Go, break among the press, and find a way out [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, etc., 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, 90. Marshalsea, the prison in Southwark. 93. camlet, a light woollen stuff 94. peck, pitch. 90 Sc. 5. By FLETCHER (Sp.). Standing-bowls, bowls supported on feet. My noble partners, and myself, thus pray: King. Thank you, good lord archbishop: What is her name? Cran. King. Elizabeth. Stand up, lord. ΤΟ [The King kisses the child. With this kiss take my blessing: God protect 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. Let me speak, sir, Cran. Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces, Shall still be doubled on her truth shall nurse her, : Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her: 13. gossips, sponsors. 24. Saba, the queen of Sheba. Saba is the Vulgate form pre 20 30 served in the older English translations. 27. piece, creation, -'mighty' in virtue of her destiny. She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her; Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, And hang their heads with sorrow: good grows with her : In her days every man shall eat in safety, As great in admiration as herself; So shall she leave her blessedness to one, When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness, Who from the sacred ashes of her honour Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was, terror, That were the servants to this chosen infant, King. Thou speakest wonders. 41. maiden, i.e. mateless. 40 50 colony had received a constitution in 1612, but the allusion cannot be definitely referred to 53. make new nations; an allusion probably to the settlement of Virginia in 1607. The this. An aged princess; many days shall see her, To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her. Thou hast made me now a man! never, before To see what this child does, and praise my Maker. lords: Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye, Exeunt. 60 70 EPILOGUE. 'Tis ten to one this play can never please 71. brethren, i.e. the aldermen. 76. 'Has, he has. So Ff. |