Chapter 102

Elianor. It is enough, Ile thinke vpon the Questions: When from Saint Albones we doe make returne, Wee'le see these things effected to the full. Here Hume, take this reward, make merry man With thy Confederates in this weightie cause.

Exit Elianor

Hume. Hume must make merry with the Duchesse Gold: Marry and shall: but how now, Sir Iohn Hume? Seale vp your Lips, and giue no words but Mum, The businesse asketh silent secrecie. Dame Elianor giues Gold, to bring the Witch: Gold cannot come amisse, were she a Deuill. Yet haue I Gold flyes from another Coast: I dare not say, from the rich Cardinall, And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolke; Yet I doe finde it so: for to be plaine, They (knowing Dame Elianors aspiring humor) Haue hyred me to vnder-mine the Duchesse, And buzze these Coniurations in her brayne. They say, A craftie Knaue do's need no Broker, Yet am I Suffolke and the Cardinalls Broker. Hume, if you take not heed, you shall goe neere To call them both a payre of craftie Knaues. Well, so it stands: and thus I feare at last, Humes Knauerie will be the Duchesse Wracke, And her Attainture, will be Humphreyes fall: Sort how it will, I shall haue Gold for all. Enter.

Enter three or foure Petitioners, the Armorers Man being one.

1.Pet. My Masters, let's stand close, my Lord Protector will come this way by and by, and then wee may deliuer our Supplications in the Quill

2.Pet. Marry the Lord protect him, for hee's a good man, Iesu blesse him. Enter Suffolke, and Queene.

Peter. Here a comes me thinkes, and the Queene with him: Ile be the first sure

2.Pet. Come backe foole, this is the Duke of Suffolk, and not my Lord Protector

Suff. How now fellow: would'st any thing with me? 1.Pet. I pray my Lord pardon me, I tooke ye for my Lord Protector

Queene. To my Lord Protector? Are your Supplications to his Lordship? Let me see them: what is thine? 1.Pet. Mine is, and't please your Grace, against Iohn Goodman, my Lord Cardinals Man, for keeping my House, and Lands, and Wife and all, from me

Suff. Thy Wife too? that's some Wrong indeede. What's yours? What's heere? Against the Duke of Suffolke, for enclosing the Commons of Melforde. How now, Sir Knaue? 2.Pet. Alas Sir, I am but a poore Petitioner of our whole Towneship

Peter. Against my Master Thomas Horner, for saying, That the Duke of Yorke was rightfull Heire to the Crowne

Queene. What say'st thou? Did the Duke of Yorke say, hee was rightfull Heire to the Crowne? Peter. That my Mistresse was? No forsooth: my Master said, That he was, and that the King was an Vsurper

Suff. Who is there? Enter Seruant.

Take this fellow in, and send for his Master with a Purseuant presently: wee'le heare more of your matter before the King.

Enter.

Queene. And as for you that loue to be protected Vnder the Wings of our Protectors Grace, Begin your Suites anew, and sue to him.

Teare the Supplication.

Away, base Cullions: Suffolke let them goe

All. Come, let's be gone. Enter.

Queene. My Lord of Suffolke, say, is this the guise? Is this the Fashions in the Court of England? Is this the Gouernment of Britaines Ile? And this the Royaltie of Albions King? What, shall King Henry be a Pupill still, Vnder the surly Glosters Gouernance? Am I a Queene in Title and in Stile, And must be made a Subiect to a Duke? I tell thee Poole, when in the Citie Tours Thou ran'st a-tilt in honor of my Loue, And stol'st away the Ladies hearts of France; I thought King Henry had resembled thee, In Courage, Courtship, and Proportion: But all his minde is bent to Holinesse, To number Aue-Maries on his Beades: His Champions, are the Prophets and Apostles, His Weapons, holy Sawes of sacred Writ, His Studie is his Tilt-yard, and his Loues Are brazen Images of Canonized Saints. I would the Colledge of the Cardinalls Would chuse him Pope, and carry him to Rome, And set the Triple Crowne vpon his Head; That were a State fit for his Holinesse

Suff. Madame be patient: as I was cause Your Highnesse came to England, so will I In England worke your Graces full content

Queene. Beside the haughtie Protector, haue we Beauford The imperious Churchman; Somerset, Buckingham, And grumbling Yorke: and not the least of these, But can doe more in England then the King

Suff. And he of these, that can doe most of all, Cannot doe more in England then the Neuils: Salisbury and Warwick are no simple Peeres

Queene. Not all these Lords do vex me halfe so much, As that prowd Dame, the Lord Protectors Wife: She sweepes it through the Court with troups of Ladies, More like an Empresse, then Duke Humphreyes Wife: Strangers in Court, doe take her for the Queene: She beares a Dukes Reuenewes on her backe, And in her heart she scornes our Pouertie: Shall I not liue to be aueng'd on her? Contemptuous base-borne Callot as she is, She vaunted 'mongst her Minions t' other day, The very trayne of her worst wearing Gowne, Was better worth then all my Fathers Lands, Till Suffolke gaue two Dukedomes for his Daughter

Suff. Madame, my selfe haue lym'd a Bush for her, And plac't a Quier of such enticing Birds, That she will light to listen to the Layes, And neuer mount to trouble you againe. So let her rest: and Madame list to me, For I am bold to counsaile you in this; Although we fancie not the Cardinall, Yet must we ioyne with him and with the Lords, Till we haue brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace. As for the Duke of Yorke, this late Complaint Will make but little for his benefit: So one by one wee'le weed them all at last, And you your selfe shall steere the happy Helme. Enter.

Sound a Sennet.

Enter the King, Duke Humfrey, Cardinall, Buckingham, Yorke, Salisbury, Warwicke, and the Duchesse.

King. For my part, Noble Lords, I care not which, Or Somerset, or Yorke, all's one to me

Yorke. If Yorke haue ill demean'd himselfe in France, Then let him be denay'd the Regentship

Som. If Somerset be vnworthy of the Place, Let Yorke be Regent, I will yeeld to him

Warw. Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no, Dispute not that, Yorke is the worthyer

Card. Ambitious Warwicke, let thy betters speake

Warw. The Cardinall's not my better in the field

Buck. All in this presence are thy betters, Warwicke

Warw. Warwicke may liue to be the best of all

Salisb. Peace Sonne, and shew some reason Buckingham Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this? Queene. Because the King forsooth will haue it so

Humf. Madame, the King is old enough himselfe To giue his Censure: These are no Womens matters

Queene. If he be old enough, what needs your Grace To be Protector of his Excellence? Humf. Madame, I am Protector of the Realme, And at his pleasure will resigne my Place

Suff. Resigne it then, and leaue thine insolence. Since thou wert King; as who is King, but thou? The Common-wealth hath dayly run to wrack, The Dolphin hath preuayl'd beyond the Seas, And all the Peeres and Nobles of the Realme Haue beene as Bond-men to thy Soueraigntie

Card. The Commons hast thou rackt, the Clergies Bags Are lanke and leane with thy Extortions

Som. Thy sumptuous Buildings, and thy Wiues Attyre Haue cost a masse of publique Treasurie

Buck. Thy Crueltie in execution Vpon Offendors, hath exceeded Law, And left thee to the mercy of the Law

Queene. Thy sale of Offices and Townes in France, If they were knowne, as the suspect is great, Would make thee quickly hop without thy Head.

Exit Humfrey.

Giue me my Fanne: what, Mynion, can ye not?

She giues the Duchesse a box on the eare.

I cry you mercy, Madame: was it you? Duch. Was't I? yea, I it was, prowd French-woman: Could I come neere your Beautie with my Nayles, I could set my ten Commandements in your face

King. Sweet Aunt be quiet, 'twas against her will

Duch. Against her will, good King? looke to't in time, Shee'le hamper thee, and dandle thee like a Baby: Though in this place most Master weare no Breeches, She shall not strike Dame Elianor vnreueng'd.

Exit Elianor.

Buck. Lord Cardinall, I will follow Elianor, And listen after Humfrey, how he proceedes: Shee's tickled now, her Fume needs no spurres, Shee'le gallop farre enough to her destruction.

Exit Buckingham.

Enter Humfrey.

Humf. Now Lords, my Choller being ouer-blowne, With walking once about the Quadrangle, I come to talke of Common-wealth Affayres. As for your spightfull false Obiections, Proue them, and I lye open to the Law: But God in mercie so deale with my Soule, As I in dutie loue my King and Countrey. But to the matter that we haue in hand: I say, my Soueraigne, Yorke is meetest man To be your Regent in the Realme of France

Suff. Before we make election, giue me leaue To shew some reason, of no little force, That Yorke is most vnmeet of any man

Yorke. Ile tell thee, Suffolke, why I am vnmeet. First, for I cannot flatter thee in Pride: Next, if I be appointed for the Place, My Lord of Somerset will keepe me here, Without Discharge, Money, or Furniture, Till France be wonne into the Dolphins hands: Last time I danc't attendance on his will, Till Paris was besieg'd, famisht, and lost

Warw. That can I witnesse, and a fouler fact Did neuer Traytor in the Land commit

Suff. Peace head-strong Warwicke

Warw. Image of Pride, why should I hold my peace? Enter Armorer and his Man.

Suff. Because here is a man accused of Treason, Pray God the Duke of Yorke excuse himselfe

Yorke. Doth any one accuse Yorke for a Traytor? King. What mean'st thou, Suffolke? tell me, what are these? Suff. Please it your Maiestie, this is the man That doth accuse his Master of High Treason; His words were these: That Richard, Duke of Yorke, Was rightfull Heire vnto the English Crowne, And that your Maiestie was an Vsurper

King. Say man, were these thy words? Armorer. And't shall please your Maiestie, I neuer sayd nor thought any such matter: God is my witnesse, I am falsely accus'd by the Villaine

Peter. By these tenne bones, my Lords, hee did speake them to me in the Garret one Night, as wee were scowring my Lord of Yorkes Armor

Yorke. Base Dunghill Villaine, and Mechanicall, Ile haue thy Head for this thy Traytors speech: I doe beseech your Royall Maiestie, Let him haue all the rigor of the Law

Armorer. Alas, my Lord, hang me if euer I spake the words: my accuser is my Prentice, and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow vpon his knees he would be euen with me: I haue good witnesse of this; therefore I beseech your Maiestie, doe not cast away an honest man for a Villaines accusation

King. Vnckle, what shall we say to this in law? Humf. This doome, my Lord, if I may iudge: Let Somerset be Regent o're the French, Because in Yorke this breedes suspition; And let these haue a day appointed them For single Combat, in conuenient place, For he hath witnesse of his seruants malice: This is the Law, and this Duke Humfreyes doome

Som. I humbly thanke your Royall Maiestie

Armorer. And I accept the Combat willingly

Peter. Alas, my Lord, I cannot fight; for Gods sake pitty my case: the spight of man preuayleth against me. O Lord haue mercy vpon me, I shall neuer be able to fight a blow: O Lord my heart

Humf. Sirrha, or you must fight, or else be hang'd

King. Away with them to Prison: and the day of Combat, shall be the last of the next moneth. Come Somerset, wee'le see thee sent away.

Flourish. Exeunt.

Enter the Witch, the two Priests, and Bullingbrooke.

Hume. Come my Masters, the Duchesse I tell you expects performance of your promises

Bulling. Master Hume, we are therefore prouided: will her Ladyship behold and heare our Exorcismes? Hume. I, what else? feare you not her courage

Bulling. I haue heard her reported to be a Woman of an inuincible spirit: but it shall be conuenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while wee be busie below; and so I pray you goe in Gods Name, and leaue vs.

Exit Hume.

Mother Iordan, be you prostrate, and grouell on the Earth; Iohn Southwell reade you, and let vs to our worke. Enter Elianor aloft.

Elianor. Well said my Masters, and welcome all: To this geere, the sooner the better

Bullin. Patience, good Lady, Wizards know their times: Deepe Night, darke Night, the silent of the Night, The time of Night when Troy was set on fire, The time when Screech-owles cry, and Bandogs howle, And Spirits walke, and Ghosts breake vp their Graues; That time best fits the worke we haue in hand. Madame, sit you, and feare not: whom wee rayse, Wee will make fast within a hallow'd Verge.

Here doe the Ceremonies belonging, and make the Circle, Bullingbrooke or Southwell reades, Coniuro te, &c. It Thunders and Lightens terribly: then the Spirit riseth.

Spirit. Ad sum

Witch. Asmath, by the eternall God, Whose name and power thou tremblest at, Answere that I shall aske: for till thou speake, Thou shalt not passe from hence

Spirit. Aske what thou wilt; that I had sayd, and done

Bulling. First of the King: What shall of him become? Spirit. The Duke yet liues, that Henry shall depose: But him out-liue, and dye a violent death

Bulling. What fates await the Duke of Suffolke? Spirit. By Water shall he dye, and take his end

Bulling. What shall befall the Duke of Somerset? Spirit. Let him shun Castles, Safer shall he be vpon the sandie Plaines, Then where Castles mounted stand. Haue done, for more I hardly can endure

Bulling. Discend to Darknesse, and the burning Lake: False Fiend auoide.

Thunder and Lightning. Exit Spirit.

Enter the Duke of Yorke and the Duke of Buckingham with their Guard, and breake in.

Yorke. Lay hands vpon these Traytors, and their trash: Beldam I thinke we watcht you at an ynch. What Madame, are you there? the King & Commonweale Are deepely indebted for this peece of paines; My Lord Protector will, I doubt it not, See you well guerdon'd for these good deserts

Elianor. Not halfe so bad as thine to Englands King, Iniurious Duke, that threatest where's no cause

Buck. True Madame, none at all: what call you this? Away with them, let them be clapt vp close, And kept asunder: you Madame shall with vs. Stafford take her to thee. Wee'le see your Trinkets here all forth-comming. All away. Enter.

Yorke. Lord Buckingham, me thinks you watcht her well: A pretty Plot, well chosen to build vpon. Now pray my Lord, let's see the Deuils Writ. What haue we here?

Reades.

The Duke yet liues, that Henry shall depose: But him out-liue, and dye a violent death. Why this is iust, Aio aeacida Romanos vincere posso. Well, to the rest: Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolke? By Water shall he dye, and take his end. What shall betide the Duke of Somerset? Let him shunne Castles, Safer shall he be vpon the sandie Plaines, Then where Castles mounted stand. Come, come, my Lords, These Oracles are hardly attain'd, And hardly vnderstood. The King is now in progresse towards Saint Albones, With him, the Husband of this louely Lady: Thither goes these Newes, As fast as Horse can carry them: A sorry Breakfast for my Lord Protector

Buck. Your Grace shal giue me leaue, my Lord of York, To be the Poste, in hope of his reward

Yorke. At your pleasure, my good Lord. Who's within there, hoe? Enter a Seruingman.

Inuite my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick To suppe with me to morrow Night. Away.

Exeunt.

Enter the King, Queene, Protector, Cardinall, and Suffolke, with Faulkners hallowing.

Queene. Beleeue me Lords, for flying at the Brooke, I saw not better sport these seuen yeeres day: Yet by your leaue, the Winde was very high, And ten to one, old Ioane had not gone out

King. But what a point, my Lord, your Faulcon made, And what a pytch she flew aboue the rest: To see how God in all his Creatures workes, Yea Man and Birds are fayne of climbing high

Suff. No maruell, and it like your Maiestie, My Lord Protectors Hawkes doe towre so well, They know their Master loues to be aloft, And beares his thoughts aboue his Faulcons Pitch

Glost. My Lord, 'tis but a base ignoble minde, That mounts no higher then a Bird can sore: Card. I thought as much, hee would be aboue the Clouds

Glost. I my Lord Cardinall, how thinke you by that? Were it not good your Grace could flye to Heauen? King. The Treasurie of euerlasting Ioy

Card. Thy Heauen is on Earth, thine Eyes & Thoughts Beat on a Crowne, the Treasure of thy Heart, Pernitious Protector, dangerous Peere, That smooth'st it so with King and Common-weale

Glost. What, Cardinall? Is your Priest-hood growne peremptorie? Tantæne animis Coelestibus iræ, Church-men so hot? Good Vnckle hide such mallice: With such Holynesse can you doe it? Suff. No mallice Sir, no more then well becomes So good a Quarrell, and so bad a Peere

Glost. As who, my Lord? Suff. Why, as you, my Lord, An't like your Lordly Lords Protectorship

Glost. Why Suffolke, England knowes thine insolence

Queene. And thy Ambition, Gloster

King. I prythee peace, good Queene, And whet not on these furious Peeres, For blessed are the Peace-makers on Earth

Card. Let me be blessed for the Peace I make Against this prowd Protector with my Sword

Glost. Faith holy Vnckle, would't were come to that

Card. Marry, when thou dar'st

Glost. Make vp no factious numbers for the matter, In thine owne person answere thy abuse

Card. I, where thou dar'st not peepe: And if thou dar'st, this Euening, On the East side of the Groue

King. How now, my Lords? Card. Beleeue me, Cousin Gloster, Had not your man put vp the Fowle so suddenly, We had had more sport. Come with thy two-hand Sword

Glost. True Vnckle, are ye aduis'd? The East side of the Groue: Cardinall, I am with you

King. Why how now, Vnckle Gloster? Glost. Talking of Hawking; nothing else, my Lord. Now by Gods Mother, Priest, Ile shaue your Crowne for this, Or all my Fence shall fayle

Card. Medice teipsum, Protector see to't well, protect your selfe

King. The Windes grow high, So doe your Stomacks, Lords: How irkesome is this Musick to my heart? When such Strings iarre, what hope of Harmony? I pray my Lords let me compound this strife. Enter one crying a Miracle

Glost. What meanes this noyse? Fellow, what Miracle do'st thou proclayme? One. A Miracle, a Miracle

Suffolke. Come to the King, and tell him what Miracle

One. Forsooth, a blinde man at Saint Albones Shrine, Within this halfe houre hath receiu'd his sight, A man that ne're saw in his life before

King. Now God be prays'd, that to beleeuing Soules Giues Light in Darknesse, Comfort in Despaire. Enter the Maior of Saint Albones, and his Brethren, bearing the man betweene two in a Chayre.

Card. Here comes the Townes-men, on Procession, To present your Highnesse with the man

King. Great is his comfort in this Earthly Vale, Although by his sight his sinne be multiplyed

Glost. Stand by, my Masters, bring him neere the King, His Highnesse pleasure is to talke with him

King. Good-fellow, tell vs here the circumstance, That we for thee may glorifie the Lord. What, hast thou beene long blinde, and now restor'd? Simpc. Borne blinde, and't please your Grace

Wife. I indeede was he

Suff. What Woman is this? Wife. His Wife, and't like your Worship

Glost. Hadst thou been his Mother, thou could'st haue better told

King. Where wert thou borne? Simpc. At Barwick in the North, and't like your Grace

King. Poore Soule, Gods goodnesse hath beene great to thee: Let neuer Day nor Night vnhallowed passe, But still remember what the Lord hath done

Queene. Tell me, good-fellow, Cam'st thou here by Chance, or of Deuotion, To this holy Shrine? Simpc. God knowes of pure Deuotion, Being call'd a hundred times, and oftner, In my sleepe, by good Saint Albon: Who said; Symon, come; come offer at my Shrine, And I will helpe thee

Wife. Most true, forsooth: And many time and oft my selfe haue heard a Voyce, To call him so

Card. What, art thou lame? Simpc. I, God Almightie helpe me

Suff. How cam'st thou so? Simpc. A fall off of a Tree

Wife. A Plum-tree, Master

Glost. How long hast thou beene blinde? Simpc. O borne so, Master

Glost. What, and would'st climbe a Tree? Simpc. But that in all my life, when I was a youth

Wife. Too true, and bought his climbing very deare

Glost. 'Masse, thou lou'dst Plummes well, that would'st venture so

Simpc. Alas, good Master, my Wife desired some Damsons, and made me climbe, with danger of my Life

Glost. A subtill Knaue, but yet it shall not serue: Let me see thine Eyes; winck now, now open them, In my opinion, yet thou seest not well

Simpc. Yes Master, cleare as day, I thanke God and Saint Albones

Glost. Say'st thou me so: what Colour is this Cloake of? Simpc. Red Master, Red as Blood

Glost. Why that's well said: What Colour is my Gowne of? Simpc. Black forsooth, Coale-Black, as Iet

King. Why then, thou know'st what Colour Iet is of? Suff. And yet I thinke, Iet did he neuer see

Glost. But Cloakes and Gownes, before this day, a many

Wife. Neuer before this day, in all his life

Glost. Tell me Sirrha, what's my Name? Simpc. Alas Master, I know not

Glost. What's his Name? Simpc. I know not

Glost. Nor his? Simpc. No indeede, Master

Glost. What's thine owne Name? Simpc. Saunder Simpcoxe, and if it please you, Master

Glost. Then Saunder, sit there, The lying'st Knaue in Christendome. If thou hadst beene borne blinde, Thou might'st as well haue knowne all our Names, As thus to name the seuerall Colours we doe weare. Sight may distinguish of Colours: But suddenly to nominate them all, It is impossible. My Lords, Saint Albone here hath done a Miracle: And would ye not thinke it, Cunning to be great, That could restore this Cripple to his Legges againe

Simpc. O Master, that you could? Glost. My Masters of Saint Albones, Haue you not Beadles in your Towne, And Things call'd Whippes? Maior. Yes, my Lord, if it please your Grace

Glost. Then send for one presently

Maior. Sirrha, goe fetch the Beadle hither straight. Enter.

Glost. Now fetch me a Stoole hither by and by. Now Sirrha, if you meane to saue your selfe from Whipping, leape me ouer this Stoole, and runne away

Simpc. Alas Master, I am not able to stand alone: You goe about to torture me in vaine. Enter a Beadle with Whippes.

Glost. Well Sir, we must haue you finde your Legges. Sirrha Beadle, whippe him till he leape ouer that same Stoole

Beadle. I will, my Lord. Come on Sirrha, off with your Doublet, quickly

Simpc. Alas Master, what shall I doe? I am not able to stand.

After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leapes ouer the Stoole, and runnes away: and they follow, and cry, A Miracle.

King. O God, seest thou this, and bearest so long? Queene. It made me laugh, to see the Villaine runne

Glost. Follow the Knaue, and take this Drab away

Wife. Alas Sir, we did it for pure need

Glost. Let the[m] be whipt through euery Market Towne, Till they come to Barwick, from whence they came. Enter.

Card. Duke Humfrey ha's done a Miracle to day

Suff. True: made the Lame to leape and flye away

Glost. But you haue done more Miracles then I: You made in a day, my Lord, whole Townes to flye. Enter Buckingham.

King. What Tidings with our Cousin Buckingham? Buck. Such as my heart doth tremble to vnfold: A sort of naughtie persons, lewdly bent, Vnder the Countenance and Confederacie Of Lady Elianor, the Protectors Wife, The Ring-leader and Head of all this Rout, Haue practis'd dangerously against your State, Dealing with Witches and with Coniurers, Whom we haue apprehended in the Fact, Raysing vp wicked Spirits from vnder ground, Demanding of King Henries Life and Death, And other of your Highnesse Priuie Councell, As more at large your Grace shall vnderstand

Card. And so my Lord Protector, by this meanes Your Lady is forth-comming, yet at London. This Newes I thinke hath turn'd your Weapons edge; 'Tis like, my Lord, you will not keepe your houre

Glost. Ambitious Church-man, leaue to afflict my heart: Sorrow and griefe haue vanquisht all my powers; And vanquisht as I am, I yeeld to thee, Or to the meanest Groome

King. O God, what mischiefes work the wicked ones? Heaping confusion on their owne heads thereby