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. I.

[Loud Musick]

Enter four Lords, two Bishops, King, Prince: they sit; Eulalia in black, Crowned; a golden Wand in her hand, led between two Friers; she kneels to the King, he rejects her with his hand. Enter at the other door, a Doctor of Physick, a Mid∣wife, two Souldiers; the King points them to the Bishops, they each deliver Papers, kiss the Bi∣shops Books, and are dismiss'd. The Papers gi∣ven to the King, He with his Finger menaces Eulalia, and sends her the Papers: she looks meek∣ly. The Bishops take her Crown and Wand, give her a Wreath of Cypress, and a white Wand. All the Lords peruse the Papers. They shew various countenances: Some seem to applaud the King, some pity Eulalia. Musick ceases. King speaks.

King.

MY Lords and loyal Peers.

Lod.

A new distinction Between Spiritual and Temporal.

Hor.

Good Lo∣dovico, peace.

Kin.

This is a Cause, the which, but for fair Order, By which I am constrain'd to be a Judge, Would rather drive me to a mourning Closet Then to this Seat; to shew my equal grief Against the Crime and Shame of the Delinquent. I see y'are all amaz'd, and cannot marveil

At your Astonishment, who do suffer with you In the great Change Honour compels me to, Together with Religion, fairly urging To an high point of Justice, which to utter Draws faintness from my words, chilling my Blood Like the departing Breath that separates Life. For such I held her, and so many yeers Retain'd her in the Closet of my Heart, Its self-Companion: that till these proofs, VVhich now like daggers by compulsive wounds Have made their passage, she could ne'er have parted.

Lod.

Royal Hypocrisie!

King.

The Proofs you see are plain, That she was found—Pray speak it for me.

Hor.

In Adultery.

King.

And that she sought the Life of fair Alinda By Sword and Poyson both: and of that Cup 'Tis like my self had tasted, For my supposed love to that wrong'd Lady.

Lod.

You have given her the Bed-right that be∣long'd to your wrong'd Queen, these twelve months.

King.

Our Laws of Sicilie are so well rebated VVith Clemencie, and Mercie, that in this Case They cut not Life from one of Royal Blood, Onely take off (as is on her perform'd) All Dignities, all Titles, all Possessions, All means to live, even to her naked hands. And such, Eulalia, now is your condition.

Lod.

To work for her living? if she were as young, and no honester then she for vvhose sake this is inflicted on her, she might find something else a∣bout her, then naked hands, to help at a living shift-

King.

Now to this Censure, for due Orders sake, And for vvhich end this Parliament vvas call'd; Your Voyces are requir'd: do ye all approve it?

Omn.

VVe do.

Lod.

We must.

King.

VVhat say you, Lodovico?

Lod.

VVe do; Heaven knows against my heart.

Eul.

My thanks unto you all, that do obey So vvell vvith one consent your Soveraign Lord. And sacred Sir, thus low, as it becomes me, Let your poor Hand-maid beg, that you incline A patient Ear to this my last Petition: That as you cast me off, as an offence, You will be pleas'd to think me not offended, But pleas'd in all I suffer: for, Heaven knows, I am as free from any Passion Of Anger, Hate, Repining or Distaste, Nay, as insensible of Grief or Sorrow, Or whatsoever Anguish of the Minde, As I was capable, for ought I know, Of Joy or Bliss the first hour I was born. Never made happy till I was your Bride, In which blest state I cannot but remain, While you are pleas'd, and I obey your will, Though unto Death, to Banishment or Prison. Poverty is Blessedness, in vvhich I'll pray For pardon of the Sins of my Accusers, And those that have suborn'd them.

Lod.

O poor Woman!

Eul.

So in the blest continuance of your Dayes, I shall pray Heaven to smile on all your VVayes.

King.

Nay, stay Eulalia, I have yet a Business I would have pass the general Consent Of this Assemblie, in which your Voice is useful. Flavello?

Exit Flavello.

Lod.

Upon my life, his Marriage with that Start-up, That Snake this good Queen cocker'd in her Bosom, Is not this Royal cruelty?

[Gonzago kneels to the Queen]

Eul.

You wrong your Princely Dignity: Turn to the King your Father, kneel to him.

Gonz.

And are not you my Mother?

Eul.

I must and can forget what I have been; So must not you: your Mother was a Queen. My present fortune claims no Title in you. Hurt not your own, by looking down on me. This I will do as warranted by safetie, Not as a Mother, but Beadswoman, pray For all that bliss on you a Mother may, Good Sir, observe the King before his wrath. Take hold upon you for regarding me.

[Loud Musick]