BRAKENBURY

Well met fair Lady, in the happiest time, And choice place that my desire could wish, Without offence, where have the been this way? Are you a physician? What disease cure ye? Sweet mistress Shore, I understand you not. Gramercy Jockey thou resolust my doubt. A comfort ministering kind physician, That once a week in her own person visits, The prisoners and the poor in Hospitals, In London or near London every way, Whose purse is open to the hungry soul, Whose piteous heart save many a tall men life. Lady there lies here prisonde in the Marshalsea, A gentleman of good parents and good dissent. My deer near kinsman, Captain Harry Stranguidge, As tall a skilful Navigator tried, As ere set foot in any ship at sea, Whose luck it was to take a prize of France, As he from Rochell was for London bound: For which (except his pardon be obtainde, By some especial favourite of the King). He and his crew, a company of proper men, Are sure to die, because it since the League. Keeper bring forth the Captain & his crew. I Cousin Harry, this is mistress Shore, Peerless in Court, for beauty, bounty, pity. And if she can not save thee, thou must die. I Cousin Stranguidge I. How Like you him Lady? you have viewed him well? Your credit Lady may prolong their trial, What Judge is he that will give you denial: No Shorist, but to save my Cousin's life. See cousin Stranguidge how the case is change, She that should help thee can not help her self. Visit you soon, but now I will to Court To see what shall become of mistress Shore. The Queen and strts Shore do know my suit. Why master Vaux is there no remedy? But instantly they must be led to death? Can it not be deferred till after noon, Or but two hours, in hope to get reprie? How fell the Lot, to Stranguidge or to him? They are all guiltless from intent of ill. My soul be pauwne, they never knew of it. Stay them yet but and hour. Poor Stranguidge must thou die? Good news unlooked for, welcome gentle friend, who brings the pardon? Lady the last but not the least in debt, To your devotion for my Cofins life, I render thanks, yet thanks is but a breath, Command (Madame) during life, Old Brackenbury bows for you to stand, Whilst I have limbs or any foot of land. Bram. Belee but I do not Like these news, Of the Kings dangerous sickness. You shall be my guest for a night or two, Cousin, till your own lodging be prepared, But tell me sir what means hath M. Flood. Do so, and if his Fortune's be debased, I'll entertain him if heel dwell with me, On good condition. No Flood more Like a frieud & fellow mate, I mean to use thee, then a servitor, And place thee in some credit in the Tower, And give Thee means to live in some good sort. Cousin and all your crew come home with me, Where after sorrow we may merry be. Come hither Flood let me hear thy opinion, Thou knowest I built upon thy confidence, And henest dealing in thy greatest affairs: I have received letters from the Duke, Gloucester I mean, Protector of the land, Who gives in charge the Tower be prepared, This night to entertain the two young princes, It is my utie to obey I know, But manifold suspicion troubles me. 'Tis well resolved: still me thinks they should Be safe enough with us, and yet I fear, But now no more, it seems they are at hand. Never to lodge (my liege) but oftentunes, On other occasions I have seen him here. At this my iedge: why sighs your majesty? My friend, I have conferred it with his letters, And 'tis his hand indeed, isle not deny, But blame me not although I be precise, In matters that so nearly do concern me. I think sic theres no subject now in England, Will urge his Grace, to show what he dare do, Nor will I ask him why he does it, I would I might, to rid me of my doubt. I have no power sir to examine it. Nor will I do: obey your warrant, Which I will keep for my security. Heres the keys. Nor I Flood I assure thee. Go Flood get thee some surgeon to look to thy wound. Hast no acquaintance with some skilful surgeon? Keep thy wound close, and let it not take air. And for my own partly, I will not stay here. Whither wilt thou go that I may send to thee. Sweet Princely babes, farewell I fear you soar, I doubt these eyes shall never see you more. By your leave mistress Blague, I am somewhat bold, Is there not a Gentleman within your house, Called M. Flood, came hither hurt last night? Pardon me mistress Shore, I saw you not, And trust me I am sorry at the heart, So good a creature as your self hath been, Should be so vilely dealt with as you are, I momise you the world laments your case. No mistress Shore, it is for Richard's hate, That too much envies your prosperity. You have not seen the Proclamation then? It grieves me mistress Shore, it was my chance, To be the first reporter of this news. I pray ye mistress Blage have care of Flood, And what his charge is I will see you paid, O God how full of dangers grows these till And no assurance seen in any state, No man can say that he is master now, Of any thing is his, such is the tide Of sharp disturbance running through the land, I have given over my office in the Tower, Because I cannot brook their vile complots, Nor smoother such outrageous villainies: But mistress Shore, to be so basely wrongde, And vildly used, that hath so well deserved, It does afflict me in the very soul, She saved my kinsman, Harry Stranguidge life, That refore in duty am I bound to her, To do what good I way, though law forbid, See where she sits, God comfort Thee good soul, First take that to relieve thy body with, And next receive this book, wherein is food, Manna of heaven to refresh thy soul: These holy meditations mistress Shore, Will yield much comfort in this misery, Whereon contemplate still, and never linne, That God may be unmindful of thy sin. Sirs if the King, or else the Duke of Buckingham Do send for me, I will attend them straight, But what are these here openly lie dead, O God, the one is mistress Shore, & this is Flood, That was my man: the third is master Air, Who suffered death for his relieving her, They shall not thus lie in the open way, Lend me your hands, and heavy hearts withal, At mine own charge lie give them burial. O mistress Shore, the king in every street Of London, and in every borough town, Throughout this land hath publicly proclaimed, On pain of death that none shall barbour you, Or give you food or clothes to keep you warm, But having first done shameful penance here, You shall be then thrust forth the City gates, Into the naked cold forsaken field, I fable not, I would to God I did, See, heres the manner of it put in print, 'Tis to be sold in every Stationers shop, Beside a number of them clapped on posts. Where people crowding as they read your fallen, Some murmur, and some sighs, but most of them, Have their relenting eyes even big with tears. I dare not say good morrow, but ill day, That Harry Stranguidge is thus cast away. Strah. Good Cousin Brackenbury be as well content To see me die, as I to suffer death, Be witness that I die and honest man, Because my fact proves ill through ignorance, And for the Duke of Erceter his death, So speed my soul as I am innocent, Here goes my grief, this guiltless gentleman, L ke A sops Stork, that die for company, And came (God knows) but as a passenger. Ah master lord, a thousand floods of woe Overslow my soul, that thou must perish so. God grant you may, he's a noble Gentleman. Thou sayest true Flood, though Richard be Protector, When once they are within the Tower limits, The charge of them (unless he derogate) From this my office, which was never siene, In any kings time; does belong to me: And ere that Brackenbury will consent, Or suffer wrong be done unto these babes, His sword, & all the strength within the Tower Shall be opposoe against the proudest commer, Be it to my soul as I intend to them. Hold Gentle men I pray you. This is not to be justified my friends, I To draw your weapons here within the Tower, And by the law it is no less then death, I cannot think the Duke will Like of this, I pray ye be content, too much is done.