Category: Plays/Films/Dramas

Robert Greene: [Six Plays]

_Cari._ My noble son, since first I did recount The noble acts your predecessors did In Arragon against their warlike foes, I never yet could see thee joy at all, But hanging down thy head as malcontent, Thy youthful days in mourning have been spent. Tell me, Alphonsus, what m...

Chapters

92. SCENE I.--_At Bradford.

_K. Edw._ Come on, King James; now we are thus disguis'd, There's none, I know, will take us to be kings: I think we are now in Bradford, Where all the merry shoemakers dwell.

13. SCENE III.--_The Camp of_ ALPHONSUS.

_Medea._ Nay, Amurack, this is no time to jar: Although thy wife did, in her frantic mood, Use speeches which might better have been spar'd, Yet do thou not judge this same time...

33. SCENE I.--_The Palace of_ MARSILIUS.

_Mars._ Victorious princes, summon'd to appear Within the continent of Africa; From seven-fold Nilus to Taprobany, Where fair Apollo darting forth his light Plays on the seas; F...

36. SCENE I.--_Near the Castle of_ MARSILIUS.

_Med._ Madam, the king your father's wise enough; He knows the county, like to Cassius, Sits sadly dumping, aiming Cæsar's death, Yet crying "Ave" to his majesty.[148] But, mada...

77. SCENE VI.--_Camp of the_ KING OF SCOTS.

_K. of Scots._ He would have parley, lords. Herald, say he shall, And get thee gone. Go, leave me to myself. [_Exit_ Herald.--_Lords retire._ 'Twixt love and fear, continual is...

59. SCENE I.--_The Court at Edinburgh.

_K. of Scots._ Brother of England, since our neighbouring lands And near alliance do invite our loves, The more I think upon our last accord, The more I grieve your sudden parti...

93. Scene I.

[114] A famous comic trick in the early plays. Adam is a late figure of the Vice type. Compare _Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay_ (V. 2) in which Miles is carried off on a Devil's b...

58. SCENE III.--_At Court.

_Enter the_ EMPEROR _with a pointless sword; next the_ KING OF CASTILE _carrying a sword with a point;_ LACY _carrying the globe;_ WARREN _carrying a rod of gold with a dove on...

51. SCENE II.--_At Oxford.

_Emp._ Trust me, Plantagenet, these Oxford schools Are richly seated near the river-side: The mountains full of fat and fallow deer, The battling[209] pastures lade[210] with ki...

63. SCENE II.--_The Court at Edinburgh.

_Bp. of St And._ [_aside_]. Like to a ship upon the ocean-seas, Tost in the doubtful stream, without a helm, Such is a monarch without good advice. I am o'erheard: cast rein upo...

21. SCENE II.--_A Public Place in Nineveh.

_Samia._ Ah little boy, how glad thy mother would Supply thy wants, but naked need denies! Thy father's slender portion in this world By usury and false deceit is lost: No chari...

62. SCENE I.--_Porch to the Castle of the_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN.

_Ida._ Yet would I, might I choose, be honest-poor; For she that sits at fortune's feet a-low Is sure she shall not taste a further woe; But those that prank on top of fortune's...

42. SCENE II.--_The Camp of_ MARSILIUS.

_Mars._ Fought is the field, and Sacripant is slain, With such a massacre of all his men, As Mars, descending in his purple robe, Vows with Bellona in whole heaps of blood To ba...

3. SCENE I.--_A Battle-field.

_Alphon._ Go pack thou hence unto the Stygian lake, And make report unto thy traitorous sire How well thou hast enjoy'd the diadem Which he by treason set upon thy head; And if...

84. SCENE III.--_At Wakefield.

_Geo._ The sweet content of men that live in love Breeds fretting humours in a restless mind; And fancy, being check'd by fortune's spite, Grows too impatient in her sweet desir...

6. SCENE II.--_Palace of_ AMURACK _at Constantinople.

_Amu._ Welcome, Belinus, to thy cousin's court, Whose late arrival in such posting pace Doth bring both joy and sorrow to us all; Sorrow, because the fates have been so false To...

18. SCENE II.--_A Court of Justice in Nineveh.

_Thras._ I need not, sir, discourse unto you the duty of lawyers in tendering the right cause of their clients, nor the conscience you are tied unto by higher command. Therefore...

28. SCENE I.--_The Palace of_ RASNI.

_Rasni._ So, viceroys, you have pleas'd me passing well; These curious cates are gracious in mine eye, But these borachios of the richest wine Make me to think how blithesome we...

19. SCENE III.--_A Street near the_ King's _Palace.

_First Ruf._ [_to Second Ruf._] Why, sirrah slave, by heaven's maker, thinkest thou the wench loves thee best because she laughed on thee? give me but such another word, and I w...

10. SCENE III.--_Camp of_ AMURACK, _near Naples.

_Amu._ Fabius, come hither: what is that thou sayest? What did God Mahound prophesy to us? Why do our viceroys wend unto the wars Before their king had notice of the same? What,...

48. SCENE III.--FRIAR BACON'S _Cell.

_Bacon._ Now, frolic Edward, welcome to my cell; Here tempers Friar Bacon many toys, And holds this place his consistory-court, Wherein the devils plead homage to his words. Wit...

43. SCENE I.--_At Framlingham.

_Lacy._ Why looks my lord like to a troubled sky, When heaven's bright shine is shadowed with a fog? Alate we ran the deer, and through the lawnds Stripp'd[173] with our nags th...

52. SCENE III.--_At Fressingfield.

_Lam._ Come, frolic Keeper of our liege's game, Whose table spread hath other venison And jacks of wines to welcome passengers, Know I'm in love with jolly Margaret, That oversh...

44. SCENE II.--FRIAR BACON'S _cell at Brazen-nose.

_Bacon._ Now, masters of our academic state, That rule in Oxford, viceroys in your place, Whose heads contain maps of the liberal arts, Spending your time in depth of learnèd sk...

17. SCENE I.--_The Palace of_ RASNI.

_Remil._ Fair queens, yet handmaids unto Rasni's love, Tell me, is not my state as glorious As Juno's pomp, when tir'd with heaven's despoil, Clad in her vestments spotted all w...

50. SCENE I.--_At Fressingfield.

_P. Edw._ Lacy, thou canst not shroud thy traitorous thoughts, Nor cover, as did Cassius, all thy wiles; For Edward hath an eye that looks as far As Lyncæus from the shores of G...

61. SCENE III.--SIR BARTRAM'S _Castle.

_Sir Bar._ But tell me, lovely Eustace, as thou lov'st me, Among the many pleasures we have pass'd, Which is the rifest in thy memory, To draw thee over to thine ancient friend?

16. SCENE III.--_At the_ Usurer's.

_Thras._ Sir, I hope, how far soever you make it off, you remember, too well for me, that this is the day wherein I should pay you money that I took up of you alate in a commodi...

1. SCENE I.--_Near Naples.

_Cari._ My noble son, since first I did recount The noble acts your predecessors did In Arragon against their warlike foes, I never yet could see thee joy at all, But hanging do...

15. SCENE II.--_A Public Place in Nineveh.

_Angel._ Amaze not, man of God, if in the spirit Thou'rt brought from Jewry unto Nineveh; So was Elias wrapt within a storm, And set upon Mount Carmel by the Lord: For thou hast...

66. SCENE III.--_The Palace of the_ KING OF SCOTS.

_Q. Dor._ Thy credit, Bartram, in the Scottish court, Thy reverend years, the strictness of thy vows, All these are means sufficient to persuade; But love, the faithful link of...

25. SCENE III.--_The Garden of_ RASNI'S _Palace.

_Alvi._ Ladies, go sit you down amidst this bower, And let the eunuchs play you all asleep: Put garlands made of roses on your heads, And play the wantons whilst I talk a while.

14. SCENE I.--_The Palace of_ RASNI _in Nineveh.

_Rasni._ So pace ye on, triumphant warriors; Make Venus' leman,[56] arm'd in all his pomp, Bash at the brightness of your hardy looks; For you, the viceroys and the cavaliers, T...

53. SCENE I.--FRIAR BACON'S _Cell_.

FRIAR BACON _draws the curtains and is discovered, lying on a bed,_[222] _with a white stick in one hand, a book in the other, and a lamp lighted beside him; and the_ Brazen Hea...

60. SCENE II.--_Public Place in Edinburgh.

_Slip._ How mean you that, sir, of what trade? Marry, I'll tell you, I have many trades: the honest trade when I needs must; the filching trade when time serves; the cozening tr...

32. SCENE V.--_The Palace of_ RASNI.

_Jonas._ Come, careful king, cast off thy mournful weeds, Exchange thy cloudy looks to smoothèd smiles; Thy tears have pierc'd the piteous throne of grace, Thy sighs, like incen...

65. SCENE II.--_The Same.

_And._ I tell thee, my master's horses have galled backs, and therefore cannot fit the king. Purveyor, purveyor, purvey thee of more wit: darest thou presume to wrong my Lord At...

7. SCENE III.--_A Grove.

_Medea._ Fausta, what means this sudden flight of yours? Why do you leave your husband's princely court, And all alone pass through these thickest groves, More fit to harbour br...

40. SCENE II.--_A Grove.

_Orl._ Then go thy ways, and climb up to the clouds, And tell Apollo that Orlando sits Making of verses for Angelica. And if he do deny to send me down The shirt which Deianira...

69. SCENE III.--_A Public Place near the Palace.

_And._ Marry, sir, a place of great promotion, where thou shalt by one turn above ground rid the world of a knave, and make a goodly ensample for all bloody villains of thy prof...

49. SCENE IV.--_The Regent House at Oxford.

_Mason._ Now that we are gathered in the Regent House, It fits us talk about the king's repair; For he, troop'd with all the western kings, That lie along'st the Dantzic seas by...

47. SCENE II.--_A Street in Oxford.

_Ralph._ Marry, sir, I'll send to the Isle of Ely for four or five dozen of geese, and I'll have them tied six and six together with whip-cord: now upon their backs will I have...

38. SCENE II.--_An Open Place in the Woods.

_Orl._ Soldiers, this is the city of great Babylon, Where proud Darius was rebated from: Play but the men, and I will lay my head, We'll sack and raze it ere the sun be set.

71. SCENE V.--_Another part of the Forest.

_K. of Scots._ Stay, Jaques, fear not, sheath thy murdering blade: Lo, here thy king and friends are come abroad To save thee from the terrors of pursuit. What, is she dead?

75. SCENE IV.--_Near the Scottish Camp.

_Law._ My friends, what think you of this present state? Were ever seen such changes in a time? The manners and the fashions of this age Are, like the ermine-skin, so full of sp...

9. SCENE II.--_Near Naples.

_Cari._ No sooner had God Phœbus' brightsome beams Begun to dive within the western seas, And darksome Nox had spread about the earth Her blackish mantle, but a drowsy sleep Did...

72. SCENE I._--Castle of_ SIR CUTHBERT ANDERSON.

_Nano._ Look not too much, it is a weighty case Whereas a man puts on a maiden's face; For many times, if ladies 'ware them not, A nine months' wound, with little work is got.

56. SCENE I.--_A Meadow near the Keepers Lodge.

_Keeper._ Margaret, be not so headstrong in these vows: O, bury not such beauty in a cell, That England hath held famous for the hue! Thy father's hair, like to the silver bloom...

29. SCENE II.--_A Street near the Temple.

_Usurer._ Groaning in conscience, burden'd with my crimes, The hell of sorrow haunts me up and down. Tread where I list, methinks the bleeding ghosts Of those whom my corruption...

4. SCENE II.--_Another Part of the Field.

_Læli._ My noble lords of Arragon, I know You wonder much what might the occasion be That Lælius, which erst did fly the field, Doth egg you forwards now unto the wars; But when...

55. SCENE III.--FRIAR BACON'S _Cell_.

_Bacon._ Ah, Bungay, my Brazen Head is spoil'd, My glory gone, my seven years' study lost! The fame of Bacon, bruited through the world, Shall end and perish with this deep disg...

27. SCENE V.--_A Public Place near the_ Usurer's.

_Thras._ Loath'd is the life that now enforc'd I lead; But since necessity will have it so, (Necessity that doth command the gods), Through every coast and corner now I pry, To...

88. SCENE I.--_Camp of_ KING EDWARD.

_K. Edw._ Brother of Scotland, I do hold it hard, Seeing a league of truce was late confirm'd 'Twixt you and me, without displeasure offer'd You should make such invasion in my...

8. SCENE I.--_The Temple of_ MAHOMET.

_First Pr._ My fellow priest of Mahound's holy house, What can you judge of these strange miracles Which daily happen in this sacred seat? [_Drums rumble within._ Hark, what a r...

20. SCENE I.--_A Seaport in Judea.

_Jonas._ From forth the depth of my imprison'd soul Steal you, my sighs, [to] testify my pain; Convey on wings of mine immortal tone, My zealous prayers unto the starry throne....

2. SCENE II.--_The Camp of_ BELINUS.

_Beli._ Thus far, my lords, we trainèd have our camp For to encounter haughty Arragon, Who with a mighty power of straggling mates Hath traitorously assailèd this our land, And...

5. SCENE I.--_Camp of_ ALPHONSUS, _near Naples.

_Alphon._ Welcome, brave youths of Arragon, to me, Yea, welcome, Miles, Lælius, and the rest, Whose prowess alone hath been the only cause That we, like victors, have subdu'd ou...

31. SCENE IV.--_Within the City of Nineveh.

_Adam._ Well, Goodman Jonas, I would you had never come from Jewry to this country; you have made me look like a lean rib of roast beef, or like the picture of Lent painted upon...

79. SCENE II.--_At Wakefield.

_Jus._ Master Mannering, stand aside, whilst we confer What is best to do.--Townsmen of Wakefield, The Earl of Kendal here hath sent for victuals; And in aiding him we show ours...

45. SCENE III.--_Harleston Fair.

_Thom._ By my troth, Margaret, here's a weather is able to make a man call his father "whoreson": if this weather hold, we shall have hay good cheap, and butter and cheese at Ha...

23. SCENE I.--_Joppa.

_Master._ The fair Triones with their glimmering light Smil'd at the foot of clear Bootes' wain, And in the north, distinguishing the hours, The loadstar of our course dispers'd...

82. SCENE I.--_Before_ SIR JOHN-A-BARLEY'S _Castle_.

_Ned._ To seek some birds, and kill them, if I can: And now my schoolmaster is also gone, So have I liberty to ply my bow; For when he comes, I stir not from my book.

22. SCENE III.--_Within the_ Smith's _House.

_Adam._ Why, but hear you, mistress: you know a woman's eyes are like a pair of pattens, fit to save shoe-leather in summer, and to keep away the cold in winter; so you may like...

54. SCENE II.--_At Court.

_Emp._ Now, lovely prince, the prime of Albion's wealth, How fare the Lady Elinor and you? What, have you courted and found Castile fit To answer England in equivalence? Will 't...

86. SCENE II.--_A Wood near Wakefield.

_Ken._ Father, I am sure you hear the news, how that The Earl of Kendal wars against the king. Now, father, we three are gentlemen by birth, But younger brethren that want reven...

26. SCENE IV.--_A Public Place in Nineveh.

_Devil._ Longer lives a merry man than a sad; and because I mean to make myself pleasant this night, I have put myself into this attire, to make a clown afraid that passeth this...

39. SCENE I.--_The Camp of the_ Twelve Peers of France.

_Ogier._ Brave peers of France, sith we have pass'd the bounds, Whereby the wrangling billows seek for straits To war with Tellus, and her fruitful mines; Sith we have furrow'd...

76. SCENE V.--_Castle of_ SIR CUTHBERT ANDERSON.

_Nano._ If so you please, my lord, I straight will show it: The English king hath all the borders spoil'd, Hath taken Morton prisoner, and hath slain Seven thousand Scottish lad...

30. SCENE III.--_Outside the City of Nineveh.

_Jonas._ This is the day wherein the Lord hath said That Nineveh shall quite be overthrown; This is the day of horror and mishap, Fatal unto the cursèd Ninevites. These stately...

70. SCENE IV.--_The Forest near Edinburgh.

_Q. Dor._ Ah, Nano, I am weary of these weeds, Weary to wield this weapon that I bear, Weary of love from whom my woe proceeds, Weary of toil, since I have lost my dear. O weary...

81. SCENE IV.--_At Bradford.

_Bon._ Now, gentle Grime, God-a-mercy for our good cheer; Our fare was royal, and our welcome great: And sith so kindly thou hast entertain'd us, If we return with happy victory...

41. SCENE I.--_A Battle-field.

_Orl._ Stay, princes, 'base not yourselves to combat such a dog. Mount on your coursers, follow those that fly, And let your conquering swords be tainted in their bloods: Pass y...

57. SCENE II.--FRIAR BACON'S _Cell.

_Dev._ How restless are the ghosts of hellish spirits, When every charmer with his magic spells, Calls us from nine-fold-trenchèd Phlegethon, To scud and over-scour the earth in...

37. SCENE I.--_The Woods near the Castle of_ MARSILIUS.

_Orl._ Woods, trees, leaves; leaves, trees, woods; _tria sequuntur tria_.--Ho, Minerva! _salve_, good-morrow; how do you to-day? Tell me, sweet goddess, will Jove send Mercury t...

90. SCENE III.--_At Bradford.

_Jen._ My masters, he that hath neither meat nor money, and hath lost his credit with the alewife, for anything I know, may go supperless to bed.--But, soft! who is here? here i...

46. SCENE I.--_The Court at Hampton House.

_K. Hen._ Great men of Europe, monarchs of the West, Ring'd with the walls of old Oceanus, Whose lofty surge is like the battlements That compass'd high-built Babel in with towe...

64. SCENE I.--_Edinburgh.

_Slip._ O simple-witted! mark my reason. They that do good service in the commonweal are gentlemen; but such as rub horses do good service in the commonweal; ergo, tarbox, maste...

91. SCENE IV.--_At Wakefield.

_Bet._ O, George, how little pleasing are these words! Came I from Bradford for the love of thee, And left my father for so sweet a friend? Here will I live until my life do end.

34. SCENE II.--_Before the Walls of_ RODOMONT'S _Castle.

_Orl._ Princes of France, the sparkling light of fame, Whose glory's brighter than the burnish'd gates From whence Latona's lordly son doth march, When, mounted on his coach tin...

12. SCENE II.--_Another Part of the Field.

_Iphi._ How now, Alphonsus! you which never yet Could meet your equal in the feats of arms, How haps it now that in such sudden sort You fly the presence of a silly maid? What,...

68. SCENE II.--_Near the Castle of the_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN.

_Count. of A._ Lord Eustace, as your youth and virtuous life Deserve a far more fair and richer wife, So, since I am a mother, and do wit What wedlock is, and that which 'longs...

85. SCENE I.--_Before_ GRIME'S _house in Bradford.

_Wily._ O, what is love! it is some mighty power, Else could it never conquer George-a-Greene. Here dwells a churl that keeps away his love: I know the worst, an if I be espied,...

78. SCENE I.--_At Bradford.

_Ken._ Welcome to Bradford, martial gentlemen, Lord Bonfield, and Sir Gilbert Armstrong both; And all my troops, even to my basest groom, Courage and welcome! for the day is our...

74. SCENE III.--_The English Camp before Dunbar.

_K. of Eng._[291] Thus far, ye English peers, have we display'd Our waving ensigns with a happy war; Thus nearly hath our furious rage reveng'd My daughter's death upon the trai...

24. SCENE II.--_The Seashore near Nineveh.

_Jonas._ Lord of the light, thou maker of the world, Behold, thy hands of mercy rear me up! Lo, from the hideous bowels of this fish Thou hast return'd me to the wishèd air! Lo,...

89. SCENE II.--ROBIN HOOD'S _Retreat.

_Mar._ Nothing, my Robin, grieves me to the heart But, whensoever I do walk abroad, I hear no songs but all of George-a-Greene; Bettris, his fair leman, passeth me: And this, my...

11. SCENE I.--_A Battle-field near Naples.

_Fausta._ You Turkish kings, what sudden flight is this? What mean the men, which for their valiant prowess Were dreaded erst clean through the triple world, Thus cowardly to tu...

73. SCENE II.--_Porch to the Castle of the_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN.

_First Revel._ Fair Ida, sir, was married yesterday Unto Sir Eustace, and for that intent We feast and sport it thus to honour them: An, if you please, come in and take your par...

87. SCENE III.--_A Wood near Wakefield.

_Geo._ Here sit thou, George, wearing a willow wreath, As one despairing of thy beauteous love: Fie, George! no more; Pine not away for that which cannot be. I cannot joy in any...

80. SCENE III.--_In Westmoreland.

_Cud._ Father, you know the ancient enmity of late Between the Musgroves and the wily Scots, Whereof they have oath Not to leave one alive that strides a lance. O father, you ar...

83. SCENE II.--_The Same.

_Jane._ Come in, young Cuddy, come and drink thy fill: Bring in King Jamy with you as a guest; For all this broil was 'cause he could not enter. [_Exit above.--Exeunt below, the...

35. SCENE III.--_A Battle-field.

67. SCENE I.--_On the King's Preserves.