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CONTENTS

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

ACT I.

Scene I.

Scene II

ACT II.

Scene I.

Scene II

Scene III.

ACT 3.

Scene I.

Scene II.

Scene III.

Scene IV.

Scene V.

Scene VI.

ACT 4.

Scene I.

Scene II.

Scene III.

Scene IV.

Scene V.

ACT 5.

Scene I.

Scene II.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

AURELIUS, King of Brittain.

VORTIGER, King of (Welsh) Brittain.

UTER PENDRAGON the Prince, Brother to AURELIUS.

DONOBERT, a Nobleman, and Father to CONSTANTIA and MODESTIA.

The Earl of GLOUCESTER, and Father to EDWYN.

EDOLL, Earl of Chester, and General to King AURELIUS.

CADOR, Earl of Cornwall, and Suitor to CONSTANTIA.

EDWYN, Son to the Earl of GLOUCESTER, and Suitor to MODESTIA.

TOCLIO and OSWALD, two Noblemen.

MERLIN the Prophet.

ANSELME the Hermit, after Bishop of Winchester.

Clown, brother to JONE, mother of MERLIN.

Sir NICHODEMUS NOTHING, a Courtier.

The Devil, father of MERLIN.

OSTORIUS, the Saxon General.

OCTA, a Saxon Nobleman

PROXIMUS, a Saxon Magician.

Two Bishops.

Two Saxon Lords.

Two of EDOLS Captains.

Two Gentlemen.

A little Antick Spirit.

ARTESIA, Sistor to OSTORIUS the Saxon General

CONSTANTIA and MODESTIA, Daughters to DONOBERT.

JONE GOE-TOO'T, Mother of MERLIN.

A Waiting-woman to ARTESIA.

LUCINA, Queen of the Shades.

The Scene Ancient Britain.

ACT I.

Scene I.

A Room In The Castle Of Lord DONOBERT.)

Enter DONOBERT, GLOUCESTER, CADOR, EDWIN, CONSTANTIA And MODESTIA.

CADOR.

You teach me language, sir, as one that knows

The Debt of Love I owe unto her Vertues;

Wherein like a true Courtier I have fed

My self with hope of fair Success, and now

Attend your wisht consent to my long Suit.

DONO.

Believe me, youthful Lord,

Time could not give an opportunity

More fitting your desires, always provided,

My Daughters love be suited with my Grant.

CADOR.

'Tis the condition, sir, her Promise seal'd.

DONO.

Ist so, Constantia.

CONSTAN.

I was content to give him words for oathes;

He swore so oft he lov'd me-

DONO.

That thou believest him?

CONST.

He is a man, I hope.

DONO.

That's in the trial, Girl.

CONST.

However, I am a woman, sir.

DONO.

The Law's on thy side then: sha't have a Husband,

I, and a worthy one. Take her, brave Cornwal,

And make her happiness great as our wishes.

CADOR.

Sir, I thank you.

GLOST.

Double the fortunes of the day, my Lord,

And crown my wishes too: I have a son here,

Who in my absence would protest no less

Unto your other Daughter.

DONO.

Ha, Gloucester, is it so? what says Lord Edwin?

Will she protest as much to thee?

EDWIN.

Else she must want some of her Sisters faith, Sir.

MODESTA.

Of her credulity much rather, Sir:

My Lord, you are a Soldier, and methinks

The height of that Profession should diminish

All heat of Loves desires,

Being so late employ'd in blood and ruins.

EDWIN.

The more my Conscience tyes me to repair

The worlds losses in a new succession.

MODEST.

Necessity, it seems, ties your affections them,

And at that rate I would unwillingly

Be thrust upon you; a wife is a dish soon cloys, sir.

EDWIN.

Weak and diseased appetites it may.

MODEST.

Most of your making have dull stomacks, sir.

DONO.

If that be all, Girl, thou shalt quicken him;

Be kinde to him, Modesta: Noble Edwin,

Let it suffice, what's mine in her speaks yours;

For her consent, let your fair suit go on,

She is a woman, sir, and will be won.

EDWIN.

You give me comfort, sir.

Enter TOCLIO.

DONO.

Now, Toclio?

TOCLIO.

The King, my honor'd Lords, requires your presence,

And calls a Councel for return of answer

Unto the parling enemy, whose Embassadors

Are on the way to Court.

DONO.

So suddenly?

Chester, it seems, has ply'd them hard at war,

They sue so fast for peace, which by my advice

They ne're shall have, unless they leave the Realm.

Come, noble Gloucester, let's attend the King.

It lies, sir, in your Son to do me pleasure,

And save the charges of a Wedding Dinner;

If you'l make haste to end your Love affairs,

One cost may give discharge to both my