SCENE I.--AURELIUS’ CAMP.

[Illustration: _Fac-simile to face the Title of Vortigern--v Act 3._]

VORTIGERN;

AN HISTORICAL PLAY;

WITH

AN ORIGINAL PREFACE.

BY

W. H. IRELAND.

REPRESENTED AT THE

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE,

ON SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1796,

AS A SUPPOSED NEWLY-DISCOVERED DRAMA OF

SHAKSPEARE.

LONDON:

JOSEPH THOMAS, BIRCHIN LANE.

1832.

BALNE, PRINTER, GRACECHURCH STREET, LONDON.

PREFACE.

No one connected with literature, or who feels a partiality for

reading, on hearing the title of Vortigern and Rowena mentioned, but

has more or less a confused idea respecting this dramatic effort; yet

when inquiry is made, whether any individual has perused the play, it

uniformly occurs, that every one is a total stranger to the production.

It would be difficult to ascertain the reason why the present drama

should have become of such extreme rarity; but, after a continuance

of nine years upon the continent, though incessantly occupied, on my

return, in endeavouring to procure a copy, as well as employing an

eminent theatrical bookseller in the same pursuit, upwards of four

years elapsed ere I obtained copies of my plays of Vortigern and Rowena

and Henry the Second, on which occasion I gladly paid three times the

original publication price for their procurement. Appeals to me have

been so often made, to know where these dramas could be purchased, that

I shall certainly not infringe upon veracity when I state, a limited

edition would long ere this have been disposed of, had copies existed

to supply such repeated demands. Application has at length been made to

me upon the subject of their republication; when, more for the purpose

of seizing an opportunity of saying something in vindication of myself,

than from any desire to give fresh publicity to these dramas, I am

prompted to acquiesce; and they are thus made the vehicle of developing

a variety of sentiments at present influencing my mind, as regard the

subject of my Shaksperian fabrications.

I shall not trouble myself by entering upon an elaborate detail of the

forgery of the papers; any persons feeling at all interested upon that

subject, may find ample food for the gratification of such desire,

in my “Confessions,” one volume octavo, published in 1805. Since the

appearance of the above work, twenty-seven years have elapsed; and my

feelings at the present moment are very differently attuned to what

they were when the “Confessions” were written. It has been justly

remarked, that there exists a time for every thing; and the shafts of

persecution have been so relentlessly levelled against me for upwards

of thirty years, that I begin to conceive sufficient purgation has been

endured, and that every inimical feeling, which now remains, is but the

foul lees of rancour, malice, and uncharitableness. However, as most of

my readers, from the lapse of time, may be unable to appreciate the

drift of my meaning without a clue, I will, in the most succinct manner

possible, make them fully acquainted with the height and sum of my

offending, and then proceed to develop the usage of a certain portion

of the literary world towards me.

My father, (Mr. Samuel Ireland,) a gentleman gifted with the most

open heart and liberal sentiments, chanced, like many others, to be

enamoured of the Fine Arts and Vertu; his assortment of pictures,

prints, and drawings, was universally extolled; his library well

selected; and, above all, his collection of Hogarth’s works (not

even excepting that of his noble competitor for mastery, the late

Earl of Exeter) was not to be surpassed. Among the strongest of his

predilections, my father entertained an unbounded enthusiasm for the

writings of Shakspeare: four days, at least, out of the seven, the

beauties of our divine dramatist became his theme of conversation after

dinner; while in the evening, still further to impress the subject upon

the minds of myself and sisters, certain plays were selected, and a

part allotted to each, in order that we might read aloud, and thereby

acquire a knowledge of the delivery of blank verse articulately, and

with proper emphasis. The comments to which these rehearsals (if I may

be permitted so to call them) gave rise, were of a nature to elicit,

in all its bearings, the enthusiasm entertained by my father for the

bard of Avon--with him Shakspeare was no mortal, but a divinity; and

frequently while expatiating upon this subject, impregnated with all

the fervour of Garrick, with whom he had been on intimate terms,

my father would declare, that to possess a single vestige of the

poet’s hand-writing would be esteemed a gem beyond all price, and far

dearer to him than his whole collection. At these conversations I was

uniformly present, swallowing with avidity the honied poison; when,

by way of completing this infatuation, my father, who had already

produced Picturesque Tours of some of the British rivers, determined on

commencing that of the Avon; and I was selected as the companion of his

journey. Of course, no inquiries were spared, either at Stratford or in

the neighbourhood, respecting the mighty poet. Every legendary tale,

recorded anecdote, or traditionary account, was treasured up; in short,

the name of Shakspeare ushered in the dawn; and a bumper, quaffed to

his immortal memory at night, sealed up our weary eyelids in repose.

We now approach the grand _denouement_. Having supplied himself with

sketches and notes for his Tour, my father returned to town; about two

years prior to which, I had commenced a course of studies, to enable me

to enter as a practitioner at the Chancery Bar. I will not take upon

myself to determine whether nature ever gifted me with a dawning of

talent for poetry, or whether I possessed a mere facility at imitation;

but the reiterated eulogies rung in my ears respecting Shakspeare--my

father’s enthusiasm--and, above all, the incessant remark, upon his

part, that to possess even a signature of the bard, would make him the

happiest of human beings--irrevocably sealed my destiny.

Being in a conveyancer’s office, and environed by old deeds, the silly

idea struck me of investigating numerous bundles of law documents,

in the hope that I might find some instrument signed by Shakspeare;

which labour, of course, proving abortive, I had recourse to a dealer

in old parchments, whose shop I frequented for weeks, under the same

fallacious impression; when, finding all to no purpose, then it was,

(as a German amalgamator of the horrific would assert,) that the demon

seized his opportunity to place temptation in my way. In fine, wearied

by the fruitless toil, in an evil moment, the idea first seized me

of the possibility of producing a spurious imitation of Shakspeare’s

autograph; when, without reflection, having supplied myself with a

tracing of the poet’s signature, I wrote a mortgage deed, imitating

the law hand of James the First, and affixed thereto the sign-manual

of Shakspeare. The instrument in question was shown, accredited in all

directions, and my father rendered happy; when, without a thought of

any thing further, I conceived myself amply recompensed in having been

the instrument of producing so much felicity.

Let me now inquire of the reader whether he traces, to the above

period, any great mental delinquency in my proceedings? Was I biassed

by selfish motives, or could I be charged with any thing but the

thoughtless impulse of a head-strong youth, under seventeen years of

age, whose only aim was to afford pleasure to a parent? Falsehood,

though trivial, is, however, the first step to crime; and although

mine was not of a very heinous nature, the sequel will develop what

important and injurious consequences may result from a first departure

from veracity.

For some days this mortgage deed, purporting to be between Shakspeare,

and one Michael Fraser and Elizabeth his wife, was inspected by crowds

of antiquaries, and Shaksperian enthusiasts; when, on a sudden, the

question was started, concerning where the deed had been found. I

was, of course, appealed to; and never having once dreamed of such

a question, it was on that occasion the first serious difficulty

presented itself to my imagination. _Fallacia alia aliam trudit._ The

tale resorted to was as simple as possible, namely: That I had formed

an acquaintance with a gentleman of ancient family, possessed of a

mass of deeds and papers relating to his ancestors, who, finding me

very partial to the examination of old documents, had permitted me to

inspect them; that shortly after commencing my search, the mortgage

deed in question had fallen into my hands, which had been presented

to me by the proprietor. I added, that the personage alluded to, well

aware the name of Shakspeare must create a considerable sensation,

and being a very retiring and diffident man, had bound me, by a

solemn engagement, never to divulge his name. Such was the manner

in which I accounted for becoming possessed of the deed, sincerely

trusting that the matter would thenceforward remain buried in eternal

oblivion. Your German writer of the marvellous would exclaim: “No,

no! it was then too late: you had fallen into the demon’s snare--was

spell-bound--within the vortex of his machinations, and incapable of

extricating yourself from the impending fate that awaited you:” be this

as it may, I was not permitted to continue passive. The late Honourable

Mr. Byng, afterwards Lord Torrington; Sir Frederick Eden, Bart.; and a

long string of persons, whose names it would be superfluous to annex,

gave it as their decided opinions, _that wheresover I had found the

deed, there, no doubt, the mass of papers existed, which had been

so long and vainly sought after by the numerous commentators upon

Shakspeare_. These assertions, incessantly dinned into my father’s

ears, were retailed to me with increased vehemence. I was sometimes

supplicated; at others, commanded to resume my search among my supposed

friend’s papers; and not unfrequently taunted, as being an absolute

idiot, for suffering such a brilliant opportunity to escape me. Thus

circumstanced, I knew not how to act; and cursed the first precipitate

measure I had adopted: while, at every meal, when I presented myself,

the same alarum was rung in my ears, so that no alternative remained

but to attempt something further, or be regarded in the light of a

downright fool, not only by my father, but by the numerous personages

who had inspected and placed confidence in the mortgage deed. My evil

genius predominated: I penned a few letters, and “The Profession of

Faith,” all of which passed muster; although, in many instances, _the

documents produced as two hundred years old, had not been fabricated

many hours previous to their production_. For a detailed account of

all these forgeries, I refer the reader to my “Confessions,” before

adverted to; having merely to add, that I ultimately announced the

existence of a drama, being guided in this, as in former instances, by

the same thoughtless impetuosity: for it will scarcely be credited,

that, on hazarding such a bold statement, I literally had never essayed

my pen at poetical composition, and had not penned one line of the

play which I purposed producing, being no other than the present drama

of Vortigern and Rowena. Prior to the completion of this piece, the

fame of my various fabrications had resounded from one extremity of

the kingdom to the other; and on the completion of the undertaking,

strenuous applications were made by the late Mr. Harris, of Covent

Garden Theatre, who, in order to possess the play, forwarded a _carte

blanche_ (by Mr. Wallace, father of the then highly-esteemed actress

of that name) to Mr. Samuel Ireland, with which, had my father

acquiesced, as that theatre was favoured by the King and the Court,

there would have been great probability of its success: however, a

long intimacy with the Sheridan and Linley families turned the scale

in favour of Drury Lane, where it was subsequently represented. Prior

to this period, however, the validity of the papers had begun to be

questioned, the late Mr. Malone standing forth as generalissimo of the

non-believers. Some pamphlets, _pro and con_, had also issued from the

press; while the newspapers incessantly teemed with paragraphs, written

on the spur of the moment, and dictated from the particular sentiments

entertained as to the papers by their authors. Malone, in the interim,

having collected his mass of documents intended to prove the whole a

forgery, committed them to the press, under a hope that he should be

able to publish his volumes before the representation of Vortigern:

the bulkiness of his production, however, having defeated that object,

he, on the day the piece was to be performed, issued a notice, to

the effect that he had a work on the eve of publication, which would

infallibly prove the manuscripts in Mr. Ireland’s possession mere

fabrications, and warning the people not to be imposed upon by the

play advertised for that night’s representation, as being from the

pen of Shakspeare. My father having procured a copy of this notice,

though late in the day, instantly forwarded to the press the following

hand-bill, and distributed a vast quantity among the assembled

multitudes then choaking up every avenue to Drury Lane Theatre:--

“VORTIGERN.

“A _malevolent_ and _impotent_ attack on the Shakspeare MSS. having

appeared, on the _eve_ of representation of the play of _Vortigern_,

evidently intended to injure the interest of the proprietor of the

MSS., Mr. Ireland feels it impossible, within the short space of time

that intervenes between the publishing and the representation, to

produce an answer to the most illiberal and unfounded assertions in

Mr. Malone’s “Inquiry”; he is, therefore, induced to request, that the

play of _Vortigern_ may be heard with that _candour_ that has ever

distinguished a _British audience_.

“_The Play is now at the Press, and will, in a very few days, be laid

before the public._”

If, however, an active enemy was found in the person of Mr. Malone,

another equally implacable, and enabled to strike a more deadly

blow, as regarded the success of my play, appeared in the person of

Mr. Kemble, then acting manager of Drury Lane Theatre; who, in that

capacity, was of course empowered to direct his whole influence against

the piece, of which he did not fail to take advantage, as will appear

from my father’s preface subjoined, which accompanied the original

edition of Vortigern. Indeed, so notorious was Mr. Kemble’s conduct, in

opposition to the interests of the theatre, that, after the termination

of the play, Mr. Sheridan, in the green-room, very unceremoniously gave

Mr. Kemble to understand, “that _he had nothing to do with his (Mr.

Kemble’s) private opinions respecting the validity or spuriousness of

the manuscripts; that he appeared there as a servant of the theatre,

whose bounden duty it should have been to exert himself for the

purpose of insuring success, instead of invidiously toiling to damn a

production, which might have brought thousands to the treasury of that

establishment_.” To this address, delivered in my presence, Mr. Kemble

uttered not one word in reply.

Six-and-thirty years have now transpired since the drama of Vortigern

and Rowena was performed, (on Saturday, the _second_ day of April,

1796). If may be worthy of remark, that the strenuous efforts of

the acting manager, Mr. J. P. Kemble, were not wanting to procure

its representation on the _Friday night preceding_, in order to pass

upon the audience the compliment of _Fools All!_ This was, however,

overruled, by the decided opposition of my father; although he found

it necessary to interpose the authority of Mr. Sheridan for that

purpose. Finding himself thus foiled, in the grand attempt at producing

Vortigern on _April Fool night_, that the after-piece might carry a

sting in its tail, Mr. Kemble announced _My Grandmother_ for the farce,

intending that all the bearings of that production should be applied

by the audience to the subject of the Shaksperian papers. This was not

all: leagued with Malone, and the sworn opponents, in defiance of the

duty he owed to the theatre, Mr. Kemble had recourse to every expedient

prior to, as well as on the night of, representation, in order to crush

the play; for which purpose he particularly selected the following

line:--

“And when this solemn mockery is o’er,”

that having been the preconcerted signal when the opponents of the

papers were to manifest their disapprobation. Having, in the course of

his part, arrived at the anxiously expected line, he delivered it in

an exceedingly pointed manner; when, _of course_, a deafening clamour

reigned throughout one of the most crowded houses ever recollected in

theatrical history, which lasted for several minutes. Upon a hearing

being at length obtained, instead of taking up the following line of

the speech in rotation, Mr. Kemble reiterated the above line with an

expression the most pointedly sarcastic and acrimonious it is possible

to conceive. The result was, from that moment so deafening became the

uproar produced by conflicting applause and disapproval, that not one

syllable more of the play was rendered intelligible. The speech, of

which the above line forms a part, will be found towards the close of

the second scene of act the fifth, being the last scene but one of

the drama; prior to which, no hostility had been manifested. Indeed,

so decided was the applause, that many of the performers appeared

confident of the success of the play; among whom, in particular, was

the late inimitable Mrs. Jordan, personating the character of Flavia

in my drama, with whom I remained in close conversation during a

considerable portion of the performance, that lady uniformly persisting

in offering her congratulations on the success that awaited the drama,

of which “_I had been the fortunate discoverer_.”--[How little did

I then imagine, that the lapse of a few short years would behold me

following that neglected, but unmatched Thalia of the British stage, to

her last long home in the cemetery of St. Cloud; where her remains now

moulder, with scarcely a memento to designate the spot that enshrouds

them.]

Notwithstanding the pointed hostility manifested by Mr. Kemble, in

every stage of this business, it would be the height of injustice not

to mention the strenuous exertions, for the success of the piece,

manifested by Messrs. Bensley, Barrymore, Caulfield, and King, with

Mesdames Powel and Jordan. Those, however, who have any recollection

of such walking automatons as Benson and Phillimore being made to

figure in my tragedy, can form a shrewd surmise of what the acting

manager intended should prove the result of the performance. Added

to this, the late Mr. Dignum was purposely placed by Mr. Kemble in a

subordinate part, wherein, speaking of the sounding of trumpets, he had

to exclaim, “_Let them bellow on!_” which words were uttered with such

a nasal and tin-kettle twang, that no muscles, save those of adamant,

could have resisted the powerful incentive to laughter.

Having brought the subject of the representation of Vortigern to

a close, I shall now enter upon that portion of my preface which

comes closest to my own feelings; and if, in the progress of my

remarks, I may at times appear somewhat instigated by a sentiment of

vindictiveness, let me entreat the reader to commune with himself,

and to inquire what would be the state of his mind, after suffering

thirty-six years incessant persecution and obloquy, for the commission

of an act intended only to please a parent, and which, in reality, has

injured no one but its author, and that being he so fondly strove to

gratify.

Some time after the appearance of Malone’s long expected

“Investigation,” Mr. Chalmers published, first his “Apology for

the Believers,” and then a “Supplemental Apology”; wherein, though

advocating the untenable side of the question, he displayed a far

greater depth of antiquarian research, and scholastic reasoning, than

his opponent; in short, there is scarcely one position laid down by

Malone, which is not most satisfactorily refuted by Chalmers. At the

commencement of this warfare, as to whether the manuscripts were

genuine or not, the state of my poor father’s mind was pitiable in the

extreme; he as firmly crediting the originality of the papers, as I was

aware of their fabrication.

For myself I can conscientiously assert, that this warfare affected me

no further, than as creating uneasiness in the mind of my suffering

parent: but when insinuations began to be directed against _his_

character, which were ultimately converted into the following _bonâ

fide_ assertions--“That the youthful period of my life precluding all

possibility of the papers being mine, the whole must of necessity

have been fabricated by my father, who had made me the vehicle of

introducing them to the public”--I must candidly confess the equanimity

of my temper no longer remained unruffled. Never was a creature more

basely calumniated, or subjected to more unmerited contumely. It is not

because I am speaking of a parent, that I make this declaration; had

Mr. Ireland been a mere acquaintance, it would be no more than my duty

thus to exonerate, and once more proclaim aloud to the world his entire

innocence. Not only was he a total stranger to every proceeding of

mine, as regarded the composition of the papers; but, from principle,

totally incapable of having even connived, much less have been himself

the fabricator. There existed, in my father’s character, a marked

tenacity respecting adherence to truth; and it was the thorough

knowledge of his rigid principles on that head that long deterred me

from making an ample confession of the fact, so much did I apprehend

from the effects of his indignation, if made acquainted with the real

nature of the whole transaction.

I had nearly forgotten to remark, that among other suppositions

hazarded on the subject of concocting the forgery, some persons have

been led to imagine, and still conceive, that the late George Steevens

was my secret abettor, and gave me his assistance. Now, so remote was

this from being the fact, that I never saw the commentator in question

but once, and that after my producing the papers: this was in the shop

of the late Mr. Richardson, printseller, then residing at the corner of

Villiers Street, Strand.

Invariably, when descanting with persons on the subject of the papers,

they have applauded the cheat, expressed a wish of having been capable

of deceiving the world in a similar manner; and they have then

uniformly concluded by upbraiding me for having avowed the fact. Never,

indeed, should the world have been gratified by extorting from my lips

one syllable approximating to a confession, had I not been urged by

the imperious motives of rescuing my father’s character from unmerited

obloquy; then I did come forward with the truth, having first abandoned

the paternal roof, and relinquished a profession for which I was

studying; and, with the wide world before me, and a host of the most

implacable enemies at my back, ere my twentieth year, I entered upon

the eventful pilgrimage of life, without a guide to direct my steps,

or any means of existence, save those which might result from my own

industry and perseverance.

Some time after this avowal, I forwarded two very humble apologetic

letters to Mr. George Chalmers, who never deigned to reply; these were

followed by various others, on the publication of my “Confessions”

in 1805, addressed to the leading personages who had advocated the

validity of the MSS.

All my efforts, however, proved of no avail; the same animosity was

manifested towards me, by a phalanx styling themselves the rigid

censors of literature, and the guardians of Shakspeare’s fame;

consisting of such persons, for instance, as _Malone_, _Kemble_, _Dr.

Parr_, _Boaden_, _Waldron_, with a string of _etceteras_, too tedious

for enumeration. Would it be credited, that such men have proceeded

to the ridiculous length of ranking my offence on a par with the

forgery of a bank-bill; and, I am thoroughly convinced, would have

felt infinite delight in witnessing my exit as a delinquent at the Old

Bailey. If an untruth in literary matters were so heinous an offence,

whence comes it that the late Sir Horace Walpole, afterwards Lord

Orford, escaped the lash of reproof, for palming off his “Castle of

Otranto” as the translation from an old Italian MS.? and why were not a

long list of others, guilty of similar literary misdemeanours, dragged

forth to public execration? No! the whole, except in the instance of

poor Chatterton, to whose memory the world has since done justice,

was reserved for my devoted head; every burthen was accumulated on

my shoulders: this I have endured with stoicism, until I conceive my

penance fully achieved; and when I witness the splendid example of Sir

Walter Scott, whose repeated denials, even to Majesty itself, of the

authorship of the so called Waverly Novels, have rather added to than

detracted from his well-earned literary reputation, I trust that so

youthful an infraction of the great principle of truth should not be

too bitterly remembered, and that I may now stand acquitted before the

grand ordeal of society.

Having nothing more to add on the general subject of the Shaksperian

papers, I shall wind up this prefatory address by a few observations on

the conduct of those, who, arrogating to themselves a dictatorship in

regard to every thing connected with the literature of Shakspeare, have

been my unceasing persecutors.

Among these may be mentioned, the deceased Dr. Parr, of Greek

celebrity, whose death, instead of accumulating a fresh odor of

sanctity around his fame, has tended to open men’s eyes, who now begin

to find out, that the Doctor was not exactly that mighty phenomenon

for which he had enjoyed the reputation, while living. A catalogue of

this learned Theban’s books has been published, under the title of

“_Bibliotheca Parriana_,” wherein the MS. opinions of the Doctor, as

inserted in a multiplicity of works, are given to the public.

At p. 522 appears the following note from this _scholastic, erudite,

and Christian divine_:

“Ireland’s (Samuel)” _great and impudent forgery,

called_, “Miscellaneous Papers and Legal Instruments,

under the Hand and Seal of William Shakespeare.” Folio,

1796.

“I am almost ashamed to insert this worthless and infamously trickish

book. It is said to include the tragedy of King Lear, and a fragment

of Hamlet. Ireland told a LIE, when he imputed to _me_ the words which

_Joseph Warton_ used, the very morning I called on Ireland, and was

inclined to admit the possibility of genuineness in his papers. In my

subsequent conversation, I told him my change of opinion. But I thought

it not worth while to dispute in print with a detected impostor.

“S. P.”

Here we have a sample of clerical politeness, mixed up with heartfelt

ranklings, because it was impossible for the divine to deny that he

had been _a staunch believer in the MSS. and the dupe of a boy of

seventeen_.

It is true that it was _Dr. Warton_, instead of himself, as stated

in error in my “Confessions,” who passed a most pompous eulogy on my

Shakspeare’s Profession of Faith: but it so happens that I was present

when _Drs. Parr and Warton_ together inspected the papers; and it was

on that memorable occasion that the latter, after the documents had

been _twice read_ by both of them, made use of the following words, in

which Dr. Parr not only concurred, but himself pronounced panegyrics

equally forcible: “_Sir, we have many fine things in our church

service, and our Litany abounds in beauties; but here, sir, here is a

man who has distanced us all._” As to a subsequent interview, stated

to have taken place with my father, it is a gross falsehood; and was

merely incorporated in the above note to palliate, as much as possible,

the Doctor’s want of accuracy, in having accorded the sanction of

his name to my MSS. These, indeed, were pitiable subterfuges for a

churchman to descend to, and altogether unbecoming a person of the

Doctor’s erudition, and high standing in society.

So much for the dead:--now for a living opponent. On the present

occasion I have the honor to introduce to the reader, James Boaden,

Esq. than whom a more fitting sample could not be ushered upon the

_tapis_, to bring up the burthen of my tale with _eclat_; and prove,

in their fullest extent, the assertions so frequently repeated, of the

implacable hatred, and unremitting vindictiveness, uniformly practised

in regard to me.

This person was one of the earliest and most frequent visitors at

the house of my father, in Norfolk Street, after my production of

the MSS. had excited a considerable sensation in the world. He

was, at that period, editor of the “Oracle” newspaper, and in such

capacity welcomed by my father, with all that ingenuousness for which

he rendered himself conspicuous. The papers were laid before Mr.

Boaden, _who not only verbally, but by letter to my father, and in

paragraphs out of number, inserted in his diurnal, expressed a thorough

conviction of their genuine stamp, not only from external but internal

evidence_: neither did the MSS. alone produce conviction; but, to use

his own words, they excited “_a tremor of the purest delight_”; such

persuasion of their excellence being retained for months, “_making all

scepticism ridiculous_.” Yet this man of _correct judgment_ ultimately

discovers that the whole was an _error in judgment_, which he excuses

in his letter to George Steevens, with this very terse remark: that

_“credulity is no disgrace,” and “strong enthusiasm eager to believe.”_

Now, I should like to ask any man, boasting the smallest pretensions

to common sense, whether, if one of Mr. Boaden’s Poems, or one of

the Psalms, as translated by Sternhold and Hopkins, was produced in

the hand-writing of the period of Elizabeth, or printed by Didot, in

his most superlative style, on wire wove, &c.; I should like, I say,

to inquire, whether the apparent antiquity on the one hand, or the

modern blazonry displayed on the other, could add one iota to the

merits of the composition? and whether, in case any man, standing

forward as a literary character, was to attach the epithet of sublime

to the doggerel of Boaden or Sternhold, he would not be regarded as a

consummate blockhead for his pains.

In p. 5 of a pamphlet, entitled _A Comparative Review of the Opinions

of Mr. Boaden, in the Years 1795 and 1796_, we find as follows, in

reference to the subject of my papers:--

“Mr. Boaden is very liberal in acknowledging in his pamphlet, (what

indeed he could not deny, because it would have remained recorded

against him in his newspapers,) that he was, at first, strongly

affected in favor of the MSS.; neither does he deny that he admitted

their _style, diction, and poetical spirit_; but he leaves us to

discover by what new light, by what cogency of argument, that which was

once distinguished for “_the utmost delicacy of passion and poetical

spirit_,” became _afterwards_ “worthy of no other notice than that of

being _metrically smooth_”; _and_, that which was “_rationally pious

and grandly expressed_,” became “_execrable jargon_,” the “_puerile

quaintness and idiomatic poverty of a methodist rhapsody_.” However,

to enter into a detail respecting the numerous _tergiversations of

this writer_ would extend my Preface beyond all reasonable bounds; I,

therefore, refer the reader to my “Confessions,” p. 176, &c. for a

_further_ elucidation of the _consistency_ displayed by J. Boaden, Esq.

during his literary interference at the period in question.”

I shall now suffer some six and twenty years to roll on, and again

introduce the above personage to my reader’s notice, under the

following circumstances. Between seven and eight years back, I

was engaged in preparing a MS. for Mr. Triphook, then residing in

Bond-street; at which period, it so occurred, that James Boaden, _Esq._

was occupied in forwarding through the press, his “Inquiry into the

Authenticity of the various Pictures and Prints of Shakspeare,” of

which work Mr. Triphook was also the publisher. During my frequent

attendances in Bond-street, it is not surprising that I should

encounter Mr. Boaden with feelings, heaven knows! widely different from

those whereby that gentleman was actuated. Conceiving, however, in the

frankness of my heart, that upwards of a quarter of a century must

have cancelled all recollections of the past, and allayed every latent

animosity, I spoke to Mr. Boaden without indulging a rancorous thought,

notwithstanding the provocations received at his hands, whensoever he

had found an opportunity of abusing me. After several casual meetings

of this description in Mr. Triphook’s shop, fully aware of the work

whereon Mr. Boaden was then occupied, I offered to furnish, through

Mr. Triphook, an account of a variety of spurious oil paintings and

miniatures of Shakspeare, that have been sent into the world; which MS.

I remitted to Mr. Triphook, who handed the same to Mr. Boaden. The work

of the latter gentleman, at length, appeared; but he had scrupulously

avoided making use of my MS. thus gratuitously tendered; and for

this plain reason: it would have debarred him from the superlative

gratification of venting anew his malice against me; which he has done

in different parts of the said work, but more particularly in the

opening Preface, at the first and second pages of which appears as

follows:--

“A PERIOD _of my life, of something more than forty years, has been

devoted to the study of Shakspeare’s works; and, on some outrageous

liberties which, in the year 1796, were taken with his name, I had

the honour to address a letter to the late George Steevens, Esq.,

which brought before the public the first detector of an impudent and

very unskilful forgery. Upon that occasion, the great Commentator

expressed a very agreeable opinion of my little work, by saying with

his accustomed point: “Sir, you have very fairly gibbeted the culprit,

and Mr. Malone will take him down and dissect him_;”--A TASK (adds Mr.

Boaden) PERFORMED BY HIM WITH AN ANATOMICAL MINUTENESS, WHICH LEFT NOT

THE SMALLEST NERVE OF THAT BODY OF FRAUD UNEXPOSED TO THE PUBLIC EYE.”

Such was the charitable recompense, for a kindness tendered to a

man, who, like myself, I conceived incapable of hoarding up malice

and hatred for such a series of years; but, alas! beings of this

description, I have had, like blood-hounds at my heels, goading me

to the very brink of destruction. In regard to Mr. Boaden’s work, on

the subject of the genuine portraits of our Bard, I think I may with

veracity state, that had the writer inserted my MS. respecting the

forged resemblances of the poet, that portion of the work would have

proved by far the most entertaining part of his production, which has

been refuted, in many parts, by Mr. Wyville; who, without possessing

any of the boasted Greek and Latin of Mr. Boaden, or indeed a proper

knowledge of English grammar, has proved the former writer altogether

incompetent to discuss the comparative merits of oil paintings or

engravings. The engravings illustrative of Mr. Boaden’s book, furnished

by Mr. Triphook, constitute the only worth of that volume, which, from

the publishing price, has fallen two-thirds in value, being now bought

for the sake of the portraits it contains. Another of this book-maker’s

lucubrations, is the life of his divinity the late J. P. Kemble, two

volumes 8vo.; who, if we were to take the writer’s _ipse dixit_, was

faultless as a man, and in the histrionic walk, something super-human.

Now we happen to know somewhat concerning John Philip, as well as

Mr. Boaden; and had it fallen to our lot to chronicle his sayings

and doings, we should have paid a little more attention to that very

necessary ingredient in biographical writing, called _veracity_; that

is to say, we should have incorporated the sombre and shadowy tints, in

colouring the picture, and should not have pourtrayed John Philip, like

a Chinese limner--_all whiteness_. We have known of _such_ things, as

theatrical Bacchanalian orgies, held in taverns under the Piazzas, when

the bottle has circulated, until

“The grey-eyed morn peep’d o’er the eastern sky”:

at which carousals, great John Philip has sallied forth, vaulted the

standings near the _Finish_, (where the men and women porters were

accustomed to pitch their loads,) and from such exalted station, mine

hero, has harangued the matinal multitude of the garden, with pithy

speeches, to their great edification. We have equally heard of _Tarquin

strides_ behind the scenes, which gave rise to the dreadful:--“WHEREAS,

I, JOHN PHILIP,” &c.--all facts of such a tendency however, are

expunged from the _faithful biography_ of Mr. Boaden: who resolutely

determined that the world should have enough of the family, has since

eked out another pair of ponderous tomes, _purporting_ to be the life

of Mrs. Siddons; wherein we will venture to assert, there are topics

introduced, having no more reference to that lady, than there exists

an affinity between Mr. Boaden and the milk of human charity. One word

more concerning this personage, and we close our labour. Previous to

the publication of his volume, before adverted to, respecting the

portraits of Shakspeare, and daring my casual intercourse with Mr.

Boaden at Mr. Triphook’s, we one day walked out together, and arrived

opposite the end of Buckingham-street, in the Adelphi. The subject of

our conversation had been Shakspeare and my fabrications, when, on a

sudden, pausing, my pompous companion, having summoned up a look of

the mightiest import, thus addressed me:--“_You must be aware, sir, of

the enormous crime you committed against the divinity of Shakspeare.

Why, the act, sir, was nothing short of sacrilege; it was precisely the

same thing as taking the holy chalice from the altar, and * * * * * * *

therein!!!!_”

There is a point in comparison, which renders bathos mere foolery.

Comment is unnecessary; but there was something so preposterously

ridiculous in the idea of assimilating my attempt to imitate

Shakspeare, and the violation of the sacred mysteries of the altar,

that had I raised my eyes, and encountered those of Mr. Boaden, I could

not have repressed the burst of laughter, which then struggled for vent.

To hear an aged, walking mass of mortality, utter such a sample of

mingled pedantry and folly, has left such an indelible impression upon

my mind, that I never pass the spot in question, without a sentiment

of pity, on recalling the ravings of a self-created expounder of

Shakspeare, dwindled into second childhood.

I shall now close this Preface, which has already exceeded its limits,

with two simple comments: If my productions were such miserable trash,

as Mr. Boaden and his coadjutors asserted, (and, heaven knows! I have

never claimed any great merit for their production,) what becomes of

the intellects of those who stamped them, in many respects, worthy the

Bard of Avon? And supposing the latter assertion _could_ be, in the

very _smallest_ degree, correct, to what can be ascribed the malignity

with which I have been pursued, but to an ignoble and dastardly

sentiment of envy, nurtured in the bosoms of those, who were the dupes

of a stripling in years, and a total novice in the paths of literature?

I cannot wind up the present Address, without testifying the heartfelt

gratitude I feel, in avowing, that the candour of the present

generation, so far from hunting me down, on account of this error of

my youth, is willing to allow every credit that may be attachable to

me, on the score of talent, however mediocre; at the same time, I claim

from the public fiat, an acquittal of the only charge that could have

been urged against me,--namely, a preorganized plan of fraud, under a

base and sordid hope of pecuniary profit, instead of that most enviable

of all rewards, which I had fallaciously hoped to ensure--the permanent

gratification of beholding a father happy.

* * * * *

As few alterations as possible, have been made from the Play as

published in 1799, and those with a view to restore the original text.

W. H. IRELAND.

PREFACE

TO THE EDITION OF 1799, BY MR. SAMUEL IRELAND.

It is now near three years since the Play, which the following

sheets present to the public, was represented at the Theatre Royal,

Drury Lane. The fate which it underwent, and the decision of the

audience, are well known. Notwithstanding that decision, the Editor

has, at length, agreeably to his promise made at the time of that

representation, again laid it before the public; which, if it exposes

it to the test of a more accurate criticism, will give it the

opportunity of a more unbiassed and temperate examination.

They who are at all conversant with dramatic concerns, must know

that the opinion of large assemblies, promiscuously composed of all

orders and classes, must depend on a variety of circumstances, local,

temporary, and accidental.

Where no stronger or worse motives interfere, fashion and caprice

too often give the direction; but spleen and interest are made

more powerful agents; and by their industry and activity, even the

master-puppet, be he in sock or buskin, may be gained, and the public

may be too easily and unwarily led by premature and precipitate

conclusions.

No man who recollects what was said and written in the public prints

concerning this piece, on the eve of its representation, and the

ludicrous manner in which the principal character was sustained, can

deny, that the Editor has a right to complain of the most illiberal and

injurious treatment.

Every undue stratagem, and every mean and petty artifice, was resorted

to within doors and without, to prejudice the public mind; and one

more deeply interested than had then, or has yet appeared, though a

professed trader on the subject of Shakspeare, on the day before the

representation, under the title of “An Enquiry into the Authenticity of

certain miscellaneous Papers, &c. &c.” with this view, and the further

expectation of helping off a few copies, sent into the world a volume

long before promised, and long since forgotten.

This mass of dulness and self-conceit, consisting of about 430 pages,

established nothing; and was built on principles (if it is not an abuse

to apply to such trash, a term so respectable) that could not possibly

establish any thing. In every one of the instances which, with such a

weak and overweening confidence, he so very idly brought forward, he

has been exposed; and in some of them has been himself the author and

detector of his own childishness, incapacity and ignorance.

Neither the index-lore, or the alphabetical, lexicographical labours of

this sagacious discoverer, or his congenial followers or associates,

nor any declaration since made from a quarter once domestic to the

Editor, through which something like genuine information might

naturally have been expected, can induce him to believe that great part

of the mass of papers in his possession are the fabrication of any

individual, or set of men of the present day.

A fruitless expectation, that time, the discoverer of truth, might

ere this have withdrawn that veil of mystery which yet involves this

transaction, has alone given occasion to delay this publication. The

Editor had been happy to have been able to have penetrated it; and to

have assigned to its proper owner each fragment and each whole.

As to the merits or demerits of the Play now before the public, the

Editor does not in the smallest degree consider himself responsible any

where, or in any way. He sold the piece with “all its imperfections

on its head,” after various cool and deliberate readings, and stated

candidly all he had been told relative to it; all that, which, from

various circumstances, he had at that time no reason to doubt or

discredit.

After the Play was contracted for, some alterations were deemed

necessary to fit it for representation. It was much too long, and

consequently many passages were expunged; and, in one historical fact,

(thought too gross for the public ear, _viz._ the incestuous passion of

the king towards his daughter,) it underwent some further alterations;

but, excepting these particulars, it stands nearly as in the original.

In this state it was delivered to the theatre, with a request, or

rather _entreaty_, that all further alteration, deemed necessary,

should be made by the acting manager, or any other person competent to

the business: to this request he received the following official answer

from Mr. Kemble:--“That the play would be acted faithfully from the

copy sent to the theatre”; and it was accordingly acted, literally,

from the manuscript delivered to the house. This conduct was, as the

Editor believes, unprecedented in the management of a theatre; and must

warrant him in concluding, that, in the judgment of the acting manager,

the play wanted no aid or alteration.

Be these matters as they may, this Piece is laid before the public,

with such interpolations by the Editor, as he presumes it was the duty

of the acting manager to have made previous to its representation.

The lines printed within the inverted commas were not in the playhouse

copy, and consequently were not spoken.

The Editor feels, and here begs leave to acknowledge, his obligations

to his friend, William Linley, Esq., for his skill in composing the

three songs in this Piece, in which he is universally allowed to have

shown much taste and judgment; he likewise professes himself much

indebted to Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Powell, for their very spirited

exertions and excellent acting on this occasion; and could he, with

truth or justice, make the smallest acknowledgment to Mr. Kemble, and

his fellow tragedian, Mr. Phillimore, he has little doubt but that,

whoever may have been the author of the piece, it might still have been

received, and might have promoted the interests of the theatre.

_Norfolk Street, Strand, 1799._

PROLOGUE

INTENDED FOR VORTIGERN.

WRITTEN BY JAMES HENRY PYE, ESQ. P.L.

The cause, with learn’d investigation fraught,

Behold, at length, to this tribunal brought:

No fraud your penetrating eyes can cheat,

None here can Shakspeare’s writing counterfeit.

As well the taper’s base, unlustrous ray,

Might strive to emulate the orb of day,

As modern bards, whom venal hopes inspire,

Can catch one spark of his celestial fire.

If in our scenes your eyes delighted find

Marks that denote the mighty master’s mind;

If at his words, the tears of pity flow,

Your breasts with horror thrill, with rapture glow;

If on your harrow’d souls impress’d you feel

The stamp of nature’s uncontested seal;--

Demand no other proof, nor idly pore

O’er mouldy manuscripts of ancient lore,

To see if every tawny line display

The genuine ink of fam’d Eliza’s day:

Nor strive with curious industry to know

How poets spelt two centuries ago.

But if these proofs should fail; if in the strain

You seek the drama’s awful sire in vain,

Yet in our ancient legend should you trace

Truth’s genuine features, tho’ of humbler grace,

Condemn not rashly. O’er the forest glade,

Tho’ the oak spread no patriarchal shade,

Yet may a shrub of no unlovely green

With vivid foliage deck the sylvan scene;

Some tuneful notes the vocal woodlands fill,

And sooth the ear, tho’ Philomel be still.

Then each extraneous matter laid aside,

By its own merit be our drama tried.

Forget the prejudice of rigid art,

To read the code of nature in the heart;

Consult her laws, from partial favour free,

And give as they decide, your just decree.

PROLOGUE.

WRITTEN BY SIR JAMES BLAND BURGESS, BART.

SPOKEN BY MR. WHITFIELD.

No common cause your verdict now demands,

Before the court immortal Shakspeare stands;

That mighty master of the human soul,

Who rules the passions, and with strong control

Thro’ every turning of the changeful heart

Directs his course sublime, and leads his powerful art.

When on his birth propitious nature smil’d,

And hung transported o’er her favourite child;

While on his head her choicest gifts she shower’d,

And o’er his mind her inspiration pour’d:--

“Proceed,” she cried, “the high decree fulfil!

“’Tis thine to rule, with magic sway, the will;

“On fancy’s wing to stretch o’er boundless space,

“And all creation’s varied works to trace;

“’Tis thine each flitting phantom to pursue,

“Each hidden power of verse to bring to view,

“To shed o’er British taste celestial day,

“And reign o’er Genius with unrivall’d sway.”

Such was the high behest--the sacred choice

Long has been sanction’d by our candid voice:

The favour’d relics of your Shakspeare’s hand,

Unrivall’d, and inimitable, stand.

If hope of fame some modern bards has led

To try the path where Shakspeare wont to tread;

If, with presumptuous wing, they dar’d aspire

To catch some portion of his sacred fire,--

Your critic pow’rs the vain attempt repell’d,

The flimsy vapour, by your breath dispell’d,

Expos’d the trembling culprit to your sight,

While Shakspeare’s radiance shone with doubled light.

From deep oblivion snatch’d, this play appears:

It claims respect, since Shakspeare’s name it bears;

That name, the source of wonder and delight,

To a fair hearing has at least a right.

We ask no more--with you the judgment lies;

No forgeries escape your piercing eyes!

Unbiass’d, then, pronounce your dread decree,

Alike from prejudice and favour free.

If, the fierce ordeal pass’d, you chance to find

Rich sterling ore, tho’ rude and unrefin’d,

Stamp it your own; assert your poet’s fame,

And add, fresh wreaths to Shakspeare’s honour’d name.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ, 1796.

CONSTANTIUS _Mr. Bensley._

AURELIUS _Mr. Barrymore._

UTER _Mr. Caulfield._

VORTIGERN _Mr. Kemble._

WORTIMERUS _Mr. Whitfield._

CATAGRINUS _Mr. Trueman._

PASCENTIUS _Mr. C. Kemble._

HENGIST _Mr. Benson._

HORSUS _Mr. Phillimore._

FOOL _Mr. King._

SERVANT _Master De Camp._

PAGE _Master Gregson._

EDMUNDA _Mrs. Powell._

FLAVIA _Mrs. Jordan._

ROWENA _Miss Miller._

{ _Miss Leake._

ATTENDANTS ON EDMUNDA { _Miss Tidswell._

{ _Miss Heard._

Barons, Officers, Guards, &c. &c.

VORTIGERN.

ACT I.

SCENE I.--A LARGE HALL.

_Discovers_ CONSTANTIUS, VORTIGERN, WORTIMERUS,

CATAGRINUS, PASCENTIUS, _and Attendants_.

_Con._ Good Vortigern! as peace doth bless our isle,

And the loud din of war no more affrights us,

And as my soul hath plac’d thee next herself,

’Tis our desire that thou deny’st us not

That, which anon we crave thee to accept;

For though most weighty be the proffer’d task,

We trust thy goodness will the toil accept,

Since we have always found thee kind by nature;

And, as the pelican, e’en with thy blood,

Ready to succour and relieve.

_Vor._ Most gracious sov’reign! to command is thine;

And, as a subject, mine is to obey.

_Con._ Such was the answer we did here expect,

And farther now we shall explain our meaning:--

As frozen age we find doth fast approach,

And state affairs lie heavy with ourself,

To thee one half our pow’r we here resign,

That due reward may pace with thy great labour.

To this our proposition, what reply?

_Vor._ Oh! my most noble, good, and bounteous lord,

These honours are indeed so great, so weighty,

I fear, least, like a garment too confin’d,

They awkwardly should press upon the wearer;

Therefore, my gracious lord, let one more worthy,

I do beseech thee, bear them.

_Con._ Nay, nay! this thy excuse will not suffice

E’en now we do await thy full consent;

And, that more speedily we may conclude,

We do require of thee, thou here shouldst sign

This deed prepar’d, by which thou wilt become--ourself conjoin’d--

Sov’reign of this our realm.

_Vor._ I shall, my lord, obey your high command.

[_Signs the paper._

_Con._ Anon, we shall await thee at our palace.

[_Exit Constantius._

_Vor._ Fortune, I thank thee!

Now is the cup of my ambition full!

And, by the rising tempest in my blood,

I feel the fast approach of greatness, which,

E’en like a peasant, stoops for my acceptance.

Yet hold: O! conscience, how is’t with thee?

Why dost thou whisper? should I heed thee now,

My fabric crumbles, and must fall to nought?

Come, then, thou soft, thou double-fac’d deceit!

Come, fawning flattery! silence-sealing murder!

Attend me quick, and prompt me to the deed!

What! jointly wear the crown? No! I will all!

And that my purpose soon may find its end,

This, my good king, must I, unmannerly,

Push from his seat, and fill myself the chair.--

Welcome thou glittering mark of royalty!

And with thy pleasing, yet oppressive weight,

Encircle fast this my determin’d brow.

Yet soft: ere I proceed, let caution guide me;

For though the trunk and body of the tree

Be thus within my gripe, still do I fear

Those boughs which stand so near and close allied,

That will, ere long, yield seeds for dire revenge.

Then since my soul e’en murder must commit,

To gratify my thirst for royalty,

Why should I play the child; or, like a niggard,

By sparing, mar and damn my cause for ever?

No! as the blow strikes one, all three must fall!

Then shall I, giant-like, and void of dread,

Uprear my royal and encircled brow,

And, in the face of the Omnipotent,

Bid bold defiance.--

This my determination, then, shall be,

So firm as adamant the end I’ll see.

SCENE II.--A CHAMBER IN VORTIGERN’S PALACE.

_Enter_ EDMUNDA _and_ FLAVIA.

_Fla._ “My dearest mother! why let watery grief,

“Like a corroding and slow malady,

“Nip thus the fairest and most beauteous form

“That bounteous nature, in her happiest mood,

“E’er fram’d in mould celestial to grace

“This nether world?”--Oh! my beloved mother!

Turn, turn those tear-worn eyes, and let one smile,

One cheering look of sweet serenity,

Beam forth to comfort my afflicted soul!

_Edm._ Oh! heavens! my gentle Flavia, would I could!

But this corroding, pensive melancholy,

Most venom-like, destroys its nourisher.

Oh! Vortigern, my lov’d, once loving husband,

Why rend this bursting heart with cold disdain?

E’en the poor culprit, dragg’d before his judge,

May boldly plead his cause; but I, alas!

Most innocent and ignorant of fault,

Must bear the weight of judgment.

_Enter_ PASCENTIUS.

_Fla._ What news of fav’ring import, dearest brother,

Does this thine eager joy forebode?

_Pas._ Oh! I have tidings I would fain make known;

Yet are they of such wondrous magnitude,

Scarce can I give them utterance.

_Edm._ Oh! speak, my child! my dear Pascentius, speak;

For much thy mother consolation needs.

_Pas._ The King, then, madam, in his royal bounty,

Hath, jointly with himself, conferr’d the sway

Of this our mighty kingdom, on my father.

_Edm._ Now wo, indeed, hath made its master-piece!

Thou fell ambition! thou art mine enemy:

Thy idle dreams have forc’d my husband from me;

Thy honey’d visions have depriv’d my soul

Of that alone which made life worth retaining.

Yes, thou art now, alas! become a flower,

That, by the radiance of the sun, is parch’d,

And, lacking drops of succour, droops and dies.

_Enter_ FOOL, _whimsically attired, with his bells and

ladle_.

_Pas._ Whither so fast, good Fool?

_Fool._ Good Fool, say’st thou! Marry, these are sweet words, that do

not often fall to our lot; but let me tell you, good master, fools have

excellent wits, and those that ha’ none will gladly go flatter, lest

the fool’s folly should make them still more foolish.

_Pas._ But, prithee, tell us what is thine affair?

_Fool._ Oh! my affair is weighty indeed, being burthened with the

speech o’ royalty.

_Pas._ And wherefore so!

_Fool._ I prithee, stay thy patience but awhile, and I will tell thee:

thou dost expect nought from the Fool but folly; but from a king thou

wouldst a cunning speech.

_Pas._ And is’t not so?

_Fool._ Oh no! by my troth, our good sovereign hath unto my noble

master betrayed great lack of policy.

_Pas._ How so?

_Fool._ Why, your wise man will tell you, the crown doth gall the

wearer; but, marry, I will show myself the fool indeed; for I do say

the half oft pinches more than the whole.

_Pas._ Thou wouldst be witty, Fool!

_Fool._ Marry, say not I would be, but that I am; for, let me tell

you, the wit of your Fool is true wit: being solely his own, no man

coveting it; whereas, that of your wise man comes from books, and from

those who went before. But wherefore should I thus lose wind? My wit,

being folly, is not by your wise man understood; therefore, I’ll to the

purpose. My master is made half king, and sends me, his Mercury, to

tell your gentle ladyship his honour’s pleasure.

_Edm._ Prithee, be brief, and speak thine errand quickly.

_Fool._ An’t please you, sweetest mistress, this he wills: that, in

your best attire, you straight attend to honor him and th’ other half

of the crown.

_Edm._ We shall be ready at command.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE III.--ANOTHER APARTMENT IN VORTIGERN’S PALACE.

_Enter_ VORTIGERN.

_Vor._ Thus far, then, have my deeds a sanction found;

For still each morn doth the resplendent sun

Dart forth its golden rays, to grace my sight.

O what an inconsistent thing is man!

There was a time when e’en a murd’rous thought

Would have congeal’d my very mass of blood;

“And, as a tree, on the approaching storm,

“My frame would shake and tremble.”

But now I stand not at the act itself,

Which breaks all bonds of hospitality.--

To me, the King hath ever been most kind;

Yea, even lavish of his princely favours,--

And this his love do I requite with murder!

And wherefore this? Why! for a diadem,

The which I purchase at no less a cost

Than the perdition of my precious soul;

Still at that self-same price must I obtain it.

The rooted hate the Britons bear the Scots

Is unto me an omen most propitious.

I have despatched my secret emissaries,

And the young princes, sons of the old king,

Long since for study, sojourners at Rome,

Even for them have I prepared honours:

For ere the moon shall twice have fill’d her orb,

Death shall entwine them with a crown immortal!

_Enter Servants._

_Ser._ Two officers, my lord, await your leisure.

_Vor._ Shew them to our presence.

_Enter Murderers._

Have ye concluded?

Is your answer ready?

_Murd._ We have consider’d all;

And on your promis’d bounty undertake

The speedy execution.

_Vor._ Ye are agreed?

_Both._ Yes, my good lord.

_Vor._ List, then, awhile!

This night Constantius gives a feast, whereat

He wills I shall be present. Mark we well;

And let your signal my retiring be:

Then tarry not, but to it on the instant.

_Murd._ Fear not, my noble lord, we are resolv’d.

[_Exeunt._

_Vor._ So now, good King, prepare thee for the worst.

And, ere the thick and noisome air of night

Shall with damn’d Hecate’s baneful spells be fill’d,

Thou must from hence to the cold bed of death,

To whom the peasant and the king are slaves.

Come, then, black night, and hood the world in darkness;

Seal close the hearts of those I have suborn’d,

That pity may not turn them from their purpose.

[_Exit._

SCENE IV.--A CHAMBER IN CONSTANTIUS’ PALACE.

_Enter_ CONSTANTIUS _with a Groom_.

_Con._ Place here the light. Now hasten to the hall,

And unto Vortigern present this ring,

Pledge of my sacred friendship, and alliance.

Tell him, I fain would see him in the morning.

So, fair thee well; we now would be alone.

[_Exit Page._

O sleep, sweet nourisher of man and babe:

Soother of every sorrow, that canst bury

The care distracted mind in sweet oblivion,--

To thee, O gentle pow’r! I plight my soul!

Here, then, on my bended knee, great God,

Let me implore thy grace, and look for mercy!

“Though thou hast plac’d me sovereign over men,

“And on my temples bound the diadem;

“Yet am I subject still to human frailty,

“And nought can boast more than my meanest vassal.”

How wisely fram’d is Nature’s glorious work:

The smallest reptile doth its instinct boast;

Ay, is as nicely form’d as man himself.

Both doom’d to die, to rot, and come to dust.

Yet man hath one great property besides,--

A never fading, an immortal soul!

Upon that thought rest I my happiness.

[_Lies on the couch._

_Enter two Murderers._

_1st Mur._ “Oh! if one spot did sully his pure soul,

“In heaven hath he wip’d it clean away,

“With this his sweet, unfeigned oraison.

_2nd Mur._ “’Tis true.

“The King to us hath ever been most kind:

“’Twould have disgrac’d the name of murderer

“Had we to death despatch’d him unprepar’d.

_1st Mur._ “Why, how now?

“Hast thou forgot thine errand?

“Wast sent here to prate thus,

“Or to fulfil thy promise?

“I’ll do’t; nor this my dagger will I sheath

“Till reeking with his blood.

_2nd Mur._ “Yet, one moment, I pray thee, comrade.

_1st Mur._ “I tell thee, I will not:

“For, as I am a man and soldier,

“So will I scorn to break my promis’d vow.

_2nd Mur._ “Thou shall not yet;

“For, statue like, here will I fix myself,

“Till thou dost hear me out.

“Oh! is’t not most manlike, that we stain

“Our hands with blood that ne’er did us offend?

“Is’t not most serpent-like, to sting sweet sleep,

“Which even from the giant takes all strength,

“And makes man taste of that which is to come?

“Let us, I pray thee, friend, turn from the deed!

“I cannot, dare not, nay! I will not do’t.

_1st Mur._ “Coward! take hence that poor, unmanly frame,

“Or this my steel shall work a double end.

_2nd Mur._ “Lay on, then! for I will defend the King,

“And may the gods aid this my good design.”

[_They fight; 2nd Murderer dies behind the Scenes._

_The King awakes._

_Con._ “Vassal, I say! what means this bloody deed?

“This bold intrusion on our royal presence?

“Can majesty command no more respect;

“But, that our very sleep must be disturb’d

“With murder, rude and most licentious?

_Mur._ “Why, plainly then, I do not fear thy presence;

“And to be brief with thee, thine hour is come!

_King._ “Traitor and villain, what wouldst thou?

_Mur._ “Nay then, an thou dost speak so rudely,

“Take thy reward.

[_Stabs him._

_King._ “Oh! I die, sweet heaven receive my soul!

“Forgive, oh! pardon this his crime!

“I come! Bliss! bliss! is my reward for ever.

[_Dies._

_Mur._ “Farewell, good King! and thou my comrade too!”

Hence on time’s wing will I to Vortigern,

And this my two-edg’d work to him unfold.

[_Exit._

SCENE V.

_Enter_ VORTIGERN, _with Guards, as having viewed the dead

body of the King behind the scenes_.

_Vor._ O! this preposterous and inhuman act,

Doth stir up pity in the blackest hell.

Heav’n’s aspect did foretell some ill this night;

For each dread shrieking minister of darkness

Did chatter forth his rude and dismal song,

While bellowing thunder shook the troubled earth,

“And the livid and flaky lightning,

“Widely burst ope each crack in heav’n’s high portal.”

Have ye the traitor seiz’d? Is he yet dead?

_Off._ Hard by, my lord, he lies reeking in’s blood!

Despair and horror master’d each man’s breast;

The attempt to check their rage would have been useless,

His body is become one gaping wound.

_Vor._ O! my good friends, would ye had spar’d his life,

And that your zeal had been more temperate!

For, by the workings of my soul, I find

This was the instrument, but not the head.

_Off._ Name him you deem the murderer, good my lord!

_Vor._ Be silent, and mark well, that I shall say:

The Scots, you know, bear us fell enmity:

Many of rank do tarry in our court;

On them the guilt of this foul murder rests.

I pray you, instantly despatch the guard,

And seize each Scotsman ye shall chance to meet.

I will go summon all the lords to council,

And well consider that ’twere best to do.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE VI.--ASSEMBLY OF BARONS.

_Enter_ VORTIGEN.

_Vor._ Oh! my thrice noble and right worthy peers,

We now are met upon the heaviest summons

That ever yet did occupy our thoughts:

The sparkling drop which graces every eye,

And fain would deluge every manly cheek,

Denotes the brimful sorrow of the heart:

Pity disgraces not the manlike brow;

And yet it suits but ill the present crisis,

When our best strength and wisdom both are needful,

To stem this black, this damn’d conspiracy!

For bloody war and foul rebellion lurk

Beneath the mask of cruel treachery,

Which, i’ th’ present, is so plainly shewn,

By the brutal deed of these vile Scotsmen!

Then let not drowsy thought deter our purpose,

Nor basely rot in us the plant of justice.

The clamorous people call aloud for sentence!

Should we delay, it will go hard with us.

_1st Bar._ Trusting to thee, our noble sage protector,

We here, without delay, pronounce as guilty,

The perpetrators of this crying deed.

We further, with one general accord,

Beseech you bear the badge of royalty,

Until the princes shall return from Rome:

For on Aurelius, now the elder son

Of our deceased King, the election lights.

Well do we feel how tedious is the task,

How full of trouble and perplexity!

But we do also know thee for a man,

Most good, most perfect, and most merciful!

_Vor._ I fear, good Barons, you do flatter me.

I thought, ere this, to have resigned the weight,

Which the late King had heaped upon my shoulders:

But mark the sad reverse; for even now,

You double this my load, and bear me down.

Oh! ye have struck me where I am indeed

Most vulnerable--“_The voice o’th’ people!_”

For them I will surrender liberty.

Despatch to Rome the messengers, I pray;

And let Aurelius know, that he is call’d

To wear this gold, this forked diadem,

That gives to man the sway of sovereignty.

_2nd Bar._ My lord, the people, Barons, all do thank you,

For this your kind compliance with their will.

To-morrow’s dawn shall see the packets ready;

And we will, then, consult what messengers

Shall to the princes bear these heavy tidings.

_Vor._ ’Tis well! I do commend your zealous care.

And now, good friends, one mournful charge remains,

To ’tend the burial of our murder’d King.

Oh! ’twas a nipping blast, which suddenly

Bereft us of our first, our sweetest plant;

Both king and father it hath stolen from us.

“But, wherefore do I strive to ope anew,

“Those gates which bar the course of liquid sorrow?

“No! rather let your griefs now pine unseen,

“Where cold restraint can neither chide nor curb ye.”

Farewell! time then be yours until to-morrow.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE VII.--A HALL IN VORTIGERN’S PALACE.

_Enter_ VORTIGERN.

_Vor._ How stands it now?--then am I but protector?

Oh! ’tis an attribute my soul abhors,

To sovereignty a pander and a slave,

That looks with wistful eyes upon the crown,

And dares not touch it:--No! I will none on’t.

Curse on those lords that did award me this,

Whose justice needs must force them keep the crown

For those, who, by descent, do justly claim it.

By heav’ns! I’ll pour my bitter vengeance down,

For this, their slow and niggardly promotion.

Yet, as they did award, and give me sway,

Until young prince Aurelius should arrive;

Then is it mine most sure! The princes cannot,

From their cold graves, return to snatch it from me!

Their wish’d-for deaths are sure! yet, do I dread--

For here within, there lurks a messenger

That cautions me, and fain would have me fear.

What, hoa! without, I say! who attends there?

_Enter Servant._

_Vor._ Are there no letters yet arrived from Rome?

_Serv._ No, my good liege.

_Vor._ Nor messengers?

_Serv._ Neither, my gracious sir.

_Vor._ Retire a while.

[_Exit Servant._

Nor messengers, nor letters! this alarms me!

But what care I: e’en let the princes come;

When come, there’s room enough i’th’ ground for them.

But, soft! now let me weigh my present state;

For much I fear these Barons’ proffer’d friendship.

“Their niggard show of liberality

“Suits ill my lofty aim, and but the semblance wears

“Of that my soul is thirsting for--dominion!

“Not rivetted by closer ties, their chief, tho’ friendly,

“May swerve, and prove a foe!”--

Yet, I’ve a lure that shall ensnare that chief:

My daughter’s hand! but, if she should refuse,

Then were my purpose baffled, or destroy’d.

Is it not strange, a flinty heart like mine,

Should stagger thus, when thinking of a daughter?

Flavia! whose fondest love to young Aurelius,

Now sojourning at Rome, hath long been pledg’d!

Yet, what of that? shall she, a whining girl,

Oppose a father’s and a monarch’s will?

My firm resolve once known, will shake that mind,

Which in her gentlest moments nature fram’d.

This work achiev’d, each lord his aid shall lend;

And to my will the haughtiest crest shall bend.

[_Exit._

SCENE VIII.--LONDON. THE PALACE.

_Enter_ FLAVIA _and_ PASCENTIUS.

_Fla._ Oh, heav’ns! in thy great mercy thou hast led me

To that dear object I so long have sought,

Through ev’ry secret winding o’th’ palace.

_Pas._ My Flavia say!

What is’t hath ruffled thus thy gentle bosom?

I fear our father hath occasion’d this;

For late, as passing through the hall I saw him,

He paced to and fro in great disorder:

Sometimes, in deep thought lost, he’d stop and pause,

Then o’er his troubled breast crossing his arms,

Would utter words, but in a voice so low,

That they distill’d themselves in gentle air.

Tho’ I did thrice address him, yet he brake

Abruptly from me, and no answer made.

I never saw the conflict of his soul

So plainly in this countenance pourtray’d.

_Fla._ Alas! ’tis true! I too have seen my father;

And harshly has he urg’d my breach of vow

To my Aurelius, and to pledge my love

To one my soul abhors! say, then, my brother,

Is that kind friendship for my lov’d Aurelius,

Which first in years of infancy took root,--

Is’t yet untainted? Speak truly, brother.

And are thy vows of friendship to thy sister

Pure and unspotted as the face of heav’n?

And wilt thou save her?

_Pas._ ’Tis not in my nature

To act a treach’rous or ungenerous part!

_Fla._ Enough, enough! I meant not to offend.

That I’m about to ask is truly urgent,

Nor more nor less than our own banishment.

_Pas._ Th’ impending exile is to me most strange;

But, if thy dearest mother thou canst leave,

Then must it be most pressing: I consent,

And will not ruffle thee by further question.

But silence for a while: here comes the Fool,

Of him some tidings we, perchance, may glean.

_Enter_ FOOL.

_Fla._ Speak, Fool, when did’st last see my gentle mother?

_Fool._ Rather ask, when ’twas that I e’er saw thy father in such sort

before: marry, he did never speak so roundly to me. Of old, your Fool

did make your sage one tremble; but my foolship hath not found it so.

Times must indeed be bad, when fools lack wit to battle wise men’s ire.

Nay, but I have legs, therefore, can run; a heart, that’s merry, but

would be more so, an ’twas drench’d with sack from my ladle: but no

matter, that’s empty, till you gentles choose to fill it: then, by your

leaves, we’ll walk, and carry our wits where they’ll chance meet better

fare.

_Pas._ Nay, nay; come hither, Fool; be not too hasty.

This fellow’s true and honest; and, dear sister,

Might well our purpose serve: wilt thou consent

That in our service he be bound?

_Fla._ Of me ask nothing, but pursue that council

Which, in thy riper wisdom, shall seem meet.

_Pas._ What’s thy purpose, Fool?

_Fool._ To quit thy father.

_Pas._ What think’st o’me for a master?

_Fool._ Nay, o’that I think not, for thou wouldst joke; but an thou

dost, thou hast rare impudence to do’t i’th’ presence of a fool.

When thy beard is somewhat blacker,

When thy years have made thee riper,

When in purse the pounds thou’rt telling,

And for a brothel thou’lt be selling

Thy patrimony, and thy lands,

Why marry, an I should, then, find nought more suiting, my charity

shall bid me follow thee, and teach thee the ways o’ this slippery

world.

_Fla._ O tarry not, for we must hence away.

What hour is it?

_Pas._ Near five o’th’ clock.

This brilliant mass o’fire, the golden sun,

Hath just saluted with a blushing kiss,

Yon partner of his bed, the vasty sea.

_Fool._ Yea, and your father wills that ye do soon salute your beds;

for he hath ordered that supper be instantly brought into the hall.

_Fla._ Good heav’ns! so soon! Oh! my Pascentius,

Each moment lost is an eternity.

[_Exeunt._

_Fool._ Nay, then, ye are gone and ha’ left your poor Fool behind.

Methinks, I love that young master; nay, I know not how ’tis, but my

legs would needs go follow him: yet, master Fool, is this wisdom? for

they say the legs should ne’er carry away the brains. Yet, let me see:

cannot I, in my folly, new form this saying, and turn it to mine own

conceit? I ha’ hit it: for it matters not what comes o’ my brains; for

men say they are good for nought, but my legs are; therefore, let the

better o’th’ two serve as guide for the other. I’ll away, then, and

follow him.

[_Exit._

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

ACT II.

SCENE. I.--ROME.

_Enter_ AURELIUS _and_ UTER, CONSTANTIUS’ _two Brothers_.

_Uter._ E’en now in Rome have we for seven long years

Made this our wearisome and constant sojourn:

I would we were again in Britain.

_Aur._ Even so, good Uter, stands it with myself;

Nay, an thou yearn’st to see thy native land,

How is it, then, with me, that there have left

The jewel of my soul, my dearest Flavia!

_Uter._ Nay, good my brother, patience yet a little:

All will be well, Flavia doth love you still.

_Aur._ I cannot, will not bear this absence longer.

_Enter Servant._

_Serv._ A messenger, my lord, attends without,

On business of great import.

_Aur._ Whence comes he?

_Serv._ From Britain.

_Aur._ From Britain, say’st thou? then admit him straight.

[_Exit Serv._

_Enter Messenger._

_Mes._ My gracious lord, are you the eldest son

Of our good King Constantius?

_Aur._ Even so.

_Mes._ This packet, then, I fear, will news contain

The most afflicting.

AURELIUS _reads_.

These letters we in haste despatch, to tell you

Of your dear father’s death, and to forewarn you

Of your own danger:--murder most foul hath ta’en him.

Vortigern on the Scots hath laid the murder;

Yet, under this pretence, much lies conceal’d.

Till you arrive, he is to rule deputed:

But as you prize your lives return not yet.

_Aur._ Oh! horror! horror! my dear father murder’d!

_Uter._ By whom? speak, Messenger, where, when, and how?

_Mes._ The plot, good princes, hath been deeply laid.

_Aur._ This is, indeed, most foul! say on, my friend;

Speak quickly, I entreat thee!

_Mes._ Then, thus it is--Vortigern hath done the deed;

His love of splendour, pomp, and sovereignty,

And his great int’rest in the people’s minds,

All, all did prompt him to this hellish act.

_Aur._ Uter,--oh, heavens! the father of my Flavia!

It is impossible! It cannot be!

_Uter._ Oh! this, indeed, is damned treachery.

My dear Aurelius, let not stupor choak

The worthy feeling of a just revenge.

Courage, Aurelius! courage, my dear brother!

_Aur._ Speak on, speak on, and end thy sad discourse!

_Mes._ Thy friends in Britain long suspected this,

And to each port despatch’d their trusty spies,

To learn what vessels there for Rome were bound.

Haply that which hither hath convey’d me,

Was to have brought your executioners.

_Aur._ Oh! would it had been so. Uter support me!

_Uter._ Let us retire awhile, my gentle brother;

Hereafter, we will send and question _thee_,

Touching thy tidings, and their direful cause.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE II.--ROME.

_Enter_ AURELIUS, UTER, _and Messenger_.

_Aur._ Our friends in England, then, have thought it fitting,

That, on receipt of these, thy woful letters,

We should, with speed, to Scotland hie us?

_Mes._ E’en so did they instruct for weighty reasons.

“Know, Vortigern did alway hate the Scots;

“And ofttimes hath, during thy father’s reign,

“Fram’d laws, most burthensome unto that people.

“But the keen tooth of hatred and revenge,

“With double fury since hath shewn itself;

“For every noble Scot then found in London,

“Did suffer ’neath the tiger’s ’vengeful fangs,

“And this, to direst rage, hath stirr’d their blood.”

Your story told, will raise you aid of thousands.

Three years of plenty have, among the Britons,

Sown seeds of luxury and baneful riot;

Therefore, they’re unprepar’d, nor think of war.

_Uter._ Are vessels ready to convey us thither?

_Mes._ Yes, my good lord.

_Aur._ Come, brother, let’s away then, with all speed.--

But wer’t not better that we change these habits?

_Mes._ No, no! your Roman vestments will disguise you;

And may, in Scotland, greatly aid your cause.

_Aur._ Then be it so. Farewell to thee, O, Rome!

I ne’er did think that, when thus quitting thee,

My brimful heart would have ran o’er with sorrow.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE III.--A HALL.

_Discovers_ VORTIGERN, EDMUNDA, WORTIMER, _&c. at supper_.

_Vor._ Seek, Wortimer, thy brother and thy sister:

Tell them it suits but ill their present years,

To tarry thus, when summon’d to our presence.

_Wort._ My gracious father, I obey.

_Edm._ O! dearest husband, calm thy ruffled soul,

They mean not to offend your grace; perchance,

They know not of thy wish for their attendance.

_Vor._ Peace, then; and with thy words, whet not, I pray,

That wrath, which kindles sore within my breast!

Again, dost hear me, bid thy tongue be silent,

’Twere better else, thou didst retire.

_Edm._ I go, and though a vulture gnaw my heart,

I’d bear it all with meekness and with patience,

Rather than this my voice should e’er offend thee.

[_Exit._

_Wort._ My gracious sir, I’ve search’d the chambers through,

And call’d aloud, but answer had I none;

Save mine own words, return’d upon mine ear,

In airy sound.

_Vor._ What! scorn’d, and thus defied! I will not bear it.

Send for my prating wife, and should I find

That she, in anywise, did aid their flight,

Let her beware of my revenge.--What, ho!

_Enter Servant._

Quick to my wife, and say I’d speak with her.

As yet, from those dull sluggards sent to Rome,

No tidings have I heard. But here she comes.

_Enter_ EDMUNDA.

_Edm._ What is your pleasure, sir?

_Vor._ Where are my recreant son and daughter gone:

Nay, think not with those eye-drops to deceive me;

Tell me, I say,--thou know’st full well their flight!

_Edm._ If in these veins doth run the blood of life,

Or there be truth on earth, I know not of them.

_Vor._ Deceive me not; I say thou speak’st most false.

I know the quality of women’s eyes,

That, in a breath, can weep, can laugh, or frown.

Say not these waters flow for loss o’ them;

I know thee well, thou hast with both conspir’d;

’Twere better thou mak’st known their hiding place.

_Edm._ O! sir, these tears do stop my pow’r o’ speech,

Which would again vouch that I utter’d.

_Vor._ It is most false: but look to’t, and dost hear me,--

Come not athwart me and my purposes,

Lest thou shouldst add to that fierce hate I bear thee.

[_Exit._

_Edm._ And can this be? these ears were sure deceiv’d

Yet I sleep not, nor is my brain distemper’d.

It was not so, he said not he did hate me!

O! heav’ns, in your great mercy, aid me now;

And if your pleasure be not to torment

Our poor existence in this span of life,

Aid me to bear my weight o’ miseries!

Oh! yet again! my son and daughter gone,

And tell not me the cause o’ this, their flight.

My brain grows hot, I can no longer bear it.

Forbid his presence, too! O! I am distracted!

If sleep will quiet me, I’ll to the poppy,

And with its juices drench these fev’rous lips!

Yes! I ha’ need of med’cine and of comfort!

Again, my wits do wander: I’ll retire;

And lest the bleak winds battle with my head,

I’ll to my couch, and lay me on its pillow.

[_Exit._

SCENE IV.--A WOOD.

_Enter_ PASCENTIUS, FLAVIA _disguised, and_ FOOL.

_Pas._ Speak, dearest sister, say, how fares it with thee?

For those soft limbs were form’d for gentler usage;

But cheer thee up, my Flavia; whilst I’m with thee,

Thou must not faint: if there be comfort near,

I’ll seek it, and from out the tiger’s jaw

Tear forth its food; or if the thirsty lion

Should stand betwixt me and the bubbling brook,

This arm should find a passage to its heart.

But an thou need’st nor food, nor element,

Then will I sit and comfort thy sweet tears;

And as the smaller stream doth ofttimes mingle,

And add its nothingness to the vasty sea,

So on thy streaming cheek will I let fall

One pitying tear, one tender drop of sorrow.

_Fla._ Oh! gentle, excellent, most loving brother,

It is my aching heart which thus o’ercomes me.

Wretch that I am! what hath my mother done,

That, lacking pity, I could leave her thus:

How can her drooping heart bear this sad shock?

Can her meek soul my father’s rage encounter?

No, no! impossible! thus am I wretched.

Then O! you righteous and all-powerful Judge,

If human breath, with pure soul offer’d up,

Can touch you, or obtain your gentle hearing,

Behold a maiden for a mother sues,

And on her bended knees implores protection.

Let some kind angel, minister of mercy,

Pour on her wounded soul the balm of comfort;

And, in the place of overwhelming sorrow,

Let the dear plant of smiling joy bud forth:

And should she weep, then may her dewy tears

Be those of tender peace and charity.

_Fool._ By my troth, mine eyes did never water so before: sweet

mistress, an thou hast charm’d thy Fool, methinks the choir o’ angels

needs must listen to thy prayer: and yet these underprops o’ mine do

sorely ache; and wherefore should they? for an I do eat, then am I

loaded, and do bear it well; but now that I am empty, these porters

wont carry me; this is strange, and needs more wisdom to unveil than

lies in my poor, foolish brain.

_Fla._ Methinks, I’d sit and rest me here awhile.

_Pas._ Then to the shade of yon imperial oak

I’ll lead thee; there thou calmly may’st repose:

Our honest knave the while shall sing a strain,

And sooth thy sad and secret melancholy.

_Fool._ Why, to be brief, good master, I needs would sing; but that

gentle lady hath crack’d the strings o’ my voice: an ’twill please you

weep, marry I’ll take the loudest pipe; and should I fail in giving

entertainment, why then I’ll to Paul’s, and there, i’the presence of

Bonner, be whipped for a slanderer.

_Pas._ I pray thee, Fool, do as I list.

_Fool._ Now, then, I’ll pipe; but, by my troth, you seem sad, and needs

will me to sing merrily well, an folly will please you, I’ll to’t

straight.

FOOL _sings_.

A Fool must needs be merry,

Lack, lack, and a well a day!

And in his shoes must bury

His sorrow, and all his care.

Then is not the Fool’s lot hard;

Is not his mind sore treated;

Do not his friends, of ’s poor brains,

Make physic for their senses?

Then lack, lack, and well a day!

But in this our world, ’tis true,

Lack, lack, and well a day!

We our old friends change for new,

When they no longer suit us.

Then heigh-ho, poor dobbins all,

Be sharp with men, I pray you;

They bear the minds of fools indeed,

Yet are but knaves, I tell you.

Then lack, lack, and well a day!

_Fla._ Good, honest Fool, I do sincerely thank thee.

_Fool._ Nay, nay, say not so; an I had flattered, why then, perchance,

I had merited this; but i’faith, gentle lady, he that says nought, save

the bare truth, doth ofttimes meet but a bare compliment. But an you do

flatter, methinks the compliment will savour more of untruth, than did

the flattery; but thus it goes with our slippery world.

_Pas._ Who is it comes this way?

_Fla._ Let us retire;

Perchance, it may be one of our pursuers.

_Fool._ An thou’lt listen awhile to me, I’ll tell thee thou need’st not

fear; ’tis but the post on ’s way to your father’s palace.

_Enter_ POST.

_Pas._ Friend, thou outrunnest almost speed itself;

Whither art bound?

_Post._ I am for London, sir.

_Pas._ Nay, stop one moment; I conjure thee, stop!

Say what these tidings that demand such haste?

_Post._ That which my packets do contain.

_Pas._ An thou will tell me their contents, there’s gold.

_Fool._ Now, i’ troth, thou’lt unlock letters, packets, and all:

look, look! the knave doth handle it with good grace! Sirrah, an thou

play’dst on David’s harp, thy fingers ne’er would move so glibly o’er

the strings, as o’er yon gold. Dost hear me?

_Post._ Thy gold, indeed, doth please; it fills my purse;

And though it should not, yet what matters it?

I am well fee’d for telling that alone,

Which every simple peasant soon must know.

Then thus it is--Vortigern is accus’d

Of the base murder of Constantius!

_Fla._ Heavens!

_Post._ Yea; and even now the princes marching hither

From Scotland, with them bring a numerous army.

_Pas._ Alas! my father: yet, I do beseech thee,

How know they this? Who was’t instructed them?

_Post._ Swift messengers, despatch’d by friends to Rome:

Further I know not--therefore, must away.

[_Exit Post._

_Fool._ Go to, go to, I do believe thee: marry, an thou

art humble, thy purse is somewhat prouder. Good sir,

wer’t not best we put on; I am faint at heart: marry,

’tis pity my wits did not fill their owner, as well as those

who do beg them.

_Pas._ Let’s on; and yet what course is’t fit we take?

The night doth throw his sooty mantle round,

And robs us of the cheering light of day.

_Fla._ Oh! would this night could pluck my sorrow from me!

Or that the long, eternal sleep of death

Would close life’s wretched, weary pilgrimage.

_Pas._ Oh! sister, an thou lov’st me, grieve not so.

_Fla._ If charity be meek, e’en so will I;

And where thou lead’st, resign’d I’ll follow thee.

_Fool._ Marry! an you’ll listen to a fool, perchance he may, for once,

speak wisely.

_Pas._ Out with thy counsel, then.

_Fool._ Thus it is:--chance hath made me your Fool; and chance will

now, that your Fool speak something like wisdom: marry, is not this the

road to Scotland? Dost understand me?

_Pas._ Truly, I understand thee.

_Fool._ To’t again:--what say’st thou o’ joining the young princes on

their march?

_Pas._ It is most wisely utter’d, my good Fool!

Come, gentle sister; we’ll to th’ skirt o’th’ wood,

And find some cottage that may serve to night,

As ’twere a palace.--All may yet be well.

[_Exeunt._

END OF THE SECOND ACT.

ACT III.

SCENE I.--AN ASSEMBLY OF BARONS.

_Vor._ To you have been explain’d our late despatches:

Say; did we not invite these princes home,

And tender them the crown? Yet do we find

They come with foreign aid and civil war,

To bear the sway and empire over us.

Can any present say why this should be?

_1st Bar._ No! they’re the sons of our late king, ’tis true;

As such, the elder doth, by right, inherit

The crown and kingdom; and, in their defence,

Our lives, yea, and our very best heart’s blood,

Were truly offer’d, which we now revoke:

And, since they tear the bowels of our land,

And come with blood and naked sword to court us,

We’ll to the field; and when bright victory

Hath with the sacred laurel bound our brows,

The princes’ heads in triumph shall be borne

Throughout our ranks; rebellion’s just reward!

_2nd Bar._ Then are they traitors to their God and country.

_3rd Bar._ And as the crown is now untenanted,

’Tis fit the most deserving brow should wear it.

_1st Bar._ If any one there be that doth deserve it,

’Tis he that hath it even now in trust.

_All._ Then be it his!

_1st Bar._ Girt tight the drum, and sound yon brazen trump!

Let it proclaim aloud our firm decree:--

Aurelius and his brother, both are traitors,

And ’gainst their mother country do rebel!

[_Trumpet sounds._

_2nd Bar._ Nay; stop not there, but let them bellow on,

Till with their clamorous noise they shame the thunder;

And o’er the earth, and e’en to heaven, proclaim

Vortigern our king, our lawful sovereign!

_Vor._ The exigencies of the state demand

My quick consent; I, therefore, give it you.

And when the crown shall on my front be bound,

My faithful soul shall prize the sacred trust;

My arm be nerv’d to fight in its defence.

_Barons._ All hail, great Vortigern, of Britain King!

[_Trumpet sounds._

_Vor._ My lords, vain compliment would suit but ill

The present time; I, therefore, briefly thank you.

But, ere we part, I fain would crave your hearing:--

Our troops have now been long disus’d to war;

Yet, do not think I mean their fame to tarnish,

Or on a Briton throw the damned slur

Of shameful cowardice; no, my good lords!

But, though their ribs do serve as castle walls,

And fast imprison their strong, lion hearts,

Yet e’en the lion, when full gorg’d with food,

Will bask, and tamely lay him down to sleep;

Then in such sort, hath undisturbed peace,

And want of custom, (nature’s substitute,

That changes e’en our very properties,)

Soften’d their manhood. Then ’twere policy

That we should court the Saxons to our aid.

This, too, will in our Britons raise the flame

Of bright and generous emulation.

Say, lords! doth this my proposition please you?

_1st Bar._ We do approve, and thank its noble author.

_Vor._ You, my good lord, then do I here depute,

Jointly with Catagrine, our second born,

That you with speed repair to Saxony;

Our eldest shall, at home, command the Britons:

Time needs your haste, therefore use no delay;

Your country calls, so, look you, quick obey.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE II.--A DISTANT VIEW OF THE SEA.

_Enter_ AURELIUS _and_ UTER, (_with the Scottish army_,) _as

just disembarked, habited as Britons_.

_Aur._ O, dearest soil! bless’d mother earth! hail to thee!

Fain would my feet play wanton on thy breast,

And skip with joy to tread thee once again.

’Tis not to wound thee that I thus do come,

In glitt’ring steel, and dire array of war,

But as my right to claim thee for mine own.

_Uter._ Brother, each lip for thee sends forth a blessing;

And, with the smile that buds on ev’ry face,

Alike expands a ray of happiness.

Never did I before blame nature’s work;

But now I fain would quarrel with her hests,

For that in me she caus’d a lack of years;

Else had these prayers, these blessings all been mine!

To have a crown and kingdom at command

Is but as dross; but thus to have them come,

Might from their airy beds the angels draw

To taste the joys of this our mortal earth.

Throughout the camp now all is hush’d in silence,

And Morpheus, with his leaden wings outspread,

Hath on each eyelid laid the weight of slumber.

[_Exit._

_Aur._ Then, as the general, the task is mine

To thank that mighty God, whose name alone

Doth carry awe, and strikes the soul with fear.

Here prostrate, then, I fall before thy face;

And, tho’ unworthy of thy mercy, pray:--

If giant form doth more enlarge the mind,

Would that my front did with the mountains vie;

That so my heat-amazed brain might work

Thoughts suiting more this vast immensity!

O! most expanded--O! most fertile mind!

When thou wouldst copulate with thoughts like this,

Thou art mere nothingness; or when the lips

Do pour forth boisterous and high sounding words,

They back again to the poor mortal brain,

And scoff at thy presumption.

“O, God! why should I, a mere speck on earth,

“Tear thousands from their wives, children, and homes!

“O! wherefore, from this transitory sleep,

“That now doth steal from them their inward cares,

“Should I send thousands to cold, dreary death?

“’Tis true, I am a king, and what of that?

“Is not life dear to them, as ’tis to me?

“O! peasant, envy not the prince’s lot;

“Thy page in life’s great book is not foul charg’d,

“And like to ours besmear’d with dying breaths.

“O! had I lives myself enough to answer

“The ravenous and greedy jaws of death,

“That will on these, my friends, my soldiers,

“Such havoc make, and wanton gluttony!

“Father of mercy, spare, O! spare this blood!

“And if I must alone receive the crown,

“Bedeck’d with purple gore, I here resign it.”

[_Exit._

SCENE III.--GATES OF LONDON.

_Enter_ CATAGRINUS, HENGIST, _and_ HORSUS, _with Saxon

troops, in grand procession_.

_Cata._ Here halt we then, and let the trumpet sound.

[_Trumpet sounds. Officer appears on the walls._

_Off._ Say, be ye friends or foes?

_Cata._ My father sent us hence to Saxony;

Go, say our embassy is now fulfill’d.

[_Trumpet sounds._

Yet soft, that sound proclaims his quick approach.

_Heng._ Throughout the ranks let each man be prepar’d,

To hail our new ally, King Vortigern.

SCENE IV.--GATES OPEN.

VORTIGERN _appears in robes of majesty, followed by the Barons and

British troops_.

CATAGRINUS _kneels to_ VORTIGERN.

_Vor._ Rise, my dear son! thou’rt welcome home again:

And you, brave Saxons, greet we to our land.

_Heng._ We come, great sir, to fight in thy defence,

And from thy kingdom wipe away rebellion.

_Vor._ Give me thy hand, brave general; and with it,

Exchange we mutually a soldier’s faith.

Here let our British troops in friendship join,

And with the Saxons share our present joy.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE V.--THE COUNTRY.

_Enter_ FLAVIA, PASCENTIUS, _and_ FOOL.

_Pas._ Why, sister, thus should grief usurp thy cheek?

O mingle not so much of lily die

With thy sweet, rosy blood: thou’rt cold as death:

Pine not in silence thus!

_Fla._ I’ll sit me down and court sweet music’s aid.

_She sings._

She sang, while from her eye ran down

The silv’ry drop of sorrow;

From grief she stole away the crown,

Sweet patience, too, did borrow.

Pensive she sat while fortune frown’d,

And smiling woo’d sad melancholy.

II.

Keen anguish fain would turn her heart,

And sour her gentle mind;

But charity still kept her part,

And meekness to her soul did bind.

She bow’d content,

Heav’d forth one sigh,

Sang, wept, then turn’d to melancholy.

III.

Careless her locks around her hung,

And strove to catch each dewy tear;

The plaintive bird in pity sung,

And breath’d his sorrow in her ear.

Amaz’d she look’d,

And thank’d his care,

Then sunk once more to melancholy.

_Pas._ O! why sing thus? thou dost join wo to wo:

Thy grief, methinks, demands more cheering notes.

_Fla._ Oh! brother, this strange frame that keeps in life,

Is almost sick and weary of its tenant.

Tho’ short hath been its course, yet fickle fortune

Hath with it wanton made, and blown it

To and fro, a toy for this remorseless world.

_Pas._ Listen, I pray thee now, to reason’s voice:--

Were it not strange, if thou alone shouldst ’scape

The numerous ills and buffets of the world?

_Fool._ I’troth, thou hast wisely spoken.

_Pas._ Dost think so, my good Fool?

_Fool._ Marry, ay, do I: an I’ll tell thee why; thy speech hath not

wearied the Fool; therefore, ’tis a wise speech.

_Pas._ Thou’rt, then, a judge?

_Fool._ Ay, and a righteous one, too: dost mark me? ’tis your Fool

alone will make a true report.

_Pas._ I understand thee not.

_Fool._ The more’s the pity. He that doth, or well speak, or write,

will be praised by fools only: for look ye: envy doth sting those that

have knowledge, and makes them fear lest their wise heads should be

outwitted; therefore, again, ’tis your Fool alone that is your upright

judge; cause, forsooth, his brains are not in plenty; but, those which

he hath are at’s own disposal.

_Pas._ This road, methinks, should lead us on our way

To the prince’s camp! Fool, go you on before.

[_As they retire, enter Captain and Soldiers._

_Capt._ Not quite so fast, good master: prithee, halt.

_Fla._ What, guards! O! brother, now we are undone.

_Pas._ Be calm, be calm! the troops are not my father’s.

Wil’t please you, sir, inform us whence ye came?

_Capt._ From Scotland, sir.

_Fla._ Then, O! good heav’ns protect me!

_Pas._ And who is your commander?

_Capt._ One whose merit

Outweighs whatever yet did breathe on earth.

If ye be Britons, as your looks bespeak,

Then show your wonted quality of justice:

Did ye not ’fore the awful face of heaven,

Proclaim Constantius as your lawful king,

When on his head, was pour’d the sacred oil?

_Pas._ But he is now no more.

_Capt._ Yet hath he two sons living,

Whose souls, for purity, I can compare

Unto this bright, this spotless canopy.

_Pas._ Are ye bound towards the camp?

_Capt._ We are; and if you’re upright men, and true,

Thither you’ll follow, and there wield the sword

For justice, truth, and your anointed king.

Yet, in this hallow’d cause, we would not force you;

But lead into the fold, with gentleness,

Each sheep that may, unknowingly, have stray’d,

And broke from out its bounds and flowery pasture.

_Pas._ Proceed, then, and we’ll follow. Tell me, sister,

Doth not your heart beat high?

_Fla._ Yea, it swells so, this little breast, in truth,

Can scarce contain it.--

How shall we bear the meeting?

_Fool._ I troth, merrily, merrily, as I do. ’Tis true I am a Briton;

but, then, am I not a fool? And ne’er will I put my folly to the test.

Think’st thou, I’ll risk my brains for mine anointed king? Nay, nay; in

this affair, mine heels shall be my guide, and quick teach me the way

to run. */

[_Exeunt._

SCENE VI.--A CHAMBER IN THE PALACE.

_Enter_ EDMUNDA _and Attendants_.

_Edm._ I will not to my chamber, then, I tell ye.

_1st Maid._ Beseech you, madam, to return again;

For so did your physician order.

_Edm._ Come hither, pretty maid, look at me well:

Now say, hath he so order’d it, or not?

_1st Maid._ Indeed, he hath.

_Edm._ Nay, get thee gone: a maid, and still so false!

Go to, live I not yet? Am I, then, call’d?

And hath my sweetheart, death, yet fondly clasp’d me:

Say, hath the heavy passing bell yet sounded,

And hail’d me to my snug and chilly chamber?

_2nd Maid._ Madam, I fear your reason wanders.

_Edm._ Ay, ay! I understand thee, it is flown;

My poor brain, alas! is sore distemper’d.

Sweet, sweet, come from yon branch, here’s food for thee:

My pretty birds, come back, I will not harm ye;

My bosom, as your little nest, is warm,

And is as soft, ay, and full of comfort, too.

Nay, stop! it is too warm, come not! twill burn ye.

_2nd Maid._ My tears do flow for her so plenteously,

That I have left in me no power to help her.

_Edm._ O! you great gods! why pelt ye thus my brain,

And with your thunders loud, cause such dire outrage

Within this little ball--this, O! this nothing?

Tell me, high heaven! is this your justice?

Did I not nourish them: ay, teach them, love them?

Yes, little drops, oh! come, cool my poor face:

Speak! ay, ye come, I know, to say I did.

Now, please your highness, and what would you more?

Say, are not here a host of witnesses?

Longer, O! let me not detain the court;

For in such plenty they do now rush forth,

That you, sir, you who fill yon seat of justice,

Must throw away your gown, and swim for life.

_1st Maid._ Will’t please, we lead you in?

_Edm._ I’gin, indeed, to think I need support;

For I am even weaker than a babe.

Hush! hush! come hither both, I’ll tell ye something.

Now, then, your ears; I’m mad: ha! ha! ha!

Say! is not this Whitsuntide?

_2nd Maid._ Ay, an’t please you, madam.

_Edm._ Then, listen.

_She sings._

Last Whitsunday, they brought me

Roses, and lilies fair;

Violets, too, they gave me

To bind my auburn hair:

But, then, my face look’d smiling,

’Cause that my babes were near;

Now yon stinging nettle bring,

’Twill better suit this tear.

How like you this?

_1st Maid._ Excellently well, madam.

_Edm._ The time has been, when thus thou mightst have said,

What, must these poor eyes never see them more?

And have I need of these vile rags? off! off!

I’ll follow ye to th’ extreme point o’the world;

And, naked, bear the icy mountains cold,

And the dread scorches o’that ball of fire,

Till I have found them i’the antipodes;

Should I not meet them there, I will rail so!--

Pardon these starts! in troth I will not harm ye;

Indeed, indeed, I’m wrong’d! most sadly wrong’d!

Did these my warblings charm ye? then I’ll die;

For look you, maiden, I’ll sing sweeter far,

Than dying swan at ninety and nine years!

Lack, lack, a day! I’m faint! your arm, sweet maid.

There is my gage, farewell: good night, sweet! good night!--

[_Exeunt_.

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.--AURELIUS’ CAMP.

_Enter_ AURELIUS, UTER, PASCENTIUS,

_and_ FLAVIA.

_Aur._ You, then, escap’d, disguis’d in man’s attire?

_Fla._ ’Tis true, I did; but ne’er hath rapier yet

Adorn’d a side less fitting to support it.

_Aur._ To you, Pascentius, my best thanks are due.

_Pas._ Nay, nay; ’tis little that to me you owe.

_Fla._ Indeed, but for his aid, I long, ere this

Had broke my sacred vow, and wedded death.

_Uter._ Brother, the enemy is near at hand;

Straight let us forth, and range our troops for battle.

_Aur._ Go you before, and swift I’ll follow.

Now to thy care, my dearest friend, I trust

Thy beauteous sister, and my sweetest love.

Should victory proclaim the day our own,

All will be well; but should the loss be ours,

To heav’n’s just guard I must resign you both.

Two trusty servants have I plac’d without,

Who will conduct you westward of our camp:

If we be beaten, thither we’ll retreat.

Haste! fare thee well, sweet love.

_Fla._ This token let me brace around thine arm,

Think of me in the field, nor let revenge

Blot from thy gen’rous breast all sense of pity.

_Aur._ O! cruel fortune, so soon to wrench from me

This lovely form; to steal thy beauteous hand,

And offer to my grasp this weighty steel.

[_Exeunt._