THE NOBLE SPANISH SOULDIER.

Actus Primus.

SCAENA PRIMA.

Enter in Magnificent state, to the sound of lowd musicke, the King and Queene as from Church, attended by the Cardinall, Count Malateste, Daenia, Roderigo, Valasco, Alba, Carlo, and some waiting Ladies. The King and Queen with Courtly Complements salute and part; she with one halfe attending her; King, Cardinall and th'other halfe stay, the King seeming angry and desirous to be rid of them too.—King, Cardinal, Daenia, &c.

King. Give us what no man here is master of, Breath; leave us, pray: my father Cardinall Can by the Physicke of Philosophy Set al agen in order. Leave us, pray.

[Exeunt.

Card. How is it with you, Sir?

King. As with a Shippe Now beat with stormes, now safe the stormes are vanisht; And having you my Pylot I not onely See shore but harbour. I to you will open The booke of a blacke sinne deepe-printed in me. Oh, father, my disease lyes in my soule.

Card. The old wound, Sir?

King. Yes, that; it festers inward: For though I have a beauty to my bed That even Creation envies at, as wanting Stuffe to make such another, yet on her pillow I lye by her but an Adulterer And she as an Adulteresse. Shee's my Queene And wife, yet but my strumpet, tho the Church Set on the seale of Mariage: good Onaelia, Neece to our Lord high Constable of Spaine, Was precontracted mine.

Card. Yet when I stung Your Conscience with remembrance of the Act, Your eares were deafe to counsell.

King. I confesse it.

Card. Now to unty the knot with your new Queene Would shake the Crowne halfe from your head.

King. Even Troy (Tho she hath wept her eyes out) wud find teares To wayle my kingdomes ruines.

Card. What will you doe then?

King. She has that Contract written, seal'd by you And other Churchmen (witnesses untoo't). A kingdome should be given for that paper.

Card. I wud not, for what lyes beneath the Moone, Be made a wicked Engine to breake in pieces That holy Contract.

King. 'Tis my soules ayme to tye it Vpon a faster knot.

Card. I do not see How you can with safe conscience get it from her.

King. Oh, I know I wrastle with a Lyonesse: to imprison her And force her too't I dare not. Death! what King Did ever say I dare not? I must have it. A Bastard have I by her; and that Cocke Will have (I feare) sharpe spurres, if he crow after Him that trod for him. Something must be done Both to the Henne and Chicken: haste you therefore To sad Onaelia; tell her I'm resolv'd To give my new Hawke bells and let her flye; My Queene I'm weary of and her will marry. To this our Text adde you what glosse you please; The secret drifts of Kings are depthlesse Seas.

[Exeunt.