[Enter the King and Collen.]
KING. Break, heart, and end my paled woes, My Amadine, the comfort of my life, How can I joy except she were in sight? Her absence breeds sorrow to my soul And with a thunder breaks my heart in twain.
COLLEN. Forbear those passions, gentle King, And you shall see twill turn unto the best, And bring your soul to quiet and to joy.
KING. Such joy as death, I do assure me that, And naught but death, unless of her I hear, And that with speed; I cannot sigh thus long-- But what a tumult do I hear within?
[The cry within, 'joy and happiness!']
COLLEN. I hear a noise of over-passing joy Within the court; my Lord, be of good comfort-- And here comes one in haste.
[Enter the Clown running.] MOUSE. A King! a King! a King!
COLLEN. Why, how now, sirra? what's the matter? MOUSE. O, tis news for a king, 'tis worth money.
KING. Why, sirra, thou shalt have silver and gold if it be good. MOUSE. O, tis good, tis good. Amadine--KING. Oh, what of her? tell me, & I will make thee a knight.
MOUSE. How a spright? no, by lady, I will not be a spright. Masters, get ye away; if I be a spright, I shall be so lean I shall make you all afraid.
COLLEN. Thou sot, the King means to make thee a gentleman. MOUSE. Why, I shall want parrell.
KING. Thou shalt want for nothing.
MOUSE. Then stand away, trick up thy self: here they come. [Enter Segasto, Mucedorus, and Amadine.]
AMADINE. My gratious father, pardon thy disloyal daughter.
KING. What do mine eyes behold? my daughter Amadine? Rise up, dear daughter & let these, my embracing arms, Show some token of thy father's joy, Which ever since thy departure hath languished in sorrow.
AMADINE. Dear father, never were your sorrows Greater than my griefs, Never you so desolate as I comfortless; Yet, nevertheless, acknowledging my self To be the cause of both, on bended knees I humbly crave your pardon.
KING. I'll pardon thee, dear daughter: but as for him-- AMADINE. Ah, father, what of him?
KING. As sure as I am a king, and wear the crown, I will revenge on that accursed wretch.
MUCEDORUS. Yet, worthy prince, work not thy will in wrath; Show favour.
KING. Aye, such favour as thou deservest. MUCEDORUS. I do deserve the daughter of a king. KING. Oh, impudent! a shepherd and so insolent! MUCEDORUS. No shepherd I, but a worthy prince. KING. In fair conceit, not princely born.
MUCEDORUS. Yes, princely born: my father is a king, My mother Queen, and of Valentia both.
KING. What, Mucedorus! welcome to our court. What cause hadst thou to come to me disguised?
MUCEDORUS. No cause to fear; I caused no offence But this: Desiring thy daughter's virtues for to see Disguised my self from out my father's court. Unknown to any, in secret I did rest, And passed many troubles near to death; So hath your daughter my partaker been, As you shall know hereafter more at large, Desiring you, you will give her to me, Even as mine own and sovereign of my life; Then shall I think my travels are well spent.
KING. With all my heart, but this-- Segasto claims my promise made to fore, That he should have her as his only wife, Before my counsel when we came from war. Segasto, may I crave thee let it pass, And give Amadine as wife to Mucedorus?
SEGASTO. With all my heart, were it far a greater thing, And what I may to furnish up there rites With pleasing sports and pastimes you shall see.
KING. Thanks, good Segasto, I will think of this.
MUCEDORUS. Thanks, good my Lord, & while I live Account of me in what I can or may.
AMADINE. And, good Segasto, these great courtesies Shall not be forgot.
MOUSE. Why, hark you, master: bones, what have you done? What, given away the wench you made me take such pains for? you are wise indeed! mas, and I had known of that I would have had her my self! faither, master, now we may go to breakfast with a woodcoke pie.
SEGASTO. Go, sir, you were best leave this knavery.
KING. Come on, my Lords, let's now to court, Where we may finish up the joyfullest day That ever hapt to a distressed King. Were but thy Father, the Valencia Lord, Present in view of this combining knot.
[A shout within. Enter a Messenger.] What shout was that?