[SCENE 3.]

Enter Fredericke, Rinaldo, and Alberto, with Drum, Colours, and Souldiers.

Fred. You that are carefull of your countries weale, Fellow compere, Supporter of the State, Let us imbrace in steele, our cause is good. What minde so base that would not shed his blood To free his countrey from so great an ill As now raignes in it by lascivious will? Our[198] friends to warre and, for my part, Ere lust beare sway, Ile gladly yeeld my heart.

Alberto. I heare the Duke is strong.

Fred. Suppose him so, And be advis'd strongly to meete the foe. I had rather, you should think him ten thousand strong Then find it so to our destruction. An enemy thought many and found few, When our first courage failes, gives us a new.

[Alarum.

Alberto. That's the Dukes Drum.

Fred. They are welcome to their death, The ground they tread on covers them with earth.

[Exeunt.

Enter Fredericke and Duke severall.

Fred. The enemy sends forth a Champion To encounter me, I heard him use my name; The honour of the combate shall be mine.

Duke. Come, boy, retreate not, only I intend With thy lifes losse this bloody warre to end.

Fred. My naturall father in my blood I feele, Passion more powerfull then that conquering steele.

Duke. Why dost thou pause, base boy? thy Soveraigne's come, To inter the life I gave thee in this tombe.

Fred. My father, oh my father! nature, be still That I may have my fame, or he his will.

Duke. What, dost thou feare thy cause? is't now so evill?

Fred. I am possest with a relenting devill; Legions of kinde thoughts have supriz'd my sense And I am too weake to be mine owne defence.

Duke. Thou art a coward.

Fred. And you make me so, For you come charm'd like a dishonest[199] foe. You have conferr'd with spirits, and tane their aydes To make me weake, by them I am betraid, My strength drawne from me by a slight; What other meanes could hold me from the fight?

Duke. I have no spells about me.

Fred. 'Tis untrue, For naturall Magique you have brought with you, And such an exorcisme in your name That I forbeare the combate to my shame. But that I am no coward, from your host Elect two of the valiantst that dare most; Double that number, treble it, or more, I have heart at will t'encounter with a score. Or had your selfe come in a strange attire, One of us twaine had lost his living fire.

Enter[200] Montano, Alfred, Vandermas, Valentia, and others.

Duke. Ile trie your valour; see, audacious boy, Thou art incompast with a world of foes Montano, Alfred, Vandermas, and all: My Dutchesse comes, too, to behold thy fall. If thou hast spirit enough, now crave her ayd, Never was poore ventrous souldier worse apayd. [Exit Duke.

Fred. My[201] desire now from the skie of starres. Dart all your Deitie, since I am beset, In honourable wise pay[202] all Natures debt.

They fight, Fredericke beats them off and courses the Dutchesse over the stage.

Actus Quartus.