The Argument and manner of the
first dumbe shewe.

SOunding the musicke, there rose three furies from vnder the stage apparelled accordingly with snakes and flames about their blacke haires and garments. The first with a Snake in the right hande and a cup of wine with a Snake athwart the cup in the left hand. The second with a firebrand in the right hande, and a Cupid in the left: The thirde with a whippe in the right hande and a Paegasus in the left. Whiles they went masking about the stage, there came from another place three Nuns which walked by them selues. Then after a full sight giuen to the beholders, they all parted, the furies to Mordreds house, the Nuns to the Cloister. By the first furie with the Snake and Cup was signified the Banquet of Vther Pendragon, and afterward his death which insued by poysoned cup. The second furie with her firebrande & Cupid represented Vthers vnlawfull heate and loue conceyued at the banquet, which neuer ceased in his posteritie. By the third with her whip and Paegasus was prefigured the crueltie and ambition which thence incite and continued to th' effecting of this tragidie. By the Nuns was signified the remorse and dispaire of Gueneuora, that wanting other hope tooke a Nunrie for her refuge. After their departure, the fowre which represented the Chorus tooke their places. The argument of the first Act. 1.  IN the first scene the spirit of Gorlois Duke of Cornwell, the man first & most wronged in this historie being dispoild both of Wife, Dukedome and life craueth reuenge for these iniuries, denouncing the whole misfortune insuing.   2.  In the second scene, Gueneuora hearing that Arthur was on Seas returning, desperately manaceth his death, from which intent she is disswaded by Fronia, a Lady of her Court & priuie to her secretes.   3.  In the third scene Gueneuora perplexedly mindeth her owne death, whence being diswaded by her sister she resolueth to enter into Religion.   4.  In the fourth scene Mordred goeth about to perswade Gueneuora to persist in her loue, but misseth thereof: And then is exhorted by Conan (a noble mâ of Brytain) to reconcile himselfe to his Father at his comming, but refuseth so to doe and resolueth to keepe him from landing by battaile.

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