Scene V Castle of Sir Cuthbert Anderson
Enter Queen Dorothea in man’s apparel, Lady Anderson, and Nano.
Q. Dor. What news in court, Nano? let us know it.
Nano. If so you please, my lord, I straight will show it:
The English king hath all the borders spoil’d,
Hath taken Morton prisoner, and hath slain
Seven thousand Scottish lads not far from Tweed.
Q. Dor. A woful murder and a bloody deed!
Nano. The king, our liege, hath sought by many means
For to appease his enemy by prayers:
Naught will prevail unless he can restore
Fair Dorothea, long supposèd dead:
To this intent he hath proclaimèd late,
That whosoe’er return the queen to court
Shall have a thousand marks for his reward.
Lady And. He loves her, then, I see, although enforc’d,
That would bestow such gifts for to regain her.
Why sit you sad, good sir? be not dismay’d.
Nano. I’ll lay my life, this man would be a maid.
Q. Dor. [aside to Nano]. Fain would I show myself, and change my tire.
Lady And. Whereon divine you, sir?
Nano. Upon desire.
Madam, mark but my skill. I’ll lay my life,
My master here, will prove a married wife.
Q. Dor. [aside to Nano]. Wilt thou bewray me, Nano?
Nano. [aside to Dor.]. Madam, no:
You are a man, and like a man you go:
But I, that am in speculation seen,293
Know you would change your state to be a queen.
Q. Dor. [aside to Nano]. Thou art not, dwarf, to learn thy mistress’ mind:
Fain would I with thyself disclose my kind,
But yet I blush.
Nano. [aside to Dor.]. What? blush you, madam, than,294
To be yourself, who are a feignèd man?295
Lady And. Deceitful beauty, hast thou scorn’d me so?
Nano. Nay, muse not, madam, for he tells you true.
Lady And. Beauty bred love, and love hath bred my shame.
Nano. And women’s faces work more wrongs than these:
Take comfort, madam, to cure your disease.
And yet he loves a man as well as you,
Only this difference, he cannot fancy two.
Lady And. Blush, grieve, and die in thine insatiate lust.
Q. Dor. Nay, live, and joy that thou hast won a friend,
That loves thee as his life by good desert.
Lady And. I joy, my lord, more than my tongue can tell:
Though not as I desir’d, I love you well.
But modesty, that never blush’d before,
Discover my false heart: I say no more.
Let me alone.
Q. Dor. Good Nano, stay awhile.
Were I not sad, how kindly could I smile,
To see how fain I am to leave this weed!
And yet I faint to show myself indeed:
But danger hates delay; I will be bold.—
Fair lady, I am not [as you] suppose,
A man, but even that queen, more hapless I,
Whom Scottish king appointed hath to die;
I am the hapless princess, for whose right,
These kings in bloody wars revenge despite;
I am that Dorothea whom they seek,
Yours bounden for your kindness and relief;
And, since you are the means that save my life,
Yourself and I will to the camp repair,
Whereas your husband shall enjoy reward,
And bring me to his highness once again.
Lady And. Pardon, most gracious princess, if you please,
My rude discourse and homely entertain;
And, if my words may savour any worth,
Vouchsafe my counsel in this weighty cause:
Since that our liege hath so unkindly dealt,
Give him no trust, return unto your sire;
There may you safely live in spite of him.
Q. Dor. Ah lady, so would worldly counsel work;
But constancy, obedience, and my love,
In that my husband is my lord and chief,
These call me to compassion of his state:
Dissuade me not, for virtue will not change.
Lady And. What wondrous constancy is this I hear!
If English dames their husbands love so dear,
I fear me in the world they have no peer.
Nano. Come, princess, wend, and let us change your weed:
I long to see you now a queen indeed. [Exeunt.