Chapter 51

_Enter_ TIPSTAVES, LIBERALITY, SHERIFF, CLERKS, CRIER, PRODIGALITY, [_to whom_] _the_ JUDGE.

TIP. Room, my masters, give place, stand by: Sir Equity hath sent me to let you understand, That hither he will resort out of hand, To sit upon the arraignment of Prodigality.

LIB. In good time.

TIP. Behold, he comes.

LIB. Now, Equity, how falls the matter out?

EQ. That Prodigality is guilty of the fact, no doubt. And therefore for furtherance of justice effectually, My lord the judge comes to sit upon him presently: Wherein we crave your assistance.

LIB. I'll wait upon you.

TIP. Room, my masters, room for my lord: stand by.

_The_ JUDGE _placed, and the_ CLERKS _under him_.

JUDGE. Call for the prisoner.

CLERK. Make an oyes, Crier.

CRIER. Oyes, oyes, oyes!

CLERK. Sheriff of Middlesex.

CRIER. Sheriff of Middlesex.

CLERK. Bring forth the prisoner.

CRIER. Bring forth the prisoner.

CLERK. Prodigality.

CRIER. Prodigality.

CLERK. Pain of the peril shall fall thereon.

CRIER. Pain of the peril shall fall thereon.

SHER. Here, sir.

CLERK. Prodigality, hold up thy hand. [_He holds it up_. Thou art indicted here by the name of Prodigality, For that thou, the fourth day of February, In the three and forty year of the prosperous reign Of Elizabeth, our dread sovereign, By the grace of God, of England, France, and Ireland queen, Defender of the faith, &c., Together with the other malefactors yet unknown, At Highgate,[417] in the county of Middlesex, aforesaid, Didst feloniously take from one Tenacity, Of the parish of Pancridge,[418] yeoman, in the said county, One thousand pounds of gold and silver sterling. And also, how thyself, the said Prodigality, With a sword, price twenty shillings, then and there cruelly Didst give the said Tenacity upon the head One mortal wound, whereof he is now dead, Contrary to the queen's peace, her crown, and dignity.

JUDGE. How say'st thou, Prodigality, to this robbery, Felony, and murther? art thou guilty Or not guilty?

PROD. My lord, I beseech you Grant me counsel to plead my cause.

JUDGE. That may not be; it standeth not with our laws.

PROD. Then, good my lord, let me some respite take.

JUDGE. Neither may that be; thus doth the indictment lie, Thou art accus'd of murther and of robbery, To which thou must now answer presently, Whether thou be thereof guilty or not guilty.

PROD. Well, since there is no other remedy, And that my fact falls out so apparently, I will confess that indeed I am guilty, Most humbly appealing to the prince's mercy.

JUDGE. Then what canst thou say for thyself, Prodigality, That according to the law thou shouldst not die?

PROD. Nothing, my lord; but still appeal to the prince's mercy.

JUDGE. Then hearken to thy judgment: thou, Prodigality, by that name hast been Indicted and arraigned here of a robbery, Murther, and felony, against the laws committed By thee: the indictment whereof being read unto thee Here, thou confessest thyself to be guilty therein: Whereupon I judge thee to be had from hence To the place thou cam'st fro, and from thence to The place of execution, there to be hanged, Till thou be dead. God have mercy on thee!

PROD. My lord, I most humbly beseech you to hear me.

JUDGE. Say on.

PROD. I confess I have run a wanton wicked race, Which now hath brought me to this woful wretched case: I am heartily sorry, and with tears do lament My former lewd and vile misgovernment. I find the brittle stay of trustless Fortune's state. My heart now thirsteth after Virtue all too late: Yet, good my lord, of pity condescend To be a mean for him that meaneth to amend. The prince is merciful, of whose great mercy Full many have largely tasted already; Which makes me appeal thereto more boldly.

JUDGE. Prodigality, I not mislike your wailful disposition; And therefore for you to the prince there shall be made petition, That though your punishment be not fully remitted, Yet in some part it may be qualified.

PROD. God save your life!

VIRTUE, EQUITY, LIBERALITY, JUDGE, _and all come down before the_ QUEEN, _and, after reverence made_, VIRTUE _speaketh_

THE EPILOGUE.

_Most mighty queen, yonder I sat in place, Presenting show of chiefest dignity; Here prostrate, lo, before your princely grace I show myself, such as I ought to be, Your humble vassal, subject to your will, With fear and love your grace to reverence still_.

FINIS.

GRIM THE COLLIER OF CROYDON.

EDITION.

_Grim the Collier of Croyden; or, The Devil and his Dame: with the Devil and Saint Dunston. By I.T. London. Printed in the year_ [1662]. 12mo.

INTRODUCTION

The initial letters J.T. are placed before this play as those belonging to the author of it. What his name was, or what his condition, are alike unknown. It was printed in 12mo, 1662, with two others, "Thorny Abby; or, The London Maid," and "The Marriage Broker," in a volume entitled "Gratiae Theatrales; or, A Choice Ternary of English Plays." Chetwood says it was printed in 1599, and Whincop, in the year 1606.[419] I cannot but suspect the fidelity of both these writers in this particular.[420]

PROLOGUE

You're welcome; but our plot I dare not tell ye, For fear I fright a lady with great belly: Or should a scold be 'mong you, I dare say She'd make more work than the devil in the play. Heard you not never how an actor's wife, Whom he (fond fool) lov'd dearly as his life, Coming in's way did chance to get a jape,[421] As he was 'tired in his devil's shape; And how equivocal a generation Was then begot, and brought forth thereupon? Let it not fright you; this I dare to say, Here is no lecherous devil in our play. He will not rumple Peg, nor Joan, nor Nan, But has enough at home to do with Marian, Whom he so little pleases, she in scorn Does teach his devilship to wind the horn; But if your children cry when Robin comes, You may to still them buy here pears or plums. Then sit you quiet all who are come in, St Dunstan will soon enter and begin.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

ST DUNSTAN, _Abbot of Glastonbury_. MORGAN, _Earl of London_. LACY, _Earl of Kent_. HONOREA, _Morgan's daughter_. MARIAN, _her Waiting-maid_. NAN, _Marian's maid_. MUSGRAVE, _a young Gentleman_. CAPTAIN CLINTON. MILES FORREST, _a Gentleman_. RALPH HARVEY, _an Apothecary_. GRIM, _the Collier of Croydon_. PARSON SHORTHOSE. CLACK, _a Miller_. JOAN, _a Country Maid_. PLUTO, | MINOS, | AEACUS | _Devils_. RHADAMANTHUS, | BELPHEGOR, | AKERCOCK, _or Robin Goodfellow_, | MALBECCO'S _Ghost, Officers, Attendants, &c.

The Stage is England_.

GRIM[422] THE COLLIER OF CROYDON.