Gob.
First know, our last King, your supposed
Father was old and
feeble when he married her, and almost
all the Land thought she
was past hope of issue from him.
Arb.
Therefore she took leave to play the whore,
because the King was
old: is this the comfort?
Ara.
What will you find out to give me satisfaction,
when you find how
you have injur’d me? let fire consume
me, if ever I were a whore.
Gob.
For-bear these starts, or I will leave
you wedded to despair, as
you are now: if you can find a temper,
my breath shall be a
pleasant western wind that cools and blasts
not.
Arb.
Bring it out good Father. I’le
lie, and listen here as reverently
as to an Angel: if I breath too loud,
tell me; for I would be as
still as night.
Gob.
Our King I say, was old, and this our Queen desir’d to bring an heir, but yet her husband she thought was past it, and to be dishonest I think she would not: if she would have been, the truth is, she was watcht so narrowly, and had so slender opportunities, she hardly could have been: but yet her cunning found out this way; she feign’d her self with child, and posts were sent in hast throughout the Land, and humble thanks was given in every Church, and prayers were made for her safe going and delivery: she feign’d now to grow bigger, and perceiv’d this hope of issue made her fear’d, and brought a far more large respect from every man, and saw her power increase, and was resolv’d, since she believ’d, she could not hav’t indeed, at least she would be thought to have a child.
Arb.
Do I not hear it well? nay I will make
no noise at all; but pray
you to the point, quickly as you can.
Gob.
Now when the time was full, she should be brought to bed, I had a Son born, which was you, this the Queen hearing of mov’d me to let her have you; and such reasons she shewed me, as she knew would tie my secrecie, she swore you should be King, and to be short, I did deliver you unto her, and pretended you were dead, and in mine own house kept a funeral, and had an empty coffin put in Earth, that night this Queen feign’d hastily to labour and by a pair of women of her own, which she had charm’d, she made the world believe she was delivered of you. You grew up as the Kings Son, till you were six years old; then did the King dye, and did leave to me Protection of the Realm; and contrary to his own expectation, left this Queen truely with child indeed, of the fair Princess Panthea: then she could have torn her hair and did alone to me, yet durst not speak in publick, for she knew she should be found a traytor: and her tale would have been thought madness, or any thing rather than truth. This was the only cause why she did seek to poyson you, and I to keep you safe; and this the reason, why I sought to kindle some sparks of love in you to fair Panthea, that she might get part of her right again.
Arb.