THE
QUEENES
EXCHANGE,
A
COMEDY
Acted with generall applauſe at the
BLACK-FRIERS
BY
His MAJESTIES Servants.
WRITTEN BY
Mr. RICHARD BROME.
Regia res amor eſt.– – – –
LONDON,
Printed for Henry Brome, at the Hand in
Pauls Church-yard. 1657.
[A3]
[A3v]
The Stationer to the Readers.
Gentlemen and Ladies,
THis ſhort account I thought fit to give
you of this Poem, that it came to my
hands among other things of this nature,
written, and left by Mr. Rich. Broome,
perſon whoſe excellency in Comical wit has been
ſufficiently proved, and needs not my partial and
weak commendation. There are publiſhed already of
his Playes, the Northern Laſs, the Antipodes, the
Sparagus-garden, the Merry Beggers, the Lancaſhire
Witches, beſides the 5. Playes lately publiſhed in
a Volume. The good acceptance of all which encour-
ages me to publiſh this, being no way inferior to the
reſt; but when ’twas written, or where acted, I know
not. Your kinde entertainment of this will enable me
to make known to the World divers more of the ſame
Authors works of this kind, which have not yet ſeen
light; for my ayme is, & prodeſſe & delectare, by
delighting thee to profit my ſelf.
H. B.
Farewel.
[A4]
The Queens Exchange.
The Perſons in the Play.
| OSriick, King of Northumbria. | | BErtha Queen of Weſt Saxons. |
Theodrick his Favourite and
Embaſſador. | Segebert,
Alberto, | } | two baniſhed
Lords. |
Ethelſwick, his Subſtitute.
Theodwald, | Anthynus,
Offa, | } | Segeberts Sons. |
Eaufride,
Alfride,
Edelbert, | } | Lords of his Council. | Mildred, Segeberts daughter, Oſri-
icks Queen.
Arnold, an old ſervant of Offa. |
A Phyſition.
Jeffrey, the Kings fool.
4 Clowns. | Kelrick,
Elkwine,
Elfride, | } | three ſycophant Lords. |
| Hermit and his Servant. |
| Keeper of Priſon. |
| Edith, Mildreds Nurſe. |
| Scene England. | A Carpenter,
A Maſon,
A Smith, | } | three Thieves. |
Prolouge to the Queens Exchange.
THe writer of this Play who ever uſes
To uſher with his modeſty the Muſes
Unto the Stage, He that ſcarce ever durſt
Of Poets rank himſelf above the worſt,
Though moſt that he has writ has paſt the reſt,
And found good approbation of the beſt;
He as he never knew to bow, he ſaies,
As little fears the fortune of his Playes:
He yields their right to us, and we ſubmit
All that they are in learning or in wit
To your fair cenſure. All us then but thus
As you approve they are good or bad to us;
And all by way of favour we can crave
Is that you not deſtroy where you may ſave.
[A4v]
The QUEENES Exchange.
ACT. I. SCEN. I.
Enter Celerick, Elkwin, Segebert, Bertha,
and Attendants. Hoboyes.
BertSince it has pleaſd the higheſt
His ſubſtitute in Regal Soveraignty,
Over this Kingdom, by the generall vote
Of you my loyall Lords, and loving
Though grounded on my right of due
Being immediate heir, and only child
Of your late much deplored King my
I am in a moſt reverend duty bound
Unto that Power above me, and a wel-
Befitting care towards you my faithfull
To rule and govern ſo (at leaſt ſo neere
As by all poſſibility I may)
That I may ſhun Heavens anger, and
Which that I may, at our laſt conſultation
The better to paſſe through my weighty
I gave you to conſider of the Propoſition
Is made to me by the Northumbrian
Of marriage, not only to enable me
(then
In my government, but thereby to ſtreng-
This Kingdom in ſucceeding times, by a
Of lawfull Succeſſors. I gave you all
(line
My ſtrong & moſt unanſwerable reaſons:
To which you ſeemd contented, all but
Who with the reſt by this I hope is ſatiſ-
’Tis you, Lord
Segebert, you it is I mean:
Does it appear to you yet reaſonable,
That I be matcht to the Northumbrian
I have with patience waited a whole
For you to rectifie your ſcrupulous
Whereby it might comply with theſe, no
Inferiour to your ſelf, but are your Peers,
As well in their kown wiſdom, as my
SegThus low unto your ſacred Majeſty
I here devote my ſelf; and thus I meet
With equal love, th’ embraces of theſe
Ile joyn and grow one body, and one voice
With them, in all may adde unto your
And your dear Kingdoms good. But
My ſoverain Queen, and I beſeech you
To weigh with your known wiſdom
This match may bring unto the Crown
Tis true, the King
Oſriick as wel in perſon
As in his dignity, may be thought fit
To be endow’d with all you ſeem to
But what becomes of all the wholſome
B[1]Cuſtoms,
The Queens Exchange.
Cuſtoms, and all the nerves of Govern-
Your no leſs prudent than Majeſtick Fa-
With power & policy enricht this Land
And made the Saxons happy, and your
A Queen of ſo great eminence. Muſt all,
With ſo much Majeſtie and matchleſſe
Be now ſubjected to a ſtrangers foot;
And trod into diſorder? All your wealth,
Your ſtate, your laws, your ſubjects, and
Of flouriſhing future fortunes, which
By his continual care, and teadious ſtudy
Gave as a Legacy unto this Kingdom.
Muſt all be altered, or quite ſubverted,
And all by a wilful gift unto a ſtranger:
Bert.Peace: ſtop his mouth. Unrea-
How darſt thou thus oppoſe thy Sove-
So well approvd by all thy fellow Peers;
Of which the meaneſt equals thee in
Seg.Do you approve their judgments,
Are grounded on your will? I may not
Only I pray, that you may underſtand,
(But not unto your loſs) the difference
Betwixt ſmooth flattery, and honeſt
Bert.Do you hear this, my Lords?
Though you except againſt this King,
He may hereafter thank you in your
Seg.Mean time I thank you for your
Col.You cannot but allow ſucceſſion is
The life of Kingdoms; & if ſo, you cannot
But wiſh the Queen (which Heaven grant
Bert.I thank you, good my Lord.
Elk.And if an huſband, why not him
Can it befit a Subject to controle
The affection of his Princeſſe? Heaven
Seg.This is ear taking Muſick.
You might controle it; whom in your
Would you allot the Queen?
Seg.I ſee your aym;
(dare,
And know, when I have ſaid all that I
What cenſure I muſt undergoe. And thus
Ile meet it boldly: you are ſycophants all,
And doe provide but for your ſelves,
The Kingdom periſh for’t. May the juſtice
That follows flattery overtake you for’t.
Seg.Take hence the mad man.
Cel.We are ſorry for you.
Elk.And wiſh the troubleſome ſpirit
That ſo diſtracts your reaſon.
Speak and anſwer to the purpoſe.
Seg.Your queſtion to no purpoſe, Sir,
Whom my great wiſdom would allot
You are not worth my anſwer. But my
I do implore your gracious attention
Speak your few words, the Queen can
Seg.I wiſh your Highneſſe would com-
That know their qualities to take up
Their Petulances ſort not with this place
Nor the more ſerious matter of my
Bert.Speak, I can hear you though.
Seg.The King your Father, and my
Forgotten Maſter, (pleaſe you to re-
Although his memory be loſt with
[B1v]Who
The Queens Exchange.
Who nere had grace to know him right-
Before his death ſtrictly this charge; and
Your preſence too, charging your ſelfe
To give it due obedience: That you
Before all mens advice take mine for
And that eſpecially I ſhould take care
’Gainſt Innovation. That the laws he left
Eſtabliſht with ſuch care for good oth’
Might be maintaind by whomſoere you
I know, and you, if you knew any thing,
Might know the difference twixt the
And ours: And ſooner will their King
Your Priviledges and your Government,
Then reduce his to yours: pure com-
Even you me thinks, my Lords, may
Bert.You have ſaid enough.
Seg.I doe beſeech your Highneſſe
But for this little more.
Cel.Pray heare his little more al-
Out of your hearing then for evermore.
Seg.Your Father added this to his
That rather then by marriage you ſhould
Your Subjects to ſuch thraldome, and
No Prince whoſe lawes coher’d with
(As ſome there are, and neerer then
That he would have you from ſome no-
To take a Subject in your own Domini-
Seg.To urge your Fathers Teſtament?
Celr.But did the King your ne’re for-
Bequeath her an affection to ſuch blood?
Bert.Forbear. Now he’s not worth
Cel.Now ſhe’l ha’ me I hope. What
Was I to undervalue ſubjects blood?
Bert.I have forborn you long, for the
My Father in his life conferr’d upon you
And ſtill I yield to it ſo much as ſaves
Your head, bold talking fellow. But Sir
Your doom. Since the Kings love hath
puff’d your dotage
leſſe)
With ſwoln conceit (for what can it be
That you are now my King (for ſure you
I’ll try my Title with you. Hence you
Go in perpetual baniſhment from this
Speak not a word for him.
All.Inſooth we meant it not.
Cel.But may it pleaſe your Majeſty,
His head erewhile. Now if I might ad-
Bert.Away, you’l be too cruel.
Elkw.His lands and goods, Madam,
Bert.No, he has children.
Elfr.I’le take his daughter with all
faults, and half his lands.
Bert.Why are ye not gone?
Seg.I have not much to ſay.
Bert.Out with it then, and then out
Seg.In the large Hiſtory of your Fa-
You find but one example for this doom
Of Baniſhment. And that was of
Alberto
For wronging me unto his Highneſſe,
He ſtood in competition with me for
The Honor in the State the King then
Seg.But thus. I ſtood by then, and
Saw that though he for wronging me
I was right ſorry, and much pleaded
B 2Bert.
The Queens Exchange.
Bert.It follows now that you would
Whom you have ſo abus’d, to plead for
Seg.Quite contrary, for they are my
Yet I do grieve for them, but more for
To think on all your ſorrows, when too
You’l wiſh for me to ſteer the State.
Bert.Pray if you meet that good old
Now in your exile, ſend him home to
I’l promiſe him your Honour in the
Bert.Go from my ſight, and if after
Thou art ſeen in my Dominion, I will
A thouſand crowns to him that brings
See Proclamation ſent to that effect.
Celr.I will, and as many Informers
The Proclamation, as there be crowns
Come we have ſpoken for you all that
Elfr.The Queen’s implacable.
Bert.Be gone I ſay, Why doſt thou
Seg.But to applaud your Mercy and
In that you poſt me from a world of care
And give me the wide world for my
Exit Seg. and Celr.
Elk.Your Majeſty has perform’d a
Mingled with clemency beyond all pre-
Bert.Enough to give a warning to all
As dare oppoſe their Princes purpoſes:
Conduct in now th’ Embaſſador of
Nor-
Whilſt I review his Maſter’s brighter
Exit Elkw. Elf.
As ardently, (but with more pure affe-
As ere did
Cynthia her
Endimion.
Ent. Emb.
My Lord, you have attended long, but
I ſhall return that anſwer to your King,
That if his love be as you have pretended
May well excuſe your ſtay. Tell him
A King ſent forth a General to beſiege
A never conquered City. The ſiege was
And no report came back unto the King,
How well or ill his Expedition thriv’d;
Until his doubtful thoughts had given
His hope oth’ City, and his Army both.
When he being full of this deſpair, ariv’d
Oth’ ſuddain his brave General with
Which made his thanks, as was his con-
You may interpret me my Lord.
I am to tell the King he has won your
Bert.A bluſh may be excus’d in the
’Tis my firſt anſwer to the queſtion: Yes.
Emb.So from the doubtful darkneſſe
The bluſhing morn Uſhers the cheerful
To give new light and life unto the
I ſhall revive my King with theſe glad
Let us enform you better.
(Talk aſide with him)
Elkw.I can but think what old
Sege-
Concerning Laws, Cuſtomes, and Prive-
And how this match will change the
[B2v]I fear,
The Queens Exchange.
I fear, how e’er the Laws may go, our
Be loſt; for he methinks out-flatters us
Elfr.He’s the King’s Favourite; and
For him, that we may fear he’l wrigle in
Twixt him and us, the prime man in
Bert.Let it be ſo. The tenth of the
I’l be prepar’d to entertain his Highneſs.
Firſt to confirm a contract; then as ſoon
As he ſhall pleaſe to conſummate our
In the mean time this Figure, which you
Reſembles him, as Painters ſkill affords:
Indeed it is a ſweet one.
(Kiſſes it)
My deer companion moſt unſeparably;
And when I ſleep it ſhall partake my
Does he love mine as well d’ye think my
Emb.Juſt with the ſame devotion; If
Bert.Nay, ſpeak my Lord, pray ſpeak.
Emb.He do’s allow’t a Table, Waiters
Elfr.Nay, We ſhall ne’re come near
He lodges it perpetually on his boſome.
Elkw.We are dunces to him.
And’t pleaſe your Majeſty o’ the hearts
Bert.Indeed I am pleas’d. I’l ſtay
Tomorrow you ſhall haſten towards
And for your ſpeed wear this.
Emb.Moſt gracious queen.
(kiſſes her
hand.
Exeunt Omnes.
SCEN. II.
Enter Segebert, Apthynus, Offa,
Mildred.
Seg.’Tis the Queens pleaſure children;
Off.To Baniſhment, good heaven for-
I hope will not yet ſuffer it.
Seg.Whilſt we expect the beſt from
It ſuffers Princes to reward us ill.
Yet can I think it ſhakes an angry hand
Over my head, for ſome miſdeed of mine,
Which I have unrepented let go by.
It muſt be ſomething ſure was pleaſure
What in the World has moſt delighted
To love my King and Country, Neigh-
And ſometimes Enemies. (I’l paſſe o’re
I have done well (though I do not to
To ſuccour and relieve all kind of wret-
Poor ſouls that have half deafned me
Loud Prayers. They’l miſſe me now;
Shall have a miſſe of them too. (Let
What have I done at home, ſince my
No Turtle ever kept a widowhood,
More ſtrict, then I have done. Then for
Anth.He might have call’d me firſt,
SegI am ſure thou’lt anſwer in behalf
Have I not lov’d thee alwayes?
I am all unworthy to acknowledge half,
Half of your pious bounties on a Son,
A wretch ſo ill deſerving as my ſelf;
[B3]Your
The Queens Exchange.
Your hand has evermore been open to
Your bleſſings ſtill more readily have
Upon my head, then I had grace to aſk
(For to my knowledge I ne’re aſk’d
With a good will in all my life; ſome
Do Pennance in the Church with leſſe
Seg.I, thou waſt ever an obedient
Anth.Then I muſt be laſt.
Seg.How have you found my love?
Mild.Sir, far above my duty.
Seg.Do not weep, but ſpeak good
I have not long to ſtay with yee; my
Will ſcarce afford this hour to bide with
Mild.Had I no tears nor ſobs to in-
My flattering Tongue, but had ſpeech as
As the beſt Orator that ſpeaks for fee
Could, or durſt I attempt t’expreſs your
More then to ſay, ’tis more then I can
Seg.’Tis a good maid; O Queen thou
Mild.But honour’d Father, grant me
Seg.What’s that my Girle?
Mild.You ſhall know preſently.
Dries her eyes.
Pray give me leave to kneel unto the
To try what I can do for your repeal.
’Twere ſhame we ſhould ſit down and
The Queen affects me well. You know
And promis’d once ſhe would deny me
Seg.For this thou ſhalt not trouble
You put me well in mind to charge you
Upon my Bleſſing, go no more to Court.
Shun it I charge thee as thou wouldſt
If you have lovers there whom they call
Do as neat Surgeons do when they have
Loathſome or peſtilent Sores; waſh
Of all of ’em, that are far more infectious.
And hear me daughter
Mildred, I am told
The
Northumbrian Embaſſador now at
The great Kings greater Favourite made
And that he obtained your Picture
More proud of’t then his undeſerved
Let me now charge you further, and
Shake off all thoughts of him. Upon the
He and whole Sholes of upſtart Brave-
Muſt hither needs attend their King.
Thou marry with him, or any amongſt
Though the greateſt ſubject that his
Thou art divorcd for ever of my bleſſing.
Mild.I will in all obey you.
Anth.At laſt, yet I am thought on.
Of all my children but you to reſolve me,
How you have found my love?
Sir I preſume, cauſe you have had me
To crown their teſtimony.
Anthinus, by your leave, the leaſt to know
[B3v]Bu
The Queens Exchange.
But like a ſtranger look upon me when
Theſe give me due reſpect.
I dare not give you; and more were to
Though I do not applaud, I muſt approve
You are a right good father.
Seg.Yet you ſpeak in this but coldly.
Off.No, no, it ſounds not well. But you
Anth.I have obſerv’d, but ſpecially at
Where flattery is too frequent, the great
You have ever caſt upon it, and do fear
To come within ſuch danger of reproof.
Knowing your reaſon may as well deteſt it
In your own houſe, as in Kings Pallaces.
And when I hear another (my dear
Heaven know I mean not you)
Speak like a flatterer, I hold my peace,
And ſo come ſhort of doing what I
For fear of over-doing. But honour d Sir,
When a Son can be ſound that dares do
For’s Fathers life or honour then my
I’l forfeit mine inheritance and your
So much your love engages me.
Off.If this were hearty now, not
Time calls away apace, and I am ſatisfied
Since I muſt undergo the Queens hard
That it falls not upon me like a curſe,
For wronging Crown or Country,
Or you my dearer children. I will take it
Not as a puniſhment but bleſſing rather.
To be remov’d from miſeries
Are like to fall on this unhappy King-
And I will think the Queen has done me
To eaſe me of my cares a thouſand
To make my reſt of life all holidayes.
Now take my laſt directions. Son
An-
Anth.Son! It is holyday with me to.
The firſt time he call’d me Son theſe
Seg.Though you are eldeſt, and my
And muſt be Lord at my deceaſe of all
My large Poſſeſſions. Yet it is my will
That till my death my
Offa have the
And government of all, allowing you
That yearly ſtipen formerly I gave you.
Let me not hear of any grudge betwixt
And be you both reſpectful of your
And you of them good Girle. It is
That I ſhall never ſee you more.
Seg.Go get thee in I prithe
Mildred
Go in I ſay, thy brothers ſhall a little
Shew me my way. Go in, I ſhall not ſpeak
And I have more to ſay to them. Good
Seg.You will not diſobey me? Hea-
ven bleſſe my Girle (go and
Mild.But muſt I never ſee you more?
Seg.Yes child in Heaven; and then
Mild.To wait your coming thither
Seg.Thither ſhall be my firſt journey.
But after you ſhall ſtill hear from me
Anth.Not I Sir, by your favour.
Anth.I muſt be nearer you. I kneel
And humbly pray I may not be denied
To wait on you in Exile. Take me
[B4]Off.
The Queens Exchange.
Seg.This is but your ſtoutneſs
(Though you ſeem humble unto me)
Your brother, becauſe I leave the rule
Anth.Far be it from my thoughts dear
He has had that rule already divers years
Ere ſince my mother die, and been your
Heaven knows without my grudge,
Off.Heaven knows his thoughts the
Anth.I never envied him, though I
You have ſeverely over look’d my
When you have ſmil’d on his, though
I have been ſtill content while I have
Anth.You have new begotten me.
Seg.Peace, I know thy fear, my deareſt
Off.Does not your blood begin to chil
Great heirs are overhaſty Sir,
And think their Fathers live too long.
Take heed of him. Though he ſhould
Parricide abroad, our laws acquit him.
Seg.I’l give my ſelf to Heaven, quit
I am not worth a life. I’l take him
That thou mayſt be ſecure from bloody
I fear him not, miſchief has ſpent her
And leſt her ſting within me for a
That quit me from the fear of further
Go get thee home, my bleſſing and fare-
Off.Pray Sir excuſe me, I cannot ſpeak
Seg.And farwel Countrey, ſhed not a
I go to be diſſolv’d in tears for thee.
