A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 42

SEGASTO. We weigh them not! proud shepherd, I scorn thy company.

CLOWN. We'll not have a corner of thy company.

MUCEDORUS. I scorn not thee, nor yet the least of thine.

CLOWN. That's a lie, a would have kill'd me with his pugs-nando.

SEGASTO. This stoutness, Amadine, contents me not.

AMADINE. Then seek another, that may you better please.

MUCEDORUS. Well, Amadine. it only rests in thee Without delay to make thy choice of three.

There stands Segasto: here a shepherd stands: There stands the third. Now make thy choice.

CLOWN. A lord at the least I am.

AMADINE. My choice is made; for I will none but thee.

SEGASTO. A worthy mate, no doubt, for such a wife.

MUCEDORUS. And, Amadine, why wilt thou none but me?

I cannot keep thee, as thy father did; I have no lands for to maintain thy state; Moreover, if thou mean to be my wife, Commonly this must be thy use: To bed at midnight, up at four, Drudge all day, and trudge from place to place, Whereby our daily victuals for to win: And last of all, which is the worst of all, No princess then, but a plain shepherd's wife.

CLOWN. Then G.o.d gi' you good morrow, goody shepherd! [_Aside_.

AMADINE. It shall not need; if Amadine do live, Thou shalt be crowned King of Arragon.

CLOWN. O master, laugh; when he's king, then I'll be a queen. [_Aside_.

MUCEDORUS. Then know that, which never tofore was known, I am no shepherd, no Arragonian I, But born of royal blood. My father's of Valentia King, my mother Queen: who, for thy secret[193] sake, Took this hard task in hand.

AMADINE. Ah, how I joy my fortune is so good!

SEGASTO. Well, now I see Segasto shall not speed; But, Mucedorus, I as much do joy To see thee here within our Court of Arragon, As if a kingdom had befallen me this time.

I with my heart surrender her to thee.

[_He giveth her unto him_.

And loose[194] what right to Amadine I have.

CLOWN. What, [a] barn's door, and born where my father Was constable. A bots on thee! how dost thee? [_Aside_.

MUCEDORUS. Thanks, Segasto; but yet you levell'd at the crown.

CLOWN. Master, bear this and bear all.

SEGASTO. Why so, sir?

CLOWN. He sees you take a goose by the crown.

SEGASTO. Go to, sir, away, post you to the King, Whose heart is fraught with careful doubts; Glad him up, and tell him these good news, And we will follow as fast as we may.

CLOWN. I go, master; I run, master.

[_Exeunt severally.

Enter the_ KING _and_ COLLEN.

KING. Break, heart, and end my pallid[195] woes!

My Amadine, the comfort of my life, How can I joy, except she were in sight?

Her absence breedeth sorrow to my soul, And with a thunder breaks my heart in twain.

COLLEN. Forbear those pa.s.sions, gentle King, And you shall see 'twill turn unto the best, And bring your soul to quiet and to joy.

KING. Such joy as death, I do a.s.sure me that, And nought but death, unless of her I hear, And that with speed; I cannot sigh thus long-- But what a tumult do I hear within?

[_They cry within, Joy and happiness_!

COLLEN. I hear a noise of overpa.s.sing joy Within the court. My lord, be of good comfort.

And here comes one in haste.

_Enter the_ CLOWN, _running_.

CLOWN. A King, a king, a king!

COLLEN. Why, how now, sirrah? what's the matter?

CLOWN. O, 'tis news for a king; 'tis worth money.

KING. Why, sirrah, thou shalt have silver and gold, if it be good.

CLOWN. O, 'tis good, 'tis good. Amadine--

KING. O, what of her? tell me, and I will make thee a knight.

CLOWN. How, a sprite? no, by Lady, I will not be a sprite, masters.

Get ye away; if I be a sprite, I shall be so lean, I shall make you all afraid.

COLLEN. Thou sot, the King means to make thee a gentleman.

CLOWN. Why, I shall want 'pparel.

KING. Thou shalt want for nothing.

CLOWN. Then stand away; trick[196] up thyself; here they come.

_Enter_ SEGASTO, MUCEDORUS, _and_ AMADINE.

AMADINE. My gracious father, pardon thy disloyal daughter.

KING. What, do mine eyes behold my daughter Amadin? Rise up, dear daughter, And let these my embracing arms show some Token of thy father's joy, which, ever since Thy departure, hath languished in sorrow.