_Enter_ QUEEN DOROTHEA _in man's apparel,_ LADY ANDERSON, _and_ NANO.
_Q. Dor._ What news in court, Nano? let us know it.
_Nano._ If so you please, my lord, I straight will show it:
The English king hath all the borders spoil'd,
Hath taken Morton prisoner, and hath slain
Seven thousand Scottish lads not far from Tweed.
_Q. Dor._ A woful murder and a bloody deed!
_Nano._ The king, our liege, hath sought by many means
For to appease his enemy by prayers:
Naught will prevail unless he can restore
Fair Dorothea, long supposèd dead:
To this intent he hath proclaimèd late,
That whosoe'er return the queen to court
Shall have a thousand marks for his reward.
_Lady And._ He loves her, then, I see, although enforc'd,
That would bestow such gifts for to regain her.
Why sit you sad, good sir? be not dismay'd.
_Nano._ I'll lay my life, this man would be a maid.
_Q. Dor._ [_aside to Nano_]. Fain would I show myself, and change my tire.
_Lady And._ Whereon divine you, sir?
_Nano._ Upon desire.
Madam, mark but my skill. I'll lay my life,
My master here, will prove a married wife.
_Q. Dor._ [_aside to Nano_]. Wilt thou bewray me, Nano?
_Nano._ [_aside to Dor._]. Madam, no:
You are a man, and like a man you go:
But I, that am in speculation seen,[293]
Know you would change your state to be a queen.
_Q. Dor._ [_aside to Nano_].
Thou art not, dwarf, to learn thy mistress' mind:
Fain would I with thyself disclose my kind,
But yet I blush.
_Nano._ [_aside to Dor._]. What? blush you, madam, than,[294]
To be yourself, who are a feignèd man?[295]
_Lady And._ Deceitful beauty, hast thou scorn'd me so?
_Nano._ Nay, muse not, madam, for he tells you true.
_Lady And._ Beauty bred love, and love hath bred my shame.
_Nano._ And women's faces work more wrongs than these:
Take comfort, madam, to cure your disease.
And yet he loves a man as well as you,
Only this difference, he cannot fancy two.
_Lady And._ Blush, grieve, and die in thine insatiate lust.
_Q. Dor._ Nay, live, and joy that thou hast won a friend,
That loves thee as his life by good desert.
_Lady And._ I joy, my lord, more than my tongue can tell:
Though not as I desir'd, I love you well.
But modesty, that never blush'd before,
Discover my false heart: I say no more.
Let me alone.
_Q. Dor._ Good Nano, stay awhile.
Were I not sad, how kindly could I smile,
To see how fain I am to leave this weed!
And yet I faint to show myself indeed:
But danger hates delay; I will be bold.--
Fair lady, I am not [as you] suppose,
A man, but even that queen, more hapless I,
Whom Scottish king appointed hath to die;
I am the hapless princess, for whose right,
These kings in bloody wars revenge despite;
I am that Dorothea whom they seek,
Yours bounden for your kindness and relief;
And, since you are the means that save my life,
Yourself and I will to the camp repair,
Whereas your husband shall enjoy reward,
And bring me to his highness once again.
_Lady And._ Pardon, most gracious princess, if you please,
My rude discourse and homely entertain;
And, if my words may savour any worth,
Vouchsafe my counsel in this weighty cause:
Since that our liege hath so unkindly dealt,
Give him no trust, return unto your sire;
There may you safely live in spite of him.
_Q. Dor._ Ah lady, so would worldly counsel work;
But constancy, obedience, and my love,
In that my husband is my lord and chief,
These call me to compassion of his state:
Dissuade me not, for virtue will not change.
_Lady And._ What wondrous constancy is this I hear!
If English dames their husbands love so dear,
I fear me in the world they have no peer.
_Nano._ Come, princess, wend, and let us change your weed:
I long to see you now a queen indeed. [_Exeunt._