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  • Title: The Whore of Babylon (Quarto, 1607)
  • Editors: Frances E. Dolan, Anna Pruitt

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    Author: Thomas Dekker
    Editors: Frances E. Dolan, Anna Pruitt
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    The Whore of Babylon (Quarto, 1607)

    0.001 THE
    WHORE OF
    BABYLON.
    As it was acted by the Princes
    0.005Seruants.
    Vexat Censura Columbas .
    Written by THOMAS DEKKER.
    LONDON
    Printed for Nathaniel Butter.
    0.0101607.
    DRAMMATIS
    personae.
    Titania the Fairie Queene: vnder whom is figured our
    Queene Elizabeth.
    0.015 Fideli. }
    Florimell. Councellors to Titania.
    Parthenophil.
    Elfiron.
    Castina. }
    0.020 Aura. Ladies attendant.
    Philaema.
    Agathe.
    Campeius a Scholler.
    Paridel a Doctor.
    0.025 Time. }
    Truth. Plaine-dealing.
    Th'Empre s s e of Babylon: vnder whom is figured Rome.
    kings 3.
    Cardinals 4.
    0.030 Ragazzoni. }
    Campeggio. Agents for th'Empre s s e.
    Ropus a Doctor of Physicke.
    An Albanois.
    Palmio, a Iesuit.
    0.035 Milites.
    Ministri.
    Lectori.
    T He Generall scope of this Drammaticall
    Poem, is to set forth (in Tropicall and
    0.040 shadowed collours) the Greatnes, Magna-
    nimity, Con stancy, Clemency, and other
    the incomparable Heroical vertues of our
    late Queene And (on the contrary part)
    the inueterate malice, Treasons, Ma-
    0.045 chinations Vnderminings, & continual blody stratagems of that
    Purple whore of Roome, to the taking away of our Princes liues,
    and vtter extirpation of their Kingdomes. Wherein if accor-
    ding to the dignity of the Subiect, I haue not giuen it Lu stre,
    and (to vse the Painters rhethorick) doe so faile in my Depthes
    0.050 & Heightnings, that it is not to the life, let this excuse me, that
    the Pyramides vpon whose top the glorious Raigne of our de-
    ceased Soueraigne was mounted, stands yet so high, and so sharp-
    ly pointed into the clouds, that the Art of no pen is able to
    reach it. The streame of her Vertues is so immēsurable, that the
    0.055 farther they are waded into, the farther is it to the bottom.
    In sayling vpon which two contrary Seas, you may obserue,
    on how direct a line I haue steered my course: for of such a scant-
    ling are my words set downe, that neither the one party speakes
    too much, nor the other (in opppo sition) too little in their owne
    0.060 defence.
    And whereas I may, (by some more curions in censure, then
    sound in iudgement) be Critically taxed, that I fal si fie the ac-
    count of time, and set not down Occurrents, according to their
    true succe s s ion, let such (that are so nice of stomach) know, that
    0.065 I write as a Poet, not as an Hi storian, and that these two doe not
    Lectori.
    liue vnder one law. How true Fortunes dyall hath gone whose
    Players (like so many clocks, haue struck my lines, and told the
    world how I haue spent my houres) I am not certaine, because
    mine eare stood not within reach of their Larums. But of
    0.070 this my knowledge cannot faile, that in such Consorts,
    many of the Instruments are for the mo st part out of tune,
    And no maruaile; for let the Poet set the note of his Nombers,
    euen to Apolloes owne Lyre, the Player will haue his owne Cro-
    chets, and sing false notes, in di spite of all the rules of Mu sick.
    0.075 It fares with these two, as it does with good stuffe and a badde
    Tayler: It is not mard in the wearing, but in the cutting out.
    The labours therfore of Writers are as vnhappie as the children
    of a bewtifull woman, being spoyld by ill nurses, within a month
    after they come into the world. What a number of throwes doe
    0.080 we endure eare we be deliuered? and yet euen then (tho that hea-
    uenly i ssue of our braine be neuer so faire and so well lymd,) is
    it made lame by the bad handling of them to whome it is put to
    learne to goe: if this of mine bee made a cripple by such meanes,
    yet di spise him not for that deformity which stuck not vpon him
    0.085 at his birth; but fell vpon him by mis-fortune, and in recompence
    of such fauour, you shall (if your Patience can suffer so long)
    heare now how himselfe can speake.
    1 PROLOGVE.
    THe Charmes of silence through this Square be throwne,
    That an vn-vsde Attention (like a Iewell)
    May hang at euery eare, for wee present
    5Matter aboue the vulgar Argument:
    Yet drawne so liuely, that the weake st eye,
    (Through those thin vailes we hang betweene your sight,
    And this our peice) may reach the mi stery:
    What in it is mo st graue, will mo st delight.
    10But as in Lantskip, Townes and Woods appeare
    Small a farre off, yet to the Optick sence,
    The mind shewes them as great as those more neere;
    So, winged Time that long agoe flew hence
    You mu st fetch backe, with all those golden yeares
    15He stole, and here imagine still hee stands,
    Thru sting his siluer locke into your hands.
    There hold it but two howres, It shall from Graues
    Raize vp the dead: vpon this narrow floore
    Swell vp an Ocean, (with an Armed Fleete,)
    20And lay the Dragon at a Doues soft feete.
    These Wonders sit and see, sending as guides
    Your Iudgement, not your passions: passion slides,
    When Iudgement goes vpright: for tho the Muse
    (Thats thus in spir'de) a Nouell path does tread,
    25Shee's free from fooli sh boldnes, or base dread.
    Loe; scorne she scornes and Enuies ranckling tooth,
    For this is all shee does, she wakens Truth.
    A Dumb shew.
    H E drawes a Curtaine, discouering Truth in sad abiliments; vncrownd:
    her haire di sheueld, & sleeping on a Rock: Time (her father) attired like-
    30 wise in black, and al his properties (as Sithe, Howregla s s e and Wings) of the
    same Cullor, vsing all meanes to waken Truth, but not being able to doe it,
    he sits by her and mourns. Then enter Friers, Bi shops, Cardinals before the
    Hearse of a Queen, after it Councellors, Pentioners & Ladies, al these la st ha-
    uing scarfes before their eyes, the other singing in Latin. Trueth suddenly a-
    35 wakens, & beholding this sight, shews (with her father) arguments of Ioy, and
    Exeunt, returning presently: Time being shifted into light Cullors, his pro-
    perties likewise altred into siluer, and Truth Crowned, (being cloathed in a
    robe spotted with Starres) meete the Hearse, and pulling the veiles from the
    Councellers eyes, they woundring a while, and seeming a stoni shed at her
    40 brightnes, at length embrace Truth and Time, & depart with them: leauing
    the re st going on.
    This being done, Enter Titania (the Farie Queene) attended with those
    Councellors, and other persons fitting her e state: Time and Truth meete her,
    presenting a Booke to her, which (ki s s ing it) shee receiues, and shewing it
    45 to those about her, they drawe out their swordes, (embracing Truth,) vowing
    to defend her and that booke: Truth then and Time are sent in, and returne
    presently, driuing before them those Cardinals, Friers &c. (that came in be-
    fore) with Images, Croziar staues &c. They gon, certaine graue learned men,
    that had beene bani shed, are brought in, and presented to Titania, who shewes
    50 to them the booke, which they receiue with great signes of gladne s s e, and
    Exeunt Omnes.
    THE WHORE
    of Babylon.
    Empre s s e of Babylon: her Canopie supported by 4. Cardinals: 2. persons in
    55 Pontificall roabes on either hand, the one bearing a sword, the other the
    keies: before her 3. Kings crowned, behinde her Friers, &c.
    Empr. THat we, in pompe, in peace, in god-like splendor,
    With adoration of all dazeled eies,
    Should breath thus long, and grow so full of daies,
    60Be fruitfull as the Vine, in sonnes and daughters,
    (All Emperors, Kings, and Queenes) that (like to Cedars
    Vpri sing from the breas st of Lybanus,
    Or Oliues nur st vp by Ierusalem)
    Heightened our glories, whil st we held vp them:
    65That this va st Globe Terre striall should be cantled,
    And almo st three parts ours, and that the nations,
    Who su spiration draw out of this aire,
    With vniuersall Aues, showtes, and cries,
    Should vs acknowledge to be head supreame
    70To this great body (for a world of yeares:)
    Yet now, when we had made our Crowne compleat,
    And clos'd it strongly with a triple arch,
    And had inrich'd it with those pretious jewels
    Few Princes euer see (white haires) euen now
    75Our greatne s s e hangs in ballance, and the stampe
    Of our true Soueraignty, clipt, and abas'd.
    1. King. By whom dread Empre s s e?
    Emp. Aske these holy Fathers:
    Aske those our out-ca st sonnes: a throne vsurped
    80Our chaire is counted, all our titles stolne.
    2. King. What bla sphemy dare speake so?
    Empr. All our roabes,
    Your ve stments, (reuerend, yet pontificall:)
    This sword, these keyes, (that open kingdoms hearts
    85To let in sweet obedience) All, but borrowed.
    3. King. What soule aboue the earth----
    Emp. Our royall signet,
    With which, we, (in a mothers holy loue)
    Haue sign'd so many pardons, is now counterfeit:
    90From our mouth flow riuers of bla sphemy
    And lies; our Babylonian Sinagogues
    Are counted Stewes, where Fornications
    And all vncleanne s s e Sodomiticall,
    (Whose leprosy touch'd vs neuer) are now daily acted:
    95Our Image, which (like Romane Cae sars) stamp'd
    In gold, through the whole earth did currant pa s s e;
    Is now blanch'd copper, or but guilded bra s s e.
    3. King. Can yonder roofe, thats naild so fa st with ( starres,
    Couer a head so impious, and not cracke?
    100That Sulphure boyling o're cele stiall fires,
    May drop in whizing flakes (with skalding vēgeāce)
    On such a horrid sinne!
    1. King. No mortall bosome
    Is so vnsanctified.
    105 2. King. Who i' st bright Empre s s e,
    That feeds so vlcerous, and so ranke a Spleene?
    Emp. A woman.
    Omn. Woman! who?
    Emp. The Fairie Queene:
    110Fiue Summers haue scarce drawn their glimmering (nights
    Through the Moons siluer bowe, since the crownd (heads
    Of that adored bea st, on which we ride,
    Were strucke and wounded, but so heal'd againe,
    The very scarres were hid. But now, a mortall,
    115An vnrecouerable blovv is taken,
    And it must bleed to death.
    3. King. Heauen cannot suffer it.
    Empr. Heauen suffers it, and sees it, and giues ayme,
    Whil st euen our Empires heart is cleft in sunder:
    120That strumpet, that inchantre s s e, (who, in robes
    White as is innocence, and with an eye
    Able to tempt stearne murther to her bed)
    Calles her selfe Truth, has stolne faire Truths attire,
    Her crowne, her sweet songs, counterfets her voyce,
    125And by pre stigious tricks in sorcerie,
    Ha's raiz'd a base impo stor like Truths father:
    This subtile Curtizan sets vp againe,
    Whom we but late bani sht, to liue in caues,
    In rockes and desart mountaines.
    130 2. King. Feare her not, shee's but a shadow.
    Empr. O t'is a cunning Spider,
    And in her nets so wraps the Fairie Queene,
    That shee suckes euen her brea st: Sh'as writ a booke,
    Which shee calles holy Spels.
    135 3. King. Weele breake those spels.
    Empr. The poles of heauen mu st fir st in sunder breake,
    For from the Fairie shores this Witch hath driuen
    All such as are like these (our Sooth-Saiers)
    And cal'd false Seers home, that of things pa st,
    140Sing wonders, and diuine of things to come:
    Through whose bewitching tongues runne golden chaines,
    To which ten thousand eares so fa st are bound,
    As spirits are by spells; that all the Tones
    Of harmony, that Babylon can sound,
    145Are charmes to Adders, and no more regarded,
    Than are by him that's deafe, the sicke mans groanes
    Shee, they, Titania, and her Fairie Lords,
    Yea euen her va s s aile elues, in publike scorne
    Defame me, call me Whore of Babylon.
    150 Omn. O vnheard of prophanation!
    Empr. Giue out I am common: that for lu st, and hire
    I pro stitute this body: that to Kings
    I quaffe full bowles of strong enchanting wines,
    To make them dote on me.
    155 Omn. Lets heare no more.
    Emp. And that all Potentates that tread on earth,
    With our abhominations should be drunke,
    And be by vs vndone.
    Omn. Weele heare no more.
    160 3. King. You haue thru st Furies whips into our hands.
    1. King. Say but the word, and weele turne home your wrōgs,
    In torne and bloody collours.
    2. King. All her bowers,
    shall like burnt offerings purge away (in fire)
    165Her lands pollution.
    Omn. Let's to armes.
    Empr. Stay: heare me:
    Her kingdome weares a girdle wrought of waues,
    Set thicke with pretious stones, that are so charm'd,
    170No rockes are of more force: her Fairies hearts,
    Lie in inchanted towers (impregnable)
    No engine scales them. Therefore goe you three,
    Draw all your faces sweetly, let your browes
    Be sleekd, your cheekes in dimples, giue out smiles,
    175Your voyces string with siluer, wooe (like louers)
    Sweare you haue hils of pearle: shew her the world,
    And say shee shall haue all, so shee will kneele
    And doe vs reuerence: but if shee grow nice,
    Di s s emble, flatter, stoope to licke the du st
    180Shee goes vpon, and (like to serpents) creepe
    Vpon your bellies, in humilitie;
    And beg shee would but with vs ioyne a league,
    To wed her land to ours: our ble s sing, goe.
    3. King. When mines are to be blowne vp, men dig low.
    185 All three. And so will wee.
    Emp. Prosper: till this sunne set
    The beames that from vs shoot, seeme counterfet. Exeunt.
    Manent 4. Cardinals, and certaine Priests.
    1. Card. This phy sicke cures not me.
    190 2. Card. Nor me.
    3. Card. Nor vs.
    1. Card. It is not strong of poyson, to fetch vp
    Thats bak't within: my gall is ouerflowne,
    My blood growne ranke and fowle: An inflamation
    195Of rage, and madnes so burnes vp my liuer,
    That euen my heart- strings cracke (as in a furnace)
    And all my nerues into my eye-balles shrinke,
    To shoot those bullets, and my braines at once
    Again st her soule that ha's halfe dambd vs: falls
    200Fetcht hie, and neare to heauen, light on no ground,
    But in hels bottome, take their fir st rebound.
    2. Card. Such are our falles: we once had mountaine-growth,
    With Pines and Cedars.
    3. Card. Now with none of both.
    205 1. Card. I could be glad to loose the diuine office
    Of my creation, to be turn'd into
    A dogge, so I might licke vp but her blood,
    That thru sts vs from our vineyards.
    Tres. So could all.
    210 4. Card. Reuenge were milke to vs.
    2. Card. Manna.
    1. Card. And it shall.
    But how? wee will not (as the head supreame
    Ouer all nations, counselleth) licke the du st
    215The Faierie treads on, nor (like serpents) creepe
    Vpon our bellies in humilitie:
    This were (with Fencers) basely to giue ground,
    When the fir st bowt may speed: or to sound parly,
    Whil st they within, get swords to cut our throats:
    220No, weele at one blow strike the heart through.
    Tres. How?
    2. Card. By ponyards.
    1. Card. No.
    3. Card. Poyson.
    225 1. Card. No.
    4. Card. Treason.
    1. Card. Neither.
    2. Card. How (reuerend Como) then?
    1. Card. Thus---let's consult---nay you shal heare.
    230You know that all the springs in Fairie land
    Ran once to one head: from that head, to vs:
    The mountaine and the valley paid vs fruit;
    The field her corne, the countrey felt no heat
    But from our fires: Plenty still spread our boards,
    235And Charitie tooke away. We stept not forth
    But with a god like adoration
    All knees bowed low vnto vs: why was this?
    Why were our gardens Eden? why our bowers
    Built like to those in Paradise? I shall tell you,
    240It was because the Law mo st my sticall,
    Was not made common: therefore was not vile;
    It was because in the great Prophets Phanes
    And hallowed Temples, we were Chori sters:
    It was because (wise Pylots) we from rockes,
    245And gulfes infernall, safely set on shore
    Mens soules at yonder hauen: or (beeing shipwrackt)
    Strong lines forth ca st we, suffering none to sinke
    To that Abi s s e, which some hold bottomle s s e.
    But now our very graues
    250Cannot saue dead mens bones from shame and bruzes:
    The monumentall marble Vrnes of bodies
    (Laid to re st long agoe) vnreuerently
    Are turned to troughes of water now for jades:
    Va st Charnel-houses, where our fathers heads
    255Slept on the cold hard pillowes of the earth,
    Are emptied now, and chang'd to drinking roomes,
    Or vaults for baser office.
    2. Card. What's therefore to be done?
    1. Card. This mu st be done:
    260This shall be done: They hunted vs like wolues,
    Out of their Fairie forre sts, whipt vs away
    (As vagabonds) mockt vs, and said our fall
    Could not be dangerous, because we bore
    Our gods vpon our backes: now mu st we whip them,
    265But wiselier.
    Tres. How?
    1. Card. Thus: those that fill our roomes,
    Hold Beacons in their eies (blazing with fire
    Of a hot-seeming zeale) to watch our entrance,
    270And to arme all again st vs: these we mu st quench:
    They are counted wels of knowledge, poyson these wells:
    They are the kingdoms mu sicke, they the Organs,
    Vnto whose sound her Anthems now are sung,
    Set them but out of tune, alls out of square,
    275Pull downe the Church, and none can it repaire,
    But he that builds it: this is the faggot band
    That binds all fa st: vndoo't, vndoe the land---
    Card. omn. Mo st certaine.
    1. Card. You therefore (the be st consort of the soule)
    280Shepheards (whose flocks are men, lambs, Angels,) you
    That hold the roofe of yon Starre-chamber vp,
    From dropping downe to grinde the world to du st,
    You shall to Fairie land.
    Card. omnes. A joyfull voyage.
    285 1. Card. Those that sing there the holy Hymnes, as yet
    Haue not their voyces cleere, the streame of ceremony
    Is scarcely settled, trouble it more: bayte hookes
    To take some, some to choake: ca st out your net
    At fir st, for all the frie: let vs spread sayles
    290To draw vnto our shores the Fairie whales.
    That Truth, whose standard-bearer Babylon,
    And all we are, is not cleane driuen from thence,
    Whither we send you: there shee liues, but liues
    A widdow; steps not forth, dares not be seene
    295During her moneth of mourning: here we write you
    How, and with whom to finde her: what shee bids,
    That doe: your hire's aboue.
    Card. omnes. We know it well.
    1. Card. And when you see those Fairy fi shermen
    300Rowe in your streames, when they grow cold in working,
    And weary of their owne waters, that the sayles
    (Which stifly beare them vp) flag and hang low,
    And that (like reedes, playing with a paire of winds.)
    They promise facill pliance, then, then shake
    305The trees by the root, then'le make the branches blow,
    And drop their mellowed fruits, euen at your feet,
    Gather them they are our owne, then is the houre,
    To weane those sonnes of blacke Apo sta si
    From her. (their stepdame) and to make them take,
    310A ble s sing from our reuerend mothers hands,
    Be happie goe.
    Card. Omn. Wee shall remember you,
    In all our kneelings.
    1. Card. Stay: ere you shift Ayre,
    315Sprinkle your selues all ore with sacred droppes,
    Take Periapts, Pentacles, and potent Charmes
    To coniure downe fowle feinds, that will be rayzed
    To vex you, tempt you, and betray your bloud,
    About your necks hang hallowed Amulets,
    320That may Conserue you from the plagues of Error
    Which will strike at you.
    Sacr. Omn. Wee obey mo st holy fathers.
    1. Car. And heare you,
    If clymbing vp to this haught enterprize
    325The foot slip, and (ith' fal) with death you meet---
    Sacr. Omn. O glorious ladder!
    1. Car. A Saints winding sheet,
    Farewell: Mount all the engines of your wit Exeunt Sacr.
    When darts are sent from all parts, some mu st hit.
    330There is a fellow to whome, because he dare
    Not be a slaue to greatnes, nor is molded
    Of Court dow (flattering) but ( should it thunder)
    To his father. doing ill, (would speake ill) our Empre s s e,
    Hath giuen this name. (Plaine Dealing): this plaine dealing
    335Haue I shipd hence, and is long since arriued
    Vpon the fairy strnod: from him I expect,
    Intelligence of all Occurrences,
    He for the names sake, shall perhaps be welcome,
    Into that Harlots Company (whom the fairyes
    340Thinke hone st, and sweare deeply, she is Truth.
    That strumpet by inticement heele bring ouer,
    2. Card. It came to me in letters (two dayes since.
    That this plaine dealing serues the fairy Queene,
    And will no more be seene in Babilon.
    345 1. Card. How no more seene in Babilon, tis but one lo st,
    If Babilon subscribe to our wise-doome,
    Shee shall lodge Double-Dealing in his roome. Exeunt.
    Titania Fidely, Florimell, Elfiron,
    Pentioners,
    350 Tita. Wee thought the fates would haue closde vp our eyes,
    That wee should nere haue seene this day- starre rise:
    How many plots were laid to barre vs hence,
    (Euen from our Cradle?) but our Innocence
    Your wisedome (fairy Peeres) and aboue all,
    355That Arme) that cannot let a white soule fall,
    Hath held vs vp, and lifted vs thus hie,
    Euen when the Arrowes did mo st thickly flie:
    Of that bad woman, (Babilons proud Queene,
    Who yet (we heare) swels with Inuenomed spleene.
    360 Fid. Whose poyson, shall (like Arrowes shot vpright)
    When forth it bur sts, to her owne downfall light.
    Tita. Truth be my witnes (whome we haue imployde,
    To purge our Aire that has with plagues de stroyed
    Great numbers, shutting them in darksome shades)
    365I seeke no fall of hirs, my spirit wades,
    In Clearer streames; her bloud I would not shed,
    to gaine that triple wreath that binds her head,
    Tho mine shee would let forth, I know not why,
    Only through rancke lu st after Souereigntie.
    370 Flor. Enough it is for me, if with a hand,
    (Vn staind and vn-ambitious) fairy Land
    I Crowne with Oliue-branches: all those wounds,
    Whose goary mouthes but lately staind our Rounds,
    Bleed yet in me: for when great (a) Elfiline
    (a) Hen. 7.
    375(Our grand sire) fild this throne, your bowers did shine
    With fire-red steele, and not with Fairies eies,
    You heard no mu sicke then, but shriekes and cries,
    Then armed Vrchins, and stearne hou shold Elues,
    Their fatall pointed swords turnd on themselues.
    380But when the royall Elfiline sat crowned,
    These ciuill woes in their own depth lay drowned.
    He to immortall shades beeing gone,
    (Fames minion) great King (b) Oberon
    (b) Hen. 8.
    Titaniaes royall father, liuely springs,
    385Whose Court was like a campe of none but Kings.
    From this great conquering Monarchs glorious stemme,
    Three (in direct line) wore his Diadem:
    (c) A King fir st, then a paire of (d) Queenes, of whom,
    (c) Edw. 6.
    Shee that was held a downe-ca st, by Fates doome,
    (d) Q. Mar
    390Sits now aboue their hopes: her maiden hand,
    & Q. Eliz.
    Shall with a silken thred guide Fairie land.
    Omn. And may shee guide it,
    Fid. Euen till stooping time
    Cut for her (downe) long yeeres that shee may climbe
    395(With ease) the highe st hill old age goes o're,
    Or till her Fairie subiects (that adore
    Her birth-day as their beeing) shall complaine,
    They are weary of a peacefull, golden raigne.
    Titan. Which, that they neuer shall, your stately towers
    400Shall keepe their ancient beauty: and your bowers
    (Which late) like prophan'd Temples empty stood,
    The tops defac'd by fire, the floores by blood,)
    Shall be fill'd full of Chori sters to sing
    Sweet heauenly songs, like birds before the spring:
    405The flowers we set, and the fruits by vs sowne,
    Shall cheere as well the stranger as our owne.
    We may to strange shores once our selues be driuen,
    For who can tell vnder what point of heauen
    His graue shall open? neither shall our oakes,
    410Trophies of reuerend Age, fall by our stroaks,
    Nor shall the brier, or hawthorne (growing vnder)
    Feare them, but flie to them, to get from thunder,
    And to be safe from forraine wild-fire balles,
    Weele build about our waters wooden walles.
    415 Omn. On which weele spend for you our late st liues. Enter Parthen.
    Titan. Fairies I thank you all, stay who comes here?
    Flor. Parthenophill, a Fairie Peere.
    Titan. Parthenophill.
    Parth. Bright Empre s s e, Queene of maides
    420To vs your Lords, amid st your Fairie shades:
    Three Princes (so themselues they style) are come,
    From whence, they'l vs not learne, and doe intreat
    Faire, and a free acce s s e.
    Titan. What is their bu sine s s e?
    425 Parth. The splendor of your glories, which a farre
    Shines (as they say, and iu stly say) as brightly
    As here at hand, hither them drawes, prote sting
    All faith and seruice to you, and reque sting
    That they the tribute of their loues may pay,
    430At your mo st sacred feet.
    Titan. Allow them entrance.
    Parth. They in a Fairie maske, the argument
    Of this their dutie, gladly would present.
    Titan. As be st them please.
    435 The Hault-boyes sounding , Titania in dumbe shew sends her Lords to
    fetch them in, who enter bare headed the three Kings queintly attired
    like Masquers following them, who doing honour to her in-
    treat to dance with her maides, and doe so: This done they discouer.
    Titan. Your painted cheeks beeing off, your owne discouers,
    440You are no Fairies.
    All three. No: but wounded louers.
    Titan. How! louers! what! would you deflower my bed,
    And strike off a poore maiden-head?
    We know you not: what are you? and from whence?
    445 3. King. The (a) land of whom the sunne so enamor'd is,
    He lends them his complexion, giues me birth,
    (a) Spaine
    The Indian and his gold are both my slaues,
    Vpon my sword (as on the Axell tree)
    A world of kingdomes mooue: and yet I write
    450 Non sufficit that lu stie sonne of Ioue
    That twelue times shewed himselfe more then a man,
    Reard vp two pillars for me, on whose Capitals
    I stand (Colo s s us-like) striding ore seas,
    And with my head knock at the roofe of Heauen:
    455Hence come I, this I am, (O mo st diuine)
    All that I am is yours, be you but mine.
    2. King. The country (a) at whose brea st, hundreds of Kings
    Haue royally bin fed, is nurce to me:
    (a) France.
    The god of grapes is mine, whose bounteous hand
    460In clu sters deales his gifts to euery land:
    My Empire beares for greatnes, pollicy,
    State, skill in Arts and Armes, sole soueraigntie
    Of this Globe vniuersall. All her Princes
    Are warriours borne: whose battels to be told,
    465Would make the hearers souldiers: t'is a land
    Of breath so sweet, and of aspect so faire,
    That to behold her, and to conquer her,
    (In amorous combats,) great king Oberon,
    Your awefull father, oft ha's thither come,
    470Like to a bridegrome, or a Reueller,
    And gone agen in goodly triumphs home.
    From hence I spring, (faire st and mo st diuine)
    All that this is, is yours, be you but mine.
    3. King. Be you but mine, and doubly will I treble
    475Their glories and their greatne s s e: like to thunder
    My voyce farre off, shakes kingdomes; whil st mine owne
    Stands on Seauen (b) hills, whose towers, and pinnacles,
    And renarend Monuments, hold in them such worth,
    And are so sacred, Emperours and Kings
    480(Like barefoote pilgrims) at her feet doe fall,
    Bowing to her trible crowne imperiall.
    The language which shee speakes, goes through the world,
    To proue that all the world should stoope to her,
    And (saue your selfe) they doe; you thinke you leaue
    485A rich inheritance, if to your sonnes,
    Our fluent tongue you leaue, (nor need they more)
    Who speake and spend it well, cannot be poore:
    On many nations necks, a foot to set,
    If it be glorious, then may you be great.
    490 1. King. We are all pleasd, so please you be the bride,
    Of three, we care not which two be deni'd.
    2. King. For we are brethren, and those sacred brea sts
    From whence we draw our nouri shment, would runne
    Nectar to you (sweete as the food of life:)
    495Our aged mother twentie times an hower,
    Would breath her wholesome ki s s es on your cheeke,
    And from her own cup you should drinke that wine
    Which none but Princes ta st, to make you looke
    With cheerefull countenance.
    500 3. King. You haue a (a) sonne,
    (a) The Iri sh.
    Rebellious, wild, ingratefull, poore, and yet
    Apollo from's owne head cuts golden lockes,
    To haue them grow on his: his harp is his,
    The darts he shoots are his: the winged me s s enger
    505That runnes on all the errands of the gods,
    Teaches him swiftnes; hee'l out strip the windes:
    This child of yours is (by adoption)
    Our mothers now, her ble s sing he receiues;
    And tho (as men did in the golden Age)
    510He liue ith' open fields, hiding his head
    In dampi sh caues, and woods, (sometimes for feare,)
    Yet doe we succour him. This your lo st sheep,
    We home agen will bring, to your owne fold,
    Humbly to graze vpon your Faierie plaines,
    515Prouided, that you sow them with such seed,
    On which your whole land wholesomely may feed.
    Titan. We know you now: O what a deale of paines
    Would you (as others of this wing haue taken)
    To be in Faierie land calld Soueraignes?
    520Thankes for it: ra shly nothing mu st we doe:
    When kingdoms marrie, heauen it selfe stands by
    To giue the bride: Princes in tying such bands,
    Should vse a thousand heads, ten thousand hands:
    For that one Acte giues like an enginous wheele
    525Motion to all, sets all the state a going,
    And windes it vp to height, or hurles it down,
    The lea st bla st turnes the scale, where lies a crowne:
    Weele therefore take aduice. If these thinke fit
    We should be yours, you ours, we signe to it:
    530Your counsell Fairie Lords: Fideli speake.
    Fid. Would you (my royal mi stres) haue those chri stal
    Faire, double-leaued doores, where light comes forth
    To cheere the world, neuer to open more?
    Would you haue all your slūbers turn'd to dreams,
    535Frightfull and broken? would you see your Lords
    (In stead of sitting at your Councell boards)
    Locking their graue, white, reuerend heads in steele?
    If so, you cannot for all Fairie land
    Find men to fit you better.
    540 Titan. Florimell,
    Breathes there in you Fidelies spirit?
    Flor. No Lady.
    3. King. No nor in any bre st that's soūd: true Coūceller,
    Already you speake mu sicke: you are strung
    545With golden chords; Angels guide on your tongue.
    Flor. These potent, politicke, and twin-borne states,
    Would to their mitred fortunes tie our fates:
    Our Fairie groues are greene, our temples stand
    Like goodly watch-towers, wafting pa s s engers
    550From rockes, t'arriue them in the Holy land:
    Peace (here) eats fruits, which her own hād hath sown,
    Your lambes with lyons play: about your throne,
    The Palme, the Lawrell, and the abundant Vine
    Grow vp, and with your roses doe entwine.
    555But if these gripe your Scepter once,
    Titan. What then?
    Flor. Vultures are not more rauenous thā these men,
    Confu sion, tyranie, vproares will shake all,
    Tygres, & wolues, and beares, will fil your seat,
    560In nothing (but in miserie) youle be great:
    Those black and poisonous waters that bore down
    In their rough torrent, Fairie townes and towers,
    And drownd our fields in Marianaes daies,
    Will (in a mercile s s e inundation)
    565Couer all againe: red Seas will flow again:
    The Deuill will roare againe: if these you loue,
    Be (as the Serpent,) wise then, tho a Doue.
    2. King. This hee that speakes in mu sicke?
    Titan. Are you all,
    570Of this opinion Lordes?
    Omn. All, all.
    All 3. Lets hence.
    3. King. When close plots faile, vse open violence.
    Titani. Stay: Princes are free-borne, & haue free wils,
    575 Theis are to vs, as vallies are to hills,
    We may, be counceld by them, not controld:
    Our wordes our Law.
    Elfyr. Bright Souereigne.
    Titan. Y'are too bold.
    580 3. King. I knew the fort would yeeld.
    1. King. Attend.
    2. King. Shees ours.
    Titan. You would Combine a League, which these
    would breake.
    585 1. King. A League!
    2. King. Holy.
    3. King. Honorable.
    Titan. Nay heare me speake,
    You court me for my loue, you I imbrace
    590As maides doe suiters, with a smiling face
    As you doe me: receiue our answere then:---
    I cannot loue you:---what! such hardy men
    And flie for one repulse? I meane as yet;
    As yet I'm not at leisure: But I sweare
    595Euen by my birth-day, by the crowne I weare,
    By those sweet waters, which into vs powre
    Health, that no sicknes taints, by that ble st flower
    Vpon whose roseal stalke our peace does grow,
    I sweare I will my loue on you be stow,
    600When one day comes, which now to you Ile name.
    1. King. The time! O ble s s ed time!
    2. King. Balme to our sorrow.
    3. King. Name that mo st happie houre.
    Tita. May be to morrow:
    605Marke els and iudge whether it may or no:
    When Lambes of ours, are kild by wolues of yours,
    Yet no bloud suckt: when Heauen two Suns endures:
    When Soules that re st in vnder-groundes,
    Heare Anthems sung, and prayse the soundes:
    610When drops of water are so spilt,
    That they can wa sh out murders guilt:
    When surgeons long since dead and gone,
    Can cure our woundes, being cald vpon:
    When from yon towers I heare one cry,
    615You may kill Princes lawfully:
    When a Court has no Para site,
    When truth speakes false, and fal shood right:
    When Conscience goes in cloth of gold,
    When Offices are giuen; not sold:
    620When merchants wiues hate co stly clothes,
    When ther's no lies in tradsmens oathes:
    When Farmers by deere yeeres do leeze,
    And Lawyers sweare to take no fees:
    (And that I hope will neuer, neuer bee)
    625But then (and not till then) I sweare,
    Shall your bewitching Charmes sleepe in mine eare.
    Away. Exeunt Faires: Manent 3. Kings.
    1. King. Derided to our faces!
    2. King. Baffuld!
    630 3. King. Made fooles!
    1. King. This mu st not be.
    Omn. It shall not be.
    3. King. Reuenge:
    Flie to our Empres bosome, there sucke treason,
    635Sedition, Herezies confederacies,
    The violation of al sacred leagues.
    The combination of all leagues vniu st,
    The dispensation for sacramentall oathes,
    And when ye'are swolne with theis, returne againe,
    640And let their poyson raine downe here in showres:
    Whole heards of bulls loaden with hallowed curses,
    With Interdictions, excommunications,
    And with vnbinding Subiects fealties,
    And with large pattents to kill Kings and Queens
    645Driue roaring hither, that vpon their hornes
    This Empire may be to st.
    2. King. Shee shall bee torne,
    Euen ioynt from ioynt: to haue her baited wel,
    (If we cannot) wee will vn-kennell hell:
    650 1. King. Will not you home with vs?
    3. King. No: here Ile lurke,
    And in a Doue-like shape rauen vpon Doues:
    Ile suck allegiance from the common bre st,
    Poyson the Courtier with ambitious drugs,
    655Throw bane into the cups where learning drinkes,
    Ile be a Saint, a Furie, Angell, Deuill,
    Or'e Seas, on this side Seas; Deuils forreners,
    With Deuils within hel freedome, Deuils in Vaults.
    And with Church Deuil, be it your soules health,
    660To drinke downe Babylonian Stratagems.
    And to forge three-forkt thunderbolts at home,
    Whil st I melt Sulphure here: If the sweet bane
    I lay bee swallowed, oh! a Kingdome bur sts,
    But if the poysoned hooke be spied, then leuy
    665Eightie eight Legions, and take open armes,
    The Guidon shall be mine, Ile beare the standard.
    Omn. Twi'll be a glorious warre.
    1. King. Farewell.
    3. Kidg. Bee gon,
    670Who cleaues a Realmes head, needs more swordes then one.
    Exeunt.
    Fideli, Florimell, Parthenophill, Elfiron,
    Flory. These euill spirits are vext, & tho they vani sht
    Like hideous dreames, yet haue they left behind them,
    675Throbs, and heart akings, in the generall boosome,
    As omynous bodings. Fairy Lackeyes.---
    4. Footmen Here.
    Flory. Flie Sirra throug the Ayre and neuer re st
    (On paine to be into an vrchin turnd)
    680Till thou ha st fixt vpon the highe st gates,
    Of our great' st Cities The'rs a warning peece. Away. (Exit.
    Fidel. Theis to the Spirits that our waters keepe,
    Charge thē that none row st there, but those whose nets,
    Are ca st out of our Fairy gundolets. Away. Exit. 2.
    685 Elfyr. Theis to the keepers of those royall woods
    Where Lyons, Panthers, and the kingly heardes
    Feede in one company; that if wild Boares,
    Mad Buls, or rauing Beares, breake in for prey,
    Hoping to make our groues their wildernes,
    690Ours may like souldiers bid thē battaile. Flie. Exit. 3.
    Parth. Theis to the Shepheards on our Fairie downs
    To warne them not to sleepe, but with sweet Layes
    And Iolly pipings driue into fat pa stures
    Their goodly flocks: Wolues are abroad say, Fly. Exit. 4.
    695 Fidel. Place Prouidence, (because she has quick eye:
    And is the be st at kenning) in our Nauy,
    Courage shall wait on her.
    Flor. No: shees mo st fit
    Titania and
    her maids
    standing alofe.
    To goe with vs.
    700 Omn. Let her in Counsell sit.
    Fid. Tis said: and lea st they breake into our walkes
    And kil our fairie deare, or change themselues
    Into the shape of Fawnes, being indeed Foxes,
    Range all the forre st danger to preuent,
    705Fore sight, beats stormes backe, when mo st Imminent.
    Omn. Away then. Exeunt.
    Manent Titania, and her maides.
    Titani. Wise Pilots? firme st pillars? how it agrees,
    When Princes heads sleepe on their counsels knees:
    710Deepe rooted is a state, and growes vp hie,
    When Prouidence, Zeale, and Integritie
    Husband it well: Theis fathers twill be said
    (One day) make me a grandame of a maid.
    Meane time my farewell to such gaudy lures
    715As here, were thrown vp t'haue me quite ore-thrown,
    I charge you maids, entertaine no de sires,
    So irreligious and vnsanctified:
    Oh, they ha snakes sleeky tongues, but hearts more rugged
    Then is the Russian Beare: our Fairie bowres
    720Would turne to Arabian desarts, if such flowers,
    (Mortall as killing Hemlocke) here should grow,
    Which to preuent, Ile haue you vow.
    Aur. We vowe
    By the white balles in bright Titaniaes eies,
    725We their inchantments skorne.
    Titan. It does suffice:
    To bind it sure, Strew all your meades with charmes,
    Which if they doe no good, shall doe no harme.
    Aur. Here comes your new sworne seruant.
    730 Enter Plaine dealing.
    Titan. Now Sirra, where haue you bin?
    Plain. Where haue I bin? I haue bin in the braue st prison---
    Titan. What prison? a braue prison? Can there be a braue prison?
    Plain. All your fine men liue and die there, it's the Knights
    735ward, and therefore mu st needs bee braue: some call it an Ordi-
    narie, but I say tis a prison, for mo st of our gallants that are ser-
    ued euery day with woodcockes there, lie there in a manner vp-
    on Execution: they dare not peepe out of doores for feare of
    Serieants.
    740 Titan. What are those Serieants?
    Plain. Doe not you know (mi stre s s e) what Serieants are? a
    nūber of your courtiers are deare in their acquaintāce: why they
    are certaine men-midwiues, that neuer bring people to bed, but
    when they are sore in labour, that no body els can deliuer them.
    745 Titan. Are there such places in our kingdome, as Ordinaries,
    what is the true fa shion of them, whats their order?
    Plain. They are out of all true fa shion: they keep no order.
    Titan. Where about in Fairie land stand they?
    Plain. In your great cittie: and here's the picture of your Or-
    750dinarie.
    Titan. When Ma ster Painter please we shall haue it: come Sir.
    Plain. Your gallants drink here right wor shipfully, eat mo st
    impudently, dice mo st swearingly, sweare mo st damnably, quar-
    rell mo st desperatly, and put vp mo st cowardly. Suppose I were
    755a young countrey gentleman, and that I were to come in (like an
    a s s e) among 'em, new ca st into the bonds of sattin.
    Titan. What then?
    Plain. Mary then doe all the gylt rapiers turne their Tobacco
    faces in the roome vpon me, and they puffe, they gape on a fre sh
    760man like so many stale Oy sters at a full tyde: then is there no
    salt to throw vpon them, and to make them leaue gaping, but
    this; to ca st off his cloake, hauing good cloathes vnderneath, si -
    ngle out some in the roome worse accou stred then himselfe, with
    him to walke boldly vp and downe strutting, laugh alowd at a-
    765ny thing, talke alowde of nothing, so they make a noise, it is no
    matter.
    Titan. You are growne Sirra an obseruer since you came out
    of Babylon.
    Plain. Troth mi stre s s e, I left villains and knaues there, & find
    770knaues & fooles here: for your Ordinary is your I sle of Gulles,
    your ship of fooles, your hospitall of incurable madmen: it is the
    field where your captaine and braue man is cal'd to the la st rec-
    koning, and is ouerthrown horse and foot: it is the onely schoole
    to make an hone st man a knaue: for Intelligencers may heare e-
    775nough there, to set twenty a begging of lands: it is the strange st
    Che s s e-board in the world.
    Titan. Why?
    Plain. Because in some games at Che s s e, knights are better
    then pawnes, but here a good pawne is better then a knight.
    780 Titan. Affoard our shores such wonders?
    Plain. Wonders? why this one little Cocke-pit, (for none come
    into it, but those that haue spurs) is able to shew all the follies of
    your kingdome, in a few Apes of the kingdome.
    Yitan. Haue we not in our Land Phy sitions
    785To purge these red impo stumes?
    Plain. Troth yes mi stre s s e; but I am Plaine dealing, and mu st
    speake truth, thou ha st many Phy sitions, some of thē sound men,
    bnt a number of them more sicke at heart, then a whole pari sh
    full of Patients: let them cure themselues fir st, & then they may
    790better know how to heale others: then haue you other fellowes
    that take vpon them to be Surgeons, and by letting out the cor-
    ruption of a State, and they let it out Ile be sworne; for some of
    them in places as big as this, and before a thousand people, rip
    vp the bowels of vice in such a bea stly manner, that (like women
    795at an Execution, that can endure to see men quartred aliue) the
    beholders learne more villany then they knew before: others
    likewise there be of this consort la st named, that are like Beadles
    bribed, they whip, but draw no blood, and of these I haue made
    a Rime. Titan. Let's heare it.
    800 Plain. Those that doe jerke these times, are but like fleas,
    They bite the skinne, but leap from the disease.
    Titan. Ile haue you Sir (because you haue an eye so sharp-
    ly pointed) to looke through and through that our great Citie,
    and like death, to spare the liues of none, whose conscience you
    805 find sickly and going.
    Plain. If I giue you the copie of the Cities countenance, Ile
    not flatter the face, as painters do; but shew al the wrinckles of it.
    Titan. Doe so you shall no more to Babylon,
    But liue with vs, and be our Officer.
    810 Plain. Haue I any kinred in your Court? is there any one of
    my name an officer? if there bee, part vs; because it will not bee
    good, to haue two of the Plain-dealings in one office, they'l bee
    beggars if they doe.
    Titan. No Sirra, wee'le prouide you shall not want
    815Whil st vs you serue. Goe learne where Truth doth lie.
    Plain. Nay, nay, I haue heard of her, she dwelles (they say) at
    the signe of the Holy Lambe.
    Titan. Wee built her vp a lodging at our co st,
    To haue her labour in our Vineyards:
    820For till shee came, no Vines could please our ta ste,
    But of her fining. Set your hand to hers,
    Liue with her in one house, fetch from our Court
    Maintenance to serue you all: t'will be to her
    A comfort to haue you stil by her sides,
    825Shee ha's such prettie and delightfull songs,
    That you will count your fore st labour light,
    And time well spent only to heare her sing.
    Away loose no more minutes.
    Pl. Not a minute: Ile set more watches then a clockmaker. Exit.
    830 Elfiron. Paridel.
    Titan. Whats yonder man that kneeles?
    Elfi. Tis (a) Paridel
    (a) Doctor Parry.
    Titan. Our doctor?
    Par. The mo st wretched in your land.
    835the mo st in soule deiected; the mo st base,
    And mo st vnseruiceable weede, vnles
    You by your heauenly Influence change his vileues
    Into a vertuall habit fit for vse.
    Tita. Oh: we remember it; you are condemnd?
    840 Elf. To Death.
    Pari. Deseruedly.
    Tita. You had your hand
    Not coulored with his bloud.
    Elf. No deere st Lady
    845Vpon my vowed Loyalty.
    Pari. The law, hath fa stned on me only for attempt,
    It was no actuall nor commenced violence
    That brought death with it, but intent of ill.
    Tita. We would not saue them, that delight to kill,
    850For so we wound our selues: bloud wrongly spilt
    Who pardons, hath a share in halfe the guilt.
    You strooke, our lawes not hard, yet what the edge
    Of Iu stice could take from you, mercy giues you
    (Your life.) Yo haue it signed, rize.
    855 Pari. May yon Clouds
    Mu ster themselues in Armies, to confound
    Him that shall wi sh you dead, hurt, or vncrownd.
    Pathenophill with Campeius.
    Par. To run in debt thus basely for a life,
    860To spend which, had beene glory! O mo st vile!
    The good I reape from this superfluous grace,
    Is but to make my selfe like Cae sars horse,
    To kneele whil st he gets vp: my backe mu st beare
    Till the chine crack, yet still a seruile feare
    865Mu st lay more loades on me, and pre s s e me downe.
    When Princes giue life, they so bind men to 'em,
    That tru sting them with too much, they vndo 'em.
    Who then but I, from steps so low would rise?
    Great fortunes (eanrd thus) are great Slaueries:
    870Snatcht from the common hangmans hands for this?
    To haue my mind feele torture! now I see,
    When good dayes come, (the Gods so seldome giue them,)
    That tho we haue them, yet we scarce beleeue them.
    Heart how art thou confinde? and bard of roome,
    875Thart quicke enough, yet liue st within a tombe.
    Tita. His name.
    Parth. (a) Campeius: Deeply learnd.
    (a) Ed. Campion.
    Tit. We heare so:
    But with it heare (from some whome we haue weied
    880For iudgement and experience) that he caries:
    A soule within him framde of a thousand wheeles
    Yet not one steddy.
    Parthe. It may be the rumor
    That thus spreades ouer him, flowes out of hate.
    885 Tita. Belieue vs no: of his, and tothers fate,
    The threedes are too vnlike, to haue that wouen.
    Camp. To gaine her crowne Ile not kneele thus.
    Tita. Be sides
    The harue st which he seekes is reapde already:
    890We haue be stowed it.
    Parth. Here then dies our sute.
    Tita. Now shall you trie with what impatience
    That bay tree will endure a little fire,
    My Lord, my Lord,
    895Such swelling spirites hid with humble lookes,
    Are kingdoms poysons, hung on golden hookes,
    Parth. I hope heele proue none such.
    Tita. Such men oft proue.
    Valleyes that let in riuers to confound
    900The hils aboue them, tho themselues lie drounde,
    My Lord, I like not calme and cunning seas
    That to haue great ships taken or di stre st,
    Suffer base gallyes to creepe ore their brea st,
    Let course harts weare course skins: you know our wil.
    905 Parth. Which (as a doome diuine) I shall fulfill.
    Camp. Thrown downe, or raizd?
    Parth. All hopes (for this) are gone,
    ome planet stands in oppo sition. Exeunt Parth Camp. Vmh: So. & Camp.
    Tita. Now Doctor Paridell.
    910 Pari. An humble suite,
    I am growne bold finding so free a giuer,
    Where beggers once take almes, they looke for't euer.
    Tita. You ha beene sworne our seruant long.
    Pary. Tenne yeares.
    915 Tita. And we should wrong you; since you take vs gi(uing
    To let you goe with life, that should want liuing,
    What is it we can grant you.
    Pary. I ha beene by two great Fayries in your land,
    (Oppre st I dare not say) but so beaten downe,
    920And suncke so low now with my la st disgrace,
    That all my happy thoughts lie in the du st,
    A sham'd to looke vp yet: mo st humbly therefore
    Begge I your gratious leaue that I may vary,
    This natiue Aire for Forren.
    925 Tita. Oh you would trauell,
    You may, you haue our leaue: Challenge our hand.
    Pary. Stormes are at Sea, when it is calme at land. Exit.
    Fideli Florimell.
    Fidel. The Sea-God hath vpon your maiden shoares,
    930(On Dolphins backes that pittie men di stre st)
    In safetie sett a people that implores,
    The Soueraigne mercie flowing from your bre st.
    Tita. What people are they?
    Fidel. Neighbours: tis the nation, The Netherlanders.
    935With whome our Faries enterchange commerce,
    And by negotiation growne so like vs,
    That halfe of them are Fayries: th'other halfe
    Are hurtfull Spirits, that with sulphurous breath
    Bla st their corne feilds, deface their temples, cloth
    940their townes in mourning, poyson hallowed founts,
    And make their goodlie st Citties stand (like tombes)
    Full of dead bodies, or (like pallaces,
    From whence the Lords are gone) all desolate.
    They haue but 17. danghters young and faire,
    945Vowd to liue ve stalls, and to know the touch
    Of any forced or vnreuerend hand.
    Yet Lu st and Auarice (to get their dowers)
    Lay barbarous seidge again st their cha stitie,
    Threaten to raui sh them, to make their bodies
    950The temples of polution, or their bedds,
    Graues where their honors shall lie buried,
    They pray to haue their virgins wait on you,
    That you would be their mother, and their nurse,
    Their Guardian and their Gouernour; when Princes
    955Haue their liues giuen 'em, fine and golden threds
    Are drawne and spun (for them) by the good fates,
    That they may lift vp others in low states.
    Tit. Els let our selfe decline; giue them our presence:
    In mysery all nations should be kin,
    960And lend a brothers hand, v sher them in. Exeunt.
    Stood here my foes (di stre st) thus would I grieue them,
    Not how they ha bin, but how I might relieue them.
    Parthenophill.
    Path. Your good deeds (matchle s s e Fayrie) like the Sun,
    965(Ri sing but onely in this poynt of heauen,
    Spred through the world, So that a Prince (made wretched,
    By his vnhappy father, that lies slaine
    By barbarous swords, and in his goary wounds,
    Drownes all the hopes of his po steritie)
    970Hether, is like an orphan come (from farre)
    To get reliefe and remedie gain st those,
    That would defeat him of his portion.
    Tita. Pittie and we had talke before you came,
    She hath not taken yet her hand from ours,
    975Nor shall shee part, vntill those higher powers
    Behold that Prince: good workes are theirs, not ou'rs;
    Goe: bid him tru st his misery in our hands,
    Great trees I see do fall, when the shrub stands. Exeunt.
    Fideli Florimell the states of the countries,
    980 Parthenophill Elfyron, the Prince of
    Portugal.
    To the States.
    Auxilio tutos dimittam, opibusque Iuuabo.
    Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco. Exeunt.
    985 The third King to the King of Portugall.
    3. King. Stands my beard right? the gowne I mu st looke graue,
    White haires like siluer cloudes a priuiledge haue,
    Not to be search'd, or be suspected fowle:
    Make away those 2. turne coates. Suite me next
    990Like to a Sattin diuell (brauely) flie
    Your sayles shape: be here immediatly. Enter
    So: excellent: a subtile masque: alls fit,
    This very cap makes my head swell with wit.
    Mong st souldiers, I haue plaid the souldier,
    995Bin mutinous, raild at the State, cursd peace:
    They walke with cro s s e-armes, gaping for a day,
    Haue vnder- shorde their eie-lids (like trap windows.)
    To keep them open, and with yawning eares,
    Lie li stning on flocke bol sters, till rebellion
    1000Beat vp her drum: this lards me fat with laughter,
    Their swords are drawn halfe way, & all those throats
    That are to bleed are mark'd: and all those doores,
    Where ciuill Ma s s acres, murders (di'd in graine)
    Spoile, riflings, and sweet raui shments shall enter,
    1005Haue tokens stamp'd on them (to make 'em knowne)
    More dreadfull then the Bils that preach the plague:
    From them, with oyl'd hammes (lap'd in seruile blew)
    I stole, and fil'd out wine of Babylon,
    To liue things (made of clods) poore countrey sots,
    1010And drunke they are: whole shires with it do reele,
    Poysons run smooth, because men sweetnes feele.
    Now to my schoole-men, Learnings fort is strong,
    But poorely man'd, and cannot hold out long
    When golden bullets batter.--- Yonders one ---
    1015Y'are a poore scholler?
    Campeius. Yes.
    3. King. What read you?
    Camp. A booke.
    3. King. So learned, yet so young?
    1020 Camp. Yee may see Sir.
    3. King. You feede some discontent?
    Camp. Perhaps I ha cause.
    3. King. What troubles you?
    Camp. You trouble me: pray leaue me.
    1025 3. Kin. Put your selfe, and your griefe into my hands.
    Camp. Say yee?
    3. King. Put your selfe & your grief into my hands.
    Camp. Are you a Doctor? your hands Sir, pray why?
    3. King. You know me not.
    1030 Camp. Do you know your selfe? your bu sines?
    Are you a scholler?
    3. King. Iudge of that by these.
    Camp. Oh Sir, I haue seene many heads vnder such (wool.
    That scarce had braines to line it: if y'are a scholler,
    1035Mee thinks you should know manners, by your leaue Sir.
    3. Ring. Pray leaue your name behind you.
    Camp. Name, Campeius.
    3. King. Campeius! vmh: Campeius? a lucky plannet
    Strikes out this houre: Campeius! Babylon,
    1040His name hath in her tables: on his forehead,
    Our Queene hath set her marke: it is a mould
    Fit to ca st mischeife in: none sooner rent
    A Church in two, then Schollers discontent.
    I mu st not loose this Martines ne st,--- once more
    1045Y'are happely met.
    Camp. This bur stil hang on mee!
    And you Sir.
    3. King. Tell me pray, did you neuer ta st - I'me bold - did you nee'r ta st
    Those cleere & redolent fountains that do nori sh,
    1050In viue and fre sh humiditie those plants
    That grow on thother side (our oppo sites)
    Those that to vs here, are th'Antipodes,
    Cleane again st vs in grounds - you feele me - say
    Ne're drunke you of that nectar.
    1055 Camp. Neuer.
    3. King. Neuer!
    I wi sh you had, I gather from your eyes,
    What your disease is, I ha bin your selfe,
    This was Campeius once (tho not so learn'd)
    1060For I was bred (as you) in Fairy Land,
    A Country! well but tis our country: and so,
    Good to breed beggers. Shee starues Arts: fatts fools,
    Shee sets vp drinking roomes, & pulls downe schools.
    Camp. So Sir.
    1065 3. King. No more but so Sir? this discourse
    Pallats not you.
    Camp. Yes.
    3. King. Nothing hath pa s s ed me
    I hope, again st my countrey, or the State,
    1070That any you can take hold of.
    Camp. If they could,
    Tis but mine I, to your no.
    3. King. Y'are to sowre:
    Vnmellowed: you stand here in the shade,
    1075Out of the warmth of those ble st ripening beames,---
    Goe to --- I grieue that such a blo s s ome ---
    Camp. Sir, I know you not: this thing which you haue (raiz'd,
    Affrights me: schollers of weake temper need
    To feare (as they on sunbankes lie to read)
    1080Adders i'th highe st gra s s e: these leaues but turn'd,
    Like willow stickes hard rub'd may kindle fire,
    Cities with sparkes as small haue oft beene burn'd.
    3. King. Doe you take me for a hangman?
    Camp. I would be loath,
    1085For any har sh tune that my tongue may warble,
    To haue the in strument vn strung.
    3. King. You shall not:
    Welfare vnto you.
    Camp. And to you. A word Sir:
    1090Bred in this countrey?
    3. King. Yes.
    Camp. I am no bird
    To breake mine own nea st downe: what flight soeuer
    Your words make through this ayre (tho it be trobled)
    1095Myne eare Sir, is no reaching Fowling piece
    What pa s s es through it, kills: you may proceed,
    Perhaps you would wound that, I wi sh should bleed.
    You haue th'aduantage now,
    I put the longe st weapon into your hands.
    1100 3. King. It shall guard you:
    You draw me by this line: let's priuate walke.
    Camp. This paths vnbruz'd: goe on Sir.
    3. King. Sir I loue you.
    The Dragons that keep learnings golden tree,
    1105As you now haue, I fought with, conquered them,
    Got to the highe st bough, eat of the fruit,
    And gathered of the seauen-fold leaues of Art,
    What I de sir'd; and yet for all the Moones
    That I haue seene waxe olde, and pine for anger,
    1110I had outwatched them: and for all the candles
    I wa sted out on long, and frozen nights,
    To thaw them into day; I fild my head
    With books, but scarce could fil my mouth with bread:
    I had the Muses smile, but moneyes frowne,
    1115And neuer could get out of such a gowne.
    Camp. How did you change your starre?
    3. King. By changing Aire:
    The god of waues wa sht of my pouertie,
    I sought out a new sunne beyond the seas,
    1120Whose beames begat me gold.
    Camp. O me dull a s s e!
    I am nail'd downe by wilfull beggerie,
    Yet feele not where it enters: like a horse
    My hoofes are par'd to 'th quicke) euen til they bleed)
    1125To make me runne from hence, yet this Tortois shell,
    (My countrey) lies so heauy on my backe,
    Pressing my worth downe, that I slowly creep
    Through base and slimie waies.
    3. King. Countrey!
    1130 Camp. Shee hangs
    Her owne brats at her backe, to teach them begge,
    And in her lap sets strangers.
    3. King. Yet your countrey.
    Camp. I was not borne to this, not school'd to this,
    1135My parents spent not wealth on me to this,
    I will not stay here long.
    3. King. Doe not.
    Camp. Beeing hence,
    Ile write in gall and poyson gain st my nurce
    1140This Fairie land, for not rewarding merit:
    If euer I come backe Ile be a Calthrop
    To pricke my countries feet, that tread on me.
    3. King. O shee's vnkind, hard-hearted!
    Camp. In disputation
    1145I dare for latine, hebrew, and the greeke,
    Challenge an vniuer sitie; yet (O euill hap!)
    Three learned languages cannot set a nap
    Vpon this thred-bare gowne: how is Arte curs'd?
    Shee ha's the sweete st lymbes, and goes the wor st:
    1150Like common Fidlers, drawing down others meate
    With lickori sh tunes, whil st they on scraps do eate.
    3. King. Shake then these seruile fetters off.
    Camp. But how?
    3. King. Play the mules part, now thou ha st suckt a dam
    1155Drie and vnholsome, kicke her sides.
    Camp. Her heart --- her very heart ---
    Would it were dried to du st, to strew vpon
    Th'inuenomed paper vpon which Ile write.
    3. King. Know you the Court of Babylon?
    1160 Camp. I haue read,
    How great it is, how glorious, and would venter
    A soule to get but thither.
    3. King. Get then thither; you venture none, but saue
    a soule going thither:
    1165The Queene of Babylon rides on a bea st,
    That carries vp seauen heads.
    Camp. Rare.
    3. King. Each head crow'nd. Enter his man like a say-
    Camp. O admirable! ler with rich attires vnder his arme.
    1170 3. King. Shee with her owne hand
    Will fil thee wine out of a golden bowle.
    There's Angels to conduct thee. Get to sea,
    Steale o're, behold, here's one to waft thee hence,
    Take leaue of none, tell none, th'art made, farewell.
    1175 Camp. Thus to meet heauen, who would not wade through hell?
    Exeunt Campeius and Sayler, manet 3. King,
    enter Sayler presently.
    3. King. To flea off this hypocri sie, tis time,
    Lea st worne too long, the Foxes skinne be known:
    1180In our di s s embling now we mu st be braue,
    Make me a courtier: come; A s s es I see,
    In nothing but in trappings, different be
    From foote-cloth nags, on which gay fellows ride,
    Saue that such gallants gallop in more pride.
    1185Away. Stow vnder hatches that light stuffe:
    Tis to be worne in Babylon. Exit Sayler.
    At this groue,
    And much about this howre, a slaue well moulded,
    In profound, learned villany, gaue oath Enter Coniurer.
    1190To meet me: Art thou come! Can thy blacke Arte
    This wonder bring to pa s s e?
    Con. See, it is done.
    3. King. Titaniaes picture right.
    Con. This virgin waxe,
    1195Burie I will in slimie putred ground,
    Where it may peece-meale rot: As this consumes,
    So shall shee pine, and (after languor) die.
    These pinnes shall sticke like daggers to her heart,
    And eating through her brea st, turne there to gripings
    1200Cramp-like Convul sions, shrinking vp her nerues,
    As into this they eate.
    3. King. Thou art fam'd for euer,
    If these thy holy labours well succeed,
    Statues of molten bra s s e shall reare thy name,
    1205The Babylonian Empre s s e shall thee honour.
    And (for this) each day shalt thou goe in chaines.
    Where wilt thou burie it?
    Coniur. On this dunghill.
    3. King. Good:
    1210And bind it down with mo st effectuall charmes,
    That whosoeuer with vnhallowed hands,
    Shall dare to take it hence, may raue and die.
    Con. Leaue me.
    3. King. Farewell and prosper: be blinde you skies,
    1215You looke on things vnlawfull with sore eies. Exit.
    Dumbe shewe. The Hault-boyes sound, and whil st hee is burying the pi-
    cture, Truth and Time enter, Fideli, Parthenophil, Elfiron, and a
    Guard following aloofe. They discouer the follow, hee is taken, the picture
    found, hee kneeles for mercy, but they making signes of refusall,
    1220 he snatcheth at some weapon to kill himselfe, is preuen-
    ted, and led away.
    The Empres, Cardinals &c.
    Emp. Who sets those tunes to mocke vs? Stay them.
    Omn. Peace.
    1225 1. King. Peace there.
    1. Card. No more: your mu sicke mu st be dombe.
    Emp. When those Caele stiall bodies that doe moue,
    Within the sacred Spheres of Princes bosomes
    Goe out of order, tis as if yon Regiment,
    1230Weare all in vp-roare: heauen should then be vext,
    Me thinkes such indignation should resemble,
    Dreadfull eclypses, that portend dire plagues
    To nations, fall to Empires, death to Kings,
    To Citties deua station, to the world,
    1235That vniuersall hot calamitie
    Of the la st horror. But our royall bloud,
    Beates in our veines like seas strugling for bounds,
    Aetna, burns in vs: bearded Comets shoote
    Their vengeance through our eyes: our breath is lightning;
    1240Thunder our voyce; yet, as the idle Cannon,
    Strikes at the Aires Invulnerable bre st)
    Our darts are phillip'd backe in mockery,
    Wanting the poynts to wound.
    1. King. Too neere the heart,
    1245(Mo st royall Empre s s e) these di stempers fit,
    So please you, weele againe a s s ayle her bewtie
    In varied shapes, and worke on sutler Charmes,
    Again loues poysoned arrowes weele let flie.
    Emp. No: proud spirits once denying, still deny.
    1250 1. Car. Then be your selfe, (a woman) change those ouertures:
    You made so her of an vnusuall peace,
    To an vnusde defiance: giue your reuenge,
    A full and swelling saile, as from your greatnes
    You tooke, in veyling to her: you haue beene
    1255Too cold in puni shment, too soft in chyding,
    And like a mother (cause her yeares are greene)
    Haue winck't at Errors, hoping time, or councell,
    Or her owne guilt (seing how she goes awry,)
    Would streigten all.--- you find the contrarie.
    1260 Empe. What followes?
    1. Card. Sharp cha stizment, leaue the Mother
    And be the steptdame; wanton her no more
    On your Indulgent knee, signe no more pardons
    To her Off-fallings and her flyings out,
    1265But let it be a meritorious Act:
    Make it a ladder for the soule to climbe,
    Lift from the hindges all the gates of heauen;
    To make way for him that shall kill her.
    Omnes. Good.
    1270 1. Card. Giue him an office in yon Starr-chamber,
    Or els a Saints place and Canonize him;
    So Sanctifie the arme that takes her life,
    That sylly soules may go on pilgrimage,
    Only to ki s s e the In strument (that strikes)
    1275As a mo st reuerent relique.
    Empe. Be it so.
    1. King. In that one word she expires
    Empe. Her fayrie Lordes
    (That play the Pilots nowe, and steere her kingdome
    1280In fowle st weather) as white bearded corne
    Bowes his proud head before th'imperiall windes,
    Shall soly groueling (heere) when that day comes.
    1. Ki. And that it shall come fates thēselues prepare.
    Emp. True, but old Lyons hardly fall into the snare.
    1285 1. King. Is not the good and politique Satyran
    (Our leagued brother, and your va s s aile sworne)
    Euen now (this very minute) sucking close
    Their faire st bosomes? if his traynes take well:
    They haue strange workings (down-wards) into hel.
    1290 Emp. That Satiran is this hand: his braines a forge
    Still working for ys he's the trew set clocke
    By which we goe, and of our houres doth keepe
    The numbred strokes, when we lye bound in sleepe.
    1. Card. Be sides such voluntaries as will serue
    1295Vnder your holy cullors and forsake
    The Fairie standard, all such fugitiues
    Whose heartes are Babylonized: all the Mutiners
    All the damb'd Crew, that would for gold teare off
    The deuills beard: All schollers that doe eate
    1300The bread of sorrow, want, and discontent,
    Wise Satryan takes vp, pre s s es, apparrels,
    Their backes like Innocent Lambes, their minds like (woues,
    Rubs or'e their tongues with poyson, which they spet
    Again st their owne annointed; their owne Country,
    1305Their very parent. And thus shippes 'em hither.
    To make em yours.
    Emp. To vse.
    1. Card. Only to imploy them
    As Bees whil st they haue stings, & bring thighs laden
    1310With hony, hiue them, when they are droanes, de stroy them.
    1. King. The earne st which he giues you (adored Empre s s e,)
    Are three fit engines for vs.
    Empr. Are they wrought?
    2. King. They are: and waite in Court your vtmo st pleasure,
    1315Out of your Cup made wee them drunke with wines,
    To sound their hearts, which they with such deuotion
    Receiued downe, that euen whil st Bacchus, swom
    From lippe to lippe, in mid' st of taking healths,
    They tooke their owne damnation, if their bloud
    1320(As those grapes) stream'd not forth, to effect your good.
    Emp. Let vs behold these fire-workes, that mu st run
    Vpon short lines of life: yet wil Wee vse them,
    Like in struments of mu sicke play on them,
    A while for pleasure, and then hang them by,
    1325Who Princes can vpbrayd, tis good they die.
    For as in building sumptuous pallaces,
    We climb by base and slender scaffoldings,
    Till wee haue raized the Frame: and that being done,
    (To grace the worke) we take the Scaffolds downe,
    1330So mu st we these: we know they loue vs not,
    But Swallow-like when their owne summers pa st,
    Here seeke for heat: or like flight Traualers,
    (Swolne with vaine-glory, or with lu st to see,)
    They come to obserue fa shions and not mee.
    1335 1. King. As Traualers vse them then, till they be gone,
    Looke Cheerefully; backs turn'd, no more thought vpon.
    Emp. What are they that fly hither (to our bosome)
    But such as hang the wing, such as want nea sts;
    Such as haue no sound feathers; birds so poore,
    1340They scarce are worth the killing: with the Larke
    (The morning's fawlkner) so they may mount hie,
    Care not how base and low their ri sings be?
    What are they but leane hungry Crowes that tyre
    Vpon the mangled quarters of a Realme?
    1345And on the house-tops of Nobilitie
    (If there they can but sit) like fatall Rauens,
    Or Skrich-Owles croake their fals and hoarsely bode,
    Nothing but scaffolds and vnhallowed graues?
    1. King. Fitter for vs: yet sit they here like doues.
    1350 Emp. True: like corrupted Churchmē they are doues,
    That haue eate carrion: home weele therefore send
    These bu sie-working Spiders to the wals
    Of their owne countrey, when their venemous bags
    (Which they shall stuffe with scandales, libels, treasons)
    1355Are full and vpon bur sting: let them there
    Weaue in their politicke loomes nets to catch flies;
    To vs they are but Pothecary drugs,
    Which we will take as Phy sicall pils, not food:
    Vse them as lancets to let others bloud,
    1360That haue foule bodies, care not whom you wound,
    Nor what parts you cut off, to keepe this sound.
    Omn. Here come they.
    Campeius, Parydell, and †Lupus.
    Lopes
    Emp. Welcome: rise, and rise vp high
    1365In honours and our fauour: you haue thru st
    Your armes into our cofers, haue you not?
    All 3. Yes sacred Empre s s e.
    Camp. And into our owne,
    Haue rayned downe showers of gold.
    1370 Emp. You shall deserue it:
    You see what Ocean can repleni sh you,
    Be you but duteous tributarie streames:
    But is your temper right? are not the edges
    Of your sharpe spirits rebated? are you ours?
    1375Doe not your hearts sinke downe yet? will you on?
    All 3. Stood death ith' way.
    Lup. Stood hell.
    Emp. Nobly resolu'de:
    But li sten to vs, and obserue our counsell:
    1380Backe mu st we send you to the Fairie Land,
    Danger goes with you; here's your safetie: li sten.
    Chuse winds to sayle by; if the wayward seas
    Grow stormie, houer, keepe aloofe: if feares,
    Shipwracks, and death lie tumbling on the waues,
    1385And will not off, then ombe venturous,
    Conque sts hard got are sweet and glorious.
    Being landed, if suspition ca st on you.
    Her narrow eyes, turne your selues then to Moles,
    Worke vnder ground, and vndermine your countrey,
    1390Tho you ca st earth vp but a handfull high,
    To make her stumble: if that bloud-hound hunt you,
    (That long-ear'd Inqui sition) take the thickets,
    Climbe vp to Hay-mowes, liue like birds, and eate
    The vndeflowred corne: in hollow trees
    1395Take such proui sion as the Ant can make:
    Flie with the Batt vnder the eeues of night,
    And shift your nea sts: or like to Ancre s s es,
    Close vp your selues in artificiall wals:
    Or if you walke abroad, be wrapt in clouds,
    1400Haue change of haires, of cie-brows, halt with soldiers,
    Be shauen and be old women, take all shapes
    To escape taking: But if they ayre be cleere,
    Flie to the Court, and vnderneath the wings
    Of the Eagle, Faulcon, or some great bird houer,
    1405Oakes and large Beech-trees many, bea sts doe couer.
    He that fir st sings a Dirge tun'de to the death
    Of that my onely foe the Fairie Queene,
    Shalbe my loue, and (clad in purple) ride
    Vpon that scarlet-coloured bea st that beares
    1410Seuen Kingdomes on seuen heads.
    Camp. If all the Spels
    That wit, or eloquence, or arts can set:
    If all the sleights that bookemen vse in schooles
    Be powrefull in such happine s s e, 'tis mine.
    1415 Rop. What phy sicke can I dare onely to grow
    (But as I merit shall) vp in your eye.
    Emp. Weele erect ladders for you strong and high,
    That you shall climbe to starrie dignitie.
    Both. We take our leaue dread Empre s s e. Exeunt.
    1420 Emp. Fare you well:
    Our benediction goe along with you----
    Our malediction and your soules confu sion
    Like shiuer'd towers fall on your luckele s s e heads,
    And wedge you into earth low as the deepe
    1425Where are the damned, if our world you fire,
    Since desperately you'le ride and dare aspire.
    1. King. But is this all? shall we thus bend our sinews
    Onely to emptie quiuers, and to shoot
    Whole sheafes of forked arrowes at the Sunne,
    1430Yet neuer hit him?
    2. Car. And the marke so faire!
    Com. Nay, which is more, suppose that al these torrēts
    Which from your sea of Greatne s s e, you (for your part)
    And all those stragling flouds which we haue driuen
    1435With full and stiffe winds to the Fairie Stronds,
    Should all breake in at once, and in a deluge
    Of Innouation, rough rebellion, factions,
    Of ma s s acres, and pale de struction
    Swallow the kingdome vp, and that the bloud
    1440Euen of Titania's heart should in deepe crimson
    Dye all these waters: what of this? what share
    Is yours? what land shall you recouer?
    1. King. All.
    Com. All!
    1445 1. King. I, all:
    Betweene the Transuersaries that doe run
    Vpon this cro s s e staffe, a dull eye may find
    In what degree we are, and of what height
    Your selfe (our brighte st Ariadne) is,
    1450Being vnderneath that Tropicke: as those jewels
    Of night and day are by alternate course
    Worne in Heauens fore-head,
    So when Deaths Winter comes,
    And shortens all those beames of Maie stie,
    1455Which in this oblique and Zodiacall Sphere
    Moue with Titania now, shall loose their heat,
    Where mu st the next Sunrise but here? from whence
    Shall Fairie land get warmth? meerely from hence.
    Let but the taper of her life burne out,
    1460We haue such torches ready in her land
    To catch fire from each other, that the flames
    Shall make the frighted people thinke earth burnes,
    And being dazled with our Copes of Starres,
    We shall their temples hallow with such ease,
    1465As 'twere in solemne gay proce s sion.
    Com. Some lyne sea cards, that know not the seas ta st,
    Nor scarce the colour: by your charmes I gather
    You haue seene Fairie land---but in a Map:
    Can tell how't stands: but if you giue't a fall,
    1470You mu st get bigger bones: for let me whisper
    This to your eare; though you bait hookes with gold,
    Ten thousand may be nibbling, when none bites,
    And those you take for Angels, you'le find sprites.
    Say that Titania were now drawing short breath,
    1475(As that's the Cone and Button that together
    Claspes all our hopes) out of her a shes may
    A second † Phoenix rise, of larger wing,
    K. Iames.
    Of stronger talent, of more dreadfull beake,
    Who swooping through the ayre, may with his beating
    1480So well commaund the winds, that all those trees
    Where sit birds of our hatching (now fled thither)
    Will tremble, & (through feare strucke dead) to earth,
    Throw those that sit and sing there, or in flockes
    Driue them from thence, yea and perhaps his talent
    1485May be so bonie and so large of gripe,
    That it may shake all Babilon.
    Emp. All Babylon!
    Com. Your pardon: but who'le swear this may not be?
    Emp. How the preuention?
    1490 Com. Thus; to fell downe their Q. is but one stroake;
    Our axe mu st cleaue the kingdome, that's the Oake.
    Emp. The manner.
    Com. Ea sie: while st our thunderbolts
    Are anuiling abroad, call Satyran home,
    1495He in his fadome metes va st Argozies,
    Huge Galea s s es, and such wodden Ca stles,
    As by enchantment of the waters moue:
    To his, marry yours and ours; and of them all
    Create a braue Armado, such a fleete,
    1500That may breake Neptunes backe to carry it:
    Such for varietie, number, pui s s ance,
    As may fetch all the Fairie Land in turfes,
    To make a greene for you to walke vpon
    In Babilon.
    1505 1. King. Inuincible! goe on.
    Com. Now when the volley of those murdring shot
    That are to play fir st on Titaniaes brea st,
    And (yet) leane on their re sts, goe off and kill her,
    So that the very Aluerado giuen,
    1510Sounds the lea st hope of conque st; then, then shew
    Your warlike Pageants dancing on the waues,
    Yours is the Land, the Nation are your slaues.
    Omn. Counsell from Heauen!
    Emp. None this shall ouer-whelme:
    1515Braue voyage! Rig out ships, and fetch a Realme.
    Exeunt.
    Parydell and Palmio.
    Pal. You ariue on a ble st shore. The freight you bring
    Is good: it will be bought vp of vs all
    1520With our deere blouds: be con stant, doe not warpe
    In this your zeale to Babilon.
    Paryd. Graue Palmio,
    To you I haue vnladen euen my soule,
    The wings frō home that brought me had sick feathers,
    1525Some you haue puld off: my owne countrey gra s s e
    Was to my feet sharpe needels ( stucke vpright)
    I tread on downe-beds now.
    Pal. But are your countreymen
    (I meane those that in thought with vs fea st richly)
    1530Fed with the course bread of affliction still?
    Paryd. Still father Palmio still, and to relieue them
    I dare doe what I told you.
    Pal. Noble valour!
    Pary. So that I might but read on yonder scrolls,
    1535A warrant writ vnder the seale of Heauen,
    To ju stifie the Act.
    Palm. You haue my hand,
    And shall haue more. Y'are reconcil'de (Sonne?)
    Pary. Yes.
    1540 Pal. Who did confe s s e you?
    Pary. Father Anniball.
    Pal. But did the Nuntio Campeggio
    Present your letters, and your vowed seruice
    At Babylon.
    1545 Pary. He did: I sued out warrant
    For pa s s age safely thither: aud from graue Como
    (One of the capitall Columnes of the state)
    This I receiued.
    Palm. He sends you here good welcome:
    1550'Tis strong; why went you not?
    Pary. I like it not:
    There wants a conuoy of some better words,
    Which hourely I expect: vpon a Sea
    So dangerous, so full of rockes, so narrow,
    1555(Albeit the venture holy and of honour)
    I would not gladly sayle, without direction
    Of noble Pilots, home I would not come
    Basely, but like a glorious voyager.
    Enter Ragazzoni.
    1560 Palm. Yea, you do well; the Nuntio Raggazoni!
    Not know him?
    Pary. Certes no.
    Palm. Come, you shall meete:
    Mon signor, here's a Gentleman de sires
    1565To haue your armes about him.---
    Rag. Willingly.
    Palm. He vndertakes an action full of merit,
    Sans promise or reward, to cure all those
    Through Fairie land, that are diseas'd within,
    1570And he will doo't, by letting one veine bloud.
    Ragaz. Shootes he at highe st?
    Palm. Yes.
    Rag. Draw home, and giue
    Your arrowes compa s s e, that vntill they fall
    1575Full on the head, none see them: you do well:
    My hands are yours: good speede.---
    Exit Ragazoni.
    Campeggio.
    Pal. Campeggio?
    1580Now shall you heare some newes.
    Camp. I doe a s s ure you,
    The Mi stris of vs all, hath on this paper
    Breath'd you a ble s sing: your deuotion
    Is recommended highly, and to nouri sh
    1585The flames new kindled in you, here's more fewell,
    Pary. Licence to go and come, in verbo imperatricis per omnes Iuris-
    dictiones Babilonicas absque impedimento.
    Good: would it had come sooner.
    Camp. Why?
    1590 Palm. 'Tis generall,
    Exceeding absolute and peremptorie.
    Pary. It giues me my ful saile: but by deepe vows,
    I am to trauell lower, yet if season
    Beat me not backe, I will to Babylon,
    1595What rubs soe're I meete in letters still,
    Ile ki s s e her sacred hand.
    Camp. You change not byas.
    Pary. Oh good sir, yonder is the goale I run for!
    Raggazoni at one dore, a Gentleman at another.
    1600 Rag. Lend me your speeches both.
    Pal. Yonder comes one of your owne countrey.
    Pary. Oh I know him Sir.
    Pal. Walk in this colledge cla s s e but som few minutes,
    Ile send or bring to you a Gentleman,
    1605Next neighbour to your countrey: an Albanois-----
    The man I told you of. Exeunt.
    Pary. Thankes Sir.
    Gent. Met happily, I look'd for you.
    Pary. Deere countryman the parly we late held
    1610About the land that bred vs, as how order
    Was rob'd of ceremonie (the rich robe of order)
    How Truth was freckled, spotted, nay made leaprous:
    How Iu stice----
    Gent. Come, no more.
    1615 Pary. Euen now (as then)
    You ward blowes off from her, that at all weapons
    Strikes at your head: but I repent we drew not
    That dialogue out to length, it was so sweet.
    Gent. At houres more opportune we shal: but country- (man
    1620I heard of late the mu sicke of my soule,
    And you the in strument are made that sounds it:
    Tis giuen me, that your selfe hath seal'd to heauen
    A bond of your deuotion, to goe forth
    As champion of vs all, in that good quarrell,
    1625That hath co st many liues.
    Pary. What need we vse
    Circumgyrations, and such wheelings? Sir,
    Beleeue it, to recouer our sicke Nurse
    Ide kill the noble st fo ster-child she keepes.
    1630 Gent. I know what bird you meane, & whō you hate,
    But let him stand to fall: no Sir, the Deere
    Which we all hope you'le strike, is euen the pride
    And glory of the Forre st: So, or not?
    Pary. My vowes are flowne vp, and it mu st be done,
    1635So this may be but settled.
    Gent. Do you stagger?
    Pary. All winds are not yet layd.
    Gent. Haue you looked out
    For skilfull coa sters, that know all the sounds,
    1640The flats, and quicke sands, and can safely land you
    Out of all touch of danger?
    Pary. I haue met many,
    And like a consort they hold seuerall tunes----
    Gent. But make they mu sicke?
    1645 Pary. Faith a little jarring:
    Sometimes a string or so: yet reuerend Palmio,
    And Anniball a Codreto keepe the streame
    In which I swim: the Nuntio Ragazzoni
    Plies me with wholesome phi sicke; so the Nuntio,
    1650My honored Friend Campeggio makes it cleere,
    That it is lawfull.
    Gent. Where at stick you then?
    Pary. At a small rocke, (a dispensation.)
    Raggazzoni, Palmio, Campeggio, & the Albonoys.
    1655 Gent. You cannot want for hands to helpe you for- (ward:
    In such a noble worke your friends are neere;
    Deere Countriman, my sword, my state, and honor,
    Are for your vse, goe on; and let no heate
    thaw your strong resolution, I shall see you,
    1660Before you take to Sea.
    Pary. You shall.
    Gen. My dewtie.
    Pai. This is the worthy Gentleman, to whome
    I wi sh your loue endeer'de: we haue some conference.
    1665 Pary. Borne Sir in Fairy Land?
    Alba. No marry Sir-An Albanois,
    Pary. Then for proximitie
    Of Countries, let vs enterchange acquaintance,
    I wi sh'd for your embracements, for your name
    1670Is crown'd with titles of integritie,
    Iudgement and Learning: let me vpon their Bases
    Erect a piller, by which Babylon,
    And all we may be strengthned.
    Alba. I pray be apert and plaine.
    1675 Pary. Then thus Sir; by the way of Argument
    I would a que stion put, to ta st your censure,
    Because I doe not soundly reli sh it.
    Alba. Propone it Sir, Ile solue it as I can.
    Pary. Suppose that in the field there were an Army,
    1680Commixt of halfe your kinsfolke, friends, and louers,
    The other halfe sworne foes, (all countrimen;)
    And that the leader of them were your father,
    And that this leading father were so partiall,
    That to preserue that halfe which loues you not,
    1685Ye would loose that which loues you: & that to take
    This Captaines life away, might bring this good,
    Of two sides to make one, and saue much bloud:
    Would not you doe it.
    Alba. Vmh: ya're ful of Ambage:
    1690I answere as my spirits leade me, thus,
    I would not doe it. Pary. Why Sir.
    Alba. Because I hold, Quod non omninò Licet.
    Par. Come, Come, I know (without al commenting)
    This text you vnder stand: wey the vtilitie,
    1695That goes with it: the health it giues to thousands;
    The sap it spreads through brāches which now wither:
    The re stauration---
    Alba. Sir I see to'th bottome,
    Of this deepe well you diue in: I doe arme you,
    1700In this strong fight, iu st with the selfe same weapons
    Which I would weare to guard mee, and those are
    My readings and beliefe setled by reading,
    And this I find. Quod non sunt faciẽda mala, vt veniant bona:
    For good; (how great so euer) mu st be don,
    1705no ill how small soeuer.
    Pary. Tis no euill.
    To barre out so great ill, with so great good.
    Alba. All good mu st not be done, but onely that- Quod ben è &
    legitimè fieri pote st: For Sir I know, that Deus magis amat aduerbia
    1710 quam nomina. Quia in actionibus magis et Placent Benè & legitimè quàm
    bonum. Ita vt nullum bonum Liceat facere, ni si bene & legitime fieri pote st.
    Quod in hoc Casu fieri non pote st.
    Pary. Yet (with your fauour) seuerall learned men,
    Are cleane from your opinion, and doe hold, Quòd licet.
    1715 Alba. Those learned men perhaps may hold it fit,
    That to saue many, they to one mans danger,
    (Referring all to the depth inscrutable)
    May allow of a particular; on no warrant
    That they can shew me written, but being stird,
    1720With a humaine compa s sion to mens liues:
    And le s s e you reuelation haue diuine,
    That bids you do, doe not; Thus you haue mine.
    Omn. What so hard at it.
    Pary. We haue done: the time,
    1725Doe's pull me from your sweet societie,
    Pal. You will to Babylon.
    Pary. I cannot tell;
    Whether I doe or no, you shall haue notice,
    How this great worke goes forward; strengthen mee,
    1730With all your comforts, and commend my seruice
    To the mo st glorious throne: if I get or'e,
    There lands blacke vengeance on the Fairy shore.
    Omn. If prayers can doe it shall. Exeunt.
    Plaine dealing and Truth.
    1735 Pay. But how shall I know, thou art the right truth?
    Tru. Because I am not painted.
    Play. Nay if thou ha st no better coulour then that, ther's no
    trueth in thee, for Im'e sure your faire st wenches are free of
    the painters.
    1740 Tru. Be sides I am not gorgious in attire,
    But simple, plaine and homely; in mine eyes,
    Doues sit, not Sparrowes: on my mode st cheekes,
    No witching smiles doe dwell: vpon my tongue
    No vncha st language lies: my Skins not spotted
    1745With foule disease, as is that common harlot,
    That baseborne trueth, that liues in Babylon.
    Pla. Why? is shee spotted?
    Tru. All ouer, with sttange vglines, all ouer,
    Pla. Then she has got the pox, and lying at my ho st Gryn-
    1750 cums, since I left her company: how soeuer it be thou and I will
    liue hone st togither in one house, because my court mi stris will
    haue it so: I haue beene a Trauailer a great while, plaine dea-
    ling hath lept from country to country, till he had scarce a paire
    of soales to carrie him.
    1755 Tru. Why? in what Countries haue you beene?
    Pla. In more then I had mind to stay in; I haue beene among st
    the Turkes too, the Turkes made as much of poore plaine dea-
    ling, as those whom we call Chri stians.
    Tru. What man is that great Turke? I neuer saw him:
    1760 Par. Nor euer shalt: why the great Turke is a very little fel-
    low; I haue seene a scuruy little bad paltry Chri stian, has beene
    taken for the greate st Turke there.
    Tru. Where had you bin, when now you met with me.
    Plain. Looking vp and downe for thy selfe: and yet I lie too,
    1765now I remember, I was in the citie: our mi stre s s e would needes
    haue me goe thither, to see fa shions: I could make an excellent
    Taylor for Ladies and gentlemen, and fooles, for I haue seene
    more fa shions there, then a picture drawer makes skuruy faces,
    the fir st two yeares of his trade: its the madde st circle to coniure
    1770in, that euer raiz'd spirit.
    Truth. Tell me good kinsman, what in the citie saw you?
    Plain. What did I see? why Ile tell the cozen; I sawe no more
    conscience in mo st of your rich men, then in Tauerne faggots:
    nor no more sobernes in poore men, then in Tauerne spiggots: I
    1775 see that citizens fine wiues vndo their husbands (by their pride)
    within a yeare after they are married; and within halfe a yeare
    after they be widdowes, knights vndo them: they'le giue a 100.
    pound to be dubd ladies, and to ride in a coach, when they haue
    scarce another hundred pound left to keep the horses. But cozē
    1780 Truth, I met in one street a number of men in gowns, with papers
    in their hands, what are all those?
    Truth. Oh! they are the sonnes of Iu stice; they are those
    That beat the kingdom leuell, keep it smooth
    And without rubs: they are the poore mans captaine,
    1785The rich mans souldier, and cal'd Lawiers.
    Plain. Lawiers? doe st know any of them?
    Truth. A few.
    Plain. I wondred what they were, I asked one of them if they
    were going to foot-ball, yes said he, doe you not see those coun-
    1790trey fellowes, we are again st them; and who do you thinke shall
    winne, said I, oh said he, the gownes, the gownes. Enter Time.
    Time. Follow me Truth; Plaine dealing follow me. Exit
    Plain. He charges like a Con stable; come, wee are his watch:
    follow me? Is our Time mad?
    1795O braue mad Time. Exeunt.
    Dumb shew. A caue suddenly breakes open, and out of it comes Fal shood,
    (attir'd as Truth is) her face spotted, shee stickes vp her banner on the top
    of the Caue; then with her foot in seuerall places strikes the earth, and vp
    riseth Campeius; a Frier with a boxe: a gentleman with a drawn sword,
    1800 another with rich gloues in a boxe, another with a bridle, Time, Truth
    with her banner, and Plain-dealing enter & stand aloofe beholding all.
    Time. See there's the Caue, where that Hyena lurkes,
    That counterfets thy voyce, and calles forth men
    To their de struction.
    1805 Plain. How full of the small poxe shee is, what ayles shee to
    stamp thus? is the whore mad? how now? Yea do you rise before
    Doomes day; father Time, what conduit-pipes are these, that
    breake out of the earth thus?
    Time. The conduit-heads of treason, which conuey
    1810Conspiracies, scandals, & ciuill discord,
    Ma s s acres, poysonings, wrackes of faith and fealtie
    Through Fairies hearts, to turne them into elues:
    See Truth, see sonne, the snake slips off his skinne,
    A scholler makes a ruffian.
    1815 Plain. Now mu st that ruffian cuffe the scholler, if I were as he.
    Time. And see, that snape which ear st shew'd reuerend,
    And wore, the outward badge of sanctitie,
    Is cloath'd in garments of hypocri sie.
    Plaine. See, see, father, he ha's a iacke in a boxe: whats that?
    1820 Time. A wild bea st, a mad bull, a bull that roares,
    To fright allegiance from true subiects bosoms;
    That Bull mu st bellow, at the Flamins gate:
    His gate, that tends the flockes of all those sheep,
    That graze in the fat st pa sture of the land,
    1825Beeing all inclos'd: that bull will on his backe
    Beare all.
    Plain. Whither? whither?
    Time. To hell: tis said to heauen
    That will but sit him, till with hoofe or horne,
    1830He goare the annointed Fairie.
    Plain. Such Bulls haue I seene sent out of Babylon, to runne at
    people: I should once haue rid vpon one of thē, but he that beg'd
    my office, broke his necke by the bargaine, and sau'd me a la-
    bour: whats he with the sword, a ma ster of the noble Science?
    1835 Truth. A noble villaine: see, he pulls down heauen
    With imprecations, if that blade he sheath not,
    In our sweet mi stre s s e brea st.
    Plain. O rogue! what good cloathes hee weares, and yet is a (villaine?
    Time. I, doe: clap hands vpon't, that poysoned gloue,
    1840Shall strike thee dead to death, with the strong sent
    Of thy discouered treason.
    Plain. Whats that horse-courser with the bridle?
    Time. A slaue, that since he dares not touch her head,
    Would worke vpon her hand:--- laugh and conspire;
    1845The higher villaines climbe, they fall the higher.
    Plain. Stay father, now the Armie comes forward: shee takes
    downe the flagge, belike their play is done; what will shee beare
    the collours? thou ha st collour enough in thy face already, thou
    need st no more: did ye euer see a more low sie band? there's but
    1850two rapiers in the whole regiment: now they mu ster, now they
    double their files: marke how their hands juggle, and lay about;
    this is the maine battell: O well flori sht Ancient! the day is
    their's; see, now they soūd retrait: whither march they now? Exeūt
    Tim. To death; their falles, thus Time and Truth proclaime,
    1855They shall like leaues drop from the Tree of shame.
    Lets follow them.
    Plain. To the gallowes? not I; what doe we know, but this
    freckled face queane, may be a witch.
    Time. Shee is so; shee's that damned sorcere s s e,
    1860That keepes the inchanted towers of Babylon.
    This is the Truth, that did bewitch thee once.
    Plain. Is this speckled toade shee? Shee was then in mine eye,
    The goodlie st woman that euer wore fore part of Sattin:
    To see what these female creatures are, when they deale with 2.
    1865or 3. Nations; how quickly they were carbuneles & rich stones?
    now shee is more vgly then a bawd.
    Yruth. Shee look'd so then; fairenes it selfe doth cloth her
    In mens eyes, till they see me, and then they loath her.
    Time. Loose no more minutes, come, lets follow them.
    1870 Plain. With hue and crie, now I know her: this villanous drab is
    bawd, now I remember, to the Whore of Babylon; and weele ne-
    uer leaue her, till shee be carted: her face is full of those red pim-
    ples with drinking Aquauite, the common drinke of all bawdes:
    come. Exeunt.
    1875 Titania, Elfiron, Florimel, a gentleman standing aloofe,
    and Ropus.
    Titan. What comes this paper for? Fid. Your hand.
    Titan. The cause?
    Fidel. The Moone that from your beames did borrow light,
    1880Hath from her siluer bow shot pitchy clowds
    T'ecclipse your brightnes: heauen tooke your part,
    And her surpriz'd; A jurie of bright starres,
    Haue her vnworthy found to shine agen:
    Your Fairies therefore on their knees intreat,
    1885Shee may be puld out from the firmament,
    Where shee was plac'd to glitter.
    Titan. Mu st we then,
    Strike those whom we haue lou'd? albeit the children,
    Whom we haue nouri sht at our princely brea st,
    1890Set daggers to it, we could be content
    To chide, not beat them, (might we vse our will,)
    Our hand was made to saue, but not to kill.
    Flor. You mu st not (cause hee's noble) spare his blood.
    Titan. We should not, for hee's noble that is good.
    1895 Fid. The fall of one, like multitudes on yee,
    Makes all the re st, (of footing) be more nyce:
    But if by ventring on that gla s sie floore
    Too farre, he sinks, and yet rise with no more harme,
    Ten thousand to like danger it doth arme:
    1900All mercy in a Prince, makes vile the state,
    All ju stice makes euen cowards desperate.
    Titan. In neither of these seas, spread we our sayles,
    But are the impartiall beame between both scales;
    Yet if we needs mu st bow, we would incline
    1905To that where mercy lies, that scale's diuine:
    But so to saue were our owne brea st to wound,
    Nay (which is more) our peoples: for their good,
    We mu st the Surgeon play, and let out blood.
    Euery Peeres birth stickes a new starre in heauen,
    1910But falling by Luciferan insolence,
    With him a Con stellation drops from thence.
    Giue me his Axe --- how soon the blow is giuen? writes
    Witne s s e: so little we in blood delight,
    That doing this worke, we wi sh we could not write.
    1915Let's walke my Lords. Florimel? Flor. Madame. Titan. Stay:
    Not one arm'd man among st vs? you might now
    Be all old-beaten souldiers: truth I thanke ye;
    If I were now a jewel worth the stealing,
    Two theeues might bind you all. Omn. With much adoe.
    1920 Tita. I marry I commend yon gentleman.
    Pray Sir come neere, looke you hee's well prouided
    For all rough wethers: Sir, you way be proud,
    That you can giue armes better than these Lords,
    I thanke you yet, that if a storme should fall,
    1925We could make you our shelter. A good sword?
    This would goe through stich; had I heart to kill
    I'de wi sh no better weapon; but our dayes
    Of quarreling are pa st; shall we put vp Sir,
    We ha put vp wrongs ere now, but this is right,
    1930Nay we are not falling yet,
    Flor. It did vs good
    To see how your Maie stick presence dawnted
    The silly gentleman.
    Tita. The sillie gentleman!
    1935 Fid. He knew not how to stand, nor what to speak,
    Tita. The silly gentleman? know you him Lords?
    Where is hee?
    Flor. Gotten hence poore wretch with shame.
    Tita. That wretch hath sworne to kill me with that (sword,
    1940 Omn. How?
    Fid. The traytor.
    Flor. Locke the Court gates.
    Omn. Guard her person. Exeunt omnes.
    Tita. You guard it well. Alacke! when louers wooe,
    1945An extreame ioy and feare, them so apall,
    That ouer much loue, shewes no loue at all.
    Zeale sometimes ouer-does her part- It's right--
    When the frais done, Cowards crie whers the Flight. Pentioners.
    Florimell
    1950 Flor. The wolfes in his own snare: O damned slaue!
    I had like to ha made his heart my ponyards graue.
    How got you to this knowledge?--- ble s s ed heauen!
    Tita. It came vnto me strangely: from a window,
    Mine eyes tooke marke of him; that he would shoot
    1955Twa's told me, and I tried if he dur st doo't.
    Is Ropus here, our Doctor?
    Rop. Gratious Lady.
    [Tyta:] You haue a lucky hand since you were ours,
    It quickens our ta st well; fill vs of that
    1960You la st did mini ster: a draught, no more,
    And giue it fire, euen Doctor how thou wilt.
    Rop: I made a new extraction, you shall neuer
    Relli sh the like.
    Tyta: Why, shall that be my la st?
    1965 Ro: Oh my deere Mi stres! Exit Ropus. Enter Parthe- (nophill.
    Tyta. Go, go, I dare sware thou lou' st my very heart.
    Parth: This scaly Serpent
    Is throwne (as he deserues) vpon the Sword
    Of Iu stice; and to make these tydings twinnes,
    1970I bring this happy newes, Campeius,
    (A Snake that in my bosome once I warm'd:)
    The man for whome---.
    Tyta: Oh, wee remember him.
    Parth: This Owle, that did not loue your sacred light,
    1975Stole or'e the Seas by darknes, and was held
    In Babilon a bird of noble flight:
    They tourn'd him to a Go shawke, fether'd him
    Arm'd him with tallents, & then gaue him bels,
    And hither charg'd him fly, he did: and soar'd
    1980O're all your goodlye st woods, and thicke st groues,
    Inticing birdes that had the skill in song,
    To learne har sh notes: and those that fail'd in voice,
    He taught to pecke the tender blo s s omes off,
    To spoyle the leauy trees, and with sharpe bils
    1985To mangle all the Golden eares of corne.
    But now hee's tan'e.
    Tyta: Good sheapheards ought not care,
    How many foxes fall into the Snare. Enter Elfyron.
    Elf: Your ciuill Doctor, Doctor Paridell
    1990Ca sts Anchor on your shores againe, being freighted
    With a good venture, which he saies, your selfe
    Mu st onely haue the sight of. Exit.
    Tyta: Bring him hither:
    Lord Florimell, pray call Fideli to vs.
    1995 Florimell, Fideli, Ropus.
    Tyta: Sure 'tis too hot. Fid: Oh roague!
    Tyta: Set it to coole.
    Fid: Hell and damnation, Diuels,
    Flor: What's that?
    2000 Fid: The damned' st treason! Dog: you whorsen dog;
    O ble s s ed mayd: let not the toad come neere her:
    What's this? If't be his brewing, touch it not---
    For 'tis a drench to kill the stronge st Deuill,
    That's Druncke all day with brim stone: come sucke, Weezell,
    2005Sucke your owne teat, you--- pray;
    Thou art preseru'd.
    Tyta: From what? From whome?
    Fid: Looke to that Gli ster-pipe:
    One crowne doe's serue thy tourne, but heere's a theefe,
    2010That mu st haue 50000. crownes to steale
    Thy life: Here 'tis in blacke and white--thy life,
    Sirra thou Vrinall, Tynoco, Gama,
    Andrada, and Ibarra, names of Diuels,
    Or names to fetch vp Diuels: thou knowe st these Scar-crowes.
    2015 Rop: Oh mee! O mercy, mercy! I confe s s e.
    Fid: Well sayd, thou shalt be hang'd then.
    Tyta: Haue we for this Shee reades the letter,
    Heap'd fauours on thee.
    Fid: Heape halters on him: call the Guard: out polecat: Enter Gard.
    2020He smels, thy conscience stincks Doctor goe purge
    Thy soule, for 'tis diseas'd. Away with Ropus.
    Omu. Away with him: foh.
    Rop: Here my tale but out.
    Fid: Ther's too muchout already.
    2025 Fid: On me accursed! and mo st miserable. Exit with Guard.
    Tyta: Goodnes of vertue! is my bloud so sweet,
    That they would pay so deere for't Fid: To sucke Lambes,
    What would not Wolues doe, he that this paper writte,
    Had neuer meaning we should finger it.
    2030 Tyta: Our a mercy makes them cruell, hunt out these Leopards:
    Their own spots will betray them: they build caues
    Euen in our parkes: to them, him; and the re st,
    Let death be sent, but sent in such a shape,
    As may not be too frightfull. Alacke! what glorie
    2035Is it to buffet wretches bound in giues?
    The debt is derely paid that's payd with liues
    Oh! leaue vs all.
    Enter Elfiron and Paridell.
    Fid: More Doctors! if this doe
    2040As well as tother, be st to hang him too. Exeunt
    Tytania, Paridell.
    Tyta: Florimell! Stay,
    But giue vs liberty.
    Pari: This is the ble s s ed day for which (through want
    2045Of those bright rayes that sparkle from your eyes)
    My frozen soule hath langui sh'd Godde s s e compleate,
    If you, a wretch so meane, will bid to speake,
    I shall vnclaspe a booke whose very fir st line,
    (Being not well pointed) is my doome to death:
    2050But if your sacred iudgement (on the Margine,)
    Controwle all wre sting comments, All your subiects
    Will fold me in their bosomes. Tyta: Giue your minde.
    Par: A Pilgrim haue I been on forren shores,
    (Your gracious hand allow'd it) in my wandring,
    2055With Mon sters I encountred of straunge shape,
    Some that suckt poyson vp, and spet it foorth,
    Vpon your land: some, that shot forked stinges,
    At your mo st God-like person: all were Gyants,
    Fighting again st the heauen of your ble st raigne:
    2060With these (oh pardon me!) with these I held
    A polliticke league, the lines of all their treasons,
    (Drawne from one damned circle) met in mee,
    My heart became the Center, and the point
    Was this-----I dare not tell it.
    2065 Tyta: Speake? Peri: To kill you.
    Tyta: How dur st you (being our subiect) wade so far?
    Par: Your eare of mercy. I became a spunge
    To drincke vp all their mischiefe, and lay drown'd
    In their infected waters, (with much loathing,)
    2070Onely that I before you might wring out
    This their corruption, and my selfe make cleere.
    And now (immortall maid) i'me not vnlike
    A casket wherein papers stuft with danger,
    Haue close beene lockt, but those tane out, the che st
    2075Serues to good vse, so may my loyall bre st:
    For from their flintie hearts what sparkes I got,
    Were but to fire themselues.
    Tyta. I praise your plotte,
    You make vs now your debter, but a day
    2080Will come, when we shal pay. My Lord, we want your Arme.
    Pary. Vmh! I feare----
    Tyta: Doctor, weele haue (Sir) other Dialogues. Exeunt.
    Pary. O shallow foole, thou ha st thy selfe vndone,
    Shees hardned and thou melted at one sunne. Exit.
    2085 Enter Como, and the three Kings:
    Como. Our eyes haue lu sted for you, and your presence
    Comes as the light to day, showers to the spring,
    Or health to sicke men.
    3. King. Thankes mo st reuerend Fathers.
    2090 1. King. Our bloud ranne all to water, yea our soules
    Stroue all (at once) t'expire, (when it was blowne
    Hither from Faiery land, that all the darts
    Which ours heere, and your arme deliuered there,
    Fell either short, or lighted vpon yee)
    2095Le st you had lo st bloud in the enterprize.
    3. King. No, I weare stronger Armour: game ster-like
    I sawe the dogges brought forth; and set them on,
    Till the Diuell parted them; but pluckt off none,
    I kept aloofe out of the reach of pawes:
    2100Better to fight with Lions then with lawes.
    What drummes are these?
    2. King. Mu sicke of heauen.
    Como. The dancers reuell in steele.
    1. King. These march to fill our Fleete.
    2105 3. King. From whence weele march with prowd victorious feete,
    And walke on Fayeries hearts, their beaten waies
    With their owne heades weele paue, whil st ours with bayes,
    And oake (the conquering souldiers wreath) we crowne:
    These hookes, or none, mu st pull their Cities downe,
    2110Inua sion is the fire: See, See, i'th Ayre
    Angels hang beckoning vs to make more ha ste,
    Vengeance deferd growes weake, and runnes to wa ste.
    Whats this?--- Enter a Herrald before one: sounds once, and staies.
    Como. Ere we take ship, we mu st to Court.
    2115 Omn. Away.
    3. King. In thunder: tis the souldiers sport. Exeunt.
    The Herrald reades.
    Herald. It is the Imperiall pleasure, decree, peremptory edict,
    and dreadfull command (vpon paine of a curse to be denounced
    2120vpon him that is disobedient) from her who hath power giuen her
    to make the backes of stubborne Kings her foote- stooles, and Em-
    perours her va s s alles: the mother of Nations; the triple-crowned
    head of the world; the purple-rider of the glorious bea st; the mo st
    high, mo st supreame, and mo st adored Empre s s e of Babilon; that no
    2125Captaine Generals of Armies, Generals of Squadrons, Admirals,
    Colonels, Captaines, or any other Officers of her magnificent, in-
    comparable, formidable, and inuincible Armada, which is orday-
    ned to swallow vp the kingdome of Faiery, shall presume to set one
    foote on ship-bord, till her sacred hand hath ble s s ed the enterprize
    2130by sealing them all on the forhead, and by bowing their knees be-
    fore the Bea st. Sound, goe on. Exeunt.
    Dumb shew: Empre s s e on the Bea st.
    Emp. Feeles the base earth our weight? i st common Aire
    We suck in and respire? doe seruile clowdes,
    2135(Whose azure winges spread ouer graues and tombes)
    Our glorious body circumvolue? dare night
    Ca st her black nets into dayes cri stall streames,
    To draw vp darkne s s e on our golden beames:
    And vs t'ecclipse, why is not Babilon
    2140In a contorted chaire made all of starres,
    Wound vp by wheeles as high, nay boue the thrones
    Supernall, which with Ioues owne seate stand euen,
    That we might ride heere as the Queene of heauen.
    And with a spurne from our controwling foote,
    2145That should like thunder shake th'etheriall floore,
    Of life and heauen them both ot once bereaue,
    That thither vp dare clime vithout our leaue.
    Com. You doe: you ride there now this is your Sphere,
    Earth is all one with heauen when you are heere.
    2150 3. King. Yet ther's a hell on earth or if not hell,
    Diuels there are or worse then Diuels, that roare onely at you.
    Emp. At vs? what, dare they roare?
    3. King. Your pardon, and ile tell it.
    Emp. Tell: We feare, no spots, the orbe we shine in is so cleere.
    2155 3. King. Thus then: the Faiery Adders hi s s e: they call you
    The super stitious Harlot: purple whore:
    The whore that rides on the rose-coloured bea st :
    The great whore, that on many waters sitteth,
    Which they call many Nations: whil st their Kings,
    2160Are slaues to sate your lu st, and that their bloud,
    (When with them you haue done) serues as a floud,
    For you to drinke or swimme in.
    Omn. O prophane!
    Emp. Goe on: the searching small wounds is no paine.
    2165 3. King. These cowards thus when your back's turnd (that strike)
    Follow their blowe and sweare, that where you claime,
    Supremacie monarchall ouer Kings,
    Tis but your tiranous pride, and not your due.
    Emp. But what your selues giue, what haue we from you?
    2170You say we are your mother, and if so,
    Mu st not sonnes kneele? they pay but what they owe.
    3. King. They say the robes of purple which you weare,
    Your scarlet veiles, and mantles are not giuen you
    As types of honour and regality,
    2175But dyed so deepe with bloud vpon them spilt,
    And that (all or'e) y'are with red murder gilt:
    The drinke euen in that golden cup, they sweare
    Is wine sophi sticated, that does runne
    Low on the lees of error, which in ta ste,
    2180Is sweete and like the neate and holsome iuyce
    Of the true grape, but tis ranke poyson downe.
    Omn. Haue we not all it ta sted?
    Emp. Nay, vtter all.
    Out of their lips you see flowes naught but gall.
    2185 3. King. What can my breath doe more, to bla st your cheekes,
    And leaue them glowing as red gads of steele?
    My tongue's already bli stred sounding this,
    Yet mu st I whisper to your sacred eare:
    That on your brow (they say) is writ a name
    2190In letters mi sticall, which they interpret
    Confu sion, by great Babylon they meane
    The Citie of Confu sion.
    Emp. View our forhead?
    Where are we printed with such Characters?
    2195Point out these markes: Which of you all can lay
    A finger on that Moale that markes our face?
    3. King. They say you can throw mi sts before our eyes,
    To make vs thinke you faire.
    Omn. Damnd blasphemies.
    2200 Com. You shall with rods of iron scourge these treasons.
    1. King. The Mace is in your hand, grinde them to du st.
    2. King. And let your blowes be sound.
    3. King. For they are iu st.
    Emp. Lets heare with what lowde throats our thunder speakes,
    2205Repeate our vengeance o're, which to beate Kings
    Mu st now flie o're the seas with linnen winges.
    Com. Our Galeons, Galea s s es, Zabraes, Gallies,
    Ships, Pynaces, Pataches, huge Caruiles,
    For number, rib and belly are so great,
    2210That should they want a Sea neere Faiery land
    Of depth to beare them vp, they in their wombs
    Might swim with a sea thither: here are breifes
    Of your imperiall Armies.
    Emp. Reade them lowde:
    2215Thunder ner'e speakes, but the voice crackes a clowde.
    Com. In the fir st Squadron twelue great Galeons:
    Floate like twelue moouing Ca stles: Zabraes two.
    Habilimented gloriou sly for warre,
    With Souldiers, Seamen, shot, and ordinance:
    2220This Squadron stout Medyna does command:
    Who of the maine is Captaine Generall.
    The second Squadron braue Ricalde leades,
    Being Admirall to fouretene Galleons.
    Flores de Ualdes guides the third, the fourth
    2225Followes the silken streamers of the haughty
    Pedro de Valdes that tryed warriour.
    Oquendo in the fift front cries a Charge.
    Bretandona bringes vp the Leuantines
    With his sixt Squadron: Gomes de Medyna
    2230Waftes vp the seauenth like the God of warre,
    The eighth obayes Mendoza: and the ninth
    Fierce Vgo de Montada: all these Squadrons,
    For ve s s ell, numbred are one hundred thirtie,
    The sight of Souldiers, Marriners, and Slaues
    2235Twentie nine thousand, eight hundred thirtie three.
    Peeces of bra s s e for battery these,
    Six hundred thirtie: adde to these Gallions
    Twentie Caruiles, and Saluees ten: which make
    The whole Armada, eightscore lu stie saile.
    2240Add to all these your Generals of Armies,
    Your Captaines, En signe bearers, (which in role,
    Are eightscore and eleauen) the Voluntaries,
    With officers and seruants, then the Regiments
    That are in pay: to these, all men of orders,
    2245All mini sters of iu stice: and to these
    Supplies of forces that mu st second vs,
    And la st that ho st of starres which from the Moone
    Will fall to guide vs on: these totald vp,
    You shal a hundred thowsand swordes behold
    2250Brandi sh't at once, whose----- standes
    Men will seeme borne with weapons in their handes.
    Emp. Goe: cut the salt fome with your mooned keeles,
    And let our Galeons feele euen child-birth panges,
    Till their great bellies be deliuered
    2255On the soft Faiery shoares: captiue their Queene,
    That we may thus take off her crowne, whil st she
    Kneeles to these glorious wonders, or be trampled
    To death for her contempt: burne, batter, kill,
    Blow vp, pull downe, ruine all, let not white haires,
    2260Nor red cheekes blunt your wrath, snatch babes from bre sts,
    And when they crie for milke, let them sucke bloud,
    Turne all their fieldes to lakes of gellyed goare,
    That Sea-men one day sayling by the land
    May say, there Faiery kingdome once did stand.
    2265 Omn. They shall. 3. King: Tis done already.
    Emp: To be sure
    You all are ours, bow and adore the bea st,
    On whome we ride.
    Omn. We fall beneath his feete.
    2270 Emp: Be ble st, obedience is in sonnes mo st sweete,
    O strange, to you he stoopes as you before him,
    Humility, he bowes whil st you adore him:
    To kindle lu stie fires in all your bloud,
    A health to all, and as our cup goes rownd,
    2275Draw neere, weele marke you for our chosen flocke,
    Who buildes on heartes confirmd, buildes on a rocke:
    The seale of heauen! who on their foreheads weare it,
    We choose for counsaile: on their hands who beare it,
    We marke for Action: Heere, a health to all.
    2280 Omn. Braue health! to pledge it, see Kings pro strate fall. Kneele.
    Emp: On: All: On:
    3. King. Sing warre thy lowd and loftie st notes.
    We winne; our ships meete none but fi sher-boates. Exeunt.
    Enter Paridell and his kinsman.
    2285 Pari: What if I shewe you a foundation,
    Firme as earthes fixed Center? a strong warrant,
    To strike the head off, an Iniunction
    That bids me doo't: A dispensation
    For what I doe: A pardon sign'd, that giues
    2290Indulgence plenarie, and full remi s sion
    (For any criminall breach of the highe st Law)
    After 'tis done: nay more, a voice as cleere
    As that of Angels, which proclaimes the act,
    Good, honourable, meritorious,
    2295Lawfull, and pyous, what if I shew you this?
    Cox: Come, come, you cannot, then let riotous heires
    beg pattents to kill fathers: graunt but this
    Murder may be a faire Monopoly,
    And Princes stab'd by Acts of parliament:
    2300Who i' st dare that thing meritorious call,
    Which feindes themselues count diabolicall?
    Pari: Your coldnes makes me wonder: why should you
    ronne vp to'th necke, from drowning to saue her,
    That treades vpon your head; your throat, to sincke you?
    2305 Coz: Say you should wound me; should I (in reuenge)
    Murder my selfe? for what can be the close
    But death, di shonour; yea, damnation
    To an act so base, nay so impo s sible.
    Pari: Impo s sible; the parting of the ayre,
    2310Is not more easy: looke vpon the Court,
    Through narrowe sights, and shees the faire st marke,
    And soone st hit of any: like the Turke
    Shee walkes not with a Ianisarie--Guard,
    Nor (as the Ru s siā with fowle-big-boand slaues,
    2315Strutting on each side with the slicing Axe,
    Like to a payre of hangmen: no, alas:
    Her Courts of Guard are Ladies, & (sometimes)
    Shee's in the garden with as small a trayne,
    As is the Sun in heauen: and our Acce s s e,
    2320May then as easy be as that of Clyents,
    To Lawyers out of terme--time.
    Coz: Grant all this:
    Nay, say the blow were giuen: how would you scape?
    Pari: Oh, Sir by water.--- Coz: I but.---
    2325 Pari: Nay, good cozen.----
    Crz: You leape as short at safety, as at starre:s
    By water: why the gates will all be lockt,
    Wayters you mu st haue none.
    Pari: Heare me. Coz: Heare me,
    2330You mu st not haue a man, and if you kill
    With powder, ayre betrayes you.
    Pari: Powder! no Sir, my dagge shall be my dagger:
    Good sweete Cozen marke but how smooth
    My pathes are: looke you Sir,
    2335 Cox: I haue thought vpon a course.
    Pari: Nay, nay, heare mine,
    You are my marke, suppose you are my marke,
    My leuell is thus lowe, but er'e I rise,
    My hand's got vp thus hie: the deere, being strucke,
    2340The heard that stand about so frighted are,
    I shall haue leaue to scape, as does a pirate,
    Who hauing made a shot through one more strong,
    All in that ship runne to make good the breach,
    Whil st th'other sailes away. How like you this?
    2345 Cox: As I like paper harne s s e.
    Pari: Ha, well, pawse then:
    This bow shall stand vnbent, and not an arrow
    Be shot at her vntill we take our ayme
    In S. Iagoes parke; a rare, rare Altar!
    2350The fitt' st to sacrifize her bloud vpon:
    It shall be there: in S. Iagoes parke:
    Ha coz! it shall be there: in the meane time,
    We may keepe followers (nine or ten a peece)
    Without suspition: numbers may worke wonders;
    2355The storme being sudden too: for were the guard
    A hundred strong about her, looke you sir,
    All of vs well appoynted---Case of dags
    To each man, see you? you shoote there, we heere,
    Vnle s s e some spirits put the bullets by,
    2360Ther's no escape for her: say the dags faile,
    Then to our swordes.--Come, ther's no mettle in you.
    Cox: No mettle in me? would your warres were hone ste
    I quickly would finde Armour: what's the goade
    So sharpe, that makes you wildely thus to runne
    2365Vpon your certaine ruine?
    Pari: Goad? sharp ponyards,
    Why should I spare her bloud?
    Coz: She gaue you yours.
    Pari: To ha tan'e it had bin tyrany, her owne lips
    2370Confe st I strucke her lawes not hard: I ha spent
    My youth, and meanes in seruing her: what reape I?
    Wounds (discoutents) what giues she me? good words
    (Sweet meates that rotte the eater:) why, la st day
    I did but begge of her the mai ster ship
    2375Of Santa Cataryna, twas denied me.
    Coz: She keepes you to a better.
    Pari: I tu sh, thats not all:
    My bonds are yonder seald; And she mu st fall.
    Coz: Well coz, ile hence.
    2380 Pari: When shall I see you? Coz: Hah.
    Soone: very soone: sooner than you expect,
    Let me but breath, and what I meane to doe,
    I shall resolue you.
    Pari: Fare you well,
    2385 Coz. Adue. ———— Exit.
    Tytania, Elfyron, Parthenophil, Parydel, Florimell.
    Flor. Newes; thundring newes sweete Lady: Enuy, Ambition,
    Theft sacrilegious, and base treason, lay
    Their heads and handes togither, at one pull
    2390To heaue you from your throne: that manni sh woman-Diuell,
    That lu stfull bloudie Queene of Babylon,
    Hath (as we gather ripe intelligence)
    Rigd an Armd fleete, which euen now beates the waues,
    Boa sting to make their wombes our Cities graues.
    2395 Tyta. Let it come on: our Generall leades aboue them,
    Earth-quakes may kingdomes mooue, but not remooue them.
    Fideli.
    Fid. He yonder, he that playes the fiend at sea,
    The little Captaine that's made all of fire,
    2400Sweares (Flemming-like) by twenty thousand Diuels,
    If our tongues walke thus, and our feete stand still,
    So many huge ships neere our coa sts are come,
    An Oy ster-boate of ours will scarce finde roome.
    He sweares the windes haue got the sailes with childe,
    2405With such big bellies, all the linnen's gone,
    To finde them linnen and in Babylon,
    That ther's not one ragge left,
    Tyta. Why swels this fleete?
    Fid. Thus they giue out, that you sent forth a Drake,
    2410Which from their riuers beate their water-fowle,
    Tore siluer feathers from their faire st Swannes,
    And pluckt the Halcions winges that roue at sea,
    And made their wilde-duckes vnder-water diue,
    So long, that some neuer came vp aliue.
    2415This Sea-pie Babylon, her bug-Beare calles,
    For when her ba stards cry, let the nurse cry
    But this, the Drake comes, they hu sh presently,
    For him thei'le cudgell vs: will you ha the troth?
    That scarlet-whore is thir stie and no bloud,
    2420But yours, and ours (sweete maide) can doe her good.
    Tyta. That drake shal out againe: to counsel Lords.
    Fid. Come, come, short counsell: better get long swordes.
    Flor. Good Lady dread not you, what ere befall.
    Fid. Weel'e die fir st, yours is the la st funeral: away, away, away. Exeunt.
    2425 Omn. Po sts, po sts, cal me s s engers, po sts with al speed.
    Tyta. How? feare? why should white bosomes
    Feare a Tyrants Arme?
    Tyrants may kill vs, but not doe vs harme.
    Are we your prisoners that you garde vs thus? Exeunt,
    2430Stay, And you too, we are alone: when la st Manet Paridell.
    We entertaynd your speech (as we remember)
    Close traines and dangerous you did discouer
    To fire which you were praid.
    Pari. I was. Tyta. And yeelded.
    2435Albeit it were again st our life.
    Pari. Mo st true.-----my reasons.---
    Tyta. We forget them not: at that time
    Here was but one, (true) but one counceller,
    Who stood aloofe, heard nothing; and though a bloud
    2440Of courser veines then ours, would haue beene stird
    Into a sea tempe stuous to boyle vp,
    And drowne the Pilate that dur st saile so farre,
    Yet of our princely grace (tho twas not fitte,
    Nor stood with wisdome) did we silence it.
    2445These heaped fauours, not with standing (Doctor)
    Tis in our eare: the hammers lie not still,
    But that new clubs of iron are forging now,
    To bruife our bones, and that your selfe doe knowe,
    The very Anuile where they worke.
    2450 Pari. I.
    Tyta. Heare vs, because tis thought some of those worser spirits,
    And mo st malignant that at midnight rise
    To bla st our Faiery circles by the Moone,
    Are your Familiars.
    2455 Pari: Madam. Tyta: Sir anone.
    Thee therefore I coniure (if not by faith,
    Oathed allegeance, nor thy conscience,
    Perhaps this ranckling vlcerateth them)
    Yet by thy hopes of bli s s e, tell, and tell true,
    2460Who i' st mu st let vs bloud?
    Pary. O vnhappie man;
    That thou should st breathe thus long: mirrour of women,
    I open now my bre st euen to the heart,
    My very soule pants on my lips: none, none,
    2465I know of none.
    Tyta. Well; none: rise and take heede,
    They are no common droppes when Princes bleede.
    What houre is this? does not my larum strike?
    This watch goes false.
    2470 Pari: This watch goes true.
    Tyta: All's naught.----what houre is this?
    Pari. Thy la st houre, O heauens, furder
    The worke you haue begun: where art thou heart?
    Tyta: Oh we see't: Doctor wind vp the wheele, tis downe,
    2475 Pari: Tis downe.
    Tita. How now? what strucke thee downe? thy lookes are wilde:
    Why was thine armed hand reard to his height?
    What blacke worke art thou doing?
    Pari. Of damnation vpon my selfe; Tita: How?
    2480 Pari: Your wordes haue split my heart in thowsand shiuers,
    Heere, heere that stickes which I feare will not out
    Better to die than liue suspected. Had not your bright eyes
    Turnd backe vpon me, I had long ere this
    Layen at your feete a bloudie sacrifice.
    2485 Tyta. Staind Altars please not vs: why doe st thou weepe?
    Thou mak' st my good thoughts of thee now declyne,
    Who loues not his owne bloud, will ne're spare mine,
    Why doe st thou weepe?
    Pari. When on your face I looke,
    2490Me thinkes I see those Vertues drawne aliue
    Which did in Elfilyne the seauenth suruiue,
    (Your fathers father, and your grandfather,)
    And then that you should take me for a serpent
    Gnawing the branches of that glorious tree,
    2495The griefe melts euen my soule, O pardon me.
    Tita. Contract thy spirits togither, be compos'd;
    Take a full man into thee, for beholde
    All these blacke clowdes we cleere: looke vp, tis day,
    The sunne shines on thee still: weel'e reade: away---
    2500 Pari. O machle s s e; im'e all poyson, and yet she
    Turnes all to goodnes by wise tempering me. Goes off.
    Tita. If thou prou' st copper---well; this makes vs strong
    As towers of flint. All traytors are but waues,
    That beate at rockes, their owne blowes digge their graues.
    2505 Paridell manet.
    Pari. For not dooing am I damde: how are my spirits
    Halde, tortured, and growne wilde? on leaues eternall
    Vowes haue I writ so deepe, so bound them vp,
    So texted them in characters capitall,
    2510I cannot race them but I blot my name
    Out of the booke of sence: mine oath stands filde
    On your court-roles. Then keepe it, vp to heauen
    Thy ladder's but thus hie: courage, to kill
    Ten men I should not freeze thus: yet her murder
    2515Cannot be named bloud- shed, for her Faieries
    Are all of faith, and fealty a s s oyled,
    The balme that her annoynted is wa sht off,
    Her crowne is now not hers; vpon the paine
    Of a blacke curse, no more mu st I obey her,
    2520I climbe to heauen by this, climbe then and slay her.
    Tyta. A tyrants strange, but iu st end! --- Reades.
    Ran mad for sleepe, and died Princes that plunge
    Their soules in ranke and godle s s e appetites
    Mu st seeke no re st but in the armes of Sprites.
    2525 Pa. Nothing to read? that (if my nerues should shrink
    And make mine arme reuolt) I might haue colour
    To vsurp this walke of hers: whats this? see, see
    An Angel thru sts this iron into my hand,
    My warrant signd from Babylon to kill her,
    2530Endorsed, the la st will of Paridell. ---- Reade.
    *Le concede sua Benedictione, pleuaria indulgenza,
    * The very wordes of
    Eo remi s sione disuttils peccati---tuttili peccati---
    Cardinal Como his
    All, all my sinnes are paid off, paying this,
    letter sent to Parry.
    Tis done, tis done, All you ble st powers I charme,
    2535Now, now, knit all your sinewes to this arme.
    As he offers to step to her, he staies sodainly, vpon the approch of
    Fidely, Florimel, Parthenophil, Elfiron, the Ladies,
    a Guard, and the Doctors Cozen.
    Omn. You ha proou'd your selfe a loyall gentleman.
    2540 Fid. The hand of Angels guide vs: Shees not heere,
    The Queen's kild; treason: Wenches, raise the Court.
    Omn. Walke seuerall waies fir st.
    Fid. Waies; shees murdered: treason.
    Tyt. Treason; a sword. What traytor dare? who? where?
    2545 Flo. A guard: the damned serpent, see, lurkes heere.
    Fid. Sure heeres some ne st they breed in: paw him fa st,
    This Woolfe, this Toade (marke, he swelles red with poyson,)
    This learned knaue is sworne to murder thee.
    Pari. I defie any man that speakes it.
    2550 Fid. Hah:---defie this noble, hone st gentleman,
    Defie him, he shal spit it on thy face,
    Thy beard scald Doctor.
    Pari. And doe st thou betray me? Sai st thou so?
    Cox. And will seale my speech with bloud.
    2555 Pari. My no again st his yea; My no is as good.
    Fid. Better, his yeas goe naked, and your noes
    Very well clokd: off, come, truth naked goes,
    And heres his naked truth. ---Shewes his drawn dagger.
    Tyta. Againe.
    2560 Pari. Oh me;---now nothing but your mercy me can saue.
    Tita. It mu st not: Princes that would safely liue,
    May grieue at traytors falles but not forgiue.
    Let him be sommond to the barre of shame.
    Pari. Tis welcome, a blacke life, ends in blacke fame. Exit.
    2565 Omn. Away with him.
    Parth. Now to the bu sines,
    We haue one foote.
    Fid. I, I, looke to the head.
    The hangman cures those members.
    2570 Tita. What is done?
    Flor. This (sacred Lady:) we with either hand
    Haue raisde an Armie both by sea and land.
    Your goodly ships beare the mo st royall freight,
    That the world owes (true hearts:) their wōbes are ful,
    2575Of noble spirits, each man in his face
    Shewes a Kings daunting looke, the souldiers stand
    So thickly on the decke, so brauely plum'd,
    (The Silken steamers wauing ore their heades)
    That (seeing them) you would iudge twere Penteco st,
    2580And that the iollie young sters of your townes,
    Had flockt togither in gay multitudes,
    For May-games, and for summer merriments,
    They looke so cheerely: in such little roome
    So many Faieries neuer dwelt at once,
    2585Neuer so many men were borne so soone,
    The drum that gaue the call, could not be heard
    For iu stling armours: er'e the call was done,
    It was so ringd about with groues of pikes,
    That when they brake on both sides to giue way,
    2590The beating of the drum was thunders noise,
    Whil st coates of steele cla sht so on coates of steele,
    Helmets on helmets that they strucke out fire,
    Which shewd like lightning, or those flames that flie
    From the huge Cyclops-hammer, when they sweate
    2595To forge Ioues thunder: And in such a heate
    With quicknes ru sh they armed forth, captaines swore,
    Harne s s e was sure the cloathes they daily wore.
    Men fa ster came to fight then to a fea st.
    Fid. Nay, women sued to vs they might be pre st.
    2600 Parth. Old grandams that on crutches beare vp age,
    Full nimbly buckled Armours on their sonnes,
    And when twas on, she clapt him on his backe,
    And spake thus, runne my boye, fight till th'art dead,
    Thy bloud can neuer be more brauely shed.
    2605 Tita. How are the numbers you haue leuied?
    Fid. What your sea-forces are, this briefe doth speak.
    Elf. We haue rais'd double walls to fence your land.
    The one the bodie of a standing Camp,
    Whose tents by this are pitcht in Beria,
    2610On the shores point, to barre the foe from footing.
    Tita. Ouer that Camp at Beria* we create
    *Tilbury.
    Your Florimell Lieuetenant Generall;
    Elf: The other is to guarde your royall person.
    Tita: Whose charge is yours: the sea Fideli, yours.
    2615 Elf: The standing camp of horsemen and of foore,
    These numbers fill. Launces 253. Horsemen 769.
    Footemen 22000. The mouing Army, which attends on you,
    Is thus made vp: of horsmen & of foote, Launcers 481.
    Light horse-men 1421. Footemen 34050.
    2620 Tita. We do not raise our hopes on points of speares.
    A handfull is an ho st, in a good fight,
    Lambes may beate Lions in a warre not right.
    The Generall of all armies be our leader,
    Be full of courage Lordes as ya're in yeares.
    2625For this be sure weele not out-liue our peeres.
    Fid. Weele al liue, but wil fir st haue them bi'th eares.
    Tyta. Goe on, your conduct be the prosperous hand,
    Make you the sea good, weele not loose the land.
    Your Queene will to the field, It shall be said,
    2630Once souldiers to their Captaine had a Maide. Exeunt.
    Truth and Plaine-dealing leading souldiers with drum
    and colours, Time meeting them.
    Time: You sweate well in this harue st.
    Plai: Nay, when we come to binde vp the whore of Babilons
    2635Punckes and Pynaces in sheaues, weele sweate worse.
    Time, Haue you be stowed the other bandes? Tru: I haue.
    Time, Incorporate this to you then: tis the mandate
    Of your Liefetenant Generall. You fight
    In your great Faieries quarrell, and Truthes right,
    2640Stand therefore too't.
    Uolu: I will haue no woundes on my shoulders, I scorn to run,
    Or to cry out of warlike kybes in the heele.
    Time, Goe (thou mo st God-like maide) & buckle on
    The bre st-plates fetcht from thine owne Armoury,
    2645Let euery souldier weare one, on each leader
    Be stowe a guiding- staffe, and a strong shield
    That may as faithfull be to his good sword
    As thou art to his heart: head all the speares
    With gold of Angell-proofe. Sit like a doue
    2650Vpon the Horsmans helme, and on his face
    Fan with thy siluer winges sweete victorie,
    Goe, beate thy drum, that men may know thy march,
    Spread thine owne colours (Truth) so let them shine,
    Souldiers may sweare thei'le follow none but thine. Away.
    2655 Tru. I flie, swift as the winged winges. Exit.
    Play. To day is workiday with me for all I haue my be st clothes
    On, what doe you set me to?
    Time, Goe thou and sweepe tha' buses from the camp.
    Plai. Conscience has left no broomes big enough to doe that (cleane,
    2660 Time: Then purge the tents of all infectious aires.
    Plai. Yonder's one infection new broke out, if it be not stopt
    From running, will choake vs all.
    Time, Name it, ile mini ster the remedie.
    Plai. Time may do it, this tis: A Broker and his wife that dropt
    2665out of the Hangmans budget but la st day, are now eating into the
    Camp, and are victualers to it: their very Cannes haue hoopes of
    gold lace now, that hangd Captaines Ierkins all or'e but ye ster-
    day: 15. Liefetenants haue eaten vp their buffe Ierkins with
    cheese and mu stard: Nay this villaine of fourescore ith hundred
    2670has set vp three Armourers shops with harne s s e caps, and pewter
    coates, that are linde cleane out with Ale: the Rogue lies euery
    night vpon as many fethers which grew in souldiers hats, as will
    vndooe foure hundred Schoolema sters to hire them for their boyes
    to goe a fea sting,
    2675 Time, Breede such disorders mong st the souldiers?
    Play. They swarme like lyce: nay his wife tickels it too, for
    three Muskateeres came but to drinke Tabacco in her cabbin, and
    she fired their flaskes and tuch-boxes.
    Time, Goe ridde the Camp of these, and al like these.
    2680 Play. If any souldier swere ile ca sheere him too.
    Time, You will scarce leaue two in the Army then.
    Play. What shall I doe with those Pyoners yonder?
    Ti. You know the ground, lead them to ca st vp trenches. Away.
    Play. They are by this time leading one another, for when I
    2685left them, I left them all ca sting, ile now goe see what it comes
    to. Exit.
    Time, Ile flie hence to the fleete of Babylon,
    And from their tacklings and their maine-ma st tops.
    Time shal shoote vengeance through his bow of steele,
    2690Wedge like to split their Nauie to the keele.
    Ile cut their Princes downe as blades of gra s s e,
    As this gla s s e, so the Babilonian power,
    The higher shall runne out to fill the lower. Exit.
    The Seafight.
    2695 3. Ki. The sulphurous AEtna belcheth on our ships,
    Cut Cables, or the whole fleete drownes in fire. 1. King. Holla.
    2 Ki. Of Babilon. 1. Ki. What Hulkes ar these, that are on fire?
    3. Ki. The Diuels: the sea's on fire, the Diuel sure takes Tabacco.
    1. King. Wher's Medyna?
    2700 2. King. Close vnder hatches, draes not shew his head.
    3. King. Damnation of such liuerd Generals. Wher's braue
    Ricalde? 2. King. Who?
    3. King. Our Admiral: the Admirall of our Nauy; wise Ricalde.
    2. King. Our stowte and braue Ricalde keepes his bed.
    2705 3. King. All poxes fire him out; Pedro de Valdes
    Hauing about him 50. Canons throates,
    Stretch wide to barke is boarded, taken. 2. King. Taken?
    3. King. Without re si stance: Pyementelly sunke,
    Oquendo burnt, Moncada drown'd or slaine,
    2710 1. King. The ship of all our medicaments is lo st.
    3. King. Dogges eate our medicaments, such are our woundes
    We more shall Sextons neede than Surgeons.
    2. King. What course is be st? 3. King. The be st to get the day,
    Is to hoise sayles vp, and away.
    2715 Omn. Away, away, hoise sailes vp and away.
    3. King. A world of men and wealth lo st in one day. Exeunt.
    Florimell followed by Captaines, Marriners and Gun-
    ners with Lin stockes.
    Flor. Shoot, shoot, they answer; braue: more Lin stocks: shoot:
    2720This stratagem dropt downe from heauen in fire.
    Om. Board, board, hoyse more sailes vp, they flie, shoot, Shoot.
    Exeunt.
    Titania in the Camp.
    Tita. We neuer held a royal Court till now:
    2725(Warriours) would it not seeme mo st glorious,
    To haue Emba s s adors to greete vs thus?
    Our chaire of state, a drum: for sumptuous robes
    Ruffling about vs, heads cas'd vp in globes.
    Of bright reflecting steele: for reuellers
    2730(Treading soft measures) marching souldiers.
    Tru st me, I like the martiall life so well,
    I could change Courts to campes, in fieldes to dwell.
    Tis a braue life: Me thinkes it be st becomes
    A Prince to march thus, betweene guns and drums.
    2735My fellow souldiers I dare sweare youl'e fight,
    To the la st man, your Captaine being in sight. They shoote.
    Uolu: To the la st lea st mans little finger. A peale goes off.
    Fid. What flames through all your bloud your breath inspires.
    Tita: For that we come not: no bre st heere wants fires.
    2740Twas kindled in their cradles, strength, courage, zeale,
    Meete in each bosome like a three-fold floue,
    We come with yours to venture our owne bloud.
    For you and we are fellowes; thus appeares it,
    The souldier keeps the crowne on, the prince weares it.
    2745Of all men you we hold the mo st mo st deere,
    But for a souldier I had not beene heere.
    Fid. Doe not their gunnes offend you?
    Tita: How? we are tried,
    whim'e bome a souldier by the fathers side.
    2750The Cannon (thunders Zany) playes to vs,
    Soft mu sikes tunes, and more mellodious:
    And me more rarely like, because all these,
    That now can speake the language of sterne warre,
    Could not speake swords, or guns, nay scarce could go,
    2755Nay were not borne, but like to new sowne graine
    Lay hid i'th mold, when we went to be crown'd,
    Tho now th'are tall corne fields, couering the ground.
    Plaine Dealing.
    Plai. Roome, roome, newes, newes, the younge st newes that
    2760euer was brought forth amon st men at Armes: a woman (sweete
    mi stris) is brought to bed of a man childe it'h Camp: a boy that
    lookes as if he would shoote off already: the bed they haue swad-
    led him in, is the peece of an old torne Ancient: his blankets are
    two souldiers Mandilions: his cradle is the hollow backe-peece of
    2765a ru stie Armour: his head lies in a Murren thats quilted to keepe
    him warme, the fir st thing that euer he laid hold on, was a trun-
    cheon, on which a Captaine leand to looke vpon him, hee'le bee a
    warriour I warrant. A Can of beere is set to his mouth already,
    yet I doubt hee'le prooue but a victualer to the Camp: A notable
    2770fat double-chind bulchin.
    Tyta: A child borne in our Camp! goe giue him fame,
    Let him be Beria cald, by the Campes name.
    Plai. Thats his name then: Beria, in steede of a Midwife, a Cap-
    taine shall beare him to the Fount, and if there be any women to
    2775followe it, they shal either traile pikes, or shoote in Caliners; who
    would sweate thus to get go s sips for another mans child? but fa-
    thers themselues are guld so sometimes, farewel mi stris. Exit.
    Time, Florimell, Captaines, Souldiers.
    Tita: With roses vs you crowne, your selfe with palme,
    2780 Flor: Had we al woundes, your words are soueraigne balme.
    Tyta: Are those clowds sper st that stroue to dimme our light?
    Flor. And driuen into the gloomie caues of night.
    Tyta: Our handes be heau'd vp for it.
    Time, Therers good cause,
    2785We'are bown'd to doe so by the higher lawes.
    Those roaring Whales came with deuouring wombes
    To swallow vp your kingdomes: fooli sh heires;
    When halfe of them scarce knew where it did stand,
    Vnder what Zenith, did they share your land.
    2790At dice they plaid for Faieries; at each ca st
    A Knight at lea st was lo st : what doe you set?
    This Knight cries one (and names him) no, a Lord
    Or none, tis done, he throwes and sweepes the bord,
    His hatte is fall of Lords vp to the brimme,
    2795The sea threw next at all, won all and him,
    Would you these Game sters see now?
    Fid. See now? where?
    Thei'le scarce see vs, the la st sight co st so deere,
    Ti. Bid you me do it, tis done, Time takes such pride,
    2800To waite on you, heele lackie by your side.
    Those daies of their Arriuall, battaile, flight,
    And ignominious shipwrackes (like lo st Arrowes)
    Are out of reach: of them the world receaues
    But what Times booke shewes turning back the leaues,
    2805But if you'le see this Concubine of Kinges,
    In her maie sticke madnes with her sonnes,
    That houre is now but numbring out in sand,
    These minutes are not yet run through Times hand.
    For you and for your Faieries sweete delight
    2810Time shall doe this,
    Tyta: Twill be a glorious sight.
    Time, Vnseene you shall both see and heare these wonders.
    On the greene Mount of Trueth: let the Armie moue,
    And meete you in the vale of Oberon,
    2815Your captiues are sent thither: quicke as thought
    You shall flie hence vpon my actiue winges,
    Time at one in stant sees all Courts of Kings. Exeunt.
    Time descending: Enter the Empre s s e, three Kings,
    and foure Cardinals.
    2820 Emp. Hence: sting me not: y'are Scorpions to my bre st,
    Diseases to my bloud: he dies that speakes.
    3. King. Y'are madde.
    Ambo. Y'are madde.
    4. Card. ô falles not heauen!
    2825 Emp. Be silent:
    Be damned for your speech: as y'are for Act,
    You are all blacke and close conspirators
    In our disgrace.
    3. King. You lie:
    2830 4. Card: O horrible!
    3. King. You Raue yet know not why,
    Emp. Thou sai st all's lo st.
    3. King: Drownd, burnt, split vpon rockes, ca st ouer bord,
    Throates cut by Kernes, whose haires like else-lockes hang,
    2835 2. King. One of those shamrock-eaters at one break fa st,
    Slit fourescore wezand-pipes of ours,
    1. King. Of yours:
    Oquendo burnt, Piementelli Slaine,
    Pedro de Valdes tane,
    2840 1. Card. Could dwarfes beate Gyants?
    3. King. In one day fell 500. Galleous 15.
    Drownd at the same time; or which was worser taken,
    The same day made 1000. prisoners.
    Yet not a cherry stone of theirs was sunke.
    2845Not a man slaine nor tane, not drowed. Emp. O damnd!
    3. King. Two with two spit-frog Rapiers tooke a Galleon.
    Com. O pittie her. 3. K. Let her ta ste al. Emp. Fall thunder,
    And wedge me into earth, stiffe as I am
    So I may be but deafe, turne me into
    2850A speckled Adder: O you Mountaines fall,
    And couer me, that of me, memory
    May neuer more be found. 4. Card: O holy mother!
    Emp. Earth, Ile sucke all thy venome to my bre st,
    It cannot hurt me so as doe my sonnes,
    2855My disobedient, desperate, dampned sonnes,
    My beauy curse shall strike you. Com. Oh kneele downe!
    Kneele downe and begge a pardon, lea st her curse.---
    1. King. I thats the blocke, wee mu st kneele, or doe worse.
    Com. Lift vp your sacred head: your children come,
    2860Vpon their knees to take a mothers doome.
    Emp. O Syrian Panthers! you spend breath mo st sweete,
    But you are spotted or'e, from head to feete,
    This neck ile yoke,---this throate a staires ile make,
    By which ile climbe---like stubble thou shalt burne,
    2865In my hot vengeance. 2. King. Vengeance I defie.
    I shall fall from thee, since thou mak st my bre st
    Thy scorne, true Kings such besenes will dete st.
    Electors will I call, and they shall make thee,
    But seruant of mine Empires they shall thru st
    2870A ring into thy no strils.
    Emp. Come let me ki s s e thy cheeke: I did but ie st,
    Tyta. Marke: those that mo st adore her, mo st are slau'd,
    She neuer does grow base, but when shees brau'd:
    3. King. You seeme still angry. Emp. No, yes: leade the way,
    2875Neuer was day to me thus Tragicall,
    Great Babylon thus lowe did neuer fall.
    Tita. Thankes Time for this; lanch forth to Oberons vayle
    We are neere shore: your hands to strike our saile.
    Exeunt.
    FINIS.