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CLOWN.

Who, the Gentleman? he's gone, sister.

JOAN.

Oh! I am undone, then! Run, tell him I did

But faint for joy; dear brother, haste; why dost thou stay?

Oh, never cease, till he give answer to thee.

CLOWN.

He: which he? what do you call him, tro?

JOAN.

Unnatural brother,

Shew me the path he took; why dost thou dally?

Speak, oh, which way went he?

CLOWN.

This way, that way, through the bushes there.

JOAN.

Were it through fire,

The Journey's easie, winged with sweet desire. (Exit)

CLOWN.

Hey day, there's some hope of this yet. Ile follow here for kindreds sake;

if she miss of her purpose now, she'l challenge all she findes, I see;

for if we ever meet with a two-leg'd creature in the whole Kingdom,

the Childe shall have a Father, that's certain.

(Exit)

Scene II

An Ante-chamber At The British Court.)

Loud Musick. Enter Two With The Sword And Mace, CADOR, EDWIN,

Two Bishops, AURELIUS, OSTORIUS, Leading ARTESIA Crown'd, CONSTANCIA,

MODESTIA, OCTA, PROXIMUS A Magician, DONOBERT, GLOUCESTER, OSWOLD, TOCLIO;

All Pass Over The Stage.

Manet DONOBERT, GLOUCESTER, EDWIN, CADOR.

DONO.

Come, Gloucester, I do not like this hasty Marriage.

GLOUCESTER.

She was quickly wooed and won: not six days since

Arrived an enemy to sue for Peace,

And now crown'd Queen of Brittain; this is strange.

DONO.

Her brother too made as quick speed in coming,

Leaving his Saxons and his starved Troops,

To take the advantage, whilst 'twas offer'd.

'Fore heaven, I fear the King's too credulous;

Our Army is discharg'd too.

GLOUCESTER.

Yes, and our General commanded home.

Son Edwin, have you seen him since?

EDWIN.

He's come to Court, but will not view the presence,

Nor speak unto the King; he's so discontent

At this so strange aliance with the Saxon,

As nothing can perswade his patience.

CADOR.

You know his humor will indure no check,

No, if the King oppose it:

All crosses feeds both his spleend and his impatience;

Those affections are in him like powder,

Apt to inflame with every little spark,

And blow up all his reason.

GLOUCESTER.

Edo of Chester is a noble Soldier.

DONO.,

So is he, by the Rood, ever most faithful

To the King and Kingdom, how e're his passions guide him.

Enter EDOLL With Captains.

CADOR.

See where he comes, my Lord.

OMNES.

Welcome to Court, brave Earl.

EDOL.

Do not deceive me by your flatteries:

Is not the Saxon here? the League confirm'd?

The Marriage ratifi'd? the Court divided

With Pagan Infidels, the least part Christians,

At least in their commands? Oh, the gods!

It is a thought that takes away my sleep,

And dulls my sense so I scarcely know you:

Prepare my horses, Ile away to Chester.

CAPT.

What shall we do with our Companies, my Lord?

EDOL.

Keep them at home to increase Cuckolds,

And get some Cases for your Captainships;

Smooth up your brows, the wars has spoil'd your faces,

And few will now regard you.

DONO.

Preserve your patience, Sir.

EDOL.

Preserve your Honors, Lords, your Countries Safety,

Your Lives and Lands from strangers. What black devil

Could so bewitch a King, so to discharge

A Royal Army in the height of conquest,

Nav, even already made victorious,

To gie such credit to an enemy,

A starved foe, a stragling fugitive,

Beaten beneath our feet, so low dejected,

So servile, and so base, as hope of life

Had won them all to leave the Land for ever?

DONO.

It was the Kings will.

EDOL.

It was your want of wisdom,

That should have laid before his tender youth

The dangers of a State, where forain Powers

Bandy for Soveraignty with Lawful Kings;

Whoe being settled once, to assure themselves,

Will never fail to seek the blood and life

Of all competitors.

DONO.

Your words sound well, my Lord, and point at safety,

Both for the Realm and us; but why did you,

Within whose power it lay, as General,

With full Commission to dispose the wr,

Lend ear to parly witht he weakned foe?

EDOL.

Oh the good Gods!

CADOR.

And on that parly came this Embassie.