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. VI.

Enter King and Flavello.

King.

Her Father hath surpriz'd her then?

Flav.

Yes, and means to hurry her away from Court this night: I heard him threaten it.

King.

But he must not do't, she is too sweet Fla∣vello, and too fit for my embraces, to be snatch'd away.

Flav.

Now that shee's ripe and ready for your use, Like fruit that cryes, Come eat me. Ile not boast The pains I took to fit her to your Appetite, before she saw you.

King.

How, my carefull Agent?

Flav.

At first sight of her Feature, I foresaw She was compliable to your affection. Then by discourse I found she was ambitious, I ply'd her then with Pills that puff'd her up To an high longing, till she saw the hopes She had to grow by. Pray stand close, they come.

Enter Sforza and Alinda.

Sfor.

Has the air of Court infected you already? Has the Kings kisses mov'd by adulterate heat, Swoln you into astubborn loathsomness Of wholsom Counsel? Come your wayes; Ile try If Countrey-Air and Diet can restore you To your forgotten modestie and Duty.

Alin.

VVhat have I done amiss?

Sfor.

Do you capitulate? But so much satisfaction as may make Thee sensible of shame, I will afford thee: Didst thou not after Banquet, when the King Heated with wine, and lust rais'd in his eyes, Had kiss'd thee once, twice, thrice, though I look'd on, And all the Presence whispered their cold fears Of the Kings wantonness and the Queens abuse; Didst thou not then still gaze upon his Face, As thou hadst long'd for more? O impudence!

Alin.

Impudence? Sir, pray give it the right name, Courtship, 'twas Courtship Sir, if I have learn'd Any since I came here.

King.

Brave metal'd wench!

Sfor.

I am amaz'd.

Alin.

Besides Sir, the Kings kisses Are great inestimable Honours, and VVhat Lady would not think her self the more Honour'd, by how much the King did kiss her?

Sfor.

And should he more then kiss, still more Honour'd?

Alin.

It might be thought so.

Sfor.

Durst thou argue thus?

Alin.

I know he dares not beat me here. Pray Sir Let me but ask you this, then use your pleasure: (Cause you stile Impudence, that which I call Court∣ship) VVhat Courtier sits down satisfied with the first Office or Honour is confer'd upon him? If he does so, he leaves to be a Courtier. And not the thing we treat of. Did your self After the King had grac'd you once, twice, thrice, (As he kiss'd me) expect no further from him?

Sfor.

She's wonderously well read in Court alreadie: VVho i'th' Devils name has been her Lecturer?

Flav.

Do but your Majesty observe that, and think VVhat pains I took with her.

Alin.

How many Offices Did you run through before you were made General? And as the more the King confers upon us, Is more our Honour, so 'tis more the Kings, VVhen most his Favours shine upon Desert.

King.

I like her better still.

Sfor.

Insufferable Bag∣gage.! Dar'st thou call any thing in thee Desert? Or mention those base Favours which the King Maintains his Lust by, with those real Honours Confer'd on me, who have preserv'd his life? Is it such Dignity to be a VVhore?

Alin.

Pray Sir, take heed: Kings Mistrisses must not Be call'd so.

Sfor.

Dar'st thou talk thus to me?

Alin.

Yes, Sir; If you dare think me worth the Kings embraces, In that neer kind, howe 'er you please to stile it: Sure I shall dare, and be allow'd to speak.

King.

That word makes thee a Queen.

Sfor.

The King dares not Maintain it.

King.

And that costs you your Head.

Alin.

Dear Sir, take heed; Protest I dare not hear you:

Suppose I were advanc'd so far above you To be your Queen, would you be therefore desperate, And fall from what you are to nothing? Pray Utter no more such words, I'd have you live.

Flav.

She vexes him handsomelie.

Sfor.

As I live she's mad. Do you dream of being a Queen?

Alind.

VVhy if I should, I hope that were no Treason: Nor if I were a Queen, were that sufficient VVarrant for you, to utter Treason by, Because you were my Father; No dear Sir, Let not your Passion be Master of your Tongue.

Sfor.

How she flies up with the conceit? d'yee hear?

Alind.

Because you were my Father. Soveraignty you know, admits no Parentage. Honour, poor petty Honour forgets Descent. Let but a silly Daughter of a City Become a Countesse, and note how squeamishly She takes the wind of her Progenitors.

Sfor.

She has swallowed an Ambition That will burst her: I'll let the humour forth.

Alin.

You will not kill your Child?

Sfor.

Though all Posterity should perish by it.

Alin.

Not for the Jewel in your Ear.

Sfor.

Impudent Harlot! she has heard me value This Jewel, which I wear for her dead Mother, I would not part with, whilst I wore my Head; And now she threatens that: a Kingdom shall not save thy life.

Alin.

Know where you are, Sir, at Court, the Kings House.

Sfor.

Were it a Church, and this unhallowed Room Sanctum Sanctorum, I will bring you to your knees, And make me such a Recantation

As never follow'd Disobedience; I'll take thy life else, and immediately.

King. Flav.

Treason! a Guard! Treason! &c.

Omn.

Heaven save the King.

Enter Capt. & Guard

King.

Lay hold on Sforza, the dangerous Traytor.

Sfor.

'Tis Sforza is betray'd.

King.

Away with him, see he be kept close Prisoner. Flavello, see that his daughter have convenient Lodg∣ing.

Sfor.

Let me but speak; I hope your Majesty—

King.

Let not a word come from him: hence, away. VVhat a most dangerous estate even Kings do live in? VVhen those that we do lodge so neer our Breast Study our Death, when we expect our Rest.

Exeunt.