Enter Duke, Fredericke, Constantine, Reinaldo, Alberto, Alfrid, and amongst them Hatto shuffles in.
Alberto. Princes and pillars of the Saxon State.
Duke. You are the elected, speake for the Court.— Stay, Lord Alberto, we usurpe your office: Who had the charge to fetch Valentia?
Con. I, gracious Lord; and when I gave the charge,
A sudden feare, by palenesse, was displai'd
Upon her rosie cheeke; the crimson blood,
That like a robe of state did beautifie
The goodly buildings with a two fold grace,
From either side shrunke downewards to her heart
As if those summons were an adversarie
And had some mighty crime to charge her with.
Millions of thoughts were crowded in her braines:
Her troubled minde her abrupt words describ'd;
She did accuse her selfe without accusers,
And in the terrour of a soule perplext
Cry'd out, 'the Duke intends to cease my goods
Cause I am noted for a Concubine.'
I did replie such comfort as beseemes,
But comfortlesse I brought her to the Court.
Duke. Then she attends our pleasure.
Con. Mightie Lord, In the next Roome.
Duke. You are careful, Constantine. Conduct her in, and, Lords, give mee your thoughts: What thinke ye wee intend to Valentia?
Alf. Her selfe hath read my sentence in the speech That Constantine delivered to your grace.
Fred. What should my noble father thinke But that she is a strumpet, and in that A blemish to the state wherein she lives?
Hat. She is rich in jewells, and hath store of treasure Got by the slavery of that choice beautie Which otherwise admires her to the world.