Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

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

  • Copyright Digital Renaissance Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Thomas Dekker
    Editors: Frances E. Dolan, Anna Pruitt
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Whore of Babylon (Quarto, 1607)

    The Whore of Babylon.
    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.
    Titani.
    C3