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PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY
FREDERICK HALL M.A., AT THE
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PRESS
JOHN A KENT
& JOHN A CUMBER
8663l_ ,8. IA4
THE MALONE SOCIETY
REPRINTS
1923
This edition of yohn a Kent and John a Cumber has been prepared by Muriel St.Clare Byrne and checked by the General Editor.
June 1923. W. W. Greg.
The manuscript of yoh7i a Kent was until recently in the possession of Lord Mostyij. For the purposes of this edition it has most generously been lent by its present owners, Messrs. Quaritch. According to Farmer, who published a facsimile of it in 191 2, it was 'brought to light in modern times when Sir Frederick Madden was Assistant Keeper of the manuscripts in the British Museum. At that time he came into contact with the Mostyn family papers — hence the discovery of this play '. Its early history is still obscure : Collier, who edited the play in 1 85 1, was able to throw no light on it; and Farmer wrote in 1 91 2 that the present Lord Mostyn 'believes the MS. to have come into the possession of his family in 1690, and that it belonged to the Hobart collection'.
The manuscript consists of thirteen folio leaves of hand-made paper. As the watermarks occur on folios 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, it is probable that it was originally composed of seven sheets each folded separately, and that one leaf at the end is now missing. Sir Edward Maunde Thompson considers that ' two or three leaves are probably missing between fol. 1 2 and the last leaf ' {Transactions of the Bibliographical Society, xiv. 326); but the text of the play indicates very clearly that nothing is missing between folios 12 and 13. At the foot of folio 12^ Morton and Pembroke enter to John a Cumber in order to be admitted to the abbey where they are to wed Sydanen and Marian. Through the magic of John a Kent their rivals Griffin and Powesse have, a monient previously, succeeded in getting past Cumber by posing as the real bridegrooms (11. 1605-17). The first sixteen lines on folio 13^— although imperfect— are undoubtedly occu- pied with a short colloquy between Cumber, Morton, and Pembroke in which Cumber, mistaking their identity, refuses to let them in, saying he ha§ already admitted Morton and Pembroke, whose appearance he thinks they are now counterfeiting in order to trick him. These sixteen lines clearly follow on directly from the bottom of folio I2^ and make it quite impossible that two or three leaves could have intervened. The missmg folio 14
was most likely blank, but may possibly have contained a list of the dramatis personae.
The manuscript has suffered somewhat from damp and ink- corrosion, but this has not been sufficient to make the text difficult to decipher. The most considerable injury from which it has suffered is the loss of slightly more than three-quarters of folio 13, which has been torn in such a manner that on the recto we have only the beginnings of twenty-nine lines and traces of four others, and on the verso only the endings of the lines, the date, and Munday's signature. Otherwise the loss of lines is almost negligible, amounting in all probability to not more than two complete lines (folios I^ 12'') and portions of eleven others on folios 1% I^ 3^ 6*, 6^ 7% 7^ io% IO^ 12% 12^ The edges of every leaf have been broken or torn, so that in some places words or portions of words are lost. The average measurement of the leaves in their present condition is 123 by 8 inches. Half-way down each leaf there is a crack in the paper extending right across the inner margin. It is at this crack that the last leaf has been mutilated, the tear running diagonally from it towards the top right-hand corner. It is also noticeable that each leaf has been folded vertically down the middle in order to obtain alinement (as is also the case in Sir Thomas More) — a not unusual practice : on some leaves it looks as if marginal aline- ment had been obtained by ruling (e.g. folios 8, 9, 10), but in spite of appearances the probability is that this also is a case of folding.
The manuscript was originally bound in a vellum cover made from pieces of two mediaeval manuscripts. One of these has been identified as the Compilaiio Prima of Canon Law by Bernard of Pavia, and since portions of the same 1 af were also used for the cover of Sir Thomas More, it has naturally been assumed that these plays were bound up at the same time {Trans- actions, as above, p. 328). Both covers have had the titles inscribed on them in large engrossing characters, apparently by the same hand : the cover of John a Kent is now in good con-
vi
dition, but has evidently been carefully repaired both at top and bottom. The title is considerably clearer than would appear from Farmer's facsimile, and is less worn than the tide of the More manuscript.
The text of the play is written throughout in the hand of Anthony Munday, and bears his autograph signature at the end. This fact does not itself prove him to have been the only writer concerned in the composition of the piece, but no indication of composite authorship has so far been observed.
At least two if not three different inks have been used in the Kent manuscript, and Act I has been written with a thicker pen than was used for the remainder. Munday's ink is darkish brown in colour, verging on yellow in light strokes or when faded. It is some shades lighter than the ink he used in the More manuscript.
Certain deletions and stage-directions have been added by another hand in a greyish-black ink. It is possible that the hand of the prompt-directions in the left-hand margins of folios 6'', 8^ 9* may be that of ' C ' (the playhouse reviser) of Sir Thomas More and the writer of the famous 'plot ' of The Seven Deadly Sins.
Munday's handwriting is a good specimen of the ordinary English script of the Elizabethan period. It is clear, legible and neat in its general appearance in John a Kent, and by no means ungraceful. That it sometimes becomes thick or blotty, as on the first few leaves, would seem the fault of the pen or perhaps 'of the surface of the paper. The lines are very regularly spaced, and the writing is of even size throughout the play, except where exigencies of space, as in the prose passages, have cramped it a little. The letters are formed carefully, and his * conscientious ' habit of going back and adding a loop to a blind letter, such as h or e, is noticeable.
It is not possible to add anything to Sir Edward Maunde Thompson's careful and detailed study of Munday's handwriting given in his paper contributed to the Bibliographical Society's Transactions (xiv. 325 ff.); but a short summary of its most
vii
salient characteristics, as seen in this particular manuscript, may be useful. The minuscule letters are fairly constant to the normal English forms : it is noticeable that Muntlay always used the closed form of ^, that his b is inclined to stand independently, and that he g^enerally keeps to the usual rule of not linking o to a following letter. His h, k, r, t are the only letters which may be said to show slight personal variations : h is the normal English minuscule letter, but when his writing becomes more cursive he inclines to bring the headloop down into the line of writing and to straighten out the curving main limb (see, for instance, plate 1, 11. i. i 7, 15, liini, other ^ Thomas, as contrasted with 11. 1 , 20, habit, shall). H is k is also normally formed, but more carelessly than most of his letters, often appearing very like a modern b or his more current form of/. The r is simply a slurred form of the normal letter, with a slightly rounded or pointed base, resembling a modern v. The / varies from the normal form to one nearly resembling modern b.
Munday's majuscule letters naturally show slightly more variation. A,B,D,E,L,0,Q,S, V,X, Y,Z are normally formed, and F is written consistently as^ For the remaining letters he tends to use simply a fanciful or ah enlarged minuscule (see plate 1,1. 2, // in Hngli). M and N are written as slightly enlarged minuscules, ending in a curved tail (see plate I, 1. 7, Jlficnkey; 1. 1 1 , Jl/aister) ; frequently, however, he makes no difference at all in the size, so that the tail is the only thing which can be said to distinguish it from his normal minuscule, ^^^is only distinguished from the ordinary minuscule by being slightly enlarged, and even so occurs but rarely : the distinction between the minuscule and majuscule forms in the printed text is to some degree arbitrary. Of the remaining capitals C (which is of the Italian form) and / have very exaggerated head curves, and K is defmiicl)- abnormal, being in reality an enlarged Italic minuscule. G, I\ R, and 7' appear in two forms, but are fiiirly normal in both : L and / are a great deal less current than in the More manuscript.
viii
Scattered throughout the text are examples of what may by courtesy be termed Munday's Italian script : but at best it is only pseudo-Italian, and it is obvious that he had never properly learnt the new style. His use of it in this play is not as consis- tent as in Sir Thomas More, but he employs it fairly frequently for the names of characters, for stage-directions, and for Latin words. In John a Kent, of his minuscule letters in would-be Italian words, c, g, r, t remain frankly English, d, e, h, p, s, w, X, y are of the norm.al Italian form, and a, i, I, m, n, o, g, tc are too nearly alike by nature in English and Italian hands to allow of formal distinction. His Italian majuscules are A, E, (9, P, Q, R ; for H, M, S he uses the Italian forms, apparently slightly influenced by Roman printing capitals, and his O has a down- stroke through it.
The only contractions he uses are a stroke to denote an omitted m, as in comaund, and w'^' for wztk. He writes the word my, however, as what Sir Maunde Thompson calls * a cur- tailed monogram of its two letters' — a personal trick which he has also extended to words ending in -ny, where the termina- tion is similarly curtailed.
A possible ambiguity due to handwriting occurs in the word Edon (1. 288). The normal form in Elizabethan English was ' Ebon ', and it would be possible to explain Munday's apparent * Eban ' as a case of an extra minim or preliminary stroke to the n giving the preceding 0 the appearance of a. On the other hand, I have recently come across two printed instances of ' Eban' : one in Munday's Deat/i of Robert Earl of Huntington (160 1, sig. Ei ; II. i), ' Pitch coloured, Eban fact, blacker than blacke ' ; and one in the Troublesome Reign of King John (Part I, 1591, sig. C 4^ sc. iii), 'Morpheus leaue here thy silent Eban caue '. Apparently, therefore, 'Eban' was recog- nized as a variant form, and it has been adopted in this text. The New English Dictionary, which recognizes the spelling ' eban ' from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century, quotes an example of ' Eban stone ' from the Anatomy of Melancholy
IX
(possibly a different word), and misquotes the Death as readino- 'ebon-fac'd' (as in Hazlitt's Dodsley). ^
Munday's punctuation is extremely careful and adequate. From the modern point of view he tends, if anything, to over- punctuate. The trick of placing a colon at the end of the penultimate line of a speech is noticeable in this manuscript as well as in Sir TJiomas More. His care for punctuation is seen in 1. 505, where a question mark has been deleted and a colon inserted, and in his consistent use of commas in giving a strino- of names in stage-directions. ^
His spelling is surprisingly regular, and on the whole modern. He consistendy uses a doubled medial vowel in words like looue, prooue, woort/iy, and doofk, a practice also followed in Sir Thomas More, and in his later manuscript, The Heauen of the Mynde. He uses u medially and v initially throughout, except in the case of the name Denvyle, which he regularly spells with a v (except in a solitary instance, see 1. 666).
It has been suggested that there is some connexion between Johi a Kent and John a Cumber and the Wise Man of West Chester and Randal Earl of Chester. The Wise Man was a very successful play performed as a new piece at the Rose early in December 1594. of which the Admiral's men gave over thirty performances between that date and July 1597. Randal was a play for which the same company paid Thomas Middleton £6 m the autumn of 1602. (See Henslowe's Diary, folios 10^-2 ;▼, 93^', 108.) It is by no means impossible that the Wise Man may have been a revision of yo/m a Kent2ind Randal 2i revision of the Wise Man, but there is no secure basis for speculation.
List of Characters
in order of appearance.
Sir Griffin Meriddock, Prince of South Wales.
Lord Geoffrey Powis.
Sir Gosselen Denville.
Sir Evan Griffin.
John a Kent, a Welsh magi- cian.
Ranulph, Earl of Chester.
OswEN, his son.
Amery, Lord Mortaigue, friend of Oswen.
The Countess of Chester, wife of Ranulph.
Marian, their daughter.
Sidanen, daughter of Llwel- len.
The Earl of Pembroke, an English nobleman.
clowns.
The Earl of Morton, a Scottish nobleman.
TURNOP, \
Hugh, a Sexton,
Thomas, a Taberer,
Spurling,
Robert,
Will, a boy.
Shrimp, John a Kent's boy.
a Servant to Ranulph.
Llwellen, Prince of North
Wales. John a Cumber, a Scottish
magician.
The Abbot of Chester. Servants of Ranulph, followers
of Pembroke, Morton, and
Llwellen.
The reading ' Mortaigue ' is uncertain : it may be ' Mortaigne '. It has previously been supposed that 'young Amery ' and ' Lord Mortaigue' in
I. 138 were different persons; but the latter is mentioned nowhere else, and there can be little doubt that a single person is intended. One of the Clowns is addressed as Robert at 1. ^66, but does not speak. At
II. 7(So, 798, 819, 836 are marked the entries of four ' Antiques', but it is clear from the text that these are really Ranulph, Llwellen, Morton, and Pembroke.
XI
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Note. — The title is written in a large hand at the head of the front page of the vellum wrapper. The block printed above is from a photograph of the original, the defects restored by comparison with The Book of Sir Thomas More and TJie Plot of the Second Part of the Seven Deadly Sins. Lower on the page is the scribble of a name, apparently ' V [?] thomas '.
In the text the words eocit and exeunt are usually written at the end of the rule dividing the speeches ; they have been so printed here, but in numbering have been counted as part of the preceding line.
All mutilations are indicated by pointed brackets ; where letters are printed within the brackets the remains are insufficient to identify them with certainty apart from the context. Mere traces of letters are indicated by dots within the brackets. Deleted words and letters are printed within square brackets : the dele- tions may be taken as being by the same hand as the writing unless the contrary is stated in the notes. Additions in other hands are printed in heavy type.
Wherever the reading of the original is in the least obscured or mutilated all variations in Collier's edition have been recorded, however certainly erroneous or conjectural they may be : otherwise no notice has been taken of his readings when they consist of minor differences of spelling, only those possibly affecting the sense being recorded.
I A
Act{u ) Scena i(
FOL. 1»
-7
Powesse
S. Griffin.
Powesse. S. Griffin.
Enter Sir Griffin Mcriddock of So( )\vales, & Ieffrcy( )ow(
S. Griffin. Powesse, in vayne perswadste thou patience,
In vayne thou dream'ste of lykcly remedies,
In vayne thou( e)lst of this or that conceit.
winde breath(e )woordes, are vayner then the winde,
Only our we( )pons must effect our weale.
As hitherto my Lord I hauc entreatred,
So for a whyle, I pray ye be aduisde.
Aduisde ? why what aduise can Powesse yeeld ? lo
Is not Sidtificn with the Earles consent,
and Prince Llwellens graunt, affyed to Moorton ?
yea, so Pembrooke hath their graunt for Marian : But.
But what? Euen while we thus stand wasting idle woordes,
Pembrook and Moorton shall possesse our looues.
Our looues exclaime against our cowardise,
Our cowardise to our eternal shame,
In England wales & Scotland shall be sung,
by euery iygging mate, our foes among. Powesse. Nor English, welshe or Scottish shall rcprooue, ao
Lord Icffiey Powesse with base cowardise.
As much (Prince Griffin) as the proudest dare
dares Powesse for his Marians libertie.
yet not with rashncs or vnbrideled heat,
discretion must be vsde, the cause is great. S. Griffin. Great cause indeed, when fayre Sidancns eyes,
dimde with the sourse of her continuall teares,
mixing those teares amongst the mourncfuU ynck,
That writ the cause of her lament and mine,
secmes in this paper weeping to intreat : /he shewes( 30
And then no meruayle though the cause be great / letter(
Powesse. But greater cause, our countreyes cause I meane,
If we should manage (a)rmes, as you still vrge,
And so by force, from noble Chesters Courte,
agaynst his will, fetche our well-willing looues;
a
we may be held as traytours to the King, that durst inuade his townes in time of peace.
S. Griffin. To see how Powesse casts beyond the Moone, As if the King would deale in these affayres. Or if he did, ist like his Malestie, would suffer fathers by compelling awe : to force their children from their soules affect ?
Powesse. But if his highnesse subiects should be slayne, as in rough rescue it must needes fall out, he will not haue the meanest guiltlesse dye : but blood for blood shall duely be repayde.
S. Griffin. Then Powesse, least such daunger should betyde : you are content the Ladyes shall be lost ?
Powesse. Not so Prince Griffin, then I would haue stayd, and not haue come so neere to Chesters Courte.
S. Griffin. Bir Lady Sir, and we are much the neere. we two belyke, by your complotting wit, shall front the Earle of Chester in his Courte, And spight of Chesters strong inhabitants, Thorow west Chester, meekely in our handcs, lead my Sidanen and your Marian, while bothe our Riualles, and their following trayne, Sheeplyke stand shiuering at our wrathfuU lookes. Beshrewe me, but ye haue a passing head. All natrall are your reasons, full of sence.
Powesse. If we obtayne them, youle leaue iesting t(h)en
S. Griffin yea that I will. But can ye tell me whe( ) ?
Enter S'. Gosselin denvyle, S^ Euan Griff( ), and I(o
Gosselen what (
40
50
60
I Actus I. Scena I. Collier. 2 So{ )'wa/es, &= Icffreyl^ )ow'^ South Wales, and
Jeffrey Powesse. Q. 5 e)lst]telst(Z. 6 breaih{e )] breathed Q. 7 we^ )pons\
weapons C. 8 entreatred,] sic for e?itreated, which Collier reads. 19 7nate] a dirt
mark in the manuscript makes the t closely resemble a /& in the facsimile. 30 shewesi^]
shewesa C. 33 manage] viana has been gone over in darker ink, and the n possibly altered from ;« t^-] trayne ^^ tray7ies,Q. i^() ye] youQ. 63 Griff { ), and I{o] Griffn,
and John. C. 64 Illegible traces of the first half alone remain ; the rest is wanting.
3
)ord ( )hauc company,
t)rust will purgfc your melanchoUy.
FOL. I''
) welcom( ) Gentlemen, you seemc no Icsse,
be not offended at my salutations,
that bid ye stand, before I say God speed.
fi'or in playne tearmes, speed what your speed may be, 7©
Such coyne you haue, bothe must and shall with me. S. Griffin. How now Lord Jeffrey? what companion haue we heere ?
he seemes some theefe. lohn. No theefe Sir, but an honest bon companion.
Nere drawe your weapons, rather trust your fcete,
And yet ye cannot hence, but at my pleasure.
what needcs all this? yeeld, if I bid ye yceld.
Thou shouldst be lohn a Kent, thou art so peremptorie,
for lohn a Kent is a bolde merry knaue.
Tis happie then he is no very knaue. 80
I am the man, what say ye to lohn a Kent?
I am Jeffrey Lord Powesse, thy maisters freend,
And this S'. Griffin Meriddock, Prince of Southwalcs.
why then I knowe ye bothe, and welcome bothe,
M'. these arc the guests you looke for, whom had I not well gest at,
they had for welcome got a cudgelling.
welcome my Lord, and welcome noble Prince.
Thankes good S'. Gosselen denvyie, and S^ Euan Griffin,
I trust the men you promisde me are readie.
Powcssc. John Powcssc lohn.
Gosselen. Powcssc.
Gosselen.
Euan.
Powessc. lohn.
ffor my parte, seuen score bowemen, wight and tall, haue I lodgde in the woode, nere to the riuer of dee. And I threescore as strong, with hookes and billes, that to three hundred will not turne their backs. But can ye tell vs any newes from Chester ? Coldc newes for you my Lordcs, there is at Chester, The Karic of Pcmbrookc, and the Scottish Moorton, the one shall haue Llwellens fayre Sidanen, the other Marian, good oldc Chesters daughter. and bothe these weddings finished to morrowe. ) GiifTin. Mo more of that my freend, thou sleyst me w'^ these newe( ). hearst thou this Powesse? this did I forcdoome:
90
100
now all your wise deuises come too late. )Gosselen Content ye good my Lord, no whit too late, heere is a lad on whom we doo relye. for slye conueyaunce of the Ladyes hither,
(full of conceit he is, and deeply seene, (i)n secret artes, to woork for your auayle. ). Griffin Canst thou my freend, from foorth the vaultes beneathe,
call vp the ghostes of those long since deceast ?
Or from the vpper region of the ayre :
fetche swift wingde spirits to effect thy will ? lohn. Can you my Lord, and you, and you, and you,
goe to the venson, for your suppers drest :
and afterward goe lay ye downe to rest ? Powesse how then sweet lohn ? all this thou knowest we can,
and what thou canst we haue no doubt at all :
but what thou wilt, that gladly would we learne. lohn. I will to morrow bring you Marian,
and you Prince Griffin your beloou'de Sidanen.
will this content ye? S. Griffin As all the world cannot content me more, lohn. why then I pray ye be content to goe,
And frollick cheerely, for it shall be so
Gosselen. I warrant ye my Lords, come let vs in.
I( )hn. So, they must banquet, I vnto my busines.
But let me muse a little on this looue,
full of many feares, so sundry ioyes,
now hence, now hither diuersly distract,
< )
no
1 20
exeunt.
65 There are traces of an / or j above the p of pur^e in the line below. Collier reads ♦ * * shall have company. 67-71 John a Kent speaking. 85 at] omitted by Collier.
91 ^/] omitted by Collier. 127 1 rtiad. of so many 128 Co\\\&r rtdids Noiv peace, now
■plagued, diver sly distract. 129 Traces are visible throughout but are indecipherable,
although the latter part of the line is not actually mutilated.
Moorton.
Pemb. Chester.
Moorton
But lohn a Kent what talkest thou( rather minde thou the pleasing ioyes( )e.
And since so good a subiect they present, vppon these loouers practise thou thy wit. help, hinder, giue, take back, turne, ouerturne, dccciuc, bcstowe, breed pleasure, discontent, yet comickly conclude, like lohn a Kent.
FOL. 2*
130
exit.
Enter at one doore RanulpJie L'arle of Chester, Osiuen his son(n youngAfncry Lord Aforfai^^ue^-w^^them the Countessc,her daught( Marian, and fayre Sidanen. At another doore enter the Earles ( Pembrooke, Moorton and their trayne. 3> ^ 140
•a
*5
All health be to the noble Ji!arle of Chester,
his Countesse and these honorable Ladyes,
whom one by one I humbly gratulatc,
wishing to them their happy hartcs content.
The Lyke dooth Pcnibrook to this goodly trayne. o
Earle Moorton, and my noble Lord of Pembrooke,
whose presence bringes contentment to my soule
and adds true honor to your noble names :
for hauing kept your vowcs inuiolate,
how you are welcome, woordes shall not cxplaine,
but such as best bcseemes your entertaine.
And sith it is our auncient Englishe guyse,
the Bridegroomes should vppon the wedding day,
E
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come from some distant place to fetche their Brydes, ^ '" ^ my house at [5 ^_j'] Plcssyc is for you preparde. Thence to the Castell shall [ye] you walke along And at S' lohns shall be sollemnizcd, the nuptialles of your honors, and these virgcns. *
ffor to that Churche, Edgar, once Englands King, was by eight Kinges, conquerd by him in warres : rowed royally on S'. lohn Baptist day. In memory of which pompe, the Earles our aunccstours, haue to that Churche beene noble bencfactours. Plight Kings rowe one? that was great pompe indeed.
6 ~~
o x;
tn
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s : '56
160
Pemb.
Moorton.
Sida7ien
Moorton
Sidanen
Moorton.
Sidanen.
Pemb.
Osweji. Aniery
Marian
Amery
Marian
Oswen.
Pemb.
Marian.
Pemb.
Marian
Chester
Oswen.
One of them was of Scotland, as I read, the Irishe, and the dane two more besyde, and fiue of Brittayne, all subdued by him. To see that Church will greatly ioy my minde, because I there a greater icy shall fynde.
I To
/ asyde.
/
why lookes Sidanen sad ? why sighes she so ? Pardon my Lord, such thinges you may not knovve. She not mislykes her choyse I hope of me. No God forbid, although you are not he. why then looke cheerly, as Sidanen should, I doo my Lord. And better if I could. asyde.
Madame, the Scottish Lord hath got a gracious looke, i8o
but Pembrooke is not halfe so happy yet. Sister, you wrong the noble Earle withlrownes My Lord content ye, women fayne dislyke, where their affections beare the higest regard. You are too young my Lord, to iudge so soundly, j^^j^' '
1 finde it writ by them that iudgde profoundly Eookes may beguyle ye. My Lord, that cut came roundly. Your sadnes tell, if I may knowe the cause.
Me thinkes my Lord the custome is too hard, 190
when loouers meet, so suddenly to parte. To morrowes ioy will end that bitter smart, I To see ye no more, how would it ease my hart ? /asyde well noble Lordes, for this time break we of, Sonne and Lord Amery ^ you will be their guyde. yea my good Lord, then goe we Gentlemen.
exeunt. Countesse Sida & (Ma
V.-<
130 talkest\ initial / resembles c probably through damage; and the end of the line is torn. Collier reads But John a Kent wd'nt leese them : * * adding note : ' Will not tose them. In many parts of England gleaning is called leesi7ig\ perhaps collecting what the men employed in cutting the com lose^ 131 toyes(^ )e.]joyes of loove, C. The end of the line is now torn, but
the tail of an /"or s is visible. 137 Act I, Scene ii. 138 Mortaigue,] u may equally
well be read n. 159 Plessye'\ interlined above a deleted word now illegible except for initial
S, final -ey and a tall letter in the middle. There seems little doubt that the word was Satiney, the name of a small village a few miles from Chester. 184 higest^ sic. highest C.
196 Collier gives stage-direction as ' Exeunt, Manent Sidanen, etc.* The final Ma is very faint in the facsimile, and the a is now illegible in the manuscript. Cf. 1. 1602.
7
Sydanati.
Countesse Enter —
John.
Countesse.
Marian.
Sydauen.
lohn.
)cl Cosscn, now \vc arc alone, )Let ( )treat to knowe the secret cause,
that mooucs these passions more then ouerpcnsiue, which were not wunt in you to woorke such chaungc. If in my power to councell, or preuent, there rest a meane, let me but knowe your mindes, and what I may shall surely be effected, to either of your longing harts, content. Madame, your tender care and kinde affect, assures Sidauen of your honors faith. In brecfe my noble Aunte, this is the cause, why poore Sydauen is disconsolate, That she must Icaue her countrey and her kinne, and passe to Scotland with the Earle of Moorton. Cossen, his kindnesse soonc will calinc this greefe, and therfore cast these cares bchinde thy back. But what olde man is this comes toward vs? Enter lohn a Kent like an aged Hermit Ladyes, if crooked age, and homely weedes, breed not contempt, vouchsafe I humbly pray, your charitable comfort to susta}ne, a little longer these spent withrcd limbes, that numbde through chilncsse of my frost=bit blood, which six score winters hath resisted stormes, and iust so many times the summers heate. Now quaking lykc the winde=blowcn bough for strength, witnesse that all thingcs yccld to time at length, how much I greeuc that these thy siluer hayres, should in extreamcst age feclc taste of want, And this thy furrowed face, with teares distaynd, shall well appeare : ffor thou shalt in w"' vs. These feeble limbes with age so ouerworne, shall fynde repose, and not be left forlorne. ffathcr, receiue this little gifte of me. And heere olde man, take this to comfort thee. As [may] many blessings light vppon you three, as cares and crosses haue bcfalne to me.
FoL. 2''
300
310
330
230
glue him somewha(t
he sees their handes
But much I feare, if arte may fudge aright
some ill is toward these twayne this present night. Sydancn | what sayst thou father ? art thou a man of skill ? lohn. \ Lady, in youth 1 studyed hidden artes,
' and proffited in Chiromancye much,
I)f sight be not obscurde through natures weaknesse,
I can, for once I could discourse by fauour, 240
and rules of palmistrie ensuing chaunces. Marian Good ffather tell my fortune if thou canst. Sydanen Nay mine I pray thee first, I askte thee first, lohn. Striue not fayre Ladyes, shewe me bothe your handes
for your complexions seeme to be alyke.
Nay let me see, bothe your affections are alyke.
Blush not, but tell me, are ye not bothe betrothde,
to two great Lordes, without your parents knowledge ? Countesse They are betrothde indeed, but with their parents knowledge,
and bothe to morrow must be maryed. 250
lohn. Now God forbid, woes me to thinke theron.
Countesse. why father ? I pray thee speak-e lohn. Good Madame pardon me, let me be gon,
and leaue the God of heauen to woorke his will / he offers to Sydancn Nay stay good father, I pray thee tell the wurst. depart Marian My hart dooth throb, sweet father then resolue vs. lohn Sith you compell me Ladyes, I will speak,
and what I say, beleeue it on your Hues.
If ere the Sun to morrowe cheere the earth,
197 V Cossen^ Countesse [My gentle] Cossen, C. The beginning of the line is torn, but the first letter now visible is more probably d than e 198 Let ( )treat\ Let me entreat C.
209 she] s has been altered, apparently from / 212 Enter] added, probably in another
hand, but in the same coloured ink. 230 s.D. somewha{t] some motiy. C. 232 Probably
Munday wrote viay, thej/ being his 'monogram' for «j, and then realized that it was indistin- guishable from the actual word jnay, and so rewrote it. 259 Collier reads If ere thou * * sorrowe cheere the harts and wrongly allows for a missing line.
Q B
you washc not at Saint winifridcs fayre spring, your lilly handcs, and list the holy voyce, which will rcsolue ye of your loones sweet choyse : I may not say what shall ye bothe betyde, but harder fortune nere befell fayre Bryde.
Countesse. Alas the spring is three mylcs hence at least and now thou sccst the night approchcth on
lohn. Let not the distaunce hinder them to goe,
least they and you wishe that ye had doone so.
Countesse. flather, 1 haue some reason to beleeuc thee, by what I must keep secret to my selfe, And but my Lord condenines these auncient rules, religiously obserued in these partes : I would craue leaue for them to trauell thither, for many haue misdoone that did it not.
Sydatien rather then hard mishap should vs befall,
twere good wc were acquainted therwithall.
Marian. Good mother, this fayre euening let vs goe, wcele come agayne before my father knowe.
Countesse well, goe yc shall, and I along with ye,
had we some trusty freend to be our guydc.
lohn Ladycs, although my limbes be not so strong,
my bones ncere marrowlesse, bloodlesse my veynes yet vse hath made me perfect in the way. And if your honors deigne so olde a guyde : So speed mv soule as shall to you betyde.
Countesse. None better. Rut what hourc of night is best ?
lohn. when twise two houres ihc daughters of the night,
haue driucn their Eban chariot thorow the ayre, and with their duskie winges breathdc calmie rest, vppon the eyeliddes of echc liuing thing : The siluer shyning horned lamp dooth rise, by whose clecrc light we may discerne the pathe, wherin though lamely now I seemc to plod yet will I guyde ye safely to the spring. And for your coming at the back gate waytc,
lo
FOL. 3--^
260
570
280
390
till when Gods benison protect ye all.
-exeunt.
Cou( )tesse. well father, we will come, vppon mine honor.
Sydanen. The houre is one at midnight, fayle vs not.
lohn ffayle ye ? infaith that were a sillie iest, ^vt^/^*^ j^^ pulles (
Our sporte would fayle, if I should fayle mine houre / his beard (
But husht, heere comes my hotspurre, & Lord Powesse
Enter S^ Griffin, and Lord Powesse. 302
S. Griffin. See Powesse, heers lohn a Kent, dect in a Pilgrimes weede Powesse. why how now lohn ? turnd greene to ffryers gray ? lohn what madnes makes ye come so farre this way ?
The town's beset, our purpose is descryde
and now I see your coming made all spyde. S. Griffin help vs to scape vnto thy maisters caue.
yet ere we goe, tell me, sawest thou Sydanen lohn. I sawe her : but you shall neuer see her more. 310
S. Griffin, why so sweet lohn ? what ? is Sydanen dead ? lohn No
S. Griffin Is she fled ?
lohn No.
S. Griffin Is Moorton and Sydanen maryed ? lohn. Neither.
S. Griffin, wherefore then shall not I agayne beholde her? lohn. Because your honor is too lull of heate,
and by your rashnes will discouer all,
wherfore shift as ye can, for I will leaue ye. 320
Powesse. Nay I pray thee lohn, tell vs the trueth of all.
lohn. The troth is, if ye meane to meete the Ladyes
288 Ebafi] possibly Ebon, but see Introduction, p. ix. 300 would'] d altered, apparently
from e 303 See Powesse,] Lord Poivcsse, C. 308 vntd\ v altered, possibly from u
322 meete] have C.
II
) B( )ldc, and goc along where I shall lead ye, FOL. Z^
And as I shall appoynt, so followc my directions. S. Griffin But will they come ?
lolin They will, if you will goe.
S. Griffin. But how?
lohn. why on their feet, I knowe no other way.
S. Griffin. But when?
lohn. May then we shall be troubled, when? how? where? 330
Powesse. I pray thee tell vs lohn without delay.
lohn. Content ye Lordes, He tell ye on the way, come let vs goe. ^A '
S'. Griffin lohn, He renowne thee, if it fall out so. yj
exeunt. ' Cfi'^''^
Enter Turnop w''' his crewe of Clownes, & a Minstrcll. Turnop. Nay ncuer talke of it, Hugh the Sexten stutters, let him read
the first lyne. or see if he can say the speeche, that dawes our
Churchwarden made in prayse of his Mill horssc. Hugh Ii makes no matter, I think my selfc the wisest because I am
Sexten, and being Sexten, I will say the speeche I made
my selfc. 340
Tom tabrer heare ye Hugh, be not so forward, take a little vise of your minstrel!. Omncs. And well sayd Thomas Tabrer, you haue scression, speak on. Tom. One of the wisest of vs must speak, and either [he] it must be Hugh or
Turnop. Now, Hugh is Sexten, an office of retoritie I tell ye. Turnop. yea, thats when he is in the Belfric, not else. Onuies. Hugh Hugh, Hugh shall speak the speache to the Lordes. Tom. But Turnop beeing my Lordes man, his hogheard, his famili=
aritie seruaunt, he in my minde is not only fit, but also accessary
for the ration making, then Turnop say L Omncs. Turnop, Turnop, weele haue none but Turnop. 350
Turnop. well, for your wisedomes, in chusing me, I rest quoniam dig
nitatis vestrum primarion, as the Poet Pediculus sayth, at
the next vestrie, bound to defcrre ye to seucrall locall places. S[)urHng. how now Hugh ? arc ye put downe infaith ? Hugh. Thats because he has a little more learning, an(d) has borrowe(
the vshers olde coat to grace him selfe withall Tom O, take heed of learning while ye liuc, it is a gandly matter.
1 urnop. ffrater meum amanti.ssime Hugo the Iklringer, the hebrcw(
12
J
epitheton Barra cans, as much to say, no man can barre his chaunce, perswadeth you to remit, or submit or admit your selfe, to the crye of your bretheren. How say ye then fellow mates in armes, in this our showe, who shalbe the speaker ? 362
Omnes. Turnop Turnop, weele haue none but Turnop.
Turnop. Then let vs set forward, for now it is vppon the Lordes co- ming. Thomas, firk it with your fiddle. Spurling, you play the Moore, vaunce vp your Tun, and Robert, holde your por= renger right, least you spill the conceit, for heere they come. Enter Pembrook, Moorton, Oswen, Amery, to them this crew( marching, one drest lik a Moore, w'^ a Tun painted with( yellow oker, another with a Porrenger full of water an( a pen in it, Turnop speaketh the Oration. 371
Turnop. Lyke to the Cedar in the loftie Sea,
or milke white mast vppon the humble mount : So hearing that your honors came this way, Of our rare wittes we came to giue account, fifor when as princes passe through pettie townes they must be welcomd, least they tearme vs clownes. '^ Our presents precious, first the golden Tunne, ^' borne by that monstrous Murrian black a Moore,
Mortonus Earlus in thy prayse is doone. 380
This shining brook hemd in with this fierce shoare That hath (
323 B(^ )/de] Be bolde C. 325-33 The alinement of the speakers' names is very
irregular. 334 Act /, Scene Hi. 343 it\ interlined above deletion. 352 sayth,
at\ sayth, and C. 357 gundly^ or gaudly perhaps for godly or goodly, goodly C.
359 much to\ 7nuch as to C 359-60 Ms chaunce, perswadetlf^hijn. Chaunce perswadeth Q. 361 mates\ men C. 38 1 shining] flowing C. fierce] tierce C.
13
Osivcn.
Tcmb.
Moorton.
A mery
Pcmb. Turnop.
lohn.
Is pcerclcsse Pcnbrook, if I rone not (\\)ycl(e
As for tlie two last rymcs, right woorshipfull, (an)d m(
wise, by the error of the Authour ouersh'ppcd, is th(
niotliic Turnop the Oratour newly corrected, to wit(
This princely pen vp prauncing by the sydes,
And so we wishe ye bothe two blessed brydes.
My Lordes, my fathers tennants after their homely guise,
welcome ye with their countrey merriment,
How bad so ere, yet must ye needes accept it.
Else Oswen were we very much to blame,
thankes gentle freendes, heere drinke this for my sake
And this [of] for me, comcnding your great paynes,
which in more liberall sorte we will requite.
May it please ye Lordes to walk into the Caslell
and there at full wcelc see their other sportes.
FOL. 4=
390
-exeunt Lordes.
400
with all my hart, goe, we will followe ye.
liefore you goe, in name of all this trayne
Turnop accepts your golde, and thankes you for your payne.
Thomas, lead the vawward with your easement, you with
our hiperbolicall deuises, martche in the middest. And if the(
Lordes will see vs make them merry, ere we will want deuis(c
weele make them weary, marche on.
Actus sccJindus. Scena Prima. Enter at one doore lohn a Kent, hermit lyke, as before, at anoth(e enter the Countcsse, Sydanen and Marian Promise is kept, the Laydes are come foorth, the ambush readie that shall soone surprize them. See Madame ; I am readie to attend ye.
4(0
Countessc. Gramercyes father, lead thou on the way,
and giue good counccll to my sweet young Cossen.
Tohn. Madame I warrant ye sheele take none bad. /
Marian. Or good or bad, she takcth all from me.
Maiiame, would you vouchsafe nie so much fauour : as she, .so I would gladly talkc w"' him.
Cou()tesse. Let thcni alone, ye shall haue time enough.
Sydan(en). Nay forward father, let me hcarc the rest.
lohn. 1 hen Madame, to omit all ambages.
Sydanen & h( conferre.
1 1 knowe it, for mine Arte assureth me, you are contracted to the South wales Prince : and wronging him, you wrong your selfe much more.
Sydanen. ffor Gods sake softly, least the Countesse heare. True hast thou sayd, but by my fathers graunt, The Earle of Moorton must Sydane?t wed.
lohn. Thats as Sydaneji will, as I suppose
Sydanen will I, or nill I, all is one to him,
he is a Prince, and he hath promisde it.
420
lohn. Sydanen.
lohn.
Sydanen.
lohn.
Countesse
Marian.
Countesse
Marian.
lohn.
Sydanen
you are a Princesse, and haue promisde no. Earle Moorton with my father is in fauour, and hath his woord, that I shalbe his wife. But hath he vours ?
•130
Neuer in all my Life.
I knowe not Lady how the world is chaungde. when I was young they wooed the daughter first, and then the father, when they had her graunt, which could they get, why so, if not, why then, her woord was woorth the meeting where and when, why how now daughter ? why drawe you so neere ? She talkes too long, and somewhat would I heare. Byde you with me, till she haue made an end Pray God this talke to our desyre may tend. But would you goe with him, if he were heere ? would I desyre to be accounted chaste ? reuerenst for virtue, as for natrall gifles ?
440
383 if I roue not {w)yd{e'\ that I have not * * C. 384 {a7t)d m{ ] and not other- C.
385 thi^ thus by Ti C. 387 princely] nee almost obliterated by a blot. 394 for]
interlined above deletion. 405 At this point the character of the writing changes somewhat,
owing to the use of a finer pen. 445 natraH\ naturall C.
15
\voii( d) I askc strength for these my feeble Umbos, FoL. 4^
if some fierce Tiger had me in pursuitc ?
would I shun fearc ? would I require content ?
or wi>he the endlesse hapi)ines of heauen ?
If these I would, then that as much I would. 45°
for what is fame, health, ioy, or ought to me,
except with him that giues them all to me ? lohn. Madame enough, is Marian of your minde?
Sydancu. yea father. She to Powesse, I to Prince Griffin writ,
but when no answere either could recciuc,
resoluedly thus we set downe our rest.
To morrowe when the nuptiall feast is past.
And that the Ikidegroomcs doo expect their Brydcs :
A strong confection bothe we haue preparde,
of deadly Aconite w"" them to drinke. 460
Besydes, a letter drawen, to shewe the cause,
why so reuendgefully we sought their deathes,
and so despairingly lost our owne hues.
This made vs bothe holde thee in such regarde,
when thou foretoldste of daungers to ensue. John. This resolution dooth renowne ye bothe,
but your fayrc starres affoordes ye better fortune.
And for my woordes may yeeld but dallying hope,
see what is doone in twinckling of an eye. / winde his horn(
inter denvyle. Griff. Those Lordes for whom you tvvayne would loose your Hues, 470
'owcssc, [Euan,] and Come boldly heere [come] to challendge their faire wiues. rayne Madame dismay not, heere no harme is meant, / he puts of his
Bothe they and you. welcome to lolin a Kent. / disguyse. Countesse.| vikii:_iiiJJX£i£j-, hast thou betraydc vs thus ?
hydyng thy treason with so good pretence ?
Prince Griffin, and Lord Powesse, be assurde.
If otherwise then nobly j'ou intreate,
M\' princely Cossen, and my noble childe ;
it will be wreakte on your presuming heades.
John. you wrong them Madame, if you misconceitc, 480
that you or they shall be vnnobly vsde. you are brought hither to no other end,
16
but that their hauiour [shall] you might all comend.
Aske but the Laydes, if they will departe,
lie brincr ye where I had ye, yea, w'^ all my hart. Countesse. Then goe sweete Cossen, daughter, let vs hence,
for feare wursse happen on this foule offence.
S. Grififin. The wurst is past, let happen now what shall,
He keep Sidanen, or loose life and all. Sydanen. And if Sydanen willingly departe, 490
from her prince Griffin, ioy nere haue her hart. Powesse. I hope my Marian is of selfe same minde, Marian. Else were thy looue requited too vnkinde.
Now mother, would you were at home agayne,
we bothe are where we wisht our selues full fayne. Countesse. Then questionlesse, this hapte by your consent,
And well I wot, these noble Gentlemen,
Are honored in your hartes before the other,
Sith your endeuours then so happy prooue.
Neuer let me be hinderer of true looue. 500
lohn. Madame, now speake ye lyke a loouing mother,
And lyke Sydanens honorable Aunte.
Oppose this question, and be iudge your selfe,
Say you were troth plight where you lyked best,
could ye infaith so great a wrong digest : [?]
As but for me had happened to these Ladyes ?
In to the Castell then, and froUique there
And what should haue beene doone, to these sweetes sorrowe,
shall to their ioy be finishte heerc to morrowe. Gosselen. Come Madame, fauour me to be your guyde, 510
you shall finde all thinges heere to your content.
And though my Lorde the Earle holde off aloofe,
and may dislyke what we doo for his honor :
Be you but pleasde, weele neuer seeke no other,
for though we w( ) the father yet we haue the m(
469 S.D. winde his] windeth C. The i of his is almost obliterated by a blot. 504 lyke({\
lyke C. 505 ye\ you C. a\ interlined above caret mark. Query mark deleted and
colon inserted. 515 Collier reads For though we want {the sire] we have the mother.
17 C
Sydauen. lohn.
S. Griffin. Powesse.
lohn.
Shrimp. lohn.
Shrimp. Tom.
Let it be so f^ood Auntc, and I shall praye, ffor this good walkc, you may Hue many a day. These speeches are in vayne, I pray ye be t^on, and entcrtayne them, as this kindnes merits. Leaue me awhyle, to gratulate your feast, with some rare merriment, or pleasinfj iest. will ye be gon ? ye doo the Ladycs wrong, hcere in the ayre to chat w'*" them so long. Come sweet Sydancn I will be thy guyde, Moorton shall looke him now another Bryde.
FOL. 5
F;a
5ao
And so shall Pembrooke, now I am possest
Of Marian, whom I euer looued best ^ ,. t k« exeunt — manet lonn.
Heer's looue and looue, Good Lord, was nerc the lyke,
but must these ioyes so quickly be concluded ?
Must the first Scene make absolute a play ?
no crosse ? no chaunge ? what ? no varietie ?
One brunt is past, alas, whats that in looue?
where firme affection is moste truely knit,
the looue is sweetest, that moste tryes the wit. -■
And by my troth, to sporte my selfe awhyle.
The disappoyntcd Brydegroomes, these possesst,
the fathers, freendes, and other more besydc,
that may be vsde to furnishe vp conceite,
He set on woorke in such an amourous warre,
as they shall wunder whence ensues this iarrc.
0 that I had some other lyke my selfe, to driue me to sound pollicyes indeed.
Thers one in Scotland, tearmed lohn a Cumber, fthat oucrrcachtc the dcuill by his skill, had Moorton brought him to haue sped his looue,
1 would haue tryde which should the maister proouc. But since my selfe must pastime w"^ my selfe,
He anger them, bee't but to please my selfe. Sirra Shrimpe.
530,
."^4°
Anon Sir, what is your will w'** me?
Thus Sirra. To Chester get ye gon,
They are yet asleep, that shall be wakte anon.
1 goe sir.
Enter Shrimp a boy.
5-;o
/ round in his care
-exeunt seucrally.
will the iKiy,
Enter Turnop, Hugh, Tom Tabrer, ^ and Spurling w'*' their Consort Nay either let it be as M^ Turnop will haue, or b)- m\' troth, faire and f( I will goe no further, either let vs haue credit or no credit
18
Hugh. You haue sayd as much as be sayd neighbour Thomas, and that not (. . .
learnedly, but loouingly withall. Maister Turnop, the Lordes we( pontiffically pleased with your roration yesterday, that the Ladyes p( morrow remayneth altogether at your dispositation. 56
Turnop. why then thus my muse hath magestically, or minstricallically written ( . .
in prayse of fayre Sydauen, and she beeing appoynted to be maryed this ( . . ^ she ought to haue the maydenhead of my muse, before she loose the benef(.' abselutidico, as much to say in welsh or english, as her rose mary braunche.
Spurling. But has will learnd it perfectly ? I tell you, she is a Lady of some (
scression, and lookes that the song of Sydanen should be well performd(
Turnop. Goodman Spurling, though you be spurblinde, and therby are fauoured fo the grosse errours comitted in your vocation ; yet I pray ye, comit you selfe to your musique, as for the song, let it passe vppon my preroga-( striue, w'^ this addition, He mihi qjiod domino^ iion licet ire Uto 57
Tom. when then tune all, for it drawes toward day ; and if we wake not the
ey play, the boy sings Brydes, why then it is woorth nothing. e welsh song. To add one good morrowe more to your bed sydes,
Turnop. Timothie Turnop bids, Good morrow bothe the Brydes.
Now to the Brydegroomes, and then my harts looke for a largesse
Enter Shrimpe the boy Shrimpe. why now is Shrimpe in the height of his brauery,
that he may execute some parte of his maisters knauery. Sound foorth your musique to the Brydegroomes sorrowe, for I will sing them but a sower good morrowe. 58
Song of the Brydes They play, and the boy singes, wheart the Bridegroomes come foorth losse. in their nightgownes and kerchers on their heades, to them Oswen{
Aniery making them selues ready. Moorton what song is this, to flout me to my face ?
is fayre Sydanen gon, and left me in disgrace ?
Pemb. Peazants, what meane ye to delude vs so ?
Is Marian and Sydanen gon, say yea, or no?
Shrimpe. Are ye so hot ? chafe ye so suddenly ?
Nay pause awhyle. He fetche ye company. —exit
Turnop. why my Lordes, doo ye aske vs if the Ladyes be gon or no ? 59
If they be not in theyr beddes it is more then we knowe.
517 good] g begun like p. 519 this\ their C. 522 ye be\ you be C. 536 possesst,] final £ altered to/ 544 ouerreachte] overwatchte C. 551 ye\ you C. 554 Act II,
Scene it. 555 and /(] and softly, C. 558 Lordes wei^] Lordes were so C.
559 yesterday,] Collier omits. 566 performd] there is a trace after the d which might be
either an ^ or a full stop. 567 spurblinde,] purblinde, C. 569-?° prerogastriue,]
prerogastride, C. 571 tune] un has five minims, day;] d altered, apparently from /
S72 Brydes,] bryde,C. 581 s.D. <;] Collier omits. Tfheart] s\c. ii-hcaratZ. 1Z2 kerchers] breeches C. 587 Sydanen] a altered, apparently from g
19
illa)yne thou lycst, thou sungst a song of sorrowe.
FOL. b^
)urnop.
Oswen
Pemb. [Powcssc]
Turnop.
my Lord you lye, we playd ye but a good morrovve.
And seeing for our good willcs, ye doo vs this wrong :
Lets to the Brydcs, to hauc mony for our song. Heere enter Amcry
How now my Lordes, what sudden noyse is this ? ^ Oswen vnbraste.
Is fayre Sydanen and my Sister fled ?
These wretches that so sung, doo now deny it.
Chester, [i. Scruaunt
Oswen. Chester.
Moorton.
Chester.
Hugh. Thomas
Turnop.
Lets talke a woord or two awhyle, I pray ye be quiet.
did ye not yesternight disturb your head,
w'^ winum vinum ere ye went to bed ?
That makes ye in your sleep to rise and walke,
or at the least, thus idiot lyke to talke?
600
Enter the Earle of Chester in his night govvnc, and Shrimpe following aloofe of, some seruaunts w'** him. Can their departure be to all vnknowen ? Villaynes why speakc ye not? did no one see them? ] Not any one my Lord that we can heare of. Belyke they went foorth at the garden gate, we found it open, therfore we suspect it.
610
My Lord and father, are you vp so soone ? where is my Sister ? where is fayre Sydanen ?
Way, wher's thy mother boy, aske that withall,
for she, thy Sister, and my looucly Niece,
this night are gon, and no one can tell whether.
As I lay slumbring, well neere halfc awake,
vnder my windowc did I heare a voyce,
saying, rise Chester, for this wedding day,
is disappointed now another way.
And in a Song, the lyke was tolde to vs, 620
by these base slaues, that now deny the same.
But yet my Lord, I hope it is not so ?
That they are gon my Lordes, tis true, I knowe.
But camse these newes from you ? why speake ye not ?
Thomas, you are the auncient'st man, I pray ye make answer for vs all.
My Lord, I hope it is not vnknowen to your woorships ho( )r ; that
I haue liu'de a poore profcsser of musiquc in this parish this forty yeercs,
and no man coukl eucr burden me w''' the valewe of two pence, that
ye should now lay three wenches at once to my charge, I will not say :
how much it greeues me, but betweene God & your conscience be it. 630
Nay but heare ye my Lord, doo yc as it were secmc in good soun(d) sadnes, to tell vs for a ccrtaintic lliat the Brydcs are gon? an(d) that we, as
30
it were should haue some occasion to knowe therof ? Chester. So say these Lordes, they lay it to your charge.
Turnop. why then my Lordes bothe great and small,
knowe that ye wrong not one, but all
which way so ere they haue betooke them,
If they be gon, you may goe looke them.
And if they be not to be found,
(y)ou haue lost your wiues He holde ye a pound. 640
Chester. Away then villaynes, rayse vp all my men,
bid them take horsse, and poste foorth euery way.
By some foule treason are they led from hence,
My wife else would not w'^ this faulte dispence.
Away I say, and trouble vs no longer,
exeunt clownes & seruaunts.
Shrimp. why now this geere dooth Gotten in right kinde,
these newes I wot will please my maisters mynde.
exit boy.
Enter Llwellen, his trayne, and lohn a Cumber a loofe of. Moorton But heere comes one whom this concernes so neere,
that he will searche the depth of this bolde wrong. 650
Princely Llwellen, and my noble freend,
hither thou comest by loyall promise bound,
to sollemnise thy daughters nuptiall rightes
But fayre Sydanen and Earle Chesters daughter[s],
are with the aged Countesse parted hence,
whether or how, as yet we cannot learne.
why then my freend, thy tydings are too true, / to lohn a Cumber, vnhappy man, is this my welcome hither?
Llwellen.
Pemb [Powesse]
Cumber.
My Lord, can he say any thing of their departure? Speak gentle freend, and ease our doubtfuU mindes.
Ease them I cannot, but disease them more. They are where you shall neuer see them more.
660
\
ijfi \<^. TM)t i^AT<
592 illd)yne thou lyest,] The first word, though mutilated, is undoubtedly villayne (cf. 11. 607, 648 in facsimile), traces of -ilia being still decipherable. The yne has the appearance of que, but this is characteristic of the hand (cf. 1. 519 entertayne). Collier reads * * * theyr rest, 595 vnbraste.^ rubing. C. with note ' Rubbing their eyes, we may suppose, as just awake ; but the MS. leaves the stage-direction imperfect '. The reading is perfectly clear. 599 Collier
punctuates two : awhyle I pray 601 winujn] w altered from v vinum^ the m is one
minim short. 605 aloof e] I blotted. 606 to] probably altered from all 608-10
Marked for deletion and speaker's name crossed out. 613 Small cross in greyish ink after
Chester. 615 taw] « altered from // 621 rf^wj'] wj/ ' monogram '. 624 camse]
sic for came, which Collier reads 625 aimcienf st\ un has five minims. all.\ Collier
omits. 626 woorships ho{ )rj] tuorshtpps, that C. 631 soun{ii) sadnes,] sober
sadnesse, C. 644 A/y] M altered from w 645 vs\ me C. 658 my] thy C.
659 any] iiy ' monogram '.
^-t^i-i
Moorton. how meanste thou frccnd ? dally not I besecchc thcc. Cumber, i Prince Griffin of Southwaies hath got Sydanen, I Lord Powesse hath your daughter Marian. I And at S', Gosselen dcuyles Castell, not farre hence, 1 Before your Countesse, who went with them thither : this day their mariage must be consumate. Chester. what sayst thou ? hath my Countesse vvrongd me so ?
and is this tretcheric by her consent ? Cumber. No my good Lord, Knowe ye one lohn a Kent ? A man whom all this Erittishe Isle admyres : / for his rare knowledge in the deepest artes ? By pollicye he traynd them from this place, they simply thinking no such hidden guyle, but at Saint winifrides fayre hallowed spring, to pay last tribute of their mayden vowcs, went with the Countesse, and that subtill guyde, So cache of you may now goc looke his Bryde. Llwellcn. Let vs to horsse, and gather able troupes, that may engirt the Castell round about. Proud Griffin, Powesse, and the rest shall knowe, I will not pocket this injurious wrong, which I will rate at price of their best blood, And his that hath so ouerreachte vs all. Cumber. Ifye my good Lord, nay now ye growe too hot. / talke ye of horsse, of men and multitudes ?
I when rayse the very powerfulst strength ye can, < \ yet all's too weak to deale with that one man ? Had ye a freend could equall him in Arte, controll his cunning, which he boasts so on : then were there hope of their recouerie, what else ye doo, will help but slenderly.
FOL. 6»
Moorton.
Cumber.
He poste to Scotland for braue lohn a Cumber, the only man renownde for magick skill. Oft hauc I heard, he once beguylde the deuill, and in his Arte could ncuer finde his matche. Come he with me, I dare sa}', lohn a Kent, And all the rest shall this foule fact repent, were he heere now my Lord, it would doo well.
22
670
680
690
.A^"
t t«-A*--'
A,*. ^^
700
Chester.
Pemb.
Cumber.
Moorton.
Cumber.
Chester Cumber
But if he come when euery thing is doone
No credit by the matter can be wuri. I My Lord, goe you and fetche that famous man,
The Prince and I will foorthwith to the Castell,
where calh'ng them to parle on the walks,
wee'le promise that they shall enioy the Ladyes
with our consent, if but a sennight space
they will adiorne the day of mariage,
sound reasons wee'le alleadge to vrge them to it.
then you returnd with him that neuer faylde,
you haue your wishe, and lohn in cunning quaylde.
Be it so. My Lord, He beare ye company,
not doubting but to speed successefully.
He saue my Lord that labour. Heers lohn a Cumber,
entiste to England by the wundrous fame,
that euery where is spread of John a Kent, "^^
And seeing occasion falleth out so well,
I may doo seruice to my Lord heerby :
I make him my protectour in this case. (' i^''
what he hath doone for many dayes together, ^
by Arte I knowe, as you haue scene some proofe.
He make no bragges, but we two Johns together, ^ will tug for maistrie, therfore came I hither.
The welcomste man that euer came to me, / all embrace him
And this kinde looue will Moorton well requite
ffor Gods sake let vs loose no time in vayne,
tis broad day light, sweet lohn bestirre thee now.
for nere thy help could come in greater need.
All you to horsse. He meet ye on the way.
My Lord, some of those merry lads gaue you good morrowe,
comaund to foUowe ye, I must imploy them.
So get ye gon, and leaue me to my selfe.
710
{/•v
■)
n
r^
'jf
> ^'
'20
ijl^
a
£U-
730
we goe lohn. Come Gentlemen, away.
'Exeunt, ma(n
Now lohn a Kent, much haue I heard of thee enuying th( ) fame do(
711 quay hie.] graylde. C. with note ' Gravelled, from graile, which is used by old writers
for gravel '. 712 Collier punctuates Be it so, my Lord.
end of the line has apparently been altered to a comma. Cumber^ C. 735 enuying\ Auncient C. rf'(?(] * C.
23
Ik In the MS. a full stop at the 733 S.D. ' Exeunt : manet
FOL. &" ) what (a)rt thou dooing ? very seriously, / look in his glasse.
plotting downes pastimes to delight the Ladycs. Then hauc amongst yc, you Sir haue begun,
cxi^.
) tertius. My turnc is next before your sportes be doonc
Enter S^ Griffin, Powesse, Gosselen and Euan
)Gossclen. I can not blame ye Lordes to stirre so early, considering what occasions are in hand. Loues long pursuit, at length to be requited w"" the due guerdon to continued hope And such by mcanes of freendly lohn a Kent, shall yeeld you bothc your seuerall harts content.
Euan. yea, but the Countesse and the other Ladyes,
I doubt were wearied with so late a walke. fTor as it seemes they arc not stirring yet. And little kindnesse were it to disease them, before them selucs think best to leaue their chamber. But say Prince Griffin, wheron doo ye muse ? you not mislyke Sydancn is so neere ? Nor you, that Marian beares her company.
S. Griffin. Sir Euan, He be playne, & tell ye what 1 thought. I deeply did conceit within my selfe, Lord Moortons passions he will act this morning : when ncwes is brought him that his bryde is gon. Think ye he will not cursse the fatall houre: began so sweete, & now faltes out so sower ?
Powesse. Nay let my Riuall beare him company,
And good olde Chester, for his forwardnes :
in seeking to deceiue me of my wife.
But what will he imagine of his Countesse ?
Shee's gon from Courte, and no man can tell whether
and colde their sute, should they pursue them hether.
Gosselen Therof you may be bolde ; but much I muse
where lohn a Kent bestowes him all this whyle.
He is so carefull of his coy conceitcs,
to sute this sollemne day as it should be ;
that for your sakes, I knowc it shall excell,
at least he labours all thinges may be well.
_
740
750
760
7JO
Enter lohn a Cumber lyke John a Kent. '/
S. Griffin. See where he comes, deep pondering w^'^ him selfe,
important matters, we must not disturb him, musique but giue him leaue, till his owne leysure him.
Silence, me thinkes I heare sweet melodie, / Musique whi(
And see he sets the Castell gate wyde ope, / he opens the doore Stand we aloofe, and note what foUoweth.
ffrom one end of the Stage enter an antique queintly disguysde 780 and coming dauncing before them, singes. i. Antique, when wanton looue had walkte astray,
then good regard began to chide : And meeting her vppon the way,
sayes wanton lasse you must abyde. fifor I haue scene in many yeares, That sudden looue breeder sullen feares ; Shall I neuer while I liue keep my girle at schoole: She hath wandred too and fro,
ffurder then a Mayde should goe, 790
Shall she neuer while she Hues make me more a foole /into the (C
— a ducking curtesy — exit
Cumber. you little thinke who it is that sung this song ? S. Griffin No lohn, I pray thee tell vs who it is.
Cumber. why Prince Llwellen, come to his daughters wedding
Is he her father, and not woorth the bidding ? S. Griffin Thou doost but iest lohn, I hope it is not so. Cumber. I say it is. Heere comes another, lets see if him I knowe.
ffrom the other end of the Stage, enter another antique, as the first. 2. Antique. In a silent shade, as I sate a sunning,
there I heard a Mayd greeuously complayne : 800
Many mones she made mongst her sighes still coming all wo(
737 downes] sic. doivne C. d altered from p 739 )ieriit{s.'[ Actus Teriius. C.
752 muse?\ J altered, or perhaps inserted. 761 company ^ ny vaono'gx-d.m. 767 Gos-
st'/en] Po7vesse C. 768-71 Large cross in margin in darker ink. 776 musique\ added
by another hand in darker ink. ^z;;z.] copied accidentally from line before, probably in place of serue omitted. 785 you'\ thou C. 786 matiy\ fty monogram. 791 (C] Castell:
C. After C nothing but the tail of an s is actually preserved. 801 Many'] ny monogram.
made\ sayde, C. Jiiorigst] amongst C. sighes\ sithes C. 802 all woQ All -was C.
Traces are visible throughout.
25 D
Then her aged father, counccld her the ra(th FOL. 7"
to consent where he had plaste his mynde : But her peeuish mother, brought her to another, though it was agaynst bothc course and kynde. Then like a father will I, come to check my filly,
for her gadding foorth without my leaue : And if she repent it, I am well contented,
home agayne my darling to receiue. Sio
exit into the Castell(
Cumber. Lord Powessc, you may guesse by the song who this is. Powesse. ff thother was Llwellen as thou saydst,
I doubt then this Ranulphe Earle of Chester, Or some deuisc figured by thee for thcem, to fright vs when we are in surest safetie. Cumber. Content ye Lordes, the fathers bceing by, you may be sure nothing shall goe awry.
Heere comes another, listen what he is.
fTrom vnder the Stage the third Antique. 3 Antique, you that seek to sunder looue, 820
learne a lesson ere you goe : And as others paynes doo prooue, so abydc your selues lyke woe. ffor I fynde, and you shall feele :
selfe same turne of fifortunes whccle. Then if wrong be repayde :
say dcserued mends is made. exit into the Castcll.
Cumber. what say ye to Earle Moorton, Prince Griffin ? lyke ye his company
or no? S. Griffin. Come lohn, thou loou'st to iest, I perswade me it is not so. 830
Gosselen. Tush no such matter, this antique disguise,
Is but to giue the Brydes a good morrow so soone as they rise. I'^uan. And to make you despaire in the course of his arte,
he giues these names to euery seuerall parte. Cumber. what another yet ? who should this be ?
The fourth out of a tree, if possible it may be. 4 Antiq( ). you stole my looue, fye vppon ye, {y&^ [a] you stole my looue, fye fye a. guest you but what, a paine it is to prooue,
you for your looue would dye a. 840
And hencefoorth neuer longer, Be such a craftie wronger. But when deceit takes such a fall, Then farewell sly deuise and all.
you stole my looue, fye vppon ye fye, you stole my looue, fye fye a.
— exit into the Castell.
Cumber. My Lord of Pembrooke ? may it be possible? by my faith we lookte for no
such guests : Nay then He in to make vp the messe. /Theodore
exit into the Castell, & makes fast ^
Euan. what meaneth lohn by this mad merrie humour ?
he namde the Prince Llwellen, and the Earle of Chester, 850
the Earles of Moorton and of Pembrook ; bothc your Riualles
It seemes he would entise vs to beleeue,
that in these antique shewes of queint deuise,
they seuerally are entred in the Castell.
Tis hard for vs to iudge of his intent
Enter lohn a Kent talking with his boy. S Griffin, heere now he comes agayne, but not from foorth the Castell :
He be so bolde as break his serious talke,
for these deuises make me much misdoubt,
further then I as yet will seeme to speak on. 860
Now gentle lohn, shall we intreat to knowe,
the meaning of your merrie antique showe ? lohn. what shewe my Lord ? what meaning should I tell ?
Powesse. why lohn those antiques went into the Castell.
foure was there of them, and eche seuerally,
both daunc'ste and sung heere very pleasantly.
The first thou toldst vs was the Prince Llwellen,
The second, noble Ramdphe Earle of Chester,
whom thou hadst brought to grace this day withall.
Moorton and Pembrook were the other twayne, 870
In all which lohn, I knowe thou didst but fayne.
then more at large d(
804 whereX iv altered from h 812 Llwclleii\ w altered, possibly from e 813 this
Ramilphe\ /j omitted, presumably. 814 theem,] s\c.thein,C. 8iq Antique.] /altered
or blotted. 827 is] it C. 832 sooJie] 00 altered. they] ey altered from y
833-4 Marginal cross in darker ink. 864 ivhy] w altered. 868 In the right hand
margin some one has made what looks like a bad attempt to copy the Castell from the end of 1. 857 above. It is apparently not in Munday's handwriting. 872 more] now C.
a;
)\vhy Loidcs, I pray ye say, FOL. 7^
)till this instant, sawe ye me today?
)len. Sawe thee sweet lohn ? I pray thee leaue this iesting,
thy feyned straungencs makes these Lordcs amazde.
didst thou not first set ope the Cast ell gate ?
and then from sundry places issued foorth,
the skipping antiques, singing seuerall songs,
as loouers vse, that haue endurde some wrongs? 880
And when they all were entred at the gate,
thou followedst, seeming then to barre it fast.
whence now thou com'ste, to make vs more admyre:
I cannot gucssc, tell vs, I thee desyre. lohn. Maister, lie credit ye, because you speak it.
But on my faith, all this is straunge to me.
My boy and I haue for these two houres space,
beene greatly busyed in an other place.
To tell ye trueth, against the Brydes should rise,
to sporte them with some pleasing vanities. 890
S. GrifTm. Then lohn lets in for fearc of trctcherie,
my hart misgiues there is some villainie.
lohn. The gate is fast my Lordes, bound w'^^such charmes, /he tryes the doorc
as very easily will not be vndoone. 1 hope the learned Owen Glcnderwellin, is not come hither [as] in the Lordes behalfe, that are your Riualles, and at this aduauntage : liath ouerreachte me, when I least misdoubted. Is it not he, I cannot guesse the man.
Enter lohn a Cumber on the walles lyke lohn a Kent 900
Powesse. /'My Lordes, see one appeareth on the walles. It's lohn a Kent, how? lohn a Kent is heere. Some sly Magitian hath vsurpte thy shape, ^and this day made vs all vnfortunate. lohn. what ere thou be, I charge thee tell thy name.
Cumber. 'yMy name is John, what sayst thou to thc'same) John. I would thou wcrt the loim tiiat I could wish
Cumber j If lohn a Cumber ? then the same it is.
^In thy proud thoughtes John, did I hcare thee say,
28
" thou wantedst one to thwart thy deep desseignes, j layd cunningly to countercheck this looue,
because it should not take successe so soone.
And me thou nanidste, freendly, or how I care not, ,j heere am I now.. And what those Lordes haue tolde thee,
is very true, thine eyes shall witness it. Musique Sound musique, while I shewe to lohn a Kent,
those hither come, for whom he neuer sent.
whyle the musique playes, enters on the walles Llwellen Chester w'^ his Countesse, Moorton with Sydanen, Pemb. with Marian, Oswen and Ainerye. S. Griffin. Ah lohn, if these be not illusions,
but the same partyes, all our hope is dashte.
Llewellen, RamdpJie and our hatefuU foes,
help lohn, or now afreshe beginnes our woes. Llwellen. And are ye taken tardy in your shames ?
Proude Southwales Prince, and ouerdaring Powesse ?
See now the issue of your enterprise,
requites ye with your well deseruing merits,
And my Sydanen thus restord agayne,
shall w'*" Earle Moorton safely now remayne Chester. Madame, I iudg'de [ye] you guiltie in this wrong,
till lohn a Cumber [resolu'de] heere resolu'de the doubt.
Now Powesse brag of thy late gotten conquest,
Let lohn a Kent w''' all the witte he hath,
restore thee Marian if he can from me.
Heere Earle of Pembrook, take her, she is thine.
And thank kinde lohn whose cunning is diuine. Pemb. 1 hankes vnto him, and }^ou moste noble Lord,
And shame to them, such as their deedes deserue,
that would haue seuerd me from my sweet choyse.
I hope heer's one hath met w"* lohn a Kent
910
920
930
940
873 %vh}'\ my C. 874 instant,'] first t altered apparently. 877 dulsi] st added.
889 ye] yim C. 902 It's] Tis C. 911 The sense requires some punctuation, apparently
a comma after cunningly 916 Musique] in another hand in greyish ink. 920 and]
omitted by Collier. 922 is] i altered, apparently from v 923 Lleiuellen] sic.
931 you] interlined above deletion. 932 resolu'de] crossed out in darker ink.
29
To teache him how true looue he dooth preuent ( ) FOL. 8*
[S] Moorcton was there no way to yceld your looue successe, but by that fellowes sillie practises? let him hecraftcr meddle w''' his mates, hccrc's one hath giucn me Marian back agayne let him attempt to fetche her if he dare.
Sydancn
Marian.
Countesse.
Cumber.
lohn.
\V>
Cumber.
lohn
was euer Lady wronged thus before ? Marian thou knowest my minde, I say no more. Sweet Cossen, what we may not now impart, hcere let vs bury it, closely in our hart. This sudden chaunge hath altred quite your hope, what was at first concluded, now must be, Cossen & daughter, help none else ye see. Now lohn without, listen to lohn w'''in, the mariage thou appoyntcdst for those Lordcs, shalbc effected now with these two Lordes. [And for they would not let v.s] be their guests, [They nor thy sclfe gets any of our] feastes, In mockerie wishe for me another day. So fare ye well, we hauc no more to say. Good lohn within, heare lohn without a little, winners may bragge, loosers haue leaue to speak, vnder my shaddowe haue you doone all this, much greater cunning had it bcene thine owne. As yet thou doost but rob me of my selfe. Good honest Ihon, let me beholde thy selfe. Perhaps my shape makes thee thus boldly vaunte, and armes ihee with this ablenes of skill, wheras thine owne beeing insufficient, may make thee feare to deale w'^ lohn a Kent. Lordes and fayre Ladyes, goe disporte your selues, about the walkes and gardens of this Castell. And for thou ween'st so gayly of thy selfe, within this hower lohn He meete with thee, in myne owne shape, vppon this Castell greene, where I will dare thee, and out dare thee too, in whatsocucr lohn a Kent can doo. I take thy woord, Ladyes to you alone,
30
950
960
9?o
S. (G)riffin. lohn.
Shrimp. Powesse.
Gossclen.
lohn.
S. Griffin, lohn.
vvishe I all good, but to the others, none. / they discend. 980
why say sweet lohn, what shall betyde vs now ?
Now are we wursse then ere we were before.
Sirra, get ye to the back gate of the Castell,
and through the key hole quickly wring thee in,
marke well, and bring me woord what stratageme,
this cumbring lohn meanes next to enterprise
ffor I am sure he will not leaue me so,
At least I meane, not him, away then, goe.
I fly Sir, and am there alreadie
exit boy.
99°
Enter shrimpe. manet lohn.
No comfort lohn ? what standst thou all a mort ?
tis only we that haue the greatest cause.
Thou canst I knowe cope w'^ this lohn a Cumber
and maister him, maugre his vtmoste skill,
if thou wilt searche into thy deepe conceites.
lohn, I my selfe haue oft times heard thee wishe,
that thou mightst buckle with this lohn a Cumber.
Come is he now to all our deep disgrace,
except thou help it ere he scape this place.
Maister, what ? he that went beyond the deuill.
And made him [sell] serue him seuen yeares prentiship :
ist possible for me to conquer him ?
tis better take this foyle, and so to end.
why then our Ladyes this day shall be wed.
If or thou canst or wilt not stand vs now in sted.
Nay there's no wedding toward, that I can see,
And when tis doone, yet heere it must not be.
Content your selues, and walke the woodes about,
[you see] heere is no getting in, we are fayre lockt out.
I cannot tell, but if I hit aright
ffor walking heere all day, He make [them] some walke all night( )
Be gon I pray ye, I must be (a)lo(ne) ion
1000
943-7 The speakers' names should probably be transposed for this speech and the one preceding it : otherwise Morton is made to claim Pembroke's bride. 946 heere's\ 's added.
958-9 Marked for omission and partly crossed out in darker ink. 967 Ihon,] sic.
984 quickly'] nimbly C. 1008 /«,] interlined above caret mark. 1009 Enter shrimpe.]
added in another hand in greyish ink, with a vertical line indicating that it should follow 1. loii. loio He] / C. some] written above deletion. loii I must be {a)lo{ne)] youre but * *
Exeunt, praeter John, C.
31
lohn.
Enter Shrimpe skipping. )mc on Sirra, tell me, what newes ? )mp.( )Sir, yondcr's great preparation for a play,
which by the shaddowes of the Lordes and Ladycs, heere on the greene shall foorthwith be enacted. And lohn a Cumbers whole intent hcerin, Is that your sclfe shall see before your face, his arte made currant to your deep disgrace. But wher's the Countesse, Marian and Sydancn ? they are not in the Castell, that I knowe. Shrimpe. Earle Chcsters sonne, and young Lord Ainerye
are merily conducting them to Chester, And thither will the Lordes them selues this night, when they haue scene this play in your dispight.
Be gon, and bring the Ladyes back agayne, with them likewise are sent to be their guydes, Stay with them at the Chestnut tree hard by till I come for them. Now bestirre thee lohn, for in thy play I purpose to make one.
FOL. 8''
lohn
Turnop.
Hugh.
>
^"^
I020
/exit boy 1030
exit.
th
I
Thomas.
Enter lohn a Kent Cumber.
Enter lohn a Cumber in his owne habit, with him Turnop Hugh, and Thomas the tabrer. doo ye heare Sir ? we can be content as it were to furnish ye w our facilitie in your play or enterlude, marie where ye would vs to flout, scoff and scorne at lohn a Kent, for my part, let Hugh Sextcn and Thomas Tabrer doo as they see occasion, I am not to mock him, that is able to make a man a Munkey in lesse then halfe a minute of an houre. iof,8
He tell ye what Sir, if it be true that is spoken, marie I will not stand to it, a man were better deale w'^ the best man in the countrey, then w'*' Maister lohn a Kent, he neuer goes abroad with out a bushcll of deuillcs about him, that if one speak but an ill woord of him, he knowes it by and by, and it is no more, but send out one of his deuillcs, and whers the man then ? nay, God blesse me from him. Harkeye Sir, you are a Gentleman, and weele doo as much for ( y Lord, the Earle as poore man may doo, If it be to doo or say any thing agaynst him selfe, or any other, weele doo it, marie Thomas Taberrer will neuer meddle w"" M^ lohn, no, not I. why sillie souJcs, lie be your warrantise
3a
Turnop.
Cumber.
lohn shall not louche ye, doo the best he can, /En( )Iohn
He make ye scorne him to his very face. / a K( )t listning.
And let him [how] vendge it, how he will or dare( ) By my troth Sir, ye seeme an honest man, and so faith, could ye be as good as your woord, there be that perhaps would come somewhat roundly to ye. Indeed Sir, Maister lohn hath dealt but euen so so w'^ me in times past, harke ye Sir, I neuer kist wenc(h or playd the good fellowe, as sometimes ye knowe fleshe & bloode will be frayle, but my wife hath knowen on it ere I came home, and it could not be but by some of his flying deuilles^
1050
Nay I could tell ye other thinges besyde, what dayly wronges he dooth vnto ye all, which for they aske some leysure to reporte, He vrge no more, but that ye ioyne w''' me, in such an action as I haue in hand, when you shall see him so disabled, not daring to offend the wurst of you, as hencefoorth will he hyde his head for shame, weele make him such a scoffing iesting game.
Hugh. But shall he neither send his deuilles to pinche_vs ? nor doo any other
harme if we doo as you bid vs ? Cumber. harke me, He make him fret him selfe to death,
with very anger that he cannot touche ye,
Bob, buffet him, doo him what wrong ye will,
And feare not He defend ye by my skill. Thomas, well Sir, He stand by & giue aime, and if I see them speed well, He
bring ye such a crewe of wenches on whom,his deuillcshaue tglde lyes
and tales, that your hart would burst to heare how they will vse him Cumber. why this is excellent, you fit me now.
Come in with me, He giue ye apt enstructions,
according to the purpose I entend.
That lohn a Kent was nere so courst before.
Our time is short, come lette vs in about it. €xeimt.
1013 me^ whaf^ me, now, what C. 1028 CJiestnut\ Chesenut C. 1031 Act III,
Scene it. 1041 oi(t'\ interlined above caret mark. 1043 is] interlined above caret
mark. his] these C. 1045 /^r ( y] for my C 1046 j?ian] men C. 1047-8 S.D.
added in another hand in greyish ink : omitted by ColHer, who gives the following note on 1. 1083 : ' Perhaps John a Kent here reentered, but the MS. is so worn away that no such stage direction can be read.' 1056 kist ivencih] besorted C 1060-8 Marked for deletion in
darker ink. 1069 other] 7nore C. 1082 Collier wrongly allows for a missing line after
this ; the rule is clearly visible.
33 E
lO'JO
loTo
1080
lohn. Poore lohn a Kent, heer's making roddes for( FOL. 9*
Many hauc doonc the lyke, to whip them selue( But lohn a Cumber is more wise then so he will doo nothing, but shall take successe. This walke I made, to see this wundrous man, Now hauing seenc him, I am satisfyed. 1 ,1 know not what this play of his will prooue,
J / ■' But his intent to deale with shaddowes only, 1090
j^ ^ I meane to alter, weele haue the substaunces.
And least he should want Actors in his play. Prince Griffin, Lord Powesse and my merrie Maistcr, lie introduce as I shall findc due cause. And if it chaunce as some of vs doo looke, One of vs lohns must play besyde the booke. Actus Qitartus Scena Prima. Enter Shrimp playing on some instrument, a prettie way befo( the Countesse, Sydanen^ Marian^ Oswen and Amcrye. Osiven. Madame, this sound is of some instrument, noo
[this] for two houres space it still hath haunted vs. The boye[s] playes now heere, now there, on eche syde round about vs, roundabout them. And questionlcsse, either we foUowe it.
Or it guydes vs, least we mistake our way. 'Ameryc. It may be that this famous man of Arte,
doubting least lohn a Kent should crosse our iourncy, and seeke reuendge for his receiu'de disgrace : [That] he by this musique [he] dooth direct[s] our course, more redyly to hit the way to Chester. Countesse. what ere it be, 1 would we were at Chester. mo
My loouely Niece I see is malcontent So is my Maryan, but what remedye ? when thinges you see fall out so contrary ? Sydaneti. Ay poore Sydancn, let no more sweet song, be made by Poet for Sidanen sake, her fine trim day is turn to black cole night, and she hath lost her sweetest looue deliq[ht. Shrimp. But let Sydaticti cast away this care, / to her asyde
comfort is neerer her then shees aware.
34
Sydanen. what say you Cossen ? did you speak to me ? Ma( i)an Not I Sydanen, I with you complayne
On fortunes spight and ouer deep disdayne Shrimp. But Marian with Sydanen may reioyse, / they look(
for time will let them haue their owne harts choyse. / about Sydanejt. Pray God amen, O Cossen did you heare,
a voyce still buzzeth comfort in mine eare. Marian And so in mine, but I no shape can see
Tis John a Cumber mocks bothe you and me Sydanen. Cursse on his hart for cumber true looue so,
which else had made full end of all our woe.
Enter S^ Gosselen, Griffin, Powesse and Kuan. Gosselen. How say ye Lordes ? now credit lohn a Kent.
See where they are, and at the selfe same tree,
where he assurde vs all of them would be. S. Griffin. Sweetest Sydanen, how thy happie sight,
makes me forget all former sorrowe quyte.
The lyke dooth Marians presence yeeld to me,
for all greefes past assurde felicitie.
I 120
Powesse. Musique Chime
Euan. Listen my Lordes, me thinkes I heare the chyme,
which lohn did promise, ere you should presume : to venture for recouerie of the Ladyes. Gosselen. The very same, stay till the power therof,
haue layd the sleepie charge on bothe their eyes, that should haue guyded them from hence to Chester. The boy trips round about Oswen and Amery, sing( chyme, and they the one after the other, lay them ( vsing very sluggish gestures, the Ladyes amazed( about them.
A daynt( 1140 of musi(
1083 fori^ [for] you C. iioi for] interlined above deletion. 1108 he] interlined
above that deleted. dooih] interlined above he deleted. 1 1 16 turn] sic, perhaps for
turnd 1 129 ctanber] sic, probably for cumbritig 1138 S.D. in another hand and
greyish ink. Chi7ne] chimes Q. II40-I S.D. A dayn[ty Jii] of ttmsiqiie C. 1147 aviazed{}
amazedly C. There is a letter resembling an Italian capital S apparently joined to the d
)bc sun(2
)rimp. Gossclen.
S. Griffin.
Powcssc.
Shrimp
Oswen. A mcry. Shrimp.
Oswcn.
Song, to the Musique w"'in. FOL. 9^
)cp sweetly : sleep sweetly, sweetly take rest, 1150
)11 eche goe with her choyse, where she lykes best. Ladyes cheere vp your despayring mindes, for your freendes are neere, that will answere true looue in due kinde, then neuer more feare. Lordes take aduauntage, for they bothe are fast, bid lohn a Cumber mend this cunning cast. ffeare not good Madame, for you must with me, to end the ioyes these looucrs long to see.
^I'he chyme pFayes, & Gosselen w"" the Countesse goes turning out.
And fayre Sydanen I dare boldely say, rather with me will goe, then heere to stay
The chyme agayne. and they turne out in like manner. I not misdoubt, but Marian beares lyke mynde, this is the way our sweet content to fynd.
The chyme agayne, and so they.
1 1 60
-exeunt.
-exeunt.
Sir Euan, follow you the way they take, for now I must these sleepie Lordes awake, ffye Gentlemen, what meanes this slothfulnes? you sleep securely, while the subtill foe, hath got your charge, and bred a greater woe. Lord A?nerye, how fell we thus asleep ? My mother, sister, and Sidanetis gon.
/exit Euan. / they start vp.
1170
Canst thou my boy tell which way they haue tane ? or by what meanes they are thus gon from hence ? when as my maister, lohn a Cumber, saw e, how carelessly you did respect your charge, and lay asleep, while as S'. Gosselen denvyle, Prince Griffin, Powesse, and another Knight, bare hence the Ladyes toward proud lohn a Kent: he sent me posting thorow the duskye ayre, to wake ye, and to cause ye followc me, to fctche them back ere they haue got too farre. If then youle speed, follow me presently. Thankcs to thy maister, we will foUowe thee, to make amends for our fond negligence.
36
1 180
I200
Shrimp And I will lead ye such a merrie vvalke,
as you therof[ore] shall at more leysure talke. Come Gcnt(l)emen.
exeu{ )t.
Enter lohn a Kent lyke lohn a Cumber, with him Llwellen, Chester, Moorton and Pembrook, foorth of the Castell. lohn. Lordes, take your places as you are appoynted.
Though once I minded but to vse your shaddowes, 1190
pardon me now I may imploy your persons,
because that your delight shall be the greater,
and his disgrace the more to you apparant :
that durst attempt so bolde an enterprise.
Now shall ye see if famous lohn a Kent,
be able to auoyde disparagement. Llwellen. But shall Sydanen and Earle Chesters daughter,
be heere in person lykewise as we are ? lohn. No my good Lord, their figures shall suffise,
because you see they are disconsolate,
And, to speak trueth, beare more affection.
To Griffin of Southwales, and the Lord Powesse,
then to Earle Moorton and the Earle of Pembrooke.
whose shaddowes when those other Lordes shall see,
so farre estraunged from their former course ;
how it will quayle their hope, your selues shall iudge,
and make poore lohn a Kent mad to beholde it. Chester. But long ere this I hope they are at Chester,
and bothe their guydes in safetie at my house. )ohn. I warrant ye my Lord, they'r safe enough,
from lohn, and all the vtmoste he can doo.
See my good Lord, what I doo for your sake,
who only may dispose of me & mine. ) I knowe it lohn, and should I not confesse,
thy kyndnes to exceed on my behalfe :
and guerdon it, I greatly were too blame.
1 149 Soiig^ Sing Q. 1 1 50 )ep] Sleep, C. I151 )//] Till C 1 152] mindes,]
should be minde, to rhyme with kinde, 11 57 end the] one that C. Collier adds a note
'"to one the joyes" in the MS.; a mere clerical error.' lotig] love C. 1161 exttint.\
Collier omits. 1 186 therof] altered from therfore by insertion of an o and deletion oi ore
1 187 Act IV, Scene ii. 1 191 ine\ interlined above caret mark. w^f) good\ interlined
above caret mark. 1204 Small marginal cross in same coloured ink.
Z1
-j^wUl
1210
/to Mooreton.
Pcmb. lohn.
Cumber.
Llwcllcn lohn.
Chester.
lohn.
Cumber.
The lyk say I, whcrof \vh( . . .)mc( .... my thankfulne.s shall more at larcje assure thee. Necdlcssc my Lordes arc all these ceremonyes, ffor as I furdcr you in looues affayrcs : So I expect some credit by mine Arte. Now silence Lordes, for all the sportes begin, And sec where lohn a Kent is first come in.
FOL. 10=^
I2 30
Mntcr lohn a Cumber lyke lohn a Kent. As he that with vnsatiatc thyrst of fame, [followes] pursues an action of some high applause, to conquer his vsurping enemye, and add rcnownc for eucr to his deedes : So lohn a Cumber followes his intent, to conquer, sit, and laugh at lohn a Kent, what sayes he ? will he laugh him selfe to scorne ? My Lord, you little thinke the scope of his intent, he dooth imagine, he hath tane my shape, and you shall heare him speak, as he were lohn a Cumber. Note all his actions, and, let it suffise,
hecle prooue him selfe a foole before your eyes.
And yet imagine that he scorneth thee ? why that is all, ffor Gods sake, sit and see.
1J30
(S. Griffm
Moorton
I'emb.
lohn.
Llwellen.
Alreadie are my shaddowes set in order, ffor Prince Llwellen, Chester, Pembrooke, Moorton, And see poore loh(n) a Kent is walking by, as one that cannot yccld a reason why. ] He poyntes to thee, and tearmes thee lohn a Kent, let him heerafter brag with lohn a Cumber: when men of Arte thus striue in merriment it needes must rayse in meaner wittes .some wunder. Begin your Scene, and if he be not vext, I doubt not but he shalbe w"' the next.
he poyntes to them.
1242
ffye lohn a Kent, what iniurie is this, / he riscth and
that thou hast offered to this noble man. / gocth to lohn
Sydaucti, my fayrc daughter, whom I looue, / a Cumber,
wouldst thou haue [ ] wedded to the Southwalcs Prince, 1253
And brought'st her hither to thy maisters Castcll, from whence she was recoucred to thy shame.
38
fifye lohn a Kent, for this most silHe parte, heerafter tearme thy selfe no man of Arte.
Chester. Thy subtill wandring in an Hermits weede, wherby thou didst seduce my aged wife, to let her daughter, and my loouely Niece, walke w'^ her to Saint vvinifrydes fayre spring to offer vp theyr latest mayden vowes, and thou, like to an hippocrite, their guyde. Say foollish man, what hast thou wun heer by : but such dishonor as will neuer dye?
Moorton. lohn, lohn, call thou to minde the Antiques, that in thy absence got into the Castell, And ore the walles returnd vnto thy face the only argument of thy disgrace. Alas good lohn, account it then no wunder, Such is thy luck to deale w''^ lohn a Cumber.
Pemb. well lohn a Kent, wilt thou be rulde by me ?
leaue wales, Icaue England, and be scene no more, this monstrous blemish grauen vppon thy browe, will be but greefe to vs thy countrey men, Then seeing that so tardy thou wert catcht, yeeld him the bucklers that thee ouermatcht.
Cumber. how now ? whats this ? my shaddowes taught to speak, that to my face, they should vnto my foe ?
Llwellen. Shaddowes prooue substaunce lohn, thou art too weak, then like a sillie fellowe, pack and goe.
Cumber. Speak heere to lohn a Kent, speak ye to me ?
Chester. we speak to lohn the foole, and thou art he.
Cumber. Spirits, lie torture ye for this abuse.
Moorton Torture thy selfe(
suddenly starting to him, after the other hath do( )e T260
/ he sudden( y) t(
1270 / he suddenly too.
12S0
12 17 wherof w/!{ )me{] toherof * * care* ♦ C. I2c6 pursues] interlined above
deletion. action] i altered, perhaps from e 1230 conquer,] conquer C. 1241 Jok(n)]
n blotted. Comma at end of line almost obliterated by blot of modern ink. 1252 The
deleted letter is probably d 1259 do{ )e] done C. 1261 ?'/] interlined above caret
mark. 1262 guyde.] The «_>/ has only two minims : cf. «/' monogram '. 1265 suddenly)
t{] suddenly C \21\ suddenly too.] suddenly Q. iiT^ wert] art Q. 1283 torture]
to [punish] C. tur blotted. 1284 Fret not thy selfe C. Traces are visible
throughout ; the head of a tall letter, probably s or /, being distinguishable beneath the a of art in 1282.
39
p)poyntcd you
FOL. 10''
Tcmb. Cumber.
Al( ) poorcsillie soule, thou mayst appoynt, and all thy poyntinpj is not woorth a poynt.
whence am I crost ? may it be lohn a Kent, hath oucrrcachte mc in myne ownc dcuisc ? The more I striue to knowe, the further of, I am from compassing what faync I would. He sit awhyle, and meditate heeron.
1290
he sits down(e
lohn.
S. Gosselen
what? in a study ? nay I must awake him,
with other thinges more angry yet must make him.
Enter S' Gosselen denvylc, Griffin, Powcsse, [Euan.Jthc Countesse Sydaucti and Marian. Alas alas, why droupcth lohn a Kent ? Looke cheerely man, for see, Earlc Chcsters wife, through power of thine incomparable skill, is back rcturnd from dcuillish lohn a Cumber, and no man hath the shame but he alone.
/to Cumber
S. Griffin. I knowe this sadnes is but thy conceite,
because he crost thee ere thou wast aware. But may not this cheere vp thy mindc agayne : that thou hast brought me sweet Sydanen back ?
lohn a Cumber( stamps about.
1302
Powessc.
Cumber.
And hccre is Marian too, my soules delight,
who but for thee had becnc Earlc Pcmbrookes brydc.
let lohn a Cumbers fo)'lc then be of force,
sithe we enioy what we can most dcsyre :
to make thee leaue this discontented humour.
Sleep I ? or wake I ? dreame I ? or doo I dote ?
Looke what I poynted all these shapes to doo,
agaynst the man that I doo enuye mostc :
they doo it to mc, and he sits laughing by,
as if there were no lohn a Kent but I.
Countesse. why frollique lohn, thy arte prooues excellent, let not one simple foyle make thee dismay, thou art reuendgdc vnto thine owne content, let lohn a Cumber doo the wurst he may.
Sydanen. And will sweet lohn a Kent not look so sad, Sydanen will intreat all Brittainc Poet, to wridc large volume of thy learned skill,
40
1310
1320
Marian. Euan.
lohii )Llvvellen
Moorton.
Powesse.
Chester.
lohn.
for bringing her where she desyrc to be, and from that lohn a Cumber set her free. Look what my Cossen sayth, the lyke doo I, and will extoll thy fame continually. Into the Castell then, and frollique there. I knowe that lohn will not stay long behinde,
since your successe dooth answere thus his mynde.
exeunt into the Castell(
how say ye now my Lord, did not these shaddowes ; 133°
make him halfe thinke they were the same indeed ?
what ere they did in him, beleeue me freend,
but that I more relye vppon thine arte,
then the opinion this hath raysde in me :
I should haue sworne that that was my Sydanen.
In sooth my Lord, I lump with your conceite.
And trust me I was not a little moou'de,
Prince Griffins shape so led her by the hand :
but that I credit arte, more then mine eye.
will ye beleeue me ? but that lohn is by.
And dooth all this to plague yon lohn a Kent :
these semblaunces would make me much misdeeme.
Pardon me lohn, for looue is full of feare,
and such illusions neither please eye nofeare.
Then well fare me that differ from you all.
should I haue tooke that shaddowe for my Countesse ?
or else the other for my daughter Marian?
Nay, what he did already so resolues me,
that I am dreadlesse now of John a Kent.
I thanke ye good my Lord, so holde ye still,
for lohn's no John I see without good skill.
Ther's one fit more of merriment behinde,
that ift hit right, will serue him in his kinde.
1340
1350
1285 Traces are visible throughout, also of the speaker's name. 1289 otierreachte\ over- watchte C. 1 295 Eua7i\ crossed out in greyish ink. 1312 Small marginal cross in
same coloured ink. 1318 owne\ 7iotie ^. 1321 Briftame Poet,] Brithiitis Poets C
1322 wride] sic, for wr/V^, which Collier reads. 1323 dcsyre] s\c, ior dcsyres 1325 doo]
d apparently touched up to distinguish it from e blot or dirt. 1337 me] interlined above caret mark.
1340-4 Marked for deletion in ink of the same colour.
41
1336 your] very faint beneath modern 1340 PciVesse.] sic, for Petnbrooke.
Turnop.
Thomas
HuRh. Turnop.
Spurling. Boy.
Turnop.
IIuKh. put it on him.
Turnop.
Chester.
Enter Turnop (&•••) his traync w< FoL. 11^
A pause maistcrs, a pause, we arc not come only t( to doo somewhat else besyde, for we are of the Ent< nick nock lohn a Kent, if the honest Gentleman ( . .
woord.
As good as his woord ? why looke ye yonder where he standes ( honors woorship, cuen as he sayd he would, he noddes hi( ) head at ( 136°
as one would say, Maisters. fall to your busines, or doo that ye come fo( Good Lord looke how lohn a Kent sits in a browne study as it were, who(s begin now ? come lets knowe that.
who shall begin ? what a question is that ? let mayde Marian haue the f( . . flurt at him, to set an edge on our stomacks, and let me alone in faith( to ierkc it after her.
Now by my troth well aduisde good neighbour Turnop, He turne her to him( if he were a farre better man then is, too him, too him, touch him roundly. what ? think ye I am afrayde of him ? infaith Sir no. Precise lohn, or ra- ther peeuish peeld paltrie lohn, doost thou remember how many iniurics 1370 from time to time thou hast doone me? first in sending thy dcuilles to( tell l}'es and tales of me, then making my dame to cudgell me, and lastly to pinche me black and blewe when I ncuer oficnded thee, for which I defye thee to thy face, and dare thee to meete me in any place. Heare ye Sir? you Sir, as one would say, good man you Sir, because brcuitie is best in such a queazic action, it is concluded or conditioned among vs that haue some authoritie in this case, that because our Morris lacks a foole, and we knowe none fitter for it then you M'. lohn hceres a coat spick and span new, it neuer came on any mans back since it was made, therfore for your further credit, we will giue you hanse( . . 1380 of it, and where we took ye for a wise man before, we are contented to account of ye as our foole for euer heerafter. In witnesse wherof, we the youthes of the parishe, put it on ye with our owne handcs. Nay, neuer striue or wundcr, for thus we are appoyn ted by great lohn a Cumber.
At it now Thomas lustily, and let vs ierk it ouer the grecne, seeing we haue got such a goodly foole as M^ John a Kent, why" this wilTmake poorc John a Kent stark mad, ^^^'^^^^ dauncmg(
and qucslionlcsse heele nere more shcwe his face,
to be rcprooued with this deep disgrace 1390
42
lohn
Oswen.
A mery.
Shrimp.
Oswen. Amery
Chester.
Llwellen Oswen
Lordes, sit ye still, lie come agayne anon, I am prettily reuengde on Cumbring lohn.
-exit.
1400
/he lyes down (
Enter Shrimpe leading Oswen and Amery about the tree.
were euer men thus led about a Tree ?
still circkling it, and neuer getting thence? '..
My braynes doo ake, and I am growen so faynt,
that I must needes lye downe on meere constraynt. / he lyes do( .
This villayne boy is out of doubt some spirit,
still he cryes follow, but we get no further,
then in a ring to daunce about this tree.
In all my life I neuer was so wearie.
follow that list, for I can goe no longer.
There lye and rest ye, for I think your walke,
hath not beene altogether to your ease.
Now I must hence, I heare my maisters call,
it standes vppon the push of opening all. . ,
Lord Amery ^ is not yon my father?
the Prince Llwellen, Moorton and Earle Pembrook?
Tis they indeed, O let vs call to them,
to trye if they can get vs from this tree. 1410
Help Prince of wales, ah help vs Earle of Chester,
Or else thy sonne and I are lyke to perishe.
Oswen my Sonne ? and young Lord Amery 1
shaddowes they be not, for tis they indeed. / They( e . . .
Tell me, ah tell me, wherfore lye ye heere ? / them
where are the Ladyes that you had in charge ?
Ah speak young Lordes, my hart dooth dread some ill,
ye looke so gastly, and so full of feare.
Lend vs your ayde to rayse vs on our feete,
that we may get from this accurssed tr(_ 1420
,*/ >/~<2
h-
(4 A**.
-liv
1354 Enter Turnop and his trayne. C. 1356 £"«/(] 2«( C. 1360 ai\ C. omits.
1362 looke how] looke you how a. 1364 d\ interlined above caret mark. the f{) the
first C. 1367 Turnop^ n interlined above caret mark. 1372 lastly\ after C.
1380 hansei^ haunsell Q. 1381 ye'\ you C. 1384 Collier omits s.D. 1386 At]
This is the original reading, but the A is obscured by marks in darker ink. It is uncertain whether these are accidental, or whether some alteration was intended. 1394 euer] neiierd.
1397 lyes] I altered from h do{\ downe C. 1404 altogether] alt very faint beneath
modem blot or dirt. 1417 Small marginal cross in same coloured ink.
43 F 3
FOL. IP . . . .)11 h(c ostc) vnhappy ncwcs. /they help th( . .
N)o ill to my Sidauen, then I care not, ) Re Marian well, be what it may besyde. ) where is the villayne boy, that thus misled vs ? Boy was he not, but qucstionlesse some fiend,
that hath tormented vs, as nere was lyke^^
)cllcn. Askc for no boyes aske for no fiends or furycs, But tell me quickly, where is my Sydanen ? liuinpj or dead, or how she is bereft ye ? Osivcti. Brecfely to answcre all of ye together, M.^o
Nor of my mother, Marian or Sydanen. lyes it in vs to tell ye whats become, other then this, as it was tolde to vs, That Griffin, Powesse and S^ Gosselen denvyle, rcskewcd them from vs, how or when we knowe not,
Enter | so sayd a deuill or boy sent to vs from lohn a Cumber.
Enter lohn a Cumber pulling of his foole coat, lyke Kent still. Cumber fTrom me young Lordes? alas you were decciu'd,
as you likewise, and all haue beene together.
Locke not so straunge Lordes, deeme not me lohn a Kent, 1440
that in his sted haue becne so much misusde,
scorned by you, then flouted by the Ladyes,
last made a foole heere in a morris daunce,
and all preparde gaynst him, turnd on my selfe
In breefe then to abridge all further wunder,
yonder is lohn a Kent, [I] heere lohn a Cumber.
lohn a Kent in his owne habit, denvyle, GriflSn, Powesse, Euan, Countesse, Sydatten, Marian and Shrimp on the walles. lohn. Now lohn within, may speak to lohn without,
And Lordes to you that frumpcd him so finely. 1450
Once you were heere, and shut vs out of doore,
you had these Ladyes, but ye could not keep them.
where are those twayne that daunc'st about the Tree ?
Look on your Minstrell heere Sirs, this was he. /to Shrimp<
But as for you lohn, that vsurpte my shape,
And promisde you would meet mc on the grecnc,
44
O you were busyed too much with your play, but you knowe best who went the foole away. That I am quit with thee thou wilt confesse ?
Cumber. I doo lohn, for twere shame to yeeld thee lesse, 1460
but I may Hue to meet with ye heerafter.
I pray thee lohn, shall we haue one cast more ? lohn So thoul't deale wyser then thou didst before.
Promise me one thing Lordes, and you shall see,
He offer him more oddes, then he dare me. Llwellen Lets heare it lohn, and as we like, weele answere. lohn. It is so reasonable, you cannot deny me.
ffayne would ye that your daughters were combinde,
in sacred wedlock with those noble Lordes.
Promise me that it shall be doone this day, 1470
without more dallying, He deliuer them, /the Ladyes
to lohn a Cumber, so he will bestovve,
his very deepest skill to make it sure.
But if he fayle, and be my luck to speed,
to ceasse contention, and confesse him foyld,
[And] As I will doo the lyke, if he preuayle. Llwellen I am agreed, what sayes my Lord of Chester ? Cliester. The motion is so good, that I consent.
Cumber. Lordes and iayre Laydes, you likewise agree,
to take your fortune how so ere it be ? 1480
0(mn)es. we doo.
lohn. Then, not so churl=like, as when you were Lordes,
Of this our Castell, to allow no fauour, b)ut euen to hunger starue vs at the doore, ntcr) all freely, and toake parte with vs,
)d chccre, for some of you haue need.
1 421 There appear to be traces of w/ before )//, and another illegible letter which may be joined to w Collier reads . . the unhappy iiezues. ///(] them C. 1422 c^are^^ can C.
Morton is speaking 1423 Pembroke speaking. 1427 Small marginal cross in same
coloured ink. 1429 she is\ is she C. 1436 Enter\ added in another hand, but the same coloured ink. li^y] foole\ s]c, ^ ior fooles 1446 heere] interlined. 1447 Eimf/,]
Collier omits. 1461 ye] thee C. 1477 Small marginal cross in same coloured ink.
1485 nter)] Ejtter C. toake] sic, a apparently altered from 0, the intention no doubt being
to delete the first 0 i486 )</] [/// our] good C.
45
Cumber.
Then:
And aft( )nvard ere ni^ht we meanc to try( who shall haue conquest, either he or I. nniuely resolu'de lohn, I must needes c6m( d t)h( thoul't haue the wurst if fortune but befr( )d m(e).
FOL. 12»
1400
t^"'
Actus Quint us Scena Prima. Kntcr the Abbot of Chester read(i g) a letter, & one of ( Abbot. My honest frecnd, this letter from thy Lord,
shcwcs that the mariapes, so long deferd,
betwecne the Ladyes and their seuerall suters :
must now at length be finished this day.
And at this Abbey is the place appoynted.
ffurther he sayth, that all the Abbey gates,
not only must be fast, but strongly mand,
with his owne guard appoynted for the purpose,
that none may issue foorth, or enter in,
but such as first must by him selfe be scene.
what? is there daunger of preuention?
or that resistauncc w ill be offered ? Scruaunt. daunger there is, but what, in sooth I knowe not.
Lord Abbot, I haue performde my charge to you,
I must goe warne his guardc in readines,
and then returne to certefye my Lord. Abbot. Assure his honor, what he hath referd,
vnto my trustie care and sccrecie
in cucry poynt shall answere his content.
Our Lord forbid, but he should heere comaund, \
that is our patrone, and so good an Karle.
Scruaunt. his honor will be thankfull for this kindnes,
which He not fayle at full to let him knowe. . f, exit beruau
Abbot ffarewell my freend. He bout my busines strayte,
and gaynst his coming giue my due attendaunce. . . ,
Enter lohn a Kent, denvyle. Griffin and Powcsse. Griffin, would any man but you haue beene so fond,
to yccld the Ladyes, when we might haue kept them ? poorc boulcs, with what vnwilHngncs they went,
46
i;oo
I5I0
s.
1520
pray God this rashnes all we not repent. P( )\vesse. what though that once ye proou'de too hard for him ?
still are ye certaine of the lyke successe ?
Remember how he crost vs at first,
once warnde, dooth make a man to dread the wurst. denvyle. I will suspend my iudgement in this case,
and rather hope^ then feare what may befall.
Once this I knowe, it will goe wundrous hard, 1530
Ere lohn a Kent be in his purpose bard, lohii. fifeare you, hope you, for my parte, He doo neither,
but track his steppes that treades the way before,
to doo the thing he can vndoo no more.
These weddings then must be at Chester Abbey,
the Gates wherof moste strongly will be mand,
Entraunce there is allowed [to] at none but one,
And lohn a Cumber there must be the Porter,
Tis very lyke then, none of you get in.
And yet in faith it would be very prettie, 1540
to prooue his eye sight, whether he doo knowe,
the men that should be let in, yea or no.
would not you laugh to see him let you in,
and keep them out that [m st] should his wager winne ? S. Griffin Oh that were excellent, might it be so,
and if thou list, doubtlesse it shall be so. lohn. Lord Powesse, what think you ?
Powesse. Euen as Prince Griffin, so sweet lohn say(
thou art the man mayst make vs Hue or dy( denvyle. If it should fall out so successefuUy, 1550
besyde the endlesse that thou shalt winne(
p( )ud lohn a Cumbers foyle will be the(. .
1487 Traces are visible throughout, apparently including a f> above iv and a y above h 1488 ere night we f/ieane] are right ivelcoine C 1490 tw«( d t)h{] commend thee Q.
1 49 1 bcfrl^ ^d\ befriendC. 1493 read{i g')'\ reading C. IS19 Act V, Scene ii.
1528 Small marginal cross in same coloured ink. 1531 be^ ^ altered from / 1534 the\
/• altered, apparently. 1537 at\ interlined above deletion. 1544 should'] interlined
above deletion. 1548 sayl^ say I. C. 1549 dyl^ dye Z. 1550 Small marginal
cross in same coloured ink. 1551 r«(^//^jj^ ///a/] a word obviously missing : Collier supplies
fame 1552 /( ^i'd\ protid C. There is a hole in the paper, but the traces are consistent
with Collier's reading. thel^. . ] therin. C.
47
.... ) shall b(. . . .), ) lohn a Cumber cuen him sclfe say no. B)ut how can wc disguyse our selucs so soone,
) cucry poynt lykc Moorcton and Earle Pembrook ? f ) otherwise of force we must be knowen ? ) 'ru(sh) weclc no shapes, nor none of these disg^uysings, they (h t)orore seru'dc bothe his turnc and myne, As nc)( ) yc arc, so shall ye passe the gate. And for the blame shall not relye alone, on poore lohn Cumber, when the faulte is spyed, albeit his skill will be the lessc thcrby : The Prince Llwellcn, and the Karlc of Chester, shall bolhe be by, and graunt as much as he. Nay more, them sclues shall bring ye to the Chappell, and at their handes shall you recciue your Brydes. If this I doo not ere two hourcs be spent, Ncuer let me be calld more lohn a Kent.
FOL 12''
Powesse.
S. Griffm
Ichn.
Chester.
Llwellcn.
Cumber.
1560
Ah pcerelesse fohn, w'*" loouc, with life and landes, will we requytc this kindncs at thy hands. And sing sweet Sonnets in thy endlesse prayse, while our fayre looues and we enioy our dayes
'57°
/embracing.
Let vs away, it is vppon their coming.
ffor they think long vntill the deed be doonc,
wherby lohn hopes his credit will be wun.
exeunt.
I'^nter Llwellcn, Chester, Countesse, Sydatieii, Marian, Os7ven, Amery, lohn a Cumber, and Abbot.
fTcare not my Lord, my selfe haue bcene about,
and scene the gates mand as they ought to be,
with spycs besyde that shall regard the walles.
And with the Abbot hauc I tane this order.
Only this gate shall serue for enteraunce.
liut by your leaue my Lord, we will entreat,
that lohn a Cumber, till it be dispatchte,
will sit as porter, then wc may be sure,
that practise lohn a Kent what ere he dare,
while he is there the lesse neede be our care,
Alas my Lordes, I see wiiat he intends,
to come in person like this reucrend Abbot,
48
1580
1590
therby to get in Griffin and Lord Powesse. but therin He preuent him, feare ye not. ffather take you the Ladyes to your charge, and w'^ the Countesse lead them to the Chappell you twayne will stay vntill the Brydegroomes come, then afterward let all the charge be mine.
Countesse.
Sydanen
Marian
I
Come loouely Niece and Marian, wend with me, this day will end the greefes wherin you be. But may it prooue as poore Sidanen wish, else her hart cares will farre surmount her blisse.
1600
Now lohn a Kent if euer thou shewedst skill doo it at this instant, and our ioyes fulfill.
Llwellen.
lohn.
Chester
Cumber.
exeunt Coun. Syd. Ma. Ab.
I wunder that these Lordes doo stay so long, so soone as we they sayd they would be heere.
Enter lohn a Kent a loof of. Griffin and Lord Powesse. Goe on and feare not, now lohn we shall see, if ye can help your eyes infirmitie. O heere they be, fye Lordes why stay ye so ? the other would haue made more haste I knowe.
)
Be thou their guyde, goe, quickly make an end, and then let lohn a Kent my skill comend.
lljIO
O rare Magitian that hast not the power, to beat asyde a sillie dazeling mist, which a mere abce scholler in the arte, can doo it with the least facillitie. But I will ease him when the other come, T)o see how then he will bestirre him selfe.
) Enter Moorton and Pembrooke (. . sti.l
-exeunt.
(
) doe (my) Lord that there (
)
1620
1553 * * it shall be so, C. 1554 )[okn] Tho7igh John C. 1556 ')enery\ In every C.
1557 / )] ^'"' C. of force we must] we must, of force, C. 1558 John a Kent speaking.
1559 \h t')o'\ heertoC. 1560 noQ now Q. 1570-6 Marked for deletion in darker ink.
1577 Act V, Scene Hi. 1579 Lord^ Lordes C. 1584 Small marginal cross in same
coloured ink. 1590 in\ interlined above caret mark. 1597-1602 Marked for deletion in
darker ink. 1601 z/] / blotted. 1602 s.T>. Exemit Count. Sydanen, Qr'c.C 1603 Small marginal cross in same coloured ink. 1609 other] others C. 1612 John a Kent
speaking. 1616 ^z;«] interlined above caret mark. Collier reads //^(?w 161 8 There
are traces of letters after Pembrooke, the remains, apparently, of an erasure. 1620 There
clearly was a line here, although its remains are now entirely illegible. Collier does not allow for it.
49
Cu(m)ber.
Moorton. Cumber.
Temb. Cumber.
lohn.
)d me wh( . .)e r(
I had not parted w"' them but ( By thy leaue lohn, say, are thc( AlasTalas, hath cunning Iohn( no wiser way then this to f(. . Goe aske of him whether the ( and he will say they are wed( wedded ? to whom ? I hope ( To them whose counterfeite( to noble I\arle Pembrook ( Are not wc they ? what ? a( how ere I am, no passage w( for you or him, although he d( why Gentlemen, can ye thi( Is this the man whose kno(w to face ye downe ye be no(
FoL. 13»
|
Enter Chester. Llw( |
|
|
Cumber |
why how now Lordes, wh( |
|
Llwellen. |
At that which now is to( |
|
Prince Griffin and( |
|
|
vnto our daughtcr( |
|
|
we tooke them f( |
|
|
Chester. |
heere you (my Lor( |
|
while you h(o |
|
|
you come to( |
|
|
Moorton. |
Oswen, sp( |
|
Os7L'cn. |
lest tho( |
|
Karle < |
|
|
you m( |
|
|
lor (. |
(!•:
1630
1640
Amcry
1650 1653
[^Hcrc probably '^^ lines are lost.'\
50
/
.€^
X
\..
FOL. 13^
( y >
ha)d beene to haue wrongde thorn.
)doo the lyke confesse, [1690]
. .)d Sydanen nere the lesse.
)lds as toward me you meant,
t)hanke thee lohn a Kent.
.) must yeeld her ( . . . . t)oo
.) you had so much to doo.
. .) make ye waste the time in vayne,
. .)e as [these times] this day requires,
.)er, be not thou displeasde,
)least these amourous cares hath easde.
t)o be disgraste by thee, [1700]
)r bothe of mine and me.
)des, and euer more heerafter
)vow continuall looue.
f)ortune was not euill, \
)ouermatchte the deuill.X —exeunt.
)is. Anthony Mtuidy
)Decembris 1596.
162 1 * * * ;«^ * * they * be * * * C. 1 625 /( • . ] traces might be -in or -ttr. Collier
reads find 1627 7ved(^ ived.Q.. 1630 Earle\ Earle of Q. 1634 ////(] thus C
1636 no{] not C. 1638 whQ Joy C. 1642 /(] Collier omits. 1643 LorQ Lord C.
1644 //(<?] haQ. 1647 thd^ th C. 1649 ;«(] w C. 1650 Traces of a tall letter
are visible. 1652 This is the last line of which any trace remains on the recto of the
fragmentary thirteenth leaf. On a full leaf there would be room for 33 to 35 lines more (cf. P'ols. 11* and 12* which have 34 lines each after the crack in the middle of the page: also Fols. 11^ and 12'', with 34 and 35 lines respectively). 35 lines have been allowed for in the numbering, which becomes from this point, therefore, conjectural.
l68ii * * * * 7iie or you * ♦ * C. 1691 y/] nd C. 1692 ^lds\ Id C. 1694 ( t')oo'\
towards the C. 1697 this day] interlined above deletion. requires] s added.
169S )t'r\ ter C. 1699 least] feast C. 1700 be] interlined above caret mark. Collier
reads j-o for /(9, and omits ^J"!?. 1701 )r] Collier omits. 1707 /J9<5] /JPJ C. The line
has been added in darker ink, in a neat Italian hand, unlike Munday's.
51
m
(
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
PR [Munday, Anthony]
2719 John a Kent & John a Cumber
m6a65 1923
mm
■1