Port. These are the youths that thunder at a playhouse, and fight for bitten apples; that no audience, but the Tribulation' of Tower-hill, or the limbs of Limehouse, their dear brothers, are able to endure. I have some of 'em in Limbo Patrum, and there they are like to dance these three days, besides the running banquet of two beadles, that is to come. [Tumult and Shouts. Enter the Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Mercy o' me, what a multitude are here! They grow still, too; from all parts they are coming, As if we kept a fair! Where are these porters, These lazy knaves ?-Ye have made a fine hand, fellows : We shall have There's a trim rabble let in. Are all these When they pass back from the christening. Port. An't please your honour We are but men; and what so many may do, Not being torn a pieces, we have done: An army cannot rule 'em. Cham. As I live, Go, break among the press, and find a way out A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months. Man. You great fellow, [Tumult and confusion. I'll peck you o'er the pole' else. [Exeunt. 1 2 A reference to some Puritan set, or place of assembly. 3 Not in f. e. 4 Large leather vessels for holding liquor. 5 6 Not in f. e. "pales: in f. e. SCENE IV.-The Palace at Greenwich. Enter Trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord Mayor, Garter, CRANMER, Duke of NORFOLK, with his Marshal's staff, Duke of SUFFOLK, two Noblemen bearing great standing bowls for the christening gifts: then, four Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the Duchess of NORFOLK, godmother, bearing the child richly habited in a mantle, &c. Train borne by a Lady: then follows the Marchioness of DORSET, the other godmother, and Ladies. The Troop pass once about the stage, and Garter speaks. Gart. Heaven, From thy endless goodness, send prosperous life, Princess of England, Elizabeth! Flourish. Enter King, and Train. Cran. And to your royal grace, and the good queen, My noble partners, and myself, thus pray :— K Hen. What is her name? Cran. K. Hen. [Kneeling. Thank you, good lord archbishop. Elizabeth. Stand up, lord. [CRAN. rises.1 With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee! Into whose hand I give thy life. [Kissing the child. Cran. Amen! K. Hen. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal. I thank ye heartily: so shall this When she has so much English. lady, Cran. Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings, 1 Not in f. e. More covetous of wisdom, and fair virtue, Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces, Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her; Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her: She shall be lov'd, and fear'd: her own shall bless her: Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, And hang their heads with sorrow: good grows with her. In her days every man shall eat in safety As great in admiration as herself; So shall she leave her blessedness to one, [ness) (When heaven shall call her from this cloud of dark Who, from the sacred ashes of her honour, Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was, And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror, Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish, To all the plains about him. Our children's children K. Hen. Thou speakest wonders. Would I had known no more! but she must die: A most unspotted lily shall she pass To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her. Thou hast made me now a man: never, before This oracle of comfort has so pleased me, [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. 'Tis ten to one, this play can never please |