Anonymous
(Thomas Dekker in part?)

THE WEAKEST GOETH TO THE WALL

1599–1600

a synoptic, alphabetical character list

BARNABE BUNCH

He is an English botcher, a mender of worn out clothes. He is in France to learn languages and understand fashion. As the city is invaded, a group of citizens wishes for somewhere to hide their valuables. Bunch ends up with Lodowick (the fleeing Duke of Bullen), his wife and daughter in Flanders, at the house of Jacob. Bunch is offended by Jacob, misunderstanding his Flemish accent; Lodowick makes peace between the two. Lodowick strikes a deal with Bunch that if he does not reveal where Lodowick and his family come from, he will remunerate Bunch when his fortune returns, Bunch declares that he will protect them for nothing. When Jacob demands that Lodowick leave the house for not paying his debts and that he leave behind his wife and daughter as surety, Bunch offers all his the money to Jacob to cover Lodowick's debts, but it is not nearly enough. Lodowick leaves for London, and Bunch takes Jacob down to an inn. Jacob returns violent and drunk. Bunch offers all his money to Oriana and Diana with which they are to run away. The women leave, looking for Lodowick in London, prompting Bunch to leave Flanders and go back to France. On his journey he meets Ferdinand and Odillia, fleeing from Odillia's father, the Duke of Brabant. The three meet Lodowick dressed as a sexton and discover that they are in Picardy. While Ferdinand and Odillia are arranging to be married, Lodowick, who recognizes Bunch, discovers that his wife and daughter have set off for London to find him. Lodowick persuades Sir Nicholas, the vicar of the parish, to let Bunch replace him as sexton. Bunch accepts the offer, expressing a hope that plague will spread across France, thus increasing his income as gravedigger. Back in France, Lodowick sends a letter to Sir Nicholas revealing his identity. Sir Nicholas is proud of the connection. Bunch crows that he knew Duke Lodowick while they were all staying at Jacob Smelt's, before Nicholas met him. Bunch asks Odillia, who has been summoned to Lodowick, to convey to the Duke how well he has learnt his new trade of sexton. After Odillia leaves, Sir Nicholas and Bunch go off to the Dragon for a pot of ale.

CITIZEN, FIRST, SECOND and THIRD

While Bunch is singing merrily, three citizens rush in, announcing the invasion of the city by Anjou, and looking for somewhere to hide their valuables. Lodowick enters ordering the citizens to take up arms to defend themselves. They flee declaring that the help he is expecting is actually fighting for the Duke of Anjou.

CITIZEN of SHAMONT, FIRST and SECOND

The boastful and arrogant Hernando, the Spanish general, invades deep into France and is ready to raze the town of Shamount. Two of the citizens offer him gold if he will spare their town, but he dismisses their request saying he needs no money, and kills them.

DIANA

Diana is Lodowick's daughter. As the exiled family take refuge at Jacob's house in Flanders, Lodowick, the Duke of Bullen, tries to comfort Diana, but she avers that she does not need to be comforted and accepts their situation with patience. When Lodowick has to leave the house and the women have to remain as surety, Diana urges her mother to go to her chamber and leave the monstrous Jacob. When later Oriana tells Jacob that they are leaving, Diana encourages her to leave at that very moment. Later Oriana and Diana meet Villiers, a merchant of La Rochelle. He has been looking after them and promises to marry Oriana. Diana says that she will be pleased to call him father. In the final scene, she is present when her mother and Lodowick are reunited.

DUKE of BULLEN

A non-speaking character. At the play's opening, a dumb show shows the old Duke of Bullen being killed by Mercury.

DUKE of BULLEN'S WIFE

A non-speaking character. She appears only in the opening dumb show. When the Duke of Anjou invades Burgundy she drowns herself, leaving the boy Frederick, the son of her nephew, Lodowick, on the riverbank. This explains how the infant becomes the foundling of Emmanuel known throughout the play as Ferdinand.

EMMANUEL

In the opening dumb show, Emmanuel finds a baby (later called Ferdinand) on a riverbank. The boy (actually the son of Lodowick, who will become Duke of Bullen) grows up at Emmanuel's court. When a courtier describes for Emmanuel how he has watched his master's daughter, Odillia, and the now-mature Ferdinand, expressing their love to each other, Emmanuel chastises Ferdinand for taking advantage of his position. But when Ferdinand explains how he has done nothing wrong, and Odillia confirms this, Emmanuel is satisfied. Nevertheless, because they believe they will find no privacy, Odillia and Ferdinand run away together. Discovering their absence, Emmanuel gives chase, encouraged by Shamont, a courtier. At the battle between the Spanish and French, Emmanuel joins Lodowick. Epernon, the French general, thanks Lodowick and Brabant. Lodowick asks Epernon if he can identity the brave gentleman who killed Don Ugo. Epernon points out Ferdinand. Brabant, recognizing him, is horrified that such a man should be considered a hero. Lodowick knights him. In rage, Brabant insults him, saying that he has run off with his daughter after being fostered in Brabant's court. Despite Ferdinand's claim that they are now married, he wants Ferdinand tried and executed. Lodowick agrees to stand bail for him. When they are alone Lodowick says that he can avouch the marriage and that he has sent for Odillia in an effort to protect him from her father's anger. In the final scene, with Lodowick and Epernon both trying to dissuade Brabant from his anger, Brabant accuses Lodowick and Epernon of wanting to destroy the justice system. Brabant rejects Odillia as a whore. Brabant insists on justice taking its course. He stands upon the law that states anyone who is not a prince who steals the heir of a prince is to die. He describes the lowly circumstances in which he found Ferdinand. Lodowick explains that he lost a son in exactly similar circumstances, even down to the "F" embroidered on his clothes. Brabant accepts that his indictment has failed because Ferdinand is the son of a prince and gladly accepts Frederick as his own son.

FERDINAND

Ferdinand is the son of Lodowick, Duke of Bullen. He is found on a riverbank as a baby and is brought up by Emmanuel, Duke of Brabant. Because of an "F" embroidered on the infant's cloth, he is given the name "Ferdinand." When, many years later, Emmanuel is told that Ferdinand and his daughter, Odillia, have fallen in love, the young lovers aver that they have done nothing wrong. They then run away together. They flee through the woods at night and eventually meet Bunch on his travels. Lodowick, dressed as a sexton tells the three that they are in Picardy. Ferdinand asks Lodowick, as a representative of the church, to arrange for him to marry Odillia, and Sir Nicholas the vicar agrees to perform the ceremony. Because he cannot get work and they have no money, Ferdinand must leave for France to become a soldier in the wars. Lodowick agrees to look after Odillia in his small cottage while Ferdinand is away. When the invading Spanish army and the French army under Epernon meet, Ferdinand meets and defeats Don Ugo, the Spanish lieutenant. When Epernon asks who he is Ferdinand says that he is a younger son with no fortune, a subject of the Duke of Brabant. Epernon rewards him for his deeds and reflects that Ferdinand looks and acts very like his old friend, Lodowick, Duke of Bullen. Lodowick enters to ask Epernon if he can identity the brave gentleman who killed Don Ugo. Epernon points out Ferdinand, describing him as the Duke of Brabant's subject. At this Brabant, recognizing him, is horrified that such a man should be considered a hero. Lodowick, remembering Ferdinand from when he left Odillia in his trust, knights him. In rage, Brabant dismisses Ferdinand's explanation that Odillia loved him and that they are now married. He wants Ferdinand tried. Lodowick agrees to stand bail for him. When they are alone Lodowick identifies himself to Ferdinand as the sexton of Ards, explaining that he can vouch for Ferdinand and Odillia's marriage and that he has sent for Odillia to protect him from her father's anger. Brabant insists on justice, standing upon the law that states anyone who is not a prince and who steals the heir of a prince is to be put to death. He describes the lowly circumstances in which he found Ferdinand. Lodowick reveals that he lost a son in exactly similar circumstances, even down to the "F" embroidered on his clothes. Brabant accepts that his indictment has failed because Ferdinand is in fact the son of a prince. Brabant gladly accepts Frederick as his own son.

FREDERICK

Frederick is true name of the son of Lodowick, Duke of Bullen. He is found on a riverbank as a baby and is brought up by Emmanuel, Duke of Brabant. Because of an "F" embroidered on the infant's cloth, he is given the name Ferdinand.

GENTLEMAN, FIRST and SECOND

After the king of France leaves on pilgrimage, two petitioners ask Lodowick, Duke of Bullen, one of two appointed regents, for a patent for their recent help in defeating the English. The upright Lodowick says all such decisions can only be made by him and the Duke of Anjou (the other regent) jointly. The petitioners tell him that Anjou has hired a vast army to invade Burgundy (Bullen). Lodowick grants their suit before leaving to protect his wife and daughter whom he has left behind.

HERNANDO

Hernando is a Spanish general. Hernando with Ugo, his lieutenant, invades deep into France after the French king has left for his pilgrimage and Mercury, the Duke of Anjou, has defeated and expelled Lodowick, his co-regent. He is arrogantly amazed that he has met so little French resistance. He is ready to raze the town of Shamount. When the citizens offer him gold if he will spare their town, he kills them, saying that he does not need gold and they, being so weak, have no right to live in a town with the word "mount" in it. When Mercury arrives to fight Hernando, Hernando easily defeats him. Later Mercury, disguised, discloses to Hernando and Ugo his plan to kill the French general, Epernon, by getting close to him while they are all in parley. Hernando, who is not interested in killing just one person because fame rests on killing multitudes, nevertheless agrees with his plan. The aged French general Epernon arrives at the parley carried in a chair. He vehemently rejects Hernando's demand that he hand over the French crown and offers, old as he is, to fight Hernando in single combat. When Mercury is caught, about to assassinate him, Epernon recognizes him. Hernando reacts in horror at Mercury's treachery, announcing that if Mercury is handed back to him he will leave France with his army. Hernando reveals that Mercury had said he had been wronged by Epernon and thought that Mercury was some discontented man. Epernon refuses Hernando's suggestion that Mercury be dealt with immediately because Mercury is a peer of the realm and entitled to trial by his peers. At such a sign of proper action Hernando announces a truce for the day. Hernando is later killed in battle by Lodowick.

JACOB VAN SMELT

Jacob is the host of the disguised Lodowick, Duke of Bullen, his wife and daughter and Bunch. All are taking refuge from the fighting in France at his house in Flanders. Unknown to Lodowick, Jacob tries to seduce Lodowick's wife, Oriana. Bunch dislikes him because he can't understand his Flemish accent. When Lodowick falls behind in his payment, he asks for time to pay. Jacob refuses and demands that Lodowick leave the house, leaving behind his wife and daughter as surety. Lodowick leaves for London. Bunch takes Jacob down to an inn where a batch of English ale has just arrived. When they return Jacob is violently drunk. Bunch offers all his money to Oriana and Diana so they may escape. Diana urges her mother to do so. Soon after, Oriana announces to the drunk, fat, lustful Jacob that she and Diana are leaving him, now that their debt has been paid When Bunch returns, Jacob tells him that the women have left for London.

KING of FRANCE

The king of France leaves for a pilgrimage to Palestine, leaving France to be ruled jointly by Lodowick, the new Duke of Bullen and the evil Duke of Anjou (whom the audience has already seen in the dumb show killing Phillip, the previous Duke of Bullen). At the end of the play it is announced that the king has returned from the Holy Land. Lodowick is glad because the king can now sentence the traitorous Anjou.

LEONTIUS

Leontius is a courtier of Emmanuel's who describes how he has watched Emmanuel's daughter, Odillia, and Ferdinand, the man he brought up from childhood, expressing their love for each other. This news inflames Emmanuel.

LODOWICK

When the king of France leaves on a pilgrimage to Palestine, he leaves France to be ruled jointly by Mercury, the Duke of Anjou and Lodowick, who has just become Duke of Bullen. The Duke of Anjou murdered the previous Duke of Bullen and also, as he believes, Lodowick's baby son, Frederick. Lodowick laments the king's decision but, out of loyalty to the king, accepts it. When Mercury feigns repentance for what he has done to Lodowick's family, Lodowick embraces him. Mercury leaves immediately on some business. When two petitioners ask Lodowick for a patent for their recent help in defeating the English, Lodowick says all such decisions can only be made jointly by him and Anjou. The petitioners reveal that Anjou has hired a vast army to invade Burgundy (Bullen). After granting the petitioners' suit, Lodowick leaves to protect his wife and daughter whom he has left behind. Lodowick orders the citizens to take up arms to defend themselves. A messenger persuades Lodowick to flee. Incognito, he and his family go to Flanders and the house of Jacob. Time passes and Jacob shows Lodowick how much the latter owes him. Lodowick is poor and asks for time to pay. Jacob refuses, demanding that Lodowick leave the house but leave behind his wife and daughter as surety. Bunch offers all his money to Jacob on Lodowick's behalf but it is not nearly enough. Lodowick leaves, planning to cross to London where he will earn enough money to rescue his wife and family. Lodowick reaches Picardy and meets Sir Nicholas, the local vicar, who is reading a letter in Latin. Hearing Latin, Lodowick addresses the vicar in Latin, and asks for some relief. Sir Nicholas who likes plain language reprimands Lodowick for using Latin and inkhorn terms. Lodowick laments that these days everyone is suspicious of a man who is poor, that the weakest go to the wall. Sir Nicholas offers him the job of parish sexton and gravedigger, explaining that though it will not pay much, it will provide him with a rent-free house. Lodowick accepts. Ferdinand, Odillia and Bunch arrive at the village and meet Lodowick dressed as a sexton. Ferdinand asks Lodowick, as a representative of the church, to arrange for him to marry Odillia. Sir Nicholas the vicar agrees to perform the ceremony. Alone with Bunch, whom he recognizes, Lodowick discovers that his wife and daughter have set out for London to find him. When, after marrying, Ferdinand must leave for France to become a soldier in the wars, Lodowick agrees to look after Odillia in his small cottage. Sir Nicholas persuades Lodowick to read a paper that will be read in all churches in France, offering a reward to anyone who can find Duke Lodowick (with Anjou's treachery exposed, all Lodowick's lands and property are to be returned to him). Lodowick the sexton says that he knows where Lodowick the duke is, and consequently must leave, persuading Sir Nicholas to let Bunch replace him as sexton. Odillia reveals to him that she is in fact the daughter of Emmanuel, Duke of Brabant. Lodowick responds that, unhappy as Odillia is, his wife and daughter are even less happy in London. He will not send for them yet, though, because his first duty is to his country that is being invaded by the Spanish. In the battle between the Spanish and French armies the Spaniards are defeated and Duke Lodowick, who challenged the Hernando, the Spanish general, to single combat and killed him, is a hero. Epernon thanks Lodowick allows Lodowick to deal with Anjou, as he wishes. Lodowick says he'll leave all decision about Anjou to the king when he returns. He then asks Epernon to identity the brave gentleman who killed Don Ugo. Discovering that it was Ferdinand, Lodowick, remembering Ferdinand from when he left Odillia in his trust, knights him. In rage, Brabant insults Ferdinand, saying that this is the man who has run off with his daughter. He wants Ferdinand tried. Lodowick agrees to stand bail for him. When they are alone Lodowick identifies himself to Ferdinand as the sexton of Ards, explaining that he can vouch for Ferdinand and Odillia's marriage and that he has sent for Odillia to protect Ferdinand from her father's anger. Lodowick and Epernon both try to dissuade Brabant from having Ferdinand executed. Brabant accuses Lodowick of wanting to destroy the justice system. Brabant describes the lowly circumstances in which he found Ferdinand. Lodowick recognizes in the description his own lost son, even down to the F embroidered on his clothes. In which case, Brabant's indictment fails because Ferdinand is the son of a prince, and Brabant accepts Frederick as his own son. Accompanied by Oriana and Diana, Villiers the merchant brings a suit to Lodowick. Lodowick recognizes his wife and daughter but says he will not identify himself until he sees what the suit is about. Villiers describes how he looked after the two women well when their boat was wrecked off Rochelle and how Oriana had agreed to marry him when she became a widow. Although he has a document calling her a widow, she has refused to marry him. Oriana describes how she had lived in the house of the Duke of Bulloigne, but now, a weak person, she has gone to the wall. Lodowick declares who he is and reveals that Oriana and Diana now have a son and brother (Frederick/Ferdinand). Villiers is delighted. A messenger announces that the king has returned from the Holy Land. Lodowick is glad because the king can now sentence Anjou. Time helps the weak who have been thrust to the walls, he announces.

LORD EPERNON

Epernon is the weak and aged French general. When the Spanish continue their invasion of France, Epernon arrives, carried in a chair, for a parley with the Hernando. He vehemently rejects Hernando's demand that he hand over the French crown and offers, old as he is, to fight Hernando in single combat. Then Epernon recognizes Mercury, Duke of Anjou, who has emerged from the crowd to assassinate him. Shocked by such behavior, Hernando offers to leave France with his army if Mercury is returned to him. Epernon refuses on legal grounds. All the soldiers then volunteer to tear Mercury to pieces. Epernon will not allow that, either. As a peer of the realm Mercury is entitled to trial by his peers. At such a sign of honorable action Hernando announces a truce for the day. Later, the aged Epernon is brought in, again in a chair, to watch the battle between the Spanish and French armies. He watches as Ferdinand defeats Don Ugo, and comments on Ferdinand's youth and strength. Epernon rewards him for his deeds, reflecting that Ferdinand looks and acts very like his friend, Lodowick, Duke of Bullen, with whom he fought against the Turks many years before. Epernon thanks Lodowick and Brabant (who has also been fighting) and explains that Anjou, who caused Lodowick to flee, is to be dealt with as Lodowick chooses. Lodowick says that he will leave sentencing Anjou to the king when he returns. When Epernon identifies Ferdinand as the brave gentleman who killed Don Ugo, Brabant is horrified that Ferdinand should be considered a hero. Lodowick and Epernon both try to dissuade Brabant from having Ferdinand executed for his affair with Odillia. Epernon weeps that someone who has fought so bravely should be killed as the result of the justice system, lamenting that the weakest go to the wall. Brabant violently rejects Epernon's attempt to dissuade him. When it becomes clear that Ferdinand is Frederick, Lodowick's lost son, Epernon, still weeping, this time with happiness, announces that he will leave all his possessions to them when he dies.

MERCURY

Mercury, the Duke of Anjou first appears in a dumb show at the start of the play. In it he kills the old Duke of Bullen. He next appears when the king of France leaves the country and appoints Anjou and Lodowick, the new duke of Bullen, joint regents. Mercury feigns repentance for his actions, but, after embracing Lodowick before the king, he leaves immediately on some business. This business turns out to be the invasion of Burgundy (Bullen). Lodowick manages to escape him, making Anjou angry, but also making him sole ruler in France. When a messenger announces that a Spanish force under Hernando is invading France, Anjou leaves, eager to fight them. He meets Hernando but is easily beaten. Later Mercury, disguised, plots with Hernando and Ugo to assassinate the French general, Epernon, by getting close to him while they are all in parley. The aged Epernon arrives at the parley carried in a chair. When Mercury is discovered with a poniard in his hand, Epernon recognizes him. Hernando offers that if the treacherous Mercury is handed back to him he will leave France with his army. All the French soldiers volunteer to tear Mercury to pieces. Epernon will not allow it, and when he accuses Mercury of disloyalty to himself and to Lodowick, Mercury proudly replies that as a peer of the realm he should not be so insulted. Epernon agrees, pointing out that because he is a peer of the realm Mercury is entitled to be tried by his peers. For that reason Epernon refuses Hernando's suggestion that he be dealt with immediately. At such a sign of proper action, Hernando announces a truce for the day. At the end of the play, a messenger announces that the French king has returned from his pilgrimage. Lodowick greets this news by recognizing that now Anjou can be sentenced.

MESSENGER

The Messenger announces to the Duke of Anjou, now sole ruler of France, that a fierce Spanish force under Hernando is invading the country. When citizens warn Lodowick that the help he was expecting in his struggle with Anjou is actually fighting for Anjou, the Messenger (probably a different character, but not identified as such) persuades Lodowick to flee. The Messenger announces that the king has returned from the Holy Land at the end of the play.

ODILLIA

Odillia is the daughter of Emmanuel, the Duke of Brabant. She loves Ferdinand, Emmanuel's foundling. When Emmanuel is told that the two have fallen in love, she insists that they have done nothing wrong. Odillia and Ferdinand plan to run away together. They flee through the woods at night and meet Bunch also on his travels. They also meet Lodowick dressed as a sexton in Picardy. Ferdinand asks Lodowick, as a representative of the church, to arrange for him to marry Odillia. Sir Nicholas the vicar agrees to perform the ceremony. Soon after, Ferdinand explains to Odillia that because he cannot get work and they have no money, he must leave for France to become a soldier in the wars. Lodowick, the sexton, agrees to look after her in his small cottage while Ferdinand is away. Sir Nicholas comforts Odillia in her distress. Almost immediately Lodowick must leave her to recover his property in Bullen. Odillia expresses her disappointment that Lodowick will no longer look after her, but Lodowick points out that, despite his appearance, the new sexton Bunch has a truly noble character. He also points out that he sees she is really a lady. Odillia reveals that she is in fact the daughter of Emmanuel, Duke of Brabant. Later Duke Lodowick, victorious over the invading Spanish, sends for her to join him. Lodowick presents her to her father Brabant in an effort to get Ferdinand, the hero of the battle, spared from execution for eloping with her. She explains that she stole Ferdinand and not the other way round, but this only forces Brabant to call her a whore. When it is clear that Ferdinand is in fact Frederick, Lodowick's lost son, both Lodowick and Brabant bless their marriage.

ORIANA

Oriana is wife to Lodowick, Duke of Bullen. When they must flee to Flanders, Jacob, their landlord, makes several attempts to seduce her. She and her daughter, Diana, are left behind as surety when her husband, Lodowick leaves for London in order to earn enough to pay his debts to Jacob. Later, Oriana announces to the drunk, fat, lustful Jacob that she and Diana are leaving him, now that their debt has been paid. Oriana has been assaulted by Jacob, but she has just managed to retain her honor. She and Diana intend to go to London to find her husband. On their journey, they are shipwrecked, and Oriana and Diana meet Villiers, a kind merchant of La Rochelle who looks after them. He promises to marry Oriana and to share all his property with her, if her husband is dead. In the final scene, Villiers enters bringing Oriana and Diana, with a suit for Lodowick. Villiers describes how he looked after them well and Oriana had agreed to marry him when she was a widow. Although he has a document in which she has said she is a widow, she has refused to marry him. She describes to Lodowick (whom she doesn't recognize) how she had lived in the house of the Duke of Bullen, but now, a weak person, she has gone to the wall. Lodowick declares who he is and reveals that Oriana and Diana now have a son and brother in Frederick. Villiers is delighted.

PHILLIP

The given name of the previous Duke of Bullen, killed in the opening dumb show.

PROLOGUE

The Prologue explains the dumb show that opens the play: the Duke of Anjou invades Burgundy and kills Phillip the ruler, and his wife. Before drowning herself, the latter leaves the boy Frederick, the son of her nephew, Lodowick, on the riverbank. The boy is found by Emmanuel, Duke of Brabant.

SHAMONT

He is a courtier of Emmanuel's. When Emmanuel discovers the absence of Ferdinand and his daughter and plans to chase after them, Shamont urges Emmanuel to talk less and do more.

SIR NICHOLAS

He is the parish priest of Ards, Picardy. The downcast Lodowick addresses him as he is reading a letter in Latin. Hearing Latin, Sir Nicholas is disturbed. He likes plain language and reprimands Lodowick for using Latin and inkhorn terms. When Lodowick laments that these days everyone is suspicious of a man who is poor, Sir Nicholas offers him the job of parish sexton and gravedigger, explaining that it will not pay much but it will provide him with a rent-free house. Lodowick accepts. When Frederick and Odillia, fleeing from her father, meet Lodowick dressed as a sexton, Ferdinand asks Lodowick, as a representative of the church, to arrange for him to marry Odillia. Sir Nicholas agrees to perform the ceremony. When Ferdinand announces he is leaving to join the wars in France, Sir Nicholas comforts Odillia in her distress. Shortly thereafter, because he has to play a game of bowls that afternoon, Nicholas persuades the disguised Lodowick to read a paper in church announcing that all Lodowick's lands and property are to be returned to him. Lodowick explains that he must leave and persuades Sir Nicholas to let Bunch replace him as sexton. When Lodowick is restored, Sir Nicholas receives a letter from him explaining his true identity. Nicholas is proud. But he cannot write a letter so asks Odillia, who has been summoned to see Lodowick, to convey his thanks to the Duke and to tell him that he would like to be vicar of a richer parish. After Odillia leaves to go to Lodowick, Nicholas and Bunch go off to the Dragon for a pot of ale. There will be no church service that night, says Bunch.

SOLDIER, FIRST, SECOND, and THIRD

Three soldiers figure in the play. When Epernon vehemently rejects Hernando's demand that he hand over the French crown and offers, old as he is, to fight Hernando in single combat, a soldier reminds him that he is too old and weak to win such a contest. When Mercury approaches ready to assassinate the general, the same soldier prevents Mercury from getting close. In the same scene a second soldier discovers a poniard in Mercury's hand, the weapon Mercury had planned to use to assassinate Epernon. Another soldier announces that the Spaniards have been defeated and that the lost Duke Lodowick had challenged the Hernando, Duke of Medina, to single combat and killed him. Don Ugo is also dead. The soldier then announces that a Duke, unknown to him but known to Lodowick, also joined in the battle on Lodowick's side.

UGO de CORDOVA

Don Ugo is Hernando's lieutenant who accompanies Hernando, the Spanish general, in the invasion of France after the French king has left for his pilgrimage and Mercury has defeated Lodowick, his co-regent. He appears later being chased by Ferdinand. Ferdinand gains honor by wounding and then killing Don Ugo.

VILLIERS

He is a merchant of La Rochelle whom Oriana and Diana meet. He looks after them and promises to marry Oriana and to share all his property with her, if her husband is dead. Diana announces that she will be pleased to call him father. In the final scene Lodowick finds that his lost son Frederick is Ferdinand, the hero of the recent battle, and Brabant is reconciled to his daughter and Ferdinand. Villiers then enters bringing Oriana and Diana with him, with a suit for Lodowick. Villiers describes how Oriana's boat was blown back to La Rochelle, where he lived, when she and Diana were sailing for England. He looked after them well, and Oriana agreed to marry him when she was a widow. Although he has a document in which she declares she is a widow, she has refused to marry him. She describes to Lodowick how she had lived in the house of the Duke of Bulloigne, but now, a weak person, she has gone to the wall. Lodowick declares who he is and explains that Oriana and Diana now have recovered their son and brother, Frederick. Villiers is delighted.

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