The faire maide of Bristovv As it was plaide at Hampton, before the King and Queenes most excellent Maiesties.

The Faire maid of Bristow . Enter Challener , and Vallenger . Chal. COme Vallen. lets to Sir God-fries house , I know there will be reueling to night This is his birth day : and he welcoms all , Fair Anabell his daughter is my loue , There shalt thou sée the Idoll of my thought , Faire Bristows miror and my harts delight . Val. Frend Challener , I wonder at thy humor , To dote so much ouer this female kind , That charms thy sences makes thy eie sight blind . Chal. Thou art an enemy to women still , I prethée what doth best agrée with thee . Val. To see my hounds , to chase the fallow deere , to see my fathon strike the partridge dead . to heare my horse Caréere , to drink full healths , and not liue puling for an nounce of Beauty , Chal. I loue to sée my hounda as well as thée , My horse , my falcon , and healthes when time serues , But aboue all my mistris I prefer , She is the Fewel● that doth heate my bloud , And therefore Vallenger , for my sake goe and see , the gallants will be here to night , Val. Y saith you bind me to a mighty task I le see your Lady , and your Ladies maske , then prethee peace here will we keepe our stand . Chal.

For by the Drum the Maskers are at hand .

Enter Sir Godfrey , Vmphrevil , his wife , his daughter , and the Maskers to daunce . God . Now gentlemen , your welcome to my house , Good maister Challener and your honest frend , So are you all yong gallants euery one , But we forget our selues , boddy of me , Where be these Ladds , what shall we haue No dauncing after dinner ? Ho , vp with the tables , If they haue dined within , and come yong Ladds now to your dance againe . Here they dance and Vallenger speaks . Val. False tong that spoke such blasphemy before , That I dispraised , now doth my soule adore . Chal. How dost thou like my loue now Vallenger . Val. O shée s deuine and I become her thrall . Chal. Doth Bristow yéeld her fellow , prethée speake , Val. A thousand , I must hence or else my hart will break . Exit . Chal. What meanes my frend in such a humor goe , I le know the cause before I leaue him so , Exit Challener , and Vallenger . Here the dannce ends . God . Gentlemen I thank you all , Let s in to supper the the cheare be small , Exit the Maskers . Enter vallenger and Challener . Chal. Vallinger thou art a traitor to thy frend . val . Not to my frend but alwaies to my foe . Chal. Why dost thou loue the faint I do adore . val . To anger thee I sweare to loue her more . Chal. I loued her first , when thou didst loue disdaine . val . I loue her now , therefore thy loue is vaine . Chal. For sweare to name her else thou art my foe . val . For weare my Anabell , hence dotard go , Chal. Prepare thée Vallener it is decréed . For Anabell , or thou or I must bléed ? val . On Sir t is welcome pare not but thrust home . Here they fight , vallenger falls downe . And Challener flies away , vallenger cals For helpe , Sir Godfrey , his wife , and his Daughters , comes forth with lights . val . Some Gracious Body helpe me I am slaine . God . Whose that which cals for help , gods pitty wife , The Gentleman , lies bléeding héere that came with maister Challen . I pray Sir peake who hath hurt ye thus . val . The villen Chalener hath almost slaine me . God . Challener , why I thought you had bin friends . What was the matter Sir may I know it ? val . About your daughter , and while she was dancing I praysed her gesture and her comely grace , But Vallenger most like a liberall villaine , Did giue her scandelus Ignoble termes , Which I rebuked him for whereupon , We drew our weapons , I by chaunce being downe , The coward villaine thus hath wounded me . God . How say you wife , did not I say so much , He was a Cutter and a swaggerer , He haue my child , no , no , he aymes amisse , Go presently make search thrughout the Citty , Where ere you find him carrie him straight to prison , Looke to him , come Sir , since your hurt Was about my girle , you shall not from my house till you are thorow whole . 〈…〉 And for the motion which you made to me , Touching my child , I promise you truly Sir , I do not know the man in Bristo , That I affect more then I do your selfe , Chal Sir I haue found it , and I wish I may Make satisfaction for your good regard , And louing care that you haue had of me , So please you Sir to know your daughters mind , Which way her maiden thoughts are most inclind , Enter a messenger with a letter . Val. From whom the Letter . Mes. From your father Sir , He reads the Letter . God . Come hether wife , daughter a word with you , I know that once thou didest loue Challener , But he is fled , thou séest a wagering fellow , Tell me my girle wilt thou be ruled by me , And i le prouide a man fit for thy turne . Ana Faith whosoeuer you shall thinke méet . God . Why that s wel sed my wench , ther spok an angel Looke yonder what maist thou to yong Vallenger , He is a man as t were compleat of waxe , His ather is an honorable knight , A Challener , a very stock to this , Loue him my girle , say as I say , do . Ana I neuer heard a father labour more , To win his daughter that was woon before . Wom. Daughter what say you to your father . God . Why wife I know what she would say already , She hath loued Challener . And would thinke , Her fond in leauing him so soone to chuse another , And thinks we would be angry , If she loued Vallenger , tut vse thy mind Ana. Father , I know these words are all but iests , Dispose euen as it likes you best . God . Well ●ed my girle then Vallenger is he , What say you Ellen do you not agrée . Wem . What liks you two , i● neuer Crosse , Mine is the care , but yours is the losse . God Now maister Vallenger , good news a gods name From whence is that letter Sir may I know , Val. You may Sir God-Frey , this letter is from my Father Sir , who to morrow comes to Bristoe , And meanes to soiorne héere all the winter time . God . He shall be welcome , I would my house Were thought fit for his entertainment , But on , so may I call you now , And if that you agrée how say you Sir . val . Sir I wish it were to night before to morrow , And by your daughters leaue , seale it with this kisse . God . Wel●ed harts you le neuer be yonger , Let s in to get all things in readines . Exit Omnes . Enter Challener , his man and a Gentleman of Bristow . Chal. Good maister Chambers , your welcome Sir to London , how farr our frends at Bristo Mal. chambers , Cham. M. Challener , all well , your frends at Bristo , Would be glad to sée you . Chal. Indéed I dare sweare that I haue some friendes There , but among all , how doth yong Vallenger ? Cham. O the man you hurt . Chal. Euen hee . Ch am Excéeding well , he is at Sir God-freys house , And is on thursday next to be espoused , To beutious Anabell the old knights daughter . Cha. I st posible ? Cham. T is as I tell you Sir , But maister Challener I am in some hast , And pleaseth you soone to come and sup with me , I le tell you then the matter more at larg . Exit gentleman . cha. Faire Anabell married to Vallenger , The newes doth run like yse through all my vaines , Is Anabell married to Vallenger ? A faithles woman , trothles , and vnkind , Won with a word o labour , lost like wind . O I could rend my flesh , and teace my haire , Married to Vallenger , what to my ●oe ? By heauen if all my wealth were in the Sea , And I left De●prate , ●uckerles , and bare , It would not halfe so much haue gauld my hart , As this same newes , this fatall deadlines . Ia. What chéere you maister neuer be so sad , Tut let her go more wenches may be had . cha. No none like her , but I will straight from hence , With my owne personage I will dispence ? I prethée Iaques get me a Docters wéed , For vnto Bristow will we with all spéed , There will we be the Bride-groome and the Bride , Get straight post horses , for this night i le ride , And presently get me a Docters tire , Till I am at Bristow , each part is one fire . Exit Omnes , Enter Sentlo , and Harbert , disguised like a Seruingman . Sent. Did Maister Herbert then send you to me . Blu. How think you , he told me he set it in the letter . Sent. Dost thou know what he hath written here . Blunt . Not I , nor I greatly do not care . Sent. Heere he desires me as ere I tendred him That I would entertaine thée as my man . Blunt . You may if you wil , if you wil not you may chuse , Sent. I prethée what is thy name ? Blu. Blunt . Sent. Blunt name ? Blunt nature ? Héere my frend doth write , Tho he be somwhat stoburne in his wordes , Yet he is of confirmed honesty , Well Blunt I entertaine you Sir , How now , swéet loue , whose that . Enter Florence and Frog . Flo. Mary swéet hart t is Sir godfreys man , That comes to bid vs to his daughters marriage . Frog . I Sir my name is Frog : good man Frogs son O Frog Hall , that am●ent from my maister , To desire you and the Gentlewoman , To make a step to walke , or as it were to Come , or approach , to dinner ? This is all Sir . Blunt . Do you heare Sir , is this my mistres . Sent. I Blunt . Blunt. Is she not a Whore ? she lookes like one ? Sent. Peace Sirrha on your life . flo. What ●auste merchant haue you got there , Frog breake his pate ? frog . No by my saith , hée s like one would sooner break mine . sen● . Well Frog tell thy Maister I will not faile . flo. Sweet hart shall 〈◊〉 go in this gowne ? sent. The time is to short to make another . B u●● . ●s not that gowne good inough for a whore ? flo. By heauen if you maintaine this Rascall slaue , To abuse me , kéep him and let me go . Before an honest seruant , let him . Sent. Go to , peace sirha , no more . Blunt . I haue done sir : Harbeit , whether wilt thou ? Thy loue vnto thy friend makes thée forget thy selfe , therefore no more . Sent. I prethy swéet lam content thy selfe , This fellow was sent me from a speciall friend Tho he be blunt yet is very honest . flo. I could be content to loue him well enough , So he could afford me better words . Blu. Well I wil speake no more what shall offend you Lets goe swéet hart , therefore blunt come goe you along , Sir godfrey staies , therefore we do him wrong , Sent. Thou wrongest thy selfe , god send thée to amend And wouldest do further wert not for thy friend . Exit Omnes . Enter Sir godfrey , Sir Eustace , Mother , and anaball . Eust . Sir Godfrey vmphreuile , & my honord Sister . My bony bryde , and this fayre company , How it glades old Eustace vallenger To●ee this good ocasion of our mirth . Had my ould true harted Sara lyued , To haue seene the maraige of her déere son And in soe good and worshipfull a stock , As ould vmphrevilles : well t was a woman Few such liue now : you ould foolish eies Will you be watring still . Wom. she was a wise and vertuous gentle woman The poore will say so . God . I hope my child will imitate her steps , Eust . Come anaball thou now must be my wife , My huswife , and my house keper , and all , I know thou hast bin brod vp for a huswife , Thy husbands a wild boy I confes . But let him stay and keep thée companye Or by the holy roode he roostes not heer . But brother , here s an Itallian docter that s commended to vs by especiall friends , Whom we must intertaine with good regard . Ho , who e with in there ? Enter vallenger , Challiner like a Docter , Sentlo , Anabell , Florence . val . Doo you call Sir ? Eu. Fy , Fie , Ned you trifle out the time . val . Sir I was welcoming this gentleman , This Gentelwoman , and this docter , Being strangers here in Bristow . god . Signeor Iulio I vnderstand your called sir . Doct. That is my name Sir . God . Right reuerent Docter your most welcom hether , My house , or what el e , is at your command . Eust . The like say I sir , be bould thereof Doct. Most honored knights whatsoeuer lies in mee , Commaund my best indeuer . Eust Commistresse Florance you must knowe That your come to Bristow . And must now help to grace our Bride , Flo With all my hart Sir Eustace at her seruice va . Sir , maister Sentloe is the man I chuse , To intertaine the bryde , he giues me leaue To welcome Mistres Florance . god . Come brother you and I le confer with M. Docter . Flo. What on your wedding day and change , Is your brides beauty les estéemd then mine , vs. The Bee that Sucks the bitter Hemlock flouers , When that he comes to tast the Violet Doth count his former food as trash and wéedes Thou art the Violet the bitter Hemlock shée , I blind before , but now mine eyes doth sée . Doct. I ouerhard thée , thou base Vallenger . That such an angell should indure the euell , To linke her selfe to that insatiat deuill god . Come we discourse to long , wée shall haue Time enough for conference . va . What will you bee so Coy , Flo. Y faith you men are so deceytfull , That shée s a foole will credit what you say , Eust . Why Ned what meanest thou va . Sir but one word with Master Docter , I com , Well I will Compasse thee whatsoeuer befal . Exit all but vallenger , and The Docter . Sent. Well since the bride doth giue me leaue . I le bee so bould as to haue a Dance . Exit . va . Docter , a word . Doct. With me Sir , I with thée . va . Men of thy sort are sworne to secresie , But further me and kéepe my counsell . In that which I shall here impart to thée , And I le giue thée a Hundred pounds in gould . god . Sir here s my hand , whatsoeuer lies in me , You shall comand my hart and secresie , It is enough then Docter thus much know , Tho happely it may séeme stranng to thée . That on my marriage day I should transgresse So far as now I must reueale to thée , But think t is loue , blind loue that leads me on , That conquers Gods , and much more mortall men . doct. Delay not 〈◊〉 but speake your mind at full . va . Then thus in Briefe Anabel is my wife , But florence is the Mistris of my hart , I loue her Docter , Dost thou conseaue me now , doct. How would you I should help you in her loue , Why now thou commest vnto the very maine . va . Thou knowest her swéet hart Sentlo , hée s the let . doct. And what way would you haue him remoued . va . Why poysoned man , a little dram will doote . doct. Poysoned Sir , alas you know t is death . va . I if it be knowne but that shall neuer be , Speake honest Doctor wilt thou doote for me , doct. Sir for your sake although it touch me néere , Héer s my handile doote . va . Cut Docter neuer feare . Gold will salue all , and that thou shalt not want . doct. Sir I le strech mine art to do you good , Tho ventring so it cost my dearest bloud , val . thankes gentle Docter goe to florence straife , With in this houre I le in the garden waite , there bring her alone , Sentloe is sure , And as for Anabal her thoughtes be pure , Sentloe once dead , Docter thou knowest my mind , Faith anabell she staies not long be hinde , Good Docter faile not , I must now to dinner , Exit . doct. Now heauen forgiue thée thy pernitious sinnes I poison Sentloe , now the lord forsend . that such a thought should enter in my brest , Blessed be the time I tooke a Docters shape , For by this meanes Sentloe his death shall scape , And louely Anabell her life set frée , False Vallenger shall be deceiu'd by me , And that deceit is lawfull kind and iust , That doth preuent his murder and his lust , And tho I haue faire Anabels loue lost , Yet Vallenger shall in this sute be crost . Enter Frog and douse . Frog . Come douse . Now we haue time and place as They say , I prethée vse me with no delay , But still say , do not say you will not haue me , Now because I am none of your burgers , But Douce as I am hastie yet I am not the hastiest , And though I am resty , Yet I am not lowsie , And of one that cannot talke much , So I loue to speake little , for as that Worthy Philosopher Hector ses , the words Of the wise do offend the foolish , so Douce in few words and in tedious talke , Tell me when is this day . Douce . What day Frog . Frog . What day Frog ? dost thou aske what day , why Douce this day of wedlock Douce , This day of going together Douce , This day of wearing out shéetes and Throwing downe blanckets Douce . Douce . I saith Frog you know I haue little , And for your owne part your as poore as Iob , Frog . But not so scabed I thank God Douse , Well , I sée you regard not the wisdome But the wealth , not the man : but the mony , O Dowse , Dowse , much hast thou to answere for . Dous . Besids I think you do not loue me . frog . Not loue thee , why I cannot dresse my maisters Horses for thinking of thee : I cannot dream ●or Sleeping o● thee : but for a certainty , I loue thee indeed , when 〈◊〉 goe to bed And pluck o● my shooes , there you may smell Loue out of me : and then 〈◊〉 sigh and then I pause , And say that Dowce is the onely cause . Deus. Well Frog , I haue but iested all this while Y saith Frog hadest thou bin ruled by me , Thou hadest not bin Froging out of the well So long : but Frog t was thy fault . frog . The more is to come Dowce , then you will Haue me , we shall to this geere ? Dowce . I sweet hart , name you the time , The sooner the better . frog . So say I dowse , for as the old saying is , He that hath a good dinner , knowes better the way To supper : but ●ows● , we will be married a sunday , And that we will be spoken to be liberall , Wee le giue ten grotes to the poore : with this Prouisso , that if we neede it , wee le haue our ten groats agin . doue . ● but afterwards will you not proue vnkind ? frog . How dowse vnkind ? When tinkers leaue to drinke good ale , And Souldiers of their weapons faile , When pedlers go without there pack , And water is more deare then sack , When Shomakers drinks that is small , And Lawiers haue no tongues at all , When Fencers leaue of giuing knocks , And youngmen hate faire Maidens smocks , When drunkerds scorne a copar nose , And Botchers nere mende lowsie hose , Or when the cat shall hate a mous● . then Frog shall proue vnkind to Dowse , and so sweet hart let s goe and wed , and after to dinner and then to bed . Exit . Enter the docter and his man . doct. Go Sirrha at the back doore , Bring mistris Anabel , make hast away . Ia. I warrant you Sir . Exit . Well Vallenger if all things fall out right : You shall haue little cause to thanke The Docter , but héere he comes . val , How now Docter , what will Florence come , Doct. She will be héere Sir , presently , and sée You can no sooner speake but she is come . Enter Florence and Blunt . Flo. Go Sirrha , do you tend at doore , Let none come in vnles I call to you . Blu. I will , straight fetch Sentloe , to this match , Are you there Docter , y saith i le be euen with you . Exit Blunt . va . Swéet mistris welcome . Flo. vallenger now by this light Thou art the welcomest man in Christendome . va . Thanks gentle mistris , but how if Sentlo come . Flo. Hang him I neuer lou'd him in my life , Only I gull the Rascall for his money . Doct. The more villaine vallenger To leaue his true wife for a common stall . flo. Now by this hand , I wonder vallenger , What delight thou takest in such a wife , But that she is somwhat wise , and modest , But to content a gallant spirit indéed , By this light she is a very block to me . va . hang her , I care not for her , our fathers made the match Enter anabell . Now with a diuill what whirle wind blew you hether ? How now minks , what make you heere . Ana. I hard my Vallenger was all alone , If I offend thee loue , i le straight begone , yet I had rather stay and if you please . flo. Vallenger , what makes your minion héere , What are you ieallious huswife with a pox ? Ana. I pray you gentlwoman be not offended , Please you my husband and all shall be mended . Va. Gosip get home , or I shall set you packing . flo. I haue a trick and if it fall out right , Shall moue her patience ere she part from hence . Ana. thou art to me , as bodie to the soule , My life is death without thy companie . flo. By my troth heere is an excellent rebato . Would I had such a one . va . Likes it thee mistris ? Heere take it , a worse will serue your furne . Ana. Withall my hart , héere mistris take it , at home I haue a better , please you to goe With me i le giue it you . Flo. Heere s a wonderfull good fashiond gown , I de ride my horse twenty milles for such another . va . Huswife , vncase , a worse will serue your turne . ana . All that I haue sweet Vallenger is thine , and what is thine , thou boldly maist bestow , Giue all I haue , onely reserue thy selfe . and gentlewoman pitty my estate , think that I am a woman as your selfe , Had you a husband that you loued so deere , And see another rob you of his hart , Would it not grieue you ? Yes I know it will , But yet I pray , for My sake vse him kind , I am sure hee le deserue it at your hands , va . Goe , get you hence , or else i le send you packing . Ana. I will sweet loue , and where so ere thou art , God send thee neuer a lesse louing hart . Exit . Enter Sentloe and Blunt . Sent. vallenger , your a villaine to vse me thus . va . Sentlo , the villaine I throw back againe , And will maintaine mine honor with my sword , Draw vallenger , one of our deaths is nigh . Here they drawe , Blunt and the Docter comes betweene them . Blunt . Go too , put vp vallenger , or i le make you . va . Well sentlo another time shall serue for vs . Exit vallenger and the Docter . flo. I prethée gentle loue be patient . Sent. Out ye Whore come not in my sight , For if thou dost by heauen i le martir thée . Exit Sentlo . Flo. Caulest thou me whore , now by this light I le haue thée murdred , and if gold can do it . Blunt . Gold can do much , but deuill can do more , Héere is a true paterne , of a common whore . Mistris what meanes my maister to part in such a rage . flo. Forsooth the Gentleman is Iellious , But I would quickly rid him of that Feuer , And if thou wouldest Blunt but content with me . Blunt . What is if Mistris , it shall goe hard Shall make me stack in what may profit you , Although you still thought that I loued you not . flo. Now Blunt I sée it , and will report thy loue , And for asigne héere take this purse of gold , And now but marke the issue of my purpose . Thou Séest that Sentloes coine : begins to wear , And Vallenger is euen now on the spur , And for my sake will empty all his treasure , And what I haue I will impart to thée , But murder Sentlo , then is Florence frée . Blunt . Mistris if this should be done , a crash of your office were not cast away . flo. Feare not Blunt we will not stick for that . Blunt . Then héere s my hand , before the sun go downe , I le do the déede Sentlo shall shortly die . flo. The déed being done come presently to me , And we will frollick in his tragedy . Exit florence . Blu. O Sentlo , wert not for thy friend , How many dangers hadest thou fallen into , The mischiefe now abroach I did foretell , For by my meanes thy life in safety dwelles . Exit sentloe . The drunken mirth . Enter sir Godfrey , Eustice , and the docter , Anabel in her wastcote . God . O my déere daughter how could he vse thée thus ? eust . My son rob thée of thy faire Ornaments . God . And for a strumpets loue , O God , O God . eust . Split soule a sunder , that thy sons so vild . God . Giue me my child ( Sir Eustice ) as she is , A vertuous maid dishonored by thy son . eust . Giue me my son , that I may punish him , For wronging this faire slower thy worthy child . God . Alack good knight , I make my mone to thée , And thou in true loue canst but pitty me . Eust . Alas good knight , my griefs so iumps with thine , That as I wéepe for thée , so pitty mine . Enter the Mother . Mo. Where is my child , where is my Anabell ? God . Héer wife , let vs hold hands , and in thrée parts , Let s sing around , and so wéep out our harts . Mo. How could the wretch ( deare soule ) abuse thée so . ana . Call him not wretch , he is wretched but by me . In mee consists the cause of all this wo , Faire Florence is the mistris of his hart , To her I am but as a Counterfit , Rather I am an ethyop , foule , deform'd And therefore hated of my Vallenger . Doct. O Beautious maid , blemish not thy name , Thou art Heauenly bright , and she as black as hell . God . Should any but my Anabell say so , Tho age hath set his foote vpon my back , I would maintaine thy Beauty , Sweare thou wert faire , Nay more then that , defend it with my sword . eust . Sir God-frey , so would I , by heauen I would , I , wert against that fugetiue my son , Fugetiue in forsaking of his wife To lead the race of an intemprat life . Mo. Héere me but one word , gentle maister Docter , The Lord be with the vertuous Challener where ere he Be , Sir he should haue had my child , Good honest Gentleman he should , And I repent me twenty hundred times , So my goodman forsooth would néeds Make vp the match with this same vnthrift , And now you sée how he doth vse my child , alas . Doct. This is some comfort in this depth of wo , Thy vertue is preferd before thy foe , Why then tell them boldly who thou art , No be still the Docter , hold thy course begun , There is more a foote , then will in hast be done . eust . Brother , it shall be so , he shall not haue A graue roome of my Land . God . He spends no goods of mine vpon his trull . eust . Cut off all maintenance , that is the way To make him sée his sin . ana . O say not so , déere father hée le repent , And I shall haue a husband o● new birth . god . Girle , thou art to foolish , so are we to long , Sufferance in this may grow to further wrong . Doct. To further wrong indéed , for Vallenger Hath hired me to poyson Anabell . eust . What his true harted wife ? Doct. Delay is worse to danger , credit me , And by that plot Sentlo must likewise die . god . Blessed be the houre that euer thou camst to bristo . eust . A Docter of more honesty there liues not . god . Were he our son a thousand times , We must not let him be a murderer . ana . Good Father let it suffice you know it , And may preuent it follow it then no further . Doct. O thou that rules the lotery of life , Why should a bad man haue a vertuous wife , Or a bad wife , haue a husband that is good , Dost thou delight in contraryeties , Then Wherfore do we striue for vertue still , When we are maistred by a greater will , Come good old man , come myrror of true wiues , O let my hart with your harts simpathise , although I am no kinsman to lament , In your distres i●●gruf● as deeply spent . God . Docter , brother , what s to be done . eust . Gods me we must go apprehend him strait . god . There is no dallying in a matter of such wait , And therefore let vs not be slack in this , eust , No , no , brother with your men , Beset you Sentloes house he may be there , I and my men , will post another way , No place shall be vnsought , But we will haue him . Exit the two old men . Ana. Good mother stay them This their iourney forth , May breed some mischiefe , Therefore call them back againe . Mo. Thou art to foolish girle , let them go , thou séeks his loue , that is thy mortall foe . Doct. O thou art framd of constancie thy selfe , Challener what a iewell didest thou losse , By shoing it vnto thy faithles friend , and how like drosse doth he account of it , Come vertuous maiden wipe those crystiall eies , thou weepes for loue of him which loue defies , Let s in to counsell what may best relieue , Where teares and sorrow giues men cause to grieue . Exit Omnes . Enter vallenger . va What spightfull fortune Vallenger is this , this villaine Docter hath betraide my trust , and to my father all my plots reuealed , Who flat denies me succor or reliefe , I dare not I be seene within the citty , For then there is no way but straight to prison , I le call to mistris Florence I know that she is kind , to her i le show my griefe and my sick mind , Ho , mistris Florence . Enter Florence . Flo. Whose there , swéet Vallenger ist thée , Why dost thou looke so sad , how faires my deare ? Va. Y saith neuer worse , but all my hopes in thée , Flo. What is it swéet I will not do for thée ? Va. My Father and my wife knowes all my drift , And all inraged , threatens to be reuengd , And will not let me haue no maintenance , But sweares to plague me for my wickednes . Flo. Is the wind in that doore , What would you haue me do ? va . To let me liue with thée a little space , Vntill I haue obtained my Fathers grace , Then what I haue swéet mistris shall be thine . flo. And what shall I do , beg the while , No Vallenger your deceaued in me , think you that i le be priuy to your plotes , to bring my selfe in danger of the Law , Go to your wife and cherish her at home , I do not like these wanton humors I. va . I hope sweet Florence that you do but iest . flo. Be shrow my hart then , do not take it so , Pray leaue my house , least your father come . va , Giue me house-roome Florence but to night , Flo. Not an houre , shall I haue my reputation Touched for thée , if you linger héere , I le send for the Officers to discharg my selfe . Val. It is euen thus , well what remedy : Lie in the fields wretch , there dispaire and die . Flo. Pray God that Sentloe be not murdred now , Then all my hopes are lost . Enter Blunt . Flo. How now Blunt what newes ? Blu. Sentlo hath drunk his last , the déed is done . Flo. Then are we vndone Blunt ? Blu. Why , wherefore . Flo. The poore deiected Vallenger was héere , As dry as dust not left a single doyt , His father vowes to follow law of him , Well , would that Sentlo were aliue againe . Blu. T is done , and therefore now there is no help . Flo. Yes Blunt , ther s help , but marke a womans wit , Vallenger is but new gone out of doores , Go follow him , and mark where he lies downe , And if thou séest he is inclinde to sléepe , Lay Sentloes murdred body hard by him , Pluck out his sword , and all be bloudy it , And then cry murder as if he dyd the déed , About it Blunt , do not the same neglect , And then we two are frée from all suspect . Flo. Feare not this shal be done effectually . flo. Then farewell , come to me when t is done , Meane while i le home , and stur not out of doore . Exit . Blu. The diuell take thée for a filthy whore , Thou art apt enough in murder , and in lust , But like a stone in any thing is honest , Well , ere to morrow many thinges will chang , That dead men should reuiue , it would séeme strang , Now after Vallenger I mean to goe , To sée in what place he doth himselfe bestow . Exit . Enter Sentlo very drousie . Sent. I wonder that I am so dull and heauy , My féete doth stumble , as I go along , Mine eies hangs downe , as if I had not slept This twenty daies , pray god it be for good . Still more and more : well , I must néeds lie downe , And make my pillow of the grasse and ground . He lies downe and falles a sleepe , Enter Vallenger . va . How yrkesome is the day vnto my eies , My cheeks do blush for to behold the skies , Methinks the heauens doth frowne vpon my sin , And to repentance bids my hart begin , the earth do burne my feete with scorching fire , Because that all as hot was my desire , So heauen and earth , my practise doth confound , Yet must I be beholding to the ground , My griefe is héer , sléep doth follow sorrow , heere rest thy wretched carkas till to morrow . Here he lies downe to sleepe . Enter Blunt . Blu This way he went , and here he is laid to sleepe , And Sentlo by him , this is excellent : Now Harbart since thou hast don him all this good , For once be a littell lauish of thy blood . Heere he stabs his arme , and blodies Sentloes face , and pluckes out vallingers sword and blodies it , and laies it by him . Blo . The Potion I gaue sentloe to drink , Doth make him séeme to all as he were dead , And yet his time is not come to wake : Now will I raise the wach . Murder , murder . Exit . Vallinger startes vp . val . What noise is that affrites mine eares With murder , I laid me downe to sléepe , What s here : My sword drawne out and blody And here s a gentleman new murdred , Some villaine surely that hath don this déed , Hath laid this murdred body here by me , So by that meanes himselfe might be thought frée . If it be so , why then most hapie I , that hates to liue , and hath such meanes to dy . Enter the Constable and officers . Con. Se here s the murdred body , and here the murdrer , I chardge you in the kings name Deliuer vp your weapons : And goe along with vs With all my hart , sée ther my weapons are , And cary me wheresoere you please Exit with vallinger . Con. Goe to prison with him presently , the rest bring in this murdred body . Enter Blunt in his owne shape . Blo . God saue you sir , I here it rumored , a gentleman is slaine . Con. I sir a proper man , and here he lies . Blo . O noble sentloe dostly soe lowe , Breake hart assonder that thy frend is slaine . Con. Sir , do you knowe the gentleman . Blo . Yes sir , he was my louing friend , And we at oxford fellow Pupels were , Then good sir let me in kindnesse craue , That as I allwaies lou'd him in his life , so I may haue his body at his death . That I may giue him Cristian burial , Con. With all my hart , wee l leaue him with you sir , and I am sory fer for your heauines . Blo . So this goes well , once I le be blont again . Exit constable . For now the times drawes on of his awake . Sentloe rises . Exit . Sent. I neuer slept more soundly in my life , But stay , how comes my hands soe blody , So is my face , me thinkes , stay here s my man . Enter blunt amased . Why how now blont why stares thou so vpon me , Blo . are you aliue sir , Sent. Didst thou set any body to kill me . Blo . Not I sir but wicked Florance did , And hadest bin slaine , had it not bin for me , Sentloe behould thou Harbert and thy friend , That thus hath wayted on thée like thy man , To saue thée from a thousand miseries , Sent. I am a masd , and knowe not what to say O my deare Harbart : O my louing frend . Harb . Leaue of imbracments till some other time , The king is com to Bristow , newly landed , Come as we goe along I le tell thée all , Things wonderfull that yet thou dreamst not off . Exit . Enter king Richard , Leicester , and Richmond . King . All haile thou blessed bosome of my peace , Richard findes instance of his home returne , Bristow , thou hapie rode where first Iland , Doth welcome me now from the holy land . Send word to London of our safe ariuall , While we awhile in Bristow heere repose vs . god . Fame with her brasen trump hath born this tidings hether . Eust . And Bristow with their Cittizens expresse , Their gladnes by their tryumphe , at your safetie . Kin. And we with you will put these triumphs on , But for this vnlucky accident , Which makes old Eustice and Vmphreuil sad Which grieues me for the noble gentlemen . god . By blessed Saint Paule my liedg I cannot brook it to sée my child , my aire , my Anabell , this heere : what a wretch was this ? Now by saint Charity if I were iudge , a halter were the least should hamper him . eust . Tho nature wrassels with my staied reason , and willes me plead for mercie for my son , yet iustice with impartiall wings directs , My thoughts from pitty , and my words for right , My liedg to make an entrance to your fame , Regard Vmphreviles wrong , punish my son , I cannot lose him better then by law , Nor is he lost that doth example giue , Of sweet amends to such as leudly liue . King . Vertue commends thy course , and patience his , In both I pitty , what you both desire , If iustice could be glased with pitties wings , Call for the prisoner , let vs crowne the time , With iustice , for these honorable men . Ana. Haue mercy Richard , mercy in a king , Is like the péereles Diamond set in gold , he out of enuy and of fury speaks , I out of loue and passion plead for him . King . What pleasing aduocate hath pitty rais'd , To plead the prisoners cause , himselfe not there . Ana. One that doth beare the greatest griefe of all , The haples wife of wofull Vallenger . King . Why thou art wrong'd , therfore shouldest claime , Reueng for thée , and iustice for thy husband . Ana. Reuedg for me my Lord , nay that cannot be , vnles a strang deuission may be had , For I that am as néerely knit to Vallenger as bodie to the soule , cannot suppose an iniury , But think his losse , To be my miserie and chiefest crosse . God . Hath he not sought thy bloud thou foolish girle ? Ana He sought no more then I can fréely giue , and sacrefise to death so he may liue . Mo. Did he not keepe a harlot to despight thée . ana . And if he mend that fault he soone may right me . God . He gaue thy ornaments to deck his trull . Ana. And my consent did ratefie his guift . Mo. Well he hates thée . Ana. To try my patience , all that he did or gaue , Or did contriue conserneth me , his act was my allowance . Now since my selfe , accuse not , but excuse . Since she that was supposed to be wronged , Doth right that wrong , be iust and set him frée , For I protest I know no iniury . God . She knowes no iniurie , my Lord she lies , King . Sir God-frey since your daughter doth Remit his fault , methinks you should forgiue him , god . Forgiue him , no not I the wretch shall neuer bost , That he hath braued old God-frey in a iust And honest cause . I le touch him I , I and tuch him to the quick , No lesse then for his neck verse will I touch him , Docter stand foorth and to my prince and péeres , Say what thou know'st of Sentloes bloudy death Cha. Then this I bow before your Maiesty , That Vallenger corrupted me by gold , to poison Anabel , and Sentloe to . Ana. Intents are nothing till they come to acts . god . and mistris is not Sentloe dead in act . Har. Sentloe is dead , my maisters bloudy death , should quicken iustice in your maiesty . King . thou shalt haue iustice to thy owne content . Cha. O how I grieue to see her brinish tears , Water the Crimson roses of her cheeks . Har. Had not my wit preuented this before , Nor you nor she , had neuer sorrowed more . Eust . You come my son : what said I ? No my shame : O let his bloud my liedge redéeme the same . Enter vallènger and officers . King . Yong Vallenger thou art héere , Accused for Anabell , And murdering Sentloe that is dead , Speak , art thou guilty . I or noe . va . Guilty in both my Lord , and héere for both Ready to pay the penallty of my life , Tho in my soule and conscience I am cléere , Of Sentloes death , yet welcome happie lot , That so shall rid my life of that foule spot . ana . Alas poore soule , how griefe and his disgrace , Doth make him desprate , behold his face . From thence speaks truth , as from an Orackle , That he is innocent , tho his words accu e him . king . Well Vallenger atend thy sentence . Har. Pronounce not sentence yet , right royall king . king . What lawfull stay canst thou impart to vs . Har. A stay to straighten iustice and the truth , My conscience charged with this hainous crime , Makes me confesse tho to my harts true griefe , That by th inticements of lewd Florence and her guists , I should haue murdred Sentlo , my déere maister , I therefore think that through her wickednes She is the cause of all these villainies . king . Post officers , and fetch her to our presence . va . A weake delay to hinder my strong faith . God . I euer thought that Harlot would be one . Sée how that bold ●ace ieats it like a bride . Enter florence . flo. Health to the king , good fortune to the péeres . Moth. A boulder quean ther liude not this many years . King . My pearcing iudgment , through the brittle glasse , Of that fraile beauty , doth deserne her loosenes , Lady stand forth . Flo. I entertaine that name most royall king , And boldly come héere to cléere my selfe , Of any thing that shall be laid against me . King . You are héere acused as accessarie , Vnto Sentloes death , speake are you guilty I or no. Flo. Doth this disgraced son of that proud man , Charg me with these surmises before the king . Va. Thou hast not murdred him , but my renowne , His death , this hand my death of fame doth wound . Cha. Thus lust makes yong mens missery her law . Flo. Who then dares tuch my reputation ? Eust . Looke there on thy accuser , that is he . Flo. This corish lumpe of flesh , this shaghaird slaue , Eust . Aplie thy spéech proud woman to the place , Speake reuerently in presence of the King . King . Lady we stand not vpon words , But one the proffe , and estimate of right , Sirtha , stand forth : and fréely speake the truth . Har. The wretch my Lord that neuer did offend , Fears not to die , I charge thée Florence Of my maisters death : Moreouer , I charg thée That with this purse of massie gold Thou didst bribe me , To murder Sentloe , Sentlo that is dead . flo. I bribe thée , with what false-hood dost thou vrge me . Har. Let Vallenger be asked what purse this is , Looke on it Ladies , marke it , for you know it . Ana This purse was mine . va . This purse I gaue to Florence . King . Then with this purse , we holdly may conclude that she did bribe Blunt to murder Sentloe . Eust . Looke on her face my Lord , her couller changeth . flo. Am I discride , shall yonder corish slaue , By blabing tongue bring me to infamy , No tho I assure my death , i le further his . God . Your answere Florence , what debate you there ▪ flo. My answere shall be resolute and true , Worthy the vallor of a womans mind , To bad for thée , thou lumpe of infamy . Eust . Nothing but badnes is from bad deriued . flo. Most mighty king , I fréely do confes , That cursed Blunt consented to murder Sentloe , This is the truth of all , liue I or die . Har. Lewd is her life my Lord , and lose her toong . king . Well take them aside , In Florence I obserue her impudence , In Vallenger dispaire , in Blunt remorce , In these thrée last front terror , Call them agen , attend your sentence all , First Vallenger , thou soughtest to poison Anabell thy wise , Since by aparent proffe Sentlo is slaine , Our sentence is respectiue for thy good , A noble death : the losse of thy lewd head , Blunt , and this honest Florence , Both for committing and concealing murder , Must one the gallowes die , this is our sencence . Har. No act is proued in me right royall king . King Her words approue thy act , thy act her will . Har. My faults is in consealment , not attempt . flo. His fault is murder , hang vs all my Lord . Eust . Harbart for all your kindnes to my son , I le sée you shortly caper in a cord . flo. Sée then you hang vs closely , then my Lord To kis in death , as we haue kist in life . Ana. Bost not thy shame , nor shame thou womanhood , Flo. Alack good god , how holy is she growen , she loues the flesh , yet dares not make it knowne . va . I do imbrace the law , as pleased to die , Father forgiue the follies of my youth , Vmphrevill , let me beare to heauen Vpon the wings of my vnfained repentance , My sorrow héere indented in my tears , And thou indued wonder of thy sexe , Forgiue the wrongs that I haue done to thee , That I may go with peace vnto my death . king . Away with them , To morrow ●ée execution be performd , Ana. O mercy Richard , show some mercy , Will Vallenger in silence losse his son , And harder then the Penerian rockes , Neuer be perst , Although the Father will not , Richmond plead : And if that Richmond dare not , Liestor speak , O sée the time fléets hence with Swolloes wings , Time runs : O Gratious king be mercifull . king . Lady I cannot breake the limites of the law , A wilfull murder must be paid with death , Yet bring me a man that willingly will yéeld Sufferance of death , to saue yong Vallenger , And he shall liue , else hope no further grace : Atend our further pleasurs at the court . ana . This is some comfort , happie Anabell , Now show thy ready and thy womans wit . Chal. How shall he liue in one will die for him , Well Vallenger , if thou haue such a friend : Thou art happie , but I mean to sée the end . Exit Challener . Enter Sentloe like a frier . Sent. Thus like a frier I haue disguised my selfe , To sée my déere friend , that hath saued my life , And that same strumpet that Would haue caused my death . A harlots loue , is like a chimney smoke , Quiuering in the aire betwéene two blasts of winde , Borne heere and there by either of the same , And properly to none of both inclind , Hate , and dispaire , is painted in their eies , Deceit , and treason , in their bossome lies : Their promises , are made of brittle glasse , Ground like a phillip , to the finest dust , Their thoughts like streaming riuers swiftly passe , Their words are oyle , and yet they geather rust , True are they neuer found , but in vntruth : Constant in nought , but in vnconstancie : Deuouring cankars of mans liberty , But stay : I am at the prison gate , Where are you kéeper , let me speake with you ? keep . Who knocks there ? Sent. A fryer come to confesse your prisoners . Keep . Stay i le bring them to you presently . Enter Vallenger , Florence , and Blunt . and the keeper . Sent. Health to this place : sir , let me speake with you . Do you not sorrow inward at your hart , For your loose life you haue so wanton spent . Val. Yes : from my hart Sir , and do thinke it long , That this vild life of mine doth breath so long . Sent. Do not dispaire , although your death be nie , Heauen looke vpon you with a Gracious eie . flo. Now gentlewoman : let me speake with you , Now good fellow , what wouldst thou haue with me ? Sent. To confes truly your offences past . flo. Well : shall I confes one thing truly to thée , Sent. One thing , and euery thing . flo. Why then I confes truely that before This time neuer confest any thing truely , But in briefe father i le tell thée , All that I couseaned , I defrauded : Those I haue slandered , I haue defamed , Whom I hated , I loued not : And this hath bin the manner of my life . Sent. Are you not sorry for that you haue done . flo. No by my troth , nere a whit at all . Sent. I hope your mind will chang before you die . flo. Perhaps you know so much : trust me , not I. Sent. God turn your hart : frend let me speak with you , The time draws néere of execution , What is it méete I goe along with you ? Har. I gentle Sentloe , and thy selfe shall sée , The deference twixt lust , and chastity Enter a messenger . Mes. You must bring the prisoners away , the king and péeres are already set . keep . Say we make all the spéed we may . flo. Come noble harts , let s fearles march away , A little hanging will dispatch vs all . Exit Omnes . Enter the king , Richmond , Liester Sir Eustice , Sir Godfrey , to the execution . king . Sir Godfrey , and Sir Eustice vallenger , Your Siluer haires shoulde teach you patience . god . My ledge , God be my record I do not repine , Alack good knight , thou wéeps in vaine , But now there is no helpe . Eust . I , I , my Soueraine iustice on my son , He hath deserued death , and let him haue it . king . Sir godfrey , hath your daughter yet Found out a man will die for Vallenger , Such was our promise in regard of her , And since our word is past , we graunt it him . god . No , no , my Soueraine , I haue hard , A man vrged by nes●esity to lead his frend , Or to redéeme his person with his owne , But to find one will die for a frend , This age we liue in doth not now a word . Enter the officers with the prisoners . king . Dispose yong Vallenger the first to death , That done , send hence the other to their sentence domd va . Ere I a●end this stage where I must act , The latest period of this life of mine , First let me do my deuty to my prince . Next vnto you , to much by me offended , Now step , by step , as I attend this place , Mount thou my soule into the throwne o grace , I my offence might be forgiuen on earth , I would aske pardon of my dread king . My parents , and my wife , That must forgiue me , But my hatefull life Hath so be bloted and besmered my fault , That when I come to ask the last forgiuenes , They will not list my sute , Nor yet regard it . Enter at one doore , Anabell disguised like a man , and at another Challener . Ana. Stay : héere is one will die for vallenger . Chal. Nay héere is one will die for Vallenger . God . Be blínd mine eies , O vertuous Challener . Come to redéeme his enemy from death . val . O Challener , by the déep wrongs that I haue done to thee , O hide thy face , thy lookes are far more keene , Then is the axe , must strike the fatall stroke : For thee sweet youth , thou canst aledge no reason Why thou shouldst die for me , Be iust O king . No torment worse , then fruitles lingering . King . Dispatch them executioner : dispatch . ana . Stay executioner : do me iustice king , thy word is past that vallenger shall liue , If any one will loose his life for him , And that will I : i le dy for vallenger , Chal. Nay heere is one , that for the loue he beares , to Anabell , but not to him , will die for vallenger . ana . My plea was entred first , my claime must stand . Cha. Tell me but what thou art , rash yongman , that dares enter into this place before me : humannity doth teach thee thou euer shouldst Giue place vnto thine elders , in all asaies , how rude then and vnmannerly art thou , To forget this common courtesie , that parents teach their children euery houre . Ana. Sir , in humanity I must confesse , So much as you aledge but not in death . the graue is as the publick theater , the roome being taken vp , by them first enter , the second sort must sit but as they come . Besids you say you die for anabell , She nere deserued death : therfore giue your plea to him that hath true title for the same . God . That s not by thée fond girle , Knéele Eustice , knéele , do not acept Against her folly , do not good my ledge . King . Why you amaze me , what s the matter ? God . Why my ledge , this is my child , my anabell ? Came in this disguyse , to saue his life , that was the spoile of hers , Now aforegod girle thou art much to blame . What is that other ? God . My Lord , this is vertuous Challener , Come to redéeme his enemy from death . King . a conflickt of exceeding consequence , and much renownes that worthy gentleman , tho let me tell you we are much displeasd , that anabell should baffel thus our lawes , We asked a man , and she a woman to delude vs . therefore we are content her husband haue his life , But she shall lay her head vpon the block , and she shall haue no executioner , But vallenger him selfe , shall strike it off : this is our sentence , and we will not chang . Ana. pray god thou dost not king , for I accept it . Come Vallenger , that happy hand of thine , Shall aue thy li e and make an end of mine . val . To strike the stroke , to murder Anabell , First let my soule sinck to the pit of hell . Cha. A man the executioner of his wi e , Is so vnhumaine that a mortall eie Would euen be bloudshed to behold the same , There ore dread king let me die or both , But to defend so scandelus an act : And as for thée , I hate thée Vallenger , And could be well content withall my hart , To be thy deathes man for thou hatest me , Besids , yet Valenger consider this , Hauing a wife so faire as Anabell , Beloued of me thy foe , and ●o intierly , That I do offer vp my life for hers , Should mercy pardon now what law doth threaten , Thou must immagin if that we too liue , I still should go about to murder thée , To inioy thy wife , whom I so much do loue , therefore beg of the king that onely I may die , to saue her honor , and thy infamie . Blu. Hark you huswife , do you heare all this : Doth not your hart melt at this amis . Flo. Melt Blunt yes , and doth wéepe brinish tears , to sée what ●ames them , and doth me confound , Héere is a glasse for such as liues by lust , See what t is to be honest , what t is to be iust , Blu. Why this is wel : now Soueraine hear me speak , If he that is supposed slaine doth liue , Then friendly may we reconsile these iars , king . Our law doeth light on none , but guilty crimes : And that it punisheth as iustice willes . Blu. Why then vouchsafe all in this princely presence , This gentleman and I brought all to passe , He in a Docters shape , hath saued the life Of my frend Sentloe , and o Anabell , I in like sort haue aued Vallenger , And Sentloe which by me should haue bin slaine , I saued him by an honest policie . And now aliue present him to your sight , To make a pleasing end of these sad sightes . Heere Sentloe putteth off his whod and kneeles downe . This breaths new life into my hated hart . Val. Sweet beautious lettes the causer of my smart , Forget in me , what I haue done amisse , And seale my pardon with one balmy kisse My soule repents her lewd impyetie . Ana. My blouds déere solace , and my best content , My onely déere esteemed Vallenger , Not all the world being turned into pleasure , Could giue my soule such swéet contented treasure , Thou art more deere , more pleasing to my mind , then at the first : before thou prouest vnkind , t is insident for yong men to offend , And wiues must stay their leasures to amend . Chal. This kind contryssion of yong vallenger , More ioyes my hart , then rest to trauelers , Liue long together , and may neuer fate , this new ioynd league of marriage seperate . Har. The like say I , to thee that now hath tryed , A friends firme faith , that nothing can deuide . Sent. the which I will indeuer to deserue , And not so much as once in thought to swerue . king . Since all things sorteth to this happines , And pining care , is turned to ioyfull mirth , I will be partner in your meryment , Away with that same tradgike monument , For that same Florence there , because we sée , she sorrowes somthing for her follies past , Let her be had among the Conuertines . And as her faults shall vanish or else stay , Let her be vsed accordingly . Away with her , Glad parents , and glad frends , In Bristow here a while our selues will stay , And spend some sportfull houres to crowne your ioy After so many troubles , and tyerd annoy . Exit Omnes . FJNIS .