Classic Poem

[SCENE II.]

Enter D IEGO L OPEZ , Governor of Lisbon, the Irish Bishop, S TUKELEY , J ONAS , and H ERCULES .

Die . Welcome to Lisbon, valiant Catholics,
Welcome, brave Englishmen, to Portugal:
Most reverent primate of the Irish church,
And, noble Stukeley, famous by thy name,
Welcome, thrice-welcome to Sebastian's town;
And welcome, English captains, to you all:
It joyeth us to see his Holiness' fleet
Cast anchor happily upon our coast.
Brish . These welcomes, worthy governor of Lisbon,
Argue an honourable mind in thee,
But treat of our misfortune therewithal,
To Ireland by Pope Gregory's command
Were we all bound, and therefore thus embark'd,
To land our forces there at unawares,
Conquering the island for his Holiness,
And so restore it to the Roman faith:
This was the cause of our expedition,
And Ireland long ere this had been subdued,
Had not foul weather brought us to this bay.
Die . Under correction, are ye not all Englishmen,
And 'longs not Ireland to that kingdom, lords?
Then, may I speak my conscience in the cause
Sans scandal to the holy see of Rome,
Unhonourable is this expedition,
And misbeseeming you to meddle in.
Stuke . Lord governor of Lisbon, understand,
As we are Englishmen, so are we men,
And I am Stukeley so resolved in all
To follow rule, honour, and empery,
Not to be bent so strictly to the place
Wherein at first I blew the fire of life,
But that I may at liberty make choice
Of all the continents that bounds the world;
For why I make it not so great desert
To be begot or born in any place,
Sith that's a thing of pleasure and of ease
That might have been perform'd elsewhere as well.
Die . Follow what your good pleasure will,
Good Captain Stukeley: be it far from me
To take exceptions beyond my privilege.
Bish . Yet, captain, give me leave to speak;
We must affect our country as our parents,
And if at any time we alienate
Our love or industry from doing it honour,
It must respect effects and touch the soul,
Matter of conscience and religion,
And not desire of rule or benefit.
Stuke . Well said, bishop! spoken like yourself,
The reverent, lordly Bishop of Saint Asses.
Herc . The bishop talks according to his coat,
And takes not measure of it by his mind:
You see he hath it made thus large and wide,
Because he may convert it, as he list,
To any form may fit the fashion best.
Bish . Captain, you do me wrong to descant thus
Upon my coat or double conscience,
And cannot answer it in another place.
Die . 'Tis but in jest, lord bishop; put it up:
And all as friends deign to be entertain'd
As my ability here can make provision.
Shortly shall I conduct you to the king,
Whose welcomes evermore to strangers are
Princely and honourable, as his state becomes.
Stuke . Thanks, worthy governor. — Come, bishop, come,
Will you show fruits of quarrel and of wrath?
Come, let's in with my Lord of Lisbon here,
And put all conscience into one carouse,
Letting it out again as we may live.
There shall no action pass my hand or sword,
That cannot make a step to gain a crown;
No word shall pass the office of my tongue,
That sounds not of affection to a crown;
No thought have being in my lordly breast,
That works not every way to win a crown:
Deeds, words, and thoughts, shall all be as a king's;
My chiefest company shall be with kings;
And my deserts shall counterpoise a king's:
Why should not I, then, look to be a king?
I am the Marquis now of Ireland made,
And will be shortly King of Ireland:
King of a mole-hill had I rather be,
Than the richest subject of a monarchy.
Huff it, brave mind, and never cease t'aspire,
Before thou reign sole king of thy desire.