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 Quintus.

Enter Queene, Constable, Father.

Qu.

THe Admirall sicke? Fa. With danger at the h••••rt, I came to tell the King.

Con.

He never had More reason in his soule, to entertaine All the delights of health.

Fa.

I feare my Lord, Some apprehension of the Kings unkindnesse, By giving up his person, and his offices To the Lawes gripe and search, is ground of his Sad change, the greatest foules are thus oft wounded, If he vouchsafe his presence, it may quicken His fast decaying spirits, and prevent

The hasty ebbe of life.

Qu.

The King is now Fraught with the joy of his fresh preservation, The newes so violent, let into his eare, May have some dangerous effect in him, I wod not counsell sir to that.

Fa.

With greater reason I may suspect they'le spread my Lord, and as A river left his curl'd and impetuous waves Over the bankes, by confluence of streames That fill and swell her channell, for by this time He has the addition of Allegres suffering, His honest servant, whom I met though feeble And worne with torture, going to congratulatë His Masters safetie.

Qu.

It seemes he much Affected that Allegre.

Con.

There will be But a sad interview and dialogue.

Qu.

Does he keepe his bed?

Fa.

In that alone He shewes a fortitude, he will move, and walke He sayes while his owne strength or others can Support him, wishing he might stand and looke His destiny in the face at the last summon, Not sluggishly exhaile his soule in bed, With indulgence, and nice flattery of his limbs.

Qu.

Can he in this shew spirit, and want force To wrastle with a thought?

Fa.

Oh Madam, Madam, We may have proofe against thë sword, and tyranny Of boysterous warre that threatens us, but when Kings froune, a Cannon mounted in each eye, Shoote death to apprehension, ere their fire And force approach us.

Enter King.

Con.

Here's the King.

Qu.

No words To interrupt his quiet,

Fa.

Ile begon then.

King.

Our Admiralls father! call him backe.

Qu.

I w••not stay to heare e'm.

Exit.

Con.

Sir, be prudent, And doe not for your sonne fright the Kings health.

Exit.

King.

What, ha they left us? how does my Admirall?

Fa.

I am forbid to tell you sir.

King.

By whom.

Fa.

The Queene and my Lord Constable.

King.

Are there Remaining seedes of faction? have they soules Not yet convinc'd ith truth of Chabots honour, Cleare as the christall heaven, and bove the reach Of imitation.

Fa.

Tis their care of you, And no thought prejudiciall to my sonne.

King.

Their care of me? How can the knowledge of my Admiralls state Concerne their feares of me, I see their envie Of Chabots happinesse, whose joy to be Rendr'd so pure and genuine to the world Doth grate upon their conscience and affright 'em; But let 'em vexe, and bid my Chabot still Exalt his heart, and triumph, he shall havë The accesse of ours, the kingdome shall put on Such joyes for him as she would bost to celebratë Her owne escape from ruine.

Fa.

He is not in state to heare my sad newes I perceive.

King.

That countenance is not right, it does not answë•• What I expect, Say, how is my Admirall? The truth upon thy life.

Fa.

To secure his, I would you had.

King

Ha? Who durst oppose him?

Fa.

One that hath power enough hath practised on him And made his great heart stoope.

King.

I will revenge it

With crushing, crushing that rebellious power to nothing. Name him.

Fa.

He was his friend.

King.

A friend to malice, his owne blacke impostume Burne his blood up, what mischiefe hath ingendred New stormes?

Fa.

Tis the old tempest.

King.

Did not we Appease all horrors that look'd wilde upon him?

Fa.

You drest his wounds I must confesse, but made No cure, they bleede a fresh, pardon me sir, Although your conscience have clos'd too soone, He is in danger, and doth want new surgerie Though he be right in fame, and your opinion, He thinkes you were unkinde.

King.

Alas poore Chabot, Doth that afflict him.

Fa.

So much, though he strive With most resolv'd and Adamantine nerves, As ever humane fire in flesh and blood, Forg'd for example, to beare all, so killing The arrowes that you shot were (still your pardon) No Centaures blood could rancle so.

King.

If this Be all, ile cure him, Kings retaine More Balsome in their soule them hurt in anger.

Fa.

Farre short sir, with one breath they uncreate, And Kings with onely words more wounds can make Then all their kingdome made in balme can heale, Tis dangerous to play to wilde a descant On numerous vertue, though it become Princes To assure their adventures made in every thing, Goodnesse confin'd within poore flesh and blood, Hath but a queazie and still sickly state, A musicall hand should onely play on her Fluent as ayre, yet every touch command.

King.

No more, Commend us to the Admirall, and say,

The King will visite him, and bring health.

Fa.

I will not doubt that blessing, and shall move Nimbly with this command.

Exeunt.

Enter Officers before, Treasurer, Secretary, and Iudges, at∣tended by Petitioners, the Advocate also with many papers in his hand, they take their places. The Chancellor with a guard, and plac'd at the Barre.

Tre.

Did you beleeve the Chancellor had beene So foule?

Sec.

Hee's lost toth' people, what contempts They throw upon him? but we must be wise.

1 Iud.

Were there no other guilt, his malice shëw'd Vpon the Admirall, in orebearing justice, Would well deserve a sentence.

Tre.

And a deepe one.

2 Iud.

If please your Lordships to remember that Was specially commended by the King, As being most blemish to his royall person, And the free justice of his state.

Tre.

Already He has confest upon his examinations Enough for sensure, yet to obey forme— Mr. Advocate if you please—

Adv.

I am ready for your Lordships: It hath beene said, and will be said agen, and may truely be justified, Omnia ex lite fieri. It was the position of Philosophers, and now proved by a more Phylosophycall sect, the Lawyers, that Omnia ex lite fiant, we are all made by Law, made I say, and worthily if we be just, if we be un just, marr'd, though in marring some, there is necessitie of making others, for if one sall by the Law, tenne to one but another is exalted by the execution of the Law, since the corruption of one must conclude the genera∣tion of another, though not alwayes in the same profession; the corruption of an Apothecary, may be the generation of a Doctor of Physicke; the corruption of a Citizen may beget a Courtier, & a Courtier may very well beget an Alderman, the corruption of an Alderman may be the generation of a Coun∣try Iustice, whose corrupt ignorance easily may beget a tumult,

a tumult may beget a Captaine, and the corruption of a Cap∣taine may beget a Gentleman-Vsher, and a Gentleman-Vsher may beget a Lord, whose wit may beget a Poet, and a Poet may get a thousand pound a yeare, but nothing without cor∣ruption.

Tre.

Good Mr. Advocate be pleased to leave all digressi∣ons, and speake of the Chancellor.

Adv.

Your Lordship doth very seasonably premonish, and I shall not neede to leave my subject corruption, while I dis∣course of him, who is the very fenne and stigian abisse of it, five thousand and odde hundred foule and impious corrupti∣ons, for I will be briefe; have beene found by severall exami∣nations, and by oathes prov'd against this odious and polluted Chancelor, a man of so tainted, and contagious a life, that it is a miracle any man enjoyeth his nostrills, that hath lived with∣in the sent of his offices; he was borne with teeth in his head, by an affidavit of his Midwife, to note his devouring, and hath one toe on his left foote crooked, and in the forme of an Eagles talon, to foretell his rapacitie: What shall I say? branded, mark'd, and design'd in his birth for shame and oblo∣quie, which appeareth further by a mole under his right eare, with only three Witches haires int, strange and ominous pre∣dictions of nature.

Tre.

You have acquainted your selfe but very lately With this intelligence, for as I remember Your tongue was guilty of no such character, When hee sat Iudge upon the Admirall, A pious incorrupt man, a faithfull and fortunate Servant to his King, and one of the greatest Honours that ever the Admirall received, was That he had so noble and just a Iudge, this must Imply a strange volubilitie in your tongue, or Conscience, I speake not to discountenance any Evidence for the King, but to put you in minde, Mr. Advocate that you had then a better opinion Of my Lord Chancellor.

Adv.

Your Lordship hath most aptly interpos'd, and with a word I shall easily satisfie all your judgements; He was then

a Judge, and in Cathedra, in which he could not erre; it may be your Lordships cases, out of the chaire and seate of Iustice, he hath his frailties, is loos'ed and expos'd to the conditions of other humane natures; so every Iudge, your Lordships are not ignorant hath a kinde of priviledge while he is in his state, office and being, and although hee may quoad se, internally and privately be guilty of bribery of Iustice, yet quoad nos, and in publike he is an upright and innocent Iudge, we are to take no notice, nay, we deserved to suffer, if wee should detect or staine him; for in that we disparage the Office, which is the Kings, and may be our owne, but once remov'd from his place by just dishonour of the King, he is no more a Iudge but a common person, whom the law takes hold on, and wee are then to forget what hee hath beene, and without partialitie to strip and lay him open to the world, a counterfeit and cor∣rupt Iudge, as for example, hee may and ought to flourish in his greatnesse, and breake any mans necke, with as much faci∣litie as a jeast, but the case being altered, and hee downe, eve∣ry subject shall be heard, a Wolfe may be appareld in a Lamb∣skinne; and if every man should be afraid to speake truth, nay and more than truth, if the good of the subject which are cli∣ents sometime require it, there would be no remove of Offi∣cers, if no remove no motions▪ if no motion in Court no heate, and by consequence but cold Termes; take away this moving, this removing of Iudges, the Law may bury it selfe in Buck∣ram, and the kingdome suffer for want of a due execution; and now I hope your Lordships are satisfied.

Tre.

Most learnedly concluded to acquity our selfe.

1 Iud.

Mr. Advocate, please you to urge for satisfaction Of the world, and clearing the Kings honour, how In justly he proceeded against the Admirall.

Adv.

I shall obey your Lordship—So v••st so infi∣nite hath beene the impudence of this Chancellor▪ not onely toward the subject, but even the sacred person of the King, that I tremble as with a Palsie to remember it. This man, or rather this monster, having power and commission trusted for the examination of the Lord Admirall, a man perfect in all ho∣nour and justice; indeede the very ornament and second

flower of France, for the Flower de lis, is sacred and above all flowers, and indeede the best flower in our garden. Having used all wayes to circumvent his innocence by suborning and promising rewards to his betrayers, by compelling others by the cruelty of tortures, as namely Mounsieur Allegre a most ho∣nest and faithfull servant to his Lord, tearing and extending his sinewes upon the ••acke to force a confession to his purpose, and finding nothing prevaile upon the invincible vertue of the Admirall.

Sec.

How he would flatter him?

Adv.

Yet most maliciously proceeded to arraigne him; to be short against all colour of Iustice condemn'd him of high treasons; oh thinke what the life of man is, that can never be recompenced; but the life of a just man, a man that is the vi∣gour and glory of our life and nation to be torne to death, and sacrifis'd beyond the mallice of common persecution. What Tiger of Hercanian breede could have beene so cruell? but this is not all? he was not guilty onely of murder, guilty I may say In foro cōsctieniae, though our good Admirall was miraculously preserv'd, but unto this he added a most prodigious & fearefull rape, a rape even upon Iustice it self, the very soule of our state, for the rest of the Iudges upon the Bench, venerable images of Austria, he most tyranously compel'd to set their hands to his most unjust sentence; did ever story remember the like outr••ge and injustice; what forfeit, what penalty can be enough to satisfie this transcendent offence? and yet my good Lords, this is but veniall to the sacriledge which now followes, and by him committed, not content with this sentence, not satisfied with horrid violence upon the sacred Tribunall, but hee pro∣ceedes and blasphemes the very name and honour of the King himselfe, observe that, making him the author and impulsive cause of all these rapines, justifying that he mov'd onely by his speciall command to the death, nay the murder of his most faithfull subject, translating all his owne blacke and damnable guilt upon the Kings heires, a traytor to his Country, first, he conspires the death of one whom the King loves, and whom e∣very subject ought to honour, and then makes it no conscience to proclaime it the Kings act, & by consequ••nce declares him a

murderer of his owne, and of his best subjects.

Within

An Advocate, an Advocate, teare him in peeces, Teare the Chancellor in peeces.

Tre.

The people have deepe sence of the Chancellors in∣justice.

Sec.

We must be carefull to prevent their mutiny.

•• Iud.

It will become our wisedomes to secure the court And prisoner.

Tre.

Captaine of the guard. 2. What can you say for your selfe Lord Chancellor.

Cha.

Againe, I confesse all, and humbly fly to The royall mercy of the King.

Tre.

And this submission is the way to purchase it.

Cha.

Heare me great Iudges, if you have not lost For my sake all your charities, I beseech you, Let the King know my heart is full of penitence, Calme his high-going sea, or in that tempest I ruine to eternitie, oh my Lords, Consider your owne places, and the helmes You sit at, while with all your providence You steere, looke forth and see devouring quicksands, My ambition now is punish'd, and my pride Of state and greatnesse falling into nothing, I that had never time through vast employments To thinke of heaven, feele his revengefull wrath, Boyling my blood, and scorching up my entrills, There doomesday is my conscience blacke and horrid, For my abuse of Iustice, but no stings Prickt with that terrour as the wounds I made Vpon the pious Admirall, some good man Beare my repentance thither, he is mercifull, And may encline the King to stay his lightning Which threatens my confusion, that my free Resigne of title, office, and what else My pride look'd at, would buy my poore lives safety, For ever banish me the court, and let Me waste my life farre off in some Village.

Adv.

How? Did your Lordships note his request to you, he would direct your sentence to punish him with confining

him to live in the country, like the Mouse in the Fable, that having offended to deserve death, beg'd he might be banished into a Parmisan. I hope your Lordships will be more just to the nature of his offences.

Sec.

I could have wish'd him fall on softer ground For his good parts.

Tre.

My Lord, this is your sentence for you high misde∣meanours against his Majesties Iudges, for your unjust sentence of the most equall Lord Admirall, for many and foule corrup∣tions and abuse of your office, and that infinite staine of the Kings person, and honour, we in his Majesties name, deprive you of your estate of Chancellor, & declare you uncapeable of any judiciall office, & besides condemne you in the sum of two hundred thousand crownes; whereof one hundred thousand to the King, and one hundred thousand to the Lord Admirall, and what remaineth of your estate to goe to the restitution of those you have injur'd, and to suffer perpetuall imprisonment in the Castle, so take him to your custody. Your Lordships have beene mercifull in his sentence.

Exit.

They have spar'd my life then, that some cure may bring, I spend it in my prayers for the King.

Exeunt▪

Enter Admirall in his Gowne and Cap, his Wife.

Adm.

Allegre I am glad he hath so much strength, I prethee let me see him.

Wif.

It will but Enlarge a passion—my Lord hee'le come Another time and tender you his service.

Adm.

Nay then—

Wif.

Although I like it not, I must obey.

Exit.

Enter Allegre supported.

Adm.

Welcome my injur'd servant, what a misery Ha they made on thee?

Al.

Though some change appeare Vpon my body, whose severe affliction Hath brought it thus to be sustained by others, My hurt is still the same in faith to you, Not broken with their rage.

Adm.

Alas poore man!

Were all my joyes essentiall, and so mighty As the affected world beleeves I taste, This object were enough to unsweeten all, Though in thy absence I had suffering, And felt within me a strong sympathy, While for my sake their cruelty did vexe, And fright thy nerves with horrour of thy sence, Yet in this spectacle I apprehend More griefe than all my imagination Could let before into me; didst not curse me Vpon the torture?

Al.

Good my Lord, let not The thought of what I suffer'd dwell upon Your memory, they could not punish more Then what my duty did oblige to beare For you and Iustice, but theres some thing in Your lookes, presents more feare than all the mallice Of my tormentors could affect my soule with, That palenesse, and the other formes you weare, Would well become a guilty Admirall, and one Lost to his hopes and honour, not the man Vpon whose life the fury of unjustice Arm'd with fierce lightning, and the power of thunder, Can make no breach, I was not rack'd till now, Theres more death in that falling eye, than all Rage ever yet brought forth, what accident sir can blast, Can be so blacke and fatall to distract The calme? the triumph that should sit upon Your noble brow, mi••fortune could have no Time to conspire with fate, since you were rescued By the great arme of providence, nor can Those garlands that now grow about your forehead With all the poyson of the world be blasted.

Adm.

Allegre, thou dost beare thy wounds upon thee, In wide and spacious characters, but in The volumne of my sadnesse thou dost want An eye to reade an open force, hath torne Thy manly sinewes which sometime may cure

The engine is not seene that wounds thy Master, Past all the remedy of art or time, The flatteries of Court, of fame or honours, Thus in the Sommer a tall flourishing tree, Transplanted by strong hand, with all her leaves And blooming pride upon her makes a shew Of Spring, tempting the eye with wanton blossome, But not the Sunne with all her amorous smiles, The dewes of mornings, or the teares of night, Can roote her fibers in the earth agen, Or make her bosome kinde, to growth and bearing, But the tree withers, and those very beames That once were naturall warmth to her soft verdure Dry up her sap and shoote a feaver through The barke and rinde, till she becomes a burthen To that which gave her life: so Chabot, Chabot.

Al.

Wonder in apprehension, I must Suspect your health indeede.

Adm.

No no, thou shanot Be troubled, I but stirr'd thee with a morrall, Thats empty containes nothing, I am well, See I can walke poore man, thou hast not strength yet.

Al.

What accident is ground of this distraction?

Enter Admirall.

Adm.

Thou hast not heard yet whats become oth' Chancel∣lor?

Al.

Not yet my Lord.

Adm.

Poore gentleman, when I thinke Vpon the King, I've balme enough to cure A thousand wounds, have I not Allegre? Was ever bountious mercy read in story, Like his upon my life, condemn'd for sacrifice By Law, and snatch'd out of the flame unlooked for, And unpetitioned? but his justice then That wod not spare whom his owne love made great, But give me up to the most cruell test Of Iudges, for some boldnesse in defence Of my owne merits, and my honest faith to him Was rare, past example.

Enter Father.

Fa.

Sir, the King Is comming hither.

Al.

It will Become my duty sir to leave you now.

Adm,

Stay by all meanes Allegre, 'tshall concernē you, I'me infinitely honor'd in his presence.

Enter King, Queene, Constable, and Wife.

King.

Madam be comforted, Ile be his Phisitian.

Wif.

Pray heaven you may.

King.

No ceremoniall knees, Give me thy heart, my deare, my honest Chabot, And yet in vaine I chalenge that tis here Already in my owne, and shall be cherish'd With care of my best life, violence Shall ravish it from my possession, Not those distempers that infirme my blood And spirits shall betray it to a feare, When time and nature joyne to dispossesse My body of a cold and languishing breath, No stroake in all my arteries, but silence In every faculty, yet dissect me then, And in my heart, the world shall read thee living, And by the vertue of thy name write there, That part of me shall never putrifie, When I am lost in all my other dust.

Adm.

You too much honour your poore servant sir, My heart dispares so rich a monument; But when it dies—

King.

I wonot heare a sound Of any thing that trenched upon death, He speakes the funerall of my crowne that prophesies So unkinde a fate, weele live and die together, And by that duty which hath taught you hitherto, All loyall and just services I charge thee, Preserve thy heart for me and thy reward, Which now shall crowne thy merits.

Adm.

I have found

A glorious harvest in your savour sir, And by this overslow of royall grace, All my deserts are shadowes and slie from mee, I have not in the wealth of my desires, Enough to pay you now, yet you encourage me To make one suite.

King.

So soone as nam'd possesse it.

Adm.

You would be pleas'd take notice of this Gentleman, A Secretary of mine.

Con.

Mounsieur Allegre, He that was rack'd sir for your Admirall.

Adm.

His limbs want strength to tender their full duty, An honest man that suffers for my sake.

King.

He shall be deare to us, for what has past sir By the unjustice of our Chancellors power, Weele study to recompence, ith' meane time that office You exercis'd for Chabot we translate To our selfe, you shall be our Secretary.

Al.

This is An honour above my weake desert, and shall Oblige the service of my life to satisfie it.

Adm.

You are gracious, and in this act have put All our complaints to silence, you Allegre,

Enter Tresuror, Secretary.

Cherish your health, and feeble limbs which cannot Without much prejudice be thus employ'd; All my best wishes with thee.

Al.

All my prayers Are duties to your Lordship—

Exit.

King.

Tis too little, Can forfeit of his place, wealth, and a lasting Imprisonment purge his offences to Our honest Admirall, had our person beene Exempted from his mallice, he did persecute The life of Chabot with an equall wrath, You should have powr'd death on his treacherous head, I revoke all your sentences, and make Him that was wrong'd full Master of his destiny,

Be thou his judge.

Adm.

O farre be such injustice, I know his doome is heavie, and I begge Where mercy may be let into his sentence For my sake you would soften it, I have Glory enough to be set right in yours, And my deare countries thought, and by an act With such apparent notice to the world.

King.

Expresse it in some joy then.

Adm.

I will strive To shew that pious gratitude to you but—

Kng.

But what

Adm.

My frame hath lately sir beene tane a peec••s, And but now put together, the least force Of mirth will shake and unjoynt all my reason, Your patience royall sir.

King.

Ile have no patience, If thou forget the courage of a man.

Adm.

My strength would ••latter me.

King.

Phisitian•• Now I begin to feare his apprehension, Why how is Chabots spirit falne?

Qu.

Twere best He were conveid to his bed.

Wif.

How soone turn'd widdow.

Adm.

Who would not wish to live to serve your goodnes. Stand from me, you betray me with your feares, The plummets may fall off that hang upon My heart, they were but thoughts at first, or if They weigh me downe to death let not my eyes Close with another object then the King, Let him be last I looke on.

King.

I would not have him lost for my whole Kingdome.

Con.

He may recover sir.

King.

I see it fall, For Iustice being the proppe of every Kingdome And mine broke, violating him that was The knot and contract of it all in him, It already falling in my eate,

Pompey could heare it thunder, when the Senate And Capitoll were deafe, so heavens loud chiding, Ile have another sentence for my Chancellor, Vnlesse my Chabot live, In a Prince What a swift executioner is a frowne, Especially of great and noble soules; How is it with my Philip?

Adm.

I must begge One other boone.

King.

Vpon condition My Chabot will collect his scatter'd spirits, And be himselfe agen, he shall divide My Kingdome with me.

Fa.

Sweete King.

Adm.

I observe A fierce and killing wrath engendred in you; For my sake, as you wish me strength to serve you, Forgive your Chancellor, let not the story Of Philip Chabot read hereafter draw A teare from any family, I beseech Your royall mercy on his life, and free Remission of all seasure upon his state, I have no comfort else.

King.

Endeavour But thy owne health, and pronounce generall pardon To all through France.

Adm.

Sir I must kneele to thanke you, It is not seal'd else, your blest hand live happy, May all you trust have no lesse faith then Chabot, Oh.

Wif.

His heart is broken.

Fa.

And kneeling sir, As his ambition were in death to shew The truth of his obedience.

Con.

I feard this issue.

Tre.

Hees past hope.

King.

He has a victory ins death, this world

Deserv'd him not, how soone he was translated To glorious eternitie, tis too late To fright the ayre with words, my teare•• embalme him.

Wif.

What can become of me?

Qu.

Ile be your husband Madam, and with care Supply your childrens father, to your father Ile be a sonne, in what ou•• love or power Can serve his friends, Chabot shall nere be wanting, The greatest losse is mine, past scale or recompence, We will proceede no further gainst the Chancellor, To the charitie of our Admirall he owes His life which ever banish'd to a prison, Shall not beget in us, or in the subject N••w feares of his injustice, for his fortunes Great and acquir'd corruptly, tis our will They make just restitution for all wrongs That shall within a yeare be prov'd against him; O Chabot that shall boast as many monuments As there be hearts in France, which as they grow, Shall with more love enshrine thee, Kings they say, Die not, or starve succession, oh why Should that stand firme, and Kings themselves despaire, To finde their subject still in the next heire▪

Exeunt.