Five nevv playes, viz. The English moor, or the mock-marriage. The love-sick court, or the ambitious politique: Covent Garden weeded. The nevv academy, or the nevv exchange. The queen and concubine. / By Richard Brome.

Scoen. III.

Enter Captain, Drum and Colours, King and Sforza, Souldiers.

The King embraces and kisses the Queen, the Prince and Alinda.

King.

Now cease our Drums, and furle our En∣signes up:

Dismiss the Souldiers, hostile Armes surcease, Whiles we rejoyce, safe in these Armes of Peace.

Sfor.

Go Souldiers, better never stood the shock Of danger, or made good their Countreys cause. Drink this to the Kings health and victory.

Sold.

Heaven bless the King, and our good General Sforza.

Again.

Long live the King and Sforza, Sforza and the King,

Kin.

The King and Sforza, Sforza and the King, Equal at least, and sometimes three notes higher,

Exit Capt. and Sould.

Sound Sforza's name then doth the Kings: the voyce Of the wild People as I pass'd along Threw up his praises neerer unto Heaven Ever methought then mine: but be it so, He has deserv'd well, now let me again Embrace the happie comforts of my life. Through deadly dangers, yea through death it self, I am restor'd unto my Heaven on Earth, My wife and Son: a thousand blessings on thee. Say, dearest life, whose prayers I know have been Successful to me in this doubtful War, How welcome am I?

Eul.

That's more than I can speak: For should I bring comparisons of the Spring, After a Frosty winter to the Birds, Or rich returns of ventures to the Merchant, After the twentieth currant news of Shipwrack, Redemption from captivity, or the Joyes Women conceive after most painful Childbirths, All were but Fabulous nothings to the Bliss Your presence brings in answer to my Prayers: Heaven heard me at the full: when I forget To send due praises thither, let me die Most wretched, though my gratitude shall never

Sleep to th' inferior means, e'en to the meanest Souldier assistant to your safe return, Especially to you good Sforza, Noble Souldier, I heard of your fidelitie.

Sfor.

My duty Madam.

King.

Are you one of his great Admirers too? The world will make an Idol of his Valour, While I am but his shadow: Ile but think on't, Indeed he's worth your favour, he has done won∣ders.

Sfor.

Let me now speak, I may not hear these wonders bounc'd,

King.

You do forget your self.

Eul.

What says my Lord?

King.

Nay I have done. Gonzago, you and I have chang'd no words yet; I have brought Victory home, which may perhaps Be checkt at when my heat shall fall to ashes. How will you maintain your Fathers quarrels ore his Grave?

Prin.

I do not hope t' outlive you Sir, but if I must, I sure shall hope to keep your name and right Alive whilst I live, though I cannot hope To have so good a Souldier at my Standard As Warlike Sforza.

King.

This is more and worse Then all the rest: the childe has spoken plainly, I had been nothing without Warlike Sforza: Ile make him nothing, and no longer stand His Cypher that in number makes him ten. My Lords, my thanks to you for your due care In my late absence.

Hor.

All was Loyal Dutie, As we are old Courtiers Sir, still true to th' Crown.

King.

I have found you faithful.

Hor.

It befits true Statesmen Watchful to be at home 'gainst civil harms, When Kings expose themselves to hostile Arms.

King.

There's a State-Rime now: but Horatio, Has not Petruccio visited the Court Since our departure?

Hor.

Pox on Petruccio. Bless me, and be good to me: how thinks your Grace of my Allegiance, and can ask Me that Question?

King.

Now he is in his Fit.

Hor.

The Hangman take him. Petruccio King? Peugh, peugh; I hate to name him. How can you think your State had been secur'd If he had breath'd amongst us? That vile wretch, Whom in your Kingly wisdom you did banish The Court for a most dangerous Male-content, After his just repulse from being your General, When he durst stand in Competition VVith brave deserving Sforza here, the best Most absolute Souldier of the world.

King.

Still Sforza!

Hor.

Except your Majesty.

King.

There is an Exception wrung out,

Hor.

He come at Court by my permission? I should as soon be won to set your Court On fire, as see him here.

King.

Send for him speedily.

Hor.

[Starts]

Your Majesty is pleas'd to have it so.

King.

And upon your Allegiance Which you so boast of, let me have him here, And very speedily; Ile have your head else.

Hor.

Nay since it is your Highness pleasure, and So seriously commanded, I will send My own head off my shoulders, but wee'l have him: In what you can command, I dare be Loyal.

King.

Look to it,

[goes to the Queen]

Hor.

It must be so, this is one of his un-to-be-examin'd hastie Hu∣mours, one of his starts: these and a devillish gift

He has in Venerie, are all his faults. Well, I must go, and still be true to th' Crown.

Exit Horatio.

Lod.

Petruccio sent for! who for braving of Brave Sforza here, so lately was confin'd.

Flav.

I cannot think the Court must hold 'm both At once, less they were reconcil'd, which is As much unlikely: what do you think my Lord?

Lod.

I know not what to think.

King.

She Sforza's Daughter, say you?

Queen.

Yes my Lord.

King.

She's a right handsome one: I never knew he had a Daughter.

Eul.

He brought her o'er a Childe with me, when happily I came your Bride, bred her at home, she never saw the Court, till now I sent for her to be some comfort in your long absence.

King.

Sforza's absence, I fear you mean.

[aside]

Eul.

And trust me Sir, Her simple Countrey In∣nocence at first Bred such delight in me, with such affection, That I have call'd her Daughter, to embolden her.

King.

O did you so?

Eul.

And now she has got some spirit, A prettie lively spirit, which becomes her Methinks so like her Fathers.

King.

Very good. I like her strangely.

Eul.

What was that she said To you Conzago?

Gonz.

That Heaven might ha' pleased T' have fashion'd her out to have been a Queen.

King.

Comely Ambition.

Sfor.

Reconcile all quickly, Or you had better never have been born, Then disobey my last command, which was Neve•• to see the Court till I induc'd you. Do you stare at me?

Alin.

I but obey'd the Queen. I hope shee'l answer't.

Sfor.

No more, Ile talk with you anon.

King.

Come Sforza, Welcome to Court, so is your Daughter too, I have tane notice of her: O f••irest, welcome.

Kisses her. Sforza storms.

Come you both with me this night, weel Feast: Pray bid us welcome all, as but one Guest.

Eul.

I shall in all obey you.

Alin.

And for this, Less then a King I shall abhor to kiss.

Exeunt.