A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 43

AMADINE. Dear father, Never were your sorrows greater than my griefs: Never you so desolate as I comfortless.

Yet, nevertheless, acknowledging myself To be the cause of both, on bended knees I humbly crave your pardon.

KING. I'll pardon thee, dear daughter, but as for Him----

AMADINE. Ah, father! what of him?

KING. As sure as I am king, and wear the crown, I will revenge on that accursed wretch.

MUCEDORUS. Yet, worthy prince, work not thy will in wrath: Show favour.

KING. Ay, such favour as thou deservest.

MUCEDORUS. I do deserve the daughter of a king.

KING. O, impudent! a shepherd and so insolent?

MUCEDORUS. No shepherd [am] I, but a worthy prince.

KING. In fair conceit, not princely born.

MUCEDORUS. Yes, princely born; my father is a king, My mother queen, and of Valentia both.

KING. What, Mucedorus? welcome to our court!

What cause hadst thou to come to me disguis'd?

MUCEDORUS. No cause to fear; I caused no offence, But this--desiring thy daughter's virtues for to see, Disguis'd myself from out my father's court, Unknown to any. In secret I did rest, And pa.s.sed many troubles near to death; So hath your daughter my partaker been, As you shall know hereafter more at large, Desiring you, you will give her to me, Even as mine own, and sovereign of my life, Then shall I think my travels are well spent.

KING. With all my heart, but this-- Segasto claims my promise made tofore, That he should have her as his only wife, Before my council, when we came from war.

Segasto, may I crave thee let it pa.s.s, And give Amadine as wife to Mucedorus.

SEGASTO. With all my heart, were it a far greater thing, And what I may to furnish up their rites, With pleasing sports and pastimes you shall see.

KING. Thanks, good Segasto; I will think of this.

MUCEDORUS. Thanks, good my lord; and while I live, Account of me in what I can or may.

AMADINE. And, good Segasto, these great courtesies Shall not be forgot.

CLOWN. Why, hark you, master! bones, what have you done? What, given away the wench you made me take such pains for? you are wise indeed; ma.s.s, and I had known of that, I would have had her myself. Faith, master, now we may go to breakfast with a woodc.o.c.k-pie.

SEGASTO. Go, sir; you were best leave this knavery.

KING. Come on, my lords, let's now to court, Where we may finish up the joyfullest day That ever happ'd to a distressed king.[197]

With mirth and joy and great solemnity We'll finish up these Hymen's rites most pleasantly.

CLOWN. Ho, lords! at the first, I am one too; but hear, Master King, by your leave, a cast. Now you have done with them, I pray you begin with me.

KING. Why, what wouldst thou have?

CLOWN. O, you forgot now! a little apparel to make's handsome. What, should lords go so beggarly as I do?

KING. What I did promise thee, I will perform.

Attend on me: come, let's depart.

[_They all speak_.

We'll wait on you with all our hearts.

CLOWN. And with a piece of my liver too.

[_Exeunt omnes_.

_Enter_ COMEDY _and_ ENVY.

COMEDY. How now, Envy? what, blushest thou already?

Peep forth, hide not thy head with shame; But with a courage praise a woman's deeds.

Thy threats were vain, thou couldst do me no hurt, Although thou seem'st to cross me with despite, I overwhelm'd and turn'd upside down thy block, And made thyself to stumble at the same.

ENVY. Though stumbled, yet not overthrown: Thou canst not draw my heart to mildness, Yet must I needs confess thou hast done well, And play'd thy part with mirth and pleasant glee.

Say all this; yet canst thou not conquer me, Although this time thou hast got-- Yet not the conquest neither, A double revenge another time I'll have.[198]

COMEDY. Then, caitiff cursed, stoop upon thy knee; Yield to a woman, though not to me, And from her foes high G.o.d defend her still, That they 'gainst her may never work their will.

ENVY. Envy, were he never so stout Would beck and bow unto her majesty.

Indeed, Comedy, thou hast overrun me now, And forc'd me stoop unto a woman's sway.

G.o.d grant her grace amongst us long may reign, And those that would not have it so, Would that by Envy soon their hearts they might forego.

COMEDY. The council, n.o.bles, and this realm, Lord, guide it still with thy most holy hand!

The Commons and the subjects, grant them grace.

Their prince to serve, her to obey, and treason to deface: Long may she reign in joy and great felicity, Each Christian heart do say amen with me.

[_Exeunt_.

FINIS.

THE TWO ANGRY WOMEN OF ABINGTON.

_EDITION.

The Pleasant Historie of the two angrie women of Abington. With the humorous mirthe of d.i.c.k Coomes and Nicholas Prouerbes, two Seruingmen.