Chapter VII: Introduction: To the Lady Mother (3)

_Crac_. Nay, by my birthright, uncle, the child was not his alone, for I dare sweare I had a hand at least in it. I did endevor fort, did I not, Captaine?

_Suc_. Yes, there are others to as well as you; yes, she has struck her top sayle to a man of warr; she has bin boarded, sir, I can assure you.

_Sir Hu_. What impudent slaves are these!--But are you sure the gentlewoman is with child?

_Sir Gef_. Sure? doe you question it, Sir? _Bunch_, be ready, _Bunch_, to write their confessions quickly.

_Bunch_. They are not come yet to confession, sir.

_Sir Gef_. Noe matter for that, _Bunch_; with the Judges leave weele here their confession before they come, that we may know the better to state the cause when they doe come. Ist not best, thinke you?

_Sir Hu_. Who shall speake for them, thinke you?

_Sir Gef_. No matter whether any man speake nor noe: we know he killed the man, and she comanded him, ergo they are guilty; ergoe that must be their confession, scilicet that they are guilty. Write this, _Bunch_, and then we will perpend, as law and Judgment guides us, whether we will save or condemne. How say you, sir?

_Crac_. Oh well don, uncle! I knew[128] he would prove what he said, otherwise I would have venturd a sillogisme in Baraly[p]ton to have made it evident.

[_Suc_.[129] But with your favour, gentlemen; suppose he did unlive _Thurston_ in faire duell?

_Sir Hu_. No duell can be fayre, cause tis against The kingdomes lawes.

_Suc_. The kingdomes lawes! how shall A Gent[leman] that has a blemish cast Upon his life, faire reputac[i]on, Have satisfaction then? allow no duells! Hel! a man of armes had better live in woods And combate wolves then among such milke sops. The kingdomes lawes!

_Crac_. Patience, good Captaine; we will have duells lawful.

_Suc_. Tis fit they should, being legitimacy managd, sir.]

_Enter Constable and Prisoners_.

_Sir Gef_. O, soe; are you come? weele tickle you ifaith.

_Con_. Soe please you, heare are the prisoners.

_Sir Hu_. Tis well, we have waited them. Madam, I should have bin more fortunate to have scene you In any place but this; and here, In any other cause then this, I would use you As the precedent carridge of your life Has merited, but cannot: y'are a prisoner Convict of murder, a most hideous crime Gainst law and nature.

_Sir Gef_. Yes, marry is it, and that she shall find ere we have don. _Bunch_, read their indictments, _Bunch_. She had as good have married me, I warrant her.

_Sir Hu_. Good Sir _Geffrey_, silence a while. Who is the accuser?

_Con_. Here.

_Sir Hu_. What have you, freind, to object against this lady?

_Con_. That she confesd it was by her procurement and comaunde her sonn murderd young _Thurston_.

_Lady_. Please you, sir, that a poore prisoner may entreate one favour.

_Sir Gef_. Yes, you shall have favour!

_Sir Hu_. Any thing mercy can graunt unpreiudiciall to Iustice.

_Lady_. Then this: You shall not need to produce witnesses Or charge a Iury to designe me guilty Of _Thurstons_ murder. I confess it to you, Twas only I that slew him.

_Sir Gef_. Marke that, Sir: shee that slew him! do you hear?

_Sir Hu_. Pray disturbe her not.--How comes it then, Madam, to be affirmd your Sonn did kill him?

_Sir Gef_. I, lets heare that, how it comes: well remembred, you did even speake before me.

_Crac_. O how learnedly could I speake now, might I have licence!

_Lady_. Pray, Sir, Let me not be oppresd with noyse; my cause Beares not so slender waight. For my owne life, So many reasons forfeit it to death That 'twere a Sinn, had I a will to live, To plead to save it; but for this my sonn I do beseech a hearing.

_Sir Hu_. Speake freely, lady.

_Lady_. Thus then: Suppose the wrested rigor of your lawes Uniustly sentenc'd any here to death, And you enforce on some unwilling man The present execution of your act, You will not after cause the instrument Of your decree, as guilty of his blood, To suffer as a Homicide: how then Can your impartiall Judgment Censure my sonn for this which was my fact? _Thurston_ the malice of my will wishd dead: My instigation and severe comaund Compeld him to atcheiv't, and you will graunt Noe princes lawes retaine more active force To ingage a subiect to performe their hests Then natures does astring a dewtious child To obey his parent.

_Sir Gef_. Pish, all this is nothing: there is a flat statute against it,--let me see,--in Anno vigessimo tricessimo, Henerio octavo be it enacted,--what followes, _Bunch_?

_Sir Hu_. Nay, good Sir, peace-- Madam, these are but wild evasions For times protraction; for your paritie, It cannot hold; since Nature does enforce Noe child to obey his parent in an act That is not good and iust.

_Lady_. Why, this seemd both To his obedience; but relinquish that And come to Conscience: does it not comaund In its strict Canons to exact no more Then blood for blood, unlesse you doe extort Worse then an usurer. For _Thurstons_ life I offer myne, which if it be to meane To appease your Justice, let it satisfie Your mercie. Spare my Sonn and I shall goe As willingly to death as to my rest After a painfull child birthe. Looke on him! How fitt the subiect is to invite your pittie! What Tyrant hand would cut this Cedar up Ere its full groath (at which it stately head Would give a shade to heaven), or pluck this Rose As yet scarce blossomd?

_Sir Gef_. Hum, what says _Bunch_?

_Lady_. Mercy wilbe proud T'infold him gently in her Ivory armes, And, as she walkes along with him, each word He speakes sheele greedily catch at with a kisse From his soft lipps such as the amorous Fawnes Enforce on the light Satyrs. Let[130] me dy Who, like the palme, when consious that tis void Of fruite and moysture, prostratly doe begg A Charitable headsman.

_Sir Hu_. So bad a cause Deserves not to be pleaded thus. Deere madam, Greife overwhelmes me for you, that your guilt Has damp'd the eyes of mercy and undone All intercession. Please you desist: We must proceed to th'examination Of the other prisoners.-- Sir _Geffrey_, we shall need your grave assistance: Sir _Geffrey_, be more attentive.

_Sir Gef_. Tis very necessary. I wilbe sworne she did bewitch me; I thinke I was almost asleepe. But now to yee, I faith; come on, what can you say that Judgment shall not passe against you?

_Tho_. Sir, you are the Judge here?

_Sir Hu_. Yes, sir, why question you my power?

_Tho_. Noe, scarlett man, I question thy witt, At least thy Humanity and the Conscience That dares imagine to destroy this wealth, To hang this matchless diamond in the eare Of _Ethiope_ Death. Send him to file thy house, Strike with his dart thy Children and thy selfe, Gray bearded miscreant, whose best acts compard With _Thurstons_ murder (cause this lady did [it]) Are full iniquity.

[_Suc_.[131] The man speaks home and boldly.]

_Sir Hu_. Sir, you are fitter for a Jayle, a Bedlam, Then to stand free before us. What? art thou mad, man?

_Sir Gef_. Yes, what are you, Sir. I aske to, though I know y[ou well] enough. What are you?

_Tho_. I am one, To expresse my selfe in my true character, Soe full of civill reason and iust truth That to denie my owne peculiar act I should esteeme as base and black a sinne As _Scythians_[132] doe adultery: twas I That gave this lady councell to invade That _Thurstons_ life, and out of cowardise, Feareing my person, set this bold young man To be his murderer. Ime the principall, The very source from whence this brooke of bloode Fetches its spring.

_Sir Hu_. Still more of the conspiracy! Sir, what say You to these designements?

_Suc_. Say, sir, you slew the man in equall duell: Twill bring you off, I warrant you.

_Sir Gef_. Answere, you youth of valour, you that dare See men of credit bleede. Ha!

_Y. M_. Sir, I am to dy, and should I now speake false Twould be a maine addicon to the ill What I alone comitted: for this man, Howsoere his fury does transport his tongue, Hees guiltlesse on't: I must confesse my Mother Did, for some private wrong which he had don, Wish me to call him to account; but this Steward did with all violence sollicit That I should slay him.

_Alex_. Whoe? I? goe to; ist come to this?

_Sir Hu_. Sir, you must answer this.

_Sir Gef_. Marke how the mischeife lookes.

_Alex_. I doe defie thy mallice, thou falce Judge. Goe to; my [Mrs.] I appeal to, she that knowes my vertue and Integrity.

_Sir Hu_. Away with him toth Jayle: a publique Sessions may [ere] long from thence deliver him to the gallowes.

_Const_. Come, Sir.
[_Exeunt Const, and Alex_.

_Sir Hu_. Madam, for you and for your Sonn, your crimes Being soe manifest, I wish you would Prepare your selves for heaven. Meantime you must remaine Saffe prissoners untill the Judges sitt, Who best may give a sentence on your fact.

_Tho_. And what for me?

_Sir Gef_. I, what for him, Mr Justice?

_Sir Hu_. Sure your words Rather proceed from some distraction Then from similitude of truth. You may Begon, we do quitt you.

_Tho_. And Ile quit my selfe Of what you will not, [of] my hated life. You have condemnd a lady who may claime As many slaves to wait on her in death As the most superstitious _Indian_ prince (That carries servants to attend ith grave) Can by's prerogative; nor shall she want Waiters, while you and I, my reverend Judg, Are within reach of one another. [_Offers att the Record_.

_Suc_. Death, Sir! Dare you presume to draw before us men Of stout performance?

_Sir Gef_. You sir, weele have you hangd to, sir, with the Steward.

_Sir Hu_. We doe forgive him; twas his passion. Tis manly to forbeare infirmities In noble soules. Away with the delinquents, officers![133]

_Sir Gef_.[134] I charge you looke to them: there is some rescue intended, I warrant you.

_Con_. Sir, yonder are some six or seaven without, Attird like Masquers, that will not be denied Admittance.

_Sir Hu_. What are they?

_Con_. [Faith[135]] we know not, Nor will they tell us, only this they say: Heareing of the lady _Marlowe's_ condemnation, They are come With shew of death to make her more prepard fort.

_Sir Hu_. We will deny none of her freinds to see her; They can intend noe rescue.

_Con_. Noe, my life ont, sir: they come unarm'd.

_Sir Hu_. Be still; letts see this misterie.

_Florish, Horrid Musike. Enter Death, Gri., and Furies_.

_Gri_. If in charnell houses, Caves, Horrid grots and mossie graves, Where the mandraks hideous howles Welcome bodies voide of soules, My power extends, why may not I Hugg those who are condemd to dy? Grimme _Dispaire_, arise and bring _Horror_ with thee and the king Of our dull regions; bid the rest Of your Society be addrest, As they feare the frowne of chaunce, To grace this presense with a daunce.

_Recorders. Enter Hymen and the Lovers_.

_Tim_. _Death_, avaunt! thou hast no power; This is _Hymens_ happie hower. Away to the dark shades! hence! And, grim _Dispaire_, let _Innocence_ Triumph, and bring eternall peace To all your soules and Joys increase. Smile, smile, sweet ayre, on us that come To sing _Deaths_ Epicedium. Extract from roses gentlest winds, Such odors as young _Hymen_ finds At sweet _Arabian_ nuptialls; let The youthfull graces here beget Soe smooth a peace that every breath May blesse this marriage of _Death_. Feare nothing, lady, whose bright eye Sing'd _Deaths_ wings as he flew by: Wee therefore, trust me, only come To sing _Deaths_ Epicedium. [_discover_,

_Tim_. Stay, stay, by your leave Mr. Justice.-- Madam,[136] your servant _Timothy_ brings you newes You must not dy. Know you this Gentleman?

_Sir Gef_. Now, on my knighthood, Mr. _Thurston_.

_Lady_. Amazement leave me: is he living?

_Sir Hu_. Are we deluded?

_Tim_. So it appeares, Sir: the gent[leman] never had hurt; hees here, and let him speake for himselfe and this gentlewoman his wife.

_Lady_. Who? _Clariana_?

_Thu_. With your leave, reverend father.--To you, Madam, Whome I must now call Mother, first your pardon That the conceivd report of my faind death Has brought you to this triall: next For this your daughter and your sonn, whose virtues Redeemd [me] from the death your rage had thought I should have suffred, he agreeing with me Consented to appeach himselfe of that He nere intended, and procurd this man As his accuser of my murder, which Was but contrivd to let you see the error Of your sterne malice; that, acquainted with The foulenesse of the fact, by the effect You might repent it and bestow your blessing On us your Suppliant Children.

_Cla_. Which we beg With hearty sorrow, if we have transgresd Our duty to you.

_Sir Hu_. I am happie to see so blesd a period.

_Sir Gef_. Ha, ha, widdow, are you come of thus, widdow? You may thanke me: I hope youle have me now, widdow.

_Lady_. This soddaine comfort, Had I not yet a relique left of greife, Would like a violent torrent overbeare The banks of my mortallity. Oh, _Thurston_, Whom I respect with a more sacred love Then was my former; take my blessing with her And all the wishes that a ioyfull mother Can to a child devote: had my _Belisia_ And her deare _Bonvill_ livd, this happy day Should have beheld a double wedding.

[_Suc_.[137] Death, must he have her then?]

_Sir Hu_. Spoake like a mother.

_Tho_. Madam, The surplusage of love that's in my breast Must needs have vent in gratulation Of your full ioyes. Would you mind your promise, And make me fortunate in your love!

_Lady_. Sir, I have vowd, Since by my meanes my daughter and her love Perishd unhappily, to seclude my selfe From mans Society.

[_Bonvil, Belisia, and Grimes discover_.

_Tho_. Weele cancell That obligation quickly.--Lady, I now Will urge your promise: twas a plot betwixt us To give them out for drownd, least your pursuite Should have impeachd their marriage, which is now Most iustly consummate; and[138] only I Remaine at your devotion for a wife.

_Lady_. Take her, And with me a repentance as profound As Anchorites for their sin pay.

_Sir Hu_. Madam, how blest am I To see you thus past hope recovered, My mirth at your faire wedding shall demonstrate.

_Sir Gef_. I will daunce too, that[s] certain, though I breake my legs or get the tissick.

[_Suc_.[139] Doe you know me, Sir?

_Bon_. Yes, very well, sir.

_Suc_. You are married, sir.

_Bon_. I, what of that?

_Suc_. Nothing, but send you Joy, sir?]

_Lady_. But where's my Steward? hees not hangd I hope: This mirth admits no Tragedy.

_Gri_. Behold the figure.

_Alex_. I crave forgivenesse.

_Lady_. Goe to, you have it.

_Alex_. Thanke you, madam,--I, I will goe to and goe to, and there be ere a wench to be got for love or money, rath[er] then plot murder: tis the sweeter sinn of [the two]; besides, theres noe danger of ones cragg; [the] worst is but stand in one sheet for ly[ing] in two: and therefore goe to and goe to, I [say] and I sayt agen.

_Sir Gef_. _Bunch_ take my cloake, _Bunch_; it shal [not] be sed, so many weddings and nere a Da[nce]: for soe many good turnes the hangman ha done you, theres one for all, hey!

_Tho_. Well said, Sir _Geffrey_.

_Sir Gef_. Hey, when I was young! but come, we loose [time]: every one his lasse, and stricke up Musick!

_Daunce_.

_Lady_. Now, gentlemen, my thanks to all, and since [I]t is my good hap to escape these ills, Goe in with me and celebrate this feast With choyse solemnitie; where our discourse Shall merrily forgett these harmes, and prove Theres no Arraingment like to that of love.

[_Exeunt omnes_.

FINIS.

_This Play, call'd the Lady Moth[er] (the Reformacons observ'd) may be acted. October the xvth_, 1635.

WILL. BLAGRAVE, _Dept. to the [Master] of the Revell[s]_.