ESTRILD。
Bettertodierenownedforchastity,Thanlivewithshameandendlessinfamy。
Whatwouldthecommonsortreportofme,IfIforgetmylove,andcleavetothee?
LOCRINE。
Kingsneednotfearthevulgarsentences。
ESTRILD。
ButLadiesmustregardtheirhonestname。
LOCRINE。
Isitashametoliveinmarriagebonds?
ESTRILD。
No,buttobeastrumpettoaking。
LOCRINE。
IfthouwiltyieldtoLocrine’sburninglove,ThoushaltbequeenoffairAlbania。
ESTRILD。
ButGwendolinewillunderminemystate。
LOCRINE。
Uponminehonor,thoushalthavenoharm。
ESTRILD。
Thenlo,braveLocrine,Estrildyieldstothee;
Andbythegods,whomthoudoestinvocate,Bythedeadghostofthydeceasedsire,Bythyrighthandandbythyburninglove,TakepityonpoorEstrild’swretchedthrall。
CORINEIUS。
HathLocrinethenforgothisGwendoline,ThatthushecourtstheScithian’sparamour?
What,arethewordsofBrutesosoonforgot?
Aremydesertssoquicklyoutofmind?
HaveIbeenfaithfultothysirenowdead,HaveIprotectedtheefromHumber’shands,Anddoestthouquitemewithungratitude?
Isthistheguerdonformygrievouswounds,Isthisthehonourformylabor’spast?
Now,bymysword,Locrine,Isweartothee,Thisinjuryofthineshallberepaid。
LOCRINE。
Uncle,scornyouyourroyalsovereign,Asifwestoodforcyphersinthecourt?
Upbraidyoumewiththoseyourbenefits?
Why,itwasasubject’sdutysotodo。
Whatyouhavedoneforourdeceasedsire,Weknow,andallknowyouhaveyourreward。
CORINEIUS。
Avaunt,proudprincox;bravestthoumewithall?
Assurethyself,thoughthoubeEmperor,Thoune’ershaltcarrythisunpunished。
CAMBER。
Pardonmybrother,nobleCorineius;
Pardonthisonceanditshallbeamended。
ASSARACHUS。
Cousin,rememberBrutus’latestwords,Howhedesiredyoutocherishthem;
Letnotthisfaultsomuchincenseyourmind,Whichisnotyetpassedallremedy。
CORINEIUS。
Then,Locrine,lo,Ireconcilemyself;
Butasthoulovestthylife,solovethywife。
Butifthouviolatethosepromises,Bloodandrevengeshalllightuponthyhead。
Come,letusbacktostatelyTroinouant,Whereallthesemattersshallbesettled。
LOCRINE。
[Tohimself。]
Millionsofdevilswaituponthysoul!
Legionsofspiritsvexthyimpiousghost!
Tenthousandtormentsrackthycursedbones!
LeteverythingthathaththeuseofbreathBeinstrumentsandworkersofthydeath!
[Exeunt。]
ACTIV。SCENEII。Aforest。
[EnterHumberalone,hishairhangingoverhisshoulders,hisarmsallbloody,andadartinonehand。]
HUMBER。
Whatbasiliskwashatchedinthisplace,Whereeverythingconsumedistonought?
WhatfearfulFuryhauntsthesecursedgroves,WherenotarootisleftforHumber’smeat?
HathfellAlecto,withinvenomedblasts,Breathedforthpoisoninthesetenderplains?
HathtripleCerberus,withcontagiousfoam,SowedAconitummongstthesewitheredherbs?
HathdreadfulFameswithhercharmingrodsBroughtbarrennessoneveryfruitfultree?
What,notaroot,nofruit,nobeast,nobird,TonourishHumberinthiswilderness?
Whatwouldyoumore,youfiendsofErebus?
Myveryentrailsburnforwantofdrink,Mybowelscry,Humber,giveussomemeat。
ButwretchedHumbercangiveyounomeat;
Thesefoulaccursedgrovesaffordnomeat,Thisfruitlesssoil,thisground,bringsforthnomeat。
Thegods,hardheartedgods,yieldmenomeat。
ThenhowcanHumbergiveyouanymeat?
[EnterStrumbowithapitchfork,andascotch—cap,saying:]
STRUMBO。
Howdoyou,masters,howdoyou?howhaveyouscapedhangingthislongtime?Yfaith,Ihavescapedmanyascouringthisyear;butIthankGodIhavepastthemallwithagoodcouragio,couragio,&mywife&Iareingreatloveandcharitynow,Ithankmymanhood&mystrength。ForIwilltellyou,masters:
uponacertaindayatnightIcamehome,tosaytheverytruth,withmystomachfullofwine,andranupintothechamberwheremywifesoberlysatrockingmylittlebaby,leaningherbackagainstthebed,singinglullaby。Now,whenshesawmecomewithmynoseforemost,thinkingthatIhadbeendrunk,asIwasindeed,shesnatchedupafaggotstickinherhand,andcamefuriouslymarchingtowardsmewithabigface,asthoughshewouldhaveeatenmeatabit;thunderingoutthesewordsuntome:Thoudrunkenknave,wherehastthoubeensolong?Ishallteachtheehowtobeknightmeanothertime;andsoshebegantoplayknaves’trumps。Now,althoughI
trembled,fearingshewouldsethertencommandmentsinmyface,Iranwithinher,andtakingherlustilybythemiddle,Icarriedhervaliantlytothebed,andflingingheruponit,flungmyselfuponher;andthereIdelightedhersowiththesportImade,thateveraftershewouldcallmesweethusband,andsobanishedbrawlingforever。Andtoseethegoodwillofthewench!sheboughtwithherportionayardofland,andbythatIamnowbecomeoneoftherichestmeninourparish。Well,masters,what’saclock?isitnowbreakfasttime;youshallseewhatmeatIhavehereformybreakfast。
[Lethimsitdownandpullouthisvittails。]
HUMBER。
Waseverlandsofruitlessasthisland?
Wasevergrovesogracelessasthisgrove?
Waseversoilsobarrenasthissoil?
Ohno:thelandwherehungryFamesdweltMaynowiseequalizethiscursedland;
No,eventheclimateofthetorridzoneBringsforthmorefruitthanthisaccursedgrove。
Ne’ercamesweetCeres,ne’ercameVenushere;
Triptolemus,thegodofhusbandmen,Ne’ersowedhisseedinthisfoulwilderness。
Thehunger—bittendogsofAcheron,ChasedfromtheninefoldPuriflegiton,Havesettheirfootstepsinthisdamnedground。
TheironheartedFuries,armedwithsnakes,ScatteredhugeHydrasoveralltheplains,Whichhaveconsumedthegrass,theherbs,thetrees;
Whichhavedrunkuptheflowingwatersprings。
[Strumbo,hearinghisvoice,shallstartupandputmeatinhispocket,seekingtohidehimself。]
Thougreatcommanderofthestarrysky,Thatguidestthelifeofeverymortalwight,FromtheinclosuresofthefleetingcloudsFaindownsomefood,orelseIfaintanddie:
Pourdownsomedrink,orelseIfaintanddie。
OJupiter,hastthousentMercuryInclownishshapetoministersomefood?
Somemeat!somemeat!somemeat!
STRUMBO。
O,alas,sir,yearedeceived。IamnotMercury;
IamStrumbo。
HUMBER。
Givemesomemeat,villain;givemesomemeat,OrgainstthisrockI’lldashthycursedbrains,Andrentthybowelswithmybloodyhands。
Givemesomemeat,villain;givemesomemeat!
STRUMBO。
Bythefaithofmybody,goodfellow,Ihadrathergiveanwholeoxethanthatthoushouldstservemeinthatsort。Dashoutmybrains?Ohorrible!
terrible!IthinkIhaveaquarryofstonesinmypocket。
[Lethimmakeasthoughhewouldgivehimsome,andasheputtethouthishand,entertheghostofAlbanact,andstrikehimonthehand:andsoStrumborunsout,Humberfollowinghim。Exit。]
ALBANACT’SGHOST。
Lo,herethegiftoffellambition,Ofusurpationandoftreachery!
Lo,heretheharmsthatwaituponallthoseThatdointrudethemselvesinother’slands,Whicharenotundertheirdominion。
[Exit。]
ACTIV。SCENEIII。AchamberintheRoyalPalace。
[EnterLocrinealone。]
LOCRINE。
SevenyearshathagedCorineiuslived,ToLocrine’sgrief,andfairEstrild’swoe,Andsevenyearsmorehehopethyettolive。
OhsupremeJove,annihilatethisthought!
Shouldheenjoytheair’sfruition?
Shouldheenjoythebenefitoflife?
Shouldhecontemplatetheradiantsun,Thatmakesmylifeequaltodreadfuldeath?
Venus,conveythismonsterfrotheearth,Thatdisobeyeththusthysacredhests!
Cupid,conveythismonstertodarkhell,Thatdisanullsthymother’ssugaredlaws!
Mars,withthytargetallbesetwithflames,Withmurtheringbladebereavehimofhislife,ThathindrethLocrineinhissweetestjoys!
Andyet,forallhisdiligentaspect,Hiswrathfuleyes,piercinglikeLinces’eyes,WellhaveIovermatchedhissubtilty。
NighDeurolitum,bythepleasantLee,WherebrackishThamisslideswithsilverstreams,Makingabreachintothegrassydowns,Acuriousarch,ofcostlymarblefraught,HathLocrineframedunderneaththeground;
Thewallswhereof,garnishedwithdiamonds,Withophirs,rubies,glisteringemeralds,Andinterlastwithsun—brightcarbuncles,Lightentheroomwithartificialday:
AndfromtheLeewithwater—flowingpipesThemoistureisderivedintothisarch,WhereIhaveplacedfairEstrildsecretly。
Thithereftsoons,accompaniedwithmypage,Icovertlyvisitmyheart’sdesire,Withoutsuspicionofthemeanesteye;
Forloveaboundethstillwithpolicy:
AndthitherstillmeansLocrinetorepair,TillAtroposcutoffmineuncle’slife。
[Exit。]
ACTIV。SCENEIV。Theentranceofacave,nearwhichrunstheriver,afterwardtheHumber。]
[EnterHumberalone,saying:]
HUMBER。
Ovitamiserolonga,foelicibrevis,Eheu!malorumfamesextremummalum。
LonghaveIlivedinthisdesertcave,Witheatinghawsandmiserableroots,Devouringleavesandbeastlyexcrements。
Cavesweremybeds,andstonesmypillow—bears,Fearwasmysleep,andhorrorwasmydream,Forstillmethought,ateveryboisterousblast,NowLocrinecomes,now,Humber,thoumustdie:
Sothatforfearandhunger,Humber’smindCanneverrest,butalwaystremblingstands,O,whatDanubiusnowmayquenchmythirst?
WhatEuphrates,whatlightfootEuripus,Maynowallaythefuryofthatheat,Which,raginginmyentrails,eatsmeup?
YoughastlydevilsoftheninefoldStyx,YoudamnedghostsofjoylessAcheron,Youmournfulsouls,vexedinAbyss’vaults,YoucoalblackdevilsofAvernus’pond,Come,withyourfleshhooksrentmyfamishedarms,Thesearmsthathavesustainedtheirmaster’slife。
Come,withyourrazorsripmybowelsup,Withyoursharpfireforkscrackmystervedbones:
Usemeasyouwill,soHumbermaynotlive。
Accursedgods,thatrulethestarrypoles,AccursedJove,kingofthecursedgods,CastdownyourlightningonpoorHumber’shead,ThatImayleavethisdeathlikelifeofmine!
What,hearyounot?andshallnotHumberdie?
Nay,Iwilldie,thoughallthegodssaynay!
And,gentleAby,takemytroubledcorps,Takeitandkeepitfromallmortaleyes,Thatnonemaysay,whenIhavelostmybreath,TheveryfloodsconspiredgainstHumber’sdeath。
[Flinghimselfintotheriver。]
[EntertheghostofAlbanact。]
ALBANACT’SGHOST。
Encoedemsequiturcoedes,incoedequiesco。
Humberisdead!joyheavens!leapearth!dancetrees!
Nowmayestthoureachthyapples,Tantalus,Andwiththemfeedthyhunger—bittenlimbs!
Now,Sisiphus,leavetumblingofthyrock,Andrestthyrestlessbonesuponthesame!
UnbindIxion,cruelRhadamanth,AndlayproudHumberonthewhirlingwheel。
BackwillIposttohellmouthTaenarus,AndpassCocitus,totheElysianfields,AndtellmyfatherBrutusofthesenews。
[Exit。]
ACTV。PROLOGUE。
[EnterAteasbefore。Jason,leadingCreon’sdaughter。Medea,following,hathagarlandinherhand,andputtingitonCreon’sdaughter’shead,settethitonfire,andthen,killingJasonandher,departeth。]
ATE。
NontamTinacriisexaestuatAetnacavernis,Laesaefurtivoquamcormulierisamore。
Medea,seeingJasonleaveherlove,AndchoosethedaughteroftheThebanking,Wenttoherdevilishcharmstoworkrevenge;
AndraisingupthetripleHecate,Withalltheroutofthecondemnedfiends,Framedagarlandbyhermagicskill,WithwhichshewroughtJasonandCreons。
SoGwendoline,seeingherselfmisused,AndHumber’sparamourpossessherplace,FliestothedukedomofCornubia,Andwithherbrother,stoutThrasimachus,GatheringapowerofCornishsoldiers,Givesbattletoherhusbandandhishost,NightotheriverofgreatMertia。
ThechancesofthisdismalmassacreThatwhichinsuethshortlywillunfold。
[Exit。]
ACTV。SCENEI。AchamberintheRoyalPalace。
[EnterLocrine,Camber,Assarachus,Thrasimachus。]
ASSARACHUS。
Buttellme,cousin,diedmybrotherso?
NowwhoislefttohelplessAlbion?
Thatasapillarmightupholdourstate,Thatmightstriketerrortoourdaringfoes?
NowwhoislefttohaplessBrittain,ThatmightdefendherfromthebarbaroushandsOfthosethatstilldesireherruinousfall,Andseektoworkherdownfallanddecay?
CAMBER。
Aye,uncle,deathisourcommonenemy,Andnonebutdeathcanmatchourmatchlesspower:
WitnessthefallofAlbioneus’crew,WitnessthefallofHumberandhisHuns。
Andthisfouldeathhathnowincreasedourwoe,BytakingCorineiusfromthislife,Andinhisroomleavingusworldsofcare。
THRASIMACHUS。
Butnonemaymorebewailhismournfulhearse,ThanIthatamtheissueofhisloins。
NowfoulbefallthatcursedHumber’sthroat,Thatwasthecauserofhislingeringwound。
LOCRINE。
Tearscannotraisehimfromthedeadagain。
Butwhere’smyLady,mistressGwendoline?
THRASIMACHUS。
InCornwall,Locrine,ismysisternow,Providingformyfather’sfuneral。
LOCRINE。
AndletherthereprovidehermourningweedsAndmournforeverherownwidow—hood。
Ne’ershallshecomewithinourpalacegate,TocountercheckbraveLocrineinhislove。
Go,boy,toDevrolitum,downtheLee,UntothearchwherelovelyEstrildlies。
BringherandSabrenstraightuntothecourt;
SheshallbequeeninGwendoline’sroom。
LetotherswailforCorineius’death;
ImeannotsotomaceratemymindForhimthatbarredmefrommyheart’sdesire。
THRASIMACHUS。
HathLocrine,then,forsookhisGwendoline?
IsCorineius’deathsosoonforgot?
Iftherebegodsinheaven,assuretherebe,Iftherebefiendsinhell,asneedstheremust,Theywillrevengethisthynotoriouswrong,Andpowertheirplaguesuponthycursedhead。
LOCRINE。
What!prat’stthou,peasant,tothysovereign?
Orartthoustrookeninsomeextasy?
Doestthounottrembleatourroyallooks?
Dostthounotquake,whenmightyLocrinefrowns?
Thoubeardlessboy,wer’tnotthatLocrinescornsTovexhismindwithsuchaheartlesschild,Withthesharppointofthismybattle—axe,IwouldsendthysoultoPuriflegiton。
THRASIMACHUS。
ThoughIbeyoungandofatenderage,YetwillIcopewithLocrinewhenhedares。
Mynoblefatherwithhisconqueringsword,Slewthetwogiants,kingsofAquitaine。
ThrasimachusisnotsodegenerateThatheshouldfearandtrembleatthelooksOrtauntingwordsofaveneriansquire。
LOCRINE。
Menacestthouthyroyalsovereign,Uncivil,notbeseemingsuchasyou?
Injurioustraitor(forheisnolessThatatdefiancestandethwithhisking)
Leavethesethytaunts,leavethesethybraggingwords,Unlessthoumeantoleavethywretchedlife。
THRASIMACHUS。
IfprincesstaintheirgloriousdignityWithuglyspotsofmonstrousinfamy,Theyleesetheirformerestimation,Andthrowthemselvesintoahellofhate。
LOCRINE。
Wiltthouabusemygentlepatience,Asthoughthoudidstourhighdispleasurescorn?
Proudboy,thatthoumayestknowthyprinceismoved,Yea,greatlymovedatthisthyswellingpride,Webanishtheeforeverfromourcourt。
THRASIMACHUS。
Then,losellLocrine,lookuntothyself,Thrasimachuswillvengethisinjury。
[Exit。]
LOCRINE。
Farewell,proudboy,andlearntousethytongue。
ASSARACHUS。
Alas,myLord,youshouldhavecalledtomindThelatestwordsthatBrutusspaketoyou:
Howhedesiredyou,bytheobedienceThatchildrenoughttobearuntothesire,ToloveandfavourLadyGwendoline。
Considerthis,thatiftheinjuryDomovehermind,ascertainlyitwill,Waranddissentionfollowsspeedily。
Whatthoughherpowerbenotsogreatasyours?
HaveyounotseenamightyelephantSlainbythebitingofasillymouse?
Evensothechanceofwarinconstantis。
LOCRINE。
Peace,uncle,peace,andceasetotalkhereof;
Forhethatseeks,bywhisperingthisorthat,TotroubleLocrineinhissweetestlife,Lethimpersuadehimselftodiethedeath。
[EnterthePage,withEstrildandSabren。]
ESTRILD。
O,sayme,Page,tellme,whereistheking?
Whereforedothhesendformetothecourt?
Isittodie?isittoendmylife?
Sayme,sweetboy,tellmeanddonotfeign!
PAGE。
No,trustme,madame;ifyouwillcreditthelittlehonestythatisyetleftme,thereisnosuchdangerasyoufear。Butprepareyourself;yonder’stheking。
ESTRILD。
Then,Estrild,lifethydazzledspiritsup,Andblessthatblessedtime,thatday,thathour,ThatwarlikeLocrinefirstdidfavourthee。
PeacetothekingofBrittainy,mylove!
Peacetoallthosethatloveandfavourhim!
LOCRINE。
[Takingherup。]
DothEstrildfallwithsuchsubmissionBeforeherservant,kingofAlbion?
Arise,fairLady;leavethislowlycheer。
LifeupthoselooksthatcherishLocrine’sheart,ThatImayfreelyviewthatroseallface,Whichsointangledhathmylovesickbreast。
Nowtothecourt,wherewewillcourtitout,AndpassthenightanddayinVenus’sports。
Frolic,bravepeers;bejoyfulwithyourking。
[Exeunt。]
ACTV。SCENEII。ThecampofGwendoline。
[EnterGwendoline,Thrasimachus,Madan,andthesoldiers。]
GWENDOLINE。
Yougentlewinds,thatwithyourmodestblastsPassthroughthecircuitoftheheavenlyvault,EnterthecloudsuntothethroneofJove,Andtherebearmyprayerstohisallhearingears。
ForLocrinehathforsakenGwendoline,AndlearnttoloveproudHumber’sconcubine。
Youhappysprites,thatintheconcaveskyWithpleasantjoyenjoyyoursweetestlove,Shedforththosetearswithme,whichthenyoushed,Whenfirstyouwouldyourladiestoyourwills。
Thosetearsarefittestformywoefulcase,SinceLocrineshunsmynothingpleasantface。
Blushheavens,blushsun,andhidethyshiningbeams;
Shadowthyradiantlocksingloomyclouds;
Denythycheerfullightuntotheworld,Wherenothingreignsbutfalsehoodanddeceit。
WhatsaidI?falsehood?Aye,thatfilthycrime,ForLocrinehathforsakenGwendoline。
BeholdtheheavensdowailforGwendoline。
TheshiningsundothblushforGwendoline。
TheliquidairdothweepforGwendoline。
TheverygrounddothgroanforGwendoline。
Aye,theyaremilderthantheBrittainking,ForherejectethlucklessGwendoline。
THRASIMACHUS。
Sister,complaintsarebootlessinthiscause;
Thisopenwrongmusthaveanopenplague,Thisplaguemustberepaidwithgrievouswar,ThiswarmustfinishwithLocrine’sdeath;
Hisdeathwillsoonextinguishourcomplaints。
GWENDOLINE。
Ono,hisdeathwillmoreaugmentmywoes。
Hewasmyhusband,braveThrasimachus,Moredeartomethantheappleofmineeye,NorcanIfindinhearttoworkhisscathe。
THRASIMACHUS。
Madame,ifnotyourproperinjuries,Normyexile,canmoveyoutorevenge,ThinkonourfatherCorineius’words;
Hiswordstousstandsalwaysforalaw。
ShouldLocrinelivethatcausedmyfather’sdeath?
ShouldLocrinelivethatnowdivorcethyou?
Theheavens,theearth,theair,thefirereclaims,Andthenwhyshouldallwedenythesame?
GWENDOLINE。
Thenhenceforth,farewellwomanishcomplaints!
Allchildishpityhenceforth,then,farewell!
But,cursedLocrine,lookuntothyself,ForNemesis,themistressofrevenge,Sitsarmedatallpointsonourdismalblades;
AndcursedEstrild,thatinflamedhisheart,Shall,ifIlive,dieareproachfuldeath。
MADAN。
Mother,thoughnaturemakesmetolamentMylucklessfather’sfrowardlechery,Yet,forhewrongsmyLadymotherthus,I,ifIcould,myselfwouldworkhisdeath。
THRASIMACHUS。
See,madame,see,thedesireofrevengeIsinthechildrenofatenderage!
Forward,bravesoldiers,intoMertia,Whereweshallbravethecowardtohisface。
[Exeunt。]
ACTV。SCENEIII。ThecampofLocrine。
[EnterLocrine,Estrild,Sabren,Assarachus,andthesoldiers。]
LOCRINE。
Tellme,Assarachus,aretheCornishchuffesInsuchgreatnumbercometoMertia?
Andhavetheypitchedtheretheirpettyhost,Socloseuntoourroyalmansion?
ASSARACHUS。
Theyare,myLord,andmeanincontinentTobiddefiancetoyourmajesty。
LOCRINE。
Itmakesmelaugh,tothinkthatGwendolineShouldhavethehearttocomeinarmsgainstme。
ESTRILD。
Alas,myLord,thehorsewillrunamain,Whenasthespurdothgallhimtothebone。
Jealousy,Locrine,hathawickedsting。
LOCRINE。
Sayestthouso,Estrild,beauty’sparagon?
Well,wewilltryhercholertotheproof,Andmakeherknow,Locrinecanbrooknobraves。
Marchon,Assarachus;thoumustleadtheway,Andbringustotheirproudpavilion。
[Exeunt。]
ACTV。SCENEIV。Thefieldofbattle。
[EntertheghostofCorineius,withthunderandlightening。]
CORINEIUS’GHOST。
Behold,thecircuitoftheazureskyThrowsforthsadthrobsandgrievoussuspires,PrejudicatingLocrine’soverthrow。
Thefirecastethforthsharpdartsofflames,ThegreatfoundationofthetripleworldTremblethandquakethwithamightynoise,Presagingbloodymassacresathand。
Thewanderingbirdsthatflutterinthedark,Whenhellishnight,incloudychariotseated,CastethhermistsonshadyTellus’face,Withsablemantlescoveringalltheearth,Nowfliesabroadamidthecheerfulday,Foretellingsomeunwontedmisery。
ThesnarlingcursofdarkenedTartarus,SentfromAvernus’pondsbyRadamanth,Withhowlingdittiespestereverywood。
Thewateryladiesandthelightfootfawns,AndalltherabbleofthewoodyNymphs,Alltremblinghidethemselvesinshadygroves,Andshroudthemselvesinhideoushollowpits。
TheboisterousBoreasthundrethforthrevenge;
Thestonyrockscryoutonsharprevenge;
Thethornybushpronouncethdirerevenge。
[Soundthealarm。]
Now,Corineius,stayandseerevenge,AndfeedthysoulwithLocrine’soverthrow。
Behold,theycome;thetrumpetscallthemforth;
Theroaringdrumssummonthesoldiers。
Lo,wheretheirarmyglisterethontheplains!
Throwforththylightning,mightyJupiter,AndpowerthyplaguesoncursedLocrine’shead。
[Standaside。]
[EnterLocrine,Estrild,Assarachus,Sabrenandtheirsoldiersatonedoor:Thrasimachus,Gwendoline,Madanandtheirfollowersatanother。]
LOCRINE。
What,isthetigerstartedfromhiscave?
IsGwendolinecomefromCornubia,ThatthusshebravethLocrinetotheteeth?
Andhastthoufoundthinearmour,prettyboy,Accompaniedwiththesethystragglingmates?
Believeme,butthisenterprisewasbold,Andwelldeservethcommendation。
GWENDOLINE。
Aye,Locrine,traitorousLocrine!wearecome,Withfullpretencetoseekthineoverthrow。
WhathaveIdone,thatthoushouldstscornmethus?
WhathaveIsaid,thatthoushouldstmereject?
HaveIbeendisobedienttothywords?
HaveIbewrayedthyArcanesecrecy?
HaveIdishonouredthymarriagebedWithfilthycrimes,orwithlasciviouslusts?
Nay,itisthouthathastdishonouredit:
Thyfilthyminds,o’ercomewithfilthylusts,Yieldethuntoaffectionsfilthydarts。
Unkind,thouwrongstthyfirstandtruestfeer;
Unkind,thouwrongstthybestanddearestfriend;
Unkind,thouscornstallskilfullBrutus’laws,Forgettingfather,uncle,andthyself。
ESTRILD。
Believeme,Locrine,butthegirliswise,AndwellwouldseemtomakeavestalNun。
Howfinelyframessheheroration!
THRASIMACHUS。
Locrine,wecamenotheretofightwithwords,Wordsthatcanneverwinthevictory;
Butforyouaresomerryinyourfrumps,Unsheathyourswords,andtryitoutbyforce,Thatwemayseewhohaththebetterhand。
LOCRINE。
Thinkstthoutodareme,boldThrasimachus?
Thinkstthoutofearmewiththytauntingbraves,Ordoweseemtooweaktocopewiththee?
SoonshallIshewtheemyfinecuttingblade,Andwithmysword,themessengerofdeath,Sealtheeanacquitanceforthyboldattempts。
[Exeunt。]
[Soundthealarm。EnterLocrine,Assarachus,andasoldieratonedoor;Gwendoline,Thrasimachus,atanother;Locrineandhisfollowersdrivenback。
ThenletLocrine&Estrildenteragaininamaze。]
LOCRINE。
OfairEstrild,wehavelostthefield;
Thrasimachushathwonthevictory,Andwearelefttobealaughingstock,Scoftatbythosethatareourenemies。
Tenthousandsoldiers,armedwithsword&shield,prevailagainstanhundreththousandmen;
Thrasimachus,incensedwithfumingire,Ragethamongstthefaintheartsoldiers,LiketogrimMars,whencoveredwithhistargeHefoughtwithDiomedesinthefield,ClosebythebanksofsilverSimois。
[Soundthealarm。]
OlovelyEstrild,nowthechasebegins;
Ne’ershallweseethestatelyTroynouant,Mountedonthecoursersgarnishedallwithpearls;
NorshallweviewthefairConcordia,Unlessascaptiveswebethitherbrought。
ShallLocrinethenbetakenprisonerBysuchayounglingasThrasimachus?
ShallGwendolinecaptivatemylove?
Ne’ershallmineeyesbeholdthatdismalhour;
Ne’erwillIviewthatruthfulspectacle,Forwithmysword,thissharpcurtleaxe,I’llcutinsundermyaccursedheart。
ButO!youjudgesoftheninefoldStyx,WhichwithincessanttormentsracktheghostsWithinthebottomlessAbissus’pits,Yougods,commandersoftheheavenlyspheres,Whosewillandlawsirrevocablestands,Forgive,forgive,thisfoulaccursedsin!
Forget,Ogods,thisfoulcondemnedfault!
Andnow,mysword,thatinsomanyfights[Kisshissword。]
HastsavedthelifeofBrutusandhisson,Endnowhislifethatwishethstillfordeath;
Worknowhisdeaththatwishethstillfordeath;
Worknowhisdeaththathatethstillhislife。
Farewell,fairEstrild,beauty’sparagon,Framedinthefrontofforlornmiseries!
Ne’ershallmineeyesbeholdthysunshineeyes,ButwhenwemeetintheElysianfields;
ThitherIgobeforewithhastenedpace。
Farewell,vainworld,andthyinticingsnares!
Farewell,foulsin,andthyinticingpleasures!
Andwelcome,death,theendofmortalsmart,WelcometoLocrine’soverburthenedheart!
[Thrusthimselfthroughwithhissword。]
ESTRILD。
Break,heart,withsobsandgrievoussuspires!
Streamforth,youtears,fromforthmywateryeyes;
HelpmetomournforwarlikeLocrine’sdeath!
Pourdownyourtears,youwateryregions,FormightyLocrineisbereftoflife!
Oficklefortune!Ounstableworld!
Whatelseareallthingsthatthisglobecontains,Butaconfusedchaosofmishaps,Wherein,asinaglass,weplainlysee,ThatallourlifeisbutaTragedy?
Sincemightykingsaresubjecttomishap——
Aye,mightykingsaresubjecttomishap!——
SincemartialLocrineisbereftoflife,ShallEstrildlive,then,afterLocrine’sdeath?
ShallloveoflifebarherfromLocrine’ssword?
Ono,thissword,thathathberefthislife,Shallnowdeprivemeofmyfleetingsoul;
Strengthenthesehands,OmightyJupiter,ThatImayendmywoefulmisery。
Locrine,Icome;Locrine,Ifollowthee。
[Killherself。]
[Soundthealarm。EnterSabren。]
SABREN。
Whatdolefulsight,whatruthfulspectacleHathfortuneofferedtomyhaplessheart?
Myfatherslainwithsuchafatalsword,Mymothermurtheredbyamortalwound?
WhatThraciandog,whatbarbarousMirmidon,Wouldnotrelentatsucharuefulcase?
WhatfierceAchilles,whathadstonyflint,WouldnotbemoanthismournfulTragedy?
Locrine,themapofmagnanimity,Liesslaughteredinthisfoulaccursedcave,Estrild,theperfectpatternofrenown,Nature’ssolewonder,inwhosebeauteousbreastsAllheavenlygraceandvirtuewasinshrined:
Bothmassacredaredeadwithinthiscave,AndwiththemdiesfairPallasandsweetlove。
Hereliesasword,andSabrenhathaheart;
Thisblessedswordshallcutmycursedheart,Andbringmysouluntomyparents’ghosts,ThattheythatliveandviewourTragedyMaymournourcasewithmournfulplaudities。
[Letheroffertokillherself。]
Ayme,myvirgin’shandsaretootooweak,Topenetratethebulwarkofmybreast;
Myfingers,usedtotunetheamorouslute,Arenotofforcetoholdthissteelyglaive。
SoIamlefttowailmyparents’death,Notablefortoworkmyproperdeath。
Ah,Locrine,honoredforthynobleness!
Ah,Estrild,famousforthyconstancy!
Illmaytheyfarethatwroughtyourmortalends!
[EnterGwendoline,Thrasimachus,Madan,andthesoldiers。]
GWENDOLINE。
Search,soldiers,search,findLocrineandhislove;
Findtheproudstrumpet,Humber’sconcubine,ThatImaychangethosehersopleasinglooksTopaleandignominiousaspect。
Findmetheissueoftheircursedlove,FindmeyoungSabren,Locrine’sonlyjoy,ThatImayglutmymindwithlukewarmblood,Swiftlydistillingfromthebastard’sbreast。
Myfather’sghoststillhauntsmeforrevenge,Crying,Revengemyoverhasteneddeath。
Mybrother’sexileandmineowndivorceBanishremorsecleanfrommybrazenheart,Allmercyfrommineadamantinebreasts。
THRASIMACHUS。
Nordoththyhusband,lovelyGwendoline,Thatwontedwastoguideourstailesssteps,Enjoythislight;seewherehemurderedliesBylucklesslotandfrowardfrowningfate;
Andbyhimlieshislovelyparamour,FairEstrild,goredwithadismalsword;——
Andasitseems,bothmurderedbythemselves,Claspingeachotherintheirfeebledarms,Withlovingzeal,asifforcompanyTheiruncontentedcorpswereyetcontentTopassfoulStixinCharon’sferry—boat。
GWENDOLINE。
AndhathproudEstrildthenpreventedme?
HathsheescapedGwendoline’swrathViolently,bycuttingoffherlife?
WouldGodshehadthemonstrousHydra’slives,ThateveryhourshemighthavediedadeathWorsethantheswingofoldIxion’swheel;
Andeveryhourrevivetodieagain,AsTitius,boundtohouslesCaucason,Dothfeedthesubstanceofhisownmishap,Andeverydayforwantoffooddothdie,Andeverynightdothlive,againtodie。
Butstay!methinksIhearsomefaintingvoice,Mournfullyweepingfortheirlucklessdeath。
SABREN。
Youmountainnymphs,whichinthesedesertsreign,Ceaseoffyourhastychaseofsavagebeasts;
Preparetoseeaheartoppressedwithcare;
Addressyourearstohearamournfulstyle!
Nohumanestrength,noworkcanworkmyweal,Careinmyheartsotyrantlikedothdeal。
YouDryadsandlightfootSatyri,YougraciousFarieswhich,ateveningtide,Yourclosetsleavewithheavenlybeautystored,Andonyourshouldersspreadyourgoldenlocks;
Yousavagebearsincavesanddarkeneddens,ComewailwithmethemartialLocrine’sdeath;
ComemournwithmeforbeauteousEstrild’sdeath。
Ah!lovingparents,littledoyouknowWhatsorrowSabrensuffersforyourthrall。
GWENDOLINE。
Butmaythisbe,andisitpossible?
LivesSabrenyettoexpiatemywrath?
Fortune,Ithanktheeforthiscourtesy;
Andletmeneverseeoneprosperoushour,IfSabrendienotareproachfuldeath。
SABREN。
Hardhearteddeath,that,whenthewretchedcall,Artfurthestoff,andseldomhearestatall;
But,inthemidstoffortune’sgoodsuccess,Uncalledcomes,andsheersourlifeintwain:
Whenwillthathour,thatblessedhour,drawnigh,WhenpoordistressedSabrenmaybegone?
SweetAtropos,cutoffmyfatalthread!
Whatartthoudeath?shallnotpoorSabrendie?
GWENDOLINE。
[Takingherbythechinshallsaythus。]
Yes,damsel,yes;Sabrenshallsurelydie,Thoughalltheworldshouldseektosaveherlife;
AndnotacommondeathshallSabrendie,ButafterstrangeandgrievouspunishmentsShortlyinflicteduponthybastard’shead,Thoushaltbecastintothecursedstreams,Andfeedthefisheswiththytenderflesh。
SABREN。
Andthinkstthouthen,thoucruelhomicide,Thatthesethydeedsshallbeunpunished?
No,traitor,no;thegodswillvengethesewrongs,Thefiendsofhellwillmarktheseinjuries。
Nevershalltheseblood—suckingmastycurs,BringwretchedSabrentoherlatesthome;
ForImyself,inspiteoftheeandthine,Meantoabridgemyformerdestinies,AndthatwhichLocrine’sswordcouldnotperform,Thispleasantstreamshallpresentbringtopass。
[Shedrownethherself。]
GWENDOLINE。
Onemischieffollowsonanother’sneck。
WhowouldhavethoughtsoyoungamaidassheWithsuchacouragewouldhavesoughtherdeath?
AndforbecausethisRiverwastheplaceWherelittleSabrenresolutelydied,Sabrenforevershallthissamebecalled。
AndasforLocrine,ourdeceasedspouse,BecausehewasthesonofmightyBrute,Towhomweoweourcountry,livesandgoods,Heshallbeburiedinastatelytomb,ClosebyhisagedfatherBrutus’bones,Withsuchgreatpompandgreatsolemnity,Aswellbeseemssobraveaprinceashe。
LetEstrildliewithouttheshallowvaults,Withoutthehonourdueuntothedead,Becauseshewastheauthorofthiswar。
Retire,bravefollowers,untoTroynouant,Whereweshallcelebratetheseexequies,AndplaceyoungLocrineinhisfather’stomb。
[Exeuntomnes。]
[EnterAte。]
ATE。
Loheretheendoflawlesstreachery,Ofusurpationandambitiouspride;
AndtheythatfortheirprivateamoursdareTurmoilourland,andsettheirbroilsabroach,Letthembewarnedbythesepremises。
AndasawomanwastheonlycauseThatcivildiscordwasthenstirredup,Soletusprayforthatrenownedmaid,Thateightandthirtyyearsthescepterswayed,Inquietpeaceandsweetfelicity;
Andeverywightthatseekshergrace’ssmart,Wouldthatthisswordwerepiercedinhisheart!
[Exit。]
[Finis。]
2。AMOSTPLEASANTCOMEDYOFMUCEDORUSTHEKING’SSONOF
VALENTIA,ANDAMADINE,THEKING’SDAUGHTEROFARRAGON。
THEPROLOGUE。
MostsacredMajesty,whosegreatdesertsThySubjectEngland,nay,theWorld,admires:
WhichHeavengrantstillincrease:OmayyourPraise,Multiplyingwithyourhours,yourFamestillraise;
EmbraceyourCounsel;Love,withFaith,themguide,Thatboth,asone,benchbyeachother’sside。
Somayyourlifepassonandrunsoeven,ThatyourfirmzealplantyouaThroneinHeaven,WheresmilingAngelsshallyourguardiansbeFromblemishedTraitors,stainedwithPerjury:
Andasthenight’sinferiourtotheday,SobeallearthlyRegionstoyoursway。
BeastheSuntoDay,theDaytoNight;
For,fromyourBeams,Europeshallborrowlight。
Mirthdrownyourbosom,fairDelightyourmind,AndmayourPastimeyourContentmentfind。
[Exit。]
DRAMATISPERSONAE。
Eightpersonsmayeasilyplayit。
THEKINGandROMBELO,forone。
KINGVALENCIA,forone。
MUCEDORUStheprinceofValencia,forone。
ANSELMO,forone。
AMADINEtheKing’sdaughterofArragon,forone。
SEGASTOaNobleman,forone。
ENVY;TREMELIOaCaptain;BREMOawildman,forone。
COMEDY,aBOY,anOLDWOMAN,ARIENA
Amadine’smaid,forone。
COLLENaCounselor,aMESSENGER,forone。
MOUSEtheClown,forone。
INDUCTION。
[EnterComedyjoyfulwithagarlandofbaysinherhand。]
Whyso!thusdoIhopetoplease:
Musicrevives,andmirthistolerable,Comedy,playthypartandplease,Makemerrythemthatcomestojoywiththee:
Joy,then,goodgentles;Ihopetomakeyoulaugh。
SoundforthBellona’ssilvertunedstrings。
Timefitsuswell,thedayandplaceisours。
[EnterEnvy,hisarmsnaked,besmearedwithblood。]
ENVY。
Nay,stay,minion,thereliesablock。
What,allonmirth!I’llinterruptyourtaleAndmixyourmusicwithatragicend。
COMEDY。
Whatmonstrousuglyhagisthis,Thatdarescontrolthepleasuresofourwill?
Vaunt,churlishcur,besmearedwithgoryblood,Thatseemsttochecktheblossomsofdelight,AndstiflethesoundofsweetBellona’sbreath:
Blush,monster,blush,andpostawaywithshame,Thatseekstdisturbanceofagoddess’deeds。
ENVY。
Posthencethyself,thoucounter—checkingtrull;
Iwillpossessthishabit,spiteofthee,Andgainthegloryofthywishedport:
I’llthundermusicshallappallthenymphs,Andmakethemshivertheirclatteringstrings:
Flyingforsuccourtotheirdankishcaves。
[Sounddrumswithinandcry,’stab!stab!’]
Hearken,thoushalthearanoiseShallfilltheairwithashrillingsound,Andthundermusictothegodsabove:
MarsshallhimselfbreathedownApeerlesscrownuponbraveenvy’shead,Andraisehischivallwithalastingfame。
InthisbravemusicEnvytakesdelight,WhereImayseethemwallowintheirblood,Tospurnatarmsandlegsquiteshiveredoff,Andhearthecriesofmanythousandslain。
Howlikstthouthis,mytrull?thissportaloneforme!
COMEDY。
Vaunt,bloodycur,nurstupwithtiger’ssap,Thatsodostseektoquailawoman’smind。
Comedyismild,gentle,willingfortoplease,Andseekstogaintheloveofallestates:
Delightinginmirth,mixtallwithlovelytales,Andbringeththingswithtreblejoytopass。
Thou,bloody,Envious,disdainerofmen’sjoy,Whosenameisfraughtwithbloodystratagems,Delightsinnothingbutinspoilanddeath,Wherethoumaisttrampleintheirlukewarmblood,Andgrasptheirheartswithinthycursedpaws:
Yetvailthymind,revengethounotonme;
Asillywomanbegsitatthyhands:
Givemetheleavetoutteroutmyplay,Forbearthisplace,Ihumblycravethee:hence,Andmixnotdeathamongstpleasingcomedies,Thattreatsnaughtelsebutpleasureanddelight。
Ifanysparkofhumanrestsinthee,Forbear,begone,tenderthesuiteofme。
ENVY。
WhysoIwill;forbearanceshallbesuchAstrebledeathshallcrosstheewithdespite,Andmaketheemournwheremostthoujoyest,Turningthymirthintoadeadlydole,Whirlingthypleasureswithapealofdeath,Anddrenchthymethodsinaseaofblood:
ThiswillIdo,thusshallIbearwiththee;
Andmoretovextheewithadeeperspite,Iwillwiththreatsofbloodbeginthyplay,Favoringtheewithenvyandwithhate。
COMEDY。
Then,uglymonster,dothyworst,Iwilldefendthemindespiteofthee:
AndthoughthouthinkstwithtragicfumesTobravemyplayuntomydeepdisgrace,Iforceitnot,Iscornwhatthoucanstdo;
I’llgraceitso,thyselfshallitconfessFromtragicstufftobeapleasantcomedy。
ENVY。
Whythen,Comedy,sendthyactorsforthAndIwillcrossthefirststepsoftheirtread:
Makingthemfeartheverydartofdeath。
COMEDY。
AndI’lldefendthemmaugreallthyspite:
So,uglyfiend,farewell,tilltimeshallserve,Thatwemaymeettoparleforthebest。
ENVY。
Content,Comedy;I’llgospreadmybranch,AndscatteredblossomsfrommineenvioustreeShallprovetomonsters,spoilingoftheirjoys。
[Exit。]
ACTI。SCENEI。Valentia。TheCourt。
[Sound。EnterMucedorusandAnselmohisfriend。]
MUCEDORUS。
Anselmo。
ANSELMO。
MyLordandfriend。
MUCEDORUS。
True,myAnselmo,boththyLordandfriendWhosedearaffectionsbosomwithmyheart,Andkeeptheirdominationinoneorb。
ANSELMO。
Whenceneardisloyaltyshallrootitforth,Butfaithplantfirmerinyourchoicerespect。
MUCEDORUS。
Muchblameweremine,ifIshouldotherdeem,NorcancoyFortunecontraryallow:
But,myAnselmo,lothIamtosayImustestrangethatfriendship——
Misconsturenot,tisfromtheRealm,notthee:
ThoughLandspartBodies,Heartskeepcompany。
ThouknowstthatIimpartedoftenhavePrivaterelationswithmyroyalSire,HadasconcerningbeautiousAmadine,RichAragon’sbrightJewel,whoseface(somesay)
ThatbloomingLiliesnevershonesogay,Excelling,notexcelled:yetleastReportDoesmangleVerity,boastingofwhatisnot,Wing’dwithDesire,thitherI’llstraightrepair,AndbemyFortunes,asmyThoughtsare,fair。
ANSELMO。
WillyouforsakeValencia,leavetheCourt,AbsentyoufromtheeyeofSovereignty?
Donot,sweetPrince,adventureonthattask,Sincedangerlurkseachwhere:bewonfromit。
MUCEDORUS。
Desistdissuasion,Myresolutionbrooksnobattery;
Therefore,ifthouretainthywontedform,AssistwhatIintend。
ANSELMO。
YourmisswillbreedablemishintheCourt,AndthrowafrostydewuponthatBeard,WhosefrontValenciastoopsto。
MUCEDORUS。
Ifthoumywelfaretender,thennomore;
LetLove’sstrongmagiccharmthytrivialphrase,WastedasvainlyastogripetheSun:
Augmentnotthenmoreanswers;lockthylips,Unlessthywisdomsuitemewithdisguise,Accordingtomypurpose。
ANSELMO。
Thatactioncravesnocounsel,Sincewhatyourightlyarewillmorecommand,Thanbestusurpedshape。
MUCEDORUS。
Thoustillartoppositeisdisposition:
AmoreobscureservilehabillamentBeseemsthisenterprise。
ANSELMO。
ThanlikeaFlorentineorMountebank?
MUCEDORUS。
Tismuchtootedious;Idislikethyjudgement:
Mymindisgraftedonanhumblerstock。
ANSELMO。
WithinmyClosetdoestherehangaCassock,Thoughbasetheweedis;twasaShepherds,WhichIpresentedinLordJulio’sMask。
MUCEDORUS。
That,myAnselmo,andnoneelsebutthat,MaskMucedorusfromthevulgarview!
Thathabitsuitsmymind;fetchmethatweed。
[ExitAnselmo。]
BetterthanKingshavenotdisdainedthatstate,Andmuchinferiour,toobtaintheirmate。
[EnterAnselmowithaShepherd’scoat。]
So!
Letourrespectcommandthysecrecy。
Atonceabrieffarewell:
Delaytoloversisasecondhell。
[ExitMucedorus。]
ANSELMO。
Prosperityforerunthee;AwkwardchanceNeverbeneighbourtothywishes’venture:
ContentandFameadvancethee;everthrive,AndGlorythymortalitysurvive。
[Exit。]
ACTI。SCENEII。AForestinArragon。
[EnterMousewithabottleofHay。]
MOUSE。
Ohorrible,terrible!WaseverpoorGentlemansoscaredoutofhissevenSenses?ABear?nay,sureitcannotbeaBear,butsomeDevilinaBear’sDoublet:foraBearcouldneverhavehadthatagilitytohavefrightedem。Well,I’llseemyFatherhanged,beforeI’llservehisHorseanymore:
Well,I’llcarryhomemyBottleofHay,andforoncemakemyFather’sHorseturnpuritanandobserveFastingdays,forhegetsnotabit。Butsoft!thiswayshefollowedme,thereforeI’lltaketheotherPath;andbecauseI’llbesuretohaveaneyeonhim,IwilltakehandswithsomefoolishCreditor,andmakeeverystepbackward。
[AshegoesbackwardstheBearcomesin,andhetumblesover,andrunsawayandleaveshisbottleofHaybehindhim。]
ACTI。SCENEIII。Thesame。
[EnterSegastorunningandAmadineafterhim,beingpursuedbyabear。]
SEGASTO。
Ohfly,Madam,flyorelsewearebutdead。
AMADINE。
Help,Segasto,help!help,sweetSegasto,orelseIdie。
SEGASTO。
Alas,madam,thereisnowaybutflight;
Thenhasteandsaveyourself。
[Segastorunsaway。]
AMADINE。
WhythenIdie;ahhelpmeindistress!
[EnterMucedoruslikeashepherdwithasworddrawnandabear’sheadinhishand。]
MUCEDORUS。
Stay,Lady,stay,andbenomoredismayed。
Thatcruelbeastmostmercilessandfell,Whichhathbereavedthousandsoftheirlives,Affrightedmanywithhishardpursues,Pryingfromplacetoplacetofindhisprey,Prolongingthushislifebyothers’death,Hiscarcassnowliesheadless,voidofbreath。
AMADINE。
Thatfouldeformedmonster,ishedead?
MUCEDORUS。
Assureyourselfthereof,beholdhishead:
Whichifitpleaseyou,Lady,toaccept,WithwillingheartIyieldittoyourmajesty。
AMADINE。
Thanks,worthyshepherd,thanksathousandtimes。
Thisgift,assurethyself,contentsmemoreThangreatestbountyofamightyprince,Althoughhewerethemonarchoftheworld。
MUCEDORUS。
Mostgraciousgoddess,morethanmortalwight,Yourheavenlyhueofrightimportsnoless,MostgladamIinthatitwasmychanceToundertakethisenterpriseinhand,Whichdothsogreatlygladyourprincelymind。
AMADINE。
Nogoddess,shepherd,butamortalwight,Amortalwightdistressedasthouseest:
MyfatherhereiskingofArragon。
IAmadinehisonlydaughteram,Andafterhimsoleheiruntothecrown。
Now,whereasitismyfather’swillTomarrymeuntoSegasto,one,Whosewealththroughfather’sformerusuryIsknowntobenolessthanwonderful,Webothofcustomoftentimesdiduse,Leavingthecourt,towalkwithinthefieldsForrecreation,especiallyinthespring,Inthatityieldsgreatstoreofraredelights:
Andpassingfurtherthanourwontedwalks,Scarcewereenteredwithintheselucklesswoods,ButrightbeforeusdownasteepfallhillAmonstrousuglybeardidhiehimfast,Tomeetusboth。Ifainttotelltherest,Goodshepherd,butsupposetheghastlylooks,Thehideousfears,thethousandhundredwoes,WhichatthisinstantAmadinesustained。
MUCEDORUS。
Yet,worthyprincess,letthysorrowcease,Andletthissightyourformerjoysrevive。
AMADINE。
Believeme,shepherd,soitdothnoless。
MUCEDORUS。
Longmaytheylastuntoyourheart’scontent。
Buttellme,Lady,whatisbecomeofhim,Segastocalled,whatisbecomeofhim?
AMADINE。
Iknownot,I;thatknowthepowersdivine,ButGodgrantthis:thatsweetSegastolive。
MUCEDORUS。
Yethardheartedheinsuchacase,Socowardlytosavehimselfbyflight:
Andleavesobraveaprincesstothespoil。
AMADINE。
Well,shepherd,forthyworthyvalourtried,Endangeringthyselftosetmefree,Unrecompensed,sure,thoushaltnotbe。
Incourtthycourageshallbeplainlyknown:
ThroughouttheKingdomwillIspreadthyname,Tothyrenownandneverdyingfame:
Andthatthycouragemaybebetterknown,BearthoutheheadofthismostmonstrousbeastInopensighttoeverycourtiersview:
Sowillthekingmyfathertheereward。
Come,let’saway,andguardmetothecourt。
MUCEDORUS。
Withallmyheart。
[Exeunt。]
ACTI。SCENEIV。OutskirtsoftheForest。
[EnterSegastosolus。]
SEGASTO。
Whenheapsofharmstohoveroverhead,Tistimeasthen,somesay,tolookabout,Andofensuingharmstochoosetheleast:
Buthard,yeahapless,isthatwretcheschance,Lucklesshislotandcaytiffelikeacourste,Atwhoseproceedingsfortuneeverfrowns。
MyselfImean,mostsubjectuntothrall,ForI,themoreIseektoshuntheworst,ThemorebyproofIfindmyselfaccurst:
Erewhilesassaultedwithanuglybear,FairAmadineincompanyallalone,ForthwithbyflightIthoughttosavemyself,LeavingmyAmadineuntohershifts:
Fordeathitwasfortoresistthebear,AnddeathnolessofAmadine’sharmstohear。
AccursedIinlingeringlifethuslong!
Inlivingthus,eachminuteofanhourDothpiercemyheartwithdartsofthousanddeaths:
Ifshebyflightherfurydoescape,Whatwillshethink?
Willshenotsay——yea,flatlytomyface,Accusingmeofmeredisloyalty——
Atrustyfriendistriedintimeofneed,ButI,whensheindangerwasofdeathAndneededme,andcried,Segasto,help:
Iturnedmybackandquicklyranaway。
UnworthyItobearthisvitalbreath!
Butwhat!whatneedstheseplaints?
IfAmadinedolive,thenhappyI;
Shewillintimeforgiveandsoforget:
Amadineismerciful,notJunolike,Inharmfulhearttoharborhatredlong。
[EnterMouse,theClown,running,crying:
clubs。]
MOUSE。
Clubs,prongs,pitchforks,bills!Ohelp!abear,abear,abear,abear!
SEGASTO。
Stillbears,andnothingelsebutbears。Tellme,sirrah,wheresheis。
MOUSE。
Osir,sheisrundownthewoods:Iseeherwhiteheadandherwhitebelly。
SEGASTO。
Thoutalkestofwonders,totellmeofwhitebears。
But,sirra,didstthoueverseeanysuch?
MOUSE。
No,faith,Ineversawanysuch,butIremembermyfather’swords:hebademetakeheedIwasnotcaughtwithawhitebear。
SEGASTO。
Alamentabletale,nodoubt。
MOUSE。
Itellyouwhat,sir,asIwasgoingafieldtoservemyfather’sgreathorse,&carriedabottleofhayuponmyhead——nowdoyousee,sir——I,fasthoodwinked,thatIcouldseenothing,perceivingthebearcoming,Ithrewmyhayintothehedgeandranaway。
SEGASTO。
What,fromnothing?
MOUSE。
Iwarrantyou,yes,Isawsomething,fortherewastwoloadofthornsbesidesmybottleofhay,andthatmadethree。
SEGASTO。
Buttellme,sirra,thebearthatthoudidstsee,Didshenotbearabucketonherarm?
MOUSE。
Ha,ha,ha!Ineversawbeargoamilkinginmylife。Butharkyou,sir,Ididnotlooksohighasherarm:Isawnothingbutherwhitehead,andherwhitebelly。
SEGASTO。
Buttellme,sirra,wheredostthoudwell?
MOUSE。
Why,doyounotknowme?
SEGASTO。
Whyno,howshouldIknowthee?
MOUSE。
Why,then,youknownobody,andyouknownotme。Itellyou,sir,Iamthegoodmanratssonofthenextparishoverthehill。
SEGASTO。
Goodmanratsson:why,what’sthyname?
MOUSE。
Why,Iamverynearkinuntohim。
SEGASTO。
Ithinkso,butwhat’sthyname?
MOUSE。
Myname?Ihaveaveryprettyname;I’lltellyouwhatmynameis:mynameisMouse。
SEGASTO。
What,plainMouse?
MOUSE。
Aye,plainmousewithouteitherweltorguard。Butdoyouhear,sir,Iambutaveryyoungmouse,formytailisscarcegrownoutyet;lookyouhereelse。
SEGASTO。
But,Ipraythee,whogavetheethatname?
MOUSE。
Faith,sir,Iknownotthat,butifyouwouldfainknow,askmyfather’sgreathorse,forhehathbeenhalfayearlongerwithmyfatherthanIhave。
SEGASTO。
Thisseemstobeamerryfellow;
IcarenotifItakehimhomewithme。
Mirthisacomforttoatroubledmind,Amerrymanamerrymastermakes。
Howsaistthou,sirra,wiltthoudwellwithme?
MOUSE。
Nay,soft,sir,twowordstoabargain:prayyou,whatoccupationareyou?
SEGASTO。
Nooccupation,Iliveuponmylands。
MOUSE。
Yourlands!away,youarenomasterforme:why,doyouthinkthatIamsomad,togoseekmylivinginthelandsamongstthestones,briars,andbushes,andtearmyholydayapparel?notI,byyourleave。
SEGASTO。
Why,Idonotmeanthoushalt。
MOUSE。
Howthen?
SEGASTO。
Why,thoushaltbemyman,andwaituponmeatthecourt。
MOUSE。
What’sthat?
SEGASTO。
WheretheKinglies。
MOUSE。
What’sthatsameKing,amanorwoman?
SEGASTO。
Amanasthouart。
MOUSE。
AsIam?harkyou,sir;prayyou,whatkinishetogoodmankingofourparish,thechurchwarden?
SEGASTO。
Nokintohim;heistheKingofthewholeland。
MOUSE。
Kingoftheland!Ineverseehim。
SEGASTO。
Ifthouwiltdwellwithme,thoushaltseehimeveryday。
MOUSE。
ShallIgohomeagaintobetorninpieceswithbears?no,notI。Iwillgohome&putonacleanshirt,andthengodrownmyself。
SEGASTO。
Thoushaltnotneed;ifthouwiltdwellwithme,thoushaltwantnothing。
MOUSE。
ShallInot?thenhere’smyhand;I’lldwellwithyou。
Andharkyou,sir,nowyouhaveentertainedme,I
willtellyouwhatIcando:Icankeepmytonguefrompickingandstealing,andmyhandsfromlyingandslandering,Iwarrantyou,aswellaseveryouhadmaninallyourlife。
SEGASTO。
NowwillItocourtwithsorrowfulheart,roundedwithdoubts。
IfAmadinedolive,thenhappyI:
Yea,happyI,ifAmadinedolive。
[Exeunt。]
ACTII。SCENEI。TheCampoftheKingofArragon。
[EntertheKingwithayoungprinceprisoner,Amadine,Tremelio,withCollenandcounselors。]
KING。
Now,braveLords,ourwarsarebroughttoend,Ourfoestothefoil,andweinsafetyrest:
ItusbehoovestousesuchclemencyInpeaceasvalourinthewarItisasgreathonortobebountifulAthomeastobeconquerorsinthefield。
Therefore,myLords,themoretomycontent,Yourliking,andyourcountry’ssafeguard,WearedisposedinmarriagefortogiveOurdaughtertoLordSegastohere,Whoshallsucceedthediademafterme,AndreignhereafterasItoforehavedone,YoursoleandlawfulKingofArragon:
Whatsayyou,Lordings,likeyouofmyadvise?
COLLEN。
AndpleaseyourMajesty,wedonotonlyallowofyourhighnesspleasure,butalsovowfaithfullyinwhatwemaytofurtherit。
KING。
Thanks,goodmyLords,iflongAdrostuslive,Hewillatfullrequiteyourcourtesies。
Tremelio,Inrecompenseofthylatevalourdone,TakeuntotheetheCataloneaprince,Latelyourprisonertakeninthewars。
Bethouhiskeeper,hisransomshallbethine:
We’llthinkofitwhenleisureshallafford:
Meanwhile,dousehimwell;hisfatherisaKing。
TREMELIO。
ThankstoyourMajesty:hisusageshallbesuch,Ashethereatshallthinknocausetogrutce。
[ExeuntTremelioandPrince。]
KING。
Thenmarchweontocourt,andrestourweariedlimbs。
But,Collen,Ihaveataleinsecretkeptforthee:
Whenthoushalthearawatchwordfromthyking,ThinkthensomeweightymatterisathandThathighlyshallconcernourstate,Then,Collen,lookthoubenotfarfromme:
Andforthyservicethoutoforehastdone,Thytruethandvalourproudineverypoint,Ishallwithbountiestheeenlargetherefore:
Soguardustothecourt。
COLLEN。
Whatsomysovereigndothcommandmedo,WithwillingmindIgladlyyieldconsent。
[Exeunt。]
ACTII。SCENEII。Thesame。
[EnterSegasto,andtheClownwithweaponsabouthim。]
SEGASTO。
Tellme,sirra,howdoyoulikeyourweapons?
MOUSE。
Overywell,verywell,theykeepmysideswarm。
SEGASTO。
Theykeepthedogsfromyourshinsverywell,dotheynot?
MOUSE。
How,keepthedogsfrommyshins?Iwouldscornbutmyshinsshouldkeepthedogsfromthem。
SEGASTO。
Well,sirra,leavingidletalk,tellme:
DostthouknowcaptainTremelio’schamber?
MOUSE。
Aye,verywell;ithathadoor。
SEGASTO。
Ithinkso,forsohatheverychamber。
Butdoesthouknowtheman?
MOUSE。
Aye,forsooth,hehathanoseonhisface。
SEGASTO。
Whysohatheveryone。
MOUSE。
That’smorethanIknow。
SEGASTO。
Butdoestthourememberthecaptain,thatwasherewiththekingevennow,thatbroughttheyoungprinceprisoner?
MOUSE。
O,verywell。
SEGASTO。
Gountohimandbidhimcometome。TellhimIhaveamatterinsecrettoimparttohim。
MOUSE。
Iwill,master:——master,what’shisname?
SEGASTO。
Why,captainTremelio。
MOUSE。
O,themealman。Iknowhimverywell。HebringsmealeverySaturday。Butharkyou,master,mustIbidhimcometoyouormustyoucometohim?
SEGASTO。
No,sir,hemustcometome。
MOUSE。
Harkyou,master,howifhebenotathome?WhatshallIdothen?
SEGASTO。
Why,thenthouleavestwordwithsomeofhisfolks。
MOUSE。
Oh,master,iftherebenobodywithin,Iwillleavewordwithhisdog。
SEGASTO。
Why,canhisdogspeak?
MOUSE。
Icannottell;whereforedothhekeephischamberelse?
SEGASTO。
Tokeepoutsuchknavesasthouart。
MOUSE。
Nay,belady,thengoyourself。
SEGASTO。
Youwillgo,sir,willyenot?
MOUSE。
Yes,marry,willI。Otiscometomyhead:
Andabenotwithin,I’llbringhischambertoyou。
SEGASTO。
What,wiltthoupluckdowntheKing’shouse?
MOUSE。
Nay,belady,I’llknowthepriceofitfirst。Master,itissuchahardname,Ihaveforgottenitagain。I
prayyou,tellmehisname。
SEGASTO。
Itellthee,captainTremelio。
MOUSE。
Oh,captaintrebleknave,captaintrebleknave。
[EnterTremelio。]
TREMELIO。
Hownow,sirra,doostthoucallme?
MOUSE。
Youmustcometomymaster,captaintrebleknave。
TREMELIO。
MyLordSegasto,didyousendforme?
SEGASTO。
Idid,Tremelio。Sirra,aboutyourbusiness。
MOUSE。
Aye,marry:what’sthat,canyoutell?
SEGASTO。
No,notwell。
MOUSE。
Marry,then,Ican:straighttothekitchendresser,toJohnthecook,andgetmeagoodpieceofbeefandbrewis,andthentothebutteryhatchtoThomasthebutlerforajackofbeer,andthereforanhourI’llsobelabourmyself!therefore,Iprayyou,callmenottillyouthinkIhavedone,Iprayyou,goodmaster。
SEGASTO。
Well,sir,away。
[ExitMouse。]
Tremelio,thisitis:thouknowestthevalourofSegastospreadthroughallthekingdomofArragon,andsuchashathfoundtriumphandfavours,neverdauntedatanytime;butnowashepherdisadmiredatincourtforworthiness,andSegasto’shonourlaidaside。Mywill,therefore,isthis,thatthoudostfindsomemeanstoworktheshepherd’sdeath。Iknowthystrengthsufficienttoperformmydesire,&thylovenootherwisethantorevengemyinjuries。
TREMELIO。
ItisnotthefrownsofashepherdthatTremeliofears。
Therefore,accountitaccomplished,whatItakeinhand。
SEGASTO。
Thanks,goodTremelio,andassuretheyself,WhatIpromisethatwillIperform。
TREMELIO。
Thanks,mygoodLord,andingoodtimeseewhereHecometh:standbyawhile,andyoushallseeMeputinpractiseyourintendeddrifts。
Haveatthee,swain,ifthatIhittheeright。
[EnterMucedorus。]
MUCEDORUS。
Viledcoward,sowithoutcausetostrikeaman。
Turn,coward,turn;nowstrikeanddothyworst。
[Mucedoruskillethhim。]
SEGASTO。
Hold,shepherd,hold;sparehim,killhimnot!
Accursedvillain,tellme,whathastthoudone?
Ah,Tremelio,trustyTremelio!
Isorrowforthydeath,andsincethatthou,Living,didstprovefaithfultoSegasto,SoSegastonow,living,shallhonourThedeadcorpseofTremeliowithrevenge。
Bloodthirstyvillain,Bornandbredtomercilessmurther,Tellme,howdurstthoubesoboldatonceTolaythyhandsupontheleastofmine?
Assurethyself,Thoushaltbeusedaccordingtothelaw。
MUCEDORUS。
Segasto,cease,thesethreatsareneedless。
Accusenotmeofmurther,thathavedoneNothingbutinmineowndefence。
SEGASTO。
Nay,shepherd,reasonnotwithme。
I’llmanifestthyfactuntotheKing,Whosedoomwillbethydeath,asthoudeservest。
Whatho,Mouse,comeaway!
[EnterMouse。]
MOUSE。
Whyhownow,what’sthematter?
IthoughtyouwouldbecallingbeforeIhaddone。
SEGASTO。
Come,help;awaywithmyfriend。
MOUSE。
Why,ishedrunk?cannothestandonhisfeet?
SEGASTO。
No,heisnotdrunk,heisslain。
MOUSE。
Flaine?no,byLady,heisnotflaine。
SEGASTO。
He’skilled,Itellthee。
MOUSE。
What,doyouusetokillyourfriends?
Iwillserveyounolonger。
SEGASTO。
Itellthee,theshepherdkilledhim。
MOUSE。
O,didaso?but,master,IwillhaveallhisapparelifIcarryhimaway。
SEGASTO。
Why,sothoushalt。
MOUSE。
Come,then,Iwillhelp;mas,master,Ithinkhismothersongloobytohim,heissoheavy。
[ExeuntSegastoandMouse。}
MUCEDORUS。
Beholdtheficklestateofman,alwaysmutable,Neveratone。SometimeswefeedonfanciesWiththesweetofourdesires;sometimesagainWefeeltheheatofextrememisery。
NowamIinfavouraboutthecourtandcountry。
Tomorrowthosefavourswillturntofrowns:
TodayIliverevengedonmyfoe,TomorrowIdie,myfoerevengedonme。
[Exit。]
ACTII。SCENEIII。TheForest。
[EnterBremo,awildman。]
BREMO。
Nopassengersthismorning?what,notone?
Achancethatseldomdothbefall。
What,notone?thenliethouthere,AndrestthyselftillIhavefurtherneed,Now,Bremo,siththyleisuresoaffords——
Anendlessthing。WhoknowsnotBremo’sstrength,Wholikeakingcommandswithinthesewoods?
Thebear,theboar,daresnotabidemysight,Buthastesawaytosavethemselvesbyflight:
Thecrystalwatersinthebubblingbrooks,WhenIcomeby,dothswiftlyslideaway,Andclapsthemselvesinclosetsunderbanks,AfraidtolookboldBremointheface:
TheagedoaksatBremo’sbreathdobow,Andallthingselsearestillatmycommand。
ElsewhatwouldI?
Renttheminpiecesandpluckthemfromtheearth,AndeachwayelseIwouldrevengemyself。
WhywhocomesherewithwhomIdarenotfight?
Whofightswithme&dothnotdiethedeath?
Notone:Whatfavourshewsthissturdysticktothose,Thatherewithinthesewoodsarecombatantswithme?
Why,death,andnothingelsebutpresentdeath。
WithrestlessrageIwanderthroughthesewoods,NocreatureherebutfearethBremo’sforce,Man,woman,child,beastandbird,Andeverythingthatdothapproachmysight,AreforcedtofallifBremooncebutfrown。
Come,cudgel,come,mypartnerinmyspoils,ForhereIseethisdayitwillnotbe;
ButwhenitfallsthatIencounterany,Onepatsufficethfortoworkmywill。
What,comesnotone?thenlet’sbegone;
Atimewillservewhenweshallbetterspeed。
[Exit。]
ACTII。SCENEIV。Arragon。aRoomofStateintheCourt。
[EntertheKing,Segasto,theShepherd,andtheClown,withothers。]
KING。
Shepherd,thouhastheardthinaccusers;
Murtherislaidtothycharge。
Whatcanstthousay?thouhastdeserveddeath。
MUCEDORUS。
Dreadsovereign,Imustneedsconfess,Islewthiscaptaininmineowndefence,Notofanymalice,butbychance;
Butmineaccuserhathafurthermeaning。
SEGASTO。
Wordswillnothereprevail,Iseekforjustice,&justicecraveshisdeath。
KING。
Shepherd,thineownconfessionhathcondemnedthee。
Sirra,takehimaway,7dohimtoexecutionstraight。
MOUSE。
Soheshall,Iwarranthim;butdoyouhear,masterKing,heiskintoamonkey,hisneckisbiggerthanhishead。
SEGASTO。
Come,sirra,awaywithhim,andhanghimaboutthemiddle。
MOUSE。
Yes,forsooth,Iwarrantyou:comeon,sir。A,solikeasheepbiteralooks!
[EnterAmadineandaboywithabear’shead。]
AMADINE。
Dreadsovereignandwellbelovedsire,OnbendedkneesIcravethelifeofthisCondemnedshepherd,whichheretoforepreservedThelifeofthysometimedistresseddaughter。
KING。
Preservedthelifeofmysometimedistressdaughter?
Howcanthatbe?IneverknewthetimeWhereinthouwastdistressed;IneverknewthedayButthatIhavemaintainedthystate,Asbestbeseemedthedaughterofaking。
Ineversawtheshepherduntilnow。
Howcomesit,then,thathepreservedthylife?
AMADINE。
OncewalkingwithSegastointhewoods,Furtherthanouraccustomedmannerwas,Rightbeforeus,downasteepfallhill,AmonstrousuglybeardothhiehimfastTomeetusboth:nowwhetherthisbetrue,IreferittothecreditofSegasto。
SEGASTO。
Mosttrue,andlikeyourmajesty。
KING。
Howthen?
AMADINE。
Thebear,beingeagertoobtainhisprey,Madeforwardtouswithanopenmouth,Asifhemeanttoswallowusbothatonce;
Thesightwhereofdidmakeusbothtodread,ButspeciallyyourdaughterAmadine,Who,forIsawnosuccourincidentButinSegasto’svalour,Igrewdesperate,Andhemostcowardlikebegantofly——
Leftmedistressedtobedevouredofhim。
Howsayyou,Segasto,isitnottrue?
KING。
Hissilenceverifiesittobetrue。Whatthen?
AMADINE。
ThenIamazed,distressed,allalone,Didhiemefasttoscapethatuglybear,Butallinvain,for,why,hereachedafterme,AndhardlyIdidoftescapehispaws,Tillatthelengththisshepherdcame,Andbroughttomehishead。
Comehitherboy:lo,hereitis,WhichIpresentuntoyourmajesty。
KING。
Theslaughterofthisbeardeservesgreatfame。
SEGASTO。
Theslaughterofamandeservesgreatblame。
KING。
Indeedoccasionoftentimessofallsout。
SEGASTO。
Tremeliointhewars,OKing,preservedthee。
AMADINE。
Theshepherdinthewoods,oking,preservedme。
SEGASTO。
Tremeliofoughtwhenmanymendidyield。
AMADINE。
Sowouldtheshepherd,hadhebeeninfield。
MOUSE。
Sowouldmymaster,hadhenotrunaway。
SEGASTO。
Tremelio’sforcesavedthousandsfromthefoe。
AMADINE。
Theshepherd’sforcewouldhavesavedthousandsmore。
MOUSE。
Aye,shipsticks,nothingelse。
KING。
Segasto,ceasetoaccusetheshepherd,Hisworthinessdeservesarecompense,Allweareboundtodotheshepherdgood:
Shepherd,whereasitwasmysentence,thoushouldstdie,Soshallmysentencestand,forthoushaltdie。
SEGASTO。
Thankstoyourmajesty。
KING。
Butsoft,Segasto,notforthisoffence。——
Longmaistthoulive,andwhenthesistersshalldecreetocutintwainthetwistedthreadoflife,Thenlethimdie:forthisIsettheefree:
AndforthyvalourIwillhonourthee。
MUCEDORUS。
Thankstoyourmajesty。
KING。
Come,daughter,letusnowdepart,tohonourtheworthyvalouroftheshepherdwithourrewards。
[Exeunt。]
MOUSE。
Omaster,hearyou,youhavemadeafreshhandnowyouwouldbeslow,you;why,whatwillyoudonow?youhavelostmeagoodoccupationbythemeans。Faith,master,nowIcannothangtheshepherd,Iprayyou,letmetakethepainstohangyou:itisbuthalfanhour’sexercise。
SEGASTO。
Youarestillinyourknavery,butsithaIcannothavehislifeIwillprocurehisbanishmentforever。
Comeone,sirra。
MOUSE。
Yes,forsooth,Icome。——Laughathim,Iprayyou。
[Exeunt。]
ACTIII。SCENEI。GroveneartheCourt。
[EnterMucedorussolus。]
MUCEDORUS。
FromAmadineandfromherfather’scourt,Withgoldandsilverandwithrichrewards,Flowingfromthebanksofgoldentreasuries,——
MoremayIboastandsay:butI,Wasnevershepheardinsuchdignity。
[Enterthemessengerandtheclown。]
MESSENGER。
Allhail,worthyshepherd。
MOUSE。
Allreign,lowlyshepherd……
MUCEDORUS。
Welcome,myfriends;fromwhencecomeyou?
MESSENGER。
TheKingandAmadinegreetstheewell,andaftergreetingsdone,bidstheedepartthecourt:shepherd,begone。
MUCEDORUS。
Whosewordsarethese?camethesefromAmadine?
MESSENGER。
Aye,fromAmadine。
MOUSE。
Aye,fromAmadine。
MUCEDORUS。
Ah,lucklessfortune,worsethanPhaeton’stale,Myformerblissisnowbecomemybale。
MOUSE。
What,wiltthoupoisonthyself?
MUCEDORUS。
Myformerheavenisnowbecomemyhell。
MOUSE。
TheworsealehousethatIevercamein,inallmylife。
MUCEDORUS。
WhatshallIdo?
MOUSE。
Evengohangthyselfhalfanhour。
MUCEDORUS。
CanAmadinesochurlishlycommand,TobanishtheshepherdfromherFather’scourt?
MESSENGER。
Whatshouldshepherdsdointhecourt?
MOUSE。
Whatshouldshepherdsdoamongstus?havewenotLordsenoughonusinthecourt?
MUCEDORUS。
Why,shepherdsaremen,andkingsarenomore。
MESSENGER。
Shepherdsaremenandmastersovertheirflock。
MOUSE。
That’salie:whopaysthemtheirwagesthen?
MESSENGER。
Well,youarealwaysinterruptingofme,butyouarebestlooktohim,leastyouhangforhimwhenheisgone。
[Exit。]
[TheClownsings。]
MOUSE。
Andyoushallhangforcompany,Forleavingmealone。
Shepherd,standforthandhearthysentence:
Shepherd,begonewithinthreedaysinpainofMydispleasure:shepherd,begone;shepherd,begone;
begone,begone,begone,shepherd,shepherd,shepherd。
[Exit。]
MUCEDORUS。
AndmustIgo,andmustIneedsdepart?
Yegoodlygroves,partakersofmysongsIntimetoforewhenfortunedidnotfrown,Pourforthyourplaintsandwailawhilewithme;
Andthoubrightsun,mycomfortinthecold,Hide,hidethyfaceandleavemecomfortless;
Yewholesomeherbs,andsweetsmellingfavors,Yeeachthingelseprolonginglifeofman,Change,changeyourwontedcourse,thatI,Wantingyouraide,inwoefulsortmaydie。
[EnterAmadineandArianahermaid。]
AMADINE。
Ariana,ifanybodyaskforme,MakesomeexcusetillIreturn。
ARIANA。
WhatandSegastocall?
AMADINE。
Dothoutheliketohim;Imeannottostaylong。
[ExitAriana。]
MUCEDORUS。
Thisvoicesosweetmypiningspiritsrevives。
AMADINE。
Shepherd,wellmet;tellmehowthoudoest。
MUCEDORUS。
Ilingerlife,yetwishforspeedydeath。
AMADINE。
Shepherd,althoughthybanishmentalreadyBedecreed,andallagainstmywill,YetAmadine——
MUCEDORUS。
Ah,Amadine,tohearofbanishmentIsdeath,aye,doubledeathtome,ButsinceImustdepart,onethingIcrave。
AMADINE。
Sayonwithallmyheart。
MUCEDORUS。
Thatinabsence,eitherfarornear,Youhonorme,asservant,withyourname。
AMADINE。
Notso。
MUCEDORUS。
Andwhy?
AMADINE。
Ihonourthee,assovereign,withmyheart。
MUCEDORUS。
Ashepherdandasovereign?nothinglike。
AMADINE。
Yetlikeenoughwherethereisnodislike。
MUCEDORUS。
Yetgreatdislike,orelsenobanishment。
AMADINE。
Shepherd,itisonlySegastothatprocuresthybanishment。
MUCEDORUS。
Unworthywightsaremostinjealousy。
AMADINE。
WouldGodtheywouldfreetheefrombanishment,Orlikewisebanishme。
MUCEDORUS。
Amen,sayI,tohaveyourcompany。
AMADINE。
Well,shepherd,siththousufferestthisformysake,Withtheeinexilealsoletmelive——
Onthiscondition,shepherd,thoucanstlove。
MUCEDORUS。
Nolongerlove,nolongerletmelive!
AMADINE。
OflateIlovedoneindeed,nowloveInonebutonlythee。
MUCEDORUS。
Thanks,worthyprincess;Ibornelikewise,Yetsmotheruptheblast,IdarenotpromisewhatImayperform。
AMADINE。
Well,shepherd,harkwhatIshallsay:
IwillreturnuntomyFather’scourt,Therefortoprovidemeofsuchnecessaries,AsforourjourneyIshallthinkmostfit;
Thisbeingdone,iwillreturntothee。
Dothou,therefore,appointtheplacewherewemaymeet。
MUCEDORUS。
DowninthevalleywhereIslewthebear:
Andtheredothgrowafairbroadbranchedbeech,Thatovershadesawell;sowhocomesfirstLetthemabidethehappymeetingofusboth。
Howlikeyouthis?
AMADINE。
Ilikeitverywell。
MUCEDORUS。
Now,ifyouplease,youmayappointthetime。
AMADINE。
Fullthreehourshence,Godwilling,Iwillreturn。
MUCEDORUS。
ThethanksthatParisgavetheGrecianqueenThelikedothMucedorusyield。
AMADINE。
Then,Mucedorus,forthreehoursfarewell。
[Exit。]
MUCEDORUS。
Yourdeparture,lady,breedsaprivypain。
[Exit。]
ACTIII。SCENEII。TheCourt。
[EnterSegastosolus。]
SEGASTO。
Tiswell,Segasto,thatthouhastthywill;
Shouldsuchashepherd,suchasimpleswainAshe,eclipsethecreditfamousthroughThecourt?No,ply,Segasto,ply:
LetitnotinArragonbesaid,AshepherdhathSegasto’shonourwon。
[EnterMousetheclowncallinghismaster。]
MOUSE。
Whatho,master,willyoucomeaway?
SEGASTO。
Willyoucomehither?Iprayyou,what’sthematter?
MOUSE。
Why,isitnotpastelevenaclock?
SEGASTO。
Howthen,sir?
MOUSE。
Iprayyou,comeawaytodinner。