The tragedie of Chabot admirall of France as it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants, at the private house in Drury Lane. Written by George Chapman, and Iames Shirly.

Actus Quartus.

Enter King, Queene, and Constable.

Kin.

YOu raise my thoughrs to wonder, that you Madam, And you my Lord, unite your force to pleade Ith' Admiralls behalfe, this is not that Language you did expresse, when the torne Bill Was late pretended to us, it was then Defiance to our high prerogative, The act of him whose proud heart would rebell And arm'd with faction, too soone attempt To teare my crowne off.

Qu.

I was ignorant Then of his worth, and heard but the report Of his accusers, and his enemies, Who never mention in his character Shadowes of any vertue in those men, They would depresse like Crowes, and carrion birds, They sly ore slowrie Meades, cleare Springs, faire Gardens, And stoope at carcasses; for your owne honour

Pitty poore Chabot.

King.

Poore and a Colossus? What could so lately straddle ore a Province, Can he be fallen so low, and miserable, To want my pitty, who breakes forth like day, Takes up all peoples eyes, and admiration? It cannot be, he hath a Princely wife too.

Qu.

I interpose not often Sir, or presse you With unbecomming importunitie, To serve the profitable ends of others Conscience, and duty to your selfe inforce My present mediation, you have given The health of your owne state away, unlesse Wisedome in time recover him.

King.

If he proove No adulterate gold, triall confirmes his value.

Qu.

Although it hold in mettle gracious Sir, Such fiery examination, and the furnace May wast a heart thats faithfull, and together With that you call the feces, something of The precious substance may be hazarded.

King.

Why, you are the chiefe engine rais'd against him, And in the worlds Creede labour most to sinke him, That in his fall, and absence every beame May shine on you, and onely guild your fortune, Your difference is the ground of his arraignement, Nor were we unsollicited by you, To have your bill confirm'd, from that that spring Came all these mighty and impetuous waves, With which he now must wrastle, if the strength Of his owne innocence can breake the storme, Truth wonot lose her servant, her wings cover him, He must obey his fate.

Con.

I would not have It lie upon my fame, that I should be Mentioned in Story his unjust supplanter For your whole Kingdome, I have beene abused, And made beleeve my suite was just and necessary,

My walkes have not beene safe, my closet prayers, But some plot has pursued me, by some great ones Against your noble Admirall, they have frighted My fancy into my dreames with their close whispers, How to uncement your affections, And re••der him the fable, and the scorne Of France.

Qu.

Brave Montmorancie.

King.

Are you serious.

Con.

Have I a soule? or gratitude, to acknowledge My selfe your creature, dignified and honor'd By your high favours with an equall truth, I must declare the justice of your Admirall (In what my thoughts are conscious) and will rather Give up my claime to birth, title, and offices, Be throwne from your warme smile, the top and crowne Of subjects happinesse, then be brib'd with all Their glories to the guilt of Chabots ruine.

King.

Come, come, you over act this passion, And if it be not pollicie it tasts Too greene, and wants some counsell to mature it, His fall prepares your triumph.

Con.

It confirmes My shame alive, and buried will corrupt My very dust, make our house-genious grone, And fright the honest marble from my ashes: His fall prepare my triumph? turne me first A naked exile to the world.

King.

No more, Take heede you banish not your selfe, be wise, And let not too much zeale devoure your reason,

Enter Asall.

As.

Your Admirall Is condemn'd Sir?

King.

Ha? strange! no matter, Leave us, a great man I see may be As soone dispatch'd, as a common subject▪

Qu.

No mercy then for Chabot.

Enter Wife and Father.

Wif.

From whence came That sound of Chabot? then we are all undone: Oh doe not heare the Queene, she is no friend To my poore Lord, but made against his life, Which hath too many enemies already.

Con.

Poore soule, shee thinkes the Queene is still against him, Who employeth all her powers to preserve him.

Fa.

Say you so my Lord? daughter the Queen's our friend.

Wif.

Why doe you mocke my sorrow! can you flatter Your owne griefe so, be just, and heare me sir, And doe not sacrifice a subjects blood To appease a wrathfull Queene, let mercy shine Vpon your brow, and heaven will pay it backe Vpon your soule, be deafe to all her prayers.

King.

Poore heart, she knowes not what she has desir'd.

Wif.

I begge my Chab••ts life, my sorrowes yet Have not destroid my reason.

King.

He is in the power of my Lawes, not mine.

Wif.

Then you have no power, And are but the emptie shadow of a King, To whom is it resign'd? where shall I begge The forfeit life of one condemn••d by Lawes To partiall doome?

King.

You heare he is condemn'd then?

Fa.

My sonne is condemn'd fit.

King.

You know for what too.

Fa.

What the Iudges please to call it, But they have given t•• a name, Treason they say.

Qu.

I must not be denied.

King.

I must deny you.

Wif.

Be••lest for ever fort.

Qu.

Grant then to her.

King.

Chabot condemn'd by law?

Fa.

But you have power To change the rigor, in ••our breast there is A Chancellor above it, I nere had A suite before, but my knees joyne with hers

To implore your royall mercy to her Lord, And take his cause to your examination, It cannot wrong your Iudges, if they have Beene steer'd by conscience.

Con.

It will fame your Iustice.

King.

I cannot be prescrib'd, you kneele in vaine, You labour to betray me with your teares To a treason above his, gainst my owne Lawes, Looke to the Lady—

Exeunt.

Enter Asall.

As.

Sir the Chancellor.

King.

Admit him, leave us all.

Enter Chancellor.

How now my Lord? You have lost no time, and how thrive the proceedings.

Cha.

Twas sit my gracious Soveraigne, time should leave His motion made in all affaires beside, And spend his wings onely in speed of this.

King.

You have shew'd diligence, and whats become Of our most curious Iusticer, the Admirall?

Cha.

Condemn'd sir utterly, and all hands set To his conviction.

King.

And for faults most foule?

Cha.

More than most impious, but the applausive issue Strooke by the concourse of your ravish'd subjects For joy of your free Iustice, if there were No other cause to assure the sentence just Were proofe convincing.

King.

Now then he sees cleerely That men perceive how vaine his Iustice was, And scorne him for the foolish net he wore To hide his nakednesse; ist not a wonder That mens ambitions should so blinde their reason To affect shapes of honesty, and take pride Rather in seeming, then in being just.

Cha.

Seeming has better fortune to attend it Then being sound at heart, and vertuous.

King.

Professe all? nothing doe, like those that live

By looking to the Lamps of holy Temples, Who still are busie taking off their snuffes, But for their profit sake will adde no oyle; So these will checke and sentence every fame, The blaze of riotous blood doth cast in others, And in themselves leave the sume most offensive, But he to doe this? more deceives my judgement Than all the rest whose nature I have sounded.

Cha.

I know Sir, and have prov'd it.

King.

Well my Lord To omit circumstance, I highly thanke you For this late service you have done me here, Which is so great and meritorious That with my ablest power I scarce can quit you.

Cha.

Your sole acceptance (my dread soveraigne) I more rejoyce in, than in all the fortunes That ever chanc'd me, but when may it please Your Highnesse to order the execution? The haste thus farre hath spar'd no pinions.

King.

No my Lord, your care Hath therein much deserv'd.

Cha.

But where proportion Is kept toth' end in things, at start so happy That end set on the crowne.

King.

Ile speede it therefore.

Cha.

Your thoughts direct it, they are wing'd.

Exit.

King.

I joy this boldnesse is condemn'd, that I may pardon, And t••erein get some ground in his opinion By so much bounty as save his life, And me thinks that weigh'd more, should sway the ballance Twixt me and him, held by his owne free Iustice, For I could never finde him obstinate In any minde he held, when once he saw Th' error with which he laboured, and since now He needs must feele it, I admit no doubt, But that his alteration will beget Another sence of things twixt him and me; Whose there?

Goe to the Captaine of my ••uard, and will him To attend his condemn'd prisoner to me instantly.

As.

I shall sir

Ewer Treasurer & Secretary

King.

My Lords, you were spectators of our Admirall.

Tre.

And hearers too of his most just conviction, In which we witnest over-weight enough In your great bounties, and as they there were weigh'd With all the feathers of his boasted merits.

King.

Has felt a scorching triall, and the test (That holds fires utmost force) we must give mettalls That will not with the hammer, and the melting Confesse their truth, and this same sence of feeling (Being ground to all the sences) hath one key More than the rest to let in through them all The mindes true apprehension, that thence takes Her first convey'd intelligence. I long To see this man of considence agen: How thinke you Lords, will Chabot looke on mee, Now sp••ild of the integrity, he boasted?

Sec.

It were too much honour to vouchsafe your sight.

Tr.

No doubt my Leigh, but he that hath offended In such a height against your crowne and person, Will want no impudence to looke upon you.

Enter As••ll, Captaine, Admirall.

Cap.

Sir, I had charge given me by this Gentleman To bring your condemn'd prisoner to your presence.

King.

You have done well, and tell the Queene, and our Lord Constable we desire their presence, bid Our Admiralls Lady, and her father too Attend us here, they are but new withdrawne.

As.

I shall sir!

Tre.

Doe you ••••serve this confidence? He stands as all his triall were a dreame.

S••c.

Hele finde the horrour waking the King's troubled; Now for •• thu••der-clap: the Queene and Constable.

Enter Queene, Constable, Wise and Father.

Tr.

I doe not like their mixtu••e.

King,

My Lo••d Admirall,

You made it your desire to have this triall That late hath past upon you; And now you feele how vaine is too much faith And flattery of your selfe, as if your brest Were proofe gainst all invasion, tis so slight You see it lets in death, whats past, hath beene To satisfie your insolence, there remaines That now we serve our owne free pleasure, therefore By th••t most absolute power, with which all right Puts in my hands, these issues turnes, and changes, I here in eare of all these, pardon all Your faults and forfeits, whatsoever sensur'd, Againe advancing, and establishing Your person in all fulnesse of that state That ever you enjoy'd before th' attainder▪

Tre.

Wonderfull, pardon'd!

Wif.

Heaven preserve the King.

Qu.

Who for this will deserve all time to honour him.

Con.

And live Kings best example.

Fa.

Sonne yare pardon'd, Be sure you looke hereafter well about you.

Adm.

Vouchsafe great Sir to assure me what you said, You nam'd my pardon.

King.

And agen declare it, For all crimes past, of what nature soever.

Adm.

You cannot pardon me Sir.

King.

How's that Philip?

Adm.

It is a word carries too much relation To an offence, of which I am not guilty, And I must still be bold where truth still armes, In spight of all those frownes that would deject me To say I neede no pardon.

King.

Ha, howes this?

Fa.

Hees mad with over-joy, and answers nonsence.

King.

Why, tell me Chabot, are not you condemn'd?

Adm.

Yes, and that justifies me much the more, For whatsoever false report hath brought you, I was condemn'd for nothing that could reach

To prejudice my life, my goods or honour, As first in firmenesse of my conscience, I confidently told you, not alas Presuming on your slender thred of favour, Or pride of fortunate and courtly boldnesse, But what my faith and justice bade me trust too, For none of all your learned assistant Judges, With all the malice of my crimes could urge, Or fel••ny or hurt of sacred power.

King.

Doe any heare this, but my selfe? My Lords, This man still justifies his innocence, What prodigies are these? have not our Lawes Past on his actions, have not equall Iudges Certified his arraignement, and him guilty Of capitall Treason? and yet doe I heare Chabot accuse all these, and quit himselfe.

Tr.

It does appeare distraction sir.

King.

Did we Seeme so indulgent to propose our free And royall pardon without suite or prayer, To meete with his contempt?

Sec.

Vnhea••'d of impudence!

Ad.

I were malicious to my selfe, and desperate To force untruths upon my soule, and when Tis cleare, to confesse a shame to exercise Your pardon sir, were I so foule and monstrous As I am given to you, you would commit A sinne next mine, by wronging your owne mercy To let me draw out impious breath, it will Release your wonder, if you give command To see your processe, and if it prove other Tha•• I presume to Informe, teare me in peeces.

King.

Goe for the Processe, and the Chancellor, With the assistant Iudges. I thanke heaven

Exit As.

That with all these inforcements of distraction My reason stayes so cleare to heare, and answer, And •••• direct a message. This inversion Of all the loyalties, and true deserts

That I beleev'd I govern'd with, till now In my choice Lawyers, and chiefe Counsellors Is able to shake all my frame of reason.

Adm.

I am much griv'd.

King.

No more, I doe incline To thinke I am abus'd, my Lawes betrai'd And wrested to the purpose of my Judges, This confidence in Chabot turnes my judgement, This was too wilde away▪ to make his merits Stoope and acknowledge my superior bounties, That it doth raise, and sixe e'm past my art, To shadow all the shame and forfeits mine.

Enter Asall, Chancellor, Iudges.

As.

The Chancellor and Judges Sir.

Tre.

I like not This passion in the King, the Queene and Constable Are of that side.

King.

My Lord, you dare appeare then?

Cha.

Dare Sir, I hope.

King.

Well done, hope still, and tell me, Is not this man condemn'd?

Cha.

Strange question Sir, The processe will declare it, sign'd with all These my assistant brothers reverend hands To his conviction in a publike triall.

King.

You said for foule and monstrous facts prov'd by 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Cha.

The very words are there sir.

King.

But the deedes I looke for sir, name me but one thats monstrous?

Cha.

His foule comparisons, and affronts of you, To me seem'd monstrous.

King.

I told you them sir, Nor were they any that your so vast knowledge, Being a man studied in him, could produce And prove as cleare as heaven, you warranted To make appeare such treasons in the Admirall, As never all Lawes, Volumes yet had sentenc'd, And France should looke on, having scap'd with wonder

What in this nature hath beene cleerely prov'd In his arraignement. 1. Nothing that we heard In slendrest touch urg'd by your Advocate.

King.

Dare you affirme this too? 2. Most considently.

King.

No base corruptions charg'd upon him. 1. None sir.

Tr.

This argues Chabot has corrupted him.

Se••.

I doe not like this. 1. The summe of all Was urg'd to prove your Admirall corrupt, Was an exaction of his officers, Of twenty souse taken from the Fishermen For every boate, and that fish'd the Normand coast.

King.

And was this all The mountaines, and the marvells promist me, To be in cleere proofe made against the life. Of our so hated Admirall.

Iud.

All sir, Vpon our lives and consciences.

Cha.

I am blasted.

King.

How durst you then subscribe to his conviction. 1. For threats by my Lord Chancellor on the Bench, Affirming that your Majestie would have it Made capitall treason, or account us traitors. 2. Yet sir, we did put to our names with this Interposition of a note in secret In these two letters Ʋ, and I, to shew Wee were enforc'd to what we did, which then In Law is nothing.

Fa.

How doe you feele your Lordship, Did you not finde some stuffing in your head, Your braine should have beene purg'd,

Cha.

I fall to peeces, Would they had rotted on the Bench.

King.

And so you sav'd the peace of that high Court. Which otherwise his impious rage had broken, But thus am I by his malicious arts

A parly rendred, and most tyrannous spurre To all the open course of his base envies, A forcer of my Iudges, and a thirst Of my nobilities blood, and all by one, I trusted to make cleere my love of Iustice.

Cha.

I beseech your Majestie, let all my zeale To serve your vertues, with a sacred value Made of your royall state, to which each least But shade of violence in any subject Doth provoke certaine death.

King.

Death on thy name And memory for ever, one command Our Advocate attend us presently.

As.

He waites here.

King.

But single death shall not excuse, thy skinne Torne ore thine eares, and what else can be inflicted•• If thy life with the same severity Dissected cannot stand so many fires.

Sec.

Tre. Be mercifull great Sir.

King.

Yet more amaze? Is there a knee in all the world beside That any humane conscience can let bow For him, yare traitors all that pitty him.

Tr.

This is no time to move.

King.

Yet twas my fault To trust this wretch, whom I knew fierce and proud With formes of tongue and learning, what a prisoner Is pride of the whole slood of man? for as A humane seede is said to be a mixture And faire contemperature extracted from All our best faculties, so the seede of all Mans sensuall frailty, may be said to abide, And have their confluence in onely pride, It stupifies mans reason so, and dulls True sence of any thing, but what may fall In his owne glory, quenches all the spirits That light a man to honour and true goodnesse.

As.

Your Advocate.

Enter Advocate.

King.

Come hither.

Adv.

My most gracious Soveraigne.

Adm.

Madam you infinitely oblige our duty.

Qu.

I was too long ignorant of your worth my Lord, And this sweete Ladies vertue.

W••f.

Both your servants.

Adm

I never had a feare of the Kings Iustice, And yet I Know not what creepes ore my heart, And leaves an ice beneath it, my Lord Chancellor, You have my forgivenesse, but implore heavens pardon For wrongs to equall justice, you shall want No charitie of mine to mediate To the King for you.

Cha.

Horrour of my soule Confounds my gratitude.

Con.

To me now most welcome.

Adv.

It was my allegiance sir, I did enforce, But by directions of your Chancellor, It was my office to advance your cause Gainst all the world, which when I leave to execute, Flea me, and turne me out a most raw Advocate.

King.

You see my Chancellor.

Adv.

He has an ill looke with him.

King.

It shall be your province now, on our behalfe To urge what can in justice be against him, His riot on our Lawes, and corrupt actions Will give you scope and field enough.

Adv.

And I Will play my law prize, never feare it sir. He shall be guilty of what you please, I am studied In him sir, I will squeeze his villan••es, And urge his acts so whom into his bowells, The force of it shall make him hang himselfe, And save the Lawes a labour.

King.

Iudges, for all The poisonous outrage, that this viper spile On all my royall freedome and my Empire, As making all but servants to his malice,

I will have you revise the late arraignement, And for those worthy reasons, that already Affect you for my Admiralls acquitall Employ your justice on this Chancellor, away with him, Arrest him Captaine of my guard to answer All that due course of Law against him can Charge both his Acts and life.

Cap.

I doe arrest thee

Poyet

Lord Chancellor in his Highnesse name, To answer all that equall course of Law Can charge thy acts and life with.

Cha.

I Obey.

King.

How false a heart corruption has, how base Without true worth are all these earth-bred glories? Oh blessed justice, by which all things stand, That stills the thunder, and makes lightning finke Twixt earth and heaven amaz'd, and cannot strike, Being prov'd so now in wonder of this man, The object of mens hate, and heavens bright love; And as in cloudy dayes, we see the Sunne Glide over turrets, temples, richest fields, All those left darke, and slighted in his way, And on the wretched plight of some poore shed, Powres all the glories of his golden head; So heavenly vertue, on this envied Lord, Points all his graces, that I may dinstinguish Him better from the world.

Tre.

You doe him right.

King.

But away Iudges, and pursue the afraignement Of this polluted Chancellor with that swiftnesse, His fury wing'd against my Admirall, And be you all, that sate on him compurgators Of me against this false Iudge.

Iud.

We are so.

King.

Be you two joyn'd in the commission, And nothing urg'd but justly, of me learning This one more lesson out of the events Of these affaires now past, that whatsoever

Charge or Commission Iudges have from us, They ever make their ayme ingenuous Iustice, Not partiall for reward, or swelling favour, To which if your King steere you, spare to obey; For when his troubled blood is cleere, and calme, He will repent that he pursued his rage, Before his pious Law, and hold that Iudge Vnworthy of his place, that lets his censure Flote in the waves of an imagin'd favour, This shipwracks in the haven, and but wounds Their consciences that sooth the soone ebb'd humours Of their incensed King.

Con. Tre.

Royall and sacred.

King.

Come Philip, shine thy honour now for ever, For this short temporall ecclipse it suffer'd By th' interpos'd desire I had to try thee, Nor let the thought of what is past afflict thee, For my unkindnesse, live still circled here, The bright intelligence of our royall spheere.

Exeunt.