THE BATTLE OF ALCAZAR

BY GEORGE PEELE

First Published 1594

The
Battell
of Alcazar, fovght
in Barbarie, betweene Sebastian king
of Portugall, and Abdelmelec king
of Marocco. With the
death of Captaine
Stukeley.

An it was sundrie times plaid by the Lord high
Admirall his seruants.

Imprinted at London by Edward Allde for Richard Bankworth, and are to be solde at his shoppe in
Pauls Churchyard at the signe of the
Sunne. 1 5 9 4.

DRAMATIS PERSONS.

The Usurper and His Supporters:

The Moor, Muly Mahamet.

     Muly Mahamet, his son.

Calipolis, wife of the Moor.

Pisano, a Captain of the Moor.

The Rightful Ruler and His Supporters:

Abdelmelec, uncle of the Moor, and rightful ruler

     of Morocco.

Muly Mahamet Seth, younger brother of Abdelmelec.

Rubin Archis, widow of Abdelmunen.

     Son of Rubin Archis.

Celybin, a follower of Abdelmelec.

Zareo, a follower of Abdelmelec.

Calsepius Bassa, a Turkish Captain.

Abdil Rayes, a Queen.

The Portuguese:

Sebastian, King of Portugal.

Duke of Avero, a follower of Sebastian.

Duke of Barceles, a follower of Sebastian.

Lord Lodowick, a follower of Sebastian.

Lewes de Silva, a follower of Sebastian.

Christophero de Tavera, a follower of Sebastian.

Don Diego Lopez, Governor of Lisbon.

Don de Menysis, Governor of Tangier.

Other Christians:

Tom Stukeley, Captain of the Papal fleet.

Irish Bishop.

Hercules, an Italian in Stukeley's service.

Jonas, an Italian in Stukeley's service.

Appearing in the Dumb Shows:

The Presenter.

Abdelmunen, oldest brother of Abdelmelec.

Two young Brothers of the Moor, Muly Mahamet.

Two Murderers.

Fame.

Moorish Ambassadors, Spanish Ambassadors and

Legate, Boy, Soldiers, Messengers, &c.

A Queen.

Ladies.

Settings, Scene Breaks and Stage Directions.

     The original 1594 quarto of The Battle of Alcazar was divided into five Acts and multiple scenes, which organization we follow.
     As was the usual case in printed plays of the 16th century, no scene settings are provided in the quarto; all scene locations in this edition of Alcazar are the suggestions of the editor.
     Finally, as is our normal practice, some stage directions have been added, and some modified, for purposes of clarity. Most of these minor changes are adopted from Dyce.

ACT I.

Enter the Presenter.

1

Honour, the spur that pricks the princely mind

2

To follow rule and climb the stately chair,

With great desire inflames the Portingal,

4

An honourable and courageous king,

To undertake a dangerous dreadful war,

6

And aid with Christian arms the barbarous Moor,

The negro Muly Hamet, that withholds

8

The kingdom from his uncle Abdelmelec,

Whom proud Abdallas wronged,

10

And in his throne installs his cruël son,

That now usurps upon this prince,

12

This brave Barbarian lord, Muly Molocco.

The passage to the crown by murder made,

14

Abdallas dies, and deigns this tyrant king;

Of whom we treat, sprung from th' Arabian Moor,

16

Black in his look, and bloody in his deeds;

And in his shirt, stained with a cloud of gore,

18

Presents himself, with naked sword in hand,

Accompanied, as now you may behold,

20

With devils coated in the shapes of men.

22

THE FIRST DUMB-SHOW.

24

Enter the Moor Muly Mahamet, his Son, the

26

 Moor's attendant, and Pages to attend the Moor.

Enter to them the Moor's

28

two young Brethren: the Moor Muly Mahamet

shows them the bed, and then takes his leave

30

of them, and they betake them to their rest.

32

And then the Presenter speaketh.

34

Like those that were by kind of murther mummed,

Sit down and see what heinous stratagems

36

These damnèd wits contrive; and, lo, alas,

How like poor lambs prepared for sacrifice,

38

This traitor-king hales to their longest home

These tender lords, his younger brethren both!

40

42

THE SECOND DUMB-SHOW.

44

Enter the Moor [Muly Mahamet], and two

Murderers, bringing in his uncle Abdelmunen:

46

then they draw the curtains, 

and smother the young Princes in the bed:

48

which done in sight of the uncle [Abdelmunen],

they strangle him in his chair, and then go forth.

50

And then the Presenter saith.

52

His brethren thus in fatal bed behearsed,

54

His father's brother, of too light belief,

This negro puts to death by proud command.

56

Say not these things are feigned, for true they are;

And understand how, eager to enjoy

58

His father's crown, this unbelieving Moor,

Murthering his uncle and his brethren,

60

Triumphs in his ambitious tyranny;

Till Nemesis, high mistress of revenge,

62

That with her scourge keeps all the world in awe,

With thundering drums awakes the God of War,

64

And calls the Furies from Avernus' crags,

To range and rage, and vengeance to inflict,

66

Vengeance on this accursèd Moor for sin.

And now behold how Abdelmelec comes,

68

Uncle to this unhappy traitor-king,

Armed with great aid that Amurath had sent,

70

Great Amurath, Emperor of the East,

For service done to Sultan Solimon,

72

Under whose colours he had served in field,

Flying the fury of this negro's father,

74

That wronged his brethren to install his son.

Sit you, and see this true and tragic war,

76

A modern matter full of blood and ruth,

Where three bold kings, confounded in their height,

78

Fell to the earth, contending for a crown;

And call this war the Battle of Alcazar.

80

[Exit.]

ACT I, SCENE I.

The Frontier Between Morocco and Algeria.

Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter

Abdelmelec, Calsepius Bassa and his Guard,

and Zareo, a Moor, with Soldiers.

1

Abdel.  All hail, Argerd Zareo; and, ye Moors,

2

Salute the frontiers of your native home:

Cease, rattling drums; and, Abdelmelec, here

4

Throw up thy trembling hands to heaven's throne,

Pay to thy God due thanks, and thanks to him

6

That strengthens thee with mighty gracious arms

Against the proud usurper of thy right,

8

The royal seat and crown of Barbary,

Great Amurath, great Emperor of the East:

10

The world bear witness how I do adore

The sacred name of Amurath the Great. −

12

Calsepius Bassa, Bassa Calsepius,

To thee, and to thy trusty band of men

14

That carefully attend us in our camp,

Picked soldiers, comparable to the guard

16

Of Myrmidons that kept Achilles' tent,

Such thanks we give to thee and to them all,

18

As may concern a poor distressèd king,

In honour and in princely courtesy.

20

Cals.  Courteous and honourable Abdelmelec,

22

We are not come, at Amurath's command,

As mercenary men, to serve for pay,

24

But as sure friends, by our great master sent

To gratify and to remunerate

26

Thy love, thy loyalty, and forwardness,

Thy service in his father's dangerous war;

28

And to perform, in view of all the world,

The true office of right and royalty:

30

To see thee in thy kingly chair enthroned,

To settle and to seat thee in the same,

32

To make thee Emperor of this Barbary,

Are come the viceroys and sturdy janizaries

34

Of Amurath, son to Sultan Solimon.

36

Enter Muly Mahamet Seth, Rubin Archis,

Abdil Rayes, with others.

38

Rayes.  Long live my lord, the sovereign of my heart,

40

Lord Abdelmelec, whom the god of kings,

The mighty Amurath hath happy made!

42

And long live Amurath for this good deed!

44

Seth.  Our Moors have seen the silver moons to wave

In banners bravely spreading over the plain,

46

And in these semicircles have descried,

All in a golden field, a star to rise,

48

A glorious comet that begins to blaze,

Promising happy sorting to us all.

50

Rubin.  Brave man-at-arms, whom Amurath hath sent

52

To sow the lawful true-succeeding seed

In Barbary, that bows and groans withal

54

Under a proud usurping tyrant's mace,

Right thou the wrongs this rightful king hath borne.

56

Abdel.  Distressèd ladies, and ye dames of Fesse,

58

Sprung from the true Arabian Muly Xarif,

The loadstar and the honour of our line,

60

Now clear your watery eyes, wipe tears away,

And cheerfully give welcome to these arms:

62

Amurath hath sent scourges by his men,

To whip that tyrant traitor-king from hence,

64

That hath usurped from us, and maimed you all. −

Soldiers, sith rightful quarrels' aid

66

Successful are, and men that manage them

Fight not in fear as traitors and their feres,

68

That you may understand what arms we bear,

What lawful arms against our brother's son,

70

In sight of heaven, even of mine honour's worth,

Truly I will deliver and discourse

72

The sum of all. Descended from the line

Of Mahomet, our grandsire Muly Xarif

74

With store of gold and treasure leaves Arabia,

And strongly plants himself in Barbary;

76

And of the Moors that now with us do wend

Our grandsire Muly Xarif was the first.

78

From him well wot ye Muly Mahamet Xeque,

Who in his life-time made a perfect law,

80

Confirmed with general voice of all his peers,

That in his kingdom should successively

82

His sons succeed. Abdallas was the first,

Eldest of four, Abdelmunen the second,

84

And we the rest, my brother and myself.

Abdallas reigned his time: but see the change!

86

He labours to invest his son in all,

To disannul the law our father made,

88

And disinherit us his brethren;

And in his life-time wrongfully proclaims

90

His son for king that now contends with us.

Therefore I crave to re-obtain my right,

92

That Muly Mahamet the traitor holds,

Traitor and bloody tyrant both at once,

94

That murtherèd his younger brethren both:

But on this damnèd wretch, this traitor-king,

96

The gods shall pour down showers of sharp revenge.

And thus a matter not to you unknown

98

I have delivered; yet for no distrust

Of loyalty, my well-belovèd friends,

100

But that th' occasions fresh in memory

Of these encumbers so may move your minds,

102

As for the lawful true-succeeding prince

Ye neither think your lives nor honours dear,

104

Spent in a quarrel just and honourable.

106

Cals.  Such and no other we repute the cause

That forwardly for thee we undertake,

108

Thrice-puissant and renowmèd Abdelmelec,

And for thine honour, safety, and crown,

110

Our lives and honours frankly to expose

To all the daungers that our war attend,

112

As freely and as resolutely all

As any Moor whom thou commandest most.

114

Seth.  And why is Abdelmelec, then, so slow

116

To chástise him with fury of the sword

Whose pride doth swell to sway beyond his reach?

118

Follow this pride with fury of revenge.

120

Rubin.  Of death, of blood, of wreak, and deep revenge,

Shall Rubin Archis frame her tragic songs:

122

In blood, in death, in murther, and misdeed,

This heaven's malice did begin and end.

124

Abdel.  Rubin, these rites to Abdelmunen's ghost

126

Have pierced by this to Pluto's grave below;

The bells of Pluto ring revenge amain,

128

The Furies and the fiends conspire with thee;

War bids me draw my weapons for revenge

130

Of my deep wrongs and my dear brother's death.

132

Seth.  Sheath not your swords, you soldiers of Amurath,

Sheath not your swords, you Moors of Barbary,

134

That fight in right of your anointed king,

But follow to the gates of death and hell,

136

Pale death and hell, to entertain his soul;

Follow, I say, to burning Phlegethon,

138

This traitor-tyrant and his companies.

140

Cals.  Heave up your swords against these stony holds,

Wherein these barbarous rebels are enclosed:

142

Called for is Abdelmelec by the gods

To sit upon the throne of Barbary.

144

Rayes.  Bassa, great thanks, the honour of the Turks. −

146

Forward, brave lords, unto this rightful war!

How can this battle but successful be,

148

Where courage meeteth with a rightful cause?

150

Rubin.  Go in good time, my best-belovèd lord,

Successful in thy work thou undertakes!

152

[Exeunt.]

ACT I, SCENE II.

A Valley North of Fez

Enter, in his chariot, the Moor [Muly Mahamet],

[Calipolis,] and their son, Moors attendant

on each side of the chariot. › Pisano, his captain, 

with the Moor's Guard and treasure.

1

Muly.  Pisano, take a cornet of our horse,

2

As many argolets and armèd pikes,

And with our carriage march away before

4

By Scyras, and those plots of ground

That to Moroccus lead the lower way:

6

Our enemies keep upon the mountain-tops,

And have encamped themselves not far from Fesse. −

8

Madam,

Gold is the glue, sinews, and strength of war,

10

And we must see our treasure may go safe. −

Away!

12

[Exit Pisano with the treasure and some of the Guard.]

14

        Now, boy, what's the news?

16

Muly Jr.  The news, my lord, is war, war and revenge;

18

And, if I shall declare the circumstance,

'Tis thus.

20

Rubin, our uncle's wife, that wrings her hands

For Abdelmunen's death, accompanied

22

With many dames of Fesse in mourning weeds,

Near to Argier encountered Abdelmelec,

24

That bends his force, puffed up with Amurath's aid,

Against your holds and castles of defence.

26

The younger brother, Muly Mahamet Seth,

Greets the great Bassa that the King of Turks

28

Sends to invade your right and royal realm;

And basely beg revenge, arch-rebels all,

30

To be inflict upon our progeny.

32

Muly.  Why, boy, is Amurath's Bassa such a bug

That he is marked to do this doughty deed? −

34

Then, Bassa, lock the winds in wards of brass,

Thunder from heaven, damn wretched men to death,

36

Bear all the offices of Saturn's sons,

Be Pluto, then, in hell, and bar the fiends,

38

Take Neptune's force to thee and calm the seas,

And execute Jove's justice on the world,

40

Convey Tamburlaine into our Afric here,

To chastise and to menace lawful kings: −

42

Tamburlaine, triumph not, for thou must die,

As Philip did, Caesar, and Caesar's peers.

44

Muly, Jr.  The Bassa grossly flattered to his face,

46

And Amurath's praise advanced above the sound

Upon the plains, the soldiers being spread,

48

And that brave guard of sturdy janizaries

That Amurath to Abdelmelec gave,

50

And bad him boldly be with them as safe

As if he slept within a wallèd town;

52

Who take them to their weapons, threatening revenge,

Bloody revenge, bloody revengeful war.

54

Muly.  Away, and let me hear no more of this.

56

Why, boy,

Are we successor to the great Abdallas

58

Descended from th' Arabian Muly Xarif,

And shall we be afraid of Bassas and of bugs,

60

Raw-head and bloody-bone?

Boy, seest here this semitarie by my side?

62

Sith they begin to bathe in blood,

Blood be the theme whereon our time shall tread;

64

Such slaughter with my weapon shall I make

As through the stream and bloody channels deep

66

Our Moors shall sail in ships and pinnaces

From Tanger-shore unto the gates of Fesse.

68

Muly, Jr.  And of those slaughtered bodies shall thy son

70

A huge tower erect like Nemrod's frame,

To threaten those unjust and partial gods

72

That to Abdallas' lawful seed deny

A long, a happy, and triumphant reign.

74

An alarum within, and then enter a Messenger.

76

Mess.  Fly, King of Fesse, King of Moroccus, fly,

78

Fly with thy friends, Emperor of Barbary;

O, fly the sword and fury of the foe,

80

That rageth as the ramping lioness

In rescue of her younglings from the bear!

82

Thy towns and holds by numbers basely yield,

Thy land to Abdelmelec's rule resigns,

84

Thy carriage and thy treasure taken is

By Amurath's soldiers, that have sworn thy death:

86

Fly Amurath's power and Abdolmelec's threats,

Or thou and thine look here to breathe your last.

88

Muly.  Villain, what dreadful sound of death and flight

90

Is this wherewith thou dost afflict our ears?

But if there be no safety to abide

92

The favour, fortune, and success of war,

Away in haste! roll on, my chariot-wheels,

94

Restless till I be safely set in shade

Of some unhaunted place, some blasted grove

96

Of deadly hue or dismal cypress-tree,

Far from the light or comfort of the sun,

98

There to curse heaven and he that heaves me hence;

To seek as Envy at Cecropè's gate,

100

And pine with thought and terror of mishaps:

Away!

102

[Exeunt.]

ACT II.

Alarum within, and then enter the Presenter.

1

Now war begins his rage and ruthless reign,

2

And Nemesis, with bloody whip in hand,

Thunders for vengeance on this Negro-Moor;

4

‹ DUMB SHOW ›

6

Enter above Nemesis; enter Three Ghosts. ›

8

10

Nor may the silence of the speechless night,

Dire architect of murthers and misdeeds,

12

Of tragedies and tragic tyrannies,

Hide or contain this barbarous cruëlty

14

Of this usurper to his progeny.

16

[Three Ghosts cry "Vindicta!"]

18

Hark, lords, as in a hollow place afar,

The dreadful shrieks and clamours that resound,

20

And sound revenge upon this traitor's soul,

Traitor to kin and kind, to gods and men!

22

Now Nemesis upon her doubling drum,

Moved with this ghastly moan, this sad complaint,

24

Larums aloud into Alecto's ears,

And with her thundering wakes, whereas they lie

26

In cave as dark as hell and beds of steel,

The Furies, just imps of dire revenge.

28

"Revenge," cries Abdelmunen's grievèd ghost,

30

Lying down behind the Curtains, the three Furies,

one with a whip, another with a bloody torch

32

and the third with a chopping knife. ›

34

And rouseth with the terror of this noise

These nymphs of Erebus; "Wreak and revenge"

36

Ring out the souls of his unhappy brethren.

And now start up these torments of the world,

38

Waked with the thunder of Rhamnusia's drum

And fearful echoes of these grievèd ghosts, −

40

Alecto with her brand and bloody torch,

Megaera with her whip and snaky hair,

42

Tisiphone with her fatal murdering iron:

These three conspire, these three complain and moan. −

44

Thus, Muly Mahamet, is a council held

To wreak the wrongs and murthers thou hast done. −

46

By this imagine was this barbarous Moor

Chased from his dignity and his diadem,

48

And lives forlorn among the mountain-shrubs,

And makes his food the flesh of savage beasts.

50

Amurath's soldiers have by this installed

Good Abdelmelec in his royal seat.

52

The dames of Fesse and ladies of the land,

In honour of the son of Solimon,

54

Erect a statue made of beaten gold,

And sing to Amurath songs of lasting praise.

56

Muly Mahamet's fury over-ruled,

His cruëlty controlled, and pride rebuked,

58

Now at last when sober thoughts renewed

Care of his kingdom and desirèd crown,

60

The aid that once was offered and refused,

By messengers he furiously implores

62

Sebastian's aid, brave King of Portugal.

He, forward in all arms and chivalry,

64

Hearkens to his ambassadors, and grants

What they in letters and by words entreat.

66

Now listen, lordings, now begins the game,

Sebastian's tragedy in this tragic war.

68

[Exit.]

ACT II, SCENE I.

A battlefield Near Fez.

Alarum within, and then enter Abdelmelec,

Muly Mahamet Seth, Calsepius Bassa,

with Moors and Janizaries.

1

Abdel.  Now hath the sun displayed his golden beams,

2

And, dusky clouds dispersed, the welkin clears,

Wherein the twenty-coloured rainbow shews.

4

After this fight happy and fortunate,

Wherein our Moors have lost the day,

6

And Victory, adorned with Fortune's plumes,

Alights on Abdelmelec's glorious crest,

8

Here find we time to breathe, and now begin

To pay thy due and duties thou dost owe

10

To heaven and earth, to gods and Amurath.

12

[Sound trumpets.]

14

And now draw near, and heaven and earth give ear,

Give ear and record, heaven and earth, with me;

16

Ye lords of Barbary, hearken and attend,

Hark to the words I speak, and vow I make

18

To plant the true succession of the crown:

Lo, lords, in our seat royal to succeed

20

Our only brother here we do install,

And by the name of Muly Mahamet Seth

22

lntitle him true heir unto the crown.

Ye gods of heaven gratulate this deed,

24

That men on earth may therewith stand content!

Lo, thus my due and duties do I pay

26

To heaven and earth, to gods and Amurath!

28

[Sound trumpets.]

30

Seth.  Renowmèd Bassa, to remunerate

Thy worthiness and magnanimity,

32

Behold, the noblest ladies of the land

Bring present tokens of their gratitude.

34

Enter Rubin Archis, her Son, Abdil Rayes, and Ladies.

36

Rubin.  Rubin, that breathes but for revenge,

38

Bassa, by this commends herself to thee;

Receive the token of her thankfulness:

40

To Amurath the god of earthly kings

Doth Rubin give and sacrifice her son:

42

Not with sweet smoke of fire or sweet perfume,

But with his father's sword, his mother's thanks,

44

Doth Rubin give her son to Amurath.

46

Rayes.  As Rubin gives her son, so we ourselves

To Amurath give, and fall before his face.

48

Bassa, wear thou the gold of Barbary,

And glister like the palace of the Sun,

50

In honour of the deed that thou hast done.

52

Cals.  Well worthy of the aid of Amurath

Is Abdelmelec, and these noble dames. −

54

Rubin, thy son I shall ere long bestow,

Where thou dost him bequeath in honour's fee,

56

On Amurath mighty Emperor of the East,

That shall receive the imp of royal race

58

With cheerful looks and gleams of princely grace. −

This chosen guard of Amurath's janizaries

60

I leave to honour and attend on thee,

King of Morocco, conqueror of thy foes,

62

True King of Fesse, Emperor of Barbary;

Muly Molocco, live and keep thy seat,

64

In spite of fortune's spite or enemies' threats. −

Ride, Bassa, now, bold Bassa, homeward ride,

66

As glorious as great Pompey in his pride.

68

[Exeunt.]

ACT II, SCENE II.

Lisbon.

Enter Don Diego Lopez, the Irish Bishop,

Stukeley, Jonas, Hercules, and other.

1

Lopez.  Welcome to Lisborne, valiant Catholics,

2

Welcome, brave Englishmen, to Portugal:

Most reverent primate of the Irish church,

4

And, noble Stukeley, famous by thy name,

Welcome, thrice welcome to Sebastian's town;

6

And welcome, English captains, to you all:

It joyeth us to see his Holiness' fleet

8

Cast anchor happily upon our coast.

10

Bish.  These welcomes, worthy governor of Lisbon,

Argue an honourable mind in thee,

12

But treat of our misfortune therewithal.

To Ireland by Pope Gregory's command

14

Were we all bound, and therefore thus embarked,

To land our forces there at unawares,

16

Conquering the island for his Holiness,

And so restore it to the Roman faith:

18

This was the cause of our expedition,

And Ireland long ere this had been subdued,

20

Had not foul weather brought us to this bay.

22

Lopez.  Under correction, are ye not all English-men,

And 'longs not Ireland to that kingdom, lords?

24

Then, may I speak my conscience in the cause

Sans scandal to the holy see of Rome,

26

Unhonourable is this expedition,

And misbeseeming you to meddle in.

28

Stuk.  Lord governor of Lisbon, understand,

30

As we are Englishmen, so are we men,

And I am Stukeley so resolved in all

32

To follow rule, honour, and empery,

Not to be bent so strictly to the place

34

Wherein at first I blew the fire of life,

But that I may at liberty make choice

36

Of all the continents that bound the world;

For why I make it not so great desert

38

To be begot or born in any place,

Sith that's a thing of pleasure and of ease

40

That might have been performed elsewhere as well.

42

Lopez.  Follow what your good pleasure will,

Good Captain Stukeley: be it far from me

44

To take exceptions beyond my privilege.

46

Bish.  Yet, captain, give me leave to speak;

We must affect our country as our parents,

48

And if at any time we alienate

Our love or industry from doing it honour,

50

It must respect effects and touch the soul,

Matter of conscience and religiön,

52

And not desire of rule or benefit.

54

Stuk.  Well said, bishop! spoken like yourself,

The reverent, lordly Bishop of Saint Asses.

56

Herc.  The bishop talks according to his coat,

58

And takes not measure of it by his mind:

You see he hath it made thus large and wide,

60

Because he may convert it, as he list,

To any form may fit the fashion best.

62

Bish.  Captain, you do me wrong to déscant thus

64

Upon my coat or double consciënce,

And cannot answer it in another place.

66

Lopez.  'Tis but in jest, lord bishop; put it up:

68

And all as friends deign to be entertained

As my ability here can make provision.

70

Shortly shall I conduct you to the king,

Whose welcomes evermore to strangers are

72

Princely and honourable, as his state becomes.

74

Stuk.  Thanks, worthy governor. − Come, bishop, come,

Will you shew fruits of quarrel and of wrath?

76

Come, let's in with my Lord of Lisbon here,

And put all conscience into one carouse,

78

Letting it out again as we may live.

80

[Exeunt all except Stukeley.]

82

There shall no action pass my hand or sword,

That cannot make a step to gain a crown;

84

No word shall pass the office of my tongue,

That sounds not of affection to a crown;

86

No thought have being in my lordly breast,

That works not every way to win a crown:

88

Deeds, words, and thoughts, shall all be as a king's;

My chiefest company shall be with kings;

90

And my deserts shall counterpoise a king's:

Why should not I, then, look to be a king?

92

I am the Marquis now of Ireland made,

And will be shortly King of Ireland:

94

King of a mole-hill had I rather be,

Than the richest subject of a monarchy. −

96

Huff it, brave mind, and never cease t'aspire,

Before thou reign sole king of thy desire.

98

[Exit.]

ACT II, SCENE III.

The Mountains of Northern Morocco.

Enter the Moor Muly Mahamet, Calipolis,

their Son, Zareo, and another.

1

Muly.  Where art thou, boy? Where is Calipolis?

2

O deadly wound that passeth by mine eye,

The fatal prison of my swelling heart!

4

O fortune constant in unconstancy!

Fight earthquakes in the entrails of the earth,

6

And eastern whirlwinds in the hellish shades!

Some foul contagion of th' infected heaven

8

Blast all the trees, and in their cursèd tops

The dismal night-raven and tragic owl

10

Breed, and become fore-tellers of my fall,

The fatal ruin of my name and me!

12

Adders and serpents hiss at my disgrace,

And wound the earth with anguish of their stings!

14

Now, Abdelmelec, now triúmph in Fesse;

Fortune hath made thee King of Barbary.

16

Calip.  Alas, my lord, what boot these huge exclaims

18

To advantage us in this distressed estate?

O, pity our perplexed estate, my lord,

20

And turn all curses to submiss complaints,

And those complaints to actions of relief!

22

I faint, my lord; and naught may cursing plaints

Refresh the fading substance of my life.

24

Muly.  Faint all the world, consume and be accursed,

26

Since my state faints and is accursed.

28

Calip.  Yet patience, lord, to conquer sorrows so.

30

Muly.  What patience is for him that lacks his crown?

There is no patience where the loss is such:

32

The shame of my disgrace hath put on wings,

And swiftly flies about this earthly ball.

34

Car'st thou to live, then, fond Calipolis,

When he that should give essence to thy soul,

36

He on whose glory all thy joy should stay,

Is soul-less, glory-less, and desperate,

38

Crying for battle, famine, sword, and fire,

Rather than calling for relief or life?

40

But be content, thy hunger shall have end;

Famine shall pine to death, and thou shalt live:

42

I will go hunt these cursèd solitaries,

And make the sword and target here my hound[s]

44

To pull down lions and untamèd beasts.

46

[Exit.]

48

Muly, Jr.  Tush, mother, cherish your unhearty soul,

And feed with hope of happiness and ease;

50

For if by valour or by policy

My kingly father can be fortunate,

52

We shall be Jove's commanders once again,

And flourish in a three-fold happiness.

54

Zareo.  His majesty hath sent Sebastiän,

56

The good and harmless King of Portugal,

A promise to resign the royalty

58

And kingdom of Morocco to his hands;

And when this haughty offer takes effect,

60

And works affiance in Sebastiän,

My gracious lord, warned wisely to advise,

62

I doubt not but will watch occasion,

And take her fore-top by the slenderest hair,

64

To rid us of this miserable life.

66

Muly, Jr.  Good madam, cheer yourself: my father's wise; 

He can submit himself and live below,

68

Make shew of friendship, promise, vow, and swear,

Till, by the virtue of his fair pretence,

70

Sebastian trusting his integrity,

He makes himself possessor of such fruits

72

As grow upon such great advantages.

74

Calip.  But more dishonour hangs on such misdeeds

Than all the profit their return can bear:

76

Such secret judgments have the heavens imposed

Upon the drooping state of Barbary,

78

As public merits in such lewd attempts

Have drawn with violence upon our heads.

80

Re-enter Muly Mahamet, with a piece of flesh

82

upon his sword.

84

Muly.  Hold thee, Calipolis, feed, and faint no more;

This flesh I forcèd from a lioness,

86

Meat of a princess, for a princess meet:

Learn by her noble stomach to esteem

88

Penury plenty in extremest dearth;

Who, when she saw her foragement bereft,

90

Pined not in melancholy or childish fear,

But as brave minds are strongest in extremes,

92

So she, redoubling her former force,

Ranged through the woods, and rent the breeding vaults

94

Of proudest savages to save herself.

Feed, then, and faint not, fair Calipolis;

96

For rather than fierce famine shall prevail

To gnaw thy entrails with her thorny teeth,

98

The conquering lioness shall attend on thee,

And lay huge heaps of slaughtered carcasses,

100

As bulwarks in her way, to keep her back.

I will provide thee of a princely osprey,

102

That as she flieth over fish in pools,

The fish shall turn their glistering bellies up,

104

And thou shalt take thy liberal choice of all:

Jove's stately bird with wide-commanding wings

106

Shall hover still about thy princely head.

And beat down fowl by shoals into thy lap.

108

Feed, then, and faint not, fair Calipolis.

110

Calip.  Thanks, good my lord, and though my stomach be

Too queasy to disgest such bloody meat,

112

Yet, strength I it with virtue of my mind,

I doubt no whit but I shall live, my lord.

114

Muly.  Into the shades, then, fair Calipolis,

116

And make thy son and negroes here good cheer:

Feed and be fat, that we may meet the foe

118

With strength and terror, to revenge our wrong.

[Exeunt.]

ACT II, SCENE IV.

Lisbon, the Royal Palace.

Enter King Sebastian, the Duke of Avero,

the Duke of Barceles, Lewes de Silva,

Christophero de Tavera, and Attendants.

1

K. Seb.  Call forth those Moors, those men of Barbary,

2

That came with letters from the King of Fesse.

4

Exit one, who brings in the Moorish Ambassadors

with two Moorish Attendants. ›

6

Ye warlike lords, and men of chivalry,

8

Honourable ambassadors of this high regent,

Hark to Sebastian King of Portugal.

10

These letters sent from your distressèd lord,

Torn from his throne by Abdelmelec's hand,

12

Strengthened and raised by furious Amurath,

Import a kingly favour at our hands,

14

For aid to re-obtain his royal seat,

And place his fortunes in their former height.

16

For quital of which honourable arms,

By these his letters he doth firmly vow

18

Wholly to yield and to surrender up

The kingdom of Moroccus to our hands,

20

And to become to us contributary;

And to content himself with the realm of Fesse.

22

These lines, my lords, writ in extremity,

Contain therefore but during fortune's date;

24

How shall Sebastian, then, believe the same?

26

1st Amb.  Viceroys, and most Christian king of Portugal,

To satisfy thy doubtful mind herein,

28

Command forthwith a blazing brand of fire

Be brought in presence of thy majesty:

30

Then shalt thou see, by our religious vows

And ceremonies most inviolate,

32

How firm our sovereign's protestations are.

34

A brand is brought in by an Attendant.

36

Behold, my lord, this binds our faith to thee:

In token that great Muly Mahamet's hand

38

Hath writ no more than his stout heart allows,

And will perform to thee and to thine heirs,

40

We offer here our hands into this flame;

And as this flame doth fasten on this flesh,

42

So from our souls we wish it may consume

The heart of our great lord and sovereign,

44

Muly Mahamet King of Barbary,

If his intent agree not with his words!

46

K. Seb.  These ceremonies and protestations

48

Sufficeth us, ye lords of Barbary,

Therefore return this answer to your king:

50

Assure him by the honour of my crown,

And by Sebastian's true unfeignèd faith,

52

He shall have aid and succour to recover,

And seat him in, his former empery.

54

Let him rely upon our princely word:

Tell him by August we will come to him

56

With such a power of brave impatient minds,

As Abdelmelec and great Amurath

58

Shall tremble at the strength of Portugal.

60

1st Amb.  Thanks to the renowmèd King of Portugal,

On whose stout promises our state depend.

62

K. Seb.  Barbarians, go glad your distressèd king,

64

And say Sebastian lives to right his wrong.

66

[Exeunt Ambassadors and their Attendants.]

68

Duke of Avero, call in those Englishmen,

Don Stukeley, and those captains of the fleet,

70

That lately landed in our bay of Lisbon. −

Now breathe, Sebastian, and in breathing blow

72

Some gentle gale of thy new-formèd joys. −

Duke of Avero, it shall be your charge

74

To take the muster of the Portugals,

And bravest bloods of all our country. −

76

[Exit Duke of Avero.]

78

Lewes de Silva, you shall be despatched

80

With letters unto Philip King of Spain:

Tell him we crave his aid in this behalf;

82

I know our brother Philip nill deny

His futherance in this holy Christian war. −

84

Duke of Barceles, as thy ancestors

Have always loyal been to Portugal,

86

So now, in honour of thy toward youth,

Thy charge shall be to Antwerp speedily,

88

To hire us mercenary men-at-arms:

Promise them princely pay; and be thou sure

90

Thy word is ours, − Sebastian speaks the word.

92

Chris.  I beseech your majesty, employ me in this war.

94

K. Seb.  Christopher de Tavera, next unto myself,

My good Hephaestion, and my bedfellow,

96

Thy cares and mine shall be alike in this,

And thou and I will live and die together.

98

Re-enter the Duke of Avero, with the Irish Bishop,

100

Stukeley, Jonas, Hercules, and others.

102

And now, brave Englishmen, to you

Whom angry storms have put into our bay;

104

Hold not your fortune e’er the worse in this:

We hold our strangers' honours in our hand,

106

And for distressèd frank and free relief.

Tell me, then, Stukeley, for that's thy name I trow,

108

Wilt thou, in honour of thy country's fame,

Hazard thy person in this brave exploit,

110

And follow us to fruitful Barbary,

With these six thousand soldiers thou hast brought,

112

And choicely picked through wanton Italy?

Thou art a man of gallant personage,

114

Proud in thy looks, and famous every way:

Frankly tell me, wilt thou go with me?

116

Stuk.  Courageous king, the wonder of my thoughts,

118

And yet, my lord, with pardon understand,

Myself and these whom weather hath enforced

120

To lie at road upon thy gracious coast,

Did bend our course and made amain for Ireland.

122

K. Seb.  For Ireland, Stukeley, (thou mistak'st me wonderous much,)

124

With seven ships, two pinnaces, and six thousand men?

I tell thee, Stukeley, they are far too weak

126

To violate the Queen of Ireland's right;

For Ireland's Queen commandeth England's force.

128

Were every ship ten thousand on the seas,

Manned with the strength of all the eastern kings,

130

Conveying all the monarchs of the world,

To invade the island where her highness reigns,

132

'Twere all in vain, for heavens and destinies

Attend and wait upon her majesty.

134

Sacred, imperial, and holy is her seat,

Shining with wisdom, love, and mightiness:

136

Nature that every thing imperfect made,

Fortune that never yet was constant found,

138

Time that defaceth every golden show,

Dare not decay, remove, or her impair; 

140

Both nature, time, and fortune, all agree,

To bless and serve her royal majesty.

142

The wallowing ocean hems her round about;

Whose raging floods do swallow up her foes,

144

And on the rocks their ships in pieces split,

And even in Spain, where all the traitors dance

146

And play themselves upon a sunny day,

Securely guard the west part of her isle;

148

The south the narrow Britain-sea begirts,

Where Neptune sits in triumph to direct

150

Their course to hell that aim at her disgrace;

The German seas alongst the east do run,

152

Where Venus banquets all her water-nymphs,

That with her beauty glancing on the waves

154

Disdains the check of fair Proserpina.

Advise thee, then, proud Stukeley, ere thou pass

156

To wrong the wonder of the highest God;

Sith danger, death, and hell do follow thee,

158

Thee, and them all, that seek to danger her.

If honour be the mark whereat thou aim'st,

160

Then follow me in holy Christian wars,

And leave to seek thy country's overthrow.

162

Stuk.  Rather, my lord, let me admire these words

164

Than answer to your firm objectiöns.

His Holiness Pope Gregory the Seventh

166

Hath made us four the leaders of the rest:

Amongst the rest, my lord, I am but one;

168

If they agree, Stukeley will be the first

To die with honour for Sebastiän.

170

K. Seb.  Tell me, lord bishop, captains, tell me, all,

172

Are you content to leave this enterprise

Against your country and your countrymen,

174

To aid Mahamet King of Barbary?

176

Bish.  To aid Mahamet King of Barbary,

'Tis 'gainst our vows, great King of Portugal.

178

K. Seb.  Then, captains, what say you?

180

Jonas.  I say, my lord, as the bishop said,

182

We may not turn from conquering Ireland.

184

Herc.  Our country and our countrymen will condemn

Us worthy of death, if we neglect our vows.

186

K. Seb.  Consider, lords, you are now in Portugal,

188

And I may now dispose of you and yours:

Hath not the wind and weather given you up,

190

And made you captives at our royal will?

192

Jonas.  It hath, my lord, and willingly we yield

To be commanded by your majesty;

194

But if you make us voluntary men,

Our course is then direct for Ireland.

196

K. Seb.  That course will we direct for Barbary. −

198

Follow me, lords: Sebastian leads the way

To plant the Christian faith in Africa.

200

Stuk.  Saint George for England! and Ireland now adieu,

202

For here Tom Stukeley shapes his course anew.

204

[Exeunt.]

ACT III.

Enter the Presenter.

1

Lo, thus into a lake of blood and gore

2

The brave courageous King of Portugal

Hath drenched himself, and now prepares amain

4

With sails and oars to cross the swelling seas,

With men and ships, courage and cannon-shot,

6

To plant this cursèd Moor in fatal hour;

And in this Catholic case the King of Spain

8

Is called upon by sweet Sebastiän,

Who surfeiting in prime time of his youth

10

Upon ambitious poison, dies thereon.

By this time is the Moor to Tanger come,

12

A city 'longing to the Portugal;

And now doth Spain promise with holy face,

14

As favouring the honour of the cause,

His aid of arms, and levies men apace:

16

But nothing less than King Sebastian's good

He means; yet at Sucor de Tupeä

18

He met, some say, in person with the Portugal,

And treateth of a marriage with the king:

20

But 'ware ambitious wiles and poisoned eyes!

There was nor aid of arms nor marriäge,

22

For on his way without those Spaniards King Sebastian went.

24

[Exit.]

ACT III, SCENE I.

Lisbon, the Royal Palace.

Enter King Sebastian, Lords, Lewes de Silva,

and the Ambassadors and Legate of Spain.

1

K. Seb.  Honourable lords, ambassadors of Spain,

2

The many favours by our meetings done

From our belovèd and renowmèd brother,

4

Philip the Catholic King of Spain,

Say therefore, good my lord ambassador,

6

Say how your mighty master minded is

To propagate the fame of Portugal.

8

1st Amb.  To propagate the fame of Portugal,

10

And plant religious truth in Africa,

Philip the great and puissant king of Spain,

12

For love and honour of Sebastian's name,

Promiseth aid of arms, and swears by us

14

To do your majesty all the good he can,

With men, munition, and supply of war,

16

Of Spaniards proud, in king Sebastian's aid,

To spend their bloods in honour of their Christ.

18

Legate.  And farther, to manifest unto your majesty

20

How much the Catholic king of Spain affects

This war with Moors and men of little faith,

22

The honour of your everlasting praise,

Behold, to honour and enlarge thy name,

24

He maketh offer of his daughter Isabel

To link in marriage with the brave Sebastian;

26

And to enrich Sebastian's noble wife,

His majesty doth promise to resign

28

The titles of the Islands of Moloccus,

That by his royalty in India he commands.

30

These favours with unfeignèd love and zeal

Voweth King Philip to King Sebastian.

32

K. Seb.  And God so deal with King Sebastian’s soul

34

As justly he intends to fight for Christ!

Nobles of Spain, sith our renowmèd brother,

36

Philip the king of honour and of zeal,

By you the chosen orators of Spain

38

The offer of the holds he makes

Are not so preciöus in our account,

40

As is the peerless dame whom we adore,

His daughter, in whose loyalty consists

42

The life and honour of Sebastiän.

As for the aid of arms he promiseth,

44

We will expect and thankfully receive,

At Cardis, as we sail alongst the coast. −

46

Sebastian, clap thy hands for joy,

Honourèd by this meeting and this match. −

48

Go, lords, and follow to the famous war

Your king; and be his fortune such in all

50

As he intends to manage arms in right.

52

[Exeunt all except Stukeley and Another.]

54

Stuk.  Sit fast, Sebastiän, and in this work

God and good men labour for Portugal!

56

For Spain, disguising with a double face,

Flatters thy youth and forwardness, good king. −

58

Philip, whom some call the Catholic king,

I fear me much thy faith will not be firm,

60

But disagree with thy profession.

62

The Other.  What, then, shall of those men of war become,

Those numbers that do multiply in Spain?

64

Stuk.  Spain hath a vent for them and their supplies:

66

The Spaniard ready to embark himself,

Here gathers to a head; but all too sure

68

Flanders, I fear, shall feel the force of Spain.

Let Portugal fare as he may or can,

70

Spain means to spend no powder on the Moors.

72

The Other.  If kings do dally so with holy oaths,

The heavens will right the wrongs that they sustain. −

74

Philip, if these forgeries be in thee,

Assure thee, king, 'twill light on thee at last;

76

And when proud Spain hopes soundly to prevail,

The time may come that thou and thine shall fail.

78

[Exeunt.]

ACT III, SCENE II.

Fez, the Moroccan Captital.

Enter Abdelmelec, Muly Mahamet Seth,

 Zareo, and train.

1

Abdel.  The Portugal, led with deceiving hope,

2

Hath raised his power, and received our foe

With honourable welcomes and regard,

4

And left his country-bounds, and hether bends

In hope to help Mahamet to a crown,

6

And chase us hence, and plant this Negro-Moor,

That clads himself in coat of hammered steel

8

To heave us from the honour we possess.

But, for I have myself a soldier been,

10

I have, in pity to the Portugal,

Sent secret messengers to counsel him.

12

As for the aid of Spain, whereof they hoped,

We have despatched our letters to their prince,

14

To crave that in a quarrel so unjust,

He that entitled is the Catholic king,

16

Would not assist a careless Christian prince.

And, as by letters we are let to know,

18

Our offer of the seven holds we made

He thankfully receives with all conditions,

20

Differing in mind [as] far from all his words

And promises to King Sebastiän,

22

As we would wish, or you, my lords, desire.

24

Zareo.  What resteth, then, but Abdelmelec may

Beat back this proud invading Portugal,

26

And chastise this ambitious Negro-Moor

With thousand deaths for thousand damnèd deeds!

28

Abdel.  Forward, Zareo, and ye manly Moors! −

30

Sebastian, see in time unto thyself:

If thou and thine misled do thrive amiss,

32

Guiltless is Abdelmelec of thy blood.

34

[Exeunt.]

ACT III, SCENE III.

The Portuguese-held Fortress at Tangier.

Enter Don de Menysis, with Captains and others.

1

Menys.  Captain[s],

2

We have receivèd letters from the king,

That with such signs and arguments of love

4

We entertain the King of Barbary,

That marcheth toward Tanger with his men,

6

The poor remainders of those that fled from Fesse,

When Abdelmelec got the glorious day,

8

And stalled himself in his imperial throne.

10

1st Capt.  Lord governor, we are in readiness

To welcome and receive this hapless king,

12

Chased from his land by angry Amurath;

And if the right rest in this lusty Moor,

14

Bearing a princely heart unvanquishable,

A noble resolution then it is

16

In brave Sebastiän our Christian king,

To aid this Moor with his victorious arms,

18

Thereby to propagate religious truth,

And plant his springing praise in Africa.

20

2nd Capt.  But when arrives this brave Sebastiän,

22

To knit his forces with this manly Moor,

That both in one, and one in both, may join

24

In this attempt of noble consequence?

Our men of Tanger long to see their king,

26

Whose princely face, that like the summer's sun,

Glads all these hether parts of Barbary.

28

Menys.  Captains, he cometh hetherward amain,

30

Top and top-gallant, all in brave array:

The sixth-and-twentieth day of June he left

32

The bay of Lisborne, and with all his fleet

At Cardis happily he arrived in Spain

34

The eighth of July, tarrying for the aid

That Philip King of Spain had promisèd:

36

And fifteen days he there remained aboard,

Expecting when this Spanish force would come,

38

Nor stept ashore, as he were going still.

But Spain, that meant and minded nothing less,

40

Pretends a sudden fear and care to keep

His own from Amurath's fierce invasion,

42

And to excuse his promise to our king;

For which he storms as great Achilles erst

44

Lying for want of wind in Aulis' gulf,

And hoiseth up his sails and anchors weighs,

46

And hetherward he comes, and looks to meet

This manly Moor whose case he undertakes.

48

Therefore go we to welcome and receive,

With cannon-shot and shouts of young and old,

50

This fleet of Portugals and troop of Moors.

52

[Exeunt.]

ACT III, SCENE IV.

Tangier.

Trumpets sound, and chambers are discharged.

Then enter King Sebastian, the Duke or Avero,

Lord Lodowick, Stukeley, &c.;

the Moor Muly Mahamet, Calipolis, their Son, &c.

1

K. Seb.  Muly Mahamet, King of Barbary,

2

Well met, and welcome to our town of Tanger,

After this sudden shock and hapless war. −

4

Welcome, brave Queen of Moors: repose thee here,

Thou and thy noble son. − And, soldiers all,

6

Repose you here in King Sebastian's town. −

Thus far in honour of thy name and aid,

8

Lord Mahamet, we have adventurèd,

To win for thee a kingdom, for ourselves

10

Fame, and performance of those promises

That in thy faith and royalty thou hast

12

Sworn to Sebastian King of Portugal;

And thrive it so with thee as thou dost mean,

14

And mean thou so as thou dost wish to thrive!

And if our Christ, for whom in chief we fight,

16

Hereby t' enlarge the bounds of Christendom,

Favour this war, and, as I do not doubt,

18

Send victory to light upon my crest,

Brave Moor, I will advance thy kingly son,

20

And with a diadem of pearl and gold

Adorn thy temples and enrich thy head.

22

Muly.  O brave Sebastian, noble Portugal,

24

Renowmed and honoured ever mayst thou be,

Triúmpher over those that menace thee!

26

The hellish prince, grim Pluto, with his mace

Ding down my soul to hell, and with this soul

28

This son of mine, the honour of my house,

But I perform religiously to thee

30

That I have holily erst underta'en!

And that thy lords and captains may perceive

32

My mind in this single and pure to be, −

As pure as is the water of the brook, −

34

My dearest son to thee I do engage:

Receive him, lord, in hostage of my vow;

36

For even my mind presageth to myself,

That in some slavish sort I shall behold

38

Him dragged along this running river shore,

A spectacle to daunt the pride of those

40

That climb aloft by force, and not by right.

42

Muly, Jr.  Nor can it otherwise befall the man

That keeps his seat and sceptre all in fear;

44

That wears his crown in eye of all the world,

Reputed theft and not inheritance.

46

What title, then, hath Abdelmelec here

To bar our father or his progeny?

48

Right royal prince, hereof you make no doubt,

Agreeing with your wholesome Christian laws:

50

Help, then, courageous lord, with hand and sword,

To clear his way, whose lets are lawless men;

52

And for this deed ye all shall be renowmed,

Renowmed and chronicled in books of fame,

54

In books of fame, and characters of brass,

Of brass, nay, beaten gold: fight, then, for fame,

56

And find th' Arabian Muly Hamet here

Adventurous, bold, and full of rich reward.

58

Stuk.  Brave boy, how plain this princely mind in thee

60

Argues the height and honour of thy birth!

And well have I observed thy forwardness; −

62

Which being tendered by your majesty,

No doubt the quarrel, opened by the mouth

64

Of this young prince unpartially to us,

May animate and hearten all the host

66

To fight against the devil for Lord Mahamet.

68

K. Seb.  True, Stukeley; and so freshly to my mind

Hath this young prince reduced his father's wrong,

70

That in good time I hope this honour's fire,

Kindled already with regard of right,

72

Bursts into open flames, and calls for wars,

Wars, wars, to plant the true-succeeding prince. −

74

Lord Mahamet, I take thy noble son

A pledge of honour, and shall use him so. −

76

Lord Lodowick, and my good Lord of Avero,

See this young prince conveyed safe to Messegon,

78

And there accompanied as him fitteth best:

And to this war prepare ye more and less,

80

This rightful war, that Christians' God will bless.

82

[Exeunt.]

ACT IV.

Enter the Presenter.

1

Now hardened is this hapless heathen prince,

2

And strengthened by the arms of Portugal,

This Moor, this murtherer of his progeny;

4

And war and weapons now, and blood and death,

Wait on the counsels of this cursèd king;

6

And to a bloody banquet he invites

The brave Sebastian and his noble peers.

8

10

DUMB-SHOW.

12

Enter to the bloody banquet.

14

In fatal hour arrived this peerless prince,

To lose his life, his life, and many lives

16

Of lusty men, courageous Portugals,

Drawen by ambitious golden looks.

18

Let fame of him no wrongful censure sound;

Honour was object of his thoughts, ambition was his ground.

20

[Exit.]

ACT IV, SCENE I.

Town of Alcazar.

Enter Abdelmelec, Celybin, Zareo, and others.

1

Abdel.  Now tell me, Celybin, what doth the enemy?

2

Cely.  The enemy, dread lord, hath left the town

4

Of Arzil with a thousand soldiers armed,

To guard his fleet of thirteen hundred sail;

6

And mustering of his men before the walls,

He found he had two thousand armèd horse,

8

And fourteen thousand men that serve on foot,

Three thousand pioners, and a thousand coachmen,

10

Besides a number almost numberless

Of drudges, negroes, slaves, and muleters,

12

Horse-boys, landresses, and courtezans,

And fifteen hundred wagons full of stuff

14

For noblemen brought up in delicate.

16

Abdel.  Alas, good king, thy foresight hath been small,

To come with women into Barbary,

18

With landresses, with baggage, and with trash,

Numbers unfit to multiply thy host.

20

Cely.  Their payment in the camp is passing slow,

22

And victuals scarce, that many faint and die.

24

Abdel.  But whether marcheth he in all this haste?

26

Cely.  Some thinks he marcheth hetherward,

And means to take this city of Alcazar.

28

Abdel.  Unto Alcazar? O unconstant chance!

30

Cely.  The brave and valiant King of Portugal

32

Quarters his power in four battalions,

Afront the which, to welcome us withal,

34

Are six and thirty roaring-pieces placed:

The first, consisting of light-armèd horse

36

And of the garrisons from Tanger brought,

Is led by Alvaro Peres de Tavero;

38

The left or middle battle, of Italians

And German horsemen, Stukeley doth command,

40

A warlike Englishman sent by the Pope,

That vainly calls himself Marquis of Ireland;

42

Alonso Aquilaz conducts the third, −

That wing of German soldiers most consists;

44

The fourth legion is none but Portugals,

Of whom Lodevico Caesar hath the chiefest charge:

46

Besides there stand six thousand horse

Bravely attirèd, prest where need requires.

48

Thus have I told your royal majesty

How he is placed to brave the fight.

50

Abdel.  But where's our nephew, Muly Mahamet?

52

Cely.  He marcheth in the middle, guarded about

54

With full five hundred hargubuze on foot,

And twice three thousand needless armèd pikes.

56

Zareo.  Great sovereign, vouchsafe to hear me speak,

58

And let Zareo's counsel now prevail:

Whilst time doth serve, and that these Christians dare

60

Approach the field with warlike ensigns spread,

Let us in haste with all our forces meet,

62

And hem them in, that not a man escape;

So will they be advised another time

64

How they do touch the shore of Barbary.

66

Abdel.  Zareo, hear our resolutiön:

And thus our forces we will first dispose.

68

Hamet, my brother, with a thousand shot

On horse-back, and choice harguebuziers all,

70

Having ten thousand [foot] with spear and shield,

Shall make the right wing of the battle up;

72

Zareo, you shall have in charge the left,

Two thousand argolets and ten thousand horse;

74

The main battle of harquebuze on foot,

And twenty thousand horsemen in their troops,

76

Myself, environed with my trusty guard

Of janizaries, fortunate in war;

78

And toward Arzil will we take our way.

If, then, our enemy will balk our force,

80

In God's name let him, it will be his best;

But if he level at Alcazar walls,

82

Then beat him back with bullets as thick as hail,

And make him know and rue his oversight,

84

That rashly seeks the ruin of this land.

86

[Exeunt.]

ACT IV, SCENE II.

The Portuguese Camp North of the Town of Alcazar.

Enter King Sebastian, the Duke of Avero,

Stukeley, and others.

1

K. Seb.  Why, tell me, lords, why left ye Portugal,

2

And crossed the seas with us to Barbary?

Was it to see the country and no more,

4

Or else to fly before ye were assailed?

I am ashamed to think that such as you,

6

Whose deeds have been renowmèd heretofore,

Should slack in such an act of consequence:

8

We come to fight, and fighting vow to die,

Or else to win the thing for which we came.

10

Because Abdelmelec, as pitying us,

Sends messages to counsel quietness,

12

You stand amazed, and think it sound advice,

As if our enemy would wish us any good:

14

No, let him know we scorn his courtesy,

And will resist his forces whatsoe'er.

16

Cast fear aside: myself will lead the way,

And make a passage with my conquering sword,

18

Knee-deep in blood of these accursèd Moors;

And they that love my honour, follow me.

20

Were you as resolute as is your king,

Alcazar walls should fall before your face,

22

And all the force of this Barbarian lord

Should be confounded, were it ten times more.

24

Avero.  So well become these words a kingly mouth,

26

That are of force to make a coward fight;

But when advice and prudent foresight

28

Is joinèd with such magnanimity,

Trophes of victory and kingly spoils

30

Adorn his crown, his kingdom, and his fame.

32

Enter Christopher de Tavora, Don de Menysis

and Hercules.

34

Herc.  We have descried upon the mountain-tops

36

A hugy company of invading Moors;

And they, my lord, as thick as winter's hail,

38

Will fall upon our heads at unawares:

Best, then, betimes t' avoid this gloomy storm;

40

It is in vain to strive with such a stream.

42

Enter the Moor.

44

Muly.  Behold, thrice-noble lord, uncalled I come

To counsel where necessity commands;

46

And honour of undoubted victory

Makes me exclaim upon this dastard flight.

48

Why, King Sebastian, wilt thou now foreslow,

And let so great a glory slip thy hands?

50

Say you do march unto Larissa now,

The forces of the foe are come so nigh,

52

That he will let the passage of the river;

So unawares you will be forced to fight.

54

But know, O king, and you, thrice-valiant lords,

Few blows will serve. I ask but only this,

56

That with your power you march into the field;

For now is all the army resolute

58

To leave the traitor helpless in the fight,

And fly to me as to their rightful prince.

60

Some horsemen have already led the way,

And vow the like for their companiöns:

62

The host is full of tumult and of fear.

Then as you come to plant me in my seat,

64

And to enlarge your fame in Africa,

Now, now or never, bravely execute

66

Your resolution sound and honourable,

And end this war together with his life

68

That doth usurp the crown with tyranny.

70

K. Seb.  Captains, you hear the reasons of the king,

Which so effectually have pierced mine ears,

72

That I am fully resolute to fight;

And who refuseth now to follow me,

74

Let him be ever counted cowardly.

76

Avero.  Shame be his share that flies when kings do fight!

Avero lays his life before your feet.

78

Stuk.  For my part, lords, I cannot sell my blood

80

Dearer than in the company of kings.

82

[Exeunt all except the Moor.]

84

Muly.  Now have I set these Portugals awork

To hew a way for me unto the crown,

86

Or with their weapons here to dig their graves.

You bastards of the Night and Erebus,

88

Fiends, Furies, hags that fight in beds of steel,

Range through this army with your iron whips,

90

Drive forward to this deed this Christian crew,

And let me triumph in the tragedy,

92

Though it be sealed and honoured with the blood

Both of the Portugal and barbarous Moor.

94

Ride, Nemesis, ride in thy fiery cart,

And sprinkle gore amongst these men of war,

96

That either party, eager of revenge,

May honour thee with sacrifice of death;

98

And having bathed thy chariot-wheels in blood,

Descend and take to thy tormenting hell

100

The mangled body of that traitor-king

That scorns the power and force of Portugal:

102

Then let the earth discover to his ghost

Such tortures as usurpers feel below;

104

Racked let him be in proud Ixion's wheel,

Pined let him be with Tantalus' endless thirst,

106

Prey let him be to Tityus' greedy bird,

Wearied with Sisyphus' immortal toil:

108

And lastly for revenge, for deep revenge,

Whereof thou goddess and deviser art,

110

Damned let him be, damned, and condemned to bear

All torments, tortures, plagues, and pains of hell.

112

[Exit.]

ACT V.

Enter the Presenter.

1

Ill be to him that so much ill bethinks;

2

And ill betide this foul ambitious Moor,

Whose wily trains with smoothest course of speech

4

Have tied and tangled in a dangerous war

The fierce and manly King of Portugal.

6

[Lightning and thunder.]

8

Now throw the heavens forth their lightning-flames,

10

And thunder over Afric's fatal fields:

Blood will have blood, foul murther scape no scourge.

12

Enter Fame, like an angel,

14

and hangs the crowns upon a tree.

16

At last descendeth Fame, as Iris

To finish fainting Dido's dying life;

18

Fame from her stately bower doth descend,

And on the tree, as fruit new-ripe to fall,

20

Placeth the crowns of these unhappy kings,

That erst she kept in eye of all the world.

22

[Here the blazing star.]

24

Now fiery stars, and streaming comets blaze,

26

That threat the earth and princes of the same.

28

[Fireworks.]

30

Fire, fire about the axletree of heaven

Whirls round, and from the foot of Cassiope,

32

In fatal hour, consumes these fatal crowns.

34

[One crown falls.]

36

Down falls the diadem of Portugal.

38

[The other crown falls.]

40

The crowns of Barbary and kingdoms fall;

Ay me, that kingdoms may not stable stand!

42

And now approaching near the dismal day,

The bloody day wherein the battles join,

44

Monday the fourth of August, seventy-eight,

The sun shines wholly on the parchèd earth,

46

The brightest planet in the highest heaven.

The heathens, eager bent against their foe,

48

Give onset with great ordnance to the war;

The Christians with great noise of cannon-shot

50

Send angry onsets to the enemy.

Give ear, and hear how war begins his song

52

With dreadful clamours, noise, and trumpets' sound.

54

[Exit.]

ACT V, SCENE I.

The Battlefield at Alcazar.

Alarums, and chambers discharged, within;

then enter to the battle;

and the Moors, who form Abdelmelec's army, fly.

Skirmish still; then enter Abdelmelec

in his chair, Zareo, and train.

1

Abdel.  Say on, Zareo, tell me all the news,

2

Tell me what Fury rangeth in our camp,

That hath enforced our Moors to turn their backs;

4

Zareo, say what chance did bode this ill,

What ill enforced this dastard cowardice?

6

Zareo.  My lord, such chance as wilful war affords;

8

Such chances and misfortunes as attend

On him, the god of battle and of arms.

10

My lord, when with our ordnance fierce we sent

Our Moors with smaller shot, as thick as hail

12

Follows apace, to charge the Portugal;

The valiant duke, the devil of Avero,

14

The bane of Barbary, fraughted full of ire,

Breaks through the ranks, and with five hundred horse,

16

All men-at-arms, forward and full of might,

Assaults the middle wing, and puts to flight

18

Eight thousand harquebuze that served on foot,

And twenty thousand Moors with spear and shield,

20

And therewithal the honour of the day.

22

Abdel.  Ah, Abdelmelec, dost thou live to hear

This bitter process of this first attempt? −

24

Labour, my lords, to renew our force

Of fainting Moors, and fight it to the last. −

26

My horse, Zareo! − O, the goal is lost,

The goal is lost! − Thou King of Portugal,

28

Thrice-happy chance it is for thee and thine

That heaven abates my strength and calls me hence. −

30

My sight doth fail; my soul, my feeble soul

Shall be released from prison on this earth:

32

Farewell, vain world! for I have played my part.

34

[Dies.]

36

A long skirmish;

and then enter Muly Mahamet Seth.

38

Seth.  Brave Abdelmelec, thou thrice-noble lord!

40

Not such a wound was given to Barbary,

Had twenty hosts of men been put to sword,

42

As death, pale death, with fatal shaft hath given.

Lo, dead is he, my brother and my king,

44

Whom I might have revived with news I bring.

46

Zareo.  His honours and his types he hath resigned

Unto the world, and of a manly man,

48

Lo, in a twinkling, a senseless stock we see!

50

Seth.  You trusty soldiers of this warlike king,

Be counselled now by us in this advice;

52

Let not his death be bruited in the camp,

Lest with the sudden sorrow of the news

54

The army wholly be discomfited. −

My Lord Zareo, thus I comfort you;

56

Our Moors have bravely borne themselves in fight,

Likely to get the honour of the day,

58

If aught may gotten be where loss is such.

Therefore, in this apparel as he died,

60

My noble brother will we here advance,

And set him in his chair with cunning props,

62

That our Barbarians may behold their king,

And think he doth repose him in his tent.

64

Zareo.  Right politic and good is your advice.

66

Seth.  Go, then, to see it speedily performed. –

68

[The body of Abdelmelec is propped up in his chair.]

70

Brave lord, if Barbary recover this,

72

Thy soul with joy will sit and see the fight.

74

[Exeunt.]

76

Alarums within: enter to the battle;

and the Christians fly: the Duke of Avero is slain.

78

Enter King Sebastian and Stukeley.

80

K. Seb.  Seest thou not, Stukeley, O Stukeley, seest thou not

82

The great dishonour done to Christendom?

Our cheerful onset crossed in springing hope;

84

The brave and mighty prince, Duke of Avero,

Slain in my sight: now joy betide his ghost,

86

For like a lion did he bear himself!

Our battles are all now disorderèd,

88

And by our horses' strange retiring-back

Our middle wing of foot-men over-rode.

90

Stukeley, alas, I see my oversight!

False-hearted Mahamet, now, to my cost,

92

I see thy treachery, warned to beware

A face so full of fraud and villany.

94

Alarums within, and they run out,

96

and two set upon Stukeley, and he drives them in.

98

Then enter the Moor and his Boy, flying.

100

Muly.  Villain, a horse!

102

Boy.  O, my lord, if you return, you die!

104

Muly.  Villain, I say, give me a horse to fly,

To swim the river, villain, and to fly.

106

[Exit Boy.]

108

Where shall I find some unfrequented place,

110

Some uncouth walk, where I may curse my fill,

My stars, my dam, my planets, and my nurse,

112

The fire, the air, the water, and the earth,

All causes that have thus conspired in one,

114

To nourish and preserve me to this shame? −

Thou that wert at my birth predominate,

116

Thou fatal star, what planet e'er thou be,

Spit out thy poison bad, and all the ill

118

That fortune, fate, or heaven, may bode a man. −

Thou nurse infortunate, guilty of all,

120

Thou mother of my life, that brought'st me forth,

Cursed mayst thou be for such a cursèd son!

122

Cursed be thy son with every curse thou hast! −

Ye elements of whom consists this clay,

124

This mass of flesh, this cursèd crazèd corpse,

Destroy, dissolve, disturb, and dissipate,

126

What water, [fire,] earth, and air congealed.

128

Alarums within, and re-enter the Boy.

130

Boy.  O, my lord,

These ruthless Moors pursue you at the heels,

132

And come amain to put you to the sword!

134

Muly.  A horse, a horse, villain, a horse!

That I may take the river straight and fly.

136

Boy.  Here is a horse, my lord,

138

As swiftly paced as Pegasus;

Mount thee thereon, and save thyself by flight.

140

Muly.  Mount me I will: but may I never pass

142

The river, till I be revenged

Upon thy soul, accursèd Abdelmelec!

144

If not on earth, yet when we meet in hell,

Before grim Minos, Rhadamanth, and Æacus,

146

The combat will I crave upon thy ghost,

And drag thee through the loathsome pools

148

Of Lethès, Styx, and fiery Phlegethon.

150

[Exeunt.]

152

Alarums within: re-enter Stukeley wounded,

followed by Hercules and Jonas.

154

Herc.  Stand, traitor, stand, ambitious English-man,

156

Proud Stukeley, stand, and stir not ere thou die.

Thy forwardness to follow wrongful arms,

158

And leave our famous expedition erst

Intended by his Holiness for Ireland,

160

Foully hath here betrayed and tied us all

To ruthless fury of our heathen foe;

162

For which, as we are sure to die,

Thou shalt pay satisfaction with thy blood.

164

Stuk.  Avaunt, base villains! twit ye me with shame

166

Or infamy of this injurious war?

When he that is the judge of right and wrong

168

Determines battle as him pleaseth best.

But sith my stars bode me this tragic end,

170

That I must perish by these barbarous Moors,

Whose weapons have made passage for my soul

172

That breaks from out the prison of my breast;

Ye proud malicious dogs of Italy,

174

Strike on, strike down this body to the earth,

Whose mounting mind stoops to no feeble stroke.

176

Jonas.  Why suffer we this Englishman to live –

178

[They stab Stukeley.]

180

Villain, bleed on; thy blood in channels run,

182

And meet with those whom thou to death hast done.

184

[Exeunt Hercules and Jonas.]

186

Stuk.  Thus Stukeley, slain with many a deadly stab,

Dies in these desert fields of Africa.

188

Hark, friends; and with the story of my life

Let me beguile the torment of my death.

190

In England's London, lordings, was I born,

On that brave bridge, the bar that thwarts the Thames.

192

My golden days, my younger careless years,

Were when I touched the height of Fortune's wheel,

194

And lived in affluence of wealth and ease.

Thus in my country carried long aloft,

196

A discontented humour drave me thence

To cross the seas to Ireland, then to Spain.

198

There had I welcome and right royal pay

Of Philip, whom some call the Catholic King:

200

There did Tom Stukeley glitter all in gold,

Mounted upon his jennet white as snow,

202

Shining as Phoebus in King Philip's court:

There, like a lord, famous Don Stukeley lived,

204

For so they called me in the court of Spain,

Till, for a blow I gave a bishop's man,

206

A strife gan rise between his lord and me,

For which we both were banished by the king.

208

From thence to Rome rides Stukeley all aflaunt:

Received with royal welcomes of the Pope,

210

There was I graced by Gregory the Great,

That then created me Marquis of Ireland.

212

Short be my tale, because my life is short.

The coast of Italy and Rome I left:

214

Then was I made lieutenant general

Of those small forces that for Ireland went,

216

And with my companies embarked at Ostia.

My sails I spread, and with these men of war

218

In fatal hour at Lisbon we arrived.

From thence to this, to this hard exigent,

220

Was Stukeley driven, to fight or else to die,

Dared to the field, that never could endure

222

To hear God Mars his drum but he must march. −

Ah, sweet Sebastian, hadst thou been well advised,

224

Thou mightst have managed arms successfully!

But from our cradles we were markèd all

226

And destinate to die in Afric here.

Stukeley, the story of thy life is told;

228

Here breathe thy last, and bid thy friends farewell:

And if thy country's kindness be so much,

230

Then let thy country kindly ring thy knell.

Now go and in that bed of honour die,

232

Where brave Sebastian's breathless corse doth lie.

Here endeth Fortune, rule, and bitter rage;

234

Here ends Tom Stukeley's pilgrimage.

236

[Dies.]

238

Re-enter Muly Mahamet Seth, Zareo,

and train, with drums and trumpets.

240

Seth.  Retreat is sounded through our camp, and now

242

From battle's fury cease our conquering Moors.

Pay thanks to heaven with sacrificing fire,

244

Alcazar, and ye towns of Barbary. −

Now hast thou sit as in a trance, and seen,

246

To thy soul's joy and honour of thy house,

The trophies and the triumphs of thy men,

248

Great Abdelmelec; and the god of kings

Hath made thy war successful by thy right,

250

His friends, whom death and fates have ta'en from thee.

Lo, this was he that was the people's pride,

252

And cheerful sunshine to his subjects all!

Now have him hence, that royally he may

254

Be buried and embalmèd as is meet. −

Zareo, have you through the camp proclaimed

256

As erst we gave in charge?

258

Zareo.  We have, my lord, and rich rewards proposed

For them that find the body of the king;

260

For by those guard[s] that had him in their charge

We understand that he was done to death,

262

And for his search two prisoners, Portugals,

Are set at large to find their royal king.

264

Seth.  But of the traitorous Moor you hear no news

266

That fled the field and sought to swim the ford?

268

Zareo.  Not yet, my lord; but doubtless God will tell

And with his finger point out where he hants.

270

Seth.  So let it rest, and on this earth bestow

272

This princely corse,

Till further for his funerals we provide.

274

Zareo.  From him to thee as true-succeeding prince,

276

With all allegiance and with honour's types,

In name of all thy people and thy land,

278

We give this kingly crown and diadem.

280

Seth.  We thank you all, and as my lawful right,

With God's defence and yours, shall I [it] keep.

282

Enter two Portugals with the body of King Sebastian.

284

1st Port.  As gave your grace in charge, right royal prince,

286

The fields and sandy plains we have surveyed,

And even among the thickest of his lords

288

The noble King of Portugal we found,

Wrapt in his colours coldly on the earth,

290

And done to death with many a mortal wound.

292

Seth.  Lo, here, my lords, this is the earth and clay

Of him that erst was mighty King of Portugal! −

294

There let him lie, and you for this be free

To make return from hence to Christendom.

296

Enter two, with the body of the Moor.

298

1st Person.  Long live the mighty King of Barbary!

300

Seth.  Welcome, my friend: what body hast thou there?

302

1st Person.  The body of th' ambitious enemy

304

That squandered all this blood in Africa,

Whose malice sent so many souls to hell,

306

The traitor Muly Mahamet do I bring,

And for thy slave I throw him at thy feet.

308

Seth.  Zareo, give this man a rich reward;

310

And thankèd be the god of just revenge,

That he hath given our foe into our hands,

312

Beastly, unarmèd, slavish, full of shame. −

But say, how came this traitor to his end?

314

1st Person.  Seeking to save his life by shameful flight,

316

He mounteth on a hot Barbarian horse,

And so in purpose to have passed the stream,

318

His headstrong steed throws him from out his seat;

Where, diving oft for lack of skill to swim,

320

It was my chance alone to see him drowned,

Whom by the heels I dragged from out the pool,

322

And hether have him brought thus filed with mud.

324

Seth.  A death too good for such a damnèd wretch:

But sith our rage and rigour of revenge

326

By violence of his end prevented is,

That all the world may learn by him t' avoid

328

To hale on princes to injurious war,

His skin we will be parted from his flesh,

330

And being stiffened out and stuffed with straw,

So to deter and fear the lookers-on

332

From any such foul fact or bad attempt:

Away with him!

334

[Exeunt some with the body of the Moor.]

336

And now, my lords, for this Christian king:

338

My Lord Zareo, let it be your charge

To see the soldiers tread a solemn march,

340

Trailing their pikes and ensigns on the ground,

So to perform the prince's funerals.

342

Here endeth the tragical battle of Alcazar.