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Kings may do it, man; the like has been done to finde out the Unicorn.

1. GENTLE.

Which will be sooner found, I think, than this fiend begotten childe

we seek for.

2. GENTLE.

Pox of those Conjurers that would speak of such a one, and yet all

their cunning could not tell us where to finde him.

1. GENTLE.

I Wales they say assuredly he lives; come, let's enquire further.

MER.

Uncle, your perswasions must not prevail with me: I know mine

enemies better then you do.

CLOWN.

I say, th'art a bastard then, if thou disobey thine Uncle: was not

Joan Go-too't, thy mother, my sister? If the devil were thy father,

what kin art thou to any man alive but Bailys and Brokers?

and they are but brothers in Law to thee neither.

1. GENTLE.

How's this? I think we shall speed here.

2. GENTLE.

I, and unlook't for too: go ne're and listen to them.

CLOWN.

Hast thou a beard to hide it? wil't thou show thy self a childe?

wil't thou have more hair then wit? Wil't thou deny thy mother,

because no body knows thy father? Or shall thine Uncle be an ass?

1. GENTLE.

Bless ye, friend: pray, what call you this small Gentlemans name?

CLOWN.

Small, ir? a small man may be a great Gentleman: his father may

be of an ancient house, for ought we know, sir.

2. GENTLE.

Why? do you not know his father?

CLOWN.

No, nor you neither, I think, unless the devil be in ye.

1. GENTLE.

What is his name, sir?

CLOWN.

His name is my Cousin, sir, his education is my sisters son,

but his maners are his own.

MERLIN.

Why ask ye, Gentlemen? my name is Merlin.

CLOWN.

Yes, and a Goshawk was his father, for ought we know; for I am sure

his mother was a Wind-sucker.

2. GENTLE.

He has a mother, then?

CLOWN.

As sure as I have a sister, sir.

1. GENTLE.

But his father you leave doubtful.

CLOWN.

Well, Sir, as wise men as you doubt whether he had a father or no?

1. GENTLE.

Sure, this is he we seek for.

2. GENT.

I think no less: and, sir, we let you know

The King hath sent for you.

CLOWN.

The more childe he; and he had bin rul'd by me,

He should have gone before he was sent for.

1. GENT.

May we not see his mother?

CLOWN.

Yes, and feel her too, if you anger her; a devilish thing,

I can tell ye, she has been. Ile go fetch her.

(Exit.

2. GENT.

Sir, it were fit you did resolve for speed,

You must unto the King.

MER.

My Service, sir,

Shall need no strict command, it shall obey

Most peacably; but needless 'tis to fetch

What is brought home: my journey may be staid,

The King is coming hither

With the same quest you bore before him; hark,

This drum will tell ye.

(Within Drums beat a low March.

1. GENT.

This is some cunning indeed, sir.

Florish. Enter VORTIGER, reading a letter, PROXIMUS,

with Drum and Soldiers, etc.

VORTI.

Still in our eye your message, Proximus,

We keep to spur our speed:

Ostorius and Octa we shall salute

With succor against Prince uter and Aurelius,

Whom now we hear incamps at Winchester.

There's nothing interrupts our way so much

As doth the erection of this fatal Castle,

That spite of all our Art and daily labor,

The night still ruines.

PROX.

As erst I did affirm, still I maintain,

The fiend begotten childe must be found ou,

Whose blood gives strength to the foundation;

It cannot stand else.

Enter CLOWN and JOAN, MERLIN.

VORTI.

Ha! Is't so?

Then, Proximus, by this intelligence

He should be found: speak, is this he you tell of?

CLOWN.

Yes, Sir, and I his Uncle, and she his mother.

VORTI.

And who is his father?

CLOWN.

Why, she, his mother, can best tell you that, and yet I think the

childe be wise enough, for he has found his father.

VORT.

Woman, is this thy son?

JOAN.

It is, my Lord.

VOR.

What was his father? Or where lives he?

MERL.

Mother, speak freely and unastonisht;

That which you dar'd to act, dread not to name.

JOAN.

In which I shall betray my sin and shame.

But since it must be so, then know, great King,

All that my self yet knows of him is this:

In pride of blood and beauty