KING

This day I think I promised the Lord Clinton To be his Guest. I have dismissed my Train to steal upon him, But whats the season all things are so quiet? A Lords house at so great a Ceremony As is a Marriage, should be Like a Court: Multitudes thronging up and down Like waves; And the Gate kept with and Officious porter, To give kind entertainment to all Comers; Heres no such a matter. His Bride. I'll interrupt his passion. But we'll not suffer it, that love the lives Of every subject, much more of our Peers: And as for you Fitz-waters, that are grown Hotter then I expected from your age, Except you can produce good witnesses, That Clinton has deceived you of your Bride, I'll stay the combat or imprison you. Correct such thoughts, and give him back his gage. Clinton I am satisfied. Our noble friend Bavaria's valiant Duke. Weel read them instantly. I accept your kindness, & will be your Guest. Not possible my Lords to find those men? Are they so wily to deceive us all? Sure they are harboured by some near about, That does affect the English Diadem: He's worse then mad would aim at England's Crown, Though the Black Prince be dead, so many sons I have left to govern, which mars their rule. Edward himself has left a hopeful heir, The Princely Richard to inherit it. Plots yet, tricks yet, well we must hope the best. As swiftly with their flight vanish our fears. And now most Noble Palsgrave of the Rhine, Think your self welcome to the English Court: And reverend Cullen. Your Father loved me well, and for his sake, As well as for your own, I'll honour you: And after feasting we will try your force In friendly manner at a Tournament, Which as I think, you have prepared my Lords. I fear you are overwearied with our sports, To speak the truth. I feel them troublesome, Whither it be by discontinuancce or age, I know not, But my breath grows short. Fit by our side, and wear a Caesars wreathe. It is our gift, and you shall wear it still, Bring forth the other honour we intend Unto this thrice renowned Gentleman. Which to the Palsgrave we continued ̄ manned you bear, Garter and Herald here presents your Honour With the Order of the Garter, whence he takes His Office and his Name, by our Decree: This is a favour which no Foreign Prince Ever enjoyed yet, but the time may come When Kings in seeking it may be instald, It was my Institution, and is worn By none but the most Noble, and those few Hereafter I will tell your Excellence The Motive why the Order was deuisd': Mean time his hand shall clasp it to your Leg, For 'tis a custom which you must not break. You are now my Fellow-Knight, and you must swear, To fight for Ladies,& their Fame's preserve, But that we leave to Deputation, It shall suffice now, say on, paffe your word. My Word and Oath, so please your Majesty, The Motto, as I read it was in French, Ho y, soit qui Mal y p ns : Ill be his meed makes goodness and offence: Or, Evil be to him that evil thinks. I have learned the sense, the Order I will keep Inviolate, by Hand and by my Sword; And hope in time it shall as famous prove, As that of Malta or Jerusalem's. Give them admittance. We could not wish for a more brave assembly, Then at this instant to give Audience. Has France forgotten our former victories, That his Commission is so peremptory? Or is it but the Stratagem of Caesar. To blind us with the Name of the French King? And John of France be ignorant of this, Before we answer your proved Embassy, Weel send Ambassadors to know the truth: And if we be deceived by a trick, Caesar shall know he has dishonourd us. Being no Ambassador, why came you hither To be a Spy, and to survey my Land? He is a prince himself, & knows his power. You have paid him soundly and deservedly. But now to answer you in brief, 'tis thus, The Palsgrave and our self will see the King With expedition, where (if he make good The proud Injunction you have charged us with, We will lay wast his Country, and once more Put France in hazard of a found lose. We did not think to have footed the French ground A second time in such Hostility; But when the conquered bears so proud a head, 'Tis fit we make him stoop: yet least, the King Be not himself, or be abused by any, My Lord of Cullen, we entreat your pains To inquire it out by our Ambassador, as Mainz and Trier his a say that our force Might spoil his country, and make waste his land; But that with French blood we have surfeited, And therefore care not greatly to shed more. Say, We will meet him at and interview, There to discourse our griefs before we fight, Where if he have wronged me, he shall do me right. Fail not to utter every sillable Both of the Palsgraues sending a worser our own. High is this Embassy, Like to your valour, Which I admire, and love ardently; That I could wish your presence all my days, And think your company to me more sweet Then mine own Kingdom, or my Crown beside. March forward to the place where weel en camp Where the Lady that has wronged the Queen Is she then chaste? Son, c ll them in. Is this all? Guide them in. When Heaven is pleased to give prosperity, How it flows in welcome my honoured Friends: I am glad your thraldom's prove your liberty. Weel heat no j e of these bold menaces On pain of death I charge you both forbear: And let my censure sway this difference. In England as your house the Bishop told me That Clintons Daughter by a precontract, Was young Fytzwaters wife, and that some trick Betwixt the Father's to preserve their wealth, Broke off the match, to have him wed the old. This being true; I charge you on your lives Urge him no further in his lawful choice, But as it wrong enough to hinder it, Make him amends, by being reconcilde, Guide them in. I'll bear you company. How now, what news bring you? Weel try your valour, & perchance run with you. Lead on. Exeunt. and bold Fytzwaters, be it your charge, Provided well of our best ships and Soldiers, To sail to Germany, and free our friends, Kept as we hear there with a slender guard, In a weak Castle.