Fred. I am possest with a relenting devill; Legions of kinde thoughts have supriz'd my sense And I am too weake to be mine owne defence.
Duke. Thou art a coward.
Fred. And you make me so,
For you come charm'd like a dishonest[199] foe.
You have conferr'd with spirits, and tane their aydes
To make me weake, by them I am betraid,
My strength drawne from me by a slight;
What other meanes could hold me from the fight?
Duke. I have no spells about me.
Fred. 'Tis untrue,
For naturall Magique you have brought with you,
And such an exorcisme in your name
That I forbeare the combate to my shame.
But that I am no coward, from your host
Elect two of the valiantst that dare most;
Double that number, treble it, or more,
I have heart at will t'encounter with a score.
Or had your selfe come in a strange attire,
One of us twaine had lost his living fire.
Enter[200] Montano, Alfred, Vandermas, Valentia, and others.
Duke. Ile trie your valour; see, audacious boy, Thou art incompast with a world of foes Montano, Alfred, Vandermas, and all: My Dutchesse comes, too, to behold thy fall. If thou hast spirit enough, now crave her ayd, Never was poore ventrous souldier worse apayd. [Exit Duke.
Fred. My[201] desire now from the skie of starres. Dart all your Deitie, since I am beset, In honourable wise pay[202] all Natures debt.
They fight, Fredericke beats them off and courses the Dutchesse over the stage.
Actus Quartus.