But now my limbs are weak, mine eyes are dim,
Mine age unwieldy and unmeet for toil,
I came to court, in hope, for service past,
To gain some lease to keep me, being old.
There found I all was upsy turvy turn'd,
My friends displac'd, the nobles loth to crave:
Then sought I to the minion of the king,
Ateukin, who allured by a bribe,

Assur'd me of the lease for which I sought.
But see the craft! when he had got the grant,
He wrought to sell it to Sir Silvester,

In hope of greater earnings from his hands.

In brief, I learn'd his craft, and wrought the means,
By one his needy servant* for reward,

To steal from out his pocket all the briefs;
Which he perform'd, and with reward resign'd.
Them when I read,—now, mark the power of God,—
1 found this warrant seal'd among the rest,

To kill your Grace, whom God long keep alive!
Thus in effect by wonder are you sav'd:
Trifle not then, but seek a speedy flight;

God will conduct your steps, and shield the right.

DOR. What should I do? ah poor unhappy queen,

Born to endure what fortune can contain !
Alas, the deed is too apparent now!
But, O mine eyes, were you as bent to hide,
As
my poor heart is forward to forgive,
Ah cruel king, my love would thee acquit !
O, what avails to be allied and match'd
With high estates, that marry but in show!
Were I baser born, my mean estate

Could warrant me from this impendent harm :
But to be great and happy, these are twain.
Ah Ross, what shall I do? how shall I work?

servant] The 4to. "servants."

Ross. With speedy letters to your father send, Who will revenge you, and defend your right.

DOR. As if they kill not me, who with him fight!
As if his breast be touch'd, I am not wounded!
As if he wail'd, my joys were not confounded!
We are one heart, though rent by hate in twain;
One soul, one essence doth our weal contain:
What then can conquer him, that kills not me ?

Ross. If this advice displease, then, madam, flee.
DOR. Where may I wend or travel without fear?
NANO. Where not, in changing this attire you wear.
DOR. What, shall I clad me like a country maid?
NANO. The policy is base, I am afraid.
DOR. Why, Nano?

NANO. Ask you why? What, may a queen
March forth in homely weed, and be not seen?
The rose, although in thorny shrubs she spread,
Is still the rose, her beauties wax not dead;
And noble minds, although the coat be bare,
Are by their semblance known, how great they are.
SIR BAR. The dwarf saith true.

DOR. What garments lik'st thou than ?*

NANO. Such as may make you seem a proper man. DOR. He makes me blush and smile, though I am sad.

NANO. The meanest coat for safety is not bad. DOR. What, shall I jet† in breeches, like a squire? Alas, poor dwarf, thy mistress is unmeet!

NANO. Tut, go me thus, your cloak before your face,

Your sword uprear'd with quaint and comely grace: If any come and question what you be,

Say you, a man, and call for witness me.

:

than] For then so written for the sake of the rhyme. + jet] See note * p. 65.

DOR. What should I wear a sword, to what intent? NANO. Madam, for shew; it is an ornament: If any wrong you, draw a shining blade, Withdraws a coward thief that would invade. DOR. But if I strike, and he should strike again, What should I do? I fear I should be slain. NANO. No, take it single on your dagger so: I'll teach you, madam, how to ward a blow. DOR. How little shapes much substance may in

clude!

Sir Bartram, Ross, ye ladies, and my friends,
Since presence yields me death, and absence life,
Hence will I fly disguised like a squire,

As one that seeks to live in Irish wars:
You, gentle Ross, shall furnish my depart.
Ross. Yea, prince, and die with you with all my
heart:

Vouchsafe me then, in all extremest states,
To wait on you, and serve you with my best.

DOR. To me pertains the woe: live then in rest. Friends, fare you well; keep secret my depart : Nano alone shall my attendant be.

[ye:

NANO. Then, madam, are you mann'd, I warrant Give me a sword, and if there grow debate, I'll come behind, and break your enemy's pate.

Ross. How sore we grieve to part so soon away! DOR. Grieve not for those that perish if they stay. NANO. The time in words mispent is little worth: Madam, walk on, and let them bring us forth.

Chorus. Enter BOHAN.

[Exeunt.

BOн. So, these sad motions make* the fairy sleep; And sleep he shall in quiet and content:

*make] The 4to. "makes."

For it would make a marble melt and weep,
To see these treasons 'gainst the innocent.
But since she 'scapes by flight to save her life,
The king may chance repent she was his wife.
The rest is ruthful; yet, to beguile the time,
'Tis interlac'd with merriment and rhyme.

ACT IV.

[Exit.

After a noise of horns and shoutings, enter certain HUNTSMEN, (if you please, singing) one way; another way ATEUKIN and JAQUES.*

ATEU. Say, gentlemen, where may we find the king? HUNTS. Even here at hand, on hunting;

And at this hour he taken hath a stand,

To kill a deer.

ATEU. A pleasant work in hand:

Follow your sport, and we will seek his Grace. HUNTS. When such him seek, it is a woful case. [Exeunt Huntsmen one way, Ateukin and Jaques another.

Enter EUSTACE, IDA, and the COUNTESS.

COUNT. Lord Eustace, as your youth and virtuous Deserve + a fair more fair, and richer wife;

So, since I am a mother, and do wit

What wedlock is, and that which 'longs to it,
Before I mean my daughter to bestow,

'Twere meet that she and I your state did know.
EUST. Madam, if I consider Ida's worth,

I know my portions merit none so fair,
And yet I hold in farm and yearly rent

A thousand pound, which may her state content.

[life

* Jaques] The 4to. adds "Gnato;" but Gnatho is only another name for Ateukin. See note ‡ p. 105, and † p. 108. + deserve] The 4to. "deserves."

COUNT. But what estate, my lord, shall she possess? EUST. All that is mine, grave countess, and no less. But, Ida, will you love?

IDA. I cannot hate.

EUST. But will you wed?

IDA. "Tis Greek to me, my lord:

I'll wish you well, and thereon take

my word.

EUST. Shall I some sign of favour then receive? IDA. Ay, if her ladyship will give me leave. COUNT. Do what thou wilt.

IDA. Then, noble English peer,

Accept this ring, wherein my heart is set,
A constant heart with burning flames befret,
But under written this, O morte dura :
Hereon when so you look with eyes pura,
The maid you fancy most will favour you.
EUST. I'll try this heart, in hope to find it true.

*

Enter certain HUNTSMEN and LADIES. HUNTS. Widow Countess, well y-met; Ever may thy joys be many.

Gentle Ida, fair beset,

Fair and wise, not fairer any; Frolic huntsmen of the game

*

Will you well and give + you greeting.
IDA. Thanks, good woodman, for the same,
And our sport, and merry meeting.
HUNTS. Unto thee we do present

Silver hart with arrow wounded.
EUST. This doth shadow my lament,
Both [with] fear and love confounded.
LADIES. To the mother of the maid,
Fair as the lillies, red as roses,
Even so many goods are said,
As herself in heart supposes.
Will] The 4to. "Willes."

t give] The 4to. "gives."