The Conspiracy of Charles Duke of Byron

BYRONS CONSPIRACIE .

ACTVS I. SCAENA I. Sauoy , Roncas , Rochette , Breton . Sau. I Would not for halfe Sauoy , but haue bound Fraunce to some fauour , by my personall presence More than your selfe , ( my Lord Ambassadour ) Could haue obtaind ; for all Ambassadours ( You know ) haue chiefly these instructions ; To note the State and chiefe sway of the Court , To which they are employde ; to penetrate The heart , and marrow of the Kings designes , And to obserue the countenances and spirites , Of such as are impatient of rest ; And wring beneath , some priuate discontent : But , past all these , there are a number more Of these State Critiscismes : That our personall view May profitably make , which cannot fall Within the powres of our instruction , To make you comprehend ; I will doe more With my meere shadow , than you with your persons . All you can say against my comming heere , Is that , which I confesse , may for the time , Breede strange affections in my brother Spaine ; But when I shal haue time to make my Cannans , The long-tong'd Heraulds of my hidden drifts , Our reconcilement will be made with triumphs . Ron. If not , your Highnesse hath small cause to care , Hauing such worthy reason to complaine Of Spaines colde friendship , and his lingring succours , Who onely entertaines your griefes with hope , To make your medcine desperate . Roch. My Lord knowes The Spanish glosse too well ; his forme ▪ stuffe'lasting , And the most dangerous conditions , He layes on them with whome he is in league . Th' iniustice in the most vnequall dowre , Giuen with th' Infanta whome my Lord espousde , Compar'd with that her elder sister had , May tell him how much Spaines loue weighs to him ; When of so many Globes and Scepters held By the great King , he onely would bestow A portion but of six score thousand Crownes In yeerely pension , with his highnesse wife , When the Infanta wedded by the Archduke Had the Franch County , and lowe Prouinces . Bret. We should not set these passages of Splene Twixt Spaine and Sauoy ; to the weaker part , More good by suffrance growes , than deedes of heart , The nearer Princes are , the further off In rites of friendship ; my aduice had neuer Consented to this voyage of my Lord , In which he doth endaunger Spaines whole losse , For hope of some poore fragment heere in Fraunce . Sau. My hope in France you know not , though my counsel , And for my losse of Spaine , it is agreede , That I should sleight it , oft-times Princes rules Are like the Chymicall Philosophers ; Leaue me then to mine owne proiection , In this our thriftie Alchymie of state , Yet helpe me thus farre , you that haue beene heere Our Lord Ambassadour ; and , in short informe mee , What Spirites here are fit for our designes . Ron. The new-created Duke Byron is fit , Were there no other reason for your presence , To make it worthie ; for he is a man Of matchlesse valure , and was euer happy In all encounters , which were still made good , With an vnwearyed sence of any toyle , Hauing continewd fourteene dayes together Vpon his horse ; his blood is not voluptuous , Nor much inclinde to women ; his desires Are higher than his state , and his deserts Not much short of the most he can desire , If they be weigh'd with what Fraunce feeles by them : He is past measure glorious : And that humour Is fit to feede his Spirites , whome it possesseth With faith in any errour ; chiefly where Men blowe it vp , with praise of his perfections , The taste whereof in him so soothes his pallate , And takes vp all his appetite , that oft times He will refuse his meate , and companie To feast alone with their most strong conceit ; Ambition also , cheeke by cheeke doth march With that excesse of glory , both sustaind With an vnlimited fancie , That the King , Nor Fraunce it selfe , without him can subsist . Sau. He is the man ( my Lord ) I come to winne ; And that supreame intention of my presence Saw neuer light till now , which yet I feare , The politike king , suspecting , is the cause That he hath sent him so farre from my reach , And made him chiefe in the Commission , Of his ambassage to my brother Arch-duke , With whome he is now ; and ( as I am tolde ) So entertaind and fitted in his humour , That ere I part , I hope he will returne Prepar'd , and made the more fit for the phisicke That I intend to minister . Ron. My Lord , There is another discontented Spirite Now heere in Court , that for his braine , and aptnes To any course that may recouer him In his declined and litigious state , Will serue Byron , as he were made for him , In giuing vent to his ambitious vaine , And that is , De Laffin . Sau. You tell me true , And him I thinke you haue prepar'd for me . Ron. I haue my Lord , and doubt not he will prooue , Of the yet taintlesse fortresse of Byron , A quicke Expugner , and a strong Abider . Sau. Perhappes the battry will be brought before him , In this ambassage , for I am assur'd They set high price of him , and are informde Of all the passages , and means for mines That may be thought on , to his taking in : Enter Henry and Laffin . The King comes , and Laffin : the Kings aspect Folded in cloudes . Hen. I will not haue my traine , Made a retreite for Bankroutes , nor my Court , A hyue for Droanes : prowde Beggars , and true Thieues , That with a forced truth they sweare to me , Robbe my poore subiects , shall giue vp their Arts , And hencefoorth learne to liue by their desarts ; Though I am growne , by right of Birth and Armes Into a greater kingdome , I will spreade With no more shade , then may admit that kingdome Her proper , naturall , and woonted fruites , Nauarre shall be Nauarre , and France still France : If one may be the better for the other By mutuall rites , so , neither shall be worse . Thou arte in lawe , in quarrells , and in debt , Which thou wouldst quit with countnaunce ; Borrowing With thee is purchase , and thou seekst by me ( In my supportance ) now our olde warres cease To wage worse battells , with the armes of Peace . Laf. Peace must not make men Cowherds , nor keepe calme Her pursie regiment with mens smootherd breaths ; I must confesse my fortunes are declinde , But neither my deseruings , nor my minde : I seeke but to sustaine the right I found , When I was rich , in keeping what is left , And making good my honour as at best , Though it be hard ; mans right to euery thing Wanes with his wealth , wealth is his surest King ; Yet Iustice should be still indifferent . The ouerplus of Kings , in all their might , Is but to peece out the defects of right : And this I sue for , nor shall frownes and taunts ( The common Scarre-crowes of all poore mens suites ) Nor mis-construction that doth colour still Licentiate Iustice , punishing good for ill , Keepe my free throate from knocking at the Skie , If thunder chid mee for my equitie . Hen. Thy equity , is to be euer banisht From Court , and all societie of noblesse , Amongst whome thou throwst balls of all dissention ; Thou arte at peace with nothing but with warre , Hast no heart but to hurt , and eatst thy heart , If it but thinke of doing any good : Thou witchest with thy smiles , suckst bloud with praises , Mock'st al humanitie ; society poisonst ; Coosinst with vertue ; with religion Betrayst , and massacrest ; so vile thy selfe , That thou suspectst perfection in others : A man must thinke of all the villanies He knowes in all men , to descipher thee , That art the centre to impietie : Away , and tempt me not . Laf. But you tempt me , To what , thou Sunne be iudge , and make him see . Exit . Sau. Now by my dearest Marquisate of Salusses , Your Maiestie hath with the greatest life Describ'd a wicked man ; or rather thrust Your arme downe through him to his very feete , And pluckt his inside out , that euer yet , Mine eares did witnesse ; or turnd eares to Eies ; And those strange Characters , writ in his face , which ' at first sight , were hard for me to reade , The Doctrine of your speech , hath made so plaine , That I run through them like my naturall language : Nor do I like that mans Aspect , me thinkes , Of all lookes where the Beames of Starres haue caru'd Their powrefull influences ; And ( O rare ) What an heroicke , more than royall Spirite Bewraide you in your first speech , that defies Protection of vile droanes , that eate the honny Swette from laborious vertue , and denies To giue those of Nauarre , though bred with you , The benefites and dignities of Fraunce . When little Riuers by their greedy currants , ( Farre farre extended from their mother springs ) Drinke vp the forraine brookes still as they runne , And force their greatnesse , when they come to Sea , And iustle with the Ocean for a roome , O how he roares , and takes them in his mouth , Digesting them so to his proper streames , That they are no more seene , hee nothing raisde Aboue his vsuall bounds , yet they deuour'd , That of themselues were pleasant , goodly flouds . Hen. I would doe best for both , yet shall not be secure , Till in some absolute heires my Crowne be setled , There is so little now betwixt Aspirers And their great obiect in my onely selfe , That all the strength they gather vnder me , Tempts combate with mine owne : I therefore make Meanes for some issue by my marriage , Which with the great Dukes neece is now concluded , And she is comming ; I haue trust in heauen I am not yet so olde , but I may spring , And then I hope all traitrous hopes will fade . Sau. Else may their whole estates flie , rooted vp To Ignominie and Obliuion : And ( being your neighbor seruant , and poore kinsman ) I wish your mighty Race might multiply , Euen to the Period of all Emperie . Hen. Thankes to my princely coozen , this your loue And honour shewne me in your personall presence , I wish to welcome to your full content : The peace I now make with your brother Archduke , By Duke Byron our Lord Ambassadour , I wish may happily extend to you , And that at his returne we may conclude it . Sau. It shall be to my heart the happiest day Of all my life , and that life all employd , To celebrate the honour of that day . Exeunt . Enter Roiseau . Rois. The wondrous honour doone our Duke Byron In his Ambassage heere , in th' Archdukes Court , I feare will taint his loyaltie to our King . I will obserue how they obserue his humour , And glorifie his valure ; and how he Accepts and stands attractiue to their ends , That so I may not seeme an idle spot In traine of this ambassage but returne Able to giue our King some note of all , Worth my attendance ; And see , heere 's the man , Who ( though a French man , and in Orleance borne Seruing the Arch-duke ) I doe most suspect , Is set to be the tempter of our Duke ; I le goe where I may see , all though not heare . Enter Picoté , with two other spreading a Carpet . Pic. Spreade heere this historie of Cateline , That Earth may seeme to bring forth Roman Spirites ; Euen to his Geniall feete ; and her darke breast Be made the cleare Glasse of his shining Graces , Wee le make his feete so tender , they shall gall In all paths but to Empire ; and therein I le make the sweete Steppes of his State beginne . Exit . Lowde Musique , and enter Byron . Byr. What place is this ? what ayre ? what rhegion ? In which a man may heare the harmony Of all things moouing ? Hymen marries heere , Their ends and vses and makes me his Temple . Hath any man beene blessed , and yet liu'd ? The bloud turnes in my veines , I stand on change , And shall dissolue in changing ; t is so full Of pleasure not to be containde in flesh : To feare a violent Good , abuseth Goodnes , T is Immortallitie to die aspiring , As if a man were taken quicke to heauen ; What will not holde Perfection , let it burst ; What force hath any Cannan , not being chargde , Or being not dischargde ? To haue stuffe and forme , And to lie idle , fearefull , and vnus'd , Nor forme , nor stuffe shewes ; happy Semele That died comprest with Glorie : Happinesse Denies comparison , of lesse , or more , And not at most , is nothing : like the shaft Shot at the Sunne , by angry Hercules , And into shiuers by the thunder broken Will I be if I burst : And in my heart This shall be written : yet t was high and right . Musique againe . Heere too ? they follow all my steppes with Musique , As if my feete were numerous , and trode sounds Out of the Center , with Apolloes vertue , That out of euery thing his ech-part toucht , Strooke musicall accents : wheresoe're I goe , They hide the earth from me with couerings rich , To make me thinke that I am heere in heauen . Enter Picote in haste . Pic. This way , your Highnesse . Byr. Come they ? Pic. I my Lord . Exeunt . Enter the other Commissioners of Fraunce , Belieure , Brulart , Aumall , Orenge . Bel. My Lord d' Aumall , I am exceeding sorie , That your owne obstinacie to hold out , Your mortall enmitie against the King , When Duke du Maine , and all the faction yeelded , Should force his wrath to vse the rites of treason , Vpon the members of your sencelesse Statue , Your Name and House , when he had lost your person , Your loue and duety . Bru. That which men enforce By their owne wilfulnesse ; they must endure With willing patience , and without complaint . D'Aum. I vse not much impatience nor complaint . Though it offends me much , to haue my name So blotted with addition of a Traitor . And my whole memory , ( with such despight , Markt and begun to be so rooted out . ) Bru. It was despight that held you out so long , Whose penance in the King was needfull iustice . Bel Come let vs seeke our Duke , and take our leaues Of th' Archdukes grace . Exeunt . Enter Byron and Pycotè . Byr. Here may we safely breathe ? Py. No doubt ( my Lord ) no stranger knowes this way ; Onely the Arch-duke , and your friend Count Mansfield , Perhaps may make their generall scapes to you , To vtter some part of their priuate loues , Ere your departure . Byr. Then , I well perceiue To what th' intention of his highnesse tends ; For whose , and others here , most worthy Lords , I will become ( with all my worth ) their seruant , In any office , but disloyaltie ; But that hath euer showd so fowle a monster To all my Ancestors , and my former life , That now to entertaine it ; I must wholy Giue vp my habite , in his contrary , And striue to growe out of priuation . Py. My Lord , to weare your loyall habite still , When it is out of fashion ; and hath done Seruice enough ; were rusticke miserie : The habite of a seruile loyaltie , Is reckond now amongst priuations , With blindnesse , dumbnesse , deafnesse , scilence , death , All which are neither natures by themselues Nor substances , but mere decayes of forme , And absolute decessions of nature , And so , 't is nothing , what shall you then loose ? Your highnesse hath a habite in perfection , And in desert of highest dignities , Which carue your selfe , and be your owne rewarder ; No true powre doth admit priuation , Aduerse to him ; or suffers any fellow Ioynde in his subiect ; you , superiors ; It is the nature of things absolute . One to destroy another ; be your Highnesse , Like those steepe hils that will admit no clowds , No deawes , nor lest fumes bound about their browes ; Because their tops pierce into purest ayre , Expert of humor ; or like ayre it selfe That quickly changeth ; and receiues the sunne Soone as he riseth ; euery where dispersing His royall splendor ; guirds it in his beames , And makes it selfe the body of the light ; Hote , shining , swift , light , and aspiring things , Are of immortall , and celestiall nature ; Colde , darke , dull , heauie of infernall fortunes , And neuer aime at any happinesse : Your excellencie knowes ; that simple loyaltie , Faith , loue , sinceritie , are but words , no things ; Meerely deuisde for forme ; and as the Legate , Sent from his Holinesse , to frame a peace Twixt Spaine and Sauoy ; labour'd feruently , ( For common ends , not for the Dukes perticular ) To haue him signe it ; he againe endeuours ( Not for the Legates paines , but his owne pleasure ) To gratifie him ; and being at last encountred ; Where the flood Tesyn enters into Po , They made a kinde contention , which of them Should enter th' others boate ; one thrust the other : One legge was ouer , and another in : And with a fierie courtesie , at last Sauoy leapes out , into the Legates armes , And here ends all his loue , and th' others labour ; So shall these termes , and impositions Exprest before , hold nothing in themselues Really good ; but florishes of forme : And further then they make to priuate ends None wise , or free , their propper vse intends . Byr. O 't is a dangerous , and a dreadfull thing To steale prey from a Lyon ; or to hide A head distrustfull , in his opened iawes ; To trust our bloud in others veines ; and hang Twixt heauen and earth , in vapors of their breaths : To leaue a sure pace on continuate earth , And force a gate in iumps , from towre to towre , As they doe that aspire , from height to height ; The bounds of loyaltie are made of glasse , Soone broke , but can in no date be repaird ; And as the Duke D'Aumall , ( now here in Court ) Flying his countrey ; had his Statue torne Peece-meale with horses ; all his goods confiscate , His Armes of honor , kickt about the streetes , His goodly house at Annet rac'd to th' earth . And ( for a strange reproche of his foule treason ) His trees about it , cut off by their wastes ; So , when men flie the naturall clime of truth , And turne them-selues loose , out of all the bounds Of Iustice , and the straight-way to their ends ; Forsaking all the sure force in themselues To seeke , without them , that which is not theirs , The formes of all their comforts are distracted ; The riches of their freedomes forfaited ; Their humaine noblesse shamd ; the Mansions Of their colde spirits , eaten downe with Cares ; And all their ornaments , of wit , and valure , Learning , and iudgement , cut from all their fruites . Alb. O , here were now the richest prize in Europe , Were he but taken in affection , Would we might growe together , and be twins Of eithers fortune ; or that , still embrac't I were , but Ring to such a pretious stone : Byr. Your highnesse honors , and high bountie showne me , Haue wonne from me , my voluntary powre ; And I must now mooue by your eminent will ; To what particular obiects ; if I know By this mans intercession , he shall bring : My vttermost answere , and performe betwixt vs , Reciprocall and full intelligence . Alber. Euen for your owne deserued roiall good , T is ioyfully accepted , vse the loues And worthy admirations of your friends , That beget vowes of all things you can wish , And be what I wish : danger saies , no more . Exit . Enter Mansfield at another dore . Exit Picoté . Mans. Your highnesse makes the light of this Court stoope , With your so neere departure , I was forc't To tender to your excellence , in briefe , This priuate wish in taking of my leaue ; That in some army Roiall , old Cont Mansfield , Might be commanded by your matchles valor , To the supreamest point of victorie : Who vowes for that renowne all praier , and seruice : No more least I may wrong you . Exit Mansf. Byr. Thanke your Lordship . Enter D'Aumall and Oreng . D'Au. All maiestie be added to your highnesse , Of which , I would not wish your brest to beare More modest apprehension : then may tread , The high gate of your spirit ; and be knowne To be a fit Bound for your Boundlesse valor ; Or. So Oreng wisheth , and to the desarts Of your great actions , their most roiall Crowne . Enter Picoté . Pic. Away my Lord , the Lords enquire for you . Exit Bir. Manet Oreng , D'Aum . Roisean . Ore . Would we might winne his valor to our part . D'Au. T is well prepar'd in his entreaty here ; With all states highest obseruations : And to their forme , and words are added gifts , He was presented with two goodly horses , One of which two , was the braue Beast Pastrana : With plate of gold , and a much prized iewell ; Girdle and hangers , set with welthy stones : All which were vallewed , at ten thousand crownes ; The other Lords had suites of tapistry , And chaines of gold , and euery gentleman A paire of Spanish Gloues , and Rapire blades : And here ends their entreaty ; which I hope Is the beginning of more good to vs , Then twenty thousand times their giftes to them . Enter Alber : By r : Beli . Mans : Roiseau : with others . Alber. My Lord , I grieue that all the setting forth , Of our best welcome , made you more retired : Your chamber hath beene more lou'd then our honors ; And therefore we are glad your time of parting Is come to set you in the ayre you loue : Commend my seruice to his Maiesty , And tell him that this daie of peace with him I le hold , as holie . All your paines my Lords I shal be alwaies glad to gratefie With any loue and honour , your owne hearts Shall do me grace to wish exprest to you . Ruis. Here hath beene strange demeaneure , which shall flie , To the great author of this Ambassy . FINIS Actus 1.

ACT. 2. SCE. 1. Sauoy , Laffin , Roncas , Rochette , Breton . Sauoy . Admit no entry , I will speake with none , Good signior de Laffin , your worth shall finde , That I will make a iewell for my cabinet , Of that the King ( in surfet of his store ) Hath cast out , as the sweepings of his hall ; I told him , hauing threatned you away , That I did wonder , this small time of peace , Could make him cast his armor so securely In such as you , and as t were set the head Of one so great in counsailes , on his foote , And pitch him from him with such guardlike strength . Laffi. He may perhaps finde he hath pitcht away , The Axeltree that kept him on his wheeles . Sau. I told him so , I sweare , in other termes And not with too much note of our close loues Least so he might haue smokt our practises . Laffi. To chuse his time , and spit his poison on me , Through th' eares , and eies of strangers . Sau. So I told him And more then that , which now I will not tell you : It rests now then , Noble , and worthy friend , That to our friendship , we draw Duke Byron , To whose attraction there is no such chaine , As you can fordge , and shake out of your braine . Laffi. I haue deuisde the fashion and the weight ; To valures hard to draw , we vse retreates ; And , to pull shaftes home , ( with a good bow-arme ) We thrust hard from vs : since he came from Flanders He heard how I was threatned with the King , And hath beene much inquisitiue to know The truth of all , and seekes to speake with me ; The meanes he vsde , I answerd doubtfully ; And with an intimation that I shund him , Which will ( I know ) put more spur to his charge ; And if his haughty stomacke be preparde , With will to any act : for the aspiring Of his ambitious aimes , I make no doubt But I shall worke him to your highnesse wish . Sau. But vndertake it , and I rest assur'd : You are reported to haue skill in Magick , And the euents of things , at which they reach That are in nature apt to ouerreach : Whom the whole circkle of the present time , In present pleasures , fortunes , knowledges , Can not containe : those men ( as broken loose From humaine limmits ) in all violent ends Would faine aspire the faculties of fiends , And in such ayre breathe his vnbounded spirits , Which therefore well will fit such coniurations , Attempt him then by flying ; close with him , And bring him home to vs , and take my dukedome . Laf. My best in that , and all things , vowes your seruice . Sau. Thankes to my deare friend ; and the French Vlisses . Exit Sauoy , Enter Byron . Byr. Here is the man ; my honord friend , Laffin ? Alone , and heauy countinanc't ? on what termes Stood th' insultation of the King vpon you ? Laffi. Why do you aske ? Byr. Since I would know the truth . Laf. And when you know it ; what ? Byr. I le iudge betwixt you , And ( as I may ) make euen th' excesse of either . Laf. Ah las my Lord , not all your loyaltie , Which is in you , more then hereditary , Nor all your valure ( which is more then humane ) Can do the seruice you may hope on me In sounding my displeasde integrity ; Stand for the King , as much in policie As you haue stird for him in deeds of armes , And make your selfe his glorie , and your countries Till you bee suckt as drie , and wrought as leaue , As my steade carcase : you shall neuer close With me , as you imagine . Byr. You much wrong me , To thinke me an intelligencing Lord . Laff. I know not now your so affected zeale , To be reputed a true harted subiect , May stretch or turne you ; I am desperate ; If I offend you , I am in your powre : I care not how I tempt your conquering furie , I am predestin'd to too base an end , To haue the honor of your wrath destroy me ; And be a worthy obiect for your sword : I lay my hand , and head too at your feete , As I haue euer , here I hold it still , End me directly , doe not goe about . Byr. How strange is this ? the shame of his disgrace Hath made him lunatique . Laff Since the King hath wrong'd me He thinkes I le hurt my selfe ; no , no , my Lord : I know that all the Kings in Christendome , ( If they should ioyne in my reuenge ) would proue Weake foes to him : still hauing you to friend : If you were gone ( I care not if you tell him ) I might be tempted then to right my selfe . Exit . Byr. He has a will to me , and dares not shew it , His state decai'd , and he disgrac'd ; distracts him . Redit Laffin . Laff Change not my words my Lord , I onely said I might be tempted then to right my selfe : Temptation to treason , is no treason ; And that word ( tempted ) was conditionall too , If you were gone , I pray informe the truth . Exitur . Byr. Stay iniur'd man , and know I am your friend , Farre from these base , and mercenarie reaches , I am I sweare to you . Laff. You may be so ; And yet you le giue me leaue to be Laffin , A poore and expuate humor of the Court : But what good bloud came out with me ; what veines And sinews of the Triumphs , now it makes ; I list not vante ; yet will I now confesse , And dare assume it ; I haue powre to adde To all his greatnesse ; and make yet more fixt His bould securitie ; Tell him this my Lord ; And this ( if all the spirits of earth and aire , Be able to enforce ) I can make good : If knowledge of the sure euents of things , Euen from the rise of subiects into Kings : And falles of Kings to subiects hold a powre Of strength to worke it ; I can make it good ; And tell him this to ; if in midest of winter To make black Groues grow greene ; to still the thunder ; And cast out able flashes from mine eies , To beate the lightning back into the skies , Proue powre to do it , I can make it good ; And tell him this too ; if to lift the Sea Vp to the Starres , when all the Winde are still ; And keepe it calme , when they are most enrag'd : To make earths driest pallms , sweate humorous springs To make fixt rocks walke ; and loose shadowes stand , To make the dead speake . midnight see the Sunne , Mid-daie turne mid-night ; to dissolue all lawes Of nature , and of order , argue powre Able to worke all , I can make all good , And all this tell the King . Byr. T is more then strange , To see you stand thus at the rapiers point With one so kinde and sure a friend as I . Laff. Who cannot friend himselfe , is foe to any , And to be fear'd of all , and that is it , Makes me so skornd , but make me what you can ; Neuer so wicked , and so full of feends , I neuer yet , was traitor to my friends : The lawes of friendship I haue euer held , As my religion ; and for other lawes ; He is a foole that keepes them with more care , Then they keepe him , safe , rich , and populare : For riches , and for populare respects Take them amongst yee Minions , but for safety , You shall not finde the least flaw in mine armes , To pierce or taint me ; what will great men be , To please the King , and beare authoritie . Exit . Byr. How fic a tort were this to hansell fortune ? And I will winne it though I loose my selfe , Though he prooue harder then Egiptian Marble , I le make him malliable , as th' Ophyr gold ; I am put off from this dull shore of East , Into industrious , and high-going Seas ; Where , like Pelides in Scamanders flood , Vp to the eares in surges , I will fight , And pluck French Ilion vnderneath the waues ; If to be highest still , be to be best , All workes to that end are the worthiest : Truth is a golden Ball , cast in our way , To make vs stript by falsehood : And as Spaine When the hote scuffles of Barbarian armes , Smotherd the life of Don Sebastian , To guild the leaden rumor of his death Gaue for a slaughterd body ( held for his ) A hundred thousand crownes ; causd all the state Of superstitious Portugall to mourne And celebrate his solemne funerals ; The Moores to conquest , thankfull feasts preferre , And all made with the carcasse of a Switzer : So in the Giant like , and politique warres Of barbarous greatnesse , raging still in peace , Showes to aspire iust obiects ; are laide on With cost , with labour , and with forme enough , Which onely makes our best acts brooke the light , And their ends had , we thinke we haue their right , So wurst workes are made good , with good successe , And so for Kings , pay subiects carcases . Exit . Enter Henry , Roisieau . Hen. Was he so courted ? Rois. As a Cittie Dame , Brought by her iealous husband , to the Court , Some elder Courtiers entertaining him , While others snatch , a fauour from his wife : One starts from this doore ; from that nooke another , With gifts , and iunkets , and with printed phrase , Steale her employment , shifting place by place Still as her husband comes : so Duke Byron Was woode , and worshipt in the Arch-dukes Court , And as th' assistants that your Maiestie , Ioinde in Commission with him , or my selfe , Or any other doubted eye appear'd , He euer vanisht : and as such a dame , As we compar'd with him before , being wun To breake faith to her husband , loose her fame , Staine both their progenies , and comming fresh From vnderneath the burthen of her shame , Visits her husband with as chaste a browe , As temperate , and confirm'd behauiour , As she came quitted from confession . So from his scapes , would he present a presence , The practise of his state adulterie , And guilt that should a gracefull bosome strieke , Drownde in the set lake , of a hopelesse cheeke . Hen. It may be hee dissembled , or suppose , He be a little tainted : men whom vertue Formes with the stuffe of fortune great , and gratious , Must needs pertake with fortune in her humor Of instabilitie : and are like to shafts Growne crookt with standing , which to rectifie , Must twice as much be bowd another way , He that hath borne wounds for his worthy parts , Must for his wurst be borne with : we must fit Our gouernment to men , as men to it : In old time , they that hunted sauadge beasts , Are said to clothe themselues in sauage skinnes , They that were Fowlers when they went on fowling , Wore garments made with wings resembling Fowles : To Buls , we must not shew our selues in red , Nor to the warlick Elephant in white , In all things gouern'd , their infirmities Must not be stird , nor wrought on ; Duke Byron Flowes with adust , and melancholy choller , And melancholy spirits are venemous : Not to be toucht , but as they may be cur'de : I therefore meane to make him change the ayre , And send him further from those Spanish vapors , That still beare fighting sulphure in their brests , To breath a while in temperate English ayre , Where lips are spycd with free and loyall counsailes , Where policies are not rumous , but sauing ; Wisdome is simple , valure righteous , Humaine , and hating facts of brutish forces And whose graue natures , scorne the scoffes of France , The empty complements of Italy , The any-way encroching pride of Spaine , And loue men modest , harty , iust and plaine . Sauoy , whispering with Laffin . Sau. I le sound him for Byron ; and what I finde , In the Kings depth ; I le draw vp , and informe , In excitations to the Dukes reuolt , When next I meete with him . Laff. It must be done With praising of the Duke ; from whom the king Will take to giue himselfe ; which tolde the Duke , Will take his heart vp into all ambition . Sau. I know it ( politick friend : ) and t is my purpose , Exit Laf. Your Maiestie hath mist a royall sight , The Duke Byron , on his braue beast Pastrana , Who sits him like a full-saild Argosea , Danc'd with a lofty billow , and as snug Plyes to his bearer , both their motions mixt ; And being considerd in their site together , They do the best present the state of man , In his first royaltie ruling ; and of beasts In their first loyaltie seruing ; one commanding , And no way being mou'd ; the other seruing , And no way being compeld ; of all the sights That euer my eyes witnest ; and they make A doctrinall and witty Hierogliphick , Of a blest kingdome : to expresse and teach , Kings to command as they could serue , and subiects To serue as if they had powre to command . Hen. You are a good old horseman I perceiue , And still out all the vse of that good part : Your wit is of the true Pierean spring , That can make any thing , of any thing . Sau. So braue a subiect as the Duke , no king Seated on earth , can vante of but your Highnesse , So valiant , loyall , and so great in seruice . Hen. No question he sets valour in his height , And hath done seruice to an equall pitche , Fortune attending him with fit euents , To all his ventrous and well-laid attempts . Sau. Fortune ? to him was Iuno , to Alcides , For when , or where did she but open way , To any act of his ? what stone tooke he With her helpe or without his owne lost bloud ? What sort wan he by her ? or was not forc't ? What victory but gainst ods ? on what Commander Sleepy or negligent , did he euer charge ? What Summer euer made she faire to him ? What winter , not of one continued storme ? Fortune is so farre from his Creditresse , That she owes him much ; for in him , her lookes Are louely , modest , and magnanimous , Constant , victorious ; and in his Achieuments , Her cheekes are drawne out with a vertuous rednesse , Out of his eager spirit to victorie , And chast contention to conuince with honor ; And ( I haue heard ) his spirits haue flowd so high , In all his conflicts against any odds , That ( in his charge ) his lips haue bled with terror : How seru'd he at your famous siege of Dreux ? Where the enemie ( assur'd of victory ) Drew out a bodie of foure thousand horse , And twice sixe thousand foote , and like a Crescent , Stood for the signall , you : ( that show'd your selfe A sound old souldiar ) thinking it not fit To giue your enemy the ods , and honour Of the first stroke , commanded de la Guiche , To let fire all his cannans , that did pierse The aduerse thickest squadrons , and had shot Nine volleies ere the foe had once giuen fire : Your troope was charg'd , and when your dukes old father , Met with th' affailants , and their Groue of Reiters Repulst so fiercely , made them turne their beards And rallie vp themselues behind their troopes ; Fresh forces seeing your troopes a little seuerd , From that part first assaulted , gaue it charge , Which then , this duke made good , seconds his father , Beates through and through the enemies greatest strength , And breakes the rest like Billowes gainst a rock And there the heart of that huge battaile broke . Hen. The heart but now came on , in that stronge body , Of twice two thousand horse , lead by Du Maine Which ( if I would be glorious ) I could say I first encountred . Sau. How did he take in , Beaune in view of that inuincible army Lead by the Lord great Constable of Castile ? Autun , and Nuis : in Burgundy chast away , Vicount l'auannes troopes before Dijon , And puts himselfe in , and there that was won . Hen. If you would onely giue me leaue my Lord , I would do right to him , yet must not giue . Sau. A league from Fountaine Francois , when you sent him , To make discouerie of the Castile army , When he descern'd t was it ( with wondrous wisdome Ioinde to his spirit ) he seem'd to make retreate , But when they prest him , and the Barron of Lux , Set on their charge so hotely , that his horse , Was slaine , and he most dangerously engag'd , Then turnd your braue duke head , and ( with such ease As doth an Eccho beate backe violent sounds , With their owne forces ) he , ( as if a wall Start sodainely before them ) pasht them all Flat , as the earth , and there was that field wonne . Hen. Y' are all the field wide . Sau. O , I aske you pardon , The strength of that field yet laie in his backe , Vpon the foes part ; and what is to come . Of this your Marshal , now your worthie Duke Is much beyond the rest : for now he sees A sort of horse troopes , issue from the woods , In number nere twelue hunderd : and retyring To tell you that the entire armie follow'd , Before he could relate it , he was forct To turne head , and receiue the maine assaulte Of fiue horse troopes : onely with twenty horse : The first he met , he tumbled to the earth , And brake through all , not daunted with two wounds , One on his head , another on his brest , The bloud of which , drownd all the field in doubte : Your maiesty himselfe was then engag'd , Your powre not yet arriu'd , and vp you brought The little strength you had : a cloud of foes , Ready to burst in stormes about your eares : Three squadrons rusht against you , and the first , You tooke so fiercely , that , you beate their thoughts Out of their bosoms , from the vrged fight : The second , all amazed you ouerthrew , The third disperst , with fiue and twenty horse Left of the fourescore that persude the chase : And this braue conquest , now your Marshall seconds Against two squadrons , but with fifty horse , One after other he defeates them both , And made them runne , like men whose heeles were tript , And pitch their heads , in their great generalls lap : And him he sets on , as he had beene shot Out of a Cannan : beates him into route , And as a little brooke being ouerrunne With a black torrent ; that beares all things downe , His furie ouertakes , his fomy back , Loded with Cattaile , and with stackes of Corne , And makes the miserable Plowman mourne ; So was du Maine surchardgd , and so Byron Flow'd ouer all his forces ; euery drop Of his lost bloud , bought with a worthy man ; And , onely with a hundred Gentlemen He wonne the place , from fifteene hundred horse ; Hen. He won the place ? Sau. On my word , so t is sayd : Hen. Fie you haue beene extreamely misinform'd . Sau. I onely tell your highnesse what I heard , I was not there ; and though I haue beene rude , With wonder of his vallor , and presum'd , To keepe his merit in his full carire , Not hearing you , when yours made such a thunder ; Pardon my fault , since t was t' extoll your seruant ; But , is it not most true , that twixt yee both , So few achiu'd , the conquest of so many ? Henr. It is a truth , must make me euer thankefull . But not performd by him , was not I there ? Commanded him , and in the maine assault , Made him but second ? Sau. Hee 's the capitall souldier , That liues this day in holy Christendome , Except your highnesse , alwaies except Plato . Hen. We must not giue to one , to take from many , For ( not to praise our countrimen ) here seru'd , The Generall My Lor . Norris , sent from England : As great a captaine as the world affords : One fit to leade , and fight for Christendome ; Of more experience ; and of stronger braine ; As valiant for abiding ; In Command , On any sodaine ; vpon any ground And in the forme of all occasions As ready , and as profitably , dauntles ; And heare was then another ; Collonell Williams , A worthy Captaine ; and more like the Duke , Because he was lesse temperate then the Generall ; And being familliar with the man you praise , ( Because he knew him haughty and incapable , Of all comparison ) would compare with him , And hold his swelling valour to the marke , Iustice had set in him , and not his will : And as in open vessells filld with water , And on mens shoulders borne , they put treene cuppes , To keepe the wild and slippery element , From washing over : follow all his Swayes And tickle aptnes to exceed his bounds , And at the Brym containe him : so this knight , Swum in Byron , and held him , but to right . But leaue these hot comparisons , hee 's mine owne , And then what I possesse , I le more be knowne , Sau. All this shall to the duke , I fisht for this . Exeunt . FINIS . Actus Secundi .

ACTVS 3. SCAENA I. Enter La Fin , Byron following vnseene . Laff. A fained passion in his hearing now , ( Which he thinkes I perceaue not ) making conscience , Of the reuolt that he hath vrdgd to me , Which now he meanes to prosecute would sound , How deepe he stands affected with that scruple . As when the Moone hath comforted the Night , And set the world in siluer of her light , The Planets , Asterisims and whole state of Heauen , In beames of gold desending ; all the windes , Bound vp in caues , chargd not to driue abrode , Their cloudy heads ; an vniuersall peace , Proclaimd in scilence of the quiet earth . Soone as her hot and dry fumes are let loose , Stormes and cloudes mixing ; sodainely put out . The eyes of all those glories : The creation , Turnd into Chaos , and we then desire , For all our ioye of life , the death of sleepe ; So when the glories of our liues , mens loues , Cleere consciences , our fames , and loyalties , That did vs worthy comfort , are eclipsd , Griefe and disgrace inuade vs ; and for all , Our night of life besides , our Miserie craues , Darke earth would ope and hide vs in our graues , Byr. How Strange is this ? Laff. What ? did your highnesse heare ? Byr. Both heard and wonderd , that your wit and spirit . And proffit in experience of the slaueries , Impos'd on vs ; in those mere politique termes , Of loue , fame , loyalty , can be carried vp , To such a height of ignorant conscience ; Of cowerdise , and dissolution , In all the free-borne powers of royall man . You that haue made way through all the guards , Of Ielouse State ; and seen on both your sides , The pikes points chardging heauen to let you passe , Will you , ( in flying with a Scrupulouse wing , Aboue those pikes to heauen-ward ) fall on them ? This is like men , that ( spirrited with wine , ) Passe dangerouse places safe ; and die for feare , With onely thought of them , being simply sober ; We must ( in passing to our wished ends , Through things calld good and bad ) be like the ayre , That euenly interposd betwixt the seas , And the opposed Element of fire ; At either toucheth , but pertakes with neither ; Is neither hot , nor cold , but with a sleight . And harmelesse temper mixt of both th' exstreames ; Laff. T is shrode . Byr. There is no truth of any good To be descernd on earth : and by conuersion , Nought therefore simply bad : But as the stuffe , Prepard for Arras pictures , is no Picture , Till it be formd , and man hath cast the beames , Of his imaginouse fancie through it , In forming antient Kings and conquerors , As he conceiues they look't , and were attirde , Though they were nothing so : so all things here , Haue all their price set downe , from mens concepts , Which make all terms and actions , good , or bad , And are but pliant , and wel-coloured threads , Put into fained images of truth : To which , to yeeld , and kneele , as truth pure kings , That puld vs downe with cleere truth of their Ghospell , Were Superstition to be hist to hell . Laff. Beleeue it , this is reason ; Byr. T' is the faith , Of reason and of wisdome . Laff. You perswade , As if you could create : what man can shunne , The serches , and compressions of your graces . Byr. We must haue these lures when we hawke for friends , And wind about them like a subtle Riuer , That ( seeming onely to runne on his course ) Doth serch yet , as he runnes ; and still finds out , The easiest parts of entry on the shore ; Glyding so slyly by , as scarce it toucht , Yet still eates some thing in it : so must those , That haue large fields , and currants to dispose . Come , let vs joyne our streames , we must runne far . And haue but little time : The duke Sauoy , Is shortly to be gone , and I must needes , Make you well knowne to him , Laff. But hath your highnes , Some enterprise of value ioynd with him ? Byr. With him and greater persons ? Laffi. I will creepe . Vpon my bosome in your Princely seruice , Vouch-safe to make me knowne . I heare there liues not , So kind , so bounty full , and wise a Prince , But in your owne excepted excellence . Byr. He shall both know , and loue you : are you mine ? Laff. I take the honor of it , on my knee , And hope to quite it with your Maiesty . Exit . Enter Sauoy , Roncas , Rochet Breton . Sau. La Fin , is in the right ; and will obtaine ; He draweth with his weight ; and like a plummet That swaies a dore , with falling of , pulls after , Ron. Thus will Laffin be brought a Stranger to you , By him he leads ; he conquers that is conquerd , That 's sought , as hard to winne , that sues to be wonne . Sau. But is my Painter warnd to take his picture . When he shall see me , and present Laffin ? Roch. He is ( my Lord ) and ( as your highnesse willd ) All we will presse about him , and admire , The royall promise of his rare aspect , As if he heard not . Sau. T will enflame him . Such trickes the Arch-duke vsd t' extoll his greatnes , Which complements though plaine men hold absurd , And a meere remedy for desire of Greatnesse . Yet great men vse them ; as they eate Potatoes , High Coollises , and potions to excite The lust of their ambition : and this Duke ; You know is noted in his naturall garb Extreamely glorious ; who will therefore bring An appetite expecting such a baite ; He comes , go instantly , and fetch the Painter . Enter Byron La Fin . Byr. All honor to your heighnesse , Sau. T is most true . All honours flow to me , in you their Ocean ; As welcome worthyest duke , as if my marquisate , Were circkl'd with you in these amorous armes ; Byr. I sorrow Sir I could not bring it with me , That I might so supply the fruitelesse complement , Of onely visiting your excellence , With which the king now sends me t' entertaine you , Which notwithstanding doth confer this good , That it hath giuen me some small time to shew , My gratitude for the many secret bounties , I haue ( by this your Lord Ambassador ) Felt from your heighnesse and in short , t' assure you , That all my most deserts are at your seruice . Sau. Had the king sent me by you halfe his kingdome , It were not halfe so welcom ; Byr. For defect . Of whatsoeuer in my selfe , ( my Lord , ) I here commend to your most Princely Seruice This honord friend of mine ; Sau. Your name I pray you Sir . Laff. Laffin , my Lord Sau. Laffin ? Is this the man , That you so recommended to my Loue ? Ron. The same my Lord , Sau. Y' are next my Lord the duke , The most desird of all men . O my Lord , The King and I , haue had a mighty conflict , About your conflicts , and your matchles worth , In military vertues ; which I put In Ballance with the continent of France , In all the peace and safty it enioyes . And made euen weight with all he could put in Of all mens else ; and of their owne deserts , Byr. Of all mens else ? would he weigh other mens , With my deseruings , Sau. I vpon my life , The English Generall , the Mylor' Norris , That seru'd amongst you here , he paralleld With you , at all parts , and in some preferd him , And Collonell Williams ( a Welch Collonell ) He made a man , that at your most containd you : Which the Welch Herrald of their praise , the Cucko . Would scarce haue put , in his monology , In iest , and said with reuerence to his merits , Byr. With reuerence ? Reuerence skornes him : by the spoyle , Of all her Merits in me , he shall rue it ; Did euer Curtian Gullffe play such a part ? Had Curtius beene so vsed , if he had brook't , That rauenous whirlepoole , pourd his solide spirrits , Through earth dissolued sinews , stopt her veines , And rose with saued Rome , vpon his backe , As I swum pooles of fire , and Gullfs of brasse , To saue my country ? thrust this venturous arme , Beneath her ruines ; tooke her on my necke , And set her safe on her appeased shore ? And opes the king , a fouler bog then this , In his so rotten bosome , to deuoure Him that deuourd , what else had swalloed him In a detraction , so with spight embrewed , And drowne such good in such ingratitude ? My spirrit as yet , but stooping to his rest , Shines hotly in him , as the Sunne in clowds , Purpled , and made proud with a peacefull Euen : But when I throughly set to him ; his cheekes , Will ( like those clouds ) forgoe their collour quite , And his whole blaze , smoke into endles night , Sau. Nay nay , we must haue no such gall my Lord , O'reflow our friendly liuers : my relation , Onely deliuers my enflamed zeale To your religious merits ; which me thinkes , Should make your highnes canonizd , a Saint . Byr. What had his armes beene , without my arme , That with his motion , made the whole field moue ? And this held vp , we still had victory . When ouer charg'd with number , his few friends , Retir'd amazed , I set them on assurd , And what rude ruine seas'd on I confirmed ; When I left leading , all his army reeld , One fell on other foule , and as the Cyclop That hauing lost his eye , strooke euery way , His blowes directed to no certaine scope ; Or as the soule departed from the body , The body wants coherence in his parts , Can not consist , but seuer , and dissolue ; So I remou'd once , all his armies shooke , Panted , and fainted , and were euer flying , Like wandring pulses sperst through bodies dying , Sau. It cannot be denied , t is all so true , That what seemes arogance , is desert in you , Byr. What monstrous humors feed a Princes blood , Being bad to good men , and to bad men good ? Sau. Well let these contradictions passe ( my lord , ) Till they be reconcil'd , or put in forme , By power giuen to your will , and you present , The fashion of a prefect gouernment ; In meane space but a word , we haue small time , To spend in priuate , which I wish may be With all aduantage taken ; Lord Laffin . Ron. I st not a face of excellent presentment , Though not so amorouse with pure white , and red , Yet is the whole proportion singular ; Roch. That euer I beheld , Bret It hath good lines , And tracts drawne through it : The purfle , rare , Ron. I heard the famous and right learned Earle , And Archbishop of Lions Peirse Pinac , Who was reported to haue wondrouse Iudgment In mens euents , and natures , by their lookes : ( Vpon his death bed , visited by this duke ) He told his sister , when his grace was gon , That he had neuer yet obserud a face , Of worse presage then this : and I will sweare , That ( something seene in Phisiognomy ) I do not find in all the rules he giues One slendrest blemish tending to mishap , But ( on the opposite part ) as we may see , On trees late blossomd , when all frosts are past , How they are taken and what wil be fruit : So , on this tree of Scepters , I discerne How it is loden with apparances , Rules answering Rules ; and glances , crownd with glances ; He snatches away the picture . Byr. What , does he take my picture ? Sau. I my Lord . Byr. Your Highnesse will excuse me ; I will giue you My likenesse put in Statue , not in picture ; And by a Statuary of mine owne , That can in Brasse expresse the witte of man , And in his forme , make all men see his vertues : Others that with much strictnesse imitate , The some-thing stooping carriage of my neck , The voluble , and milde radiance of mine eyes , Neuer obserue my Masculine aspect , And Lyon-like instinct , it shaddoweth : Which Enuie cannot say , is flatterie : And I will haue my Image promist you , Cut in such matter , it shall euer last ; Where it shall stand , fixt with eternall rootes , And with a most vnmooued grauitie ; For I will haue the famous mountaine Oros , That lookes out of the Dutchy where I gouerne , ( Into your highnesse Dukedome ) first made yours , And then with such inimitable art Exprest and handled ; chieflie from the place Where most conspicuously , he shewes his face , That though it keepe the true forme of that hill In all his longitudes , and latitudes , His height , his distances , and full proportion , Yet shall it cleerely beare my counterfaite , Both in my face and all my lineaments : And euery man shall say , this is Byron . Within my left hand , I will hold a Cittie , Which is the Cittie Amiens ; at whose siedge I seru'd so memorably : from my right , I le powre an endlesse flood , into a Sea Raging beneath me ; which shall intimate My ceaselesse seruice , drunke vp by the King As th' Ocean drinkes vp riuers , and makes all Beare his proude title ; Iuory , Brasse and Goulde , That theeues may purchase ; and be bought and sould , Shall not be vsde about me ; lasting worth Shall onely set the duke of Byron forth ; Sau. O that your statuary could expresse you , With any nerenesse to your owne instructions ; That statue would I prise past all the iewells Within my cabinet of Beatrice , The memorie of my Grandame Portugall ; Most roiall duke : we can not longe endure To be thus priuate , let vs then conclude , With this great resolution : that your wisedome , Will not forget to cast a pleasing vaile Ouer your anger ; that may hide each glance , Of any notice taken of your wronge , And shew your self the more obsequious . T is but the virtue of a little patience , There are so oft attempts made gainst his person , That sometimes they may speede , for they are plants That spring the more for cutting , and at last Will cast their wished shadow ; marke ere long , Enter Nemours Soisson . See who comes here my Lord , as now no more , Now must we turne out streame another way ; My Lord , I humbly thanke his maiesty , That he would grace my idle time spent here With entertainement of your princely person ; Which , worthely , he keepes for his owne bosome . My Lord , the duke Nemours ? and Count Soisson ? Your honours haue beene bountifully done me In often visitation : let me pray you , To see some iewells now , and helpe my choice : In making vp a present for the King . Nem. Your highnesse shall much grace vs . Sau. I am doubtfull That I haue much incenst the duke Byron , With praising the Kings worthinesse in armes So much past all men . Sois. He deserues it , highly . Exit . manet By r : Laffin . Byr. What wrongs are these , laid on me by the King , To equall others worths in warre , with mine ; Endure this , and be turnd into his Moile To beare his sumptures : honord friend be true , And we will turne these torrents , hence . The King . Exit Laffi . Enter Henry , Espe : Vitry , Ianin . Hen. Why suffer you that ill aboding vermine , To breede so neere your bosome ? bee assurde , His hants are omenous , not the throtes of Rauens , Spent on infected houses ; houles of dogges , When no sound stirres , at mid-night ; apparitions , And strokes of spirits , clad in blackmens shapes : Or ougly womens : the aduerse decrees Of constellations , not securitie , In vicious peace , are surer fatall vshers Of femall mischiefes , and mortallities , Then this prodigious feend is , where he fawnes : La fiend , and not Laffin , he should be cald . Byr. Be what he will , men in themselues entire , March safe with naked feete on coles of fire : I build not outward , nor depend on proppes , Nor chuse my consort by the common eare : Nor by the Moone-shine , in the grace of Kings : So rare are true deseruers , lou'd or knowne , That men lou'd vulgarely , are euer none : Nor men grac't seruilely , for being spots In Princes traines , though borne euen with their crownes ; The Stalion powre , hath such a beesome taile , That it sweepes all from iustice , and such filth He beares out in it , that men mere exempt , Are merely cleerest men will shortly buie Friends from the prison , or the pillorie , Rather then honors markets . I feare none , But foule Ingratitude , and Detraction , In all the brood of villanie . Hen. No ? not treason ? Be circumspect , for to a credulous eye , He comes inuisible , vail'd with flatterie , And flatereis looke like friends , as Woolues , like Dogges . And as a glorious Poeme fronted well With many a goodly Herrald of his praise , So farre from hate of praises to his face , That he praies men to praise him , and they ride Before , with trumpets in their mouthes , proclayming Life to the holie furie of his lines : All drawne , as if with one eye he had leerd , On his lou'd hand , and led it by a rule ; That his plumes onely Imp the Muses wings , He sleepes with them , his head is napt with baies , His lips breake out with Nectar , his tunde feete Are of the great last , the perpetuall motion , And he puft with their empty breath beleeues Full merit , eas'd those passions of winde , Which yet serue , but to praise , and cannot merit , And so his furie in their ayre expires : So de Laffin , and such corrupted Herralds , Hirde to encorage , and to glorifie May force what breath they will into their cheekes Fitter to blow vp bladders , then full men : Yet may puff men to , with perswasions That they are Gods in worth ; and may rise Kings With treading on their noises ; yet the worthiest , From onely his owne worth receiues his spirit And right is worthy bound to any merit ; Which right , shall you haue euer ; leaue him then , He followes none but markt , and wretched men ; And now for England you shall goe my lord , Our Lord Ambassador to that matchlesse Queene ; You neuer had a voiage of such pleasure Honor , and worthy obiects : Ther 's a Queene Where nature keepes her state , and state her Court , Wisdome her studie , Conntinence her fort , Where Magnanimity , Humanitie : Firmnesse in counsaile and integritie : Grace to her porest subiects : Maiestie To awe the greatest , haue respects diuine , And in her each part , all the vertues shine . Exit Hen. & Sau. manet Byron . Byr. Inioy your will a while , I may haue mine . Wherefore ( before I part to this ambassage ) I le be resolu'd by a Magician That dwells hereby , to whome I le goe disguisde , And shew him my births figure , set before : By one of his profession , of the which I le craue his iudgement , fayning I am sent From some great personage , whose natiuitie , He wisheth should be censurd by his skill . But on go my plots , be it good or ill . Exit . Enter La Brosse . This houre by all rules of Astrologie , Is dangerous to my person , if not deadly . How haples is our knowledge to fore-tel And not be able to preuent a mischiefe , O the strange difference twixt vs and the stars : They worke with inclynations stronge and fatall And nothing know ; and we know all there working And nought can do , or nothing can preuent ? Rude ignorance is beastly , knowledge wretched : The heauenly powers enuy what they Enioyne : We are commanded t' imitate there natures , In making all our ends eternitie : And in that imitation we are plagued , And worsse then they esteemd , that haue no soules , But in their nostrils , and like beasts expire ; As they do that are ignorant of arts , By drowning there eternall parts in sence , And sensuall affectations : while wee liue Our good parts take away , the more they giue . Byron solus disguizd like a Carrier of letters . Byr. The forts that fauorites hold in Princes hearts , In common subiects loues ; and their owne strengths Are not so sure , and vnexpugnable , But that the more they are presum'd vpon , The more they faile ; dayly and hourely proofe , Tels vs prosperity is at highest degree The founte and handle of calamitie : Like dust before a whirle-winde those men flie , That prostrate on the grounds of fortune lye : And being great ( like trees that broadest sproyte ) Their owne top-heauy state grubs vp their roote . These apprehensions startle all my powers , And arme them with suspition gainst them-selues , In my late proiects ; I haue cast my selfe Into the armes of others ; and will see It they will let me fall ; or tosse me vp Into th' affected compasse of a throne , God saue you sir . Labross. Y' are welcome friend : what would you ? Byr. I would entreate you , for some crownes I bring , To giue your iudgement of this figure cast . To know by his natiuitie there seene ; What sort of end the person shall endure , Who sent me to you , and whose birth it is . Labross. I le herein do my best , in your desire ; The man is raisd out of a good descent , And nothing oulder then your selfe I thinke ; Is it not you ? Byr. I will not tell you that : But tell me on what end he shall arriue . Labross. My sonne , I see , that he whose end is cast In this set figure , is of Noble parts , And by his militarie valure raisde , To princely honors ; and may be a king , But that I see a Caput Algol here , That hinders it I feare . Byr. A Caput Algol ? What 's that I pray ? Labross. Forbeare to aske me , sonne , You bid me speake , what feare bids me conceale . Byr. You haue no cause to feare , and therefore speake . Labross. You le rather wish you had beene ignorant , Then be instructed in a thing so ill . Byr. Ignorance is an idle salue for ill , And therefore do not vrge me to enforce , What I would freely know : for by the skill Showne in thy aged hayres , I le lay thy braine Here scattered at my feete , and seeke in that , What safely thou must vtter with thy tongue , If thou deny it . Labross. Will you not allow me To hold my peace ? what lesse can I desire ? If not , be pleasd with my constrained speech . Byr. Was euer man yet punisht for expressing What he was chargde ? be free , and speake the wurst . Labross. Then briefly this ; the man hath lately done An action that will make him loose his head . Byr. Curst be thy throte & soule , Rauen , Shriech-owle , hag . Labross. O hold , for heauens sake hold . Byr. Hold on , I will , Vault , and contractor of all horrid sounds , Trumpet of all the miseries in hell , Of my confusions ; of the shamefull end Of all my seruices ; witch , fiend , accurst For euer be the poison on thy tongue , And let the black fume of thy venomd breath , Infect the ayre , shrinke heauen , put out the starres , And raine so fell and blew a plague on earth , That all the world may falter with my fall . Labross. Pitty my age , my Lord . Byr. Out prodigie , Remedy of pitty , mine of flint , Whence with my nailes and feete , I le digge enough , Horror , and sauadge cruelty , to build Temples to Massacre : dam of deuils take thee , Hadst thou no better end to crowne my parts . The Buls of Colchos , nor his triple neck , That howles out Earthquakes ; the most mortall vapors , That euer stifled and strooke dead the fowles , That flew at neuer such a sightly pitch , Could not haue burnt my bloud so . Labross. I told truth , And could haue flatterd you . Byr. O that thou hadst ; Would I had giuen thee twenty thousand crownes That thou hadst flatterd me : there 's no ioy on earth , Neuer so rationall , so pure , and holy , But is a Iester , Parasite , a Whore , In the most worthy parts , with which they please , A drunkennesse of foule , and a disease . Labross. I knew you not . Byr. Peace dog of Pluto , peace , Thou knewst my end to come , not me here present : Pox of your halting humane knowledges ; O death ! how farre off hast thou kild ? how soone A man may know too much though neuer nothing ? Spight of the Starres , and all Astrologie , I will not loose my head : or if I do , A hundred thousand heads shall off before . I am a nobler substance them the Starres , And shall the baser ouer-rule the better ? Or are they better , since they are the bigger ? I haue a will , and faculties of choise , To do , or not to do : and reason why , I doe , or not doe this ; the starres haue none , They know not why they shine , more then this Taper , Nor how they worke , nor what : I le change my course , I le peece-meale pull , the frame of all my thoughts , And cast my will into another mould : And where are all your Caput Algols then ? Your Plannets all , being vnderneath the earth , At my natiuitie : what can they doe ? Malignant in aspects ? in bloudy houses ? Wilde fire consume them ; one poore cup of wine , More then I vse , that my weake braine will beare , Shall make them drunke and reele out of their spheres , For any certaine act they can enforce . O that mine armes were wings , that I might flie , And pluck out of their hearts , my destinie ! I le weare those golden Spurres vpon my heeles , And kick at fate ; be free all worthy spirits , And stretch your selues , for greatnesse and for height : Vntrusse your slaueries , you haue height enough , Beneath this steepe heauen to vse all your reaches , 'T is too farre off , to let you , or respect you . Giue me a spirit that on this lifes rough sea , Loues t' haue his sailes fild with a lustie winde , Euen till his Sayle-yeards tremble ; his Masts crack , And his rapt ship runne on her side so lowe That she drinkes water , and her keele plowes ayre ; There is no danger to a man , that knowes What life and death is : there 's not any law , Exceeds his knowledge ; neither is it lawfull That he should stoope to any other lawe . He goes before them , and commands them all , That to him-selfe is a law rationall . Exit .

ACTVS 4. SCE. I. Enter D'Aumont , with Crequi . The duke of Byron is return'd from England , And ( as they say ) was Princely entertainde , Schoold by the matchlesse Queene there , who I heare Spake most diuinely ; and would gladly heare , Her speech reported . Cre. I can serue your turne , As one that speakes from others not from her , And thus it is reported at his parting , THus Monsieur Du Byron you haue beheld , Our Court proportion'd to our little kingdome . In euery entertainment ; yet our minde , To do you all the rites of your repaire , Is as vnbounded as the ample ayre . What idle paines haue you bestowd to see A poore ould woman ? who in nothing liues More , then in true affections , borne your king ; And in the perfect knowledge she hath learn'd , Of his good knights , and seruants of your sort . We thanke him that he keepes the memory Of vs and all our kindnesse ; but must say , That it is onely kept ; and not laid out To such affectionate profit as we wish ; Being so much set on fire with his deserts , That they consume vs ; not to be restorde By your presentment of him ; but his person ; And we had thought , that he whose vertues flye So beyond wonder , and the reach of thought , Should check at eight houres saile , and his high spirit That stoopes to feare , lesse then the Poles of heauen ; Should doubt an vnder billow of the Sea , And ( being a Sea ) be sparing of his streames ; And I must blame all you that may aduise him ; That ( hauing helpt him through all martiall dangers ) You let him stick , at the kinde rites of peace , Considering all the forces I haue sent , To set his martiall seas vp in firme walls , On both his sides for him to passe at pleasure ; Did plainly open him a guarded way And led in Nature to this friendly shore , But here is nothing worth his personall sight , Here are no walled Citties ; for that Christall Sheds with his light , his hardnesse , and his height About our thankfull person , and our Realme ; Whose onely ayde , we euer yet desirde ; And now I see , the helpe we sent to him , Which should haue swum to him in our owne bloud , Had it beene needfull ; ( our affections Being more giuen to his good , then he himselfe ) Ends in the actuall right it did his state , And ours is sleighted ; all our worth is made , The common-stock , and banck ; from whence are seru'd All mens occasions ; yet ( thankes to heauen ) Their gratitudes are drawne drye ; not our bounties . And you shall tell your King , that he neglects Ould friends for new ; and sets his soothed Ease Aboue his honor ; Marshals policie In ranck before his iustice ; and his profit Before his royalty : his humanitie gone , To make me no repaiment of mine owne . D'Au. What answered the Duke ? Cre. In this sort . Your highnesse sweete speech hath no sharper end , Then he would wish his life ; if he neglected , The least grace you haue nam'd ; but to his wish , Much powre is wanting : the greene rootes of warre , Not yet so close cut vp , but he may dash Against their relickes to his vtter ruine , Without more neere eyes , fixt vpon his feete , Then those that looke out of his countries soyle , And this may well excuse his personall presence , Which yet he oft hath long'd to set by yours : That he might immitate the Maiestie , Which so long peace hath practisde , and made full , In your admir'd apparance ; to illustrate And rectifie his habite in rude warre . And his will to be here , must needs be great , Since heauen hath thron'de so true a royaltie here , That he thinkes no king absolutely crownde , Whose temples haue not stood beneath this skie , And whose height is not hardned with these starres , Whose influences for this altitude , Distild , and wrought in with this temperate ayre , And this diuision of the Element Haue with your raigne , brought : forth more worthy spirits , For counsaile , valour , height of wit , and art , Then any other region of the earth : Or were brought forth to all your ancestors , And as a cunning Orator , reserues His fairest similies , best-adorning figures , Chiefe matter , and most mouing arguments For his conclusion ; and doth then supply His ground-streames layd before , glides ouer them , Makes his full depth seene through ; and so takes vp , His audience in Aplawses past the clowds . So in your gouernment , conclusiue nature , ( Willing to end her Excellence in earth When your foote shall be set vpon the starres ) Showes all her Soueraigne Beauties , Ornaments , Vertues , and Raptures ; ouertakes her workes In former Empires , makes them but your foyles , Swels to her full Sea , and againe doth drowne The world , in admiration of your crowne . D'Au. He did her ( at all parts ) confessed right . Cre. She tooke it yet , but as a part of Court-ship , And sayd , he was the subtle Orator , To whom he did too gloriously resemble , Nature in her , and in her gouernment , He said , he was no Orator , but a Souldier , More then this ayre , in which you breath hath made me , My studious loue , of your rare gouernment , And simple truth , which is most eloquent , Your Empire is so amply absolute , That euen your Theaters show more comely rule , True noblesse , royaltie , and happinesse Then others courts : you make all state before Vtterly obsolete ; all to come , twice sod . And therefore doth my royall Soueraigne wish Your yeares may proue , as vitall , as your virtues , That ( standing on his Turrets this way turn'd , Ordring and fixing his affaires by yours ) He may at last , on firme grounds , passe your Seas , And see that Maiden-sea of Maiestie , In whose chaste armes , so many kingdomes lye . D' Au. When came she to her touch of his ambition ? Cre. In this speech following , which I thus remember . If I hold any merit worth his presence , Or any part of that , your Courtship giues me , My subiects haue bestowd it ; some in counsaile , In action some , and in obedience all ; For none knowes , with such proofe as you my Lord , How much a subiect may renowne his Prince , And how much Princes of their subiects hold ; In all the seruices that euer subiect Did for his Soueraigne ; he that best deseru'd Must ( in comparison ) except , Byron ; And to winne this prise cleere ; without the maimes Commonly giuen men by ambition , When all their parts lye open to his view , Showes continence , past their other excellence , But for a subiect to affect a kingdome , Is like the Cammell , that of Ioue begd hornes , And such mad-hungrie men , as well may eate , Hote coles of fire , to feede their naturall heate ; For , to aspire to competence with your king What subiect is so grose , and Gyantly ? He hauing now a Daulphine borne to him , Whose birth , ten dayes before , was dreadfully Vsherd with Earth-quakes , in most parts of Europe , And that giues all men , cause enough to feare All thought of competition with him . Commend vs good my Lord , and tell our Brother How much we ioy , in that his royall issue , And in what prayers , we raise our heart to heauen , That in more terror to his foes , and wonder He may drinke Earthquakes , and deuoure the thunder , So we admire your valure , and your vertues , And euer will contend , to winne their honor . Then spake she to Crequie , and Prince D' Auergne , And gaue all gracious farewels ; when Byron Was thus encountred by a Councellor Of great and eminent name , and matchlesse merit : I thinke ( my Lord ) your princely Daulphin beares Arion in his Cradle , through your kingdome , In the sweete Musique ioy strikes from his birth . He answerd ; and good right ; the cause commands it . But ( said the other ) had we a fift Henry , To claime his ould right : and one man to friend , Whom you well know my Lord , that for his friendship Were promist the Vice-royaltie of France , We would not doubt of conquest , in despight Of all those windy Earth-quakes . He replyed ; Treason was neuer guide to English conquests , And therefore that doubt shall not fright our Daulphine ; Nor would I be the friend to such a foe , For all the royalties in Christendome . Fix there your foote ( sayd he ) I onely giue False fire , and would be lothe to shoote you of : He that winnes Empire with the losse of faith , Out-buies it ; and will banck-route ; you haue layde A braue foundation , by the hand of victorie : Put not the roofe to fortune , foolish statuaries , That vnder little Saints suppose , great bases Make lesse , to sence , the Saints ; and so where fortune , Aduanceth vile mindes , to states great and noble , She much more exposeth them to shame , Not able to make good , and fill their bases , With a conformed structure ; I haue found , ( Thankes to the blesser of my searche ) that counsailes , Held to the lyne of Iustice ; still produce , The surest states , and greatest , being sure , Without which fit assurance , in the greatest , As you may see a mighty promontorie More digd and vnder-eaten , then may warrant , A safe supportance , to his hanging browes , All passengers auoide him , shunne all ground That lyes within his shadow , and beare still A flying eye vpon him , so great men Corrupted in their ground , and building out . Too swelling fronts , for their foundations ; When most they should be propt , are most forsaken , And men will rather thrust into the stormes Of better grounded States , then take a shelter Beneath their ruinous , and fearefull weight ; Yet they , so ouersee , their faultie bases , That they remaine securer in conceipt : And that securitie , doth worse presage Their nere distructions , then their eaten grounds ; And therefore heauen it selfe is made to vs A perfect Hierogliphick to expresse , The Idlenesse of such securitie , And the graue labour , of a wise distrust , In both sorts of the all-enclying starres ; Where all men note this difference in their shyning , As plaine as they distinguish either hand ; The fixt starres mauer , and the erring , stand . D' Aum. How tooke he this so worthy admonition ? Cre. Grauely applied ( said he ) and like the man , Whome all the world saies , ouerrules the starres ; Which are diuine bookes to vs ; and are read By vnderstanders onely , the true obiects , And chiefe companions of the truest men ; And ( though I need it not ) I thanke your counsaile , That neuer yet was idle , But spherelike , Still mooues about , and is the continent To this blest I le .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 1. Enter Byron , D' Auergne , Laffin . Byr. The Circkle of this ambassie is closde , For which I long haue long'd , for mine owne ends ; To see my faithfull , and leaue courtly friends , To whom I came ( me thought ) with such a spirit , As you haue seene , a lusty courser showe , That hath beene longe time at his manger tied ; High fead , alone , and when ( his headstall broken ) Hee runnes his prison , like a trumpet neighs , Cuts ayre , in high curuets , and shakes his head : ( With wanton stopings , twixt his forelegs ) mocking The heauy center ; spreds his flying crest , Like to an Ensigne , hedge , and ditches leaping , Till in the fresh meate , at his naturall foode He sees free fellowes , and hath met them free : And now ( good friend ) I would be faine inform'd , What our right Princely Lord , the duke of Sauoy Hath thought on , to employ my comming home . Laf. To try the Kings trust in you , and withall , How hot he trailes on our conspiracie : He first would haue you , begge the gouernment , Of the important Citadell of Bourg : Or to place in it , any you shall name : Which wil be wondrous fit , to march before , His other purposes ; and is a fort Hee rates , in loue , aboue his patrimonie ; To make which fortresse worthie of your suite : He vowes ( if you obtaine it ) to bestowe His third faire daughter , on your excellence , And hopes the King will not deny it you . Byr. Denie it me ? deny me such a suite ? Who will he grant , if he deny it me . Laf. He 'le finde some politique shift to do 't , I feare . Bir. What shift ? or what euasion can he finde , What one patch is there in all policies shop , ( That botcher vp of Kingdomes ) that can mend The brack betwixt vs , any way denying . D' Au. That 's at your perill : Byr. Come , he dares not do 't . D' Au. Dares not ? presume not so ; you know ( good duke ) That all things hee thinkes fit to do , he dares . Byr. By heauen I wonder at you , I will aske it , As sternely , and secure of all repulse As th' antient Persians did when they implorde , Their idoll fire to grant them any boone ; With which they would descend into a flood , And threaten there to quench it , if they faild , Of that they ask't it : Laffi. Said like your Kings King ; Cold hath no act in depth , nor are suites wrought ( Of any high price ) that are coldly sought : I le hast , and with your courage , comfort Sauoy . Exit Laffin . D' Au. I am your friend ( my Lord ) and will deserue That name , with following any course you take ; Yet ( for your owne sake ) I could wish your spirit Would let you spare all broade termes of the King , Or , on my life you will at last repent it : Byr. What can he doe ? D' Au. All that you can not feare . Byr. You feare too much , be by , when next I see him , And see how I will vrge him in this suite , He comes , marke you , that thinke He will not grant it . Enter Henry , Esp. Soiss . Ia. I am become a suiter to your highnesse . Hen. For what , my Lord , t is like you shall obtaine . Byr. I do not much doubt that ; my seruices , I hope haue more strength in your good conceite Then to receiue repulse , in such requests . Hen. What is it ? Byr. That you would bestowe on one whom I shall name , The keeping of the Citadell of Bourg , Hen. Excuse me sir , I must not grant you that . Byr. Not grant me this sute ? Hen. It is not fit I should ; You are my gouernor in Burgundy , And Prouince gouernors , that command in chiefe , Ought not to haue the charge of fortresses ; Besides , it is the chiefe key of my kingdome , That opens towards Italie , and must therefore , Be giuen to one that hath imediatly Dependance on vs . Byr: These are wondrous reasons , Is not a man depending on his merits As fit to haue the charge of such a key As one that meerely hangs vppon your humors ? Hen: Do not enforce your merits so your self ; It takes away their luster , and reward . Byr: But you will grant my suite ? Hen: I sweare I cannot Keeping the credit of my braine and place . Byr: Will you deny me then ? Hen: I am inforcst ; I haue no power , more then your selfe in things That are beyond my reason . Byr: Then my selfe ? That 's a strange sleight in your comparison ; Am I become th' example of such men As haue lest power ? Such a diminitiue ? I was comparatiue in the better sort ; And such a King as you , would say I cannot , Do such ; or such a thing ; were I as great In power as he ; euen that indefinite he , Exprest me full : This Moone is strangely chang'd ; Hen: How can I helpe it ? would you haue a King That hath a white beard ; haue so greene a braine ? Byr: A plague of braine ; what doth this touch your braine ? You must giue me more reason or I sweare Hen: Sweare ; what do you sweare ? Byr: I Sweare you wrong me , And deale not like a King to iest , and sleight , A man that you should curiously reward ; Tell me of your gray beard ? it is not gray With care to recompence me , who eas'd your care . Hen: You haue beene recompenc't , from head to foote . Byr: With a distrusted dukedome : Take your dukedome Bestow'd on me againe ; It was not giuen For any loue , but feare , and force of shame ; Hen: Yet t was your honor ; which if you respect not , Why seeke you this Adition ? Byron : Since this honour , Would shew you lou'd me to , in trusting me , Without which loue , and trust ; honor is shame ; A very Pageant , and a propertie : Honor , with all his Adiuncts , I deserue , And you quit my deserts , with your gray beard . Hen: Since you expostulate the matter so ; I tell you plaine ; Another reason is Why I am mou'd to make you this deniall That I suspect you to haue had intelligence With my vowd enimies . Byr: Miserie of vertue , Ill is made good , with worse ? This reason poures Poyson , for Balme , into the wound you made ; You make me madde , and rob me of my soule , To take away my try'd loue , and my Truth ; Which of my labors , which of all my woundes , Which ouerthrow , which Battayle wonne for you , Breedes this suspition ? Can the blood of faith , ( Lost in all these to finde it proofe , and strength ) Beget disloyalty ? all my raine is falne , Into the horse-fayre ; springing pooles and myre ; And not in thankfull grounds , or fields of fruite ; Fall then before vs , O thou flaming Christall , That art the vncorrupted Register Of all mens merits : And remonstrate heere , The fights , the dangers , the affrights and horrors , Whence I haue rescu'd this vnthankefull King : And shew ( commixt with them ) the ioyes , the glories Of his state then : Then his kind thoughts of me : Then my deseruings : Now my infamie : But I will be mine owne King : I will see , That all your Chronicles be fild with me , That none but I , and my renowned Syre Be said to winne the memorable fieldes Of Arques and Deepe : and none but we of all Kept you from dying there , in an Hospitall ; None but my selfe , that wonne the day at Dreux : A day of holy name , and needes , no night : Nor none but I at Fountaine Francois burst , The heart strings of the leaguers ; I alone , Tooke Amiens in these armes and held her fast , In spight of all the Pitchy fires she cast , And clowds of bullets pourd vpon my brest , Till she showd yours ; and tooke her naturall forme , Onely my selfe ( married to victory ) Did people Artois , Douay , Picardie , Bethune , and Saint Paule , Bapaume , and Courcelles , With her triumphant issue ; Hen. Ha ha ha , Exit , Byron drawing and is held by D'Au. D'Au. O hold my Lord ; for my sake , mighty Spirrit . Exit . Enter Byron Dau following vnseene . Byr. Respect , Reuendge , slaughter repaie for laughter , What 's ' graue in Earth , what awfull ? what abhord ? If my rage be ridiculouse ? I will make it , The law and rule of all things serious . So long as such as he Are suffered , soothed and wrest all right , to safty So long is mischiefe gathering massacres , For their curst kingdomes ; which I will preuent , Laughter ? I le fright it from him , farre as he , Hath cast irreuocable shame ; which euer , Bring found is lost and lost returneth neuer ; Should Kings cast of their bounties , with their dangers ? He that can warme at fires , where vertue burnes , Hunt pleasure through her torments ; nothing feele , Of all his subiects suffer ; but ( long hid ) In wants , and miseries , and hauing past Through all the grauest shapes , of worth and honor , ( For all Heroique fashions to be learned , By those hard lessons ) shew an antique vizard , Who would not wish him rather hewd to nothing , Then left so monstrous ? slight my seruices ? Drowne the dead noises of my sword , in laughter ? My blowes , as but the passages of shadowes , Ouer the highest and most barraine hills , And vse me , like , no man ; but as he tooke me Into a desart , gasht with all my wounds , Sustaind for him , and buried me in flies ; Forth vengeance then , and open wounds in him Shall let in Spaine , and Sauoy . Offers to draw and D'Au : againe holds him . D'Au: O my Lord , This is to large a licence giuen your furie ; Giue time to it , what reason , sodainely , Can not extend , respite doth oft supplie . Byr. While respite , holds reuenge , the wrong redoubles , And so the shame of sufferance , it torments me , To thinke what I endure , at his shrunke hands , That skornes the guift , of one pore for t to me : That haue subdu'd for him ; O iniurie , Forts , Citties , Countries , I , and yet my furie . Exeunt . Hen. Byron ? D'Au. My Lord ? the King calls , Hen. Turne I pray , How now ? from whence flow these distracted faces ? From what attempt returne they ? as disclayming , Their late Heroique bearer ? what , a pistall ? Why , good my Lord , can mirth make you so wrathfull ? Byr. Mirth ? t was mockerie , a contempt ; a scandall To my renowne for euer : a repulse , As miserably cold , as Stygian water , That from sincere earth issues , and doth breake The strongest vessells , not to be containde , But in the tough hoofe of a pacient Asse . Hen. My Lord , your iudgement is not competent , In this dissention , I may say of you ; As Fame saies of the antient Eleans , That , in th' Olimpian contentions , They euer were the iustest Arbitrators , If none of them contended , nor were parties ; Those that will moderate disputations well , Must not themselues affect the coronet ; For as the ayre , containd within our eares : If it be not in quiet ; nor refrains , Troubling our hearing , with offensiue sounds ; But our affected instrument of hearing , Repleate with noise , and singings in it selfe , It faithfully receiues no other voices ; So , of all iudgements , if within themselues They suffer spleene , and are tumultuous ; They can not equall differences without them ; And this winde , that doth sing so in your eares , I know , is no disease bred in your selfe ; But whisperd in by others ; who in swelling Your vaines with emptie hope of much , yet able , To performe nothing ; are like shallow streames , That make themselues so many heauens ; to sight ; Since you may see in them , the Moone , and Starres , The blew space of the ayre ; as farre from vs , ( To our weake sences ) in those shallow streames As if they were as deepe , as heauen is high ; Yet with your middle finger onely , sound them , And you shall pierce them to the very earth ; And therefore leaue them , and be true to me Or yow 'le be left by all ; or be like one That in cold nights will needes haue all the fire , And there is held by others , and embrac't Onely to burne him : your fire wil be inward , Which not another deluge can put out : Byron kneeles while the King goes on . O Inocence the sacred amulet , Gainst all the poisons of infirmitie : Of all misfortune , iniurie , and death , That makes a man , in tune still in himselfe ; Free from the hell to be his owne accuser , Euer in quiet , endle , ioy enioying ; No strife , nor no sedition in his powres : No motion in his will , against his reason , No thought gainst thought , Nor ( as t were in the confines Of wishing , and repenting ) doth possesse Onely a way ward , and tumultuose peace , But ( all parts in him , friendly and secure , Fruitefull of all best thinges in all worst Seasons ) He can with euery wish , be in their plenty , When , the infectious guilt of one foule crime , Destroyes the free content of all our time . Byr: T is all acknowlegd , and , ( though all to late ) Heere the short madnesse of my anger ends : If euer I did good I lockt it safe In you , th' impregnable defence of goodnesse : If ill , I presse it with my penitent knees To that vnsounded depth , whence naught returneth . Hen: T is musique to mine eares : rise then for euer , Quit of what guilt soeuer , till this houre , And nothing toucht in honnor or in spirit , Rise without flattery , rise by absolute merit . Enter : Esp : to the King , Byron : &c. Enter Sauoy with three Ladies . Esp:

Sir if it please you to bee taught any Courtship take you to your stand : Sauoy is at it with three Mistresses at once he loues each of them best , yet All differently .

Hen:

For the time he hath beene here , he hath talkt a Volume greater then the Turkes Alcaron ; stand vp close ; his lips go still

Excuse me , excuse me ; The King has ye all ;

True Sir , in honorable subiection .

To the which we are bound by our loyallty .

Nay your excuse , your excuse , intend me for affection ? you are all bearers of his fauours ; and deny him not your opposition by night .

You say rightly in that ; for therein we oppose vs to his command .

In the which he neuer yet prest vs .

Such is the benediction of our peace .

You take me still in flat misconstruction , and conceiue not by me .

Therein we are strong in our owne purposes ; for it were something scandalous for vs to conceiue by you .

2 ,

Though there might be question made of your fruitfulnes , yet drie weather in haruest dooes no harme .

Hen.

They will talke him into Sauoy ; he beginnes to hunt downe .

Sau.

As the King is , and hath beene , a most admired , and the most vnmatchable souldier , so hath he beene , and is , a sole excellent , and vnparalelld Courtier .

Hen.

Pouvre Amy Merciè .

Your highnes does the king but right sir .

2. And heauen shall blesse you for that iustice , With plentiful store of want in Ladies affections . Sau.

You are cruell , and wil not vouchsafe me audience to any conclusion .

Beseech your grace conclude , that we may present our curtsies to you , and giue you the adiew .

Sau.

It is saide , the king wil bring an army into Sauoy .

Truely we are not of his counsaile of warre .

Sau.

Nay but vouchsafe me .

Vouchsafe him , vouchsafe him , else there 's no play in 't .

Well I vouchsafe your Grace .

Sau.

Let the king bring an army into Sauoy , and I le finde him sport for fortie yeares .

Hen.

Would I were sure of that , I should then haue a long gae , and a merry .

I thinke your Grace woulde play with his army at Balloone .

My faith , and that 's a martiall recreation .

It is next to impious courting .

Sau.

I am not hee that can set my Squadrons ouer-night , by midnight leape my horse , curry seauen miles , and by three , leape my mistris ; returne to mine armie againe , and direct as I were infatigable , I am no such tough souldier .

Your disparitie is beleeu'd sir .

And t is a peece of virtue to tell true .

Gods me , the king ,

Sau.

Well , I haue said nothing that may offend .

T is hop't so ,

If there be any mercie in laughter .

Sau. I le take my leaue . After the tedious stay my loue hath made , ( Most worthy to command our earthly zeale ) I come for pardon , and to take my leaue ; Affirming though I reape no other good , By this my voiage ; but t' haue seene a Prince Of greatnes , in all grace so past report ; I nothing should repent me , and to shew , Some token of my gratitude , I haue sent , Into your treasury , the greatest Iewells , In all my Cabinet of Beatrice . And of my late-deceased wife , th' Infanta . Which are two Basigus , and their Ewrs of christall , Neuer yet vallewd for their workmanship , Nor the exceding riches of their matter And to your stable , ( worthy duke of Byron , I haue sent in two of my fayrest horses . Byr. Sent me your horses ? vpon what desert ? I entertaine no presents , but for merits ; Which I am farre from at your highnes hands ; As being of all men to you the most stranger , There is as ample bounty in refusing ; As in bestowing , and with this I quit you . Sau. Then haue I lost nought but my poore good will , Hen. Well cosine , I with all thankes , welcome that ; And the rich arguments with which you proue it , Wishing I could , to your wish welcome you ; Draw , for your marquisate , the articles ; Agreed on in our composition , And it is yours , but where you haue porpos'd , ( In your aduices ) my designe for Millane , I will haue no warre with the king of Spaine , Vnlesse his hopes proue weary of our peace ; And ( Princely cosine ) it is farre from me , To thinke your wisedome , needeful of my counsaile , Yet loue , oft-times must offer things vnneedeful ; And therefore I would counsaile you to hold All good termes , with his Maiestie of Spaine : If any troubles should be stirr'd betwixt you , I would not stirre therein , but to appease them ; I haue too much care of my royal word , To breake a Peace so iust and consequent , Without force of precedent iniurie : Endles desires are worthles of iust Princes , And onely proper to the swinge of tyrants . Sau. At al partes spoke like the most christian king , I take my humblest leaue , and pray your Highnes , To holde me as your seruant , and poore kinsman , Who wisheth no supreamer happines Than to be yours : To you ( right worthy Princes ) I wish for all your fauours powr'd on me The loue of al these Ladies mutually , And ( so they please their Lordes ) that they may please Themselues by all meanes . And be you assurde ( Most louely Princesses ) as of your liues , You cannot be true women , if true wiues . Exit . Hen. Is this he Espernon , that you would needes Perswade vs courted so absurdly . Esp.

This is euen he sir , howsoeuer he hath studied his Parting Courtship .

Hen.

In what one point seemde hee so ridiculous as you would present him ?

Esp.

Behold me sir , I beseech you behold me , I appeare to you as the great Duke of Sauoy with these three Ladies .

Hen.

Well sir , we graunt your resemblance .

Esp.

He stole a carriage sir , from Count d'Auuergne heere .

D'Auer.

From me sir ?

Esp.

Excuse me sir , from you I assure you : heere sir , he lies at the Lady Antoniette , iust thus , for the worlde , in the true posture of Count d'Auuergne .

D'Auer.

Y' are exceeding delightsome .

Hen.

Why is not that well it came in with the organ hose .

Esp.

Organ hose ? a pox an t ; let it pipe it selfe into contempt ; hee hath stolne it most felloniously , and it graces him like a disease .

Hen.

I thinke he stole it from D'Avuergne indeed .

Esp.

Well , would he had robd him of all his other diseases , He were then the soundest lord in France .

D'Au.

As I am sir , I shall stand all wethers with you .

Esp.

But sir , he has praisd you aboue th' inuention of Rimers .

Hen.

Wherein ? or how ?

Esp.

He tooke vpon him to describe your victories in warre , and where hee should haue sayd , you were the most absolute souldier in Christendome , ( no Asse could haue mist it ) hee deliuerd you for as pretty a fellow of your hands , as any was in France .

Hen.

Marry God dild him .

Esp.

A pox on him .

Hen. Well , ( to be serious ) you know him well To be a gallant Courtier : his great wit Can turne him into any forme he lists , More fit to be auoyded , then deluded . For my Lord Duke of Byron here , well knowes , That it infecteth , where it doth affect : And where it seemes to counsaile , it conspires . With him go all our faults , and from vs flie , ( With all his counsaile ) all conspiracie . Finis Actus Quinti , & vltimi .