AMURACK

Welcome Belinus to thy cosens Court, Whose late arrival in such posting pace, Does bring both joy and sorrow to us all: Sorrow because the Fates have be so false, To let Alphonsus driven thee from thy land: And joy, since that now mighty Mahomet Hath given me cause to recompense at full, The sundry pleasures I received of thee. Therefore Belinus do but ask and have: For Amurack does grant what ere you crave. My aid Belinus, do you doubt of that? If all the men at arms of Africa, Of Asia likewise, will sufficient be, To press the pomp of that usurping mate: Assure thy self, thy kingdom shall be thine, If Mahomet say I unto the same: For were I sure to vanquish all our foes, And find such spoils in ransacking their Tents, As never any Caesar did obtain, Yet would I not set foot forth of this land: If Mahomet our journey did withstand. You counsel well, therefore Belinus haste, And Claramount go bear him company, With King Arcastus, to the City walls. Then bend with speed unto the darksome grove, Where Mahomet this many a hundred year Hath prophesied unto our ancestors, Tell to his Priests, that Amurack your King Is now selecting all his men at arms, To set upon that proud Alphonsus troop. The cause you know, and can inform him well, That makes me take these bloody broils in hand: And say that I desire their sacred God, That Mahomet which ruleth all the skies, To send me word and that most speedily, Which of us shall obtain the victory. You Bajazet go post away apace, To Siria, Scythia, and Albania, To Babylon, with Mesopotamia, Asia, Armenia, and all other lands Which owe their homage to high Amurack. Charge all their Kings with expedition To gather up the changed est men at arms Which now remain in their dominions, And on the twenty day of the same month, To come and wait on Amurack their King, At his chief City Constantinople. Tell them moreover, that who so does fail, Nought else but death, from prison shall him bail. What heavenly Music soundeth in my ear? Peace Amurack and Harken to the same. What Amurack dost thou begin to nod? Is this the care that thou hast of thy wars? As when thou shouldst be prancing of thy steed, To egg thy soldiers forward in thy wars: Thou sittest moping by the fire side? See where thy Viceroys grovel on the ground. Look where Belinus breathes forth his ghost. Behold by millions how thy men do fallen Before Alphonsus Like to silly sheep. And canst thou stand still lazing in this sort? No proud Alphonsus, Amurack does fly To quail thy courage, and that speedily. And dost thou think thou proud injurious God, Mahound I mean since thy vain prophecies Led Amurack into this doleful case, To have his Princely feet in irons clapped, Which erst the proudest kings were foe st to kiss, That thou shalt escape unpunished for the same? No no, assoon as by the help of Jove, I escape this bondage, down go all thy groves. Thy alters tumble round about the streets. And whereas erst we sacrificed to thee: Now all the Turks thy mortal foes shall be. Behold the Jemme and Jewel of mine age, See where she comes, whose heavenly majesty Does far surpass the brave and gorgeous pace Which Cytherea daughter unto Jove, Did put in use when as she had obtained The golden Apple at the shepherd's hands. See worth Faustam where Alphonsus stands, Whose valiant courage could not daunted be, Brid'ed my thoughts, and pressed down my rage, In recompense of which my good intent, I h we received this woeful bamshment. Woe l said I? nay happy I did mean, If that be happy, which does set one free: For by this means, I do not doubt ere long, But Faustam shall with ease, revenge her wrong. Come daughter come, my mind before lleth me: That Amuracke shall soon requited be. Fabius come hither, what is that thou sayest? What did God Mahound prophecy to us? Why do our Viceroys weened unto the wars, Before their king had notice of the same? What do they think to play bob fool with me? Or are they waxed so frolic now of late, Since that they had the leading of our bans, As that they think that mighty Amuracke Dares do no other then to sooth them up? Why speakest thou not? what found or frantic fit Did make those careless Kings to venture it? So sir, I hear you, but can scare believe That Mahomet would charge them go before Against Alphonsus with so small a troop, Whose number far exceeds king Xerxe troop, With triumph man, did Mahound tell them so Provost go carry Fabius presently, Unto the Marshalsie, there let him rest, Clapped sure and safe in fetters all of steel, Till Amuracke discharge him from the same. For be he sure, unless it happen so As he did say, Mahound did prophesy, By this my hand, forthwith the slave shall die. Why what art thou, That darest once presume, For to gainsay that Amuracke did bid? What now? What news is this, and is Belinus Slain? Is this the Crown which Mahomet did say, He should with triumph wear upon his head? Is this the honour which that cursed God Did prophesy, should happen to them all? O Dadalus, and Wertenberg thou now alive, To fasten wings upon high Amuracke, Mahound should know, and that for certainty, That turkish Kings can brook no injury. We shall perceive, accursed Fabius, Suffice it not that thou hast be the man, That first didst beat those babbles in my brain, But that to help me forward in my grief, Thou seekest to confirm so fowl a lie. Go get thee hence, and tell thy traitorous King What gift you had, which did such tidings bring. And now my Lords, since nothing else will serve, Buckle your helms, clap on your steeled coats, Mount on your steeds, take Lances in your hands, For Amuracke does mean this very day, Proud Mahomet with weapons to assay. And do they come you kings of Turkey? Now is the time, in which your warlike arms Must raise your names above the starry skies: Call to your mind your predecessors acts, Whose martial might, this many a hundred year, Did keep those fearful dogs in dread and awe, And let your weapons show Alphonsus plain, That though that they be clapped up in clay, Yet there be branches sprung up from those trees, In Turkish land, which brook no injuries. Beside the same, remember with your selves, What foes we have, not mighty Tamberlain, Nor soldiers trained up amongst the wars, But fearful bodies, picked from their rural flock, Which till this time were wholly ignorant What weapons meant, or bloody Mars does crave. More would I say, but horses that be free, Do needs no spur and soldiers which themselves Long and desire to buckle with the foe, Do needs no words to egg them to the same. Beside the same, behold whereas our foes Are marching towards us most speedily. Courage my Lords, ours is the victory. Why proud Alphonsus, thinkest thou Amurack Whose mighty force does terrify the Gods, Can ere be found to turn his heals and fly Away for fear, from such a boy as thou? No no, although that Mars this much while Hath fortified thy weak and feeble arm, And Fortune oft hath viewed with friendly face, Thy armies marching victor's from the field, Yet at the presence of high Amuracke, Fortune shall change, and Mars that God of might Shall succour me, and leave Alphonsus quite. Blasphemous dog, I wonder that the earth Does cease from renting underneath thy feet, What froward fortune happened on your side: I hope your king in safety does abide? Away you fool, think you your cursed-charms Can bridle so the mind of Amuracke, As that he will stand croaching to his foe? No no, be sure that if that beggars brat Do dare but once to contrary my will, I'll make him soon in heart for to repent, That ere such words gainst Amuracke he spent. What thinkest thou villain that high Amurack Bears such a mind, as for the fear of death, Heel yield his daughter, yea his only joy, Into the hands of such a dunghill Knight? No traitor no, for as now I lie Clapped up in Irons, and with bolts of steel: Yet do there lurk within the Turkish soil, Such troops of soldiers, that with small ado, Theile set me scotfree from your men and you. No villain, think not that the fear of death Shall make me calmer while I draw my breath. Now Amu ack advise thee what thou sayest, Bethink thee well what answer thou wilt make: Thy life and death dependeth on thy words, If thou deny to be Alphonsus sire, Death is thy share: but if that thou consent, Thy life is saved, consent? nay rather die. Should I consent to give Iphigina Into the hands of such a beggars brat? What Amuracke thou dost deceive thy self, Alphonsus is the son unto a King: What then? the worthy of thy daughters love She is agreed, and Faustam is content: Then Amuracke will not be discontent. Here brave Alphonsus, take thou at my hand, Iphigina, I give her unto thee: And for her dowry, when her father die, Thou shalt possess the Turkish Empery. Take her I say, and live King Nestor's years, So would the Tu ke and all his Noble Peers. As you do will, we jointly do agree.