A machine-readable version of Anonymous (Elizabethan) : : Edmond Ironside (1927) compiled by Alexis Antonia
Version 1
1927
A. Antonia, Newcastle, 2006
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Anonymous (Elizabethan) Edmond Ironside,
Cambridge 1994
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Bibliographic details for the Source Text
Anonymous (Elizabethan) Edmond Ironside: or War Hath Made All Friends
Oxford
University Press 1927
xiii, (6) , 87 p.
Preliminaries, introductory and editorial matter omitted.
Copyright (c)1972 The Malone Society.

correction silent following facsimile
Marks indicating damage to leaves of ms are ignored
Missing words indicated as "lacuna"
Marks indicating lines crossed out are ignored and these lines are included
Words indicated as deleted are silently omitted
Slash marks in text are omitted
line numbers are omitted
fragmentary words are either corrected or designated as word fragments
normalization is explicit
tags keep
analysis elected part of sp suffixes as entities
The characters are identified by IDREF pointing to information in
the following declarations.
Canutus; Danish claimant to the English Throne
Archbishop of Canturbury
Earl of Southampton
Leofric
Edricus
Edmond
Alfric
Turkullus
Egina
Edric
Stich
Wife
Uskataulf
Pledge 1
Pledge 2
Messenger
Archbisho of York
Herald
1 bailiff
Chorus
Roger
Aylward
Emma
Two or more characters speaking together
Alfred
Edward
Gunthranus
1 Soldier
2 Soldier
3 Soldier
4 Soldier
Ulfkettle
The languages (other than English) which occur in the text are identified
by IDREF which point to the following.
Latin
Edmond Ironside The English King
A true Chronicle History called
War hath made all friends:
Enter Canutvs Archbishope of Canterbury Earle of Southam
Edricus Duke of Mercia Leofricke Earle of Chester Turku
Duke of Norff' and Suff' Vskataulf and Swetho Da
They sitt about a table:
Canutus:
Archbishop and you other English peers
I hear how Egleredus late your king
my tributary is departed life
And how his son prince Edmond wears the Crown
without the notice of your free Consent
or homage unto me his Sovereign
yourselves lords Spiritual and Temporal
besides the due my father's Conquest Claims
have Chosen me
And by an universal sound decree
have solemnly throughout this little world
proclaimed me heir apparent to the Crown
when Egleredus lived
Then let not this young upstart prince of
prates
hee ryse
Curb your proceedings with untutored
words
but finish boldly what you have begun
resist his private Coronation
and put not up this vild dishonour Done
unto you Chief Commanders of the Realm
as though you were not worth the sending for
Arch B:
Indeed his rashness is importable
and merely nothing but a proud contempt
against us of the Clergy and the rest
that have for public profit of the Realm
for peace for quiet and utility
elected prince Canutus for our king
whose valour we have proud unto
our Cost
whose love unto the Church we
need not doubt
whose Care for all we may rely upon
and whose true bounty is so notable
that even his foes admire and honour him
When the other what he is I need not tell
it is too well known I would I Could say well.
But this I say and swear were I myself
he ryseth.
professed a soldier or a man at arms
as I am one deprived from the world
and from my Cradle Called to serve the Lord
I would with lance approve his title nought
and plead your Coronation with my sword
Canutus:
Stout-hearted Bishop spoken like a Man
would all the English lords were of thy
mind
South:
Am I not ready to defend your right
with force of arms as doth become a knight
Leofricke:
I never was slack or hindmost of the rest
but ever first and foremost with the best
Edricus
Had I not been a help unto your father
whenas he first arrived in Albion
you never had stood in question for the Crown
nor had your fathers wars so prospered
It was I that first did Counsel Egelred
to pay you tribute and to buy your league
whereby we emptied all the
treasury
and had not gold failed you had never been
king.
I had a Navy once the time when it was
in Egelredus days your father living
with which I should have met you
on the sea
within the straits of England and I wist
had then no little vantage on your
ships
yet I as favouring your party most
gave way and let you land without
resistance
and for that fact rest foully scandalized.
Was it not I that gave intelligence
of all the Counsels of king Egelred
unto your father, did not I I pray
fain sickness, weakness, Disadvantages
whenas the king sent me to fight
with him
was I not Causer of your good success
in all your actions since your fathers death
As Namely in that battle lately fought
between yourself and Edmond
Ironside
where I fled from him and did succour you
Then since the only ladder upon which
your father Climbed to get and you to hold
this gotten kingdom was my diligence
I hope you will not the least motion
of an ill thought Creep in to hinder me
nor do I think you used this speech
by me
Canutus:
Why what need all this repetition
good faith I meant no harm in saying so
why should I doubt you, wherefore should I fear
you never yet deceived me:
I cannot speak but some or other straight
misconsters me
why by my troth my lord I meant not you
but those that cleave to Edmond Ironside
and hang in part against my government
calm ye therefore and be not discontent
South:
In token then you mean as you have said
honour my Castle with the name of Court
and take a subjects welcome from his heart
to signify you love my town and me
Vskataulfe whispereth in Canutus eare

Vskata:
Why that is a trifle mighty
Sovereign
yield unto him in this petition
it will Confirm the peoples hearts to you
and make him live and die to honour you
Canutus:
I willingly descend to your request
and will this night be with you at your place
South:
I will go before to Countenance your
grace
Exit South: Enter a Companye of
cuntrymen makeinge a noyse.
Cuntrymen:
Where is the king that he may right
our wrong
Canutus/
The king is here, who is it Calls the king
I am your king, speak gentle Countrymen
what lawless hand hath Done you injury
One of the Cuntry:
Renowned Canutus we are all Danes by birth
the remnant of thy needy followers
who when thy father lived, lived here
secure
and dwelt amongst the fattest of this land
we then did yoke the Saxons and Compelled
their stubborn necks to ear the fallow fields
We then did force them honour us as lords
and be our slaves our drudges and our dogs
But now I know not what the Cause should be
unless the instigation of their prince
young Ironside, or else their stubborn nature
They all rebel and with Conjoined force
assault us manly and from every part
of this perturbed Island banish us
we are not able to resist their
powers
but fall like leaves before the Northern wind
huge heaps of us lie dead in every place
and we unless you help shall all
be slain
All Crye:
Help, help Canutus help and succour us.
Canutus:
Good Countrymen Canutus will not see you wronged
for yet the spirit of my father Swaine
runes in these veins, which I
will shed
even drop by drop ere I will see you harmed
go in good friends and pacify yourselves
be Confident in me, and if I live
I plant you in your former quiet states
Swetho look to them they shall be your Care
Exeunt Swetho wth the poore Daines:
Now lords let not this sudden rumour daunt
your manly hearts though Edmond be so strong
we are as strong, and stronger far
than he
then tell me shall we now assail
him
say Vskataulf what is to be done
Vskataulf:
You may my Lord, yet be remembered now
against what nation you are bound to war
a generation like the Chosen Jews
stubborn unwieldy fierce and wild to tame
scorning to be Compelled against their wills
abhorring servitude as having felt
the over-loading burden of the same
Edricus
Indeed my Countrymen are factious
and must be reigned with a marking stall
Curb them my Lord and bridle but their wills
and you shall find them mild and tractable
If that you use them as your father did
they dare not, nay they will not look awry
but serve you as your slaves by Conquest due
But if you lay the team upon their necks
and let them have but any scope to run
why then be sure, they
will gad as they were glad
and neither know themselves nor yet your grace
for Lenity doth Cause them to rebel
Cause they are Ignorant of living well:
Vskataulf:
List how this flattering mate soothes up the king
and doth abuse his gracious sufferance
base vild insinuating Sycophant
Degenerate bastard falsely bred
foul mother-killing Viper traitor slave
the scum of vices all the ill that may be.
Who would excite the king
to Tyranny
against his Countrymen but only he
I am a Deign renowned Sovereign
you have experience of my loyalty
and that my Council is not mercenary
if I were wise enough to give advice
You should not prove a tyrant but a king
A Tyrant is abhorred of god and man
whenas a king loved and honoured
accountest thou Edricus the Saxons fools
or rather hardy wise and valorous
their names discover what their natures
are
more hard than stones and yet not stones indeed
In fight more than stones detesting
flight
in peace as soft as wax wise provident
witness the many Combats they have fought
Denmarke or Countries loss by them and theirs
with many other witnesses of worth
how often they have driven us to our shifts
and made us take the sea for our defence
when we in number have been
three to one
O you deceive yourself and eke the king
in wishing him so much against himself
recall the former perils we have past
whose dear-bought times are freshly yet in mind
The tyranny your father Swanus used
in tithing people, killing 9 of 10
what did ensue, why lose of many
holds
bloodshed and war, rebellion, sword, and fire:
for they are Englishmen, easy to rule
with lenity, so they be used like men
patient of right, impatient of wrong
brooking no tyranny in any
sort,
But hating and revenging it with death,
therefore I Counsel you, if it might stand
to wine their hearts, not by severity
but by your favour love and lenity
Canutus:
Good Vskataulf I allow your speech
and praise your Counsel by my own
Consent
I will endeavour to suppress my rage
and quench the burning Choler of my heart
which sometimes so inflames
my inward parts
as I fall out with my best loved friends
I will therefore so moderate myself
as Englishmen shall think me English
born
I will be mild and gentle to my foes
if gentleness Can win their stubborn hearts
But let us hence my Lords by
this the Earl
expects us at Southampton their
we will rest
till we Consult if peace or war be best
Exeunt omnes
Leofricke pulls Turkillus by the sleeve,
as hee is goeinge and stayes him:
Leofricke:
A word my lord
Turkillus:
So you use no blows:
Leofricke:
I think you noble, virtuous, secret, wise
else would I not have opened my intent
which doth so much
Concern or private good
to you in private so it is my
lord
I oft have noted your discontented gate
which measured by my own
do well declare
the mind that rules your body is not pleased
And since so sweet a Symphony
appears:
betwixt our body's, Discontent I Judge
our minds disturbance to be only one
Caused from the sad neglect of these strange Days
O what a grief is it to noble bloods
to see each base born groom promoted up
each dunghill brat arreared to dignity
each flatterer esteemed virtuous
When the true noble virtuous gentlemen
are scorned disgraced and held in obliquity
Base Edricus a traitor to his king
is held in honour, we two
trusty subjects
are feared, suspected and have liberty
only to live, yet not in liberty
for what is it but prisonment or worse
whenas our Children blood of our own blood
are kept Close prisoners pledges for our faiths
King Edmond who indeed is our true king
for good regard of merit and desert
for honour fame and true nobility
is rightly termed mirror of majesty
Canutus is a prudent noble prince
and lives to hear him Called so too too much
But I will tell you this as long as we
take part against our Sovereign Ironside
we are but traitors therefore ~~
Turkillus:
Stay noble Chester for I spy your drift
to heap as many titles on your
head
as you have poured on mine, were but your due
yet to Cut off such trotting thieves of time
I say Amen to your intention
which is to leave Canutus and his Court
and fly to Edmond our true lawful king
But lest you should suspect my secrecy
by being won so soon to your Device:
I here assure you that this very plot
hath long been hammering in my
troubled brain
and had not you prevented my intent
I should ere long have moved you herein
but what shall then become of our Two boys
who are our pledges they shall surely die
Leofricke:
Tut it is no matter if they die they die
they Cannot suffer in a better time
nor for a better Cause their Countries good
we gave them life for us
they shed their blood
Turkullus:
He that sent them Can send us
more again
then let us hence delay of time is
vain
Exeunt
Enter Edricus solus:
Edricus. /
What shall I think of him that means to beg
and Can thus finely live upon his
wit
I was as mean as any basely born
fie say not so it will discredit thee
Tut no man here is me I but think not so
for it will make thy peacocks
plumes fall down
if one such abject thought posse thy mind
it is strange to see how I am favoured
posses thy dukedom and Canutus grace
and am the Chief of all his Counsellors
whenas my betters are exiled the
Court
being discountenanced and out of grace
They Cannot so dissemble as I Can
Cloak, Cousin, Cog and flatter with the king
Crouch and seem Courteous promise and protest
say much do nought in all things use
deceit
tell troth to no man Carry tales abroad
whisper Close secretes in the giddy air
be as a news monger feed the king with soothes
please all men's humours with humility
which he must do that is a Courtier
and minds to keep in favour with the king
he that had hard my story from the end
how many treasons I have practised
how many vild things I have brought to pass
and what great wonders have been Compassed
by this deep reaching pate would think I wist
I had been bound apprentice to deceit
and from my birth day studied villainy
I understand prince Edmondes up in arms
lays hold upon occasions sluggish lock
And whilst Canutus here securely sleeps
he wines with ease what we with pain have got
Mass if he do and
fortune favour him
I will so work as I will
be in his grace
and keep my living and myself unhurt
But if Canutus Chance to gain a gain
then I am his for I Can gloss with all
And yet indeed to say the very troth
rather of both I love Canutus best
for Edmonds father first did raise me up
and from a Ploughman's son promoted me
to be a duke for all my villainy
and so as often as I look on him
I must remember what he did for me
and whence I did decent, and what I am
which thoughts abase my state most abjectly
Therefore I hate him, and desire his death
and will procure his end in what I can
But for Canutus he doth honour me
because he knows not whence I did
descend
Therefore of the Two I love Canutus best
yet I Can play an Ambidexter's part
and swear I love, yet hate him with my heart
Exit
Enter Edmond and Alfricke the
generall vnder the kinge:
Edmond
But are ye sure my Lord that all is fit
are all my soldiers furnished for this war
what have they meat and drink to their Content
do not the Captains pince them of their
pay
Alfric
Assure your Majesty my Care is such
as I do daily oversee them all
and Cause the meanest soldier to be served
and have his fill of meat and drink that is good
without Controlment Check or menaces
for the only means to mare a soldiers fight
pinch him of meat and pay and pinch his might
Edmond
Then do ye well for I am of this mind
he that for private base Commodity
will starve his soldiers or keep back their pay
he that to deck himself in gorgeous tire
will see his men go naked, die for Cold
is a plain Cutthroat to the Commonwealth
A worthy Captain seeing a tall soldier
march barefoot halting plucked off his own shows
and gave them to the soldier, saying fellow
when I want shoes, then give me these
again
But Captains nowadays
pluck off their soldiers shoes nay sell their lives
to make them rich and gallant to the eye
but soft what are yon Two strangers
Enter Turkullus and
Leofricke
Turkullus:
We are rebellious traitors to your grace:
they kneell
born Englishmen but strangers to ourselves
who in remorse of Conscience knowing well
we have in taking part with
Danish Canutus
deserved, death come of our own free wills
either to suffer for our heinous facts
or else embrace our pardons which we crave
even as hereafter we shall merit it
Edmond
Rise up Turkullus, Leofricke arise
give me your hands and with your hands your hearts
I more esteem the life of one True subject
than the destruction of a Thousand foes
One sheep that was lost I more rejoice to find
than Twenty other which I never
missed
A friend of whose return I stood in doubt
is more welcome to me than forty
other
O that when Strangers cannot Conquer us
we should Conspire with them
against ourselves
England if ever war thy face doth spoil
thank not thy outward foe but inward friend
for thou shalt never perish till that day
when thy right hand shall make thy heart
away
go in brave lords your sight doth me
more joy
than Agamemnon when he Conquered
Troye
Exeunt eos
Act 2dus
The Drumme and Trumpetts sound
Enter wth a banquet: Then Enter
Canutus South: Arch: Bish: Vskataulf and Swetho Edricus:
Canutus:
My lord My lord you are too bountiful
half this expense would well have satisfied
the homely stomachs of our soldiers
and entertained ourself right royally
where is your Daughter
South:
She shall give attendance, to wait upon
your grace at diner time
Canutus:
Nay good my lord unless you give her leave
to sit at board and find me Table talk
I shall not think myself a welcome guest
uth:
May I Crave pardon of your Majesty
my daughter being young in
years and manners
is far unfit to keep a Queens estate
Canutus:
I faith my lord you are too scrupulous
too unadvised too fearful without Cause
to stand upon such nice excuses
I love to see a Table furnished
and sure I will not sit till she Comes
in
South:
Egina daughter Come away sweet girl
Enter Egina
the king will have thee dine with
him today
be not too coy, nor yet too flexible.
if chance he proffer any Courtesy
behave yourself in honourable sort
and answer him with modesty and mirth
A means may be to make thee Queen
Canutus:
What is your daughter come, welcome fair
lady
your presence is as welcome as the day
after A long and weary watchful night
sit down fair lady sit down noble lord
fill me a Cup of wine here is to
the health
of Ironside and all his followers
who will pledge me
Egina:
Pardon your hand maid and Egina will
Canutus
Wilt pledge me to the health of Ironside
what reason moves you so to fancy him
Egina
The good regard I bear your Majesty
for should he die before these wars
were done
and you have finished strife through victory
some other CADMVS bird worse than himself
might hap to broach some new Commotion
and trouble all the state with mutinies
where if he lives till
you have Conquered him
none after him dares renovate the wars
Canutus:
Sweetly and wisely answered noble Queen
for by that name if heaven and thou Consent
by sunset all the Camp shall wish thee health
my lord what say you to this motion
South:
As it shall pleas your Royal Majesty
dispose of me and whatsoever is
mine
Canutus:
Madam pleaseth it you to be A Queen
Egina
What my dread Sovereign, if my father wills
I dare not nay I will not Contradict
Canutus:
Then for a manual seal receive this kiss
he kesseth her
the Chief dumb utterer of the hearts intent
and noble father, now I will Call you so
if this rash-seeming match do like you well
deliver me possession presently
of this fair lady, your beloved child
and we will straight to church and Celebrate
the duties which belong to Marriages
Bishop of Canterbury you will marry us
without the sibert asking will ye not
Arch: B:
I am prepared if every part be pleased
Canutus:
faith I am pleased
Arch: B:
But what say you
Egina:
I say a Woman's silence is Consent
Canutus:
Why here is a match ex tempore small
ado
about a weighty matter, some perhaps
would have Consumed millions to effect
what I by some spent breath have Compassed
Lords let us in for I intend
to be
espoused tonight with all solemnity
after our marriage we do
mean to go
to meet in open field our open foe
Exeunt omnes
Enter Edricke a poore man his wife and Stich:
Edric:
Nay Stich if you once see my son you will swear he is
a bouncer, all in silks and gold vengeable rich
Stich:
How say you that
Wife:
I Can tell you, you may bless the day that ever you
happed in to his service, he is a man
every hairs breadth ~~
a most vild brave man in faith:
Stich:
Then we shall be well met for I love bravery and
cleanliness out of all cry and indeed of all things I
cannot brooke an ill-favoured face hang him that wants
a good face
Edric:
you are of my mind we may say a Pox of all good
faces and never hurt our own
Stich:
We may indeed god be praised but what house is this
how far off are we from Southampton:
Wife:
why we are in the Town the king Canutus lies here
now, and my son is here and all our neighbours will be here
today, at the bridal for alms
Enter Edricus
Edricus:
Whoso desires to mount a lofty pitch
must bear himself against the stubborn wind
and shun base Common popularity:
Stich:
who is this:
wife:
O it is my son, make
ye handsome, tie your garters for shame
wipe your shoes, mend your shirt-band:
Edric:
O let me go to him first, God save ye son
Edricus:
A pox upon him it is the knave my
father
good fellow hast thou any suite to us
deliver up thy Supplication
Edricke:
O Sir ye know me well enough I am goodman Edricke
your father
us:
My father grout head sir knave I say you
lie
you whoreson Cuckold you base vagabond you slave
you mongrel peasant dolt and fool, canst thou not know
a Duke from common men
Wife:
By my troth I learned him all these names to call his father
when he was a child, and see if he can forget them yet
O he is a wise man, for in faith my
husband is none
of his father, for indeed a soldier bigot him of me
as I went once to a fair, But son know ye me
Edricus:
Thee old hag, witch, quean slut drab, whore
and thief, how should I know the black Egyptian:
Wife:
This is his old tricks husband, Come, Come, son I am sure, ye know me
Edricus:
Aye if not too well,
wherefore comes yon sheep-biter, you sir knave
you are my brother are ye not I pray
Stich:
No sir if it like ye
Edricus:
It likes me very well, what is your name,
wherefore Came ye hither:
Wife:
His name is Stich my son, we
Came with him
to help him to your service
Edricus:
You answer for him gossip, wants he tongue
Stich:
No sir, I have tongue enough if that be good
hee shewes his tongue
Edricus:
What Can ye do
Stich:
Anything, dress a horse, scour a Chamber pot, go to
plough, Thrash, Dicke, and indeed what not:
Edricus:
Canst make clean shoes
Stich:
Who I. it is part of my occupation,
you wine my heart.
I am a Cobbler for need I Can piece a shoe as well as the best
wipe a shoe look you here else give me your foot
Edricus:
Staye not so hasty
we that by sly devices mean to mount
and creep into opinion by deceit
must not of all things have a scholar know
our practices, we must suppress
good wits
and keep them under, we must
favour fools
And with promotions win their shallow
pates
A Ready wit would quickly wind us out
and pry into our secret treacheries
and wade as deep in policy as we
But such loose brained windy headed slaves
such blockheads dolts, fools, dunces, idiots
such logger-headed rogues are best for us
for we may work their wills
to what we will
and win their hearts with gold to
anything
Come hither Stich this villain and this quean
that brought thee hither Claim an interest
in my nobility, whenas god knows
my noble father died long since in
wars
being duke of Mercia then as I am now
therefore, but first to Cut off long
delays
I entertain thee for my Chamberlain
and as thou shalt prove secret, trusty, true
I will reward thee with some higher place
but first to try thee fetch the Constable
yet staye a while they would suspect the truth
I will have thee when thou seest me
gone away
beat these Two beggars hence and teach them how
they shall hereafter Chose a meaner son
wilt thou be trusty, wilt thou Cudgel them:
Stich:
Never take Care for that I will beat them they
were never
better beaten since they were born
Edricus:
Aye do so, Stich
I prithee beat them well
hark ye? and see them whipped out of the Town
and if they speak or prattle Curse or Rave
for every word give them Ten blows sweet slave
exit
Edric:
O son, son,
staye
Stich:
Son Son with
a pestilence, You are much like to be
his
father and you his mother you brought me hither
Edric:
Aye
Stich:
And I must beat you hence, and if you desire
to know why you must hereafter learn to find
a meaner man for your son than my lord is
hee beates them about the stage
Wife:
He is my son. O:
O: O good Stich hold thy
hand
Exeunt
Enter Canutus Arch B: Edricus
Vskataulf Swetho:
Canutus:
Then are they gone, it is Certain they are
fled
Turkullus and Leofricke who would have thought it
did not I use them well, gave them good words
Rewarded their Endeavours, and besides
graced them as much as any parson here
Edricus:
You used them but too well and let me say
your lenity did Cause them run away
Canutus:
Have we not pledges of their
loyalty
Edricus:
ye have my lord
Canutus:
Their eldest sons I think
Edricus:
True but they know you are too merciful
Canutus:
They are deceived, for since they have disturbed
the settled solace of our marriage day
and daunted our determined merriments
with Causeless flight, to plague their
fathers fact
I will lay the treason on their Children's back
and make their guiltless shoulders bear the burthen
fetch me the Pledges swetho, and with
them
some bloody varlet from the Danish host
and let him bring an axe, a block and
knife
along with him but do it quickly Sweth:
Exet Swetho:
and Come again as fast
Edricus:
What doth your grace intend to do with them
Canutus
I will Cut their hands and noses
off
Edricus:
Your Judgment doth not far enough extend
unto the hight of runaways desert
death is too light a punishment for traitors
and loss of hands and nose is less than death
Vskata:
If an honest man had said so I
would
have liked it never the worse
Canutus:
This punishment is worse than lose of life
for it is a stinging Corsive to their souls
as often as they do behold themselves
lopped and bereft of those Two ornaments
which necessary use doth daily Crave
Again it giveth others daily cause
to think how traitors should be
handled
whereas the memory of present death
is quickly buried in oblivion
doing no good but whilst it is in
doing
A traitor may be likened to a tree
which being shred and topped when
it is green
doth for one twig which from the same was cut
yield Twenty arms yea twenty arms for one
but being hacked and mangled with an
Axe
the Root straight dies and piecemeal rots away
Even so of traitors Cut me off their heads
still more out of the selfsame stock
will sprout
but plague them with the loss of needful members
as Eyes nose, hands, ears, feet or any such
O these are Cutting Cards unto their souls
Earmark to know a traitorous villain by
even as a brand is to descry a thief
these desperate persons for examples sake
these Ruffians these altering lusty bloods
these Court appendixes these madcap lads
these nothing fearing hotspurs that attend
our Royal Court tell them of hanging Cheer
they will say it is a trick or two above ground
tell them of quartering or the heading Axe
they will swear beheading is a gallant death
and he is a dastard that doth fear to die
But say to them, you shall be
branded
or your hands Cut off or your nostrils slit
Then shallow fear makes their quivering tongues
to speak abruptly, rather let us die
than we should suffer this vild
Ignomy
A valiant heart esteemeth light of death
but honourable minds are Jealous
of honourable names, then to be marked
which robs them of their honours
likewise robs
their hearts of Joy, and like to
irksome owls
they will be bashful to be
seen abroad
Vskataulf:
Alas poor souls it was against their wills
that their hardhearted fathers broke the league
Edricus:
Alas poor souls it is against their wills
that they must loose their noses and their hands
Enter Swetho the Two Pledges and Stich wth an Axe:
Canutus:
Come on Gentlemen Cause I have found
your fathers trusty as they promised
unto my father and to me
Therefore I mean to make you worthy men
such as the world shall afterwards report
did suffer torments for their Countries good
Come on I say prepare your visages
to bear the tokens of eternity
prepare your noses, bid your hands adieu
because your sires have proved themselves so true
i Pledge:
Rather than this O kill us presently
these being gone we do abhor our
lives
and having these we loath to live accursed
accompted traitors to our native soil
Suffer us first to try our
stripling force
with any Giant of your Cyclops Size
and let our arms fight once before
our deaths
to reek their malice on their masters foes
so let us
perish like to Gentlemen
like to ourselves and like to Englishmen.
Canutus:
Look how Cold water Cast on burning Coals
doth make the fire more fervently to flame
Even so your tears doth add unto my rage
and makes it hotter when it begins to Cool
it is not my pleasure you should suffer death
Cause I believe it would ease your fathers griefs
it is not my pleasure you should try your
powers
so I should give you honours undeserved
and you perchance might so redeem yourselves
But you shall see our Judgments straight performed
do execution on them presently
I will teach your fathers if they do not know
what it is to violate a lawful oath
I teach them what it is to play with
kings
presuming on their mercy, Come I say
what trifle ye delay no more the time
for you must suffer for your fathers Crime
2 Pledge:
What sir must you Cut off my hands
Stich:
Aye and your noses too, it
were pity infaith to mar two such faces
Boys will you Change beards with me
i Pledge:
You shall not touch my nose with those base hands
by heaven I will sooner Cut it off myself
Stich:
You will think A worse pair than
these a good pair ere night
how they will look when their noses
be off, every one will
take them for frenchmen
Canutus:
dispatch I say I must not staye so
long
the more you delay the time the worse you speed
i Pledge:
Give me the Axe I will quickly execute
this direful Judgment on my guiltless hands
Stich:
with all my heart you save me a labour
Canutus:
Staye unadvised villain hold thy hand
or I will hack thee piecemeal with
thy Axe
why art thou mad to give thy enemy
an instrument to Kill thyself and me
Cut off his hands first, then deliver it him
Hee cutts offe one hande
So Cut off the
other.
Hee Cutts offe the other hande
now sir fight your fill
i Pledge:
Let these my stumps Crave vengeance at
thy hands
thou Judge of Judges and thou king of kings
Canutus:
Cut off his nose then let him pray again
perchance his praying mitigates his pain
Hee Cutts off his Nose
i Pledge:
Pour thy vengeance on this bloody deign
and let him die some unheard monstrous death
Canutus:
Make quick dispatch to execute the other
I am sure you will not now be pardoned
2 Pledge
Not I thou Murthering stony-hearted deign
I am resolved to suffer this and more
to do my father or my Country good
they gave me life for them I will
shed my blood
Hee Cutts his handes and Nose
i Pledge:
Now thou hast spit thy venom bloody king
we do return defiance in thy face
Canutus:
Sirs temper well your tongues and be advised
if not I will Cut them shorter by an
Inch
remember that you both have lost your hands
because your fathers did abuse their
tongues
in perjury, go quickly away
and tell your traitorous fathers what I say
2 Pledge:
We go but to thy Cost proud Danish Canute
throughout this Isle thy tyranny to brute
i Pledge
We go thy
Cruel butchery to Ringe
o England never trust a foreign king
Exit Pledes
Edricus:
Ha. Ha. Ha
Canutus:
Why laughest thou Edricus
Edricus:
I Cannot choose to see the villains rave
Ent Messenger
h:
And I must needs laugh to bear my Master Company
Enter a messenger runinge
Canutus:
What news with thee
Messenger:
Renowned Canutus thy forces in the North
which thou didst send against
Edmond Ironside
are Clean dispersed and piecemeal overthrown
by him, as these letters signify.
Canutus reades and then sayeth
Canutus:
It is wonderful what Twenty Thousand slain
of Common soldiers this unwelcome news
nips like a hoary frost our springing hopes
and makes my fearful soldiers hang their heads
Come hither Edricus void the Company
that I and you may talk in secrecy
Exeunt omnes
Ah Edricus what had I best to do
to race out this dishonourable blot
out of the brass-leaved book of living fame
shall it be said hereafter when Report
shall Celebrate my noble fathers acts
that Canutus did lose, what noble Swanus got
shall it be said that Edmond Ironside
unfriended poor forsaken desolate
did overthrow the power of mighty Canutus
whose wealth was great, friends more, but forces most
Never since Edmond was of force to bear
a massey helmet and a Curtle-axe
Could I return a victor from the field
unless as I remember thou betrayedst
the gallant stripling once into our hands
then had not valour hewed him through our troops
that day had made an end of all our griefs
But now what now, o tell me if thou knowest
how shall I extirpate my stock and name
that after age may not report my shame
Edricus:
despair not noble king time Comes in time
know ye not it is a deed of policy
in fickle Chance to Cross your mightiness
for else in Time you might dismount the Queen
and throw her headlong from her rolling stone
and take her while whirling wheel into your hand
I tell your grace Chance ever envies wise men
and favours fools promoting them aloft
But as for this flea-spot of dishonour
the greatest monarchs have endured more
even blinking Phillipes son and many more
whose repetition were needles to recite
Canutus:
I prithee flatter still, on, on, what more
speak we of fortune honest
Sycophant
Chance favoureth not a fool in favouring thee
thy flattery is gracious in her eye
Come hither Edricus o strange miracle
see you not in the heavens prodigious signs
look how the Sun looks pale the moon shines red
The stars appear in the perturbed heaven
like little Comets and not Twelve o'clock
what is the Cause then that the stars are seen
Edricus:
I see them well my lord: yet know no cause
unless yet shows the fall of Ironside
Canutus:
Surely it doth: look now they all are gone
it is night, it is dark, beware ye stumble not
lend me your hand, but first go fetch a torch
Exit Edricus
to light me to my tent. make haste I pray
he is gone to fetch a torch to
light the day
Enter Edricus
Edricus:
My lord the misty vapours were so
thick
they almost quenched the torch
Canutus:
True as all the rest, I say thy wit is thick
gross flattery: all-soothing Sycophant
doth blind thy eyes and will not let
thee see
that others see thou art a flatterer
Amend, amend thy life learn to speak truth
for shame do not in thy
declining age
Children may see thy lies they are so plain
O whilst ye live from flattery refrain
Edricus::
It stands not with my Zeal and plighted
faith
otherwise to say than as your highness saith
your grace is able to give all their due
to make truth lie and likewise make lies true
Canutus:
I would It lay in me to make
thee true
but who can Change the
Ethiophians hew
Act 3
Enter at one doore: ye Arch B: Cauntery at th'other ye Arch B: of Yorke
Caunterb::
Why bends not the presumptuous knee of Yorke
when Canter: speaks: Cannot the Curse
of god and me the metropolitan
under the Pope of all Dominions
within this realm of England Cause thee fear
proud irreligious prelate know my power
stretcheth beyond thy Compass even as much
as Rome doth mine then quiver when I Curse
and like a Child indeed prostrate thyself
before my feet that thy humility
may move me to absolve thy former
sins
and set thee free from Hells Damnacon
Yorke:
Traitor to god and to thy lawful king
where thou dost bless I Curse where Curse I bless
as thou art Bishop my Commission
stretcheth as far as thine, and let me say
( unless thou leave thy Contumelious threats)
further than mine No Canterbury no
I humble me to God and not to thee
A traitor a betrayer of his king
A rebel a profane priest a Pharisee
A parasite, an enemy to peace
A foe to truth and to Religion
I say I will not bend myself to him
and such a one art thou and therefore here
unless repentance bend thy stubborn heart
I here pronounce the Curse of god and man
upon thy soul and so farewell and mend
yorke offers to Departe
Canter:
Stay Yorke and hear me speak, thy puffy words
thy windy threats thy railing Curses light
upon thy stubborn neck unless with speed
thou dost forsake the part of Ironside
and cleave unto Canutus, and more submit thyself
to me thy head and to our
mother Church
reply not Bishop for I seal thy lips
with my Irrevocable bitter Curse
if one untoward word slip from thy tongue
Yorke
So heapest thou Cole of fire upon thy head
and blessest me with Cursing impious priest
o let me die whenas I leave
my king
A true born prince for any foreigner
Canter':
O I Could eat thee, now my Crosier staff
longs to be pelting that old hoary pate
my hands do quake with rage
Yorke
You are a Champion for the Devil and Canutus
I fly not from thy Curses but thy strokes
Exet Yorke
Cant'
I will follow thee with Curses and
with Clubs
Exit Cant'
Enter Canuts South: Edricus Vskataulf
Swetho Harrold at arms and soldiers
Canuts.
Go to yon City which we
mean to sack
new Troy the state of Edmond Ironside
Command a parley at the City gates
bid them Choose whether they will let us in
or else withstand the vtmost of our wrath
and be Consumed to ashes and to Coals
with flamingo fire which Whilom did destroy
their mother City Quondam Called Troy
The Herrold departeth from the kinge to the walls
soundinge his trumpit The Balifes appeare aboue
Herrold:
Canutus king of England prince of Danes
greets you by me his trusty messenger
Commanding you to serve him as your lord
bidding you wait on him as on your king
and you shall be entreated lovingly
if not he is prepared with fire and sword
to race your City thus he sends you
word:
1 Balife
Go tell your Master thus we answer him
his ships that proudly ride upon the Thames
shall anchor on the ground where he
abides
born by the bloodshed of our Carcasses
and we Compelled by thirst to suck the stream
of this fair river dry, so that his men
may dry-shod march over the floating deeps
ere we will let him enter
in these gates
or ope our lips to Call him sovereign
tell him we are resolved to keep him back
Tell him we are no Traitors but
are sworn
to be king Edmonds liegemen while
we live
and if he staye that shall he soon perceive
Harrold:
Advise you Bailiffs what is best to do
incur not danger with security
Canutus is your king then him obeye
and to his gentle Message say not nay
Both Blifes:
We are resolved to put Canutus back
he comes not here his threats are spent in vain
Herrold:
I fear your wills will put your wits
to pain
if you repent it when it
is too late
i Balife:
You have your answers soldiers guard the
gate
Balifes departe Herrold retvrneth:
Herrold.
Their answer good my Lord is negative
full of haughty Courage and disdainful pride
this little peace hath brought their stomachs up
which makes them to disdain your princely mercy
Canutes:
And dare they thus refuse my proffered grace
set they so light by my Commandment
assault, the City batter down the walls
scale all the Turrets, rush the gates asunder
why slack ye soldiers who is foremost man
to give a valiant onset on the Town:
assayle the walls
Enter a Messenger
Messeng'
Worthy Commander of these Warlike troops
Edmond your foe is coming hitherward
with a Choice Company of Armed men
intending to surprise you suddenly
Canutus:
He is welcome though I hope unto his
Cost
We are beholding to his excellence
that he vouchsafe for safeguard of his Town
to yield himself without Compulsion
We are as forward and as fit as he
to give his force an equal Counterbuff
though he suppose to take us unawares
Now noble Lords or never show your
might
to put his Men to sword and him to flight
South:
He that gives back let him be slain
by his next fellow that doth second him
if English men at first begin to fly
Southampton willingly for them will die
Vska:
This day shall manifestly be known
how Danes have better hearts than Englishmen
and bodies answerable to the same
else let them loose their everlasting fame
Edricus:
The day is yours before the fight begins
great and renowned prince fair England's king
for emulation which doth sometime loose
now doth assure you of the victory
See you not how the English Lords Contend
Who should excel in feats of Chivalry
and Creep up farthest in your
highness grace.
on the other side, behold brave minded Danes
scorning to o'er-match in feats of Arms
strive who should Compass most by power or wit
to amplify your honourable fame
The soldiers are not slothful in this stir
but ready, forward prompt, and fit to fight
expecting gladly that delightsome hour
When they shall grapple with their
enemies
Then in assurance of this happy Day
arm to the fight it is in vain to staye
Canutus:
I do presume on this to win the field
but all my striving is to get the Crown
Sound Drum wthin
Soft what Churlish Drum doth
ringe so rude appeal
within the hearing of our Armed troops
It is Edmund strike up drums
Enter Edmund wth souldiers
and trumpittes sound
I will not delay my hopes with any parley
Alarum they fight Edmond drives Canutus
offe the stage The drume soundes a farr offe
Enter attired in blacke sayinge:
Chorus:
The fight is hot but Canutus is overcome
and Edmond hunts him out from place to place
he flies to Worcester Edmond follows him
the way is long and I am waxen faint
I fain would have you understand the truth
and see the battles Acted on the stage
But that their length will be
too tedious
then in dumb shows I will explain at large
their fights their flights and Edmonds
victory
for as they strived to Conquer and to kill
even so we strive to purchase your good will
Alarum Enter Canutus flyinge Edmond followinge
they fight The Two kinges parley sounde a Retreate
and parte
Chorus
Canutus is beholding to the gracious sun
who grieved to see such heaps of Carcasses
lie mangled and besmeared in their gore
made haste and went to rest before his time
so that the kings for want of light agreed
to part until Aurora raise the lark
and now it is morning and they join to fight
Alarum Enter Canutus at one dore and Edmu
at the other they fight Canutus gives backe and
flies Enter the souldiers of Edmond persuing
Canutus and his lords Edricus takes a dead m
head vppon his swords poynt holdinge yt vppe
Edmonds souldiers they flie Enter Edmond a
Cheeringe them vp and makes Canutus flie:
Chorus:
Edricus perceiving Canutus to have the worst
and Edmond like to triumph in their fall
out of the bowels of a Traitorous heart
brought forth this subtle dangerous stratagem
whilst the Two Battles dealt the dole of Death
and Edmond in the forefront stoutly fought
with words encouraging his soldiers
and with rude strokes discouraging the Danes
Edricus took up an English dead man's head
and sticking it upon his bloody
sword
unto the vanward of king Edmondes
tropes
held his despiteful and most speedy Course
telling the soldiers Edmond Ironside
was slain, bidding the soldiers yield
or fly the field and trust unto their
heels
The soldiers in a maze began to fly
then Edmond hearing of this stratagem
amongst the Thickest of his enemies
gave notice that he lived a conqueror
his soldiers taking heart returned and fought
his enemies despairing Rune away
Edmond returns in triumph to the field
But Canutus returns in passion and in rage
what after happens with your patience
the entering Actors gives intelligence
Exit
Enter Edmond Ironside wth Lordes and souldiors:
Edmond
Praised be the eternal bulwark of this
land
the fortress of my Crown in whom I trust
that hath thus discomfited my foes
by his omnipotent all-conquering arm
And worthy Lords triumphant warriors
whose valours echo through the mouth of fame
and writes you worthies in the book of life
maugre the envy of detraction
we render hearty thanks to each of you
for fighting in our rites with such bold spirits
Continue to be valiant, and if god
make us once happy in a peaceful Reign
I will guerdon every soldier bounteously
that lifts a weapon to defend our rite
Let us not loiter opportunity
but follow danish Canute and force him fly
One march afore, sound trumpets strike up drums
let shrieking fifes tell Canute that Edmond Comes
The souldiors shout et exeunt
Enter Canutus Edricus wth other Lords and souldiers
Canutus:
A plague upon you all for arrant Cowards
look how a dunghill Cock, not rightly bred
doth come into the pitt with greater grace
rustling his feathers, setting up his plumes
Clapping his wings and Crowing louder out
than doth a cock of game that means to fight
Yet after when he feels the spurs to prick
crakes like a Craven and bewrays himself
Even so my bigbond Danes addressed to fight
as though they meant to scale the Cope of heaven
(and like the Giants grapple with the
gods)
at first encounter rush upon their
foes
but straight retire? retire? nay run away
as men distraught with lightning from above
or Dastards feared with a sudden fray
Edricus.
Renowned Sovereign do not fret yourself
Fortune in turning will exalt your state
and Change the Countenance of her Cloudy brow
now you must hope for better still and better
and Edmond must expect still worse and worse
A lowering morning proves a fairer day
fortunes il-lfavoured frown shows she will smile
on you and frown on Ironside:
Canutus:
What tellest thou me of fortune and her frowns
of her sour visage and her rolling stone
thy tongue rolls headlong in to flattery
now by these heavens above or
wretched heads
ye are but Cowards every one of you
Edmond is blessed, o had I but his men
I would not dout to Conquer all the world
in shorter time than Alexander did
But all my Danes are Braggadocios
and I accursed to be the general
of such A flock of fearful runaways
South:
Remember you have lost Ten Thousand men
all English born except a Thousand Danes
your pensive looks will kill them that survive
if thus to Choler you give liberty
Canutus:
It were no matter if they all were slain
then they should never run away
again
Vska:
My noble lord our Country men are safe
in all these broils English against
English fight
the Danes or none or very few are slain
Turns towards Vskataul
Canutus:
It was a sign ye fled and did not fight
Is it not a Dishonour unto you
to see a foreign nation fight for me
whenas my homebred Countrymen do run
leaving their king amongst his enemies
Edricus:
Give not such scoop to humorous discontent
we all are partners of your private
griefs
Kings are the heads and if the head but ache
the little finger is distempered
we grieve to see you grieved
which hurteth us
and yet avails not to assuage your grief
You are the Sun my lord we
Marigolds
whenas you shine we spread ourselves abroad
and take our glory from your influence
and
when you hide your face or darken it
with the least encounter of a Cloudy look
we Close our eyes as partners of
your woes
Drooping our heads as grass down weighed with dew
Then Clear ye up my lord and Cheer up us
for now our valours are extinguished
and all our force lies drowned in brinish tears
as Jewels in the bottom of the sea
I do beseech your grace to hear me speak

Edricus talkes to him
South:
I do not like this humour in my
son
it will quite discourage all his followers
Vska:
He stops his ears to all persuasions
his Council cannot be admitted speech
his father Swaine was much more patient
and Could as well brooke loss as victory
Canut:
These words proceed not from A shallow, brain
Edricus
Praise the event my lord the end is all
in the mean time I will go write
to Ironside
craving forgiveness and insinuate:
his yielding favour, he is pitiful
and I am rare in moving passion
I know the prince will quickly Credited me
and putt affiance in my smooth pretence
but whatsoever he doth or minds
to do
you shall be sure to have
intelligence
But good my Lord leave me a little while
to private Contemplation for my head
swims full of plots and other stratagems
of great avail and I must empty it
Canute:
God prosper what thou dost intend
Edricus:
Pray to the devil god is not my friend
Exeunt manet Edricus
Stich, what Stich, Call in Stich
Enter Stich
Stich:
Here is a Stiching indeed, you have made Stich have a stich
in his
side, with Coming so hastily after
diner
Edricus:
Why villain darest thou eat meat
in these troublesome times
Stich:
Dare I eat meat aye and eat time be he never so troublesome
my lord were Mars himself made of beef and brews
I durst in this Choleric stomach devour him quick
Edrick:
Sure ye are a tall man
Stich:
Aye sir at the end of a fray, and beginning of a feast
Edricus:
well fetch me paper and a Corngraph
Stich:
a horngrafter what is that, sir?
Edricus:
Sirra I mean an Inkhorn
Stich:
You mean well sir. A black horn, you have dipped your pen
in many a man's Inkhorn besides
your own
exit Stich
Edricus
My state may be Compared unto his
that ventures all his credited and his wealth
upon the fickle hazard of a Die
the Crown I level at, I venture life
the Dearest Jewel and of greatest price
that any mortal hath possession of
my life is sweet yet will I venture it
at all or nothing trust a mother wit
Enter Stich wth paper
and an Inckehorne
Stich:
Here sir I would never have men that are unmarried
so unprovided as they should be compelled to borough
horns
of young men, Nor would I have
young men to borough
In horns of married men O it is perilous
when their
foreheads proves blushing papers to bewray young buds
d ricus:
Sirrah be gone but be not far from hence
I presently shall have occasion
to employ you in some serious business
Stich:
I will be absent when you Call I warrant you
Exit Stich
Edricus sitts downe writteth and blotteth
Edricus:
Nay try thy wits thou writest for a
wager
it is not for gold, but grace, and for thy life
A thing that would putt spirit in a block
and be a whetstone to a blunter head
with what exordium shall I wine his heart
how shall I tie his ears to my discourse
A school boy hath a readier wit than I
I never tried my barren sconce till now
and now I see I am not Edricus
but a most blockish and dull-pated hind
gravelled at such an easy enterprise
What standest thou trifling and delaying time
fetch fire from heaven and mix it with thy ink
gather Parassus due and write with that
pluck Cyllens feathers and make pens with them
borrow the Muses aid and let them breath
some dulcet and melodious harmony
some never hard of words into thy pate
Hee writteth and blotteth
Ah fool how hard it is to write for life
had I now written for my mistress love
I could have filled my pen, and raised my speech
unto the highest step of flattery
had I now written for another man
to save his life or get him into grace
why all the world might have given place to me
for sugared lines and phrases past Compare
had I been now in favour with the
king
and had endeavoured to flatter him
my pen would have distilled golden drops
and varied terms enchanting Cerberus
But now I know not how or what to write
to flatter were to aggravate my fault
for anger would sift out my vild intent
Plainly to write were to accuse myself
and be a witness against my guilty soul
Yet write I will and in the plainest sort
for that is Cousin German unto truth
Truth needs no colours though I mean to lie
my simple writing shall deceive his eye
Hee writteth and sayeth
Aye so, O rare Conceited piece of work
how cunningly thou canst convert thy shape
into an Angel when thou dost intend
to flatter the plain honest meaning king
hee fouldes yt vppe
Now for a swift wing footed messenger
to fly in post that I might follow him
it more behooves me to be Circumspect
and with my life to trust none but myself
swifter than sure is no good
messenger
And now I think on it o it is excellent
I will for this once deliver it myself
but in disguisment of my man's attire
so may I safely go and understand
how Edmond is addicted unto me
and how all matters now are managed
Stich: Stich:
Enter Stich
Stich.
Your will sir
Edricus:
My will is that you will uncase for I mean to Change apparel .
Stich:
why sir you not turn wise man will you
Edricus:
Yes fool for this once, Come I say when
Stich:
Marry sir when I some boot Coming roundly from you
for I
promise you I will not Change without boot
Edricus:
But I will sirrah Come dispatch
Stich:
well sir since there is shift but I must
change
shifts I am contented
They shifte apparell
By my troth sir me thinks you are a properer man by odes
in those than ye were in these, I would I Could persuade him
to believe me then it should be known by his apparel
what a fool I have made of him Sir shall
we change living and
lordship and name and all
Edricus:
Aye Stich for this once, thou shalt be Lord Edricus and I Stich
look ~~ you keep in till I Come home I advise you and
behave yourself like a Lord
Stich:
I warrant you good Stich I will be lordly enough: farewell honest
Stich, farewell fool
Edricus:
Now am I Edricus and Edricus man
the secretary and the messenger
All to effect with Counterfeiting guile
experiments of matchless policy
well this plain suite doth now Contain more wit
than for so mean a
piece of Cloth is fit
Exit Edricus
Enter Stich in his lordes attire wth Blewcoates after him:
Stich:
Come on Ye blue-coated slaves, you that wear satin doublets
never but at good times, and wear a blue-coat but once
in a year, Come on I say, ye trencher scrapping cutters Ye Cloak
bag Carriers, ye sword and buckler carriers ye rubbers
of horse heels, ye Devourers of fat oxen ye swillers of March
beer, Come after me I say,
take example after my virtue howe
to mount, I proceeding from the loins of a man very little better than a gentleman, am now by my virtue and good education to be
your Master, your upholders, the staff of your lifes, and
maintainer of
your masterships, uncover Ye rouges. so Cover. so. sirrah take my
Cloak, bear you my rapier,
so I am somewhat humorous and
it becomes me, well, follow me follow, How I can play
the lords
part, o what a fool is my master to Change his nobility for
my worship.
Roger
Blood sir, or sir Stich you must go in here is a following
we must wait on you must we
tich:
Blood Sir you must go in, O hold me hold me I am
Choleric
why ye shakerage had ye never a lord under your
girdle
plain Sir Stich without welt or guard, why how now You
malapert knave have ye forgot all good manners
Roger:
Good manners be your speed:
Stich:
why this it is to keep familiar serving-man, As I am a Lord
by my honour I swear, I will revenge it, with putting you out of
my house, you fellows take example by his punishment, follow
me just 3 foot behind not above nor beneath and Roger
Rackehell for your sauciness come you last
Exeunt
Act 4
Enter Edmond Ironside Alfricke Goodwine Ayleward wth Edricus disguised:
Edm:
What wind doth Cause your Master write to us
all is not well I dout give me the Letter
The Letter:
Prepare Perillus Bull to punish me
or some new never-hard of torturing pain
to scourge me for my foul ingratitude
Rumour did raise suspicion in my heart
as it hath lately done within your breast
by some who envied my prosperity
my love and zeal unto your Majesty
that you were doubtful of my spotless truth
and meant to cut me off by Cutting short
my headless body with a bloody Axe
This on a sudden coming to my ear
it impaired my heart and struck me to the quick
causing me flee the Court to save my life
as sadly as the late espoused man
grieves to Depart from his new married wife
how many sighs I fetched at my Depart
how many times I turned to Come again
how oft I complained how often I did weep
were too too long to write or you to read
But having now Considered with
myself
my over-light belief too Credulous
I come again like to a strayed
sheep
tainted god watt with nought but ignorance
o take me to your mercy, or if not so
kill me yourself death is the end of
woe
finis Letter
Edm:
Hear ye my lords this humble supplication
your master is become an Orator
but tell him Edmond is not lunatic
so like a woman to be
won with words
Edricus.
This Cottons according to my mind
the king is angry see he faceth me
his colour comes and goes, I hold my life
he knows me, would I were well away
Edmond:
Hark ye my lords what would you say
if yon plain fellow should be Edricus
Alfrick:
I think not so my Lord
Edmond.
I will quickly know
come hither fellow tell thy master thus:
he pulls of the velvet patch of his face
what Edricus is is you I thought no less
you meant some good no dot tell me the troth
what was the reason you Came this disguised
Edricus:
Now wit or never help, poor naked truth
hath taken away suspicion of deceit
I need no art, Art cannot help
me now
then plainly thus renowned sovereign
I came thus plainly to your majesty
disguised in clowns attire to sound the truth
what opinion if good or bad
You had of me, And if I found it good
I had dethroned to bewray myself
if otherwise, I meant with secret speed
to leave my native country and to exile
myself from England sailing into Spaine
whereas I meant in Contemplation
in pilgrimage and prayers for your grace
to end my life.
Enter a messenger runinge
Messenger:
Haste, haste, king Edmund to relieve thy land
which is oppressed by multitudes of Danes
they swarm along thy Costs like little gnats
over. a river in a Summers night
or like to bees when they begin to flight
so Comes these Danes prepared fit to fight
Their Battle mane of Threescore Thousand men
with bristle pointed spears which upright stand
shows like a new shred grove of Ashes tall
or else a wood of pines and cedars tall small
Their flags and Banners yellow, blue and red
resembles much the weeds in ripened Corn
Their Drums and Trumpets with a dreadful sound
of Clashing armour and fire-breathing steeds
sounds like the fearful Thunder sent from heaven
mixed with Eolus boisterous northern breath
They pray upon thy subjects cruelly
like hungry Tigers upon silly kids
sparing not Ancient men for reverence
nor women for imbecility
nor guiltless babes for their unspotted life
nor holy men their madness is so rife
Edmund:
A sunshine Day is quickly overcast
a springing bud is killed with a blast
I see my state is fickle and unsure
there is nothing in this world can firmly Endure
yet courage Lords we were and are the same
our hearts are sound our bodies are not lame
then let not fear dismay your warlike might
god fights for us, god will defend the right
Base Edricus thou wert the fatal Crow
that by thy horrid voice this news did show
thou camest to gain with Cursed treachery
the surname of vild inkname policy
Right did I think whenas the fox did preach
he meant to get a goose within his reach
right did I Guess when with thy oily speech
thou didst my pardon and my grace beseech
some mischief was a-broach but god above
Doth always at a pinch my patron prove
And we have now learned though to our laile
not to believe each smooth face forged tale
Edricus:
Now my most gracious Lord as god shall help me
my coming was only for this intent
to unfold Canutus coming and bewray
matters of secret to your majesty
Counsels of great avail rare stratagems
plotted by Canutus which now shall die with me
if you seem any whit suspicious
Edmund
Aye prithee hark, let me hear some of them
Edrius talketh wth Edmund secretly Alfricke pulls him backe
Alfricke:
Traitor darest thou presume
to speak unto thy sovereign? good my Lord
as god shall help me you will be entrapped
Edricus:
Traitor? remember this. malice hath a perfect memory
Edmund:
Alfrick you are to blame you do forget yourself
age makes ye dote, know I not what to do
without your telling, go to hold your peace
A
Alfrick your Comb is cut yet will I speak
king I am sworn to Counsel thee aright
and though I die, I will not hold my tongue
remember he hath often broke his faith
and fled away from you remember too
he Comes from Canutus thy utter enemy
remember he is a traitorous flatterer, A villain and a damned hypocrite
Edmund:
Peace Ayleward, hold your tongue
my youth in some things overruns your age
it is policy to grant him audience
nay further grace, nay further if he Craves
perhaps the leading our army too
for thus I think it stands he hath promised Canutus
having the leading of our forces
to yield to him seeming as though compelled
having first given an onset on the foe
for colours sake but we will overmatch him
for whilst the force of Canute on policy
retires by Edrickes drift, then we will take
the opportunity and rush with speed
upon his troops who unprepared to fight
and trusting upon Edrickes policy
shall all come pray unto our soldiers
how like you this:
Alfrick:
It cannot hap amiss
Edmund:
Come hither Edricus:
they whisper Edm. saith:
Ifaith ye lie
they whisper againe
Tut, tut, it cannot be
they whisper againe
If this be true I pardon thee for all
and will reward thee with deserved grace
I will not dot it, faith I think it is true
though it were not in hope thou wilt amend
go let us in and let all quarrels end
for now I mean indeed to Credited thee
by being captain general of my army
Edricus:
Duty and thanks I give it is all I have
See what dissimulation brings to pass
how quickly I Can make the king an ass
Exeunt
Enter Emma her Two sonnes Alphred and
Edward in each hand Gunthranus goeinge before
Emma:
Sweet Boys born to be crossed before your time
o let me kiss you ere you go away
cursed be the Cause of our departing thus
the prosecution of these bloody Danes
whose unrelenting eyes delight to see
the full conclusion of or tragedy
Alphred:
Good mother sorrow not though we depart
we shall be welcome to our uncle Richard
and safer there than in this troubled Isle
which like the reeling sea is tossed with war
here we are ever in continual broils
there in tranquillity in peace and rest
here in the midst of unknown enemies
there in the arms of true approved friends
here danger eminent doth Compass us
there friends and friendly Counsel shall defend us
Therefore rejoice we are escaped the Danes
whose greedy maws devours the Saxons blood
like hungry lions, void of any good
Emma:
Good boy in whom thy fathers feature lives
though death hath seized him in his wasteful arms
if I could moderate my grieved mind
without remembrance whatever now I was
then should my grief diminish with my tears
But memory the afflictor of the soul
bides me remember how I was a Queen
how Egelredus was my lawful Lord
how Normands Duke was my renowned sire
how England was my pleasures paradise
and how time was when time did wait on me
All these are but Bellows to the fire
to burn my heart, consumed afore with sighs
Alphred, Need is a child thou art of age
to take example by my misery
not to believe foul fortunes flattery
ward
Good mother weep not, if ye do I will cry
Emma:
Ah my pretty heart
hast thou a feeling of my passion?
then will I weep the more to ease my heart
I will morn for thee, for him and for myself
for England and for Edmund Ironside
whose part god prosper, Heaven defend the right
Gun:
Madam your helpless tears are but a means
to draw more tears from us to drown our
hearts
Emma:
Why man I weep to ease and not to load
I trow the more I shed, the less I have
and as my tears waste so my cares consume
To damn my eyes were but to drown my heart
like Hecuba the woeful Queen of Troye
who having no avoidance for her grief
Ran mad for sorrow cause she could not weep
But good Gunthranus to omit vain talk
since I have heretofore approved thy faith
I make a Choice of thee amongst the rest
of many friends to guide my little Boys
and to conduct them into Normandye
entreat my brother for to entreat them well
they are his Nephews and his sisters joy
if any thing amiss should light on them
the same on me should be redoubled
> Gunthra:
Madam even by the living god I vow
I will attend and watch them as my soul
knowing duke Richard will accompt of them
as nigh of blood unto his Royal self
Emma:
Then farewell boys the Comfort of my life
they offer to departe
Yet Come again ye shall not so depart
if that we die we will Choose to die together.
dyeing or living we will be together
fond woman bless them and then let them go
that is the safest way to keep them safe
Then farewell once again, god bless you both
they offer to departe
But Soft awhile I have not said my mind
first let me wash your face in mothers tears
then sob out sighs to overload the earth
and cast a misty fog upon the air
Shee imbraceth them
that no inquiring foe may find you out
o let your sanctuary be my lap
She sittes downe and settinge
Edward on her knee a
Alphred in her arme
your refuge, your sepulchres, and your graves
a Cradle fits you better than a ship
Gunthra:
See see Dame Natures operation
what force it breeds within a mothers mind
none feels a mother's sorrow but a mother
This Queen hath not her peer upon the earth
for wisdom suffering and for patience
for Cloaking sorrow a dissembling grief
and bearing all things with a Constant mind
yet can she not conceal affection so
but that it breaketh forth like hidden fire
Emma riset
Emma:
fie, fie, hid Natures found indulgency
depart sweet Boys, god keep you in your way
they offer
Come hither Aphred, Ned I prithee staye
I will go with you to the foaming haven
and take my farewell of my darlings there
exeunt omnes
Enter Canutus with a Letter in his hand
and wth him: Vskataulfe: Swethoe:
Southampton: Archbishope of Caunterbury:
Egina: wth souldiers.
Canutus:
Courage brave Captains Conquest is at hand
this letter comes from trusty Edricus
and certifies me that he is in grace
with Edmund Ironsid, and howe he leads
the vanguard of the princes army
now he assures me of the victory
without the loss of many soldiers
for he will disappoint the warlike youth
and flee to us, leaving him desolate
wherefore brave soldiers put forth all your might
to quail their stomachs at the first approach
he that doth take the prince in fight or flight
shall have his ransom and dubbed a knight
1 Soul:
I will venture hard to make Ioane my wife a Lady
2 Soul:
The king shall scape my fingers narrowly
3 Soul:
Mass if I had steel sides as he hath Ironsides
I would gore him thim that I would
4 Soul:
What if miss the king, I will have a Duke
an Earl a Lord, a knight, or gentleman
South:
Or nobody and then you will hit it
tell not your chickens sires, ere they be hatched
perchance the eggs are rotten in the nest
then all your brooding hopes is cast away
and you remain as rich as new shorn sheep
I never loved to gain by treachery
for that again was lost by treachery
I do remember hardy Hanniball:
did use these words at won Tarentums loss
Eadem arte qua prius coepimus
Tarentum amisimus
fraud won Tarentum fraud Tarentum lost
so Hanniball reaps his labour for his Cost
The drums sound afar off
Canutus:
So Edmund so thou Comest unto thy cost
thy roarings drum presageth thy mishap
ringing thy souls knell with a hollow voice
as thine doth mourn so let our Drum rejoice
The Drume sound Enter
Edmond wth Edricus other
Lordes and souldiers they fight
Canutus gives et exeunt
Enter at one dore Canutus and at th'other Edricus
t us:
Edricus
ricus
My Lord: hie Cheer your flying troops
and bid them stay awhile for victory
whenas you see me lead my men aloof
then take occasion and assail the prince
and I will be absent when he needs me most
and present for your best avail, make haste
Canutus:
How much I love thee Edricus heavens do know
and I with gifts one day will manifest
Exit Canute
Edricus.
So Edrick now thy plotforme is afoot
and one shall die it skills no matter which
if Edmund, Canute shall quickly follow him
if Canute, then Edmond shall not staye behind
whilst they with eager blows assail each other
I here remain a neuter free from fear
not taking part with Canute nor Ironside
before I see who gets the victory
Yet had I rather have Canutus Conquer
and privily will aid him with supplies
rather than Edmund should escape the field
Alarum Enter
Edmund chaseinge of Canutus Edricus backes Canutus
Edmund flies: exeunt: and returne. Canutus
wth Edricus
Canutus:
Thanks worthy Edricke for this victory
this day had made an end of me and mine
hadst Thou not backed us with thy warlike troops
know ye if Edmond be escaped or no?
Edricus:
Edmund is gone and I must after him
to staye long here would breed suspicion
then mighty Canute live long a Conqueror
and when thou hast the Crown remember me
Canutus:
if I forget thee, god forget my suite
when like a sinner I do humbly pray
forget the Edricke god above doth see
how good a heart I ever bore to thee
Edricus:
Then noble Canutus, I pawn a soldiers faith
by my best blood, and by my after hopes
I will remain to thee and to thy heirs
as true, as false to Edmund Ironside
Let us not linger here muster your men
and make them reddy for a new assault
I will to Edmund and excuse myself
and how I served him now I will serve him then:
exeunt
Act 5
Enter Edmund Ironside Alfricke
Vlfkettle Goodwine wth others:
Edmund:
Vild Edricus all this proceeds from him
I saved his life and he doth thirst for mine
ungrateful wretch, hellish incarnate devil
for sure no man was ever so unkind
unto his king and loving Countrymen
disloyal and unfaithful Sycophant
it grieves my vexed soul to think on thee
Alfricke:
Let it not grieve you, rather joy to think
you are escaped from the hands of him
that sought like Iudas to betraye his Lord
into the hands of blood thirsty Danes
Vlfkettle:
Surely my Lord you are highly favoured
of god who sees each human action
that he hath given you warning with small loss
of the contagious mind of Edricus:
Enter Edricus wth his hand in a skarfe,
haultinge, with him Stich
Stich:
Master I would not wish you haughty
Edricus:
Why so
Stich:
Marry sir you know Alfricke is a cripple and the proverb is
it is ill halting before a cripple He will
perceive it.
Edricus
had he as many birds as Iunos bird
or could pierce milestones with his searching sight
he (by his leave) should not my halting find
I halt not in the Thigh but in the mind
All hail unto my gracious Sovereign
Stich:
Master you will bewray yourself, do you say all hail, and yet
bear your arm in a Scarf that is hail indeed
Edricus:
All hail unto my gracious sovereign
Edmund:
Iudas thy next part is to kiss my Cheek
and then Commit me unto Cayphas:
Edricus:
I understand not what your highness means
Edmund:
O heavens, o impudent ungodly wretch
Edricus:
I hope your grace doth not exclaim on me
Edmund:
On thee, hence graceless wretch, grace me no more
is there none here that will lay hold on him?
his sight, his breath, his fell infectious tongue
is more venomous than is the Basilisks
Edricus:
Is this a guerdon for my scars and hurts
for all my bruises and my broken joints
Is this a hire for my hardiness
and valiant onset on the enemies?
are these my wages which I won with blood
blood of myself, and proudest deign that fought
doth Edmund thus reward his followers
that pawn their lives for him and in his Cause
then bootless have I skirmished so long
and sent so many Danes unto their graves
In vain have I lift up my wasting arm
and brandished my falchion over thy foes
In vain this curtle-axe was reared aloft
which made a lane throughout thy foemens troops
In vain, my lance did overthrow and spoil
In vain I live to be requited thus
Stich:
In vain, what a vain, vain my Master is in
Edmund:
Didst thou not fly vild traitor to my foe?
Edricus:
Who I?
Edmun d:
Even thou
Edricus:
Thus forward friends are quited with suspect
thus envy blasts the well deserving wight
thus the unskilful blames the warrior
thus thus Detraction hinders virtuous course
fled I my Lord Canutus can report
it was he that should have fled had succour Come
fled I my Lords your eyes were witnesses
how far my heart was free from Dastard flight
But this it is to be a man at arms
when his desert is recompensed with hate
and resolution wronged with ignorance
for shame my Lords spurn not against the troth
Thirst not to drink the blood of innocentest
Edmund:
Why Edricus canst thou deny thy flight
Edricus:
No gracious Lord I must confess I fled
forced from Canutus not to him for aid
and that it is true, I by your graces leave
will prove on him that dares affirm a no
Edmund:
I saw thee flee myself with these my eyes
Vlfk:
And I my Lord am witness to the same
Alf:
And I my Lord will prove it by your favour
Edricus:
I would the king would give me leave to speak
Stich:
And you will prove them blind I hold my life
Edmund:
I give thee leave, speak for thyself and spare not
Edricus:
Seeing your grace so forward to the fight
viewing the Deign to march so bravely on
pricked forth with shame I as the foremost man
(not suffering the Deign to set on us
or to approach your grace without a blow)
stepped forth intending to encounter them
and to assail the rearward with my band
till you upon the fore front held them play
But see how good intents are ever thwarted
ere I could get the wind to Compass them
your Drums retreat did Cause your forces flee
yet fled not I a foot until such time
as quite bereft of hope I was compelled
witness this arm this serviceable arm
that in despite of death did save my life
witness these scars which if your grace will
see
they will tell my foes unto their face they lie.
Stich:
O horrible scars, scars like blessing stares,
well counterfeited Master
Edmund:
if this be true I was too Credulous
Edricus:
If it be true my Lord? assure yourself
your grace was misinformed if otherwise
and that my man can verify
Stich:
Take heed what ye say Master I can verify
nothing
marry I can verily anything. if you
will
say so
I will swear to it, that it is
false I mean
Edmu:
Then Edricus it was I that wronged thee
and I that will in all things make amends
bury unkindness in oblivion
and never remember our suspicion
Edricus
It was not your highness but some fawning mate
that put mistrust in to your graces head
hoping by my downfall to raise himself
but heavens defend the wronged innocent
Edmund:
Let this suffice thou hast confirmed our love
and Edricus we mind to honour thee
with public notice of thy Loyalty
Edricus:
See, See what wit and will can bring about
Canutus pays me for my villany
and Edmund loves me for my treachery
Stich:
Give a man luck and cast him over the gallows
exeunt omnes
Enter Canutus readinge of letter wth him
Southampton Arch: of Canterburye
Egina Vskataulf & Swetho: wth souldiers
Canutus:
My lord my heart is firmly bond to you
and I am pressed to do you any service
But Edmund is grown strange to me of late
and I am not familiar with his thoughts
when I have once regained opinion
I will not fail to be your faithful agent
In mean time make ye strong to hold him play
for he is coming with a mighty power.
By our lady this goes hard, these news are nought
is Edmund now grown wary, then I dout
I never shall see the day I long have sought
But I must bear a semblance of good news
lest these perceive our hopes to falter
and that would clean discourage all their hearts
for all presume on Edrics policy:
South:
Son is it good news
Canutus:
My Lord exceeding good
Egina:
Give me the Letter
Canutus:
Not for all the world
I dare not trust myself with reading it
lest I overcloyed with joy should play the blab
Let this suffice I now am Confident
upon sure grounded confirmations
that Edmund is my own, he writes to me
that he is coming with a mighty host
but (saith he) be not you discomfited
for were they millions, half should fight for you
and turn their weapons upon Ironside
South:
It is strange the prince should be so Credulous
The Drume soundes a far off
Canutus.
Yon Drum doth tell us Edmund Ironside
unwitting of his overthrow at hand
comes gallantly attended on by troops
of horse and footmen to his funeral
O that thou knewest thy dyeing day so nigh
That thou mightst make the fit to go to god
Infaith it grieves at the very heart
to see him Come so unprepared for death
Enter Edmund, Emma, Arch: Yorke
Edricus, Alfricke, Goodwine Ayleward
Vlfkettle, Leofricke, and Turkillus
Edmund:
Behold where Canute: comes marching bravely on
methinks yon sight would make a sick man sound
They march a longe the stage one an other
E dmund:
Canutus
Canutus:
Edmund
Edmund:
The ground thou standest upon is Ironsides
Canutus:
The ground I stand on Edmund is mine own
fallen to me not successively indeed
but by forfeiture as copyhold
rent-run and wanting reperations
falls to the Lord, Even so thy father's Land
for want of Tribute paying long since Due
I Cease upon as Lord to thee and that
Edmu:
But for thou shalt perceive that Edmund can
temper the unruly stomach of his rage
and moderate his lusty youthful blood
which springs through every vein to fly at thee
Not half these words without controlling strokes
should from thy lips have vomited their spleen
O how my heart beats much ado I have
to make it quiet till I answer thee
Art thou the Lord of me and of my Land
uncivil Canutus knowest thou to whom thou speakest?
This heart scorns all subjection
and this head looks over the world, these feet
were made to tread over kings, Canutus over thee
Nay storm not Canutus, learn how to mix thy speech
with more beseeming terms, and govern thou
thy surly terms with reason not with rage
I say I am a king, so art not thou
therefore I am thy better, I say more
I have a kingdom, this I stand upon
is mine, Thou standest upon my ground
I say this Land is mine, Canutus it is mine:
Canutus:
By usurpation thine, by Conquest mine
who knows not conquest is inheritance
Edmund:
So rape and theft is true possession
if malefactors go unpunished
Canutus:
It seems indeed possession is of force
for by possession you withold my Crown
Edmund:
Nay you and Swaine your gripping minded Dad
by treason not by force of valiant arms
against all justice, Law and equity
did first intrude yourselves, and then extrude
our woeful subjects from their native home
and that I Come to prove and therefore thus:
he draweth
Canutus:
Then to confute thy forged argument
thus argue I, my sword is Reasons proof
Hee Draweth
Edmund:
That is of force to put back reasons proof
which proves you like your sword unreasonable
They trayne theire souldio
the stage Edricus speake
Edricus:
Edmund is strong, Canute is weak in
Edmund gracious in the peoples eyes
Canutus is not so, what had I best to do
fain would I have Canutus wine and he is weak
I would have Edmund loose and he is strong
o gracious stars inspire my nimble wit
with some device, and as I ever have
I will employ it to some villainy
soft, let me see, o it is excellent
fountain of wit, the spring of policy
the flower of treason, and of villainy
how much undecent is it that this cap
this homely Cape, should overload this Crow
when thou deservest a Crown of beaten gold
but to the matter so it needs must fadge
for can I bring them to a single fight
whosoever hath the better yet shall I
be gracious in his eye, as who should say
I was the Causer of his victory
besides I shall insinuate myself
into the bosom of opinion
and be esteemed my countries buckler
well I will about it. meaning no man good
but that my speech may shed king Edmunds blood
The Armies make towards one an other when
Edricus standinge betwene sayeth
Edricus:
Renowned Edmond first I speak to thee
let these my words proceeding from true zeal
beg at thy ears a little audience
And worthy Canutus sheath up thy slaughtering sword
till I have spoke my mind that all may see
my words proceed from perfect piety
Edmund:
Edricus be brief
Canutus:
Go to I will staye a little, but be not tedious
Alfricke:
When the fox preaches then beware the geese
Edricus:
What strive you for Imperious Ironside?
Renowned Canutus what do you level at?
we daily to appease your mortal wars
offer our slaughtered bodies to the sword
yet neither of you have the upper hand
today he that was foiled tomorrow foils
He that even now did faintly sound retreat
renews again the fight with double force
thus in quandries hangs the victory
and wavering fortune frowns and smiles on both
Canutus is not to be overcome
because his Brother Swaine doth succour him
and Edmond likewise is invincible
for force and valour hews him through his foes
what then is the end, of this your endless grudge
none other but when all your men be slain
you then must fight alone or else accord
and he that then is king shall rule no mann
nor govern nations, for consuming war
will quite devour this solitary Isle
not leaving any over whom to rule
to resist foreign invasions
if love of kingdom's be the cause of this
suppress the boiling of your haughty minds
you have approved your soldiers forwardness
Then now at last shake hands and join in league
agree like noble kings and part the Land
have now compassion of this little Isle;
whose soil is manured with Carcasses
and made a sea with blood of innocentest
But if your emulation be so great
that either scorns to have competitors
and Brooke not equals in your dignities
fight then alone that would be kings alone
let not all perish for the wills of Two
but Let your swords decide whose title is best
Edmond:
Edricke thou hittest the mark I level at
thy Counsel coming from a zealous heart
fits in all points our expectation
Know I accept thereof, and offer here
to prove even hand in single fight
which of us Two shall wear the Diadem
Canutus:
Edmund Report shall never whet her tongue
upon Canutus to eternize thee
I scorn to stain my reputation
with abject titles of pale Cowardice
to make thee famous in opinions mouth
I here accept thy challenge and his speech
glad of so fit a time to be revenged
for all those foul dishonours thou hast done
and glad for sparing of that guiltless blood
which in our quarrels this day had been shed
O had this day been but a year ago
many a tall man had been now alive
many a salt tear had been now unshed
by fathers for their sons unhappy Deaths
by mothers for their Children's wretched ends
and widows for their husband's tyneles want
But I am glad this long expected hour
at last is Come
Egina:
My Lord you shall not fight
Canutus:
My Lady but I will, will you fight for me?
give her my sword and shield:
Edm: and Emma talkes togeither, Edm: turnes a
Emma:
Yet hear me good my Lord
will you on whom the state doth sole depend
or welfare, all the Realms, your friends and kinsfolk
hazard the lose of all upon the Chance
of fickle fortune, since the better man
is sooner killed by over-hardiness
than an advised coward good my Lord
it is undecent you should fight with him
being no king nor having aught to loose
Edmund:
Madam his life is even to him as dear
as mine to me, besides he is a prince
of noble blood and high resolved spirit
and if he
were not, yet my Cause being

and Justice on my side I would not fear
nay could not with my honour but accept
the speech of Edricke and in single fight
approve my title lawful good a right
Then madam be content and you shall see
the god in whom I trust will succour me
were he Golias, I the little king
I would not fear, him on his knees to bring
But he hath rather Cause to dout of me
I being big, and far more strong than he
Egina talkes wth Canutus, Canutus turnes away
Canutus:
I had rather fight with him than scold with you
Egina:
I cannot speak but straight you say I scold
Canutus:
Then sweeting you must learn your tongue to hold
nay now you will blubber go to take this kiss
and pray for me, why staye you Ironside
Edmond:
Because I think thou art not fit to Die
but rather with Egina fit to cry
My Lords I do Command you for your lives
none be so hardy as to succour me
or to approach us ere the fight be done
but if I die to make my sepulchre
even in the place where as I took my death
setting my Crown upon Canutus head
and do to him as to your sovereign
Canutus:
Even so brave followers I will you do
to Edmond here, if Edmund Conquer me
sound Drums and Trumpets with your warlike noes
either begin my joy, or end my joys
The Trumpittes sound the Armies doe Compasse
the Twoe kinges in the middest, they fight
Canutus:
Staye: hold thy hand I prithee breath a while
Edmond:
Not till thou yieldest or dies.
Edm: drives: Canutus about
Canutus:
Staye Edm:
it is not for I fear thy fortitude
That thus I crave thee stay, but that I want
the use of breath to prosecute the fight
Edmund:
Then breath awhile, I give thee leave
to rest
Edrcus:
I fear Canutus will be overcome
then shall I wish my tongue the Cause thereof
had been cut out when it began to speak
for I desire to Drink king Edmundes blood
because he ever sought to do me good
South:
Egina be content I warrant you I
Canutus will do well enough
E gina:
I fear him much
E dmond
What are ye reddy
Canutus:
Aye to be thy death
they fight againe Edm: driues Canutus
backe about the Stage
anutus:
Stay Edmond staye
Canutus yields to thee
icus:
what will he basely yield the devil fore fend
nutus:
Take which of these thou wilt my hand or sword
my hand brings friendship firm immovable
my sword brings enmity irrevocable
mond:
Brave Canutus in yielding thou hast won
that which thy sword could never do
thy tongue hath brought to pass by gentle speech
Canutus take my hand, here lies my sword
Emond is thine, his thine, himself and all
now let us strive who shall demerit best
by mutual kindness who shall be termed a friend
anutus:
How pleasant are these speeches to my ears
Eolian music to my dancing heart
Ambrosian dainties to my starved maw
sweet passing Nectar to my thirsty throat
rare Cullises to my sick glutted mid
Refreshing ointments to my wearied Limbs
and heavenly physic to my earth-sick soul
which erst was surfeited with woe and war
Edmond:
Let me embrace thee war-begotten friend
They imbr a
god grant as brothers we may long embrace
and sweet Egina for thy husband's sake
in sign of Love this kiss from Edmond take:
Edm: kisses Eg
But Lords why stand you still grieve you to see
Canutus and your king so well agree
Alfricke:
The inward solace which our hearts conceive
to see peace grow where foul debate was sown
to see sweet concord spring from Discords womb
to see war bring forth love and amity
to see Two mortal foes prove faithful friends
and Mars drink milk instead of purple blood
doth force our tongues our hearts Chief orators
to show with silence joy unspeakable
yet Lords behold even as you do embrace
so in dumb shows we all unite or hearts the Lords embrace
Turkillus:
Remember Leofricke our Children's loss
Leofricke:
Turkillus I do and must serve the time
and wait upon occasion for revenge
a day of mirth begins a woeful year
as sudden storms do follow sunshine Clear
Edmund:
Now noble Lords let us like friends Consult
upon partition of this noble Isle
yourself shall Choose which part you think is best
the East or west, the Right hand or the left
my Court is yours my Counsellors are yours
my friends your friends, thy foe my Enemy
my people yours my treasure and myself
all are your own, for you shall all command
Canutus:
Thanks noble brother and my second self
in all thy arts thou dost excel thyself
foul shame on them that are thy enemies
and vengeance light on them that think thee ill
Edricus:
Blood, Death and vengeance light on both of
Edmond.
Go unto our Costs and feast us there
and there conclude an everlasting peace
Sound Drums and Trumpets here ends
thus hand in hand and heart in heart
Edricus:
And I for one it is meet it should be
thus wise men can dissemble what they think
and till occasion fits them sleeping wink
But I have sworn and I will keep my vow
by heaven I will be revenged on both of you
They goe hande in hand out off th
Edricus leadeinge the Drumme
Finis