Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN.

Cham. Mercy o' me, what a multitude are here!

They grow still too ; from all parts they are coming,

As if we kept a fair here. Where are these

porters,

These lazy knaves?

Ye have made a fine

hand, fellows!

There's a trim rabble let in are all these
Your faithful friends o' the suburbs?

shall have

We

Great store of room, no doubt, left for the

ladies,

When they pass back from the christening. An't please your honour,

Port.

We are but men; and what so many may

do,

Not being torn a-pieces, we have done :
An army cannot rule 'em.

As I live,

Cham. If the king blame me for 't, I'll lay ye all By the heels, and suddenly; and on your heads

Clap round fines for neglect: ye're lazy knaves;

And here ye lie baiting of bombards when

Ye should do service. Hark! the trumpets sound;

They're come already from the christening: Go, break among the press, and find a way out

To let the troop pass fairly, or I'll find

A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months.

Port. Make way there for the princess. Man. You great fellow, Stand close up, or I'll make your head ache.

Port. You i' the camlet, get up o' the rail; I'll peck you o'er the pales else.

SCENE V. The palace.

[exeunt.

Enter Trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord Mayor, Garter, CRANMER, DUKE of NORFOLK with his marshal's staff, DUKE of SUFFOLK, two Noblemen bearing great standing-bowls for the christening gifts: then four Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the DUCHESS of NORFOLK, godmother, bearing the child richly habited in a mantle, &c., train borne by a Lady; then follows the MARCHIONESS DORSET, the other godmother, and Ladies. The troop pass once about the stage, and Garter speaks.

Gart. Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous life, long, and ever

happy, to the high and mighty princess of England, Elizabeth!

Flourish. Enter KING and Guard.

Cran. [kneeling] And to your royal grace, and the good queen.

My noble partners and myself thus pray : All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady, Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy, May hourly fall upon ye!

[blocks in formation]

[The King kisses the child.

With this kiss take my blessing: God pro

tect thee!

Into whose hand I give thy life.

Cran.

Amen.

King. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal :

I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady,

When she has so much English.

Cran.

Let me speak, sir,

For heaven now bids me; and the words I

utter

Let none think flattery, for they 'll find 'em truth.

This royal infant-heaven still move about her!

Though in her cradle, yet now promises Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,

Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be

But few now living can behold that good

ness

A pattern to all princes living with her,
And all that shall succeed: Saba was never
More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
Than this pure soul shall be all princely

graces,

That mould up such a mighty piece as this

is,

With all the virtues that attend the good, Shall still be doubled on her truth shall nurse her,

Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel

her:

She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall

bless her;

Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,

[graphic]
« ÎnapoiContinuă »