Ben Jonson - Mortimer His Fall - Persons in the Play lyrics

The P E R S O N S Names. MORTIMER, Earl of March. ISABEL, Queen Mother. ADAM D'ORLTON, B. of Worc'ter. CHORUS, Of Ladies, Knights, and Squires. EDWARD III. K. of England. JOHH,(JOHN) the K's. Brother, Earl of Cornwall. HEN. the K's. Cousin, Earl of Lancaster. W. MOUNTACUTE, K's. Servant. RO. D'ELAND, Const. of Nott. Castle. NUNCIUS, Or a Herald. A R G U M E N T S. T HE First Act comprehends Mortimer 's Pride and Security, raised to the Degree of an Earl, by the Queen's Favour, and Love; with the Counsels of Adam d' Orlton, the Politick Bishop of Worc'ster, against Lancaster. The Chorus of Ladies, celebrating the Worthiness of the Queen, in rewarding Mortimer's Services, and the Bishop's. The Second Act shews the King's Love and Respect to his Mother, that will hear nothing against Mortimer 's Greatness, or believe any Report of her extraordinary Favours to him; but imputes all to his Cousin Lancaster 's Envy, and commands thereafter an utter Silence of those Matters. The Chorus of Courtiers, celebrating the King's Worthiness of Nature, and Affection to his Mother, who will hear nothing that may trench upon her Honour, though deliver'd by his Kinsman, of such nearness; and thereby take occasion to extol the King's Piety, and their own Happiness under such a King. The Third Act relates (by the occasion of a Vision the blind Earl of L. had) to the King's Brother, Earl of Cornwal, the Horrour of their Father's d**h, and the cunning making away of their Uncle, the Earl of K. by Mortimer 's hired Practice. The Chorus of Country-Justices, and their Wives, telling how they were deluded, and made believe the Old King liv'd, by the Shew of him in Corf-Castle; and how they saw him eat, and use his Knife, like the Old King, &c. with the Description of the feigned Lights, and Masques there, that deceiv'd 'em, all which came from the Court. The Fourth Act expresseth, by Conference between the King and his Brother, a Change, and intention to explore the Truth of those Reports, and a Charge of employing W. Mountacute to get the Keys of the Castle of Nottingham into the King's Power, and draw the Constable, Sir Rob. d' Eland, to their Party. Mortimer's Security, Scorn of the Nobility, too much Familiarity with the Queen, related by the Chorus. The Report of the King's surprising him in his Mothers Bed-chamber: A general Gladness: His being sent to Execution. The Fifth Act, The Earl of Lancaster 's following the Cry, and meeting the Report. The Celebration of the King's Justice.