A New Enterlude of Vice Conteyninge, the the Historye of Horestes with the cruell reuengment of his Fathers death vpon his one naturall Mother

Document TypeSemi-diplomatic
CodePik.0001
BooksellerWilliam Griffith
PrinterWilliam Griffith
Typeprint
Year1567
PlaceLondon
Other editions:
  • modernised
  • diplomatic

A New Enterlude of Vice Conteyninge, the Hiſtorye of Horeſtes with the cruell reuengment of his Fathers death vpon his one naturtll Mother.

 

 

 

The players names

 

 The  Vice,

Ruſticus.

Hodge.

Hroreſtes

Idumeus.

Councell.


Clytemneſtra.

Hallterſycke.

Hempſtryng.

Neſtor.

Menalaus.

A  woman.


Sodyer.

Nobulle.

Nature.

Prouiſyon.

Harrauld.

Sodyer.


Truthe.

Fame.

Hermione.

Dewtey.

Meſſenger.

Egeſtus.

Commones.



☞ The  names deuided for vi. to playe.


The  fyrſt the Vice and Nature and Dewtey.3.

2.  Ruſticus. Idumeus.2. Sodyer. Menelauus. & Nobulles.5.

3.  Hodge. Counſell. Meſſenger. Neſtor. & Commones. 5.

4.  Horeſtes. a woman. & Prologue. 3.

5.  Haullterſicke. Sodyer. Egiſtus. Harrauld. Fame. Truth and Idumeus.  7.

6.  Hempſtrynge. Clytemneſtra. Prouiſyon. & Heſmione. 4.


¶  Imprinted at London to fleteſtrete, at the ſigne of the Falcon by  Wylliam Gryffith, and are to be ſolde at his ſhope in S. Dunſtons  Churcheyearde. Anno. 1567.



The  Vyce A  Syrra nay ſoft, what? let me ſee,

God  morrowe to you ſyr, how do you fare?

Sante  a men. I thincke it wyll be.

the  next day in ye morning,  before I com thear

Well  forwarde I wyll, for to prepare,

Some  weapons & armour, ye catiues  to quell,

Ille  teache the hurchetes, agayne to rebell.
Rebell? ye ſyr, how  ſaye you there to?
What? you had not beſte their partes to  take:
Houlde the content foole, and do as I do,
Or elles  me chaunce, your pate for to ake.
Ye and thats more, for feare  thou ſhalt quake,
Before Horeſtes, when in good ſouth he,

Shall  arryue in this lande, reuenged to bée:
Well forwarde I wyll,  thynges to pouruaye,
In good ſouth for the wares, as I ſhall  thincke good.
Farre well good man dotterell, and marke what I  ſaye,
Or eles it may chaunce you, to ſeke a new houd:
You  would eate no more cakbread, I thinke then by ye roud,
If  that, that ſame poulle from your ſhoulderes were hent,
You  would thincke you were yll, if ſo you were ſhent.


Hear  entryth Ruſtycus , & hodge.


Ruſtycus  Chyll neuer nabore hodge, haue a glade harte,

Tyll  Egiſtous the Kynge, hath for his deſarte:

Receiued  dew punnyſhment, for this well I knowe,

Horreſtes  to Crete, with Idumeous dyd go.

When  his father was ſlayne, by his Mother moſt yll,

And  therefore I thincke, that com heather he wyll:

And  reuenge the iniurey, of his mother moſt dyare,

waſtinge  our land with zworde, and with vyare.


Hodge  Ieſu nabor, with vyar and zworde? zaye you ze?

By  gys nabor, chyll zaue one I tro:

For  iche haue ſmaull good, by giſe for to loſe,

And  therefore iche care not, how euer it goſe.

But  chyll not be zlayne, chyll loue nothinge worſſe,

Chyll  neuer be bournt, for the mony in my pourſe.

Iche  haue ſmall rouddockes, and ſodyers I kno,

Wyll  robbe the riche chorles, and let the poore knaues go.


Vyce  A ſyrre, nowe ſteye, and pauſe their a whyle,

Be  not to haſtye, but take all the daye:

Be  God I am wearey, with comming this myle,

And  hauing no money, my horſe heyare to paye.

Who  how, I rode on my fete, all the waye,

Ieſu  what ground, ſince yeſterday at none,

Haue  I gut thorow, with this pare of ſhoune.


Ruſticus  Nabor hodge, be goge hatche none I beare,

That  this lyttell hourchet, the devayaunce doth beare.

Come  let vs go, and of him in good ſouth?

We  woll conquear out, the verey truth.


Vyce  Hurchyt, goges oundes gyppe with a wanyon,

Ar  you ſo louſtey, in fayth good man clound:

Oundes,  hart, and nayles, this is a franion,

Ille  teache you to floute me, I hould you a pounde.

O  that it weare not, in fayth for my gound?

It  wyll I be knoc vm, yet for all that.


Hodge  Hould good maſter, you mare my new hat.


Fight


Vyce  Ha, ha, he, mar his hat quoth he? thear was all his thought

Tout  tout, for the bloſe he ſet not a pyn:

That  garment is dyer, that with bloſe is bought,

Well  ſieres to in treat me, ſyth you begyn?

I  am contentyd, my blade, now ſhaull in.

But  tell me ſyeres tell me no whearefore of me,

The  cauſe on this ſort, your taullkynge ſhould be.


Ruſticus  By gis and iche chyll maſter, for all my great payne,

Of  this matter to you to tell the veary playne:

My  naybor hodge and I, in good ſouth,

Mot  hear in the veldes, I tell you the truth:

Now  as we wear talkinge, marke what I zaye,

You  came in ſtraight, and of vs croſt the waye.

Which  thinge for zartyn, when I dyd eſpye,

This  fancey vlouncht, in my head by and by:

And  to hodge I zayde that, by gys I dyd veare,

That  your maſſhyp, good maſter the devyaunce doth beare,

And  be cauſe you weare lyttell, and of ſtature but ſmaull:

Your  perſon a hourchet, in fayth I dyd caull.

But  by gis be contentyd, vor chyll neauer more,

Ofvend  you a gains, but cham zorey thearuore.


Vyce  Yf they weare not twayne, I cared not a poynt,

But  two is to meyney, the prouerbe douth tell:

Elles  be his oundes, I would iobard this ioynt,

And  teache them agaynſte me, againe to rebell?

O  that I wear abull, the knaues vor to quell,

Then  would I tryomphe, paſſinge all meaſure.


Hodge  Zentyll man zentyll man, at your owne pleaſure:

In  fayth we be, and thearuore we praye,

What  they name, is to vs vor to zaye.


Vyce  My name would ye kno, marrey you ſhaull,

Harke  frynde, fourſt to the I wyll it declare:

Maſter  pacience maſter pacience, many on doth me caull?

But  com heather nabor hodge, thou muſt haue a ſhare.

By  gys vnto the I wyll not ſpare,

The  ſame for to ſhowe, whearfore my frend,

My  name is pacience if thou it perpend.


Hodge  Paſt ſhame? Godes gée naybor paſt ſhame?

By  godes de naybor thates a tryccom name.


Vyce  Tell a mare a tall, and ſhyell gerd out a fart

Se  bow the as my wordes, douth myſtake,

Would  it not anger a ſaynt at the hart:

To  ſe what a ſcoffe of my name, he douth make?

O  oundes of me, as ſtill as a ſtake.

He  ſtandith, nought caring what of him maye be tyde,

Be  his woundes, I wod haue a arme, or a ſyde.

Sought  let me ſe, it is beſt to be ſtyll,

Good  ſlepinge in a hole ſkynne, ould foulkes do ſaye,

Not  withſtanding I wis, ill haue myne owne wyll.

Naye  I wyll be reuenged, by his oundes and I maye,

Syrra  you good man Ruſtycus, marke what I ſaye:

Harke  in thine eare man, this dyd I ſee,

A  hoge of thyne wearyed to be.


Ruſticus  Godes gée maiſter pacience, I praye you me tell,

What  horſen chorles doge, my hogge ſo dyd quell:

Iche  zware by giſe, and holye zaynt blyue,

Chyll  be zwinge him, and ich be a lyue,

By  godes de cham angry, and not well content,

Chould  ha wear hear, chould make him repent.

Ich  had rather gyuen, vore ſtryke of corne,

Then  to had my hogge on this wyſe forlorne:

But  if I knewe whous dogge chould be,

Reuenged  well inough iche warrent the.


Vyce  Ha, ha, he, by god Ruſticus, I maye ſaye in no game,

I  knowe the perſon, whoſe dogge ſo did flaye:

Thy  hogge fye fye man, it was a vearey ſhame,

For  thy naybor hodge, to let it by this daye.

Well  I wyll go to him, and ſe if I maye,

By  aney meanes procure him, to make the amendes;

Ille  do the beſt I can, to make you both frendes.


Ruſticus  Chyll be no frendes, chad rather be hanged,

Tyll  iche haue that oulde karle, wel and thryfteley banged,

And  tweare not your maſſhyppe, dyd me with hould,

To  ſwing the ourchet, iche chould be boulde,


Vyce  Ha, ha, he, nay, nay, ſpare not for me,

Go  to it ſtrayght, if thear to ye gre,


Ruſticus  Hodge I harde ſaye, thou illy, haſt wrought,

For  my hogge vnto death, with thi dog thou haſte broughgt

Iche  byd the thy vaute, to me to amend,

Or  chyll zwaddell the, iche zweare in my bat end.


Hodge  Zwaddell me godes get? chyll care not a poynte,

Iche  haue a good bat, thy bones to anoynte:

Thou  olde carle I zaye, thy hoge hurtyd me,

And  therefore I wyll haue, a mendes now of the.

My  rye and my otes, my beanes and my peaſe,

They  haue eaten vp quight, but ſmall for my eaſe:

And  therfore iche zaye, all thy hogges kepe vaſte,

Or  iche wyll them wearey, as longe as they laſte.

By  godes get, I can neuer come in my ground,

But  that zame zwyne, in my peaſe iche haue founde.


Vyce  Tout tout Ruſticus, theſe wordes be but wynd

To  him man, to him, and ſwaddell him well:

Ye  neauer leaue him, as longe as thou can fynd

Him  whot, but teathe him, a gaine to rebell,

What  nededeſt thou to care, though his wordes be ſo fell,

Tout  tout tharte vnwyſe, and followe my mynde:

And  I warraunt the in end, ſome eaſe thou ſhalt finde.


Ruſticus  Godes gée hourſon hoge, paye me for my zwine,

Or  eles larne to kepe, that cockeſcome of thyne.


Vp  with thy ſtaf, & be readye to ſmyte, but hodg ſmit firſt,  and let ye  viſe thwacke them both and run out.


Hodge  Godes de, do thy worſt, I care not a poynte,

Chyll  paye the none, chyll iobard a ioynte.


Vyce  Nay ſtand I ſtyll ſome what, I wyll lend,

Take  this for a reward, now a waye I muſt wend.


Ruſticus  O Godes get, cham zwinged zo zore,

Iche  thincke chaul neauer lyue one houre more.


Hodge  O godes ge I thincke, my bewnes will in zonder,

Yf  ich get home by gis, ittes a wounder:

Farwell  Ruſticus, for by gis ich chaull,

When  I mete the againe, bezwinge the vorall.


Ruſticus  Naye letes be frendes, and chyll in good part,
Of browne ale at  my houſe, giue the a whole whart:
What hodge ſhake hondes,  mon be merey and lauffe,
By godes ge iche had not, the beſt  end of the ſtaffe.


Hodge  Cham content naybor Ruſticus, ſhaull be ene ſo,
Come to they  houſe, I praye the let vs go.


go  out


entrieth


Horeſtes  To caull to minde the crabyd rage of mothers yll attempt
Prouokes  me now all pyttie quight, from me to be exempt.
Yet lo dame  nature teles me that, I muſt with willing mind
For giue the  faute and to pytie, ſome what to be inclynd.

But  lo be hould thad vlltres dame, on hourdome morder vill
Hath  heaped vp not contented, her ſponſaule bed to fyll:

With  forrayne loue but ſought alſo, my fatal thred to ſhare
As  erſt before my fathers fyll, in ſonder ſhe dyd pare.

O  paterne loue why douſte thou ſo, of pytey me requeſt,

Syth  thou to me waſt quight denyed, my mother being preſt:
When  tender yeres this corps of mine, did hould alas for wo
Whē  frend my mother ſhuld haue bin thē was ſhe chefe myfo
Oh  godes therfore ſith you be iuſt, vnto whoſe poure & wyll,
All  thing in heauen, and earth alſo? obaye and ſarue vntyll.

Declare  to me your gracious mind, ſhall I reuenged be,

Of  good Kynge Agamemnones death,  ye godes declare to me
Or ſhall I let the, adulltres dame,  ſtyll wallow in her ſin,

Oh  godes of war, gide me a right, when I ſhall war begyn.


Vyce  Warre quoth he. I war in dede, and trye it by the. ſworde,
God  ſaue you ſyr, the godes to ye: haue ſent this kind of word
That  in the haſt you armour take, your fathers foſe to ſlaye
And  I as gyde with you ſhall go, to gyde you on the way.

By  me thy mind ther wrathfuldome, ſhalbe performd in dede
Therfore  Horeſtes marke me well, & forward do procede.

For  to reueng thy fathers death, for this they all haue ment
Which  thing for to demonſtrat lo, to the they haue ſent me.


Horeſtes  Ar you good ſyr, the meſſenger of godes as you do ſaye

Wil  they in reuenging this wrong, I make not long delay.

Vyce  What nede you dout, I was in heauen, whē al ye gods did gre
That  you of Agamemnons  death, for ſouth reuengid ſhould be,
Tout tout, put of that  childiſh loue, couldſt thou wt a good wil
Contentyd be? that  one ſhould ſo, they father ſeme to kyll?

Why  waylſt yu man, leaue of I ſay, plucke corrage vnto the.
This  lamentation ſone ſhall fade, if thou imbraſydeſt me.


Horeſtes  What is they name may I in quear? O ſacrid wight I pray
Declare  to me & with this feare, do not my hart diſmaye.


Vyce  Amonge the godes celeſtiall, I Courrage called am,

You  to aſſyſte in vearey truth, from out the heauens I cam

And  not wtout god Marſis his leaue, I durſt hear ſhow my face
which  thou ſhalt fele if that ther gift thou doſt forth wt imbrace

Horeſtes  And ſith it is thear gratious will, welcom thou art to me,

O  holy wight for this thear gyft, I thanke them hartelley.

My  thinkes I fele all feare to fley, all ſorrow griefe & payne,
My  thinkes I fele corrage prouokes, my wil for ward againe
For to  reuenge my fathers death, and infamey ſo great,

Oh  how my hart doth boyle in dede, wt firey perching heate.
Corrage  now welcom by the godes, I find thou art in dede,
A meſſenger  of heauenly goſtes, come let vs now procede.

And  take in hand to bringe to pas, reuengyd for to be,

Of  thoſe which haue my father ſlaine, but ſoft now let meſe
Idumeus  that worthy Kinge, doth com into this place,

What  ſaye you corrage: ſhal I now? declare to him my caſe?

Vyce  Faull to it then and ſlacke no time, for tyme once paſt away,
Doth  cauſe repentence, but to late to com old foulks do ſay.
When  ſtede is ſtolen, to late it is to ſhyt the ſtable dore,

Take  time I ſay, while time doth giue a leaſure good therfore

Idumeus  What euer he be that ſceptar beares or rules in ſtate full hie
Is  ſoneſt down through fortunes eyar, & brought to myſerey,
As  of late yeares the worthy kinge Agamemnon  by name,

whos  praſs throughout ye world  is bloū, by goldē trūp of fame
His wel won fame in  marſhall ſtoure, doth reache vnto ye ſky
Yet  lo through fortunes blind attempt, be lo in earth doth lie
He  ye had  paſt the fate of war, where chaunce was equall ſet,
Through  fortunes ſpight is caught alacke, win olde Meros net
And  he which ſomtime did delight, in clothed coat of maylle,
Is  now conſtcaynd in Carones bote;  ouer the brouke to ſaylle.
That floſe vpon ye fatall  bankes, of Plutoſe kingdome great
And that in ſhade of ſilent  wodes, and valeys gréene do beate.
Where ſoules of kinges &  other wights a poyntyd are to be,
In quiet ſtate there alſo  is, this worthey reall trée.

Of  ſouth I ioye for to behold, Horeſtes actyue cheare,

The  which in father ſomtime was, in ſon doth now apear,

But  where is he that all this day, I neauer ſawe his face,


Horeſtes  At hand O King thy faruant is, which wiſſheth to thy grace


Kenll  downe.


All  hayl with happey fate certayne, wt pleaſures  many fould,
But yet my leege a ſute I haue, if I might be ſo  bold.

To  craue the ſame my ſoferayn lord, wherby I might aſpyer

Vnto  the thing with very much, O king I do requier.


Idumeus  What thing is that if we ſuppoſe, it laufull for to be,
On  prynces faith without delaye, at ſhall be giuen the.


Vyce  Tout let him alone now, we may in good ſouth,
I was not ſo  luſtey, my pourpoſe to get:
But now of my honeſtey, I tell  you of truth,
In reuenging the wronge, his mynd he hath ſet?
It  is not Idumeus that hath poure to let.
Horeſtes fro ſekinge  his mother to kyll,
Tout let hym alone, hele haue his owne  wyll.


Horeſtes  Sith that your grace hath willed me, this my defiar to ſhow,
Oh  gratious king this thing it is, I let your grace to know
That  long I haue requeſt to vew, my fathers kingley place,
And eke  for to reuenge the wrong done to my fathers grace,
Is myne  intent wherefore o king, graunt that wtout  delaye,
My earytage and honor eke, atchyue agayne I maye.


Idumeus  Stey their a whyle Horeſtes mine, tyll councell do decrée?
The  thing that ſhall vnto your ſtate, moſt honorabell bée.
My  counciler how do you thinke, let vs your councell haue,
How  think you by this thīg yt which  Horeſtes now doth craue


Councell  As I do thinke my ſolerayne lord, it ſhould be nothing ill,
A  Prynce for to reuenged be, on thoſe which ſo dyd kyll.
His  fathers: grace but rather ſhall, it be a feare to thoſe,
That  to the lyke at anye time, their cruell mindes diſpoſe.
And  alſo as I thinke it ſhall, an honer be to ye,
To adiuuate and  helpe him with, ſome men reuenged to be.
This do I thinke moſt  fytteſt for, your ſtate and his alſo,
Do as you lyſt ſieth  that your grace, my mind herin doth kno.


IdumeusSith  Councell thinkes it fyt in ded, reuenged for to be,
That you  Horeſtes in good ſouth, for to reuenge I grée.
And alſo to  mayntaine your war, I graunt you wt good  will,
A thouſand men of ſtomake bolde, your enimiſe to  kyll.
Take them forth with, & forward go, let ſlyp no time  ne tyd.
For chaunce to leaſure to be bound, I tell you can not  byd
Go therfore ſtraight prouide your men & like a manly  knight
In place of ſtouer put forth thy ſelfe, aſſay wt all  thy might.
To win the fame, for glorey none, it chambering doth  reſt
Marke what I ſaye to get thy men, I take it for they  beſt.


Vyce  Com on Horeſtes ſith thou haſt, obtayned thy deſier.
Tout  tout man, ſeke to dyſtroye, as doth the flaming fier?
Whoſe  properte thou knoeſt doth gro, as long as any thing
Is left  wher by the ſame may ſeme, ſom ſuckcor for to bring.


Horeſtes  I thanke your grace I ſhal ſequeſt your gratius mind herin.


Go  out.


Vyce  Se ſe I praye you how he ioyſe, that he muſt war begin.


Go  out.


Idumeus  My councell now declare to me, how think you by this wight
Doth  not he ſeme in ſouth to be, in tyme a manley knight.
By all  the godes I thinke in ſouth, a man may eaſeley kno,

Whoſe  ſon he was, ſo right he doth his fathers ſteppes follow


Councell  Vndoubtedly my ſoferaynd lorde, he ſemeth vnto me,
Not to  ſequeſt his fathers ſteppes, in feates of cheuallrey:
But  rather for to imitate, the floure of great ////land,
I  meane Achilles that  ſame knight, by whoſe one only hand
The Greaciās haue  obtaind at laingth ye cōqueſt  of old Troy
For which thei did holl x. yeres ſpace, their  labor great imploy


Idumeus  Syth he is gon for to puruaye, ſuch thinges as ſhall in  dede,
Suffiſe to ſarue his tourn in wares, wherof he ſhal  haue nede
Let vs depart and when he ſhall, retourne heather a  gayne,
To ſée the muſt or of his men, we wyll ſure take the  payne.


Go  out.


Halterſycke


Entrithe   & ſyngeth this ſong to ye  tune of haue ouer ye  water to floride or ſelengers round.


The  Songe

FArre  well adew, that courtlycke lyfe,
To warre we tend to gowe:
It  is good ſport to ſe the ſtryfe,
Of ſodyers on a rowe.
How  mereley they forward march,
Theſe enemys to ſlaye:
With  hey trym and tryxey to,
Their banners they dyſplaye.
Now  ſhaull we haue the Golden cheates,
When others want the  ſame:
And ſodyares haue foull maney feates,
Their  enemyes to tame.
With couckinge heare, and bomynge their,
They  breake thear foſe araye:
And louſtey lades amid the  feldes,
Thear enſines do dyſplaye.
The droum and flute  playe louſteley,
The troumpet bloſe a mayne?
And  ventrous knightes corragiouſley,
Do march before thear  trayne:
With ſpeare in reſte ſo lyuely dreſt,
In  armour bryghte and gaye:
With hey trym and tryxey to,

Thear  banners they dyſplaye.


Hempſtring  commeth in & ſpeaketh.


Hempſtringe  Goges oundes haulterſycke, what makes thou heare,


Haulterſycke  What? Iacke hempſtringe welcom, draw neare?


Hempſtringe  By his oundes I haue ſoughte the ſome newſe the to tell,


Haulterſycke  Godes bloud what newſe, iſt the deuell in hell?


Hempſtring  In faythe thou act meatey, but this is the matter,
Douſt thou  hear halterſicke? each man doth clatter:
Of warres, ye of  warres, for Horeſtes wyll go,
His erytage to wyn, boye the  truth is ſo.


Haulterſycke  Nay but Iacke Hempſtringe ſeaſe of this prate,
Yf thou cauil  me boye, then beware thy pate.


Hempſtringe  What hould thy peace, as far as I ſe,
We be boyſe both  thearfore let vs grée.


Haulterſycke  Boye naye be god, though I be but ſmaull,
Yet Iacke  hempſtringe, a hart is worth all.
And haue not I an hart, that  to warres dare go,
Yes hempſtringe I warrant the, & that  thou ſhouldeſt know
If dycke halterſyckes mynde, thou moue  vnto eyar,
Colles neauer bourne, tyll they be ſet one fyare.


Hempſtringe  Ye but if they bourne, ſo that they ſame,
Yet water dycke  hallterſycke, the bourning cane ſame.
But hacke thée my  maſter will venter a ioynt,
And me to wayte on him, he all  readye doth poynt.
But hearſte thou, thou knoweſt my maſter  loues well,
Now and then to be ſnappinge, at ſome dayntye  moſſell.
But by goges bloud hallterſycke, if thou loue  me,
Take ſome prytey wenche our laundrar to be,
And be  goges bloud, I am contentyd to beare,
Halfe of her chargis,  when that ſhe comes thear.


HaulterſyckeAs  fyt for the warre, Iacke hempſtringe thou art,
In fayth as  abe, is to drawe a carte:
He is lyke to be manned, that hath  ſuch a knight,
Vnder his banner, I ſweare for to fight.
When  Horeſtes in fight, moſte buſieſt ſhalbe,
Then with they  gynney, we muſt ſeke the.


HempſtringeGoges  oundes, hart, and nayles, you are a ſea man,
Come of with a  myſchiefe, my gentell companion.
By your ſleue fire  haulterſicke, I thinke that a be,
As good a ſodyer as euer  was ye,


HaulterſyckeHe  hath learned his leſſon, but of fouth I feare,
He hath quight  forgotten, the waye for to ſweare.
Oundes, hart, and nayles,  nalrey ///////////////,
And he be not hanged, he wyll be ſtarke  /////////.


HempſtringeHange  me no hanginge, yf ye be ſo quicke,
Roube not to hard, leſt  hempſtringe do kycke.


Haulterſycke


flort  him.


Had  better be ſtyll, and a ſléepe in his head,
Yf a kycke me, me  chaunce to breake his head,


HempſtringeGoges  bloud good man halterſycke, begine you to flout me


HaulterſyckeNo  not at all he douth but ſout ye.
What hempſtringe I ſaye,  are you angred at ieſte.

In  fayth goodman lobcocke, your handſomley dreſt:


flort  hym on ye  lipes


HempſtringeGoges  bloud ſo to flout me, thou art muche to blame?


HaulterſyckeWhy  all that I do man, is but in game.


HempſtringeTake  thou that for they ieſte, and flout me no more?


giue  him a bor on ye eare


Halterſicke  For that ſame on blowe, than ſhault haue a ſcore:
Drawe thy  ſword vylyne, yf thou be a man,

And  then do the worſt, that euer thou can.


Hempſtringe  Naye ſet ſword a ſyde, and at /offetes well trey,
Wheather  of vs both, ſhall haue the maſterey.


Haulterſycke  Goges oundes thou art bygger, yet I care not a poynt,
Yf to be  reuenged, I iobard a ioynt.


Fyght  at bofites wt fyſtes


Hempſtring  I haue coylyd the well, but I holde the a grote?
Yf thou  meddell with me. I wyll ſ//inge thye cote.


Haulterſycke  In dede I muſt ſaye, I haue cought the worſt,
But I wyll be  reuengyd, or eies I ſhall bourſte.
Yf tyme did not call me,  from hence to depart
I ſhould anger the hempſtring, euen at  the h//t?
Therefore farwell, tyll an other daye,
But  h//rſte thou take this, to ſpend by the waye.


Giue  him a box on ye eare  & go out.


Hempſtring  Goges dundes is he gon, naye after I wyll,
And of the ſlaue by  his oundes, I wyll haue my fyll.


go  out. let ye drum  playe and Horeſtes enter wt his  men & then lette him knele downe & ſpeake.


Horeſtes  Oh godes be proſperous I praye, & eke preſerue my band,

Show  now yt ye  be gods in ded, ſtretch out your mighty hand
And giue vs  hartes & willes alſo, where by we may preuayll
And ſuffer  not you godes I praye, our courragis to fayll.

But  let our hartes addytyd be, for aye as we pretend,

And  of that one adulltres dame, oh gods now make an end.

My  hāds do thryſt her blod to haue, nought can my mīd cōtent
Tyll  yt on  her I haue perfourmed, oh gods your iuſt iudgmēt

Nature  Nay ſtey my child frō mothers bloud wt draw  thy bloudy hād

ſtand  vp.


Horeſtes  No nought at all oh nature can, my purpoſe now withſtand,
Shall  I for giue my fathers death, my hart can not agre

My  father ſlayne in ſuch a ſorte, and vnreuengyd to be.


Nature  Conſider firſt horeſtes myne, what payne for the ſhe toke,


Horeſtes  And of my fathers death againe, o Nature do thou louke.


Nature  I do confeſſe awycked facte, it was this is moſt playne,

Not  wtſtandīg  frō mothers bloud, thou muſt thy hāds refrain
Canſt thou  a lacke vnhappey wight, conſent reuenged to be,
On her whoſe  pappes before this time, hath giuen foud to the
In whom I  nature for myd the, as beſt I thought it good,
Oh now requight  her for her pain, wtdraw  thy hāds frō bloud

Horeſtes  Who offendith ye loue  of god, & eke mans loue wt willing  hart
Muſt by ye loue  haue punniſhment, as dutey due for his deſart
For me therfor  to pūniſh hear as law of gods & mā doth wil
Is not a  crime though yt I  do, as thou doſt ſaie my mother kil

Nature  The cruel beaſts ye raūg  in feldes whoſe iauſe to blod ar whet
Do not conſent their  mothers paunch, in cruell wiſe to eate
The tyger fierſe doth  not deſiare, the ruine of his kinde,

And  ſhall dame nature now in the, ſuch tyraney once finde:
As not  the cruell beſtes voutſafe, to do in aney caſe,

Leue  now I ſay Horeſtes myne, & to my wordes giue place.
Leſt  that of men this facte af thine, may iudged for to be:

Ne  lawe in ſouth, ne iuſtys eke, but cruell tyraney.


Horeſtes  Pythagoras doth thincke it lo, no tyraney to be,

When  that iuſtyſe is myneſt/yd, as lawe and godes decrée.

If  that the law doth her condemne, as worthy death to haue,
Oh  nature woulſt thou wil yt I,  her life ſhould ſeme to ſaue?
To ſaue her lyfe whom law  doth ſlay, is not iuſtiſe to do,

Therefore  I ſaye I wyll not yeld, they heſtes to com vnto.


Nature  Yf nature cannot brydell the, remember the decaye,

Of  thoſe which hereto fore in ſouth, their parēts ſought to  ſlay
oedippus fate,  caull thou to minde, that ſlew his father ſo,

And  eke remember now what fame, of him a brode doth go.

Horeſtes  what fame doth blowe I forſe not I, ne yet what fame I haue
For  this is true yt bloud  for bloud, my fathers deth doth craue
And lawe of godes, &  lawe of man, doth eke requeſt ye ſame.
Therefore  oh nature ſeaſe to praye, I forſe not of my name.


Nature  For to lament this heauey fate, I cannot other do.

A  lacke a lacke that once my chyld, should now consent vnto:
His  mothers death wherefore farewell, I can no longer stey.

Go  out.


Horestes  Farwel dame Nature to my men. I straight wil take my way


Go  out.

Idumeus    


Enter.


To  ſe this monſter let vs go, for I ſuppoſe it tyme,
Where is  Horeſtes why ſteaſe he: the truth to me define:


Councell    


Let  ye drū  playe.


Oh  ſoferayne lord me thinkes I here, him for to be at hand

yft  pleaſe your grace, he is in ſight, euen now withal his band.

Idumeus  Com on Horeſtes we haue ſtayd, your monſter for to ſe.


Let  ye drū  play & en-ter Hore-ſtis wt his  band marche about the ſtage.


Horeſtes  And now at hand my men and I, all redy armed be.

Lo  mighty king this champions here, agre with me to wende
Oh  gracious king that they ſhall ſo, wylt pleaſe you cōdiſſend

Idumeus  I do agrée and now a whyle, giue eare your king vnto,
It doth  behoufe corragious knightes, on this wyſe for to do.
That is  to ſtryue for to obtayne, the victorey and prayſe,
That laſts  for aye, when death ſhal end, yt find  of theſe our dais
Wherefore be bold, & feare no fate, the  gods for you ſhall fight
For they be iuſt and will not ſe,  that you in caſe of right.
Shall be deſſtreſt wherefore  attend, and do your buſey payne,
The crabyd rage of enymyſe,  by forſe for to reſtrayne?
And as to me your truſteynes,  hath here to fore be knowne,
So now to this Horeſtes here, let  eke the ſame be ſhowne.
Be to his heaſtes obaydient, be  ſtoute to take in hand,
Such enterpryſe which he ſhal  thinke, moſt for his ſtate to ſtād
Which if you do the  ſame is youres, the glorey and renoune,
That ſhal ariſe of  this your facts, throughout ye world  ſhal ſoūd
The which you may I pray the godes, your gydes  here in to be
And now farwell but not that well, that I haue  ſayde to ye.


Sodyeares  The godes preſarue your grace for aye, & you defend from  wo.
That we haue don as you cōmaūd, ful wel your grace ſhal  kno


Idumeus  Now harke Horeſtes ſith thou muſt, of men the gyder be,
And  that the wyll of godes it is, thou muſt now part from me.
Take  yet my laſt commaundement, & beare it in thy minde,
Let  now they men courragiouſnes, in the their captayne finde
And  as thou art courragious, ſo lyke wyſe let their be,
For  ſafegard of thy men a brayne, well fraught with pollicye.
For  ouer raſhe in doinge ought, doth often damage bringe,
Therfore  take councell firſt before, thou doſt anye thinge.
For  councell as Plaato doth  tell, is ſure a heauenly thinge.
And Socrates a  certaynte doth ſay, councell doth brynge.
Of thinges in dout  for Lyuy ſayes,  no man ſhall him repent,
That hath before he worked ought, his  tyme in councell ſpent
And be thou lybraull to thy men, and  gentell be alſo,
For ye way  at thy wil thou mayſt, haue them through fire to go
And he  that ſhall at any tyme, deſerue ought well of the,
Soffer him  not for to depart, tyll well reward he be.
Thus haue you hard  horeſtes mine, remembar well the ſame
In doing thus you ſhall  pourchas, to the immortaull fame.
The which I hope you wyll  aſſaye, for to atchife in dede,
The gods the blis when in  ye war,  thou forward ſhalt procede.


Horeſtes  I thanke your grace and now of you, my leaue I here do take


Idumeus    


Imbraſe  him


Farwell  my ſonne Horeſtes I, thy partinge yll ſhall take,

Yet  eare thou go let me imbrace, the once I the do praye,

A  lacke alacke that now from me, thou muſt nedes part away
Yet  whyell thou art in preaſent place, receaue of me this kys,
Farwell  good knight for now I ſhal, thy ſwete imbraſings mys

Kys  him.


Horeſtes  The ſacred godes preſarue and ſaue, thy ſtate oh king I  pray,
And ſend the helth and after death, to rayne with him  for aye.
Come on my men, let vs depart,


Sodyers  As pleaſe your grace with all our hart.


March  about and go out.


Idumeus  Ah, ah, how, greuous is his parting now, my councell vnto me
The  Godes him bles & ſend him helth, I pray them hartele.

Wo  worth the time the day and our, now may Horeſtes  wayle
And Clytemneſtra may  lament, that ſo ſhe dyd aſſayle.
His father deare for now  on bloud, Horeſtes mind is ſet,
And to reuenge his fathers  death, ſure nought their is can let.
In voyding of a miſchefe  ſmal, they haue wrought their decay
For now nought elles in  Horeſtes, but ſore reueng bears ſway


Councell  For to cauſes my ſoferayne lord, reuengment ought to be,

The  on leaſt others be in fecte, with that, that they ſhall ſe.

Their  princes do, the other is, that thoſe that now be yll.

May  be reuoked and may be taught, for to ſubdew their wyll,

Plato a  wyſe phyloſopher, dyd thinke it for to be,

A  Prynceley facte when as a King, ſhall punniſhe ſeriouſley.
Such  perſons as dyd trayne their lyfe, to follow yt was  naught
yt which  their prīce at ani time, ſhal by miſchaūce haue  wroght
Protegeus an  euell kinge, a carrayne lykenes to,

Which  all the place about the ſame, to ſtinke cauſeth to do.

Therefore  O king if that her faute, ſhould vnreuengyd be,

A  thouſand euylles would inſu, their of your grace ſhould ſe.

Her  faute is great and punnyſhment, it is worthy for to haue,
For  by that meane the good in ſouth, frō duūgers may be ſaufe
For  lo the vnyuerſaull ſcoll, of all the world we knowe,

Is  once the pallace of a kinge, where vyces chefe do flow.

And  as to waters from on head, and fountayne oft do ſpring,

So  vyce and vertue oft do flo, from pallace of a kinge.

Whereby  the people ſeing that, the kinge adycte to be,

To  proſecute the lyke, they all do labor as we ſe.

Therfore  the gods haue wylled thus, Horeſtes for to take,

His  iorney and a recompence, for fatheres death to make.


Idumeus  Sith gods haue wild the ſame to be, good lucke ye gods  him ſend
Com on my councell now from hence, we purpoſe for to  wend


Go  out.

Enter  Egistus & Clytēnestra, singinge this songe, to ye tune  of king Salomon.

Egiſtus  ANd was it not a worthy ſight,
Of Venus childe  kinge Priames ſonne:
To  ſteale from Grece a Ladye bryght,
For whom the wares of Troye  begon.
Naught fearinge daunger that might faull.

 Lady  ladie.

From  Grece to Troye, he went with all,

 My  deare Lady.


Clytemneſtra  When Paris firſte  ariued there,
Where as dame Venus worſhyp  is:
And blouſtringe fame abroade dyd beare,
His lyueley  fame ſhe dyd not mys.
To Helena for  to repayre,

 Her  for to tell:
Of prayſe and ſhape ſo trym and fayre,

 That  dyd exzell.


Egiſtus  Her beautie cauſed Paris payne,
And  bare chiefe ſweye with in his mynde:
No thinge was abell to  reſtraine,
His wyl ſome waye fourth for to finde.
Where  by he might haue his deſpyare,

 Lady  ladye:
So great in him was Cupids fyare,

 My  deare ladye.


Clytemneſtra  And eke as Paris dyd  deſyear,
Fayre Helena for  to poſſeſſe:
Her hart inflamid with lyke  fyear,
Of Paris loue  deſpiard no leſſe,
And found occaſion him to mete,

 In Cytheron.
Where  each of them the other dyd grete,

 The  feaſt vppon.


Egiſtus  Yf that in Paris  Cupides ſhafte,
Clytemneſtra toke  ſuch place:
That tyme ne waye he neuer left,
Tyll he had  gotte her comley grace,
I thinke my chaunce not ill to be

 Ladye  ladye.
That ventryd lyfe to purchaſe ye

 My  dere ladye.


Clytemneſtra  Kynge Priames. ſonne  loued not ſo ſore,
The gretian dame they brothers wyfe:
But  ſhe his perſon eſtemed more,
Not for his ſake ſauinge her  lyfe.
Which cauſed her people to be ſlayne,

 With  him to flye,
And he requight her loue a gayne,

 Moſt  faythfullye.


Egyſtus  And as he recompence agayne,
The fayre quene Hellyn for  the ſame:
So whyle I lyue I wyll take payne,
My wyll  alwayes to yours to frame.
Syth that you haue voutſafe to be,

 Ladye  ladye.
A Queene and ladye vnto me,

 My  deare ladye.


Clytemneſtra  And as ſhe louyd him beſt whyle lyfe,
Dyd laſt ſo tend I  you to do:
Yf that deuoyd of warr and ſtryfe,
The Godes  ſhall pleaſe to graunt vs to,
Syeth you voutſafeſt me for  to take,

 O  my good knyght:
And me thy ladye for to make,

 My  hartes delyghte.


Egiſtus  As ioyfull as the warlyke god is Venus to  behoulde,
So is my hart repleate with ioye, much more a  thouſand fould
Oh Lady deare in that I do, poſſes my hartes  delyghte,
What menes this ſound for very much, it doth my hart  a flight


Let  ye trūpet  blowe with in.


Clytemneſtra  Feare nought at all Egiſtus myne, no hourt it doth pretend,
But  lo me thinkes a meſſenger, to vs heather doth wend.


enter.


Meſſenger  The Gods preſarue your eaquall ſtate & ſend you of their blys


Clytemneſtra  Welcom good meſſenger what neweſe, I pray the with the is


Meſſenger  Yft pleaſe your grace euen now their is, aryued in this land
The  mightey knight Horeſtes with, a mightey pewſaūt band
Who  purpoſith for to inuade, this Mycoene Citie  ſtronge,
And as he goeſe he leyſe both tower, and caſtell  all alonge.
It boutes no man defence to make, for yf he wyll  not yeld,
By ſodyeres rage he ſtraight is ſlayne, in mydeſt  of the felde.


Go  out.


Clytemneſtra  Ah ſyr is he come in dede, he is wellcom by this daye,
Egiſtus  now in ſouth wt ſpede,  from hence take you your way.
In to our realme and take vp men,  our tyghtull to defend,
Tyll your retourne this Citie I, to  kepe do ſure intend.
For all his ſtrength he ſhall not get,  to entter once hear in,
The walles be ſtrong and for his  forſe, I ſure ſet not a pyn.


Egiſtus  Syth you be abell to defend, this Citie as you ſaye,
Farwell  in ſouth to get men, I now wyll take my waye.
And ſone againe  I wyll returne, his pamprid pryd to tame,


Clytemneſtra  Farwell Egiſtus and in ſouth, I ſtrayght will do the ſame.


Sodyer  Yeld the I ſaye and that by and by,
Or with this ſword, in  fayth thou ſhalt dye.


Enter  a-woman, lyke a beger rounning before they ſodier but let the  ſodier ſpeke firſt, but let ye  woman crye firſt pitifulley.


Woman  Oh with a good wyll, I yeld me to the,
Good maſter ſodier,  haue mercye on me.
My huſband thou haſt ſlayne, in moſt  cruell-wyſe,
Yet this my prayer, do now not dyſpyſe.


Sodier    


Go  a fore her, & let her fal downe vpō the & al to be beate  him.


Come  on then in haſt, my pryfoner thou art,
Come followe me I ſaye,  we muſt nedes depart.


Woman  A horſon ſlaue I wyll teach the in faye,
To handle a woman  on, an other waye.
To put me in feare, with out my dezarte
I  wyll teache the in faye to playe ſuch a parte.


Sodyer  Be contentyd good woman, and thou ſhalt be,
Neauer heare after  molyſted for me.


Woman  Naye vyllyn ſlaue, a mendes thou ſhalt make,
In that thou be  fore me as pryſinor dydeſt take.
Nowe I haue cought the, and  my pryſoner thou art,
By his oundes horſon ſlaue, this goſe  to they harte.


Sodyer  Naye ſaue my lyfe, for I wyll be,
Thy pryſoner and lo I yelde  me to the


take  his weapons & let him ryſe vp & then go out both.


Woman  Come wend thou with me, and they wepon thou ſhalt haue,
Syth  that thou voutſafyſte, my lyfe for to ſaue.


Enter.  the Vyce ſynginge this ſong to ye  tune of the Paynter.


Vyce  STand backe ye ſlepinge iackes at home,

 And  let me go.
You lye ſyr knaue am I a mome,

 Why  ſaye you ſo.
Tout tout, you dare not come in felde,
For  feare you ſhoulde the goſte vp yelde.
With bloſe, he goſe,  the gunne ſhot flye,
It feares, it ſeares, and their doth  lye.
A houndreth in a moment be,

 Diſſtroyed  quight:
Syr ſauſe in fayth yf you ſhoulde ſe,

 The  gonne ſhot lyght.
To quake for feare you would not  ſtynte,
When as by forſe of gounſhotes dynte:
The  rankes in raye, are tooke awaye,
As pleaſeth fortune oft to  playe.
But in this ſtower who beares the fame,

 But  onley I:
Reuenge, Reuenge, wyll haue the name,

 Or  he wyll dye.
I ſpare no wight, I feare none yll,
But with  this blade I wyll them kyll
For when myne eayre, is ſet on  fyare,
I rap them, I ſnap them, that is my deſyare.

Farwell  a dew to wares I muſte
In all the haſt.
My coſen cut  purſſe wyll I truſte,
Your purſſe well taſt,
But to  it man, and feare for nought,
Me ſaye to the it is well  fraught.
Wyth ruddockes red be at a becke,
Beware the  arſe, breake not thy necke,


Go  out.

Horeſtes  entrith wt  his bande & marcheth about the ſtage.


Horeſtes  Come on my ſodyers for at home, aryued their we be,

Where  as we muſt haue our deſyare, or els dye manfulley.

The  walles be hye yet I intend, vppon them firſt to go,

And  as I hope you ſodierrs will, your captayne eke follow

Yf  I forſake to go before then fley you eke be hynde,

And  as I am ſo eke I truſt, my ſodyers for to finde.

Com  hether harauld go proclame this mine intēt ſtraightway
To  yonder citite ſay that I, am come to their decaye.

Vnleſſe  they yeld I will deſtroye, boch man woman & childe,
And  eke their towers that for the war, ſo ſtrongly they do bylde
Byd  them in haſt to yeld to me, for nough I do a byde.

But  for their aunſwear or elles fourth wt for  thē & theres prouid

Let  ye trūpet  go towarde the Citie and blowe.


Harraulde  Your gratious minde ſtraight ſhalbe don, cum trōpet let vs  go
That I haue don your meſſage wel, your grace ful wel ſhal  kno

Horeſtes  Hye the apaſe and let me haue, agayne an aunſweare ſone,

And  then a non thou ſhalt well ſe, what quickely ſhalbe done.

Let  ye  trūpet leaue ſoundyng & let Harrauld ſpeake &  Clitemneſtra ſpeake ouer ye  wal.


Harraulld  How whow is their yt kepes  the gate giue eare my words vnto

Clytemneſtra  what wouldſt thou haue harald declare, what haſt thou her to do

Harauld  My maſter bydes the yeld to him, this citie out of hande,

Or  elles he will not leaue on ſtone, on other for to ſtand.

And  all things elles within this towne he wil haue at his wil
As  pleaſeth him by any meanes, to ſaue or elles to ſpyll,

What  you will now, therfore declare, & aunſwere to him ſend

Clytemneſtra  This Citie here againſt him, and his I wyll defende,


Harrauld  Then in his name I do defye, both the and all with in,


Clytemneſtra  By him and his tell him in ſouth, we do not ſet a pyn.


Harrauld  Yf it pleaſe your grace this word ſhe ſends, ſhe wil not yeld to  ye
But yf you com vnto your harme, ſhe ſayes that it ſhalbe.


Horeſtes  Sith that my grace and eke good wil, they on ſuch ſort  diſpiſe,
For to deſtroye both man and chyld, I ſurely do  deuyſe,

Com  on my men, bend now your forſe, this Citie for to wyn,
Saue no  mans lyfe, yt once  ſhould make, ryſiſtaunce there wtin,
And  when you ſhall poſſes the towne, & haue all things at  wil,
Loke out my mother but to her, do ye no kynde of yll.

Let  her not die, though that ſhe would, deſiar the death to haue
For  other wyſe my fathers death, reuengment doth craue.


Sodyer  We ſhall your heſtes obaye with ſpede, oh captayne we  deſiar,
That we were therefor to reuenge, our hartes are ſet  on fyar.

Vyce  Lyke men by God, I ſweare well ſayd, Horeſtes let vs gow,
Nowe  to thy men lyke manley hart, I praye the for to ſhowe.
And as  thou ſeiſte be firſte the man, that ſhall the Citie wyn,
How,  how, now for to flye, all ready they begynne.


Horeſtes  With lyuely hartes my troumpeters, exault your tubal ſound.
And  now my ſodyers in your harts, let courrage eke be found.
Com  let vs go the godes for vs, ſhall make an eaſey waye,

Spare  none a lyue for I am bent, to ſeke their great decaye.


Go  & make your liuely battel & let it be longe eare you can win  ye Citie  and when you haue won it let Horeſtes bringe out his mother by the  arme & let ye droum  ſeaſe play ing & the trumpet, alſo when ſhe is takē let  her knele downe and ſpeake.


Clytemneſtra  A lack what heaps of myſchefes great, me ſelly wight torment.
Now  is the tyme falune me vpon, which I thought to preuent
Yet beſt  I ſeke my lyfe to ſaue, perhappes he will me here,

A  lacke reuengment he dothe craue, for ſlaying his father dere.
Yf  aney ſparke of mothers bloud, remaynd within thy breſte,
Oh  gratious child let now thine eares, vnto my words be preſt
Pardon  I craue Horeſtes myne, ſaue now my corpes frō death

Let  no man ſaye that thou waſt cauſe, I yeldyd vp my breath,
I  haue offendyd I do confeſſe, yet ſaue my lyfe I praye,
And  to they mother this requeſt, o knight do not denaye.


Horeſtes  For to repent this facte of thyne, now that it is to late,
Can  not be thought a recompence, for kylling of thy mate.
Go haue  her hence therfore with ſpede, & ſe her ſureley kepte,
And  for ye fact  a fore thou dydeſt, thou ſurley ſhouldſt haue wept


go  out wt on  of the ſodiares.


Vyce  Nay, far you wel, in fayth you haue an aunſwer, get you  hence.
Oundes of me I would not be, in her cote for forty  pence.

Nay  nay, a way far well a dew, now now, it is to late.

When  ſtede is ſtollen for you in ſouth, to ſhut the ſtable gate.
She  ſhould haue wept whē firſt ſhe went, ye king  about to ſlay,
It makes no matter ſhe foull well, dyd brede  her owne decaye
Ounds of me what meane you man, begyn you now  to faynt
Ieſu god how ſtyll he ſyttes, I thinke he be a  ſaynt.


Let  Horeſtes ſyth hard.


Ooooo,  you care not for me, nay ſone I haue don I warrant ye

wepe  but let Horeſtes ryſe & bid him peaſe


Horeſtes  By all the godes my hart dyd fayle, my mother for to ſe,
From  hye eſtate for to be brought, to ſo great myſerey.
That all  moſt I had graunted lyfe, to her had not this be,
My fathers  death whoſe death in ſouth, chefe cauſer of was ſhe.


Vyce  Euen as you ſaye but harke at hand, Egiſtus draweth nye.
Who  purpoſieth the chaunce of war, Horeſtes for to trye.


Horeſtes  And by the godes I purpoſe eke, my honour to defend,
Com on my  men kepe your araye, for now we do pretend.
Eather to be the  conqerer, or elles to dye in felde,
Lyft vp your hartes and let  vs ſe, how ye your bloſe can yeld.


Let  Egiſtus enter & ſet hys men in a raye & let the drom playe  tyll Horeſtes  ſpeaketh


Egiſtus  Lyke manley men adreſſe your ſelues, to get immortall fame,
Yf  ye do flye lo what doth reſt, behynde but foull defame.
Strike  vp your drūs let trūpets ſoūd, your baners eke diſplay,
And  I my ſelfe as captayne, to you wyll lead the waye.


ſtryke  vp your drū, & fyght a good whil & then let ſum of  Egiſtus mē flye & thē take hym & let Horeſtes drau him  vyolentlye & let ye drūs  ſeaſe.


Horeſtes  Thou tryator to my father dere, what makeſt the here in feld,

Repent  the of thy wyckednes, and to me ſtrayght do yeld.


Egiſtus  Thou pryncoks boy & baſtard ſlaue, thinks thou me to  ſubdew?
It lyeth not with in thy powre, thou boye I tell the  trew.
But yf I take thy corpes, it ſhalbe a fode the byrdes to  fede.
Stryke vp your droums & forward now, to wars let vs  proſede.


Horeſtes  Oh vyllayne trayghtor now ye gods,  ne mortall man ſhall ſaue
Thy corps frō death for blud for  blud my fathers deth doth craue
Oh tyraunt fyrſe couldeſt  thou voutſafe, my father ſo to ſlaye?
But now no forſe for  thou haſt wrought, at laſt thine one decay

Egiſtus  A lacke a lacke yet ſpare my lyfe, Horeſtes I the praye.


Horeſtes  Thy lyfe? naye trayghtor vyle, that chefe I do denaye.

For  as thou haſt deſeruyd, ſo I ſhall thy facte requit.

That  once couldſt ſeme to me & mine, for to work ſuch  diſpight
Therfore com forth and for thy facte, receaue dew  punniſhmēt
Repent I ſay this former lyfe, for this is my  iudgment.

That  for my fathers death, the which we finde the chefe to be,
The  cauſer of thou ſhalt be hanged, where we thy death may ſe
And  as thou for my fathers death, dew punniſhment receiue,

So  ſhall my mother in lykewiſe, for that ſhe gaue the leaue.

Him  for to ſlaye, and eke to it, with good will condyſende,

Therfore  com of and ſone dyſpatch, that we had made an end.

Egiſtus  Ah heauey fate & chaunce moſt yll, wo worth this hap of  mine,
For giue my faute you ſacryd godes, and to my wordes  incline
Your gracious eare for cauſer furſt, I was this is  moſt plaine,
Of Agamemnous death,  wherefore I muſt receaue this paine.
Pardon I craue, voutſafe  ye godes, the ſame to graunt it me,
Now ſodier worke thy wyll  in haſt, I praye the harteley.


fling  him of ye lader  & then let on bringe in his mother Clytēneſtra but let her  loke wher Egiſtus hangeth.


Clytemneſtra  Ah heauey fate would god I had, in tormoyle great byn ſlayne
Syth  nothing can Horeſtes hands, frō ſheding bloud reſtraine

Vyce  How chaunce you dyd not thē lament his father whē you ſlew?
But  now when death doth you preuent, to late ites for to rew.


Clytemneſtra  Yet hope I that he will me graunt, my lyfe that I ſhould haue.


Vyce  Euen as much as thou voutſafeſt, his fathers lyfe to  ſaue,
Therfore com of we muſt not ſtey, all daye to wayght  on the.
Lo myghtye prince for whom ye ſent, lo preaſent here  is ſhe.


Clytemneſtra  Haue mercy ſonne & quight remitte, this faute of mine I  pray,
Be mercyfull Horeſtes myne, and do not me  denaye.
Conſider that in me thou hadeſt, they hewmayne ſhape  cōpoſid
That thou ſhouldſt ſlay thy mother ſon, let it  not be diſcloſyd,
Spare to perſe her harte with ſword, call  eke vnto thy mynd,
Edyppus fate  and as Nero, ſhowe  not thy ſelfe vnkynde.


Take  downe Egiſtus and bear him out.


Horeſtes  Lyke as a braunche once ſet a fyare, doth cauſe ye trée  to bourne
As Socrates ſuppoſeth  ſo, a wicked wight doth tourne.
Thoſe that be good and cauſe  them eke, his euell to ſequeſt,
Wherefore the  poete Iuuenal, doth  thinke it for the beſte:
That thoſe that lyue lycentiouſley,  ſhould brydlyd be wt payne
And  ſo others that elles would ſyn, therby they might reſtrain
For  thus he ſayeth that Cities are, well gouerned in dede,
Where  punniſhment for wycked ones, by lawe is ſo decrede.
And not  decrede but exerſyeſd, in punnyſhinge of thoſe,
Which law  ne pain frō waloing ſtill, in vice their mind diſpoſe,
And  as thou haſt byn chiefes cauſe, of yelding vp they breath,
So  call to minde thou waſt the cauſe, of Agamemnons death.
For  which as death is recompence, of death ſo eke with the,
For  kyllinge of my father thou, now kylled eke ſhault be.
This  thinge to ſe accomplyſhyd, reuenge with the ſhall go,
Now  haue her hence ſieth yt you  all, my iudgment here do kno


Clytemneſtra  A lacke a lack wt drawe  thy hand, my ſon from ſheding bloud.


Vyce  Thou art a foule thus for to prate, this doth Horeſtes good,
Com  on a way thou douſt no more, but him with words moleſt
A  foulyſhe foull that thou wart ded, he takes it for the beſt?


Knele  downe.


Clytemneſtra  Yf euer aney pytie was, of mother plante in the,

Let  it apeare Horeſtes myne, and ſhowe it vnto me.


Horeſtes  What pyttie thou on father myne, dydeſt curſedley beſtowe,
The  ſame to the at this preſent, I purpoſe for to ſhowe.
Therfore  Reuenge haue her a way, and as I iudgment gaue:
So ſe that ſhe  in order lyke, her puniſhment dew haue.


Vyce  Let me alone, com on a way, that thou weart out of ſight,
A  peſtelaunce on the crabyd queane, I thinke thou do delyght,
Him  to moleſt, com of in haſt, and troubell me no more,
Come on  com on, ites all in vaine, and get you on a fore,


Horeſtes  Now ſyeth we haue the conqueſt got, of all our mortall foſe,
Let  vs prouide that occaſion, we do not chaunce to loſe.
Stryke  vp your droumes for enter now, we wyll the citie gate
For nowe  reſeſtaunce none there is, to let vs in thereat.


Fame  As eache man bendes him ſelfe, ſo I report his fame in dede,
Yf  yll, thē yll, through iarne trūp, his fame doth ſtraigh  proſede:
Yf good, then good, through golden trūp, I blo his  lyuely fame:
through heauēs, throgh earth, & ſurgīg  ſeaſe I bere abrod ye ſame
perhaps  what wind me heather driues, wtin  your mid̄s you muſe
From Crete I  com to you my frends, I bring this kind of  newſe
That Agamemnons brother  is ariuyd in this land,

And  eke with him his ladey fayre, Quene Helen vnderſtand.
Whom  for to ſe a great frequent, of people their aryue,

This  newſe to ſhew at this preſent, me heather now dyd driue.


Vyce  A Newe maſter, a newe,
No lenger I maye:
Abyde by this  daye
Horeſtes now doth rew.
A new maſter a new,
And  was it not yll?
His mother to kyll?
I pray you how ſaye  you?
A new maſter a new,

Nowe  ites to late?
To ſhut the gate?
Horeſtes gines to rew.


FameDeniquod  non paruas animo dati gloria vires:

Et  foecunda facit pectora laudis amor.
As Ouid ſayeth  I am in dede, the ſpure to each eſtate,
For by my troumpe I  often cauſe the wicked man to hate,
Is fylthey lyfe, and eke I  ſtoure, the good more good to be:
So much the hart and will of  man, is lynked vnto me.


Vyce  A new maſter a new, naye I wyll go,
Tout, tout, Horeſtes is  be com a newe man:
Now he ſorroweth to bad that it is ſo,
Yet  I wyll oreſſe him, by his oundes and I can.
Who Saintie  amen. God  morrowe myſtres Nan,
By his oundes I am glad to ſe the ſo  trycke,
Nay may I be ſo bould, at your lyppes to haue a  lycke.
Ieſus how coye, do you make the ſame,
You neauer  knew me afore I dare ſaye:
In fayth, in fayth, I was to  blame,
That I made no courchey to you by the waye.
Who  berladye Nan, thou art trym and gaye,
Woundes of me, ſhe hath  winges alſo,
Who whother with a myſchefe, douſt thou thinke  for to go?
To heauen? or to hell? to pourgatorye? or ſpayne?
To  Venys? to pourtugaull? or to the eylles Canarey?
Nay  ſtay a whyle for a myle or twayne.
I wyll go with the, I  ſweare by ſaynt marey,
Wylt thou haue a bote Nan, ouer ſeay  the to carey.
For yf it chaunce for to rayne, as the weathers  not harde,
It may chaunce this trym geare of thine, to be  marde,


FameOmnia  ſi perdis, famam ſeruare memento,
Qua  ſemel amiſſa, poſtia nullus eris.
Aboue  eache thinge kepe well thy fame, what euer yt thou  loſe
For fame once gone they memory, with fame a way it  goſe.
And it once loſt thou ſhalt in ſouth, accomptyd lyke  to be,

A  drope of rayne that faulyth in, the boſom of the ſée,

Me  fame therfore as Ouid thinkes,  no man hath powre to hold,
To thoſe with whom I pleaſe to  dwell, I am more rich thē gold
What cauſid ſom for countris  ſoyle, them ſelues to perrell caſt
But that the knew that  after death, ye fame  of thers ſhall laſt.
Not on, but all, do me deſiare, both  good and bad lykewyſe,
As maye apeare yf we perpend,  of Neroſe enterpryſe.

Which  firſt did cauſe his maſters death, & eke wheras he laye
In  mothers wound to ſe in ſouth, his mother dyd ſtraight ſlay.
With  this Horeſtes eke takes place, whoſe father being ſlayn,
throgh  mothers gile frō mothers blod, his hāds could not refraīe
But  lyke as he reuengyd the death, of father in his eyare,

So  fathers brother in lyke ſort, Reuenge hath ſet on fyare.

For  he is gon for to requeſt, the ayde of prynces great,

So  ſore his hart is ſet on fyare, throught raging rigorus heat.
What  to detarmayne all the kynges, of Grece aryued be,

At Neſtores towne  that Athens highte,  their iudgment to decre

Vyce  Oundes harte and nayles, naye now I am dreſt,
Is the  kinge Menalaus at Athenes aryued?
And  I am be hind? to be packinges the beſt,
Leaſt the matter in  ſouth, to ſone be contryued.
Auxilla  humilia firma, conſenſus facit, this  allwayes prouided
That conſent maketh ſuckers moſt ſure for  to be,
Well I wyll be their ſtrayght, wayſe you ſhall ſe.


Go  out.


Fame  As Publius doth  well declare, we ought chefeſt to ſe,
Vnto our ſelues that  nought be don, after extremite.
Abalio  expectes, alteri quod feceris.
For  loke what meſure thou doſt meate, ye ſame  againe ſhalbe,
At other tyme at others hand, repayde againe to  the.
Therefore I wyſhe eache wight to do, to others as he  would,
That they in lyke occaſion, vnto him offer would.
Wel  forth I muſt ſom newſe to here, for fame no where cā ſtay
But  what ſhe hears throughout ye would  abrod ſhe doth diſplay


Go  out.


Prouicion  Make roume and gyue place, ſtand backe there a fore,
For all  my ſpeakinge, you preſſe ſtyll the more.

Gyue  rome I ſaye quickeley, and make no dalyaunce,
It is not now  tyme, to make aney taryaunce:
The kinges here do com, therefore  giue way,
Or elles by the godes, I wyll make you I ſaye.
Lo  where my Lord Kynge Neſtor doth  com,
And Horeſtes with  him Agamemnons ſonne:
Menelaus a  kyng lykewyſe, of great fame,
Make rome I ſaye, before their  with ſhame.


Neſtor  Nowe ſyeth we be here Kynge Menalaij
Vnto  vs we praye you, your matter to ſaye.
For theſe prynces here,  after they haue perpendyd,
If ought be amys, it ſhall be  amendyd,
But ſyrra prouiſion, go in haſte and fet,
Good  kynge Idumeus, tell  him we are ſet.


Go  out.


Prouiſion  As your gracis haue wylled, ſo tend I to do,
I wyll fetche him  ſtrayght, and bringe him you to.


Pauſe  a while till he be gon out & thē ſpeak tretably.


Horeſtes  If ought be amys, the ſame ſone ſhall be,
If I haue  commytted amendyd of me:
But ſo Idumeus the  good kyng of Crete,
Is come to this place, vs for to mete.


Enter  Idumius & prouiſion comming wt his  cap in his hād a fore him & making waye.


Idumeus  The Gods preſarue your gracis all, & ſend you health for aye.


Neſtor  Well com ſier kinge the ſame to ye, contynewalley we pray.


Menalaus  Two thīgs ther is o kings, ye moues  me thus your ayds to pray:
And theſe be it the which to you, I  purpoſe for to ſaye.
The one is this where with I fynde, my  ſelfe agreuid to be,
That on ſuch ſort my ſyſters ſlayne,  as all your gracis ſe.
The other is that ſo her ſonne,  without all kind of right,
Should to his mother in ſuch caſe,  (I ſay) worke ſuch diſpight.
Theſe two be they, wherfore I  craue, your ayds to ioyn wt me:
To  the intent of ſuch great ylles, reuengyd I may be.
That thus  he dyd be hould the ſtate, of all my brothers land,
And ſe I  pray you in what place, the ſame doth preſent ſtand.

His  crueltie is ſuch in ſouth, as nether tower ne towne,

That  letted once his paſſage, but is brought vnto the ground.

The  fatherles he pyttyed not, where as he euer went,

ye agyd  wight whoſe yeres before, their youthly poure had ſpent
The  mayd whoſe parentes at the ſege, defending of their right
Was  ſlaine, ye ſame  this tyrant hath opreſſyd through his might
The wido  yt through  forrayne wars, was left now comfortles,
He ſpared not, but  them & theres, he cruelly dyd dyſtres.

Wherfore  ſith that he thus hath wrought, as far as I can  ſée,
From Mycoene land  we ſhould prouid, him exylyd to be.


Horeſtes,  Syth that you haue accuſyd me, I muſt my aunſwere make,
And  here before theſe kings of Grece, this for my aunſwer take
O  ounckel that I neuer went, reuengment for to do,

On  fathers foſe tyll by the godes, I was comaund there to.

Whoſe  heaſtes no man dare once refuſe, but wyllingly obaye

That  I haue ſlayne her wylfully, vntruely you do ſaye.

I  dyd but that I could not chuſe, ites hard for me to kycke,

Syth  gods commaund as on would ſay, in fayth againſt ye prick

In  that you ſay, I ſparyd none, your grace full well may ſe,

That  lyttell mercy they ſuppoſyd, in ſouth to ſhow to me.

When  as they bad me do my worſt, requeſting them to yeld,

It  is no ieſt when ſodyares ioyne, to fight within a felde.

Thus  I ſuppoſe ſufficiently, I aunſwerd haue to end,

Your  great complaynt, the which you ſo, mightely did defend.


Idumeus.  In dede as Hermes doth  declare, no man can once eſtew,
The iudgment of god moſt  iuſt, that for his fautes is dew.
And as god is moſt  mercyfull, ſo is he iuſt lyke wyſe.
And wyll correcte moſt  ſuerley thoſe, that his heaſtes diſpyſel


Neſtor.  As you good Kyng Idumeus, haue  ſayd ſo lykewiſe I,
Do thinke it trew therefore as nowe, I  do him here defye.
That one dare ſay yt he  hath wrought, ye thing  yt is  not right
Lo here my gloue to him I giue, in pledge with him to  fyght.
I promys here to proue there by, Horeſtes nought dyd  do,
But that was iuſt & that the gods, commaundyd him  there to
That he is kinge of Mycoene land,  who euer do deney.

I  offer here my gloue with him, therfore to lyue and dye.
Yf none  therebe wyll vnder take, his tyghfull to with ſaye.
Let vs be  frendes vnto him nowe, my Lordes I doye praye.
It was the parte  of ſuch a knyght, reuengyd for to be,
Should Horeſtes content  him ſelfe, his father ſlayne to ſe.
No, no, a ryghtuous  facte I thinke, the ſame to be in dede,
Syeth that it was  accomplyſht ſo, as godes before decrede.


Menelaus.  In dede I muſt confeſſe that I, reuengyd ſhould haue be,
If  that my father had byn ſlayne, with ſuch great cruelte.
But  yet I would for natures ſake, haue ſpard my mothers lyfe
O  wretched man, o cruell beaſt, o mortall blade and knyfe.


Idumeus.  Seaſe of ſyr kyng leaue morning lo, nought can it you auaylle
Not  with ſtanding be rulyd now, we pray by our counſaylle.
Conſider  firſt your one eſtate, conſider what maye be,
A ioyefull  mene to end at leyngth, this your calamytie.
Horeſtes he is  younge of yeares, and you are ſomwhat olde,
And ſorrowe may  your grace to ſone, within her net in folde,
Therefore ites  beſt you do forget, ſo ſhall you be at eaſe,
And I am ſure  Horeſtes wyll, indeuor you to pleaſe,
So far as it for him  may be, with honor lefe to do,
He wyll not ſhrynke but wyll  conſent, your gracis bydding to
For aſſuraunce of your good  wyll, Horeſtes here doth craue,
your daughter  fayre Hermione, in  maryage for to haue.
Thereby for to contynew ſtyll, true loue  and amytie,
That ought in ſought betwixte to ſuch,  indefferent for to be.


Menalaus.  As for my frendſhyp he ſhall haue, the godes his helper be
But  for my daughters maryage, I can not graunt to be.
She is but  yong and much vnfet, ſuch holy ryghtes to take,
Therefore ſyr  kyngs at this preſent, no aunſwere I can make.


Neſtor.  She is a dame of comley grace, therefore kyng Menalaye,
Graunt  this to vs this ſtryfe to end, o kyng we do the praye.
For  eache of them a grede be the other for to haue,
Good ſyr  graunt this that at thy handes, ſo iuſtley we do craue


Menalaus.  O Nobell king what that it were, I could not you denaye,
I muſt  nedes graunt whē nought I haue, againſt you to repley
Horeſtes  here before theſe kinges, my ſonne I the do make,


Horeſtes.  And the o kynge whyle lyfe doth laſt, for father I do take.


Neſtor.  Ryght ioyfull is this thinge to vs, and happey for your  ſtate,
Therfore with ſpede let vs go hence, the maryage to  ſeleybrate
And all the godes I praye preſarue, & kepe you  both from wo,
Com on ſyr king, ſhall we from hence, vnto our  pallace go.


Menalaus.  As if ſhall pleaſe your grace in dede, ſo we conſent to do,


Idumeus.  And we lykewyſe oh gratious Prynce, do condiſend there to.


go  out all

Vyce  en-trith wt  a ſtaffe & a bottell or dyſhe and wallet.


Reuenge.  I woulde I were ded, and layde in my graue,
Oundes of me, I am  trymley promouted:
Ah, ah, oh, well now for my labor, theſe  trynketes I haue?
Whyſe you not I praye you, how I am  flouted.
A bagge and a bottell, thus am I louted?
Eache  knaue now a dayes, would make me his man,
But chyll maſter  them, I be his oundes and I can.
A begginge, a begginge, nay  now I muſt go,
Horeſtes is maryed, god ſend him much  care:
And I Reuenge, am dryuen him fro.
And then ites no  maruayll, though I be thus bare.
But peace, who better then  beggars doth fare.
For all they be beggares, and haue no great  port,
Who is meryer, then the pooryſte ſort.
What ſhall  I begge? nay thates to bad,
Is their neare a man, that a  ſaruaunt doth lacke:
Of myne honeſtye gentle woman, I would  be glad?
You to ſarue but for clothes, to put on my backe.
A  waye with theſe rages, from me the ſhall packe.


Put  of ye  beggares cote & all thy thynges.


What  thinke you ſcorne, me your ſeruaunt to make,
A nother wyll  haue me, yf you me for ſake.
Parhappes you all meruayll, of  this ſodayne mutation,
How ſene I was downe, from ſo hye a  degre:

To  ſatiſfye your myndes, I wyl yuſe a perſwation.
This one  thinge you knowe, that on caulyd amyte,
Is vnto me reuenge moſt  contrarey.
And we twayne to geather, could not abyde,
Whych  cauſyd me ſo ſone, from hye ſtate to ſlyde.
Horeſtes and  his ounckell, Kynge Menalaus,
Is  made ſuch ſure frendes, without paraduenture,
Through the  pollycye, of olde Idumeus?
That  as, far as I can ſe, it is to hard to enter,
Ye and thates  worſſe, when I ſought to venture.
I was dryuen with out  comfort, awaye from their gate,
I was glad to be packinge, for  feare of my pate.
Yet befor I went, my fancey to pleaſe,
The  maryage ſelebratyd, at the church I dyd ſe,
Wyllinge I was,  them all to dyſeaſe:
But I durſt not be ſo bold, for maſter  Amyte.
Sot by Menalaus, and  bore him companye,
On the other ſyde Dewtey with Horeſtes  boure ſwaye.
So that I could not enter, by no kynde of  waye?
Well ſyeth from them both, I am bannyſhyd ſo,
I  wyll ſeke a new maſter, yf I can him finde:
Yet I am in good  comfort, for this well I knowe,
That the moſt parte of wemen,  to me be full kynde,
Yf they ſaye near a worde, yet I knowe  their mynde.
Yf they haue not all thinges, when they do  deſiare,
They wyll be reuengyd, or elles lye in the myare.
Nay  I knowe their quallytes, the leſſe is my care,
As well as  they do knowe, Reuengys operation,
Ye faull to it good wyues,  and do them not ſpare.
Nay Ille helpe you forward, yf you  lacke but perſwacion.
What man a moſte is frée, from  inuaſion.
For as playnely Socrates declareth  vnto vs,
Wemen for the moſt part, are borne  malitious.
Perhappes you wyll ſaye, maney on that I lye,
And  other ſume I am ſure, alſo wyll take my parte:
Not  withſtandinge what I haue ſayde, they wyll veryfye,
ye and do  it I wys, in ſpyght of thy hart.
Yf therefore thou wyll lyue  quyetlye, after their deſart?

Reward  then ſo ſhault, thou brydell their affection,
And vnto they  wyll, ſhall haue them in  ſubiection.
In Athenes dwellyd Socrates, the  phylloſopher dyuine,
Who had a wyfe namyd Exantyp, both  deuelyſhe and yll:
Which twayne beenge faulne out, vppon a  tyme,
Perhappe cauſe Exantyp, could  not haue her wyll.
He went out of dores, ſyttinge there  ſtyll.
She cround him with a pyſpot, and their he
Was  wet to the ſkynne, moſte pytifull to ſe.
I praye god that  ſuch dames, be not in this place,
For then I might chaunce  neare a miſtres to get,
Nay yf ye anger them, they wyll laye  you on the face,
Or elles their nayles in your chekes, they  wyll ſet,
Nay lyke a raſor, fome of their nayles are  whet.
That not for to pare, but to cut to the bone,
I  count him moſt happeſt, that medelles with none.
Well far you  well, for I muſt be packinge,
Remembar my wordes, and beare it  in mynde?
What ſuffer the myll, a whyle to be clackinge,
Yf  that you intend, aney eaſe for to fynde.
Then wyll they be to  you, both louinge and kinde.
Farwell coſen cutpurſſe, and be  ruled by me,
Or elles you may chaunce, to end on a tre.


Go  out.

Enter  Horeſtes & Hermione Nobilytye and Cominyalte truth & Dewty


Horeſtes.  Syth yt the  gods haue geuen vs grace, this realme for to poſſes
Which  floryſheth aboundauntlye, with gold & great riches.
Let vs  now ſe how much the wilds, & minde of all this land,
Is  vnto vs and of their ſtate, lykewyſe to vnderſtand.


Hermione.  I deme of them Horeſtes myne, that they contentyd be,
With  humbell hart for to ſubmyte, o kyng them ſelues to ye,
Wherefore  my loue inquiare, their ſtate this preaſente tyme,
And of  their hartes good wyll to vs, o king let them deuyne.


Horeſtes.  As I do loue the laydye bright, ſo eke I thynke in dede,
That  loue for loue as equallye, ſhalbe reward of mede.


Let  Dewty and Truth take ye crowne  in their rig-ht hands.


Hermione.  The godes neuer prolonge my lyfe, that day I ſhall a peare,

To  breake my fayth to the now plyght, my louing lord ſo dere.


Horeſtes.  Com on my Lordes & commons eke, let me now vnderſtand,
Of  all your mindes for I deſiare, to know what caſe this land
Doth  now conſyſt voutſate the ſame, therfore to ſhew to me,
And  yf that ought be now a myſe, amendyd it ſhalbe.


Nobelles.  Moſt regall Prynce we now are voyd, of mortall wars vexatiō
And  through your grace we ar ioyned, in loue wt euery  nation.
So yt your  nobelles may now lyue, in pleaſaunt ſtate ſartaine,
Deuoyd  of wars & ciuill ſtryfes, whyle yt your  grace doth raine
The which you may I pray the god, with happy  days and blys
And after death to ſend you there, where ioyſe  ſhall neuer mys.

As  ſyne of our obedyence, lo Dewty doth the Crownd,
And Truth  alſo which doth me bynd, they ſubiecte to be found.


Let  truth & Dewty Crowne Horeſtes.


Horeſtes.  My Nobels all I gyue you thankes, for this now ſhowed to me
And  as you haue ſo eke wyll I, the lyke ſhow vnto ye.
My cōmons  how goſe it wt you,  your ſtate now let me know,


Commons.  Where as ſuch on as you do raine, there nedes muſt riches gro
We  are o king eaſyd of the yoke, which we haue ſo deſiard.
The  ſtate of this our common welth, nede not to be inquiard.
Peace,  welth, ioye, and felycitie, o kinge it is we haue,
And what  thing is their yt which,  ſubiects ought more to craue


Horeſtes.  Syeth all thinges is in ſo good ſtate, my commons as you ſaye
That  it may ſo contynew ſtyll, the ſacred godes I praye.
And as  to me your truſteynes, ſhall anye wayes be found,
So ſtyll  to mayntayne your eſtate, I ſureley ſhalbe bound.
And for  your faythfull harts, the which you graūted haue to me
Both  you my lordes, and commons eke, I thanke you hartele.
Therfore  ſith time wil haue an end, & now my mind you know
Let vs  giue place to tyme, and to our pallaſe let vs go.


Nobelles.  We both wil waight vpon your grace, yft pleaſe you to depart


Commons.  Eeuen when you pleaſe to waigh you on I ſhall wt all  my hart


go  out all & let truth & Dewtye ſpeake.


Truth.  A kyngdome kept in Amyte, and voyde of diſſention,
Ne deuydyd  in him ſelfe, by aney kynde of waye,
Neather prouoked by  wordes, of reprehention,
Muſt nedes long contynew, as Truth  doth ſaye.
For deſention and ſtryfe, is the path to  decaye.
And continuinge therein, muſt of neſecttie,
Be  quight ruinate, and brought vnto myſerye.


Dewtey.  Where I Dewtey am neclected, of aney eſtate.
Their ſtryfe and  dyſſention, my place do ſupplye:
Cankred mallyſe pryde, and  debate,
Therefore to reſt, all meanes do trye.
Then ruin  comes after, of their ſtate whereby,
They are vtterly  extynguyſhed, leuinge nought behynde,
Whereof ſo much as  their, name we maye fynde.


Truth.  He that leadeth his lyfe, as his phanſey doth lyke,
Though for  a whyle, the ſame he may hyde:
Yée Truth, the daughter of  Tyme, wyll it ſeke,
And ſo in a tyme, it wyll be  diſcryde.
Yet in ſuch tyme as it can not, be denyed?
But  receaue dew punniſhment, as god ſhall ſe,
For the faute  commytted, moſt conuenient to be.
As this ſtorye here hath,  made open vnto ye,
Which yf it haue byn marked, much prophet  may aryſe?
For as Truth ſayth, nothinges wryten be,
But  for our learninge, in anye kynde of wyſe.
By which we may  learne, the yll to diſpyſe,
And the truth to imitate, thus  Truth doth ſaye:
The which for to do, I beſech God we maye.


Dewtey.  For your gentle pacience, we geue you thankes hartely,
And  therefore our dewtey weyed, let vs all praye,
For Elyzabeth our  Quene, whoſe gratious maieſtie:
May rayne ouer vs, in helth  for aye,
Lyke wyſe for her councell, that each of them  maye.
Haue the ſpyryte of grace, their doinges to dyrecte,

In  settinge vp vertue, and vyce to correcte.


Truth.  For all the Nobylytie, and ſpiritualtie, let vs praye,

For  Iudges, and head officers, what euer they be:

According  to oure boundaunt dewties, eſpetially I ſaye,

For  my Lord Mayre, lyfetennaunt of this noble Cytie.

And  for all his brytherne, with the cominualtie.

That  eache of them, doinge their dewties a ryght,

May  after death poſſes heauen, to their hartes delyght.


Finis.    Q.  I. P.



{illustration}

ASTRIS  SAPIENS DOMINABITUR




¶Imprinted  at London in Fleteſtrete, at the ſigne of the Faucon, by Wylliam  Gryffith, and are to be ſold at his ſhoppe in Saynte Dunſtones  Church yarde. Anno. Domini. 1567.

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