[Prologue]
Enter Prologue.OFor a Muse of Fire, that would ascendThe brightest Heauen of Inuention:A Kingdome for a Stage, Princes to Act,And Monarchs to behold the swelling Scene.
[5]
Then should the Warlike Harry,
like himselfe,Assume the Port of Mars
, and at his heeles(Leasht in, like Hounds) should Famine, Sword, and FireCrouch for employment. But pardon, Gentles all:The flat vnraysed Spirits, that hath dar'd,
[10]
On this vnworthy Scaffold, to bring forthSo great an Obiect Can this Cock-Pit holdThe vastie fields of France? Or may we crammeWithin this Woodden O. the very CaskesThat did affright the Ayre at Agincourt?
[15]
O pardon: since a crooked Figure mayAttest in little place a Million,And let vs, Cyphers to this great Accompt,
On your imaginarie Forces worke.Suppose within the Girdle of these Walls
[20]
Are now confin'd two mightie Monarchies,Whose high, vp-reared, and abutting Fronts,The perillous narrow Ocean parts asunder.Peece out our imperfections with your thoughts:Into a thousand parts diuide one Man,
[25]
And make imaginarie Puissance.Thinke when we talke of Horses, that you see themPrinting their prowd Hoofes i'th' receiuing Earth:For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our Kings,Carry them here and there: Iumping o're Times;
[30]
Turning th'accomplishment of many yeeresInto an Howre-glasse: for the which supplieAdmit me Chorus
to this Historie;Who Prologue-like, your humble patience pray,Gently to heare, kindly to iudge our Play.Exit.
Actus Primus. Scœna Prima
[Act 1, Scene 1]
Enter the two Bishops of
Canterbury and Ely.
Bish. Cant.
[35]
MY Lord, Ile tell you, that selfe Bill is vrg'd,
Which in
th'eleuēth
th'eleuenth yere of y
e last Kings reign
Was like, and had indeed against vs past,But that the scambling and vnquiet timeDid push it out of farther question.Bish. Ely.
[40]
But how my Lord shall we resist it now?Bish. Cant.It must be thought on: if it passe against vs,We loose the better halfe of our Possession:For all the Temporall Lands, which men deuoutBy Testament haue giuen to the Church,
[45]
Would they strip from vs; being valu'd thus,As much as would maintaine, to the Kings honor,Full fifteene Earles, and fifteene hundred Knights,Six thousand and two hundred good Esquires:And to reliefe of Lazars, and weake age
[50]
Of indigent faint Soules, past corporall toyle,A hundred Almes-houses, right well supply'd:And to the Coffers of the King beside,A thousand pounds by th'yeere
Thus runs the Bill.
Bish. Ely.This would drinke deepe.Bish. Cant.
[55]
'Twould drinke the Cup and all.Bish. Ely.But what preuention?Bish. Cant.The King is full of grace, and faire re-
gard.
Bish. Ely.And a true louer of the holy Church.Bish. Cant.The courses of his youth promis'd it not.
[60]
The breath no sooner left his Fathers body,But that his wildnesse, mortify'd in him,Seem'd to dye too: yea, at that very moment,Consideration like an Angell came,And whipt th'offending
Adam
out of him;
[65]
Leauing his body as a Paradise,T'inuelop and containe Celestiall Spirits.Neuer was such a sodaine Scholler made:Neuer came Reformation in a Flood,With such a heady currance scowring faults:
[70]
Nor neuer
Hidra-headed Wilfulnesse
So soone did loose his Seat; and all at once;As in this King.Bish. Ely.We are blessed in the Change.Bish. Cant. Heare him but reason in Diuinitie;
[75]
And all-admiring, with an inward wishYou would desire the King were made a Prelate:Heare him debate of Common-wealth Affaires;You would say, it hath been all in all his study:List his discourse of Warre; and you shall heare
Actus Primus. Scœna Prima
[Act 1, Scene 1]
Enter the two Bishops of
Canterbury and Ely.
Bish. Cant.
[35]
MY Lord, Ile tell you, that selfe Bill is vrg'd,
Which in
th'eleuēthth'eleuenth yere of y
e last Kings reign
Was like, and had indeed against vs past,But that the scambling and vnquiet timeDid push it out of farther question.Bish. Ely.
[40]
But how my Lord shall we resist it now?Bish. Cant.It must be thought on: if it passe against vs,We loose the better halfe of our Possession:For all the Temporall Lands, which men deuoutBy Testament haue giuen to the Church,
[45]
Would they strip from vs; being valu'd thus,As much as would maintaine, to the Kings honor,Full fifteene Earles, and fifteene hundred Knights,Six thousand and two hundred good Esquires:And to reliefe of Lazars, and weake age
[50]
Of indigent faint Soules, past corporall toyle,A hundred Almes-houses, right well supply'd:And to the Coffers of the King beside,A thousand pounds by th'yeere
Thus runs the Bill.
Bish. Ely.This would drinke deepe.Bish. Cant.
[55]
'Twould drinke the Cup and all.Bish. Ely.But what preuention?Bish. Cant.The King is full of grace, and faire re-
gard.
Bish. Ely.And a true louer of the holy Church.Bish. Cant.The courses of his youth promis'd it not.
[60]
The breath no sooner left his Fathers body,But that his wildnesse, mortify'd in him,Seem'd to dye too: yea, at that very moment,Consideration like an Angell came,And whipt th'offending
Adam
out of him;
[65]
Leauing his body as a Paradise,T'inuelop and containe Celestiall Spirits.Neuer was such a sodaine Scholler made:Neuer came Reformation in a Flood,With such a heady currance scowring faults:
[70]
Nor neuer
Hidra-headed Wilfulnesse
So soone did loose his Seat; and all at once;As in this King.Bish. Ely.We are blessed in the Change.Bish. Cant. Heare him but reason in Diuinitie;
[75]
And all-admiring, with an inward wishYou would desire the King were made a Prelate:Heare him debate of Common-wealth Affaires;You would say, it hath been all in all his study:List his discourse of Warre; and you shall heare
[80]
A fearefull Battaile rendred you in Musique.Turne him to any Cause of Pollicy,The Gordian Knot of it he will vnloose,Familiar as his Garter: that when he speakes,The Ayre, a Charter'd Libertine, is still,
[85]
And the mute Wonder lurketh in mens eares,To steale his sweet and honyed Sentences:So that the Art and Practique part of Life,Must be the Mistresse to this Theorique.Which is a wonder how his Grace should gleane it,
[90]
Since his addiction was to Courses vaine,His Companies vnletter'd, rude, and shallow,His Houres fill'd vp with Ryots, Banquets, Sports;And neuer noted in him any studie,Any retyrement, any sequestration,
[95]
From open Haunts and Popularitie.B. Ely.The Strawberry growes vnderneath the Nettle,And holesome Berryes thriue and ripen best,Neighbour'd by Fruit of baser qualitie:And so the Prince obscur'd his Contemplation
[100]
Vnder the Veyle of Wildnesse, which (no doubt)Grew like the Summer Grasse, fastest by Night,Vnseene, yet cressiue in his facultie.B. Cant.It must be so; for Miracles are ceast:And therefore we must needes admit the meanes,
[105]
How things are perfected.B. Ely.But my good Lord:How now for mittigation of this Bill,Vrg'd by the Commons? doth his MaiestieIncline to it, or no?B. Cant.
[110]
He seemes indifferent:Or rather swaying more vpon our part,Then cherishing th'exhibiters against vs:For I haue made an offer to his Maiestie,Vpon our Spirituall Conuocation,
[115]
And in regard of Causes now in hand,Which I haue open'd to his Grace at large,As touching France, to giue a greater Summe,Then euer at one time the Clergie yetDid to his Predecessors part withall.B. Ely.
[120]
How did this offer seeme receiu'd, my Lord?B. Cant.With good acceptance of his Maiestie:Saue that there was not time enough to heare,As I perceiu'd his Grace would faine haue done,The seueralls and vnhidden passages
[125]
Of his true Titles to some certaine Dukedomes,And generally, to the Crowne and Seat of France,Deriu'd from
Edward, his great Grandfather.
B. Ely.What was th'impediment that broke this off?B. Cant.The French Embassador vpon that instant
[130]
Crau'd audience; and the howre I thinke is come,To giue him hearing: Is it foure a Clock?B. Ely.It is.B. Cant.Then goe we in, to know his Embassie:Which I could with a ready guesse declare,
[135]
Before the Frenchman speake a word of it.B. Ely.Ile wait vpon you, and I long to heare it.Exeunt.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1">
<head rend="italic centre">Actus Primus. Scœna Prima</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 1, Scene 1]</head>
<cb n="1"/>
<stage rend="italic centre" type="entrance">Enter the two Bishops of Canterbury and Ely.</stage>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="35">
<c rend="decoratedCapital">M</c>Y Lord, Ile tell you, that selfe Bill is vrg'd,</l>
<l n="36">Which in<choice>
<abbr>th'eleuēth</abbr>
<expan>th'eleuenth</expan>
</choice>yere of y<hi rend="superscript">e</hi>last Kings reign</l>
<l n="37">Was like, and had indeed against vs past,</l>
<l n="38">But that the scambling and vnquiet time</l>
<l n="39">Did push it out of farther question.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="40">But how my Lord shall we resist it now?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="41">It must be thought on: if it passe against vs,</l>
<l n="42">We loose the better halfe of our Possession:</l>
<l n="43">For all the Temporall Lands, which men deuout</l>
<l n="44">By Testament haue giuen to the Church,</l>
<l n="45">Would they strip from vs; being valu'd thus,</l>
<l n="46">As much as would maintaine, to the Kings honor,</l>
<l n="47">Full fifteene Earles, and fifteene hundred Knights,</l>
<l n="48">Six thousand and two hundred good Esquires:</l>
<l n="49">And to reliefe of Lazars, and weake age</l>
<l n="50">Of indigent faint Soules, past corporall toyle,</l>
<l n="51">A hundred Almes-houses, right well supply'd:</l>
<l n="52">And to the Coffers of the King beside,</l>
<l n="53">A thousand pounds by th'yeere<pc rend="uninked"/>Thus runs the Bill.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="54">This would drinke deepe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="55">'Twould drinke the Cup and all.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="56">But what preuention?</l>
</sp>
<cb n="2"/>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="57">The King is full of grace, and faire re-
<lb/>gard.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="58">And a true louer of the holy Church.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="59">The courses of his youth promis'd it not.</l>
<l n="60">The breath no sooner left his Fathers body,</l>
<l n="61">But that his wildnesse, mortify'd in him,</l>
<l n="62">Seem'd to dye too: yea, at that very moment,</l>
<l n="63">Consideration like an Angell came,</l>
<l n="64">And whipt th'offending<hi rend="italic">Adam</hi>out of him;</l>
<l n="65">Leauing his body as a Paradise,</l>
<l n="66">T'inuelop and containe Celestiall Spirits.</l>
<l n="67">Neuer was such a sodaine Scholler made:</l>
<l n="68">Neuer came Reformation in a Flood,</l>
<l n="69">With such a heady currance scowring faults:</l>
<l n="70">Nor neuer<hi rend="italic">Hidra</hi>-headed Wilfulnesse</l>
<l n="71">So soone did loose his Seat; and all at once;</l>
<l n="72">As in this King.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="73">We are blessed in the Change.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">Bish. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="74">Heare him but reason in Diuinitie;</l>
<l n="75">And all-admiring, with an inward wish</l>
<l n="76">You would desire the King were made a Prelate:</l>
<l n="77">Heare him debate of Common-wealth Affaires;</l>
<l n="78">You would say, it hath been all in all his study:</l>
<l n="79">List his discourse of Warre; and you shall heare</l>
<l n="80">A fearefull Battaile rendred you in Musique.</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0426-0.jpg" n="70"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="81">Turne him to any Cause of Pollicy,</l>
<l n="82">The Gordian Knot of it he will vnloose,</l>
<l n="83">Familiar as his Garter: that when he speakes,</l>
<l n="84">The Ayre, a Charter'd Libertine, is still,</l>
<l n="85">And the mute Wonder lurketh in mens eares,</l>
<l n="86">To steale his sweet and honyed Sentences:</l>
<l n="87">So that the Art and Practique part of Life,</l>
<l n="88">Must be the Mistresse to this Theorique.</l>
<l n="89">Which is a wonder how his Grace should gleane it,</l>
<l n="90">Since his addiction was to Courses vaine,</l>
<l n="91">His Companies vnletter'd, rude, and shallow,</l>
<l n="92">His Houres fill'd vp with Ryots, Banquets, Sports;</l>
<l n="93">And neuer noted in him any studie,</l>
<l n="94">Any retyrement, any sequestration,</l>
<l n="95">From open Haunts and Popularitie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="96">The Strawberry growes vnderneath the Nettle,</l>
<l n="97">And holesome Berryes thriue and ripen best,</l>
<l n="98">Neighbour'd by Fruit of baser qualitie:</l>
<l n="99">And so the Prince obscur'd his Contemplation</l>
<l n="100">Vnder the Veyle of Wildnesse, which (no doubt)</l>
<l n="101">Grew like the Summer Grasse, fastest by Night,</l>
<l n="102">Vnseene, yet cressiue in his facultie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="103">It must be so; for Miracles are ceast:</l>
<l n="104">And therefore we must needes admit the meanes,</l>
<l n="105">How things are perfected.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="106">But my good Lord:</l>
<l n="107">How now for mittigation of this Bill,</l>
<l n="108">Vrg'd by the Commons? doth his Maiestie</l>
<l n="109">Incline to it, or no?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="110">He seemes indifferent:</l>
<l n="111">Or rather swaying more vpon our part,</l>
<l n="112">Then cherishing th'exhibiters against vs:</l>
<l n="113">For I haue made an offer to his Maiestie,</l>
<l n="114">Vpon our Spirituall Conuocation,</l>
<l n="115">And in regard of Causes now in hand,</l>
<l n="116">Which I haue open'd to his Grace at large,</l>
<l n="117">As touching France, to giue a greater Summe,</l>
<l n="118">Then euer at one time the Clergie yet</l>
<l n="119">Did to his Predecessors part withall.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="120">How did this offer seeme receiu'd, my Lord?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="121">With good acceptance of his Maiestie:</l>
<l n="122">Saue that there was not time enough to heare,</l>
<l n="123">As I perceiu'd his Grace would faine haue done,</l>
<l n="124">The seueralls and vnhidden passages</l>
<l n="125">Of his true Titles to some certaine Dukedomes,</l>
<l n="126">And generally, to the Crowne and Seat of France,</l>
<l n="127">Deriu'd from<hi rend="italic">Edward</hi>, his great Grandfather.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="128">What was th'impediment that broke this off?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="129">The French Embassador vpon that instant</l>
<l n="130">Crau'd audience; and the howre I thinke is come,</l>
<l n="131">To giue him hearing: Is it foure a Clock?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="132">It is.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-can">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Cant.</speaker>
<l n="133">Then goe we in, to know his Embassie:</l>
<l n="134">Which I could with a ready guesse declare,</l>
<l n="135">Before the Frenchman speake a word of it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-h5-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">B. Ely.</speaker>
<l n="136">Ile wait vpon you, and I long to heare it.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>
