Cambises

A lamentable tragedy mixed ful of pleaſant mirth, conteyning the life of CAMBIſES king of PERCIA, from the beginning of his kingdome vnto his death, his one good deed of execution, after that many wicked deeds and tirannous murders, committed by and through him, and laſt of all, his odious death by Gods Iuſtice appointed. Doon in ſuch order as foloweth. By Thomas Preſton.

The diuiſion of the partes.

For one man.

Councel.

Huf.

Praxaſpes.

Murder.

Lob,

the 3. Lord.

For one man.

Lord.

Ruf,

Commons cry,

Cōmōs cōplaint

Lord ſmirdis.

Venus.

For one man.

Knight,

Snuf.

Small habilitie.

Proof.

Execution.

Attendance.

ſecond Lord,

For one man.

Cambiſes. 

Epilogus.

For one man.

Prologue.

Siſamnes.

Diligence.

Crueltie.

Hob.

Preparatiō

the 1. Lord.

For one man.

Ambidexter

Triall.

For one man.

Meretrix. 

ſhame.

Otian.

Mother.

Lady.

Queene.

For one man

Yung childe 

Cupid.

The Prologue Entreth.

Agathon he whoſe counsail wiſe, to princes wele extēded:

by good aduice vnto a Prince iij. things he hath cōmended

Firſt, is that he hath gouernment and ruleth ouer men:

ſecondly, to rule with lawes, eke Iuſtice (ſaith he) then.

Thirdly, that he muſt wel conceiue, he may not alwaies reign:

Lo, thus the rule vnto a Prince, Agathon ſquared plaine.

Tully the wiſe whoſe ſapience, in volumes great dooth tel:

Who in wiſdome, in that time did many men excel.

A Prince (ſaith he) is of him ſelf, a plain and ſpeaking law:

The law, a Schoole maiſter deuine, this by his rule I draw.

The ſage and witty ſeneca, his woords therto did frame:

The honeſt exerciſe of Kings, men wil inſue the ſame.

But contrary wiſe if that a King, abuſe his kingly ſeat:

His ignomy and bitter ſhame, in fine ſhalbe more great.

In Percia there reignd a king, who Cirus hight by name:

Who did deſerue as I doo read, the laſting blaſt of Fame.

But he, when ſiſters three had wrought, to ſhere his vitall thred:

As heire due to take the crown, Cambices did procéed.

He in his youth was trained vp, by trace of vertues lore:

Yet (béeing king) did clene forget, his perfect race before.

Then cleuing more vnto his wil ſuch vice did immitate:

As one of Icarus his kinde, for warning then did hate.

Thinking that none could him dismay, ne none his fact? could ſée

Yet at the laſt a fall he took, like Icarus to bée.

Els as the fiſh which oft had take, the pleasant bait from hook:

In ſafe did ſpring & pearce the ſtremes whē fiſher faſt did looke.

To hoiſt vp from the watry waues, vnto the dryed land:

Then ſcaept, at laſt by ſuttle baight, come to the fiſhers hand.

Ene ſo this king Cambices héer, when he had wrought his wil:

Taking delight the Innocent, his giltleſſe blood to ſpil.

Then mightie Ioue would not permit, to procé offence:

But what meaſure ye king did meat, ye ſame did Ioue cōmence.

To bring to end w^t ſhame his race, two yéeres he did not reign:

His crueltie we wil dilate, and make the matter plain.

Crauing that this may ſuffiſe now, your patience to win:

I take my way, beholde I ſee, the players comming in.

FINIS.

Firſt enter Cambiſes the King, Knight and Councellor.

Cambiſes.

MY Counſaile graue & ſapient with lords of legal train:

Attentiue eares towards bend & mark what ſhalbe ſain.

ſo you likewiſe my valiāt knight whoſe māly acts doth fly

By brute of fame ye ſounding trump dooth perſe ye azure ſky.

My ſapient woords I ſay perpend and ſo your ſkil delate:

You knowe that Mors vanquiſhed hath Cirus that king of ſtate

And I by due inheritance poſſeſſe that Princely crown:

Ruling by ſwoord of mightie force in place of great renown.

You knowe and often haue heard tel my fathers worthy facts.

A manly Marſis hart he bare appéering by his acts.

And what? ſhall I to ground let fall my fathers golden praiſe?

No, no, I meane for to attempt, this fame more large to raiſe,

In that that I his ſonne ſuccéed his kingly seat as due:

Extend your councel vnto me in that I aſke of you.

I am the king of Persia, a large and fertil ſoil:

The Egiptians againſt vs repunge, as verlets ſlaue and vile.

Therfore I meane w^t Marſis hart, with warres thē to frequent

Them to ſubdue as captiues mine this is my harts intent.

ſo ſhall I win honors delight, and praiſe of me ſhall go:

My Councel ſpeak, and Lordings eke, is it not beſt doo ſo?

Councel.

Oh puſant king, your blifful woords, deſerues abundant praiſe

That you in this doo go about, your fathers ſame to raiſe.

Oh blifful day that king ſo yung, ſuch profit ſhould conceiue:

His fathers praiſe & his to win, from thoſe that would deceiue.

ſure my true and ſouerain king, I fall before you preſt:

Anſwere to giue as duty mine, in that your grace requeſt.

If that your hart adicted be, the Egiptians to conuince:

Through Marſis and the cōqueſt wun, then déed of happy prince

ſhall pearce the ſkyes vnto the throne of the ſupernall ſeat:

And merit there a iuſt rewarde, of Iupiter the great.

But then your grace muſt not turn back, from this pretenced wil

For to procéed in vertuous life, imploy indeuour ſtil.

Extinguiſh vice, and in that cup, to drink haue no delight.

To martiall feats and kingly ſporte, fix all your whole delight.

King.

My Councel graue a thouſand thanks, with hart I doo you render

That you my caſe ſo proſperouſe, intierly doo tender.

I wil not ſwarue frō thoſe your ſteps, wherto you wold me traū

But now my Lord & valiāt knight, wt woords giue anſwer plain

Are you content with me to go, the Marſis games to try?

Lord,

Yea péerleſſe Prince to aid your grace, my ſelf wil liue and dye.

Knight.

And I for my habilitie, for feare wil not turn back:

But as the ſhip againſt the rocks, ſuſtain and bide the wrack.

King.

Oh willing harts, a thouſand thanks I render vnto you:

ſtrik vp your drummes wt courage great, we wil march foorth euen now.

Councel.

Permit (O king) few woords to héer, my duty ſerues no leſſe:

Therfore giue leaue to councel thine, his minde for to expreſſe.

King.

Speake on my Councel what it be, you ſhall haue ſauour mine

Councel.

Then wil I ſpeake vnto your grace, as duty dooth me binde.

Your grace dooth meane for to attempt of war the manly art:

Your grace therin may bap receiue with others for your parte.

The dent of death in thoſe affaires, all perſons are alike:

The hart couragious often times, his detryment dooth ſéek.

Its beſt therfore for to permit, a Ruler of your land:

To ſit and iudge with equitie, when things of right are ſcand.

King.

My grace dooth yéeld to this your talk, tobe thus now it ſhall:

My Knight therfore prepare your ſelf, Siſamnes for to call.

A Iudge he is of prudent ſkil, euen he ſhall beare the ſway:

In abſence mine, when from the land I doo departe my way.

knight.

Your Knight befor your grace euē héer, him ſelf hath redy preſt:

With willing hart for to fulfil as your grace made requeſt.

Exit.

Councel.

Pleaſeth your grace I iudge of him to be a man right fit:

For he is learned in the Law hauing the gift of wit.

In your graces preſinct, I doo not view for it a méeter man:

His learning is of good effect. bring proof therof I can.

I doo not knowe what is his life, his conſcience hid from me:

I dout not but the feare of God, before his eyes to be.

Lord.

Reporte declares, he is a man that to him ſelf is nye:

One that favoureth much the world, and to much ſets therby.

But this I ſay of certaintie, if he your grace ſucceed:

In your abſence but for a while, he wil be warnd indéed:

No iniuſtice for to frequent, no partiall Judge to prooue:

But rule all things with equitie, to win your graces looue.

King.

Of that he ſhall a warning haue, my heaſts for to obay:

Great puniſhment for his offence againſt him wil I lay.

Councel.

Beholde I ſée him now agreſſe and enter into place:

Siſamnes.

Oh puiſant Prince & mightie king, ye gods preſerue your grace.

Your graces meſſage came to me, your wil purporting foorth:

With grateful minde I it receiued, according to mine othe.

Erecting then myſelf with ſpéed, before your graces eyes:

The tenor of your Princely wil, from you for to agniſe.

King.

Siſamnes, this the whole effect, the which for you I ſent:

Our minde it is to eleuate, you to great preferment.

My grace and gratious coūcel eke hath choſe you for this cauſe:

In iudgment you doo office beare, which haue the ſkil in lawes,

We think that you accordingly, by Iuſtice rule wil deale:

that for offence none ſhall haue cauſe (of wrōg) you to appeale.

Siſamnes.

Abundant thanks vnto your grace for this benignitie:

To you his councel in like caſe, with Lords of clemency.

What ſo your grace to me permits, if I therin offend:

ſuch erecution then commence, and vſe it to this end.

That all other (by that my déed) example ſo may take:

To admoniſh them to flée the ſame, by fear it may them make.

King.

Then according to your woords, if you therin offend:

I aſſure you euen from my breſt, correction ſhall extend,

From Perſra I meane to go into the Egipt land:

Them to conuince by force of armes, and win the vpper hand.

While I therfore abſent ſhalbe, I doo you ful permit:

As gouernour in this my right, in that eſtate to ſit.

For to detect and eke correct, thoſe that abuſe my grace:

This is the totall of my wil, giue anſwere in this caſe.

Siſamnes.

Vnworthy much (O prince) am I, and for this gift vnfit:

But ſith that it hath pleaſd your grace, that I in it muſt ſit.

I doo auouch vnto my death, according to my ſkil:

With equitie for to obſerue, your graces minde and wil.

And nought from it to ſwarue indéed, but ſincerely to ſtay:

Els let me taſte the penaltie, as I before did ſay.

King,

Wel then of this authoritie, I giue you you ful poſſeſſion:

Siſamnes.

And I wil it fulfil alſo, as I haue made profeſſion.

King.

By councel, then let vs departe, a finall ſtay to make:

To Egit land now foorth with ſpéed, my voiage I wil take.

ſtrike vp your drūmes vs to reioyce, to hear the warlike ſound

ſtay you héer Siſamnes Iudge, and looke wel to your bound.

Exeunt King, Lord and Councel.

Siſamnes.

Euen now the King hath me extolde, and ſet me vp aloft.

Now may I were the brodered garde and lye in down bed ſoft.

Now may I purchaſe houſe and land, and haue all at my wil:

Now may I build a princely place, my minde for to fulfil.

Now may I abrogate the Law, as I ſhall think it good:

If any one me now offend, I may demaund his blood.

According to the Prouerb olde, my mouth I wil vp make:

Now it dooth lye all in my hand, to leaue or els to take.

To deale with Iuſtice to my bound, and ſo to liue in hope:

But oftētimes the birds be gone, while one for neſt dooth grope.

Doo wel or il, I dare auouch, ſome euil on me wil ſpeake:

No truely yet I doo not meane, the kings precepte to breake,

To place I meane for to return my duty to fulfil.

Exit.

Enter the Vice with an olde Capcaſe on his hed, an olde pail about his hips for harnes, a Scūmer & a potlid by his ſide & a rake on his ſhhulder.

Ambidexter.

Stand away, ſtand away for the paſſion of God,

Harneſſed I am prepared to the feeld:

I would haue been content at home to haue bod,

But I am ſent foorth with my ſpeare and ſhéeld.

I am appointed to fight againſt a Snail,

And Wilkin Wren the ancient ſhall beare:

I dout not but againſt him to preuail,

To be a man my déeds ſhall declare.

If I ouercome him, then a Butter flye takes his parte,

His weapon muſt be a blew ſpeckled Hen:

But you ſhall ſée me ouer throwe him with a fart,

So without conqueſt he ſhall go home again.

If I ouercame him, I muſt fight with a flye,

And a black pudding the flyes weapon muſt be:

At the firſt blowe on the ground he ſhall lye,

I wil be ſure to thruſt him through the mouth to the knée.

To conqueſt theſe fellowes the man I wil play,

Ha, ha, ha, now ye wil make me to ſmile:

To ſée if I can all men begile.

Ha, my name, my name would you ſo fain knowe?

Yea iwis ſhall ye, and that with all ſpeed:

I haue forgot it therfore I cannot ſhowe,

A, A, now I haue it, I haue it in déed.

My name is Ambidexter I ſignifie one,

That with bothe hands finely can play:

Now with king Cambices and by and by gone,

Thus doo I run this and that way,

For while I meane with a ſouldier to be,

Then giue I a leape to Siſamnes the Iudge:

I dare auouch, ye ſhall his deſtruction ſee,

To all kinde of eſtates I meane for to trudge.

Ambidexter, nay he is a fellow if ye knew all:

Seaſſe for a while, hereafter hear more ye ſhall.

Enter three Ruſſians, Huf, Ruf and Snuf ſinging.

Huf,

Gogs fleſh and his wounds theſe warres reioyce my hart:

By his wounds I hope to doo wel for my parte.

By Gods hart the world ſhall go euil if I doo not ſhift:

At ſome olde Carles bouget I meane for to lift.

Ruf.

By his Fleſh, noſe, Eyes and Eares,

I wil venter void of all cares.

He is not a ſouldier that dooth feare any dout:

If that he would bring his purpoſe about.

Snuf.

Feare that feare liſt, it ſhall not be I:

By Gogs wounds I wil make ſome neck ſtand awry.

If I loſe my ſhare, I ſweare by Gogs hart:

Then let an other take vp my parte.

Huf.

Yet I hope to come the richeſt ſouldier away:

Ruf.

If a man aſke ye, ye may hap to ſay nay.

Snuf.

If a man aſke ye, ye may hap to ſay nay.

Snuf.

Let all men get what they can, not to léeſe I hope:

Where ſoeuer I go in eche corner I wil grope.

Ambidexter.

What & ye run into the Corner of ſome prety maid?

Snuf.

To grope there good fellow I wil not be a fraid.

Huf.

Gogs wounds what art thou that with vs dooſt mel?

Thou ſéemeſt to be a ſouldier the trueth to tel,

Thou ſéemeſt to be harneſſed. I cannot tel how:

I think he came lately from riding ſome Cow.

Such a deformed ſlaue did I neuer ſee:

Ruf dooſt thou knowe him? I pray thée tel mée.

Ruf.

No by my troth fellow Huf I neuer ſée him before.

Snuf.

As for me I care not if I neuer ſée him more.

Come let vs run his Arſe againſt the poſte:

A ye: ſlaues, I wil be with you at the ofts.

Heer let him ſwinge thē ahout.

A ye knaues, I wil teach ye how ye ſhal me deride,

Out of my ſight I can ye not abide.

Now goodman pouchmouth I am a ſlaue with you:

Now haue at ye a freſh again euen now.

Mine Arſſe againſt the poſte you wil run:

But I wil make ye from that ſaying to turn.

Huf.

I beſéech ye hartely to be content:

Ruf.

I inſure you by mine honeſty no hurt we ment.

Beſide that again we doo not knowe what ye are:

Ye knowe that ſouldiers their ſtoutnes wil declare,

Therfore if we haue any thing offended:

Pardon our rudenes and it ſhalbe amended.

Ambidexter.

Yea Gods pitie, begin ye to intreate me?

Haue at ye once again by the maſſe I wil beat ye.

Huf. fight again

Gogs hart let vs kil him, ſuffer no longer:

Snuf. Draw their ſwords.

Thou ſlaue we wil ſée if thou be the ſtrongar.

Ruf.

Strike of his hed at one blowe:

That we be ſouldiers, Gogs hart let him knowe.

Ambidexter.

O the paſſion of God, I haue doon by mine honeſty:

I wil take your parte héeraſter verily.

All.

Then content let vs agree:

Ambidexter.

Shake hands with me, I ſhake hands with thée.

Ye are ful of curteſye, that is the beſt:

And you take great pain, ye are a mannerly geſt.

Why maiſters doo you not knowe me? the trueth to me tel:

All.

No truſt vs, not very wel.

Ambidexter.

Why I am Ambidexter who many ſouldiers doo loue

Huf.

Gogs hart to haue thy cōpany néeds we muſt prooue.

We muſt play with bothe hands with our hoſtes & hoſt

Play with bothe hands and ſcore on the poſte.

Now and then with our Captain for many a delay?

We wil not ſtick with bothe hands to play.

Ambidexter.

The honeſter man ye, ye may me truſt.

Enter Meretrix with a ſtaf on her ſhoulder.

Meretrix.

What? is there no lads heer that hath a luſt:

To haue a paſſing Trul to help at their néed?

Huf,

Gogs hart ſhe is come indéed.

What miſtres Meretrix by his woūds welcome to me:

Meretrix.

What wil ye giue me I pray you let me ſée?

Ruf.

By his hart ſhe lookes for gifts by and by.

Meretrix.

What maiſter Ruf, I cry you mercy.

The laſt time I was with you I got a broken hed.

And lay in the ſtréet all night for want of a bed.

Snuf.

Gogs wounds kiſſe me my Trul ſo white:

In thee I ſweare is all my delight.

If thou ſhouldeſt haue had a broken bed for my ſake:

I would haue made his hed to ake.

Meretrix.

What maiſter Ambidexter, who looked for you?

Ambidexter.

Miſtres Meretrix I thought not to ſee you héer now.

There is no remedy at meeting I muſt haue a kiſſe:

Meretrix,

What man? I wil not ſtick for that by giſſe.

Kiſſe

Ambidexter,

So now gramercy, I pray thée be gone:

Meretrix.

Nay ſoft my fréend I meane to haue one.

Nay ſoft I ſwere, and if ye were my brother:

Before I let go I wil haue an other.

kiſſe, kiſſe, kiſſe.

Ruf.

Gogs hart the whore would not kiſſe me yet:

Meretrix.

If I be a whore. thou art a knaue then it is quit.

Huf,

But hearſt thou Meretrix, with who this night wilt ye lyee

Meretrix.

With him that giueth the moſte monye.

Huf.

Gogs hart, I haue no money in purſſe, ne yet in clout:

Meretrix.

Then get thée hence and pack like a Lout.

Huf.

Adieu like a Whore.

Ezit Huf,

Meretrix.

Farwel like a knaue.

Ruf.

Gogs Nailes, Miſtres Meretrix now he is gone:

A match ye ſhall make ſtraight with me:

I wil giue thee ſixpence to lye one night with thée.

Meretrix.

Gogs hart ſlaue dooſt thou think I am a ſix peny Iug:

No wis ye Iack I look a little more smug.

Snuf.

I wil giue her xviij. pnce to ſerue me firſt:

Meretrix

Gramercy Snuf, thou art not the wurſt.

Ruf.

By Gogs hart ſhe were better be hanged, to forſake me and take this

Snuf.

Were ſhe ſo? that ſhall we ſée.

Ruf,

By Gogs hart my Dagger into her I wil thruſt.

Snuf.

A ye boy, ye would doo it and ye durſt.

Ambidexter,

Peace my maiſters ye ſhall not fight:

He that drawes firſt I wil him ſmite.

Ruf.

Gogs wounds Maiſter Snuf are ye ſo luſty?

Snuf.

Gogs ſides maiſter Ruf are ye ſo cruſty?

Ruf.

You may happen to ſée:

Snuf,

Doo what thou dareſt to me.

Heere draw and fight. Heere ſhe muſt lay on and coyle them bothe, the Vice muſt run his way for feare, ſnuf fling down his ſwoord and buckler, and run his vvay.

Meretrix.

Gogs ſides knaues, ſéeing to fight ye be ſo rough

Defend your ſelues for I wil giue ye bothe inough.

I wil teach ye how ye ſhall fall out for me:

Yea thou ſlaue Snuf, no more blowes wilt thou bide?

To take thy héeles a time haſte thou ſpied?

Thou Villain ſéeing Snuf is gone away:

A little better I meane thée to pay.

He falleth down, ſhe falleth vpon him and beat him and taketh away his weapon,

Ruf.

Alas good miſtres Meretrix no more:

My legs, ſides, and armes with beating be ſore.

Meretrix.

Thou a ſouldier and looſe thy weapon?

Go hence Sir boy. ſay a woman hath thée beaten.

Ruf.

Good Miſtres Meretrix my weapon let me haue:

Take pitie on me mine honeſtie to ſaue.

If it be knowen this repulle I ſuſtain:

It wil redound to my ignomy and ſhame.

Meretrix.

If thou will be my man and wait vpon mée:

This ſwoord and Buckler I wil giue thee.

Ruf.

I wil doo all at your commaundement:

As ſeruant to you I wil be obedient

Meretrix.

Then let me ſée how before me ye can go:

When I ſpeake to you ye ſhall doo ſo.

Of with your cap at place and at boord:

Forſooth miſtres Meretrix at euery woord.

Tut, tut, in the Camp ſuch ſouldiers there be:

One good woman would beat a way two or thrée.

Wel I am ſure Cuſtomers tary at home:

Manerly before and let vs be gone.

Exeunt. Enter Ambidex.

Ambidexter.

O the paſſion of God, be they héer ſtil or no?

I durſt not abide to ſée her heat them ſo.

I may ſay to you I was in ſuch a flight:

Body of me I ſée the heare of my hed ſtand vpright.

When I ſaw her ſo hard vpon them lay on:

O ye paſſiō of God thought I, ſhe wil be with me anon

I made no more a doo but auoided the thruſt:

And to my legges began for to truſt.

And fel a laughing to my ſelf when I was once gone:

It is wiſdome (quoth I) by the maſſe to ſaue one.

Then into this place I intended to trudge:

Thinking to meet Siſamnes the Iudge.

Beholde where he commeth I wil him méet:

And like a gentleman I meane him to greet.

Enter Siſamnes.

Siſamnes.

Since that the Kings graces maieſtie in office did me ſet:

What abundance of welth to me might I get.

Now & thē ſōe vantage I atchiue, much more yet may I take:

But that I fear vnto the king, that ſome, complaint wil make

Ambidexter.

Ieſu maiſter Siſamnes you are vnwiſe.

Siſamnes.

Why ſo? I pray ye let me agnise.

What maiſter Ambidexter, is it you?

Now welcome to me I make God avow.

Ambidexter.

Ieſu maiſter Siſamnes with me you are wel acquainted:

By me rulers may be trimly painted.

Ye are vnwiſe if ye take not time while ye may:

If ye wil not now when ye would ye ſhall haue nay.

What is he that of you dare make exclamation:

Of your wrong dealing to make explication?

Can you not play with bothe hands and turn with the winde?

Siſamnes.

Beléeue me your woords draw déep in my minde.

In colloure wiſe vnto this day to bribes I haue inclyned:

More the ſame for to frequent of trueth I am now minded.

Beholde euen now vnto me Suters doo procéed.

Small habilitie.

I beſéech you héer good maiſter iudge, a poor mans cauſe to téder

Condemne me not in wrōgful wiſe, that neuer was offender.

You knowe right wel my right it is, I haue not for to giue:

You take away from me my due, that ſhould my corps reléeue.

The Commons of you doo complain, from them you deuocate:

with anguiſh great & greeuo{us} words, their harts doo penetrate.

The right you ſel vnto the wrong, your priuate gain to win:

You violate the simple man, and count it for no sin:

Siſamnes,

Holde thy tung thou pratling knaue, and giue to me reward

Els in this wiſe I tel thée trueth, thy tale wil not be heard.

Ambidexter, let vs go hence, and let the knaue alone.

Ambidexter

Farwel Small habilitis for help now get ye none.

Bribes hath corrupt him, good Lawes to pollute:

Exeunt.

Small habillitie.

A naughtie man that wil not obay the Kings conſtitute.

with heuy hart I wil return til Ged redreſſe my pain.

Exit. Enter shame with a trump black.

Shame.

From among ye grisly goſts I come, from tirants teſty train.

Vnſéemly ſhame of ſooth I am procured to make plain,

The odious facts & ſhameleſſe dée vs yt Cambiſes king dooth vſe.

All pietie and vertuouſe life, he dooth it clene refuſe.

Lechery and drunkennes, he dooth it much frequent:

The Tigers kinde to immitate, he hath giuen ful conſent.

He nought eſtéemes his councel graue, ne vertuous briging vp

But dayly ſtil receiues the drink, of damned vices cup.

He can bide no inſtruction, he takes ſo great delight:

In working of iniquitie, for to frequent his ſpight.

As Fame dooth ſound ye royall trump of worthy men and frim:

So ſhāe dooth blowe we ſtrained blaſt, ye trump of ſhame on him.

Exit.
¶ Enter the king, Lord, Praxaſpes, and Siſamnes.

King.

My Iudge ſince my departure hence, haue you vſed Iudgemēt right?

If faithful ſtuard I ye finde, the ſame I wil requite.

Siſamnes.

No dout your grace ſhall not once hear, that I haue doon a miſ.

Praxaſpes.

I much reioyce to heare, ſo good newes as this.

Enter cōmons cry running in ſpeak this verse, go out again haſtely.

Cōmons cry.

Alas, alas, how are ye Cōmons oppreſſed,

By that vile Iudge Siſamnes by name?

I doo not knowe how it ſhould be redreſſed.

To amend his life no whit he dooth frame.

We are vndoon and thrown out of doore,

His damnable dealing dooth vs ſo torment:

At his hand we can finde no reléef nor ſuccoure,

God graunt him grace for to repent.

Run away crying

king.

What doleful cryes be theſe my lord, yt ſound doo in mine eare?

Intelligence if you can giut, vnto your king declare.

To me it ſéemeth my Commons all, they doo lament & cry:

Out of Siſamnes Iudge moſte chéef, euen now ſtanding vs by.

Praxaſpes.

Euen ſo (O king) it ſéemd to me, as you reherſall made:

I dout the Iudge culpable be, in ſome reſpect or trade.

Siſamnes,

Redouted king haue no miſtruſt, no whit your minde dismay:

There is not one that can me charge or ought againſt me lay

Enter Commons complaint with Proof & Triall.

Commons complaint.

Commons complaint I repreſent, with thrall of dolful ſtate:

By vrgent cauſe erected foorth, my gréef for to dilate.

Vnto the king I wil prepare, my miſery to tell

To haue reléef of this my gréef, and fettered feet ſo fel.

Redouted Prince & mightie King, my ſelf I proſtrate héer

Vouchſafe (O King) with me to beare, for this that I appéer.

With humble ſute I pardon craue, of **** moſte royall grace

To giue me leaue my minde to breke, before you in this place

King.

Commons cōplaint kéep nothing back, foar not thy tale to tel

What ere he be within this land, that hath not vſed thee wel.

As Princes mouth ſhall ſentence giue, he ſhall receiue ye ſame

Vnfolde the secrets of thy breſt, for I extinguiſh blame.

Commons complaint.

God preſerue your royall grace, and ſend you bliſful dayes:

That all your déeds might ſtil accord, to giue the God ye praiſe.

My complaint is (O mightie king) againſt that Iudge you by:

Whoſe careles déeds, gain to receiue, hath made ye cōmons cry

He, by taking bribes and gifts, the poore he dooth oppreſſe:

Taking rebeef from Infants yung, widowes and fatherleſſe.

King.

Vntruſtful traitor & corrupt Iudge, how likeſt yu this cōplaint

Forewarning I to thée did giue, of this to make reſtraint.

And haſt thou doon this diueliſh dée, mine ire for to augment?

I ſentence giue, thou Iudas iudge, thou ſhalt thy déed repent.

Siſamnes.

O puſant Prince it is not ſo, his complaint I deny:

Commons complaint.

If it be not ſo (moſte mightie King) in place then let me dye

Beholde that I haue brought wine, bothe Proof & Tryall true

To ſtand euen heer and ſentence giue, what by him did insue.

Proof.

I Proof doo him in this appeal, he did the Commons wrong:

Vniuſtly he will them hath delt, his gréedy was ſo ſtrong.

His hart did couet in to get, be cared not which way:

The poor did léeſe their due and right, becauſe they want to pay

Vnto him for bribes indéed, this was his wunted vſe:

wheras you grace good lawes did make, he did ye ſame abuſe.

Tryall.

I Tryall héerto verify, what Proof dooth now vnfolde:

To ſtand againſt him in his wrong, as now I dare be bolde.

king.

How likeſt ye this, thou caitiue vile, canſt thou the ſame deny?

Siſamnes.

O noble king forgiue my fact, I yéeld to thy mercy.

king.

Complaints and Proof, redreſſe wil I, all this your miſery:

Departe wt ſpeed from whence you came, & ſtraight cōmaūd by me

The Executiō man to come, before my grace with haſte.

All.

For to fulfil this your requeſt, no time we meane to waſte.

Exeunt they three.

king.

My Lord, before my grace go call, Otian this Iudges ſonne:

And he ſhall heare and alſo ſée: what his father hath doon.

The Father he ſhall suffer death, the ſonne his roume ſuccéed

And if that he no better prooue, ſo likewiſe ſhall he ſpéed.

Praxaſpes.

As your grace hath cōmaundment giuen, I meane for to fulfil:

ſtep aſide & fetch him.

King.

Accurſed Judge couldſt thou conſent, to doo this curſed il?

According vnto thy dentaund, thou ſhalt for this thy gilt:

Receiue thy death before mine eyes, thy blood it ſhalbe ſpilt.

Praxaſpes.

Beholde (O King) Siſamnes ſonne, before you dooth appéere.

king.

Otian this is my minde, therfore to me come néer.

Thy father heer for Iudgmēt wrong procured hath his death:

And thou his ſonne ſhalt him ſuccéed, whē he hath loſt his breth

And if that thou dooſt once offend, as thou ſéeſt thy father haue:

In likewiſe thou ſhalt suffer death, no mercy ſhall thée ſaue.

Otian.

O mightie King, vouchſafe your grace, my father to remit:

Forgiue his fault, his pardon I doo aſke of your as yet.

Alas although my father hath your Princely hart offended:

Amends for miſſe he wil now make▪ & faults ſhalbe amended.

In ſted of his requeſted life, pleaſeth your grace take mine:

This offer I as tender Childe, ſo duty dooth me binde.

king.

Doo not intreat my grace no more, for he ſhall dye the death,

Where is the Execution man, him to bercaue of breath.

Enter Execution.

Execution.

At hand and if it like your grace, my duty to diſpatch:

In hope that I when déed is doon, a good rewarde ſhall catch.

King.

Diſpatch wc ſwoord this Iudges life, extinguiſh fear and cares:

So doon, draw thou his curſed ſkin, ſtrait ouer bothe his eares.

I wil ſée the office doon, and that before mine eyes.

Execution.

To doo the thing my king commaunds, I giue the enterprise.

Siſamnes.

Otian my ſonne the king to death (by law hath me condemned

And you in roume and office mine, his graces wil hath placed.

Vſe Iuſtice therfore in this caſe, and yéeld vnto no wrong:

Leſt thou doo purchaſe the like death, or euer it be long.

Otian.

O father déer, theſe words to hear, that you muſt dye by force

Bedewes my chéeks wc ſtilled teares, ye King hath no remorce.

the gréeud{us} gréef{is} & ſtrained ſighes, my hart doth breke in twain

And I deplore moſte woful childe, that I ſhould ſée you ſlain.

O falſe and fickle frowning Danie, that turneth as the winde:

Is this the ioy in fathers age, thou me aſſigneſt to finde?

O dole ful day, vnhappy houre, that loouing childe ſhould ſée:

His Father déer before his face, thus put to death ſhould bée.

Yet Father giue me bleſſing thine, and let me once imbrace:

Thy comely corps in foulded armes, & kiſſe thy ancient face.

Siſamnes,

O childe thou makes mine eyes to run, as riuers doo by ſtreme:

My leaue I take of thee my ſonne beware of this my beame.

king.

Diſpatch euen now thou man of death, no longer ſéeme to ſtay:

Execution.

Come M. Siſamnes, came on your way, my office I muſt pay.

Forgiue therfore my déed.

Siſamnes.

I doo forgiue it thée my fréend, diſpatch therfore with ſpéed.

ſmite him in the neck with a ſwoord to ſignify his death

Praxaſpes.

Beholde (O king) how he dooth bléed, béeing of life bereft:

King.

In this wiſe, he ſhall not yet be left.

Pul his ſkin ouer his eares, to make his death more vile:

A wretch he was, a cruel théef my commons to begile.

Flea him with a false skin.

Otian.

What childe is he of natures mould, could bide the ſame to ſée

His Father fleaed in this wiſe? Oh how it gréeueth me.

King.

Otian, thou ſéeſt thy father dead, and thou art in his roume:

if thou béeſt proud as be hath béen, euen therto ſhalt thou come.

Otian.

O King, to me this is a glaſſe, with gréef in it I view:

Example that vnto your grace, I doo not prooue vntrue.

Praxaſpes.

Otian, conuay your Father hence, to Tomb where be ſhall lye

Otian.

And if it pleaſe your Lordſhip, if ſhallbe doon by and by.

Good Execution man for néed, help me with him away:

Execution.

I will fulfil, as you to me did ſay.

They take him away.

King.

My Lord now that my grace hath ſéen, that finiſht is this déed,

To queſtion mine giue tentiue eare, & anſwere make wc ſpeed.

Haue not I doon a gratious déed, to redreſſe my commons wo?

Praxaſpes.

Yea truely if it pleaſe your grace, ye haue indéed doon ſo.

But now (O King) in fréendly wiſe, I councel you in this:

Certain vices for to leaue, that in you placed is.

The vise of drunkennes (Oh king) which dooth you ſore infect:

With other great abuſes, which I wiſh you to detect.

King.

Peace my Lord, what néedeth this? of this I wil not hear,

To Pallaice now I wil return, and there to make good chéer.

God Baccus he beſtowes his gift{is}, we haue good ſtore of wine:

And alſo that the Ladyes be, both paſſing braue and fine.

But ſtay, I ſée a Lord now come, and eke a valiant knight:

What newes my Lord? to ſée you héer my hart it dooth delight

¶ Enter Lord, and Knight to meet the King.

Lord.

Nonewes (O king) but of duty come, to wait vpon your grace:

King.

I thank you my Lord & loouing knight, I pray ye with me trace

My Lords and Knight I pray ye tel, I wil not be offended:

Am I worthy of any crime once to be reprehended?

Praxaſpes.

The Persians much praiſe your grace, but one thing diſcōmēd:

In that to Wine ſubiect you be, wherin you doo offend.

ſith that the might of wines effect, dooth oft ſubdue your brain

My councel is to pleaſe their harts, from it you would refrain.

Lord.

No, no, my Lord, it is not ſo, for this of Prince they tel:

For vertuous proof and Princely facts, Cirus he dooth excel.

By that his grace by conqueſt great, the Egiptians did cōuince

Of him reporte abrode dooth paſſe, tobe a worthy Prince.

knight.

In perſō of Cresus I anſwer make, we may not his grace com∣pare

in whole reſpect for to be like, Cirus the kings father.

In ſo much your grace hath yet no childe, as Cirus left behinde

Euen you I meane, Cambiſes king, in whome I fauour finde.

King,

Cresus ſaid wel in ſaying ſo, but Praxaſpes tel me why:

That to my mouth in ſuch a ſort, thou ſhould auouch a lye.

Of drunkennes me thus to charge, but thou with ſpéed ſhalt ſée

Whether that I a ſober King, or els a drunkard bée.

I knowe thou haſte a bliſful babe, wherin thou dooſt delight:

Me to reuenge of theſe thy woords, I wil go wreke this ſpight.

When I the moſte haue taſted wine, my Bowe it ſhalbe bent

At hart of him euen then to ſhoot, is now my whole intent.

And if that I his hart can hit, the King no drunkard is:

It hart of his I doo not kil, I yéeld to thée in this.

Therfore Praxaſpes fetch to me, thy yungeſt ſonne with ſpéed:

There is no way I tel thee plain, but I wil doo this déed.

Praxaſpes.

Redouted Prince ſpare my ſweet Childe, he is mine only ioy:

I truſt your grace to Infants hart, no ſuch thing wil imploy.

If that his mother hear of this, ſhe is ſo nigh her flight:

In clay her corps wil ſoon be ſhrinde, to paſſe frō worlds delight

King.

No more adoo, go fetch me him, it ſhalbe as I ſay:

And if that I doo ſpeak the woord, how dare ye once ſay nay?

Praxaſpes

I wil go fetch him to your grace, but ſo I truſt it ſhall not be:

king.

For feare of my diſpleaſure great, go fetch him vnto me.

Is he gone? now by the Gods I wil doo as I ſay:

My Lord therfore fil me ſome wine, I hartely you pray.

For I muſt drink to make my brain ſomwhat intoxicate:

When that the wine is in my hed, oh trimly I can prate.

Lord.

Héere is the cup with filled wine, therof to take repaſte:

King.

Giue it me to drink it of, and ſée no wine be waſte. Drink

Once again in large this Cup, for I muſt taſte it ſtil: Drink

By the Gods I think of pleasant wine, I cannot take my fil.

Now drink is in giue me my bowe, and arrowes frō ſir Knight

At hart of Childe I meane to ſhoot, hoping to cleue it right.

knight.

Beholde (O King) wher he dooth come, his infant yung in hand

Praxaſpes.

O mightie King your grace beheſt, with ſorow I haue ſcand.

And brought my Childe fro mothers knée, before you to appeer:

And ſhe therof no whit dooth knowe that he in place is héer.

king.

Set him vp my mark to be, I wil ſhoot at his hart:

Praxaſpes.

I beſéech your grace not ſo to doo, ſet this pretence a parte.

Farewel my déer and loouing babe, come kiſſe thy father déer:

A gréeuous ſight to me it is, to ſée thée ſlain euen héer.

Is this the gain now from the King for giuing councel good:

Before my face with ſuch deſpight, to ſpil my ſonnes hart blood?

O heuy day to me this is, and mother in like caſe.

Yung childe

O Father, Father, wipe your face.

I ſée the teares run from your eye:

My mother is at home ſowing of a band:

Alas déer father, why doo you cry?

King,

Before me as mark now let him ſtand, I wil ſhoot at him my minde to fulfil

Yung childe.

Alas, alas, Father wil you me kil?

Good maſter king doo not ſhoot at me, my mother looues me beſt of all

ſhoot

king

I haue diſpatched him, down he dooth fall,

As right as a line his hart I haue hit:

Nay thou ſhalt ſée Praxaſpes, ſtraunger newes yet.

My Knight with ſpéed his hart cut out, and giue it vnto me.

knight.

It ſhalbe doon (O mightie king) with all ſeleritie.

Lord.

My Lord Praxaſpes, this had not béen, but your tung muſt be walking

To the King of correction, you muſt néeds be talking.

Praxaſpes

No correction (my Lord) but councel for the beſt:

knight.

Héere is the hart, according to your graces beheſt.

king.

Beholde Praxaſpes thy ſonnes owne hart, Oh how wel ye ſame was hit

After this wine to doo this déed, I thought it very fit.

Eſtéeme thou maiſt right wel therby, no drūkard is the king:

That in the midſt of all his cups, could doo this valiant thing.

My Lord and knight on me attend, to Pallaice we wil go:

And leaue him héer to take his ſonne, whē we are gone him fro.

All.

With all our harts we giue conſent, to wait vpon your grace:

Praxaſpes

A woful man (O Lord) am I, to ſee him in this caſe.

My dayes I déem desires their end, this déed wil help me hēce:

To haue the bloſſoms of my féeld, deſtroyd by violence.

Enter Mother

Mother.

Alas, Alas I doo heare tel, the King hath kild my ſonne:

If it be ſo, wo worth the déed, that euer it was doon.

It is euen ſo, my Lord I ſee, how by him he dooth wéep

What ment I yt from hands of him, this childe I did not kéep?

Alas husband and Lord, what did you meane,

to fetch this Child away?

Praxaſpes.

O Lady wife I little thought for to háue ſéen this day.

Mother.

O bliſful babe, O ioy of womb, harts comfort and delight:

For Councel giuen vnto the King, is this thy iuſt requite?

O heuy day and doleful time, theſe mourning tunes to make

With blubred eyes into mine armes, frō earth I wil thee take.

And wrap thée in mine apron white, but oh my heuy hart:

The ſpightful pangs yt it ſuſtains, wold make it in two to part.

The death of this my ſonne to ſée, O heuy mother now?

That from thy ſwéet and ſugred ioy, to ſorow ſo ſhouldſt bow,

What gréef in womb did I retain, before I did thée ſée?

Yet at ye laſt when smart was gone, what ioy wert thou to mée

How tender was I of thy food, for to preſerue thy ſtate?

How ſtilled I thy tender hart, at times earely and late?

With veluet Pap{is} I gaue thée ſuck with iſſue from my breſt:

And daunced thée, vpon my knee, to bring thée vnto reſt.

Is this the ioy of thée I reap (O king) of Tigers brood?

Oh tigers whelp hadſt thou ye hart, to ſée this childes hart blood?

Nature inforſeth me alas, in this wiſe to deplore:

To wring my hāds O wele away, that I ſhould ſée this houre.

Thy mother yet wil kiſſe thy lips, ſilk ſoft and pleasant white:

With wringing hands, lamenting for to ſée thee in this plight.

My Lording deer let vs go home, our mourning to augment:

Praxaſpes.

My Lady déer with heuy hart, to it I doo conſent.

Betwéen vs bothe ye childe to bere vnto our lordly place, Exeūt

Enter Ambidexter.

Ambidexter.

In déed as ye ſay I haue béen abſent a long ſpace.

But is not my Coſin Cutpurse, wc you in ye mene time?

To it, to it Coſin and doo your office fine.

How like you Siſamnes for vſing of me?

He plaid with bothe hands, but he ſped il fauouredly.

The King him ſelf was godly vp trained:

He profeſſed vertue, but I think it was fained.

He playes with bothe hands good déeds and il:

But it was no good déed, Praxaſpes ſonne for to kil.

As he for the good déed, on the Iudge was commended:

For all his déeds els he is reprehended.

The moſte euil diſpoſed perſon, that euer was:

All the ſtate of his life he would not let paſſe.

Some good déeds he wil doo, though they be but few:

The like things this tirant Cambices dooth ſhew.

No goodnes from him, to none is exhibited:

But ſtil malediction, abrode is diſtributed.

And yet ye ſhall ſée in the reſt of his race:

What infamy he wil woork againſt his owne grace.

Whist, no more woords héer comes the kings brother.

Enter Lord Smirdis with Attendance & Diligence.

Smirdis.

The Kings brother by birth am I, iſſued from Cirus loynes:

A gréef to me it is to hear, of this the kings repines.

I like not wel of thoſe his déeds, that he dooth ſtil frequent:

I wiſh to God that other waies, his minde he could content.

Yung I am and next to him, no mo of vs there be:

I would be glad a quiet Realme in this his reign to ſée.

Attendance.

My Lord your good awilling hart, the Gods wil recompence:

In that your made ſo pensife is, for thoſe his great offence.

My Lord, his grace ſhall haue a time to pair and to amend:

Happy is he that can escape, and not his grace offend.

Diligence.

If that wicked vice he could refrain, from waſting wine forbere

A moderate life he would frequent, amending this his ſquare.

Ambidexter.

My Lord, and if your honor it ſhall pleaſe:

I can informe you what is beſt for your eaſe.

Let him alone of his déeds doo not talke:

Then by his ſide: ye may quietly walke.

After his death you ſhalbe King:

Then may you reforme eche kinde of thing.

In the meane time liue quietly, doo not with him deale:

So ſhall it redownd much to your weale.

Smirdis.

Thou ſaiſt true my fréend, that is the beſt:

I knowe not whether he looue me, or doo me deteſt.

Attendance.

Leane from his company, all that you may:

I faithful Attendance wil your honor obay.

If againſt your honor he take any ire:

His grace is as like, to kindle his fire.

To your honors deſtruction, as otherwiſe:

Diligence.

Therfore my Lord take good aduise.

And I Diligence, your caſe wil ſo tender:

That to his grace your honor ſhalbe none offender.

Smirdis.

I thank you bothe intire fréends, with my honor ſtil remain:

Ambidexter.

Beholde where the King dooth come with his train.

Enter king & 1. Lord

King.

O Lording déer and brother mine, I ioy your ſtate to ſée:

Surmiſing much what is the cauſe, you abſent thus from mée.

Smirdis.

Pleaſeth your grace no abſence I, but redy to fulfil:

At all asſayes my Prince and king, in that your grace me wil.

What I can doo in true defence, to you my Prince aright:

In redynes I alwaies am, to offer foorth my might.

king.

And I the like to you again doo héer auouch the ſame:

All.

For this your good agréement héer, now praiſed be Gods name.

Ambidexter.

But hear ye noble Prince, hark in you eare.

It is beſt to doo as I did declare.

king.

My Lord and brother Smirdis now, this is my minde and wil:

That you to Court of mine return, and there to tary ſtil.

Til my return within ſhort ſpace, your honor for to gréet:

Smirdis.

At your beheſt ſo wil I doo, til time again wée méet.

My leaue I take from you (O King) euen now I doo departe.

Exeūt Smirdis, attendance & diligence.

King.

Farwel Lord and Brother mine, farwel with all my hart.

My Lord, my brother Smirdis is, of youth and manly might:

And in his ſwéet and pleasant face, my hart dooth take delight.

Lord.

Yea noble Prince if that your grace, before his honor dye:

He wil ſucceed a vertuous King, and rule with equitie.

King.

As you haue ſaid my Lord, he is chéef heire next my grace:

And if I dye to morrow next he ſhall ſuccéed my place.

Ambidexter.

And if it pleaſe your grace (O king) I herd him ſay:

For your death vnto the God, day and night he did pray.

He would liue ſo vertuously, and get him ſuch a praiſe:

That Fame by trump his due deſerts, his honor ſhould vp raiſe.

He ſaid your grace deſerued had, the curſing of all men:

That ye ſhould neuer after him, get any praiſe agen.

King.

Did he ſpeake thus of my grace, in ſuch diſpightful wiſe?

Or els dooſt thou presume to fil my princely eares with lyes?

Lord

I connot think it in my hart, that he would report ſo,

King.

How ſayst thou? ſpeake the trueth, was it ſoor no?

Ambidexter

I think ſo if it pleaſe your grace, but I cannot tel:

King.

Thou plaist with bothe hands, now I perceiue wel:

But for to put all doutes aſide, and to make him léeſe his hope:

He ſhall dye by dent of ſwoord, or els by choking Rope.

Shall he ſuccéed when I am gone, to haue more praiſe then I?

Were he Father as brother mine, I ſwere that he ſhall dye.

To pallaice mine I wil therfore, his death for to pursue.

Exit.

Ambidexter.

Are ye gone? ſtraight way I wil followe you.

How like ye now my maiſters? dooth not this géer cotton?

The prouerb olde is verified, ſoon ripe and ſoon rotten.

He will not be quiet, til his Brother be kild:

His delight is wholly to haue his blood ſpild.

Mary Sir I tolde him a notable lye:

If it were to doo again man, I durſt doo it I.

Mary when I had doon, to it I durſt not ſtand:

Therby you may perceiue I vſe to play with eche hand.

But how now Coſin Cutpurſſe with whome play you?

Take héed for his hand is groping euen now.

Coſin take héed, if ye doo secretly grope:

If ye be taken Coſin, ye muſt looke through a rope.

Exit.

Enter Lord Smirdis alone

Smirdis.

I am wandring alone héer and there to walke,

The Court is ſo vnquiet, in it I take no ioy:

Solitary to my ſelf now I may talke,

If I could rule I wiſt what to ſay.

Enter Crueltie and Murder with bloody hands.

Crueltie.

My coequall partner Murder, come away.

From me, long thou maiſt not ſtay.

Murder.

Yes from thée I may ſtay, but not thou from me:

Therfore I haue a prerogatiue abooue thée.

Crueltie.

But in this caſe we muſt togither abide:

Come, come, Lord Smirdis I haue ſpide.

Lay hands on him with all feſtination:

That on him we may woork our indignation.

Smirdis.

How now my freends? what haue you to doo with me?

Murder.

King Cambiſes hath ſent vs vnto thée.

Commaunding vs ſtraightly, with out mercy or fauour:

Upon thée to beſtow our behauiour.

With Crueltie to murder you, and make you away.

ſtrike him in diuers places.

Smirdis.

Yet pardon me I hartely you pray:

Conſider the King is a tirant tirannious:

And all his dooings be damnable and parnitious.

Fauour me therfore, I did him neuer offend:

A little bladder of Vineger prikt.

Crueltie.

No fauour at all, your life is at an end.

Euen now I ſtrike his body to wound:

Beholde now his blood ſprings out on the ground,

Murder.

Now he is dead, let vs preſent him to the King:

Crueltie.

Lay to your hand, away him to bring.

Exeunt.

Enter Ambidexter.

Ambidexter.

O the paſſion of God, yunder is a heuy Court:

Some wéeps, ſome wailes, and ſome make great ſport.

Lord Smirdis, by Crueltie and Murder is ſlain:

But Ieſus for want of him, how ſome doo complain.

If I ſhould haue had a thousand pound, I could not forbeare wéeping

Now Ieſus haue his bleſſed ſoule in kéeping.

Ah, good Lord, to think on him, how it dooth me gréeue:

I can not forbeare wéeping, ye may me beléeue. VVeep,

O my hart, how my pulses doo beat:

With ſorowful lamentations, I am in ſuch a heat.

Ah my hart, how for him it dooth ſorow:

Nay I haue doon in faith now, and God giue you good morow.

Ha, ha, wéep nay laugh, with both hands to play:

The king througe his crueltie, hath made him away,

But hath not he wrought, a moſte wicked déed:

Becauſe king after him he ſhould not procéed.

His owne naturall brother and hauing no more:

To procure his death by violence ſore.

In ſpight becauſe his brother ſhould neuer be King:

His hart béeing wicked conſented to this thing.

Now he hath no more Brothers nor kinred aliue:

If the King vſe this géer ſtil, he cannot long thriue.

Enter Hob and Lob.

Hob,

Gods hat Naibor come away, its time to market to go

Lob.

Gods Vaſt Naybor zay ye zo?

The Clock hath ſtriken viue ich think by laken:

Bum Vay vrom ſléep cham not very wel waken.

But Naybor Hoh, Naybor Hob, what haue ye to zel?

Hob

Bum troth Naybor Lob to you I chil tel.

Chaue twoo Goslings, and a Chine of good Porke:

There is no vatter betwéen this and Yorke.

Chaue a pot of ſtrawberyes and a Calues hed:

A zennight zince to morrow it hath béen dead.

Lob.

Chaue a score of Egges, and of Butter a pound:

Yeſterday a neſt of goodly yung Rabits I bound.

Chaue vorty things mo, of more and of leſſe:

My brain is not very good them to expreſſe.

But Gods Hat Naybor, wotſt what?

Hob.

No not wel Naybor. whats that?

Lob.

Bum vay Naybor, maiſter king is a zhrode lad

Zo God help me and holidam, I think the vool he mad.

Zome zay he deale cruelly his Brother he did kil:

And alſo a goodly yung lads hart blood, he did ſpil,

Hob.

Vorbod of God naibor, has he plaied zuch a voliſh déed?

Ambidexter.

Goodman Hob and goodman Lob, God be your ſpéed.

As you twoo towards market doo walke:

Of the Kings crueltie I did hear you talke.

I inſure you, he is a King moſte vile and parnitious:

His dooings and life are odious and vicious.

Lob.

It were a good déed zome body would breke his hed:

Hob.

Bum vay Naybor Lob. I chouſd he were dead.

Ambidexter.

So would I Lob and Hob with all my hart:

Now with bothe hands, wil ye ſée me play my parte?

A ye Whorſon traitorly Knaues:

Hob and Lob out vpon you ſlaues.

Lob.

And thou calst me knaue thou art an other:

My name is Lob and Hob my next Naybor.

Ambidexter.

Hob and Lob, a ye cuntry Patches:

A ye fooles ye haue made wrong matches.

Ye haue ſpoken treaſon againſt the kings grace:

For it I wil accuſe ye before his face.

Then for the ſame ye ſhalbe martered:

At the leaſt ye ſhall be hangd, drawn and quartered:

Hob.

O gentleman ye ſhall haue two Peare pyes and tel not of me.

Lob.

By God a vat Gooſe chil giue thée.

I think no hurt by my Vathers ſoule I zweare:

Hob.

Chaue liued wel all my life time my naybors among:

And now chould be lothe to come to zuch wrong.

To be hanged and quartered the gréef would be great:

Lob.

A foule euil on thée Hob, who bid thée on it treat?

Vor it was thou that firſt did him name.

Hob.

Thou lyeſt like a varlet, and thou zaist the ſame,

It was zuch a vooliſh Lob as thou:

Lob.

Speake many woords and by cods nailes I vow:

Vpon thy pate my staffe I wil lay.

Ambidexter.

By the Maſſe I wil cauſe them to make a fray.

Yea Lob thou ſayeſt true, all came through him.

Lob.

Bum vay thou Hob. a little would make me ye trim.

Giue thée a zawp on thy noſe til thy hart ake:

Hob.

If thou dareſt doo it, els man cry creke.

I truſt before thou hurt me:

With my staffe chil make a Lob of thée.

Heer let them fight with their ſlaues, not come neer an other by three or foure yardes, the Vice ſet thē on as hard as he can one of their wiues come out and all to beat the Vice, he run avvay. Enter Marian may be good, Hobs wife running in with a Broome and parte them.

Marian.

O the body of me husband Hob, what meane you to fight:

For the paſſion of God, no more blowes smite.

Neighbours and fréends ſo long, and now to fall out:

What? in your age to ſeeme ſo stout?

If I had not parted ye, one had kild another:

Lob.

I had not cared I ſwere by Gods mother.

Marian,

Shake hands again at the requeſt of me:

As ye haue béen fréends, ſo fréends ſtil be.

Hob.

Bum troth cham content, and zaist woord neigbor Lob:

Lob.

I am content agréed neighbor Hob.

Shake hands and laugh hartely one at an other.

Marian.

So, get you to market, no longer ſtay.

And with yonder knaue let me make a fray.

Hob.

Content wife Marian, chil doo as thou dooſt ſay:

But buſſe me ich pray thée at going away.

Exeūt Hob. Lob.

Marian.

Thou whorſon knaue & prickeard boy, why didſt yu let them fight?

If one had kild another héer, couldſt thou their deaths requite?

It beares a ſigne by this thy déed, a cowardly knaue thou art:

Els wouldſt thou draw ye weapon thine, like a man them to parte

Ambidexter,

What Marian may be good, are you come pratling?

Ye may hap get a box on the eare, with your talking.

If they had kilde one another, I had not cared a peaſe:

Heer let her swinge him in her brome, ſhe gets him down, & he her down, thus one on the top of an other make paſtime

Marian.

A villain, my ſelf on thée I muſt eaſe.

Giue me a box on the eare? that wil I try:

Who ſhalbe Maiſter thou ſhalt ſee by and by.

Ambidexter.

O no more, no more I beſeech you hartely:

Euen now I yéeld, and giue you the maiſtery.

Run his way out while ſhe is down,

Marian

A thou knaue, dooſt thou throw̄ me down and run thy way?

If he were heer again, oh how I would him pay.

I wil after him, and if I can him méet:

With theſe my nailes, his face I wil gréet.

Enter Venus leading out her ſone Cupid blinde, he muſt haue a bowe and two ſhafts, one hedded with golde and th'other hedded with lead.

Venus.

Come foorth my ſonne, vnto my woords attentiue eares reſigne

What I pretend ſée you frequent, to force this game of mine.

The King a kinſwoman hath, adornd with beautie ſtore:

And I wiſh that Dianas gifts, they twain ſhall kéep no more.

But vſe my ſiluer ſugred game, their ioyes for to augment:

When I doo ſpeake to wound his hart, Cupid my ſonne conſet.

And ſhoot at him the ſhaft of looue, that beares the hed of Golde:

To wound his hart in loouers wiſe, his gréef for to vnfolde.

Though kin ſhe be vnto his grace, that nature me expel:

Againſt the course therof he may, in my game pleaſe me wel.

Wherfore my ſonne doo not forget, foorthwith pursue the déed:

Cupid.

Mother I meane for to obay, as you haue whole decréed.

But you muſt tel me mother deer, when I ſhall arrow draw:

Els your requeſt to be attaind, wil not be worth a ſtraw.

I am blinde and cannot ſee, but ſtil doo ſhoot by geſſe:

The Poets wel in places ſtore, of my might doo expreſſe.

Venus.

Cupid my ſonne whē time ſhall ſerue, ye thou ſhalt doo this déed,

Then warning I to thee wil giue, but ſée thou ſhoot, with ſpeed.

Lord Lady, waiting maid.

Lord.

Lady déer to King a kin, foorthwith let vs procéed:

To trace abrode the beauty féelds, as erst we had decréed.

The blowing buds whoſe ſauery ſents our ſence wil much

The ſwéet ſmel of muſk white roſe, to pleſe ye appetite.

The chirpig birds whoſe plesant tunes, therin ſhall hear record delight

That our great ioy we ſhall it finde, in féeld to walke a brode.

On Lute and Cittern there to play a heauenly hermony:

Our eares ſhall heare, hart to content, our ſports to beautie.

Lady.

Vnto your woords moſte comely Lord, my ſelf submit doo I:

To trace with you in féeld ſo green, I meane not to deny.

Maid heer trace vp & down playing

And I your waiting maid at hand, with diligence wil be:

For to fulfil wt hart and hand, when you ſhall commaund me.

Enter king. Lord & knight.

King.

Come on my Lord and knight abrode, our mirth let vs imploy

Since he is dead this hart of mine, in corps I féel it ioy.

Should brother mine haue reigned King, when I had yéelded breth

A thousand brothers I rather had, to put them all to death.

But oh, beholde where I doo ſée, a Lord and Lady fair:

For beauty ſhe moſte worthy is, to ſit in Princes chaire.

Venus.

Shoot forth my ſōne now is the time, ye thou muſt woūd his hart

Cupid

Content you Mother I wil doo my parte.

Shoot there and go out Venus and Cupid.

King.

Of trueth my Lord in eye of mine, all Ladyes ſhe dooth excel:

Can none reporte what dame ſhe is, and to my grace it tel?

Lord.

Redouted Prince pleaſeth your grace, to you ſhée is a kin:

Coſin Iarmin nigh of birth, by mothers ſide come in.

knight.

And that her waiting maiden is attending her vpon:

He is a Lord of Princes Court, and wil be there anon.

They ſport them ſelues in pleasant féeld, to former vſed vſe:

King.

My Lord & knight of trueth I ſpeake, my hart it cannot chuſe.

But with my Lady I muſt ſpeake and ſo expreſſe my minde:

My Lord and Ladyes walking there, if you wil fauour finde.

Preſent your ſelues vnto my grace, & by my ſide come ſtand:

firſt Lord.

We wil fulfil moſte mightie king, as your grace doth cōmaūd.

King.

Lady déer intelligence, my grace hath got of late:

You iſſued out of mothers ſtock, and kin vnto my ſtate.

According to rule of birth you are, Coſin iarmin mine:

Yet doo I wiſh that farther of, this kinred I could finde.

For Cupid he that eyeleſſe boy, my hart hath ſo inflamed:

With beauty you me to content, the like cannot be named.

For ſince I entred in this place and on you fixt mine eyes:

Moſte burning fits about my hart in ample wiſe did rise.

The heat of thē ſuch force dooth yéeld, my corps they ſcorch alas:

And burnes ye ſame with waſting heat, as Titan dooth the graſſe

And ſith this heat is kindled ſo, and freſh in hart of me:

There is no way but of the ſame, the quencher you muſt be.

My meaning is yt beauty yours, my hart with looue dooth woūd:

To giue me looue, minde to content my hart hath you out found.

And you are ſhée muſt be my wife, els ſhall I end my dayes:

Conſent to this and be my Quéen, to were ye crown with praiſe.

Lady.

If it pleaſe your grace (O mightie king) you ſhall not this re∣queſt

It is a thing that natures course, dooth vtterly deteſt.

And high it would the God diſpleaſe, of all that is the wurſt:

To graunt your grace to marry ſo, it is not I that durſt.

Yet humble thanks I render now vnto you mightie King:

That you vouchſafe to great eſtate, ſo gladly would me bring.

Were it not it were offence, I would it not deny:

But ſuch great honor to atchiue, my hart I would apply.

Therfore (O king) with humble hart, in this I pardon craue:

Mine anſwere is in this requeſt: your minde ye may not haue.

King.

May I not? nay then I wil by all the Gods I vow:

And I wil mary thée as wife, this is mine anſwere now:

Who dare ſay nay what I pretēd, who dare the ſame wtſtand?

Shall loſe his hed and haue reporte, as traitor through my lād.

There is no nay I wil you haue, and you my Quéen ſhalbe:

Lady.

Then mightie King I craue your grace, to hear ye words of me

Your councel take of Lordings wit, the lawes aright peruſe:

If I with ſafe may graunt this déed, I wil it not refuſe.

King.

No, no, what I haue ſaid to you. I meane to haue it ſo:

For counſel theirs I meane not I, in this reſpect to go.

But to my Pallaice let vs go, the mariage to prepare:

For to auoid my wil in this, I can it not forbeare.

Lady.

O God forgiue me if I doo amiſſe:

The king by compultion, inforſeth me this.

Maid

Vnto the Gods for your eſtate, I wil not ceaſe to pray:

That you may be a happy Quéen. and ſée moſte ioyful day.

King.

Come on my Lords with gladſome harts, let vs reioice wt glée:

Your Muſick ſhowe to ioy this déed, at the requeſt of me.

Bothe.

For to obey your graces woords our honours doo agrée.

Exeūt.
Enter Ambidexter.

Ambidexter.

O the Paſſion of me, mary as ye ſay, yonder is a royal court

There is triumphing and ſport vpon ſporte.

Such loyall Lords, with ſuch Lordly exercise:

Frequenting ſuch paſtime as they can deuise.

Running at tilt, Iuſting, with running at the King:

Maſking and mumming, with eche kinde of thing,

Such dauncing, ſuch ſinging, with musicall hermony:

Beleeue me I was lothe to abſent their company.

But wil you beleue? Ieſu what haſte they made til they were maried?

Not for a Miliō of poūds one day longer they would haue taried

Oh there was a banquet royall and ſuperexelent:

Thousands, and thousands at that banquit was ſpent.

I muſe of nothing but how they can be maried ſo ſoon:

I care not if I be maried before to morow at noone.

If mariage be a thing that ſo may be had:

How ſay you maid? to mary me wil ye be glad?

Out of dout I beléeue it is ſome excellent treaſure:

Els to the ſame belongs abundant pleaſure.

Yet with mine eares I haue heard ſome ſay:

That euer I was maried, now curſed be the day.

Thoſe be they, that with curſe wiues be matched:

That husband for hankes meat, of thē is vp ſnatched.

Hed broke with a bedſtaf, face all to be ſcratched.

Knaue ſlaue and villain, a coild cote now and than:

Whē the wife hath giuē it, ſhe wil ſay alas good man.

Such were better vnmaried my maiſters I trowe:

Then all their life after to be matched with a ſhrowe.

Enter Preparation.

Preparation.

With ſpéed I am ſent all things to prepare:

My meſſage to doo as the king did declare.

His grace dooth meane a banquit to make:

Meaning in this place repaſte for to take.

Wel the cloth ſhalbe laid and all things in redynes:

To court to return when doon is my buſines.

Ambidexter.

A proper man and alſo a fit.

For the Kings eſtate to prepare a banquit.

Preparation.

What Ambidexter? thou art not vnknowen:

A wiſchéef on all good faces, ſo that I curſe not mine owne.

Now in the knaues name ſhake hands with me.

Ambidexter.

Wel ſaid goodman pouchmouth your reuerence I ſée.

I will teach ye, if your manners no better be.

A yée ſlaue, the king dooth me a gentleman alow:

Therfore I look, that to me ye ſhall how.

Fight

Preparation.

Good Maiſter Ambidexter, pardon my behauiour:

For this your déeds, ye are a knaue for your labour.

Ambidexter.

Why ye ſtale counterly vaillain, nothing but Knaue?

Fight

Preparation.

I am ſory your maiſterſhip offended I haue.

Shake hands that betwéen vs agréement may bée:

I was ouer ſhot with my ſelf, I doo ſee.

Let me haue your help, this furniture to prouide:

The King from this place wil not long abide.

Ambidexter.

Set the frute on the bord

Content, it is the thing that I would wiſh:

I my ſelf wil go fetch on Diſh.

¶ Let the Vice fet a diſh of nuts and let them fall in the bringing of them in.

Preparation.

Clenly maiſter Ambidexter, for fair on the ground they lye:

Ambidexter.

I will haue them vp again by and by.

Preparation.

To ſée all in redynes I wil put you in truſt:

There is no nay to the Court néeds I muſt.

Exit Prepartion

Ambidexter.

Haue ye no dout but all ſhalbe wel:

Mary Sir as you ſay, this geer dooth excel.

All things is in a redynes, when they come hether:

The kings grace and the Quéen bothe togither.

I beſéech ye my maiſters tel me is it not beſt:

That I be ſo bolde to bid a geſt?

He is as honeſt a man as euer ſpurd Cow:

My Coſin cutpurſe I meane, I beſéech ye iudge you:

Beléeue me Coſin if to be the Kings geſt, ye could be taken:

I truſt that offer would not be forſaken.

But Coſin becauſe to that office ye are not like to cōe:

Frequent your exerſiſes, a horne on your Thumb.

A quick eye, a ſharp knife, at hand a receiuer:

But then take héed Coſin ye be a clenly conuayour.

Content your ſelf Coſin, for this banquit you are vnfit:

When ſuch as I at the ſame am not worthy to ſit.

Enter

King.

My Quéen and Lords to take repaſt, let vs attempt the ſame

Héer is the place delay no time, but to our purpoſe frame.

description

Queene.

With willing harts your whole beheſt, we minde for to obay:

All

And we the reſt of Princes train, wil doo as you doo ſay.

king ſit at the banquit.

Me think mine eares dooth wiſh the ſoūd, of muſicks hermony:

Héer for to play before my grace, in place I would them ſpy:

Ambidexter.

Play at the banquet

They be at hand Sir with ſtick and fidle:

They can play a new daunce called hey didle didle.

King.

By Quéen parpend what I pronounce I wil not violate:

But one thing which my hart makes glad. I minde to explicate

You knowe in Court by trained is, a Lyon very yung:

Of on litter two whelps beſide, as yet not very ſtrong.

I did requeſt one whelp to ſee, and this yung Lion fight:

But Lion did the whelp conuince, by ſtrength of force a might.

His brother welp perceiuing that the Lion was to good:

And he by force was like to ſée, the other whelp his blood.

With force to Lyon he did run, his brother for to help:

A wunder great it was to ſée that fréendſhip in a whelp.

So then the the whelpes betwéen them both ye Lion did cōuince

Which thing to ſee before mine eyes, did glad yt hart of Prince.

¶ At this tale tolde let the Queene vveep.

Queene.

Theſe woords to hear makes ſtilling teares, iſſue from Christal eyes

king.

What dooſt thou meane my ſpouſe to wéep, for loſſe of any priſe

Queene.

No, no (O King) but as you ſee, fréendſhip in brothers whelp:

When one was like to haue repulse, the other yéelded help.

And was this fauour ſhowd in dogs to ſhame of royall king:

Alack I wiſh theſe eares of mine, had not once heard this thing

Euen ſo ſhould you (O mightie King) to brother béen a ſtay:

And not without offence to you, in ſuch wiſe him to slay.

In all aſſayes it was your parte, his cauſe to haue defended:

And who ſo euer had him miſuſed, to haue them reprehended.

But faithful looue was more in Dog, then it was in your grace:

king.

O curſed caitiue vicious vile, I hate thée in this place.

This banquit it is an end, take all theſe things away:

Before my face thou ſhalt repent, the woords that thou dooſt ſay

O wretch moſte vile, didſt yu the cauſe of brother mine ſo tēder:

The loſſe of him ſhould gréeue thy hart, he beeing none offender

It did me good his death to haue, ſo wil it to haue thine:

What freendſhip he had at my hands, ye ſame euen yt ſhalt finde

I giue conſent and make a vow, that thou ſhalt dye the death:

By Cruels ſwoord & Murder fel, euen thou ſhalt dye the breth.

Ambidexter, ſee with ſpéed, to Crueltie ye go:

Cauſe him hether to approch, Murder with him alſo.

Ambidexter.

I redy am for to fulfil, if that it be your graces wil.

king.

Then nought oblight my meſſage giuen, abſent thy ſelf away:

Ambidexter.

Then in this place, I wil no longer ſtay:

If that I durſt, I would mourne your caſe:

But alas, I dare not for feare of his grace.

Exit Ambidexter.

king.

Thou curſed Iil, by all the Gods, I take an othe and ſwete:

that fleſh of thine theſe hāds of mine, in péeces small could tere.

But thou ſhalt dye by dent of ſwoord, there is no fréend ne fee:

Shall finde remorce at Princes hand, to ſaue the life of thee.

Queene.

Oh mightle King & husband mine, vouchſafe to héer me ſpeke:

And licence giue to ſpouſe of thine, her patient minde to breke.

For tender looue vnto your grace, my woords I did ſo frame:

For pure looue dooth hart of king, me violate and blame.

And to your grace is this offence, that I ſhould purchaſe death:

Then curſed time that I was Quéen, to ſhorten this my breth.

Your grace doth know by mariage true, I am your wife & ſpouſe

And one to ſaue āothers helth (at troth plight) made our vowes

Therfore O king let loouing Quéen, at thy hand finde remorſe

Let pi**e be a meane to quench, that cruel raging force.

And pardon plight from princes mouth, yéeld grace vnto your queen:

That amitie wt faithful zeal, may euer be vs betwéen.

king.

A caitiue vile to pitie thée, my hart it is not bent:

Ne yet to pardon your offence, it is not mine intent.

firſt Lord.

Our mightie prince wt humbe sute of your grace this I craue:

That this requeſt it may take place, your fauour for to haue.

Let mercy yet abundantly the life of Queen preſerue:

Sith ſhée in moſte obedient wiſe, your graces wil dooth ſerue.

As yet your grace but while with her, hath had cohabitation:

And ſure this is no deſert why, to yeeld her indiguation.

Therfore (O King) her life prolong, to ioy her dayes in bliſſe:

ſecond Lord.

Your grace ſhall win immortall fame, in graunting vnto this.

She is a Queene whoſe goodly hue, excelles the royall Roſe:

For beautie bright dame nature ſhe, a large gift did dipoſe.

For comelynes who may compare? of all ſhe beares the bet:

This ſhould giue cauſe to mooue your grace, to looue her very wel.

Her ſiluer breſt in thoſe your armes, to ſing the ſongs of looue:

Fine quallities moſte excellent to be in her you prooue.

A preciouſe pearle of prise to Prince, a Iewel paſſing all:

Therfore (O king to beg remorce on bothe my knées I fall.

To graunt her grace to haue her life, with hart I doo desire:

King.

You villaines twain, with raging force, ye ſet my hart on fire.

If I conſent that ſhe ſhall dye, how dare ye craue her life?

You two to aſke this at my hand, dooth much inlarge my ſtrife.

Were it not for ſhame you two ſhould dye, that for her life doo sue

But fauour mine from you is gone, my Lords Itel you true.

I ſent for Crueltie of late, if he would come away:

I would commit her to his hands, his cruel parte to play.

Euen now I ſee where he dooth come, it dooth my hart delight:

¶ Enter Crueltie and Murder.

Crueltie,

Come Murder, come, let vs go foorth with might.

Once again the Kings commaundement we muſt fulfil

Murder.

I am contented to doo it with a good wil.

king.

Murder and Crueltie, for bothe of you I ſent:

With all feſtination, your offices to frequent.

Lay holde on the Quéen, take her to your power:

And make her away with in this houre.

Spare for no feare I doo you ful permit:

So I from this place, doo meane for to flit.

Bothe.

With couragious harts (O King) we will obey:

King.

Then come my Lords let vs departe away.

Bothe the Lords.

With heuy harts we wil doo all, your grace dooth ſay,

Exeunt king, & Lords.

Crueltie.

Come Lady and Quéen now are you in our haudling:

In faith with you we wil vſe no dandling.

Murder.

With all expedition, I Murder wil take place:

Though thou be a Quéene, ye be vnder my grace.

Queene.

With patience I wil you bothe obey:

Crueltie.

No more woords but go with vs away.

Queene.

Yet before I dye ſome Pſalme to God let me ſing:

Bothe.

We be content to permit you that thing.

Queene.

Farwel you Ladyes of the Court, with all your maſking hew:

I doo forſake theſe brodered gardes, and all the facions new.

The Court and all the courtly train, wherin I had delight:

I baniſhed am from happy ſporte and all by ſpightful ſpight.

Yet with a ioyful hart to God a Psalme I meane to ſing:

Forgiuing all & the king, of eche kinde of thing.

ſing & Exeūt. Enter Ambidexter weping

Ambidexter.

A, A, A. A, I cannot chuſe but wéep for the Quéene:

Nothing but mourning now at the Court there is ſéen.

Oh, oh, my hart, my hart, Oh my bum wil break:

Very gréef ſo torments me that scarce I can ſpeake.

Who could but wéep for the loſſe of ſuch a Lady?

That can not I doo, I ſweare by mine honeſty.

But Lord ſo the Ladyes mourn crying a lack:

Nothing is worne now but onely black.

I beleeue all cloth in walling ſtreet, to make gownes would not ſerue

If I make a lye, the Deuil let ye sterue.

All Ladyes mourne bothe yung and olde:

There is not one that weareth a points worth of Gold

There is a ſorte for feare, for the King doo pray:

That would haue him dead, by the maſſe I dare ſay.

What a King was he that hath vſed ſuch tiranny?

He was a kin to Biſhop Bonner, I think verely,

For bothe their delights was to ſhed blood:

But neuer intended to doo any good.

Cambiſes put a Iudge to death, that was a good deed:

But to kil the yung Childe was worſe to procéed.

To murder his Brother, and then his owne wife:

So help me God and holidom, it is pitie of his life

Heare ye? I wil lay twentie thousand pound:

That the king him ſelf dooth dye by ſome wound.

He hath ſhed ſo much blood that his wil be ſhed:

If it come ſo to paſſe infaith then he is ſped.

¶ Enter the king vvithout a gown, a ſwoord thruſt vp into his ſide bleeding.

King.

Out alas what ſhall I doo? my life is finiſhed.

Wounded I am by ſudain chaunce, my blood is m[a]niſhed.

Gogs hart what meanes might I make, my life to preſerue?

Is there nought to be my help: nor is their nought to ſerue?

Out vpon the Court, and Lords that there remain:

To help my gréef in this my caſe, wil none of them take pain?

Who but I in ſuch a wiſe his deaths wound could haue got:

As I on horse back vp did leape, my ſwoord from ſcabard ſhot.

And ran me thus into the ſide, as you right wel may ſee:

A meruels chaunce vnfortunate, that in this wiſe ſhould bée.

I feele my ſelf a dying now, of life bereft am I:

And death hath caught me with his dart, for want of blood I ſpy.

Thus gaſping héer on ground I lye, for nothing I doo care:

A iuſt rewad for my miſdeeds, my death dooth plain declare.

¶ Heer let him quake and ſtir,

Ambidexter.

How now noble King? pluck vp your hart:

What wil you dye, and from vs departe?

Speake to me, and you be aliue:

He cannot ſpeake, but beholde how with death he dooth ſtriue.

Alas good King, alas he is gone,

The Deuil take me, if for him I make any mone.

I did prognoſticate of his end by the Maſſs:

Like as I did ſay ſo is it come to paſſe.

I wil be gone, if I ſhould be found héer:

That I ſhould kil him it would appéer.

For feare with *is death they doo me charge:

Farewel my maiſters I wil go take barge.

I meane to be packing now is the tide:

Farewel my maiſters I wil no longer abide.

Exit Ambidexter.

¶ Enter three Lords

firſt Lord.

Beholde my Lords it is euen ſo, as he to vs did tel:

His grace is dead vpon the ground, by dent of ſwoord moſte fel.

ſecond Lord.

As he in ſaddle would haue lept, his ſword from ſheath did go:

Coring him vp into the ſide, his life was ended ſo.

third Lord.

His blood ſo faſt did iſſue out, that nought could him prolong:

Yet before he yéelded vp the ghoſt, his hart was very ſtrong.

firſt Lord.

A iuſt rewarde for his miſdeeds, the God abooue hath wrought:

For certainly the life he led, was to be counted nought.

ſecond Lord.

Yet a *rincely buriall he ſhall haue, according his eſtate:

And more of him heer at this time, we haue not to dilate.

third Lord

My Lord let vs take him vp, to cary him away.

Bothe.

Content we are with one accord, to doo as you doo ſay.

Exeūt. All

¶ Epilogus.

Right gentle Andience, héere haue you peruſed,

The tragicall History of this wicked king:

According to our duety we haue not refuſed,

But to our beſt intent expreſt euery thing.

We truſt none is offended for this our dooing,

Our Author craues likewiſe if he haue ſquared amiſſe:

By gentle admonicion to knowe where the fault is.

¶ His good wil ſhall not be neglected to amend the ſame,

Praying all to beare therfore with his simyte déed:

Vntil the time ſerue a **tter he may frame,

Thus yéelding you **** to end we decreed.

That you ſo gentlely ******red vs to proceed,

In ſuch patien* **** as to hear and ſée:

We can but thank ye therfore, we can doo no more

¶ As duty bindes vs for our noble Quéene let vs pray,

And for her honorable Councel the trueth yt they may b*

To practise Iuſtice and defend her grace eche day,

To maintain Gods woord they may not refuſe.

To correct all thoſe, that would her grace & graces lawes abuſe,

Beſeeching God ouer vs, ſhe may reign long:

To be guided by trueth and defended from wrong.

Amen. Thomas Preſton.

Imprinted at London by Iohn Allde.