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. IX.

Enter King and Gonzago.

King.

I will not onely have you guiltless, Sir, But free from least suspect; let but a spark Of Discontent appear upon your Look, I'll rip the hollow cave that holds the fire, And with Death quench it.

Gonz.

I beseech your Highness, If any alteration in my looks Be found, or read, let it as well be construed, It grows but from a filial fear t'offend. I have forgot I had another Mother: And humbly at the Feet of this I honour, I beg her Ayd, to win your Favour towards me. Most gracious Madam, if you knew the Truth, The fair sincerity I bear in Duty Towards your Highness—

Alind.

For what respect, young Prince?

Gonz.

The principal i'th' World: For that you have My Fathers Love; and but to Wrong or Grieve you, Were Stripes or Wounds to his Affection. So much of my late Mother I remember, To yield a Reverence to his Contentment, and shall for ever.

Alind.

My Lord, my Love, what pretty meaning have you? Do you bring your Son to mock me?

King.

Ha! my Alinda, he's no Son of mine, That with lesse Adoration dares look up On thy Divinity, then the Aegyptians Gave to the Sun it self: but an out-cast Bastard,

And of the daring Giants ignorant Nature, That war'd against the Gods.

Alind.

I would not move your Anger: pray let this win your Reconcilement.

[Kisses]

King.

O thou art gentle, and the life of Sweetness: Come, my Alinda, I was calling you To our intended Journey to Nicosta, Where solemnly I will perform my Vow, To grant the three demands I promis'd you, In the full view of our Nobility. Which by the Custome of my Predecessors Have ratified and confirm'd the Power Of Queens, and made them absolute: have you thought To ask things worthy of your Dignity, Wherein I fully may declare my Bounty?

Alind.

I, Sir, shall be so reasonable, that I doubt not upon the way, or there at very instant, To crave past my Desert.

King.

O you are modest: but ask home, Alinda.

Alind.

And by the way, Sir, let it be my Suit, We give a Visit to distrest Eulalia; Wherein we may do Charity fitting Princes; (We may perhaps give Order for her Burial)

[aside]

King.

Thou art all Goodness: Come, all Friends, Gonzago: But thank her Clemency.

Exit King.

Manet Alinda, to her Flavello.

Alind.

An Earldome be thou sure of, wise Flavello, To add to thy improvements: Though it be No full Discovery, I'll make it serve, As I will fashion it, to excellent use. Poyson or Sword thou heardst him speak?

Elav.

And in a menacing way: Now what may be

Conjectur'd by such words, from men whose looks Shew discontent against your Mightiness, Rests most considerable.

Alind.

VVrite, Flavello, write, VVrite by that Copy in a States-Man's hand. Alas, good men! I dare even swear for them, How ere those words might fall in their discourse, They had no thought of me: yet this surmise Gives me an hint to try her Loyaltie, Or make her once more guiltie: for my State Stands by the King, as unto her his hate. Read it Flavello.

[Reads.]

Most Royal and most wronged Soveraign Mistress, be happily assured that the time of your Restoration is at hand: and thatby no loss means then the death of that she-monster that usurps your Dignitie. All shall be determin'd at Ni∣cosia, by

Your devoted Servant unto death. Nameless.

Alind.

'Tis well. It needs no superscription: only seal it, And think of your directions and disguise. 'Tis but your half days journey: and be sure VVe are not far behind you.

Fla.

I flie, my Soveraign.

Alin.

Now to the King, Of whose despight I still must sharp the sting.