A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 103

Methinks it is a pretty homely wench: I promise thee, Ethenwald, I like her well.

ETHENWALD.

My lord, she is a homely kitchen-maid, And one whose bringing up hath been but rude, And far unfit for Edgar's company; But if your grace want merry company, I will send for ladies wise and courteous, To be a.s.sociates with your majesty.

Or if your grace will have musicians sent for, I will fetch your grace the best in all this land.

KING.

Ethenwald, no: I will have the kitchen-maid; And therefore, if you love me, send for her, For, till she come, I cannot be content.

ETHENWALD.

Father, I will not fetch her. 'Swouns! see, where she comes.

_Enter_ ALFRIDA _in the_ KITCHEN-MAID'S _attire_.

ALFRIDA.

Successful fortune and his heart's content Daily attend the person of the king.

And, Edgar, know that I am Alfrida, daughter to Osrick, And lately made the Earl of Cornwall's wife.

KING.

Why, is not this Alfrida?

ALFRIDA.

No, my good lord; it is the kitchen-maid, Whom Ethenwald, in too much love to me, Hath thus attir'd to dally with the king.

MAID.

By my troth, my lord, she lies. Go to; I'll course you by and by.

KING.

Away, base strumpet, get thee from my sight.

MAID.

Go your ways; you are a cogging knave, I warrant you.

[_Exit_.

KING.

Base Ethenwald, dissembler that thou art, So to dissemble with thy sovereign; And afterward, under a show of love, Thou cam'st to soothe thy lesing to the king, Meaning by that to make me to conceive, That thy intent was just and honourable.

But, see, at last thou hast deceived thyself, And Edgar hath found out thy subtlety; Which to requite think Edgar is thy enemy, And vows to be revenged for this ill.-- Go to thy husband, beauteous Alfrida, For Edgar can subdue affects in love.

ALFRIDA.

Thanks, gracious king, mirror of courtesy, Whose virtuous thoughts bewray thy princely mind, And makes thee famous 'mongst thy enemies: For what is he that hears of Edgar's name, And will not yield him praise as he deserves.

Nor hath your grace ever been praised more, Or term'd more just in any action, Than you shall be in conquering your desires, And yielding pardon to Earl Ethenwald.

KING.

Will you be gone?

ALFRIDA.

My gracious lord, I humbly take my leave.

[ALFRIDA _and_ ETHENWALD _Exeunt_.

KING.

How am I wrong'd, and yet without redress!

DUNSTAN.

Have patience, good my lord, and call to mind, How you have lived praised for virtuous government.

You have subdued l.u.s.t unto this day, And been reputed wise in government, And will you blemish all your honours got, In being termed a foul adulterer?

KING.

Dunstan, forbear, for I will have it so: It boots thee not to counsel me in this, For I have sworn the death of Ethenwald; And he shall die, or Edgar will not live.

Dunstan, it is enough; I am resolved.

[_Exit_.

DUNSTAN.

Nay, if it be so, then Ethenwald shall not die?

And since entreaties cannot serve the turn, I will make proof for once what art will do.

Astoroth[319], ascende! veni, Astoroth, Astoroth, veni!

_Enter the_ DEVIL.

DEVIL.

What wilt thou?

DUNSTAN.

Tell me, what means the king?

DEVIL.

I will not tell thee.

DUNSTAN.

I charge thee, by the eternal living G.o.d, That keeps the prince of darkness bound in chains, And by that sun that thou wouldst gladly see, By heaven and earth, and every living thing, Tell me that which I did demand of thee.

DEVIL.

Then thus: the king doth mean to murther Ethenwald.

DUNSTAN.

But where is the king?

DEVIL.

Seeking for Ethenwald.

DUNSTAN.

But I'll prevent him: follow me invisible.

DEVIL.

I will.

[_Exeunt_.

_Enter the_ PRIEST.