fates and gift of his great father Clown Why of what profession is your father sir Merlin He keeps a Hot-house i th' Low Countries will you see him sir Clown See him why sister has the childe found his father Mer. Yes and I le fetch him Uncle Exit Clown Do not Uncle me till I know your kindred for my conscience some Baboon begot thee surely thou art horribly deceived sister this Urchin cannot be of thy breeding I shall be asham'd to call him cousin though his father be a Gentleman Enter Merlin and Devil Merlin Now my kinde Uncle see The Childe has found his Father this is he Clown The devil it is ha
seen this face before Ioan. It is enough though your ne're see me more sinks down Toclio. 'Sfoot she 's faln this place is inchanted sure look to the woman fellow Exit Clown Oh she 's dead she 's dead as you are a man stay and help sir Ioan Ioan sister Ioan why Ioan Go too 't I say will you cast away your self and your childe and me too what do you mean sister Ioan. Oh give me pardon sir 't was too much joy opprest my loving thoughts I know you were too noble to deny me ha Where is he Clown Who the Gentleman he 's gone sister Ioan. Oh! I am und one then run tell him I did but faint for joy dear brother haste why dost thou stay oh never cease till he give answer to thee Clown He which he what do you call him tro Ioan. Unnatural brother shew me the path he took why dost thou dally speak oh which way went he Clown This way that way through the bushes there Ioan. Were it through fire the Journey 's easie winged with sweet desire Exit Clown Hey day there 's some hope of this yet I le follow her for kindreds sake if she miss of her purpose now she 'l challenge all she findes I see for if ever we meet with a two leg'd creature in the whole Kingdom the Childe shall have a Father that 's certain Exit Loud Musick Enter two with the Sword and Mace Cador Edwin two Bishops Aurelius Ostorius leading Artesia Crown'd Constancia Modestia Octa Proximus a Magician Donobert Gloster Oswold Toclio all pass over the Stage Manet Donobert Gloster Edwin Cador Dono. Come Gloster I do not like this hasty Marriage Gloster She was quickly wooed and won not six days since arrived an enemy to sue for Peace and now crown'd Queen of Brittain this is strange Dono. Her brother too made as quick speed in coming leaving his Saxons and his starved Troops to take the advantage whilst 't was offer'd fore heaven I fear the King 's too credulous our Army is discharg'd too Gloster Yes and our General commanded home Son Edwin have you seen him since Edwin He 's come to Court but will not view the presence nor speak unto the King he 's so discontent at this so strange aliance with the Saxon as nothing can perswade his patience Cador. You know his humor will indure no check no if the King oppose it all crosses feeds both his spleen and his impatience those affections are in him like powder apt to inflame with every little spark and blow up all his reason Gloster Edol of Chester is a noble Soldier Dono. So is he by the Rood ever most faithful to the King and Kingdom how e're his passions guide him Enter Edoll with Captaine Cador. See where he comes my Lord Omnes Welcome to Court brave Earl Edol. Do not deceive me by your flatteries Is not the Saxon here the League confirm'd the Marriage ratifi'd the Court divided with Pagan Infidels the least part Christians at least in their Commands Oh the gods it is a thought that takes away my sleep and dulls my senses so I scarcely know you Prepare my horses I le away to Chester Capt. What shall we do with our Companies my Lord Edol. Keep them at home to increase Cuckolds and get some Cases for your Captainships smooth up your brows the wars has spoil'd your faces and few will now regard you Dono. Preserve your patience Sir Edol. Preserve your Honors Lords your Countries Safety your Lives and Lands from strangers what black devil could so bewitch the King so to discharge a Royal Army in the height of conquest nay even already made victorious to give such credit to an enemy a starved foe a stragling fugitive beaten beneath our feet so love dejected so servile and so base as hope of life had won them all to leave the Land for ever Dono. It was the Kings will Edol. It was your want of wisdom that should have laid before his tender youth the dangers of a State where forain Powers bandy for Soveraignty with Lawful Kings who being setled once to assure themselves will never fail to seek the blood and life of all competitors Dono. Your words sound well my Lord and point at safety both for the Realm and us but why did you within whose power it lay as General with full Commission to dispose the war lend ear to parly with the weakned foe Edol. Oh the good Gods Cador. And on that parly came this Embassie Edol. You will hear me Edwin Your letters did declare it to the King both of the Peace and all Conditions brought by this Saxon Lady whose fond love has thus be witched him Edol. I will curse you all as black as hell unless you hear me your gross mistake would make wisdom her self run madding through the streets and quarrel with her shadow death why kill'd ye not that woman Dono. Glost. Oh my Lord Edol. The great devil take me quick had I been by and all the women of the world were barren she should have died e're he had married her on these conditions Cador. It is not reason that directs you thus Edol. Then have I none for all I have directs me never was man so palpably abus'd so basely marred bought and sold to scorn my Honor Fame and hopeful Victories the loss of Time Expences Blood and Fortunes all vanisht into nothing Edwin This rage is vain my Lord what the King does nor they nor you can help Edol. My Sword must fail me then Cador 'Gainst whom will you expose it Edol. What 's that to you 'gainst all the devils in hell to guard my country Edwin These are airy words Edol. Sir you tread too hard upon my patience Edwin I speak the duty of a Subjects faith and say agen had your been here in presence What the King did you had not dar'd to cross it Edol. I will trample on his Life and Soul that says it Cador. My Lord Edwin Come come Edol. Now before heaven Cador. Dear sir Edol. Not dare thou liest beneath thy lungs Gloster No more son Edwin Edwin I have done sir I take my leave Edol. But thou shall not you shall take no leave of me Sir Dono. For wisdoms sake my Lord Edol. Sir I 'le leave him and you and all of you the Court and King and let my Sword and friends shuffle for Edols safety stay you here and hug the Saxons till they cut your throats or bring the Land to servile slavery such yokes of baseness Chester must not suffer Go and repent betimes these foul misdeeds For in this League all our whole Kingdom bleeds which I le prevent or perish Glost. See how his rage transports him Exit Edol. Capt. Cador. These passions set apart a braver soldier breathes not i' th' world this day Dono. I wish his own worth do not court his ruine The King must Rule and we must learn to obay True vertue shall direct the noble way
ha is this your sweet-heart sister have we run through the Countrey haunted the City and examin'd the Court to finde out a Gallant with a Hat and Feather and a silken Sword and golden Hangers and do you now bring me to a Ragamuffin with a face like a Frying-pan Ioan. Fie brother you mistake behold him better Clown How 's this do you juggle with me or are mine eyes matches Hat and Feather Sword and Hangers and all this is a Gallant indeed sister this has all the marks of him we look for Devil And you have found him now sir give me your hand I now must call you brother Clown Not till you have married my sister for all this while she 's but your whore sir Devil Thou art too plain I le satisfie that wrong to her and thee and all with liberal hand come why art thou fearful Clown Nay I am not afraid and you were the devil sir Devil Thou needst not keep with thy sister still and I le supply your wants you shall lack nothing that gold and wealth can purchase Clown Thank you brother we have gone many a weary step to finde you you may be a husband for a Lady for you are far fetcht and dear bought I assure you Pray how should I call your son my cousin here Devil His name is Merlin Clown Merlin Your hand cousin Merlin for your fathers sake I accept you to my kindred if you grow in all things as your Beard does you will be talkt on By your Mothers side cousin you come of the Go-too'ts Suffolk bred but our standing house is at Hocklye i' th Hole and Layton-buzzard For your father no doubt you may from him claim Titles of Worship but I cannot describe it I think his Ancestors came first from Hell-bree in Wales cousin Devil No matter whence we do derive our Name All Brittany shall ring of Merlin's fame And wonder at his acts Go hence to Wales There live a while there Vortiger the King Builds Castles and strong Holds which cannot stand Unless supported by yong Merlins hand There shall thy fame begin Wars are a breeding The Saxons practise Treason yet unseen Which shortly shall break out Fair Love farewel Dear son and brother here must I leave you all Yet still I will be near at Merlins call Exit Mer. Will you go Uncle Clown Yes I le follow you cousin well I do most horribly begin to suspect my kindred this brother in law of mine is the Devil sure and though he hide his horns with his Hat and Feather I spi'd his cloven foot for all his cunning Exit Enter Ostorius Octa and Proximus Ostor. Come come time calls our close Complots to action go Proximus with winged speed flie hence hye thee to Wales salute great Vortiger with these our Letters bid the King to arms tell him we have new friends more Forces landed in Norfolk and Northumberland bid him make haste to meet us if he keep his word wee 'l part the Realm between us Octa. Bend all thine Art to quit that late disgrace the Christian Hermit gave thee make thy revenge both sure and home Prox. That thought sir spurs me on till I have wrought their swift destruction Exit Ostor. Go then and prosper Octa be vigilant Speak are the Forts possest the Guards made sure Revolve I pray on how large consequence the bare event and sequel of our hopes joyntly consists that have embark't our lives upon the hazzard of the least miscarriage Octa. All 's sure the Queen your sister hath contrived the cunning Plot so sure as at an instant the Brothers shall be both surpriz'd and taken Ostor. And both shall die yet one a while must live till we by him have gather'd strength and power to meet bold Edol their stern General that now contrary to the Kings command hath re-united all his cashier'd Troops and this way beats his drums to threaten us Octa. Then our Plot 's discover'd Ostor. Come th' art a fool his Army and his life is given unto us where is the Queen my sister Octa. In conference with the Prince Ostor. Bring the Guards nearer all is fair and good Their Conference I hope shall end in blood Exeunt Enter Prince and Artesia Artes. Come come you do but flatter what you term Love is but a Dream of blood wakes with enjoying and with open eyes forgot contemn'd and lost Prince I must be wary her words are dangerous True we 'l speak of Love no more then Artes. Nay if you will you may 'T is but in jest and yet so children play With fiery flames and covet what is bright But feeling his effects abhor the light Pleasure is like a Building the more high The narrower still it grows Cedars do dye Soonest at top Prince How does your instanced suit Artes. From Art and Nature to make sure the root And lay a fast foundation e're I try The incertain Changes of a wavering Skie Make your example thus You have a kiss was it not pleasing Prince Above all name to express it Artes. Yet now the pleasure 's gone and you have lost your joys possession Prince Yet when you please this flood may ebb again Artes. But where it never ebbs there runs the main Prince Who can attain such hopes Artes. I le show the way to it give me a taste once more of what you may enjoy Kiss Prince Impudent whore I were more false than Atheism can be Should I not call this high felicity Artes. If I should trust your faith alas I fear you soon would change belief Prince I would covet Martyrdom to make 't confirm'd Artes. Give me your hand on that you 'l keep your word Prince I will Artes. Enough Help husband king Aurelius help rescue betraid Artesia Prince Nay then 't is I that am betraid I see Yet with thy blood I le end thy Treachery Artes. How now what troubles you Is this you sir that but even now would suffer Martyrdom to win your hopes and is there now such terror in names of men to fright you nay then I see what mettle you are made on Prince Ha! was it but tryal then I ask your pardon What a dull slave was I to be so fearful I le trust her now no more yet try the utmost I am resolved no brother no man breathing were he my bloods begetter should withhold me from your love I 'd leap into his bosom and from his brest pull forth that happiness Heaven had reserved in you for my enjoying Artes. I now you speak a Lover like a Prince Treason treason Prince Agen Artes. Help Saxon Princes Treason Enter Ostorius Octa c. Ostor. Rescue the Queen strike down the Villain Enter Edoll Aurelius Donobert Cador Edwin Toclio Oswold at the other Door Edol. Call in the Guards the Prince in danger Fall back dear Sir my brest shall buckler you Aurel. Beat down their weapons Edol. Slave wert thou made of brass my sword shall bite thee