Fair Em

A Pleasant Commodie of faire Em the Millers daughter of Manchester . With the loue of William the Conquerour .

Actus Primus

Scaena prima . Enter William the Conqueror : Marques Lubeck , with a picture : Mountney : Manuile : Valingford : and Duke Dirot . Marques . WHat meanes faire Britaines mighty Conqueror So suddenly to cast away his staffe ? And all in passion , to forsake the tylt . D. Dirot . My Lord , this triumph we solemnise here , Is for meere loue to your increasing ioyes : Only expecting cheerefull lookes for all . What sudden pangs than moues your maiestie , To dimme the brightnes of the day with frownes ? W. Conqueror . Ah : good my Lords , misconster not the cause : At least , suspect not my displeased browes I amorously do beare to your intent : For thanks and all that you can wish I yeeld . But that which makes me blush and shame to tell , Is cause why thus I turne my conquering eyes To cowardes lookes and beaten fantasies . Mountney . Since wee are giltlesse , wee the lesse dismay To see this sudden change possesse your cheere : For if it issue from your owne conceits , Bred by suggestion of some enuious thoughts : Your highnes wisdome may suppresse it straight . Yet tell vs ( good my Lord ) what thought it is , That thus bereaues you of your late content , That in aduise we may assist your grace , Or bend our forces to reuiue your spirits . W Con. Ah Marques Lubeck , in thy power it lyes To rid my bosome of these thraled dumps : And therefore , good my Lords forbeare awhile , That we may parley of these priuate cares , Whose strength subdues me more than all the world . Valingford . We goe and wishe thee priuate conference , Publicke affectes in this accustomed peace . Exit all but William and the Marques . William . Now Marques must a Conquerer at armes disclose himselfe thrald to vnarmed thoughts , And threatned of a shaddowe , yeeld to lust : No sooner had my sparkeling eyes beheld The flames of beautie blasing on this peece , But sodenly a sence of myracle Imagined on thy louely Maistres face , Made me abandon bodily regarde , And cast all pleasures on my woonded soule : Then gentle Marques tell me what she is , That thus thou honourest on thy warlike shield . And if thy loue and interest be such , As iustly may giue place to myne , That if it be : my soule with honors wings May fly into the bosome of my deere . Yf not , close them and stoope into my graue . Marques Yf this be all renowned Conquerer : Aduance your drooping spirites , and reuiue The wonted courage of your Conquering minde , For this faire picture painted on my shield Is the true counterfeit of loveli Blaunch Princes and daughter to the King of Danes : Whose beautie and excesse of ornamentes Deserues another manner of defence Pompe and high person to attend her state , Then Marques Lubeck any way presents . Therefore her vertues I resigne to thee , Alreadie shrinde in thy religious brest , To be aduaunced and honoured to the full . Nor beare I this an argument of loue : But to renowne faire Blaunch my Soueraignes child , In euerie place where I by armes may do it . William . Ah Marques , thy wordes bring heauen vnto my soule , And had I heauen to giue for thy reward : Thou shouldst be thronde in no vnworthie place . But let my vttermost wealth suffice thy worth , Which here I vowe , and to aspire the blisse That hangs on quicke atchiuement of my loue , Thy selfe and I will traueile in disguise , To bring this Ladie to our Brittaine Court . Marques . Let William but bethinke what may auayle , And let me die if I denie my ayde . William . Then thus the Duke Dirot and Th erle Dimach Will I leaue substitutes to rule my Realme , While mightie loue forbids my being here , And in the name of Sir Robert of Windsor Will goe with thee vnto the Danish Court . Keepe Williams secretes Marques if thou loue him . Bright Blaunch I come , sweete fortune fauour me , And I will laud thy name eternally . Exeunt . Enter the Miller , and Em his daughter . Miller . Come daughter we must learne to shake of pomp , To leaue the state that earst beseemd a Knight And gentleman of no meane discent , To vndertake this homelie millers trade : Thus must we maske to saue our wretched liues , Threatned by Conquest of this haplesse Yle : Whose sad inuasions by the Conqueror , Haue made a number such as we subiect Their gentle neckes vnto their stubborne yoke , Of drudging labour and base pesantrie . Sir Thomas Godard now old Goddard is Goddard the miller of faire Manchester . Why should not I content me with this state ? As good Sir Edmund Trofferd did the flail . And thou sweete Em must stoope to high estate . To ioyne with mine that thus we may protect Our harmeles liues , which ledd in greater port Would be an enuious obiect to our foes , That seeke to roote all Britaines Gentrie From bearing countenance against their tyrannie . Em . Good Father let my full resolued thoughts , With setled patiens to support this chaunce Be some poore comfort to your aged soule : For therein restes the height of my estate , That you are pleased with this deiection , And that all toyles my hands may vndertake , May serue to worke your worthines content . Miller . Thankes my deere Daughter : these thy plesant words Transferre my soule into a second heauen : And in thy setled minde , my ioyes consist , My state reuyued and I in former plight . Although our outward pomp be thus abased , And thralde to drudging , stayless of the world , Let vs retaine those honorable mindes That lately gouerned our superior state . Wherein true gentrie is the only meane That makes vs differ from base millers borne : Though we expect no knightly delicates , Nor thirst in soule for former soueraintie . Yet may our myndes as highly scorne to stoope To base desires of vulgars worldlynes , As if we were in our presedent way . And louely daughter , since thy youthfull yeares Must needes admit as yong affections : And that sweete loue vnpartiall perceiues Her daintie subiects through euery part , In chiefe receiue these lessons from my lippes . The true discouerers of a Virgins due Now requisite , now that I know thy mynde Somthing enclynde to fauour Manuils sute , A gentleman , thy Louer in protest : And that thou maist not be by loue deceiued , But trye his meaning fit for thy desert , In pursuite of all amorous desires , Regard thine honour . Let not vehement sighes Nor earnest vowes importing feruent loue , Render thee subiect to the wrath of lust : For that transformed to former sweete delight , Will bring thy bodie and thy soule to shame . Chaste thoughts and modest conuersations Of proofe to keepe out all inchaunting vowes , Vaine sighes , forst teares , and pittifull aspectes , Are they that make deformed Ladies faire , Poore wretch , and such intycing men , That seeke of all but onely present grace , Shall in perseuerance of a Virgins due Prefer the most refusers to the choyce Of such a soule as yeelded what they thought . But hoe : where is Trotter ? Here enters Trotter the Millers man to them : And they within call to him for their gryste . Trotter . Where 's Trotter ? why Trotter is here . yfaith , you and your daughter go vp and downe weeping , And wamenting and keeping of a wamentation , As who should saye , the Mill would go with your wamenting . Miller . How now Trotter ? why complainest thou so . Trotter .

Why yonder is a company of yong men and maydes Keepe such a styr for their grist , that they would haue it before my stones be readie to grinde it . But yfaith , I would I coulde breake winde enough backward : you should not tarrie for your gryst I warrant you . Here he taketh Em about the necke .

Miller . Content thee Trotter , I will go pacifie them . Trotter . Iwis you will when I cannot . Why looke , You haue a Mill . Why , what s your Mill without mee ? Or rather Mistres , what were I without you ? Em . Nay Trotter , if you fall achyding , I wil giue you ouer . Trotter . I chyde you dame to amend you . You are too fyne to be a Millers daughter : For if you should but stoope to take vp the tole dish You will haue the crampe in your finger At least ten weekes after . Miller . Ah well said Trotter , teach her to plaie the good huswife And thou shalt haue her to thy wife , if thou canst get her good will . Trotter . Ah words wherein I see Matrimonie come loaden With kisses to salute me : Now let me alone , to pick the Mill , To fill the hopper to take the tole to mend the sayles , Yea , and to make the mill to goe with the verie force of my loue . Here they must call for their gryst within . Trotter . I come I come , yfaith now you shall haue your gryst Or else Trotter will trot and amble himselfe to death . They call him againe . Exit . Enter king of Denmarke , with some attendants , Blanch his daughter , Mariana , Marques Lubeck , William disguised . King of Denmarke . Lord Marques Lubecke welcome home , Welcome braue Knight vnto the Denmarke King : For Williams sake the noble Norman Duke , So famous for his fortunes and successe , That graceth him with name of Conqueror : Right double welcome must thou be to vs . Rob. Windsor . And to my Lord the king shall I recount Your graces courteous entertainment , That for his sake vouchsafe to honor me A simple Knight attendant on his grace . King Den. But saie Sir Knight , what may I call your name . Robert Windsor . Robert Windsor and like your Maiestie . King Den. I tell thee Robert , I so admire the man , As that I count it haynous guilt in him That honors not Duke William with his heart . Blanch , bid this straunger welcome , good my gyrle . Blanch . Sir , should I neglect your highnes charge herein , It might be thought of base discourtesie . Welcome Sir Knight to Denmarke hartelie . Ro. Winds. Thanks gentle Ladie . Lord Marques , what is shee ? Lubeck . That same is Blanch daughter to the King , The substance of the shadow that you saw . Rob. windsor . May this be shee , for whome I crost the Seas ? I am ashamde to think I was so fond . In whom ther s nothing that contents my mynd . Ill hued , worse featurde , vncomly , nothing courtly . Swart and ill fauoured , a Colliers sanguin skinne . I neuer sawe a harder fauourd slut . Loue her ? for what : I can no whit abide her . King of Denmark . Mariana , I haue this day receiued letters From Swethia , that lets me vnderstand , your raunsome is collecting there with speede , And shortly shal be hither sent to vs . Mariana . Not that I finde occasion of mislike My entertainment in your graces court , But that I long to see my natiue home . king Den. And reason haue you Madam for the same : Lord Marques I commit vnto your charge The entertainement of Sir Robert here , Let him remaine with you within the Court In solace and disport , to spend the time . Exit king of Denmarke . Robert Wind. I thank your hightnes , whose bounden I remaine . Blanch speaketh this secretly at one end of the stage . Vnhappie Blanch , what strange effects are these That workes within my thoughts confusedly , That still me thinks affection drawes me on To take , to like , nay more , to loue this Knight . Robert . Wind. A modest countenance , no heauie sullen looke , Not verie fayer , but ritchly deckt with fauour : A sweete face , an exceding daintie hand , A bodie were it framed of wax By all the cunning artists of the world It could not better be proportioned . Lubeck . How now Sir Robert ? in a studie man ? Here is no tyme for contemplation . Robert Windsor . My Lord , there is a certaine odd conceite , Which on the sudden greatly troubles me . Lubeck . How like you Blaunch ? I partly do perceiue The little boy hath played the wagg with you . Sir Robert . The more I looke , the more I loue to looke . Who seyes that Mariana is not faire ? I le gage my gauntlet gainst the enuious man , That dares auowe there liueth her compare . Lubeck . Sir Robert , you mistake your counterfeit . This is the Ladie which you came to see . Sir Robert . yea , my Lord : Shee is counterfait in deede : For there is the substance that best contents me . Lubek . That is my loue . Sir Robert you do wrong me . Robert . The better for you sir , she is your Loue , As for the wrong , I see not how it growes . Lubeck . In seeking that which is anothers right . Robert . As who should saie your loue were priuileged That none might looke vpon her but your selfe . Lubeck . These iarres becomes not our familiaritie , Nor will I stand on termes to moue your patience . Robert . Why my Lord , am not I of flesh and bloud as well as you ? Then giue me leaue to loue as well as you . Lubeck . To Loue Sir Robert ? but whome ? not she I Loue ? Nor stands it with the honor of my state , To brooke corriuals with me in my loue . Robert . So Sir , we are thorough for that L. Ladies farewell . Lord Marques , will you go ? I will finde a time to speake with her I trowe ? Lubeck . With all my heart . Come Ladies wil you walk ? Exit . Enter Manuile alone disguised . Manuile . Ah Em the subiect of my restlesse thoughts , The Anuyle whereupon my heart doth beate , Framing thy state to thy desert , Full yll this life becomes thy heauenly looke , Wherein , sweete loue and vertue sits enthroned . Bad world , where riches is esteemd aboue them both , In whose base eyes nought else is bountifull . A Millers daughter , sayes the multitude , Should not be loued of a Gentleman . But let them breath their soules into the ayre : Yet will I still affect thee as my selfe , So thou be constant in thy plighted vowe . But here comes one , I wil listen to his talke . Enter Valingford at another dore , Manuile hiding him selfe . disguised Valingford . Goe William Conqueror and seeke thy loue . Seeke thou a mynion in a forren land Whilest I drawe back and court my loue at home , The millers daughter of faire Manchester Hath bound my feete to this delightsome soyle : And from her eyes do dart such golden beames , That holdes my harte in her subiection . Manuile . He ruminates on my beloued choyce : God graunt he come not to preuent my hope . But here s another , him I le listen to . Enter Mountney disguised at another dore . L. Mountney . Nature vniust , in vtterance of thy arte , To grace a pesant with a Princes fame : Pesant am I so to misterme my loue Although a millers daughter by her birth : Yet may her beautie and her vertues well suffice To hyde the blemish of her birth in hell , Where neither enuious eyes nor thought can perce , But endlesse darknesse euer smother it . Goe William Conqueror and seeke thy loue , Whilest I drawe back and court mine owne the while : Decking her bodie with such costly robes As may become her beauties worthynes , That so thy labors may be laughed to scorne , And she thou seekest in forraine regions , Be darkened and eclipst when she arriues , By one that I haue chosen neerer home . Manuile . What comes he to , to intercept my loue ? Then hye thee Manuile to forestall such foes . Exit Manuile Mountney . What now Lord Valingford are you behind ? The king had chosen you to goe with him . Valingford . So chose he you , therefore I marueile much That both of vs should linger in this sort . What may the king imagine of our staye ? Mountney . The king may iustly think we are to blame : But I immagined I might well be spared And that no other man had borne my mind . Valingford . The like did I : in frendship then resolue What is the cause of your vnlookt for stay ? Mountney . Lord Valingford I tell thee as a friend , Loue is the cause why I haue stayed behind . Valinford . Loue my Lord ? of whome . Mountney . Em the millers daughter of Manchester . Valingford . But may this be ? Mountney . Why not my Lord ? I hope full well you know That loue respectes no difference of state So beautie serue to stirr affection . Valingford . But this it is that makes me wonder most : That you and I should be of one conseite In such a straunge vnlikly passion . Mountney . But is that true ? my Lord : I hope you do but iest . Valingford . I would I did : then were my griefe the lesse . Mountney . Nay neuer grieue : for if the cause be such To ioyne our thoughts in such a Simpathy : All enuie set asyde : let vs agree To yeeld to eythers fortune in this choyce . Valingford . Content say I , and what so ere befall , Shake hands my Lord and fortune thriue at all . Exeunt . Enter Em and Trotter the Millers man with a kerchife on his head , and an Vrinall in his hand . Em . Trotter where haue you beene ? Trotter . Where haue I bene ? why what signifies this . Em . A kerchiefe , doth it not ? Trotter . What call you this I praye ? Em . I saie it is an Vrinall . Trotter . Then this is mystically to giue you to vnderstand I haue beene at the Phismicaries house . Em . How long hast thou beene sicke ? Trotter . Yfaith , euen as long as I haue not beene halfe well , And that hath beene a long time . Em . A loytering time I rather immagine . Trot. It may be so : but the Phismicary tels me that you can help me Em . Why , any thing I can do for recouerie of thy health , Be right well assured of . Trot. Then giue me your hand Em . To what end . Trot. That the ending of an old indenture Is the beginning of a new bargaine . Em . What bargaine ? Trot. That you promised to do any thing to recouer my helth . Em . On that condition I giue thee my hand . Trot. Ah sweete Em . Here he offers to kisse her . Em . How now Trotter ? your maisters daughter ? Trot. Yfaith I aime at the fairest , Ah Em , sweet Em : fresh as the flowre : That hath poure to wound my harte , And ease my smart , of me poore theefe , In prison bounde . Em . So all your ryme lies on the grounde . But what meanes this ? Trot. Ah marke the deuise , For thee my loue full sicke I was , in hazard of my life Thy promise was to make me whole , and for to be my wife . Let me inioye my loue my deere , And thou possesse thy Trottter here . Em . But I meant no such matter . Trot. Yes woos but you did , I le goe to our Parson Sir Iohn And he shall mumble vp the marriage out of hand . Em . But here comes one that will forbid the Banes . Here Enters Manuile to them . Trotter . Ah Sir you come too late . Manuile . What remedie Trotter . Em . Goe Trotter , my father calles . Trotter . Would you haue me goe in , and leaue you two here ? Em . Why , darest thou not trust me ? Trotter . Yes faith , euen as long as I see you . Em . Goe thy waies I praye thee hartely . Trotter . That same word ( hartely ) is of great force . I will goe : but I praye sir , beware you Come not too neere the wench . Exit Trotter . Manuile . I am greatly beholding to you Ah Maistres , somtime I might haue said my loue , But time and fortune hath bereued me of that , And I am abiect in those gratious eyes That with remorse earst sawe into my griefe , May sit and sigh the sorowes of my heart . Em . In deede my Manuile hath some cause to doubt , When such a Swaine is riuall in his loue . Manuile . Ah Em , were he the man that causeth this mistrust , I should esteeme of thee as at the first . Em . But is my loue in earnest all this while ? Manuile . Beleeue me Em , it is not time to iest When others ioyes , what lately I possest . Em If touching loue , my Manuile charge me thus ? Vnkindly must I take it at his handes , For that my conscience cleeres me of offence . Manuile . Ah impudent and shamelesse in thy ill , That with thy cunning and defraudfull toung , Seekese to delude the honest meaning minde : Was neuer heard in Manchester before , Of truer loue then hath beene betwixte vs twaine : And for my parte how I haue hazarded Displeasure of my father and my freindes Thy selfe can witnes . Yet notwithstanding this : Two genlemen attending on Duke William Mountney and Valingford , as I heard them named , Oft times resort to see and to be seene , Walking the streete fast by thy fathers dore , Whose glauncing eyes vp to the windowes cast , Giues testes of their Maisters amorous hart . This Em is noted and too much talked on . Some see it without mistrust of ill . Others there are that scorning grynne thereat , And saith , there goes the millers daughters wooers . Ah me , whome chiefely and most of all it doth concerne To spend my time in griefe and vexe my soule , To thinke my loue should be rewarded thus , And for thy sake abhore all women kind . Em . May not a maide looke vpon a man Without suspitious iudgement of the world ? Manuile . If sight do moue offence , it is the better not to see . But thou didst more vnconstant as thou art , For with them thou hadst talke and conference . Em . May not a maide talke with a man without mistrust ? Manuile . Not with such men suspected amorous . Em . I grieue to see my Manuiles ielosie Manuile . Ah Em , faithfull loue is full of ielosie , So did I loue thee true and faithfully , For which I am rewarded most vnthankfully . Exit in a rage , Manet Em . And so awaie ? what in displeasure gone ? And left me such a bitter sweete to gnawe vpon ? Ah Manuile , little wottest thou , How neere this parting goeth to my heart . Vncourteous loue whose followers reapes reward , Of hate , disdaine , reproach and infamie , The fruit of frantike , bedlome ielozie . Here enter Mountney to Em . But here comes one of these suspitious men : Witnes my God without desert of me : For onely Manuile honor I in harte : Nor shall vnkindnes cause me from him to starte . Mountney . For this good fortune , Venus be thou blest , To meete my loue , the mistres of my heart , Where time and place giues oportunitie At full to let her vnderstand my loue . He turnes to Em , & offers to take her by the hand , & shee goes from him . Faire mistres , since my fortune sorts so well : Heare you a word . What meaneth this ? Nay stay faire Em . Em . I am going homewards , syr: Mountney . Yet stay sweete loue to whom I must disclose The hidden secrets of a louers thoughts , Not doubting but to finde such kinde remorse As naturally you are enclyned to . Em . The Gentle-man your friend Syr . I haue not seene him this foure dayes at the least . Mountney . What s that to me ? I speak not sweete in person of my friend , But for my selfe , whom if that loue deserue To haue regard being honourable loue : Not base affects of loose lasciuious loue : Whome youthfull wantons play and dally with : But that vnites in honourable bands of holy rytes , And knits the sacred knot that Gods . Here Em cuts him off . Em . What meane you sir , to keepe me here so long ? I cannot vnderstand you by your sygnes . You keepe a pratling with your lippes , But neuer a word you speake that I can heare . Mountney . What is shee deafe ? a great impediment . Yet remedies there are for such defects . Sweete Em , it is no little griefe to mee , To see where nature in her pryde of art Hath wrought perfections ritch and admirable . Em . Speake you to mee Sir ? Mountney . To thee my onely ioy . Em . I cannot heare you . Mountney . Oh plague of Fortune : Oh hell without compare . What bootes it vs to gaze and not enioy ? Em . Fare you well Sir . Exit Em . Manet Mountney . Mountney . Fare well my loue . Nay farewell life and all . Could I procure redresse for this infirmitie , It might be meanes shee would regard my sute . I am acquainted with the Kings Phisitions : Amongst the which , there s one mine honest friend , Seignior Alberto , a verie learned man . His iudgement will I haue to help this ill . Ah Em , faire Em , if Art can make thee whole : I le buy that sence for thee , although it cost mee deere . But Mountney : stay , this may be but deceit , A matter fained onely to delude thee . And not vnlike , perhaps by Valingford , He loues faire Em as well as I . As well as I ? ah no , not halfe so well . Put case , yet may he be thine enimie , And giue her counsell to dissemble thus . I le try the euent , and if it fall out so ? Frindship farewell : Loue makes me now a foe . Exit Mountney . Enter Marques Lubeck , and Mariana . Mariana . Trust me my Lord , I am sorie for your hurt . Lubeck . Gramercie Madam : but it is not great : Onely a thrust , prickt with a Rapiers point . Mariana . How grew the quarrel my Lord ? Lubeck . Sweet Ladie , for thy sake . There was this last night two maskes in one company , My selfe the formost : The other strangers were : Amongst the which , when the Musick began to sound the Measures , Eche Masker made choice of his Ladie : And one more forward than the rest stept towards thee : Which I perceiuing thrust him aside , and tooke thee my selfe . But this was taken in so ill parte , That at my comming out of the court gate , with iustling togither , It was my chaunce to be thrust into the arme . The doer thereof because he was the originall cause of the disorder At that inconuenient time , was presently committed , And is this morning sent for to aunswer the matter : Here enters Sir Robert rr of Windsor for with a Gaylor And I think here he comes . What Sir Robert of Windsor how now ? Sir Robert . Yfaith my Lord a prisoner : but what ayles your arme ? Lubeck . Hurte the last night by mischaunce . Sir Robert . What , not in the maske at the Court gate ? Lubeck . Yes trust me there . Sir Rob. Why then my Lorde I thank you for my nights lodging . Lubeck . And I you for my hurt , if it were so ? Keeper awaie , I discharge you of your prisoner . Exit the Keeper . Sir Robert . Lord Marques , you offerd me disgrace to shoulder me . Lubeck . Sir I knew you not , and therefore you must pardon me And the rather it might be alleaged to me of Meare simplisitie , to see another daunce with my Maistris disguysed , and I my selfe in presence : but seeing it Was our happs to damnifie each other vnwillingly , Let vs be content with our harmes , And laye the fault where it was and so become friendes . Sir Robert . Yfaith I am content with my nights lodging If you be content with your hurt . Lubeck . Not content that I haue it , but content To forget how I came by it . Sir Robert . My Lord , here comes Ladie Blannch , let s away . Enter Blaunch . Lubeck . With good will , Ladie you will staie ? Exit Lubeck and Sir Robert . Mariana . Madam . Blaunch . Mariana , as I am grieued with thy presence : So am I not offended for thy absence , And were it not a breach to modestie , Thou shouldest know before I left thee . Mariana . How neare is this humor to madnesse If you hould on as you begyn , you are in a pretie waie to scoulding . Blannch . To scoulding huswife ? Mariana . Maddam here comes one , Here enters one with a letter . Blaunch . There doth in deed . Fellow wouldest thou haue any thing with any bodie here ? Messenger . I haue a letter to deliuer to the Ladie Mariana . Blaunch . Giue it me . Messen. There must none but shee haue it . Blaunch snatcheth the letter from him . Et exit messenger . Go to foolish fellow . And therefore to ease the anger I sustaine , I le be so bolde to open it , what s here ? Sir Robert greets you well ? Your Maistries , his loue , his life ? Oh amorous man , How he entertaines his new Maistres ? And bestowes on Lubeck his old friend A horne night capp to keepe in his witt . Mariana . Maddam though you haue discourteously Read my letter , yet I praye you giue it me . Blaunch . Then take it there , and there , and there . She teares it . Et exit Blannch . Mariana . How farr doth this differ from modestie : Yet will I gather vp the peeces , which happelie May shew to me the intent thereof Though not the meaning . She gathers vpp the peeces and ioynes them . Mariana . Your seruant and loue sir Robert of Windsor Alius William the Conqueror , wisheth long health and happinesse . Is this William the Conqueror , shrouded vnder The name of sir Robert of Windsor ? Were he the Monarch of the world He should not disposesse Lubeck of his Loue . Therefore I will to the Court , and there if I can Close to be friendes with Ladie Blaunch , And thereby keepe Lubeck my Loue for my selfe : And further the Ladie Blaunch in her sute as much as I may . Exit . Enter Em solus . Em . Ielosie that sharpes the louers sight , And makes him conceiue and conster his intent , Hath so bewitched my louely Manuils sences , That he misdoubts his Em that loues his soule . He doth suspect corriuals in his loue : Which how vntrue it is , be iudge my God . But now no more : Here commeth Valingford : Shift him off now as thou hast done the other . Enter Valingford . Valingf See how Fortune presents me with the hope I lookt for . Fair Em ? Em . Who is that ? Valingf. I am Valingford thy loue and friend . Em . I cry you mercie Sir : I thought so by your speach . Valingf. What ayleth thy eyes ? Em . Oh blinde Sir , blinde , striken blind by mishap on a sudden . Valingf. But is it possible you should be taken on such a suddain ? Infortunate Valingford to be thus crost in thy loue . Faire Em , I am not a little sorie to see this thy hard hap : Yet neuerthelesse , I am acquainted with a learned Phisitian , That will do any thing for thee at my request . To him will I resort , and enquire his iudgement , As concerning the recouerie of so excellent a sence . Em . O Lord Sir : and of all things I cannot abide Phisicke : The verie name thereof to me is odious . Valingford . No ? not the thing will doe thee so much good ? Sweete Em , hether I came to parley of loue Hoping to haue found thee in thy woonted prosperitie . And haue the gods so vnmercifully thwarted my expectation ? By dealing so sinisterly with thee sweete Em ? Em . Good sir , no more , it fits not me To haue respect to such vaine fantasies , As idle loue presentes my eares withall , More reason I should ghostlie giue my selfe , To sacred prayers for this my former sinne , For which this plague is iustly fallen vpon me , Then to harken to the vanities of loue . Valingford . Yet sweet Em accept this iewell at my hand Which I bestowe on thee in token of my loue . Em . A iewell sir , what pleasure can I haue In iewels , treasure , or any worldly thing That want my sight that should deserue thereof . Ah sir I must leaue you : The paine of mine eyes is so extreame I cannot long staie in a place . I take my leaue . Exit Em . Valingford . Zoundes , what a crosse is this to my conceite ? But Valingford , serch the depth of this deuise . Why may not this be fained subteltie , By Mountneies inuention , to the intent That I seeing such occasion should leaue off my sute , And not any more persiste to solicite her of loue . I le trie the euent , if I can by any meanes perceaue The effect of this deceyte to be procured by his meanes , Friend Mountney the one of vs is like to repent our bargeine . Exit . Enter Mariana and Marques Lubeck . Lubeck . Ladie , since that occasion forward in our good Presenteth place and opportunitie : Let me intreat your woonted kind consent And freindly furtherance in a suite I haue . Mariana . My Lord you know you neede not to intreat , But may commaund Mariana to her power Be it no impeachment to my honest fame . Lubeck . Free are my thoughts from such base villanie As may in question Ladie call your name : Yet is the matter of such consequence Standing vpon my honorable credit , To be effected with such zeale and secresie , As should I speake and faile my expectation I would redound greatly to my preiudice . Mariana . My Lord wherein hath Mariana giuen you occasion That you should mistrust or else be ielous of my secrecie . Lubeck Mariana , do not misconster of me : I not mistrust thee , nor thy secresie , Nor let my loue misconster my intente , Nor think thereof but well and honorable . Thus stands the case : Thou knowest from England Hether came with me Robert of Windsor , a noble man at Armes , Lustie and valiant , in spring time of his yeares , No maruell then though he proue amorous . Mariana . True my Lord , he came to see faire Blanch . Lubeck . No Mariana , that is not it . His loue to Blanch was then extinct When first he sawe thy face . T is thee he loues : yea , thou art onely shee That is maistres and commaunder of his thoughts . Mariana . Well well my Lord , I like you , for such driftes Put silly Ladies often to their shiftes Oft haue I heard you saye , you loued me well : Yea , sworne the same , and I beleeued you to . Can this be found an action of good faith , Thus to dissemble where you found true loue ? Lubeck . Mariana , I not dissemble on mine honour : Nor failes my faith to thee . But for my friend , For princely William , by whom thou shalt possesse The tytle of estate and Maiestie , Fitting thy loue and vertues of thy minde , For him I speake , for him do I intreat , And with thy fauour fully do resigne To him the claime and interest of my loue . Sweete Mariana then denie mee not . Loue William , loue my friend and honour mee Who els is cleane dishonored by thy meanes . Mariana Borne to mishap , my selfe am onely shee , On whome the Sunne of Fortune neuer shyned : But Planets rulde by retrogard aspect , Foretolde mine yll in my natiuitie . Lubeck . Sweete Ladie seace , let my intreatie serue To pacifie the passion of thy griefe , Which well I know proceedes of ardent loue . Mariana . But Lubeck now regardes not Mariana : Lubeck . Euen as my life , so loue I Mariana . Mariana . Why do you poste mee to another then ? Lubeck . He is my friend , and I do loue the man . Mariana . Then will Duke William robb me of my Loue ? Lubeck . No as his life Mariana he doth loue . Mariana . Speake for yourselfe my Lord let him alone . Lubeck So do I Madam , for he and I am one . Mariana . Then louing you I do content you both . Lubeck . In louing him you shall content vs both . Me , for I craue that fauour at your handes : He for hopes that comfort at your hands . Mariana . Leaue of my Lord , here comes the Ladie Blaunch . Enter Blaunch to them . LuBeck . Hard hap to breake vs of our talke so soone , Sweet Mariana doe remember me . Exit Lubeck , Mariana . Thy Mariana cannot chuse but remember thee . Blaunch . Mariana well met , you are verie forward in your Loue ? Mariana . Madam be it in secret spoken to your selfe , If you wil but follow the complot I haue inuented you will not think me so forward As your selfe shall proue fortunate . Blaunch . As how ? Mariana . Madam as thus : It is not vnknowen to you That Sir Robert of Windsor , A man that you do not little esteeme , Hath long importuned me of Loue : But rather then I will be found false Or vniust to the Marques Lubeck , I will as did the constant ladie Penelope Vndertake to effect some great taske . Blaunch . What of all this ? Mariana . The next tyme that Sir Robert shall come In his woonted sort to solicit me with Loue , I will seeme to agree and like of any thing That the Knight shal demaund so far foorth As it be no impeachment to my chastitie : And to conclude , poynt some place for to meete the man , For my conueiance from the Denmarke Court : Which determined vpon , he will appoynt some certaine time For our departure : whereof you hauing intelligence , You may soone set downe a plot to were the English Crowne . And than ? Blanch . What then ? Mariana . If Sir Robert proue a King and you his Queene How than ? Blanch . Were I assured of the one , as I am perswaded Of the other , there were some possibilitie in it . But here comes the man . Mariana . Madam begon and you shall see I will worke to your desire and my content . Exit Blanch . William . Con . Ladie this is well and happelie met , Fortune hetherto hath beene my foe , And though I haue oft sought to speake with you , Yet still I haue beene crost with sinister happs . I cannot Madame tell a louing tale Or court my Maistres with fabulous discoursies , That am a souldier sworne to followe armes : But this I bluntly let you vnderstand , I honor you with such religious Zeale As may become an honorable minde . Nor may I make my loue the seege of Troye That am a straunger in this Countrie . First what I am , I know you are resolued , For that my friend hath let you that to vnderstand , The Marques Lubeck to whome I am so bound , That whilest I liue I count me onely his . Mariana . Surely you are beholding to the Marques , For he hath beene an earnest spokes-man in your cause . William . And yealdes my Ladie then at his request . To grace Duke William with her gratious loue ? Mariana . My Lord I am a prisoner , and hard it were To get me from the Courte . William . An easie matter to get you from the Court , If case that you will thereto giue consent . Mariana . Put case I should , how would you vse me than ? William . Not otherwise but well and honorably . I haue at Sea a shipp that doth attend , Which shall foorthwith conducte vs into England Where when we are , I straight will marrie thee . We may not stay deliberating long Least that suspition , enuious of our weale Set in a foote to hinder our pretence . Mariana . But this I think were most conuenient To maske my face the better to scape vnknowen . William . A good deuise : till then , Farwell faire loue . Mariana . But this I must intreat your grace , You would not seeke by lust vnlawfully To wrong my chast determinations . William . I hold that man most shameles in his sinne That seekes to wrong an honest Ladies name Whome he thinkes worthie of his mariage bed . Mariana . In hope your othe is true , I leaue your grace till the appoynted tyme . Exit Mariana . William . O happie William , blessed in thy loue : Most fortunate in Marianaes loue , Well Lubeck well , this courtesie of thine I will requite if God permit me life . Exit . Enter Valingford and Mountney at two sundrie dores , looking angerly each on other with Rapiers drauen . Mountney . Valingford , so hardlie I disgest an iniurie Thou hast profered me , as were not that I detest to doe what stands Not with the honor of my name , Thy death should paie thy ransome of thy fault . Valingford . And Mountney , had not my reuenging wrath Incenst with more than ordinarie loue beene such for to depriue thee of thy life , Thou hadst not liude to braue me as thou doest wretch as thou arte , wherein hath Valingford offended thee ? That honourable bond which late we did confirme In presence of the Gods , When with the Conqueror we arriued here For my part hath beene kept inuiolably Till now too much abused by thy villanie , I am inforced to cancell all those bands , By hating him which I so well did loue . Mountney . Subtil thou art , and cunning in thy frawd , That giuing me occasion of offence , Thou pickst a quarrell to excuse thy shame . Why Valingford , was it not enough for thee To be a ryuall twixt me and my loue , But counsell her to my no small disgrace , That when I came to talke with her of loue , Shee should seeme deafe , as fayning not to heare . Valingford . But hath shee Mountney vsed thee as thou sayest ? Mountney . Thou knowest too well shee hath : Wherein thou couldest not do me greater iniurie . Valingford . Then I perceiue we are deluded both . For when I offered many gifts of Gold and Iewels To entreat for loue , shee hath refused them with a coy disdaine , Alledging that shee could not see the Sunne . The same coniectured I to be thy drift , That fayning so shee might be ridd of mee . Mountney . The like did I by thee . But are not these naturall impediments ? Validgford . In my coniecture merely counterfeit : Therefore let s ioyne hands in frindship once againe , Since that the iarre grewe only by coniecture . Mountney . With all my heart : Yet let s trye the truth hereof . Valingf. With right good will . We wil straight vnto her father , And there to learne whither it be so or no . Exeunt . Enter William and Blanch disguised , with a maske ouer her face . William . Come on my loue , the comfort of my life : Disguised thus we may remaine vnknowen . And get we once to Seas , I force not then , We quickly shall attaine the English shore . Blaunch . But this I vrge you with your former oath . You shall not seeke to violate mine honour , Vntill our marriage rights be all performed . William . Mariana , here I sweare to thee by heauen , And by the honour that I beare to Armes , Neuer to seeke or craue at hands of thee The spoyle of honourable chastitie Vntill we do attaine the English coast , Where thou shalt be my right espoused Queene . Blanch . In hope your oath proceedeth from your heart , Let s leaue the Court , and betake vs to his power That gouernes all things to his mightie will , And will reward the iust with endlesse ioye , And plague the bad with most extreame annoy . William . Lady , as little tarriance as wee may , Lest some misfortune happen by the way . Exit Blanch & William . Enter the Miller , his man Trotter , & Manuile . Miller . I tell you sir , it is no little greefe to mee , You should so hardly conseit of my daughter , Whose honest report , though I saie it , Was neuer blotted with any title of defamation . Manuile . Father Miller , the repaire of those gentlemen to your house , Hath giuen me great occasion to mislike . Miller . As for those gentlemen , I neuer saw in them Any euill intreatie . But should they haue profered it ? Her chaste minde hath proofe enough to preuent it . Trotter . Those gentlemen are as honest as euer I sawe : For yfaith one of them gaue me sixe pence To fetch a quart of Seck . See maister here they come . Enter Mountney and Valingford . Miller . Trotter , call Em , now they are here together , I le haue this matter throughly debated . Exit Trotter . Mountney . Father , well met . We are come to conferre with you . Manuile . Nay ? with his daughter rather . Valingford . Thus it is father , we are come to craue your frindship in a matter . Miller . Gentlemen as you are straungers to me , Yet by the waie of courtesie you shall demaund Any reasonable thing at my hands . Manuile . What is the matter so forward ? They came to craue his good will . Valinford . It is giuen vs to vnderstand that your daughter Is sodenly become both blind and deafe . Miller . Marie God for bid , I haue sent for her , in deed She hath kept her chamber this three daies . It were no litle griefe to me if it should be so ? Manuile . This is Gods iudgement for her trecherie . Enter Trotter leading Em . Miller . Gentlemen I feare your wordes are two true : See where Trotter comes leading of her . What ayles my Em , not blind I hope ? Em . Mountney and Valingford both together ? And Manuile to whom I haue faithfullie vowed my loue ? Now Em suddenly helpe thy selfe . Mountney . This is no desembling Valingford . Valingford . If it be ? it is cunningly contriued of all sides . Em . Trotter lend me thy hand , And as thou louest me keepe my counsell And iustifie what so euer I saie , and I le largely requite thee . Trotter . Ah , that s as much as to saie you would tell a monstrous , Terrible , horrible , outragious lie , And I shall sooth it , no berladie . Em . My present extremitie wills me , if thou loue me Trotter ? Trotter . That same word loue makes me to doe any thing . Em . Trotter where s my father ? He thrusts Em vpon her father . Trotter . Why what a blynd dunce are you , can you not see ? He standeth right before you . Em . Is this my father ? Good father giue me leaue to sit Where I may not be disturbed Sith God hath visited me both of my sight and hearing . Miller . Tell me sweete Em how came this blindnes . Thy eyes are louely to looke on , And yet haue they lost the benefit of their sight . What a griefe is this to thy poore father ? Em . Good father let me not stand as an open gazing stock to euerie one , But in a place a lone as fits a creature so miserable . Miller . Trotter lead her in , the vtter ouerthrowe Of poore Goddardes ioy and onely solace . Exit the Miller , Trotter and Em . Manuile . Both blind and deafe , then is she no wife for me ? And glad am I so good occasion is hapned : Now will I awaie to Manchester And leaue these gentlemen to their blind fortune . Exit Manuile Mountney . Since fortune hath thus spitefully crost our hope , Let vs leaue this guest and harken after our King : Who is at this daie landed at Lirpoole . Exit Mountney . Valingford . Goe my Lord I le follow you . Well , now Mountney is gone I le staie behind to solicit my loue , For I imagine that I shall find this but a fained inuention Thereby to haue vs leaue off our sutes . Enter Marques Lubeck and the King of Denmark angerly with some attendants . Zweno . K. Well Lubeck well , it is not possible But you must be concenting to this acte ? Is this the man so highly you extold ? And playe a parte so hatefull with his friend ? Since first he came with thee into the court What entertainement and what countenance He hath receiued , none better knowes than thou . In recompence whereof he quites me well , To steale awaie faire Mariana my prisoner , Whose raunsome being lately greed vpon , I am deluded of by this escape . Besides , I know not how to answere it When shee shal be demaunded home to Swethia . Lubeck . My gracious Lord , coniecture not I pray Worser of Lubeck than he doth deserue . Your highnes knowes Mariana was my loue , Sole paragon and mistres of my thoughts . Is it likely I should know of her departure , Wherein there is no man iniured more than I . Zweno . That carries reason Marques I confesse . Call foorth my daughter . Yet I am perswaded That shee poore soule suspected not her going : For as I heare : shee likewise loued the man , Which he to blame did not at all regard . Rocilia . My Lord here is the Princesse Mariana : It is your daughter is conueyed away . Zweno . What , my daughter gone ? Now Marques your villanie breakes foorth . This match is of your making , gentle sir : And you shall dearly know the price thereof . Lubeck . Knew I thereof , or that there was intent In Robert thus to steale your highnes daughter : Let heauens in Iustice presently confound me . Zweno . Not all the protestations thou canst vse , Shall saue thy life . Away with him to prison . And minion , otherwise it cannot be , But you are an agent in this trecherie . I will reuenge it throughly on you both . Away with her to prison . Here s stuffe in deede ? My daughter stolen away ? It booteth not thus to disturbe my selfe , But presently to send to English William , To send me that proud knight of Windsor hither , Here in my Court to suffer for his shame : Or at my pleasure to be punished there . Withall , that Blanch be sent me home againe , Or I shall fetch her vnto Windsors coste , Yea , and Williams too if he denie her mee ? . Exit Zweno . Enter William taken with souldiers . William . Could any crosse , could any plague be worse ? Could heauen or hell ? Did both conspire in one To afflict my soule , inuent a greater scourge Then presently I am tormented with ? Ah Mariana cause of my lament : Ioy of my hart , and comfort of my life . For thee I breath my sorrowes in the ayre , And tyre my selfe : for silently I sigh , My sorrowes afflictes me soule with equall passion . Souldier . Go to sirha , put vp , it is to small purpose . William . Hence villaines hence , dare you lay your hands Vpon your Soueraigne ? Souldier . Well sir , we will deale for that . But here comes one will remedie all this . Enter Demarch . Souldier . My Lord , watching this night in the campe , We tooke this man , and know not what he is : And in his companie was a gallant dame , A woman faire in outward shewe shee seemde , But that her face was maskte we could not see The grace and fauour of her countenance . Demarch . Tell me good fellow of whence and what thou art . Souldier . Why do you not answere my Lord ? He takes scorne to answere . Demarch . And takest thou scorne to aunswer my demaund ? Thy proud behauiour verie well deserues This misdemeanour at the worst be construed . Why doest thou neither know , nor hast thou heard ? That in the absence of the Saxon Duke , Demarch is his especiall Substitute To punish those that shall offend the lawes . William . In knowing this , I know thou art a traytor . A rebell , and mutenous conspirator . Why Demarch , knowest thou who I am ? Demarch . Pardon my dread Lord the error of my sence , And misdemeaner to your princely excellencie . Willi. Why Demarch , what is the cause my subiects are in armes ? Demarch . Free are my thoughts my dread and gratious Lord From treason to your state and common weale , Only reuengement of a priuate grudge By Lord Dirot lately profered me , That standes not with the honor of my name , Is cause I haue assembled for my guard Some men in armes that may withstand his force , Whose setled malice aymeth at my life . William . Where is Lord Dirot ? Demarch . In armes my gratious Lord Not past two miles from hence , As credibly I am assertained . William . Well , come let vs goe , I feare I shall find traytors of you both . Exit . Enter the Citizen of Manchester and his daughter Elner and Manuile . Citizen . In deed sir it would do verie well If you could intreat your father to come hither : But if you thinke it be too farr , I care not much to take horse and ride to Manchester , I am sure my daughter is content with either : How saiest thou Elner art thou not ? Elner . As you shall think best I must be contented . Manuile . Well Elner farwell , onely thus much , I pray make all things in a readines , Either to serue here or to carry thither with vs . Citizen . As for that sir take you no care , And so I betake you to your iournie . Enter Valingford . But soft what gentleman is this ? Valingf. God speed sir , might a man craue a word or two with you Citizen God forbid els sir , I praye you speake your pleasure . Valingford . The gentleman that parted from you , was he not Of Manchester , his father lyuing there of good account . Citizen . Yes mary is he sir : why doe you aske ? Belike you haue had some acquaintance with him . Valingford I haue beene acquainted in times past , But through his double dealing , I am growen werie of his companie . For be it spoken to you : He hath beene acquainted with a poore millers daughter , And diuers tymes hath promist her mariage . But what with his delayes and floutes , He hath brought her into such a taking , That I feare me it will cost her her life . Citizen . To be playne with you sir : His father and I haue beene of old acquaintance , And a motion was made , Beteewene my daughter and his sonne , Which is now throughly agreed vpon Saue onely the place appoynted for the mariage , Whether it shall be kept here or at Manchester , And for no other occasion he is now ridden . Elner . What hath he done to you ? That you should speake so ill of the man . Valingford . Oh gentlewoman I crie you mercie , He is your husband that shal be . Elner . If I knew this to be true ? He should not be my husband were he neuer so good : And therefore , good father , I would desire you to take the paines To beare this gentleman companie to Manchester to know whether this be true or no . Citizen . Now trust me gentleman he deales with me verie hardly , Knowing how well I ment to him . But I care not much to ride to Manchester To know whether his fathers will be , He should deale with me so badlie . Will it please you sir to goe in , we will presently take horse & awaie . Valingford . If it please you to go in I le followe you presently . Exit Elner and her father . Now shall I be reuenged on Manuile , And by this meanes get Em to my wife . And therefore I will strayght to her fathers And informe them both of all that is hapned . Exit . Enter William , the Ambassador of Denmarke , Demarch , and other attendants . William . What newes with the Denmark Embassador ? Embassador . Mary thus , the King of Denmark and my Soueraine Doth send to know of thee what is the cause That iniuriously against the law of armes , Thou hast stolen awaie his onely daughter Blaunch , The onely staie and comfort of his life . Therefore by me he willeth thee to send his daughter Blaunch : Or else foorthwith he will leuy such an hoste , As soone shall fetch her in dispite of thee . William . Embassador , this answer I retorne thy King . He willeth me to send his daughter Blaunch : Saying I conuaid her from the Danish court , That neuer yet did once as think thereof . As for his menacing and daunting threats I nill regard him nor his Danish power . For if he come to fetch her foorth my Realme , I will prouide him such a banquet here That he shall haue small cause to giue me thanks . Embassador . Is this your answer then ? William It is and so begone . Embassador . I goe but to your cost . Exit AmBassador . William . Demarch our subiects earst leuied in ciuill broyles , Musterd foorthwith for to defend the Realme , In hope whereof that we shall find you true , We freely pardon this thy late offence . Demarch . Most humble thanks I render to your grace . Exeunt . Enter the Miller and Valingford . Miller . Alas gentleman , why should you trouble your self so much Considering the imperfections of my daughter Which is able to with-drawe the loue of any man from her , As alreadie it hath done in her first choyce . Maister Manuile hath forsaken her , And at Chester shal be maried to a mans daughter of no little wealth . But if my daughter knew so much : It would goe verie neere her heart I feare me . Valing Father miller : such is the entyre affection to your daughter , As no misfortune whatsoeuer can alter . My fellow Mountney thou seeste gaue quicly ouer , But I by reason of my good meaning Am not so soone to be changed Although I am borne off with scornes and deniall . Enter Em to them . Miller . Trust me sir I know not what to saie , My daughter is not to be compelled by me , But here she comes herself : speake to her and spare not : For I neuer was troubled with loue matters so much before . Em . Good Lord shall I neuer be rid of this importunate man ? Now must I dissemble blyndnes againe , Once more for thy sake Manuile thus am I inforced , Because I shall complete my full resolued mynde to thee . Father where are you ? Miller . Here sweete Em , answer this gentleman That would so fayne enioye thy loue . Em . Where are you sir ? wil you neuer leaue This idle and vaine pursuite of loue ? Is not England stord enought to content you ? But you must still trouble the poore Contemptible mayd of Manchester . Valing. None can content me but the fayre maide of Manchester . Em . I perceiue loue is vainly described , That being blynd himselfe , Would haue you likewise troubled with a blinde wife , Hauing the benefite of your eyes , But neither follow him so much in follie , But loue one , in whome you may better delight . Valingford . Father Miller , thy daughter shall haue honor By graunting mee her loue : I am a Gentleman of king Williams Court , And no meane man in king Williams fauour . Em . If you be a Lorde syr , as you saye : You offer both yourselfe and mee great wrong : Yours , as apparant in limitting your loue so vnorderly , For which you rashly endure reprochement : Mine , as open and euident , When being shut from the vanities of this world , you would haue me as an open gazing stock to all the world : For lust , not loue leades you into this error : But from the one I will keepe me as well as I can , And yeeld the other to none but to my father , As I am bound by duetie . Valingford . Why faire Em , Manuile hath forsaken thee , And must at Chester be married , which , If I speake otherwise than true , Let thy father speake what credibly he hath heard . Em . But can it be Manuile will deale so vnkindly , To reward my iustice with such monstrous vngentlenes . Haue I dissembled for thy sake ? And doest thou now thus requite it ? In deede these many daies I haue not seene him , Which hath made me marueile at his long absence . But father , are you assured of the wordes he spake , were concerning Manuile ? Miller . In sooth daughter , now it is foorth , I must needes confirme it . Maister Manuile hath forsaken thee , And at Chester must be married To a mans daughter of no little wealth . His owne father procures it , And therefore I dare credit it , And do thou beleeue it , For trust mee daughter it is so . Em . Then good father pardon the iniurie , That I haue don to you onely causing your griefe , By ouer-fond affecting a man so trothlesse . And you likewise sir , I pray holde me excused , As I hope this cause will allow sufficiently for mee : My loue to Manuile , thinking he would requite it , Hath made me double with my father and you , And many more besides , Which I will no longer hyde from you . That inticing speeches should not beguile mee , I haue made my selfe deafe to any but to him . And lest any mans person should please mee more than his , I haue dissembled the want of my sight : Both which shaddowes of my irreuocable affections , I haue not sparde to confirme before him , My father , and all other amorous soliciters . Wherewith not made acquainted , I perceiue My true intent hath wrought mine owne sorrow . And seeking by loue to be regarded , Am cut of with contempt , and dispised . Miller . Tell me sweet Em hast thou but fained all this while for his loue , That hath so descourteously forsaken thee . Em . Credit me father I haue told you the troth , Wherewith I desire you and Lord Valingford not to be displeased For ought else I shall saie , Let my present griefe hold me excused . But may I liue to see that vngratfull man Iustly rewarded for his trecherie ? Poore Em woulde think her selfe not a little happie , Fauour my departing at this instant , For my troubled thought desires to meditate alone in silence Exit Em . Valingf Will not Em shew one chereful looke on Valingford ? Miller . Alas sir , blame her not , you see she hath good cause , being so handled by this gentleman : And so I le leaue you , and go comfort my poore wench As well as I may . Exit the Miller . Valingford . Farewell good father . Exit Valingford . Enter Zweno king of Denmarke with Rosilio , and other attendants . Zweno . Rosilio , Is this the place whereas the Duke William should meete mee ? Rosilio . It is , and like your grace . Zweno . Goe captaine away , regard the charge I gaue : See all our men be martialed for the fight . Dispose the Wardes as lately was deuised . And let the prisoners vnder seuerall gardes Be kept apart vntill you heare from vs . Let this suffise , you know my resolution . If William Duke of Saxon be the man , That by his answere sent vs , he would send Not words but wounds : not parleis but alarmes , Must be descider of this controuersie . Rosilio , stay with mee , the rest begone . Exeunt . Enter William , and Demarch with other attendants William . All but Demarch go shroud you out of sight , For I will goe parley with the Prince my selfe . Demarch . Should Zweno by this parley call you foorth , Vpon intent iniuriously to deale : This offereth too much oportunitie . William . No no Demarch , that were a breach Against the law of Armes : therefore begon , And leaue vs here alone . Exeunt . I see that Zweno is maister of his worde . Zweno , William of Saxonie greeteth thee Either well or yll , according to thy intent . If well thou wish to him and Saxonie , He bids thee frindly welcome as he can . If yll thou wish to him and Saxanie , He must withstand thy mallice as he may . Zweno . William , for other name and title giue I none To him , who were he worthie of those honours That Fortune and his predecessors left , I ought by right and humaine courtesie To grace his style with Duke of Saxonie . But for I finde a base degenerate mynde , I frame my speech according to the man , And not the state that he vnworthie holdes . William . Herein Zweno dost thou abase thy state , To breake the peace which by our auncesters Hath heretofore bene honourably kept . Zweno . And should that peace for euer haue been kept , Had not thy selfe beene author of the breach : Nor stands it with the honor of my state , Or nature of a father to his childe , That I should so be robbed of my daughter , And not vnto the vtmost of my power Reuenge so intollerable an iniurie . William . Is this the colour of your quarrell Zweno ? I well perceiue the wisest men may erre . And thinke you I conueyed away your daughter Blanch ? Zweno . Art thou so impudent to denye thou didst ? When that the proofe thereof is manifest ? William . What proofe is there ? Zweno . Thine owne confession is sufficient proofe . William . Did I confesse I stole your daughter Blanch ? Zweno . Thou didst confesse thou hadst a Ladie hence . William . I haue and do . Zweno . Why that was Blanch my daughter . William . Nay , that was Mariana , who wrongfully thou detainest prisoner . Zweno . Shamelesse persisting in thy ill , Thou doest mayntaine a manifest vntrothe , As shee shall iustifie vnto thy teethe . Rosilio fetch her and the Marques hether . Exit Rosilio for Mariana . William . It cannot be I should be so deceiued . Demarch . I heard this night among the souldiers , That in their watch they tooke a pensiue Ladie : Who at the appoyntment of the Lord Dirot is yet in keeping . What she is I know not , Onely thus much , I ouer-hard by chance . William . And what of this . Demarch . It may be Blaunch the King of Denmarkes daughter . William . It may be so : but on my lyfe it is not ? Yet Demarch , goe and fetch her strayght . Enter Rosilio with the Marques . Rosilio . Pleaseth your highnes , here is the Marques and Mariana . Zweno . See here , Duke William , your competitors That were consenting to my daughters scape . Let them resolue you of the trueth herein , And here I vowe and solemly protest , That in thy presence they shall lose their heds : Vnlesse I here where as my daughter is . William . O Marques Lubeck how it grieueth me , That for my sake thou shouldest indure these bondes . Be iudge my soule that feeles the martirdome . Marques . Duke William , you know it is for your cause , It pleaseth thus the King to misconceiue of me , And for his pleasure doth me iniurie . Enter Demarch with the Ladie Blaunch . Demarch . May it please your hightnes , Here is the Ladie you sent me for , William . Awaie Demarch , what tellest thou me of Ladies ? I so detest the dealing of their sex , As that I count a louers state to be the base And vildest slauerie in the world . Demarch . What humors are these : here s a straunge alteration . Zweno . See Duke William , is this Blaunch or no ? You know her , if you see her I am sure . William . Zweno I was deceiued , yea vtterly deceiued , Yet this is shee : this same is Ladie Blaunch . And for mine error , here I am content To do whatsoeuer Zweno shall set downe . Ah cruell Mariana thus to vse The man which loued and honored thee with his heart . Mariana . When first I came into your highnes court , And William often importing me of loue : I did deuise to ease the griefe your daughter did sustain , Shee should meete Sir William masked as I it were . This put in proofe , did take so good effect , As yet it seemes his grace is not resolued , But it was I which he conueid awaie . William . May this be true ? It cannot be but true . Was it Ladie Blaunch which I conueid awaie ? Vnconstant Mariana , Thus to deale with him which ment to thee nought but faith . Blaunch . Pardon deere father my follyes that are past , Wherein I haue neglected me dutie Which I in reuerence ought to shew your grace , For led by loue I thus haue gone astray , And now repent the errors I was in . Zweno . Stand vp deare daughter though thy fault deserues For to be punisht in the extremest sort . Yet loue that couers multitude of sinns Makes loue in parents winke at childrens faults . Sufficeth Blaunch thy father loues thee so , Thy follies past he knowes but will not know . And here Duke William take my daughter to thy wife . For well I am assured she loues thee well . William . A proper coniuntion : as who should saie , Lately come out of the fyer , I would goe thrust my selfe into the flame . Let Maistres nice goe Saint it where she list , And coyly quaint it with dissembling face . I hold in scorne the fooleries that they vse , I being free will neuer subiect my selfe to any such as shee is vnderneth the Sunne . Zweno . Refusest thou to take my daughter to thy wife ? I tel thee Duke , this rash deniall May bring more mischiefe on thee then thou canst avoide . William . Conseit hath wrought such generall dislike Through the false dealing of Mariana , That vtterly I doe abhore their sex . They are all disloyall , vnconstant , all vniust : Who tryes as I haue tryed , And findes as I haue founde , Will saie ther s no such creatures on the ground . Blanch . Vnconstant Knight , though some deserue no trust Ther s others faithfull , louing , loyall , & iust . Enter to them Valingford with Em and the Miller , and Mountney , and Manuile , and Elner . Willi. How now Lord Valingford what makes these women here ? Valing. Here be two women , may it please your grace , that are contracted to one man , And are in strife whether shall haue him to their husband . William . Stand foorth women and saie , To whether of you did he first giue his faith . Em . To me forsooth . Elner . To me my gratious Lord . William . Speak Manuile , to whether didst thou giue thy faith ? Manuile . To saie the troth : this maide had first my loue . Elner . Yea Manuile , but there was no witnesse by . Em . Thy conscience Manuile a hundred witnesses . Elner . Shee hath stolne a conscience to serue her own turne . But you are deceiued , yfaith he will none of you . Manuile . In deede , dred Lord , so deere I held her loue , As in the same I put my whole delight . But some impediments which at that instant hapned , Made me forsake her quite , For which I had her fathers franke consent . William . What were the impediments ? Manuile . Why shee could neither heare nor see . William . Now shee doth both . Mayden , how were you cured : Em . Pardon my Lord , I le tell your grace the troth , Be it not imputed to mee as discredite . I loued this Manuile so much , that still methought When he was absent did present to mee The forme and feature of that countenance Which I did shrine an ydoll in mine heart . And neuer could I see a man methought That equald Manuile in my partiall eye . Nor was there any loue betweene vs lost , But that I held the same in high regard , Vntill repaire of some vnto our house , Of whome my Manuile grewe thus iealous : As if he tooke exception I vouchsafed To heare them speake , or saw them when they came : On which I straight tooke order with my selfe To voide the scrupule of his conscience , By counterfaiting that I neither sawe nor heard , Any wayes to rid my hands of them . All this I did to keepe my Manuiles loue , Which he vnkindly seekes for to rewarde . Manuile . And did my Em to keepe her faith with mee Dissemble that shee neither heard nor sawe . Pardon me sweet Em , for I am onely thine . Em . Lay off thy hands , disloyall as thou art , Nor shalt thou haue possession of my loue , That canst so finely shift thy matters off . Put case I had beene blinde and could not see , As often times such visitations falles That pleaseth God which all things doth dispose : Shouldest thou forsake mee in regard of that ? I tell thee Manuile , hadst thou beene blinde , Or deafe , or dumbe , or else what impediments might befall to man , Em would haue loued and kept , And honoured thee : yea , begde if wealth had faylde For thy releefe . Manuile . Forgiue mee sweete Em . Em . I do forgiue thee with my heart , And will forget thee too if case I can : But neuer speake to mee , nor seeme to know mee . Manuile . Then farewell frost : Well fare a wench that will . Now , Elner I am thine owne my gyrle . Elner . Mine Manuile ? thou neuer shalt be myne . I so detest thy villanie . That whilest I liue I will abhor thy company . Manuile . Is it come to this ? of late , I had choyce of twaine On either side to haue me to her husband : And now am vtterly reiected of them both . Valingford . My Lord this gentleman when time was Stood some thing in our light , And now I thinke it not a misse To laugh at him that sometime scorned at vs . Mountney . Content my Lord , inuent the forme . Valingford . Then thus . William . I see that women are not generall euils . Blanch is faire : Methinkes I see in her , A modest countenance , a heauenly blush . Zweno , receiue a reconciled foe , Not as thy friend , but as thy sonne in law , If so that thou be thus content . Zweno . I ioy to see your grace so tractable . Here take my daughter Blanch , And after my desease the Denmark crowne . William . Now sir , how stands the case with you ? Manuile . I partly am perswaded as your grace is , My lord , he is best at ease that medleth least . Valingford . Sir may a man be so bolde , As to craue a word with you ? Manuile . Yea , two or three : what are they ? Valingford . I say , this maide will haue thee to her husband . Mountney . And I say this : and therof will I lay an hundred pound . Valingf. And I say this : whereon I will lay as much . Manuile . And I say neither : what say you to that ? Mountney . If that be true : then are we both deceiued . Manuile . Why it is true , and you are both deceiued . Marques . In mine eyes , this is the proprest wench . Might I aduise thee , take her vnto thy wife . Zweno . It seemes to me , shee hath refused him . Marques . Why there s the spite . Zweno . If one refuse him , yet may he haue the other . Marques . He will aske but her good will , and all her friends . Zweno . Might I aduise thee , let them both alone . Manuile . Yea , that s the course , and thereon wil I stand . Such idle loue hencefoorth I will detest . Valingford . The Foxe will eat no grapes , and why ? Mountney . I know full well , because they hang too hye . William . And may it be a Millers daughter by her birth ? I cannot thinke but shee is better borne . Valingford . Sir Thomas Goddard hight this reuerent man , Famed for his vertues and his good successe : Whose fame hath beene renowmed through the world . William . Sir Thomas Goddard welcome to thy Prince , And faire Em , frolike with thy good father . As glad am I to finde Sir Thomas Goddard As good Sir Edmund Treford on the plaines : He like a sheepheard , and thou our countrie Miller . Miller . And longer let not Goddard liue a day , Then he in honour loues his soueraigne . William . But say Sir Thomas , shall I giue thy daughter ? Miller . Goddard and all that he hath , Doth rest at the pleasure of your Maiestie . William . And what sayes Em to louely Valingford ? It seemde he loued you well , That for your sake durst leaue his King . Em . Em restes at the pleasure of your highnes : And would I were a wife for his desert . William . Then here Lord Valingford , Receiue faire Em. Here take her , make her thy espoused wife . Then goe we in , that preparation may be made , to see these nuptials solemly performed . Exeunt all . Sound drummes and Trumpets .

FINIS .