• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

To punish those that shall offend the laws?

WILLIAM.

In knowing this, I know thou art a traitor;

A rebel, and mutinous conspirator.

Why, Demarch, knowest thou who I am?

DEMARCH.

Pardon, my dread Lord, the error of my sense,

And misdemeaner to your princely excellencie.

WILLIAM.

Why, Demarch,

What is the cause my subjects are in arms?

DEMARCH.

Free are my thoughts, my dread and gratious Lord,

From treason to your state and common weal;

Only revengement of a private grudge

By Lord Dirot lately profered me,

That stands not with the honor of my name,

Is cause I have assembled for my guard

Some men in arms that may withstand his force,

Whose settled malice aimeth at my life.

WILLIAM.

Where is Lord Dirot?

DEMARCH.

In arms, my gratious Lord,

Not past two miles from hence, as credibly

I am assertained.

WILLIAM.

Well; come, let us go.

I fear I shall find traitors of you both.

[Exit.]

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Chester. Before the Citizen's House.

[Enter the Citizen of Chester, and his daughter Elner, and

Manville.]

CITIZEN.

In deed, sir, it would do very well if you could intreat your

father to come hither: but if you think it be too far, I care

not much to take horse and ride to Manchester. I am sure my

daughter is content with either. How sayest thou, Elner, art thou not?

ELNER.

As you shall think best I must be contented.

MANVILLE.

Well, Elner, farewell. Only thus much, I pray: make all

things in a readiness, either to serve here, or to carry

thither with us.

CITIZEN.

As for that, sir, take you no care; and so I betake you to your journey.

[Exit Manville.]

[Enter Valingford.]

But soft, what gentleman is this?

VALINGFORD.

God speed, sir. Might a man crave a word or two with you?

CITIZEN.

God forbid else, sir; I pray you speak your pleasure.

VALINGFORD.

The gentleman that parted from you, was he not of Manchester,

his father living there of good account?

CITIZEN.

Yes, marry is he, sir. Why do you ask? Belike you have had

some acquaintance with him.

VALINGFORD.

I have been acquainted in times past, but, through his double

dealing, I am growen weary of his company. For, be it spoken

to you, he hath been acquainted with a poor millers daughter,

and diverse times hath promist her marriage. But what with

his delays and flouts he hath brought her into such a taking

that I fear me it will cost her her life.

CITIZEN.

To be plain with you, sir, his father and I have been of old

acquaintance, and a motion was made between my daughter and

his son, which is now throughly agreed upon, save only the

place appointed for the marriage, 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 speak so ill of the man?

VALINGFORD.

Oh, gentlewoman, I cry you mercy: he is your husband that shall be.

ELNER.

If I knew this to be true, he should not be my husband were

he never so good: And therefore, good father, I would

desire you to take the pains to bear this gentleman company

to Manchester, to know whether this be true or no.

CITIZEN.

Now trust me, gentleman, he deals with me very hardly,

knowing how well I meant to him; but I care not much to

ride to Manchester, to know whether his fathers will be he

should deal with me so badly. Will it please you, sir, to

go in? We will presently take horse and away.

VALINGFORD.

If it please you to go in, I'll follow you presently.

[Exit Elner and her father.]

Now shall I be revenged on Manville, and by this means get

Em to my wife; and therefore I will straight to her fathers

and inform them both of all that is happened.

[Exit.]

SCENE II.

The English Court.

[Enter William, the Ambassador of Denmark, Demarch, and

other attendants.]

WILLIAM.

What news with the Denmark Embassador?

EMBASSADOR.

Marry, thus:

The King of Denmark and my Sovereign

Doth send to know of thee what is the cause

That injuriously, against the law of arms,

Thou hast stolen away