her head, for kindling such a combustion in the 52 state. I missed the meteor once, and hit that woman, who cried out, 'Clubs!' when I might see from far some forty truncheoners draw to her succour, which were the hope o' the Strand, 56 where she was quartered. They fell on; I made good my place; at length they came to the broomstaff to me; I defied 'em still; when suddenly a file of boys behind 'em, loose shot, 60 delivered such a shower of pebbles, that I was fain to draw mine honour in, and let 'em win the work. The devil was amongst 'em, I think, surely. 64 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 68 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. Enter Lord Chamberlain. 72 L. Ch. Mercy o' me, what a multitude are here! They grow still too, from all parts they are coming, As if we kept a fair here! Where are these porters, These lazy knaves? Y' have made a fine hand, fellows: There's a trim rabble let in. Are all these 76 Your faithful friends o' the suburbs? We shall have Great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies, When they pass back from the christening. 63 work: outwork 69 Limbo Patrum: i.e. jail 76 fine hand: pretty business 54 Clubs; cf. n. 56 Strand: street in London Port. An 't please your honour, 80 We are but men; and what so many may do, An army cannot rule 'em. If the king blame me for 't, I'll lay ye all By th' heels, and suddenly; and on your heads Clap round fines for neglect: y' are lazy knaves; 84 Ye should do service. Hark! the trumpets sound; 88 Go, break among the press, and find a way out A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months. 92 You great fellow, Exeunt. Scene Five [The Palace] 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, 81, 82 what a-pieces: what our number may do without being 86 round: heavy torn to pieces 87 baiting of bombards: drinking deep 92 Marshalsea: a prison 96 pick: pitch pales: palisade S. d. Garter: the chief herald 95 i' the camlet: in the woolen suit Scene Five; cf. n. bearing the child, richly habited in a mantle, &c., train borne by a Lady: then follows the Marchioness 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, long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty Princess of England, Elizabeth! Flourish. Enter King and Guard. Cran. [Kneeling.] And to your royal Grace, and the good queen, My noble partners and myself thus pray: All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady, May hourly fall upon ye! [The King kisses the Child.] With this kiss take my blessing; God protect thee! Cran. Amen. 12 King. My noble gossips, y' have been too prodigal: I thank ye heartily: so shall this lady When she has so much English. Cran. Let me speak, sir, For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth. This royal infant,-heaven still move about her!Though in her cradle, yet now promises 6 My noble partners: the other sponsors 16 13 prodigal: generous Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings, 20 24 More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces, That mould up such a mighty piece as this is, With all the virtues that attend the good, 28 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, 32 And hang their heads with sorrow. Good grows with her. In her days every man shall eat in safety Her ashes new-create another heir 36 40 As great in admiration as herself, So shall she leave her blessedness to one,— 44 When heaven shall call her from this cloud of dark ness, Who, from the sacred ashes of her honour, Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was, 24 Saba: the Queen of Sheba 43 great in admiration: admirable 44 to one: James I, the successor of Elizabeth And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror, That were the servants to this chosen infant, 48 52 Shall be, and make new nations. He shall flourish, King. To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her. 60 King. O lord archbishop! Thou hast made me now a man: never, before This happy child, did I get anything. This oracle of comfort has so pleas'd me, That when I am in heaven, I shall desire 64 68 72 lords: To see what this child does, and praise my Maker. 76 Exeunt. |