POLICY

Here I advance my shield and hang it up, To challenge him who ever dare deny, That one of those three London Ladies rare Ought not of right be matched with Policy : A London Lord, the which I represent. Pom. And pomp provides his challenge in his word, (Glory sans peer) claiming the one of them, Not by compulsion, but by common right, Yet maugre men my shield is here advanced For one matchless, a London Lady best Beseemeth Pomp (a London Lord) to have. Thus each in honour of his Mistress And in regard of his well daring mind, Hath here ymprizde the challenge of his right: But Lordings both, and brothers bred and sworn, A caution must be had in this conceit, That all our thoughts aspire not to one heaven, Nor all our ships do sail for one self haven, I mean that all our suits and services We tend and tender to one only Dame, All choosing one, refusing th'other two. It stands with honour to be sole or none. Renowned Nemo, the most only one That draws no breath but of th'eternal air, That knowest our suit before we bound to speak For thou art the very Oh acle of thoughts: Whose virtues do encompass thee about, As th'aire surroundes this m ssie globe of earth. Who hast in power what ever pleases thee, And canst bestow much more than we may crave, To thee we seek, to Thee on knees we sue, That thou wilt deign from thraldom to release, Those lovely Dams, that London Ladies are. Death hath no power gainst him to strike a strok Marriage does make amends for many amiss. Their port, and their proportion well content . Of beauty excellent. Sweet love indeed. Pack you my friend, for if you stay a while You shall return no more to him that sent you. If she regard her good she will be mine. My friends depart, and qualify this stir, And see peace kept within the walls I charge you. If they be conquered greater is their shame, But Diligence go post alongst the coast, To tell the news, and look to welcome them, Let us alone: My Lords you hear the news, More words were vain, I know you well resolved. Exit Dil. Now boy, what news. When Sheal goes to the ̄ , Wit goes to the 3. Lords of Land. Loqueris Anglice? Agedum, Go too then and declare thy Lords, their shields, their pages, and their purpose. Speak man, fear not, though Spain use messengers ill, 'Tis England's guise to entreat them courteously. Say if thou wilt that Londons policy Discerns that proud Ambition of sp e, And for he comes inflame with Lon S love, In combat let him conquer me and have her, this is Loves favour, I her servant am. With good advise, that we be not surprised, and good enough. I at Ambitions strike, have at his pampered Jade. By my consent one day shall serve us all, Which shall be kept for ever festival. And policy may Lady Lucre gain Before you both: but let us not contend, For Nemo doth the Ladies prisoners keep, Though they were slandered late with Liberti And marriage to three far born Foreigners. Then first it fits we practice their release, And see them, and by sighed our liking place, For yet we love as Gossips tell their tales, By hearsay: Fame, not Favour hath us yet inflamed. Come on sir boy, attend you well your charge, To his page Wit. Wait in this place to watch and ward this shield, If any man in honour of his love, So hardy be with stroke of sword to attaint This shield, and challenge him that hereby challengeth, Say for thy Lord as should a trusty Page, That policy does dare him to perform A hardy task than common challengers. If he demand what policy may be, A Lord of London say, one of the three. And so good boys farewell, look to your charge, Watch well good Wit, who scorneth Londons policy, Be wary Wit, for thou canst well discern. But Nemo can from thence redeem them all. In token that we mean what we have said, Lo here our shields the prizes of our love: To challenge all except thy self that dare Deny those Ladies to be ours by right. Beauty divine. You speak but well: My Lords step we aside To note these fellows, what they do intend. Most reverend Nemo thanks for this good sighed, lucre is clothed by honest Industry. Thanks righteous Nemo we the London Lords Only to Thee our selves acknowledge bound. Exeunt omnes Thou knowest already, yet if thou wilt hear, For this we strive: found pleasure makes account Somming his bills without and auditory, That Lady Lucre ought of right be his. More fit for pomp than pleasure, but most fit That Policy with Lucre should be matched, As guerdon of my studies and my cares And high employments in the common wealth: Women use Policy : and here she comes that must decide the doubt. Whom you will, have? Diligence, thy service shall be known, and well rewarded: Nemo, for a time Conceal this Dame, and live secure unseen, Let us alone whom most it doth concern, to meet and match our ever weening foes. Fair Conscience fear not, but assure thy self What kind affection we so ever bear to Love and Lucre, in this Actium Chiefly for Thee our service shall be done. Diligence, what number may there be? How near be they? Well, Diligence go get in readiness Men and munition, bid our pages ply To see that all our furniture be well, W to, Wealth and Will to further wars be fit, Exit Dil . My Lords, I would I might advise you now, To carry as it were a careless regard, Of these Castilians, and their accustomed bravado: Lord Pomp, let nothing that's magnifical, Or that may tend to Londons graceful state Be vnperfourm'd. As shows and solemn feast , Watches in armour, triumphs, Cresset-lightes, Bonfires, bells, and peals of ordinance. And pleasure, see that plays be published, Mai-games and masks, with mirth and minstrelsse, Pageants and school-feastes bears, and puppit plays, My self will muster upon Mile-end green, As though we saw, and feared not to be seen: Which will their spies in such a wonder set, To see us reck so little such a foe, Whom all the world admires, save only we: And we respect our sport more than his spite, That John the Spaniard will in rage run mad, To see us bend Like Oaks with his vain breath. Of policy they trial have at large: Now Lords, let Honours fire inflame on? thoughts, And let us arm our courage with our cause, And so dispose our selves to welcome them, Do me the favour (if I may entreat) To be the first to front the foe in face, The Vanguard let be Policies this once, Pomps the main baittaile pleasures the Rearward: And so bestow us if you think it good. My Lords, what mean these gallants to perform, Come these Castilian Cowards but to brave? Do all these mountains move to breed a mouse? Fealty, go fetch their answer resolute How they dare be so bold, and what they dare do here. Our shields I reck not, but to send our Wealth Whileme indeed above the heavens he was, Could be have kept him in that blessed state, From thence for pride he fell to pit of pain, And is he now become the pride of Spain? And so his page not Modesty but Shame. Well, on the rest. Himself Ambition, whom the heavens do hate, His thoughts distract from foul distempered brain Proves him the very firebrand of Spain: And in his shield his black disordered beast, Scaling the skies, scornful to tread the ground, And both his words, proud words prove perfectly Actium his page to be but Treachery, Ever attendant on Ambition: but to the third. The Government of Spain is Tyranny, as do his ympreze and his words declare, His Page is Terror: for a Tyrant fears His death, in diet, in his bed, in sleep, In conscience: Spite the Spanish tyranny Hath shed a sea of most unguilty blood: Well, what's the end? And Irish word, signifying liberty, rather remissness, looseness if you will, why hath thy coat a burning ship behind? Herald, how now? But that's not now the cause, Then three are Pride, Ambition Tyranny. shame follows pride, as we a proverb have, pride goes before, and shame comes after, Treachery ever attends upon Ambition. And Terror always with a fearful watc , Does wait upon ill conscienced Tyranny : But why stay we to give them space to breath: Come, Courage, let us charge them all at once. Facing, fainthearted, proud and insolent, That bear no edge within their painted sheaths, That durst not strike our silly patient shields. With speed and heed the matter must be done, Fair Love, and Lady, twice as many thanks· Right well: thanks unto him y to gave the day to us, The pride of Spain was cloaked with Majesty, And Shame his page, (nicknamed) Modesty, Spanish Ambition, Honour would be called, And Treachery his page, termed Actium. Their Tyranny was cleped Government, Terror his page, was (falsely) named Regard, But God above hath given them their reward. They with dishonour left their shields behind, The only prizes purchased by us now, And those (fair Ladies) we present to you, Love, this is thine, and he that gives it thee. The greatest gift and good could me befall. It pleases us well that you will take the pains. Fair ones, for a while we betake you to your business. It seems by this writing sir, you would serve me, Is your name Skill? whom did you serve last? Have you never served any heretofore? You say very well, and it is very Like, I will answer ye a non. Diligence, Come hither. Give me the iron Pomp, Cousin Skill help to hold him, Sirrah, policy gives you this mark, do you see, A little x. standing in the midst of a great. C, Meaning thereby to let all men understand, that you must not take above bore x. pound in the hu ̄ dreaded at any hand, And that too much too, and so be packing quietly: And know that Londons Pomp is not sustained by usury, But by well ventured merchandise and honest industry. You sue for three things here, and what be they tell them: As how sir? Name them. Wisely said, which is your second? Is that as perilous? Well, for these three faults the time serves not now to redress: Which for Love? You shall be answered straight. Stay pleasure, soft: My Lord Desire, you Lucre seek, Desire of lucre (be it without reproach to you my Lord) is covetousness which cannot be separated long from that: read my Lord. Care with desire of lucre well agrees, the rather for that Londons Lucre may not be separated from Londons Pomp, so you may take that stone if you will, but the Lady you cannot have. Devotion to Conscience (I speak now to you my Lord that are learned) is sorrow for sin, or in one word read. And that is your portion, for Conscience is bestowed on Lon dons Pleasure, because London makes a conscience what pleasure they use and admit, and what time they bestow therein, and to what end: S my Lord Devotion, either that or nothing. My Lord Delight, that to delight in Love, you must I love, for making choice of mine. Love is my portion, and that Flint is yours. If you be (as I doubt not) honest delight in love, then in the best sen e, you can have but Charity, if you be (which I suspect not) oh there Delight in Love, you must be noted for Concupiscence, and that you will blush to be: well Charity is your best, then that is your porti on: For, mark you, Londons policy joins with Londons Love : to show, that all our po licie is for love of Londons common wealth: and so our love cannot be seper to from our policy, you bear this. And thus Lords, Desire of Lucre may take Care, Devotion of Conscience may have Remorse, and Delight of Love may have Charity, other recompense none. Why are they wympled? shall they not unmask theme What policy without preferment lives? policy merits lucre: policy droops without lucre: If lucre please to match with Policy, She shall be mistress over many men. Right thankfully those favors we'il receive, For Love and Conscie ̄ ce, not despising Lucre. Masters, what mean you in these troublous times to keep this coil? Now Cousin Skill, alias, filthy Fraud, No kinsman to Policy, nor friend to the state. In steed of serving me, Diligence take him to Newgate, Ask not Why, sir, but Diligence if he do strive, Raise the street he's unweaponed, and thou hast a weapon on: And now Lords when you will, about our affairs, let's be gone, Now your third sir: Her counsel wise, and Nobles of this land Bless, and preserve Oh Lord with thy right hand. Fealty, thou faithful Herald of our town, Thou true truce-kéeper, and sure friend in peace, Take down our shields, and give them to our boys: Now Fealty, prepare thy wits for war, he delivers the To parley with the proud Castillians Approaching fast the frontiers of our coast: Wit, here, my Page in every message shall Attend on thee, to note them and their deeds: I need not tell Thee, they are poor and proud, Vaunters, vainglorious, tyrants, truce-breakers, Envious, ireful, and ambitious, For thou hast found their facing and their brags, Their backs, their coffers, and their wealth, their rag , But let me tell thee what we crave of Thee, To scan with judgement what their leaders be, To note their presence and observe their grace, And truly to advertise what they seem, Whither to be experienced in arms, Or men of name those three that led the rest, the rest refer we to thy own conceit, Does their Ambition Londons love affect? It rather means your common wealth's on fire, about your ears, and you were best look home, a common wealth's compared to a ship, If yours do flame, your country is hight, beware. Ladies, to call to mind your former lives Were to recount your sorrows on a row, Omitting then what you have be or be, What you may be I'll speak, so it please you, Wives to us three, Ladies to London Lords, pomp, Pleasure policy, men of such regard, As shall you guard from evil, once matched with us, And Policy presents this good to you. If we deny?