THE SCOTTISH HISTORY OF JAMES THE FOURTH

1598

THE MALONE SOCIETY REPRINTS 1921

This reprint of James IV has been prepared by A. E. H. Swaen with the assistance of the General Editor.

Nov. 1921.

W. W. Greg.

The following entries are found in the Register of the Stationers’ Company for 1594:

[Arber’s Transcript, II. 648.]

No edition, however, is known before 1598, and it would be natural to suspect that the original impression had perished were it not for the fact that 1598 is also the date of the earliest known edition of the Famous Victories. In the circumstances we may suppose that publication was for some reason delayed. The impression of 1598 is a quarto printed by Creede in roman type of a size approximating to modern pica (20 ll. = 84 mm.). Of this four copies are known to survive. That in the British Museum wants the leaf A 4, which has been supplied in very inaccurate modern reprint. Fortunately the leaf is present in the Dyce copy at South Kensington, though in this H 1 is defective (a corner being supplied in not quite accurate facsimile) and sheet K is wrongly perfected. Another copy, formerly at Bridgewater House, is now in the possession of Mr. Henry E. Huntington; while a fourth is in a collected volume once in the possession of Charles II, which formed lot 8258 in the Huth Sale (25 June 1920). All four want the first leaf, which was presumably blank, except perhaps for a signature.

It has not been possible to use more than the first two copies mentioned in preparing the present reprint.

The title-page bears the name of Robert Greene as author, together with a motto used by him in other works, which suggests that the manuscript may have been in some manner prepared for press before his death in 1592. Three passages from the play are quoted, rather inaccurately, in England’s Parnassus, 1600, above Greene’s name. The title-page also states that the play had been ‘sundrie times publikely plaide’, without, however, mentioning any company.

The plot is entirely unhistorical, and P. A. Daniel and W. Creizenach independently traced its source to the first novel of the third day of the Ecatommiti of Giraldi Cintio, a story in which, however, the identity of the characters is quite different. Whether Greene was also acquainted with Cintio’s play Arrenopia, based on the same story, is not known.

List of Doubtful and Irregular Readings.

The play, evidently printed from a much altered and probably illegible manuscript, abounds in errors of every description. The following list is confined to such readings as are to some extent doubtful in the original and to a few literal misprints which might otherwise perhaps be thought due to the reprint. No irregularities recorded by previous editors are included. No variations of any importance have been found between the two copies collated.

In ll. 1062, 1090 the speaker’s name is given as ‘8. Atten.’ Whatever this may be meant for it is clear that the speeches belong to the Bishop of St. Andrews. In ll. 2015-6 a complicated error has occurred, the ‘e’ of ‘her’ in the lower line having worked its way up into an accidental space after the ‘d’ of ‘and’ in the upper.

List of Characters

in order of appearance.

In the Induction and Chorus:

Oberon, king of fairies. Bohan, a Scot. Slipper } his sons. Nano } an antic (dance), fairies, a dancer ‘boy or wench’.

In the Dumb Shows:

Semiramis, queen of Assiria. Stabrobates, king of India. Cyrus, king of Persia. Olive Pat, (?). Alexander, king of Macedon. Sesostris, king of Egypt.

In the Play:

The King of Scots. The King of England. Dorothea, his daughter, wife of the King of Scots. The Countess of Arran. Ida, her daughter. Ateukin (or Gnato). Andrew Snoord, a servingman. Slipper, a clown. Nano, a dwarf. Sir Bartram, a Scottish gentleman. Sir Eustace (Dick), an English gentleman. (A Servant of Sir Bartram.) The Bishop of Saint Andrews. Earl Douglas. Lord Morton. a Purveyor. Jaques, a Frenchman. Lord Ross. a Huntsman. a Tailor. a Shoemaker. a Cutler. Sir Cutbert Anderson. Lady Anderson. a Servant of the Countess of Arran. a Lawyer. a Merchant. a Divine. a Scout.

Lady Douglas, Sir Egmond, Lord Percy, Samles, an English Herald, lords, ladies, huntsmen, soldiers, antics.

In V. iii the speeches of the King of England have the prefix ‘Arius’ (ll. 2095, 2105, 2126, 2129), a name which in a stage-direction in II. ii (l. 1050) is apparently applied to the King of Scots. Ateukin (twice misprinted ‘Auteukin’, ll. 1451, 2562) is repeatedly called Gnato, which would seem to have been the original name of the character, subsequently altered, for in I. i ‘Ateukin’ several times scans as a dissyllable (ll. 355, 362, 365). Twice Ateukin and Gnato are mentioned together in a stage-direction (ll. 1550, 2053), apparently through misunderstanding of an alteration. Sir Eustace, who is also addressed as Lord Eustace, is several times called Dick (ll. 565, 568, 571, 601, 608, 629). One speech (l. 629) assigned to him, clearly belongs to a servant, who has therefore been added to the characters. In II. ii Nano is throughout called ‘Dwarfe’ except in the exit at l. 1049. Andrew’s surname appears from l. 551. The name of the King of Fairies is Oberon: ‘Oboram’ on the title and ‘Obiran’ in l. 1934. seem to be

mere misprints, and ‘Obiron’ (ll. 1164, 1923, 1931) a sporadic variant. In l. 2 his name is given as ‘After Oberõ’, but this is most likely a misprint for ‘after Oberõ’. Dyce supposed that Oberon entered at l. 2398, and Grosart assumed that ‘Adam’ was the name of the actor who played the part, but it is more likely to be a compositor’s misreading of ‘A danc(e)’. At l. 1953 the direction ‘Ladie Anderson ouerheares’ is due to a misunderstanding; it should be ‘Sir Cutbert’. Lady Douglas and Sir Egmond are mentioned in l. 1606 as present, but nothing further is known of them: Lord Percy and Samles enter in V. iii (l. 2094), and the former again in V. vi (l. 2407), also the English herald in V. vi (l. 2338), but none of them speak. Nano does not speak in the Induction.

In l. 656 (cf. 666) the form ‘Staurobates’, in place of Stabrobates, proves that Greene drew from Poggio’s Latin translation of Diodorus Siculus and not from the original.

The text of the play contains nothing to identify either the English or the Scottish king, and the date 1520 given in the Induction is seven years after the death of James IV at Flodden.

The two collotype plates represent A2 recto (title page) and A3 recto in the Dyce copy of the original.

THE SCOTTISH Historie of Iames the fourth, slaine at Flodden.

Entermixed with a pleasant Comedie, presented by Oboram King of Fayeries:

As it hath bene sundrie times publikely plaide.

Written by Robert Greene, Maister of Arts.

Omne tulit punctum.

LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede. 1598.

THE SCOTTISH Hystorie of Iames the fourth, slaine at Flodden.

Musicke playing within. I. Chor.

Enter After Oberõ, King of Fayries, an Antique, who dance about a Tombe, plac’st conueniently on the Stage, out of the which, suddainly starts vp as they daunce, Bohan a Scot, attyred like a ridstall man, from whom the Antique flyes. Oberon Manet.

Ay say, whats thou?

Bohan. What wot I, or reck I that, whay guid man, I reck no friend, nor ay reck no foe, als 10 ene to me, git the ganging, and trouble not may whayet, or ays gar the recon me nene of thay friend, by the mary masse sall I.

Ober. Why angrie Scot, I visit thee for loue: then what mooues thee to wroath?

Bohan. The deele awhit reck I thy loue. For I knowe too well, that true loue tooke her flight twentie winter sence to heauen, whither till ay can, weele I wot, ay sal nere finde loue: an thou lou’st me, leaue me to my selfe. But what were those Puppits that hopt and skipt about me year whayle? 20

Oberon. My subiects.

Boh. Thay subiects, whay art thou a King?

Ober. I am.

Bohan. The deele thou art, whay thou look’st not so big as the king of Clubs, nor so sharpe as the king of Spades, nor so faine as the king Adaymonds, be the masse ay take thee to bee the king of false harts: therfore I rid thee away, or ayse so curry your Kingdome, that yous be glad to runne to saue your life.

Ober. Why stoycall Scot, do what thou dar’st to me, heare is my brest strike. 30

Boh. Thou wilt not threap me, this whiniard has gard many better mẽ to lope thẽ thou: but how now? Gos sayds what wilt not out? whay thou wich, thou deele, gads sute may whiniard.

Ober. Why pull man: but what an twear out, how then?

Boh. This then, thou weart best begon first: for ayl so lop thy lyms, that thouse go with half a knaues carkasse to the deele

Ober. Draw it out, now strike foole, canst thou not?

Boh. Bread ay gad, what deele is in me, whay tell mee thou skipiack what art thou?

Ober. Nay first tell me what thou wast from thy birth, what 40 thou hast past hitherto, why thou dwellest in a Tombe, & leauest the world? and then I will release thee of these bonds, before not.

Boh. And not before, then needs must needs sal: I was borne a gentleman of the best bloud in all Scotland, except the king, when time brought me to age, and death tooke my parents, I became a Courtier, where though ay list not praise my selfe, ay engraued the memory of Boughon on the skin-coate of some of them, and reueld with the proudest.

Ober. But why liuing in such reputation, didst thou leaue to 50 be a Courtier?

Boh. Because my pride was vanitie, my expence losse, my reward faire words and large promises, & my hopes spilt, for that after many yeares seruice, one outran me, and what the deele should I then do there. No no, flattering knaues that can cog and prate fastest, speede best in the Court.

Ober. To what life didst thou then betake thee?

Boh. I then chang’d the Court for the countrey, and the wars for a wife: but I found the craft of swaines more vile, then the knauery of courtiers: the charge of children more heauie then 60 seruants, and wiues tongues worse then the warres it selfe: and therefore I gaue ore that, & went to the Citie to dwell, & there I kept a great house with smal cheer, but all was nere the neere.

Ober. And why?

Boh. because in seeking friends, I found table guests to eate me, & my meat, my wiues gossops to bewray the secrets of my heart, kindred to betray the effect of my life, which when I noted, the court ill, the country worse, and the citie worst of all, in good time my wife died: ay wood she had died twentie winter sooner by the masse, leauing my two sonnes to the world, and 70 shutting my selfe into this Tombe, where if I dye, I am sure I am safe from wilde beasts, but whilest I liue, cannot be free frõ ill companie. Besides, now I am sure gif all my friends faile me, I sall haue a graue of mine owne prouiding: this is all. Now what art thou?

Ober. Oberon King of Fayries, that loues thee because thou hatest the world, and to gratulate thee, I brought those Antiques to shew thee some sport in daunsing, which thou haste loued well.

Bohan. Ha, ha, ha, thinkest thou those puppits can please 80 me? whay I haue two sonnes, that with one scottish gigge shall breake the necke of thy Antiques.

Ober. That would I faine see.

Slip. Why I must talk on Idy fort, wherefore was my tongue made.

Boha. Prattle an thou darst ene word more, and ais dab this 90 whiniard in thy wembe.

Ober. Be quiet Bohan, Ile strike him dumbe, and his brother too, their talk shal not hinder our gyg, fall to it, dance I say mã.

Ober. Nay for their sport I will giue them this gift, to the Dwarfe I giue a quicke witte, prettie of body, and awarrant his 100 preferment to a Princes seruice, where by his wisdome he shall gaine more loue then cõmon. And to loggerhead your sonne, I giue a wandering life, and promise he shall neuer lacke: and auow that if in all distresses he call vpon me to helpe him: now let them go.

Boh. Now King, if thou bee a King, I will shew thee whay I hate the world by demonstration, in the year 1520. was in Scotland, a king ouerruled with parasites, mifled by lust, & many circumstances, too long to trattle on now, much like our 110 court of Scotland this day, that story haue I set down, gang with me to the gallery, & Ile shew thee the same in Action, by guid fellowes of our country men, and then when thou seest that, iudge if any wise man would not leaue the world if he could.

Ober. That will I see, lead and ile follow thee. Exeunt.

Laus Deo detur in Eternum. I. i.

Enter the King of England, the King of Scots, Dorithe his Queen, the Countesse, Lady Ida, with other Lords. And Ateukin with them aloofe.

K. of Scots. Brother of England, since our neighboring land, And neare alliance doth inuite our loues, The more I think vpon our last accord, The more I greeue your suddaine parting hence: First lawes of friendship did confirme our peace, Now both the seale of faith and marriage bed, The name of father, and the style of friend, These force in me affection full confirmd, So that I greeue, and this my heartie griefe 130 The heauens record, the world may witnesse well To loose your presence, who are now to me A father, brother, and a vowed friend.

K. of Eng. Link all these louely stiles good king in one, And since thy griefe exceeds in my depart, I leaue my Dorithea to enioy, thy whole compact Loues, and plighted vowes. Brother of Scotland, this is my ioy, my life, Her fathers honour, and her Countries hope, Her mothers comfort, and her husbands blisse: 140 I tell thee king, in louing of my Doll, Thou bindst her fathers heart and all his friends In bands of loue that death cannot dissolue.

K. of Scots. Nor can her father loue her like to me, My liues light, and the comfort of my soule: Faire Dorithea, that wast Englands pride, Welcome to Scotland, and in signe of loue, Lo I inuest thee with the Scottish Crowne. Nobles and Ladies, stoupe vnto your Queene. And Trumpets sound, that Heralds may proclaime, 150 Faire Dorithea peerlesse Queene of Scots.

All. Long liue and prosper our faire Q. of Scots.

Dor. Thanks to the king of kings for my dignity, Thanks to my father, that prouides so carefully, Thanks to my Lord and husband for this honor, And thanks to all that loue their King and me.

All. Long liue faire Dorithea our true Queene.

K. of E. Long shine the sun of Scotland in her pride, Her fathers comfort, and faire Scotlands Bride. 160 But Dorithea, since I must depart, And leaue thee from thy tender mothers charge, Let me aduise my louely daughter first, What best befits her in a forraine land, Liue Doll, for many eyes shall looke on thee, Haue care of honor and the present state: For she that steps to height of Maiestie, Is euen the marke whereat the enemy aimes. Thy vertues shall be construed to vice, Thine affable discourse to abiect minde. 170 If coy, detracting tongues will call thee proud: Be therefore warie in this slippery state, Honour thy husband, loue him as thy life: Make choyce of friends, as Eagles of their yoong, Who sooth no vice, who flatter not for gaine: But loue such friends as do the truth maintaine. Thinke on these lessons when thou art alone, And thou shalt liue in health when I am gone.

Dor. I will engraue these preceps in my heart, And as the wind with calmnesse woes you hence, 180 Euen so I wish the heauens in all mishaps, May blesse my father with continuall grace.

K. of E. Then son farwell, the fauouring windes inuites vs to depart. Long circumstance in taking princely leaues, Is more officious then conuenient. Brother of Scotland, loue me in my childe, You greet me well, if so you will her good.

K. of Sc. Then louely Doll, and all that fauor me, Attend to see our English friends at sea, Let all their charge depend vpon my purse: 190 They are our neighbors, by whose kind accord, We dare attempt the proudest Potentate. Onely faire Countesse, and your daughter stay, With you I haue some other thing to say.

K. of S. So let them tryumph that haue cause to ioy, But wretched King, thy nuptiall knot is death: Thy Bride the breeder of thy Countries ill, For thy false heart dissenting from thy hand, 200 Misled by loue, hast made another choyce, Another choyce, euen when thou vowdst thy soule To Dorithea, Englands choyseff pride, O then thy wandring eyes bewitcht thy heart, Euen in the Chappell did thy fancie change, When periur’d man, though faire Doll had thy hand, The Scottish Idaes bewtie stale thy heart: Yet feare and loue hath tyde thy readie tongue From blabbing forth the passions of thy minde, Lest fearefull silence haue in suttle lookes 210 Bewrayd the treason of my new vowd loue, Be faire and louely Doll, but here’s the prize That lodgeth here, and entred through mine eyes, Yet how so ere I loue, I must be wise. Now louely Countesse, what reward or grace, May I imploy on you for this your zeale, And humble honors done vs in our Court, In entertainment of the English King.

Countesse. It was of dutie Prince that I haue done: And what in fauour may content me most, 220 Is, that it please your grace to giue me leaue, For to returne vnto my Countrey home.

K. of Scots. But louely Ida is your mind the same?

Ida. I count of Court my Lord, as wise men do, Tis fit for those that knowes what longs thereto: Each person to his place, the wise to Art, The Cobler to his clout, the Swaine to Cart.

K. of Sc. But Ida you are faire, and bewtie shines, And seemeth best, where pomp her pride refines.

Ida. If bewtie (as I know there’s none in me) 230 Were sworne my loue, and I his life should be: The farther from the Court I were remoued, The more I thinke of heauen I were beloued.

K. of Scots. And why?

Ida. Because the Court is counted Venus net, Where gifts and vowes for stales are often set, None, be she chaste as Vesta, but shall meete A curious toong to charme her eares with sweet.

K. of Scots. Why Ida then I see you set at naught, The force of loue. 240

Ida. In sooth this is my thoght most gratious king, That they that little proue Are mickle blest, from bitter sweets of loue: And weele I wot, I heard a shepheard sing, That like a Bee, Loue hath a little sting: He lurkes in flowres, he pearcheth on the trees, He on Kings pillowes, bends his prettie knees: The Boy is blinde, but when he will not spie, He hath a leaden foote, and wings to flie: Beshrow me yet, for all these strange effects, 250 If I would like the Lad, that so infects.

K. of Scots. Rare wit, fair face, what hart could more desire? But Doll is faire, and doth concerne thee neere. Let Doll be faire, she is wonne, but I must woe, And win faire Ida, theres some choyce in two. But Ida thou art coy.

Ida. And why dread King?

K. of Scots. In that you will dispraise so sweet A thing, as loue, had I my wish.

Ida. What then? 260

K. of Scots. Then would I place his arrow here, His bewtie in that face.

Ida. And were Apollo moued and rulde by me, His wisedome should be yours, and mine his tree.

K. of Scots. But here returnes our traine. Welcome faire Doll: how fares our father, is he shipt and gone.

Enters the traine backe.

Dor. My royall father is both shipt and gone, God and faire winds direct him to his home.

K. of Sc. Amen say I, wold thou wert with him too: 270 Then might I haue a fitter time to woo. But Countesse you would be gone, therfore farwell Yet Ida if thou wilt, stay thou behind, To accompany my Queene. But if thou like the pleasures of the Court, Or if she likte me tho she left the Court, What should I say? I know not what to say, You may depart, and you my curteous Queene, Leaue me a space, I haue a waightie cause to thinke vpon:

Id., it nips me neere: 280 It came from thence, I feele it burning heere.

Exeunt all sauing the King and Ateukin.

K. of Scot. Now am I free from sight of commõ eie, Where to my selfe I may disclose the griefe That hath too great a part in mine affects.

Ateu. And now is my time, by wiles & words to rise, Greater then those, that thinks themselues more wise.