A Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. II - Various
Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24
_Bar_. And that, with others, this was _Barnavelts_ purpose?
For so your Lordships take it.
_Bred_. With good reason.
_Vand_. Too many and strong proofes invyting us
To creadit it.
_Bar_. Yf you will have them such,
All truth I can bring to dyvert your Lordships
From your determinate opinion that way
Will not remove them. Yet 'tis strange that man
Should labour to devide those Generall States
That had no weak hand in unyting them,--
That _Barnavelt_ (a name you have remembered
When you have thought by whom you were mad happie)--
That _Barnavelt_ (alowd I dare repeat it),
Who, when there was Combustion in the State,
Your Excellence, Grave _William_ and Count _Henrie_,
Taking instructions for your Commaunds
From one that then ruld all; the Provinces
Refucing to bring in their Contributions
And arguing whether the West _Frizelander_
And _Hollander_ had powre to raise such Tribut,
When many of the Governours stood ill
Affected to you, all our Garrisons
Not sworne then to the Generall States but others,
Which the promiscuous multitude gladly followed:
When _Graves_ and _Vendloe_ were held by the _Spaniard_
And _Nunweghen_ with violence assaulted,
Confusion with one greedy gripe being ready
To seaze on all; then when the _Sluice_ was lost
And all in muteny at _Midleborough_,
Who then rose up or durst step in before me
To doe these Cuntries service? Who then labourd
More then the now suspected _Barnavelt_
T'appease seditions and compound all Quarrells?
Who pacified the Malcontents? Who taught you
To stand upon your Guards and trust yourselves?
O, you forgettfull, all this I performd
And in the golden fagot of faire Concord
Bound safely up those strengthes which Mutenies,
Corruption and homebred Traitors scatterd.
_Vand_. This is a point you often choose to treat of,
And yet some part of theis good services
None will deny you.
_Or_. But to ingrosse all
Would argue me your ward, should I give way too't,
And these grave Lords your Schollers.
_Bar_. In the Art
Of Goverment they scornd not once to be soe,
Nor you to give me hearing: and if ever
'Twer lawful th' unthanckfull men t'upbraid
Unequall benefitts, let it not in me
Be now held glorious if I speake my best.
I have five times in regall Embassies
Byn sent the principall Agent for theis Cuntries,
And for your good have spoken face to face
With mightie Kings: twyce with that virgin Queene,
Our Patronesse of happie memory,
_Elizabeth_ of _England_; twyce in _Fraunce_
With that invincible King that worthely
(Though dead) is still'd the _Great, Henry_ the _fourth_;
Once with the King of _Britaine_ that now is:
Yet let my greatest Enemy name the least
Of theis so high Imployments in which I
Treated without advantage, and returnd not
With proffitt, as with honour, to my Cuntry,
And let me fall beneath the worst aspersion
His mallice can throw on me. Besides Soldiers
So often levied by my meanes for you,
Which to particularize were teadious,
Two millions and five hundred thousand pounds,
For which the Provinces stood bound, I wrought
Freely to be dischargd; the Townes they pawnd
To be deliverd up; and after all
Theis meritorious and prosperous travells
T'unyte theis States, can _Barnavelt_ be suspected
To be the authour to undoe that knot
Which with such toyle he fastend[190].
_Or_. Pawse, I beseech you,
And while you gather breath to fill the Trumpet
Of your deserts give me leave to deliver
A litle for the States and mine owne honour.
We have heard a glorious Catalogue of your vertues
But not one vice or slip of yours rememberd;
But I will help your memory:--who was he
That gave intelligence of my sodaine comming
To surprize _Antwerpe_? They that brought the Letters
Were knowne and but from you could have no notice
Of any such design. Who hinderd me
From rescuing of _Rheinberch_ in the last Seige?
Who warranted the yeilding of it up
Without necessitie to the Governour?
Who was the cause no greater powre was sent
Against the Enemie when he past the Rhine
And tooke the Townes of _Oldensell, Lingen, Groll_?
To thinck of this would give a litle vent
To the windy bladder of your vanitie
Which you have blowne to an unlymitted vastnes.
Your Insolence to me before the Battaile
Of _Flaunders_ I forget[191].--
Call in _Modesbargen_.
_Bar_. [aside[192]] He a prisoner, too!
Then I am lost.
_Enter Captaine with Modesbargen_.
_Or_. Ha! do's that startle you?
_Bar_. [aside[192]] I must collect myself.
_Or_. You shall heare more.
_Modesb_. O, Mounseiur _Barnavelt_, do we meet thus?
I am as sorry to behold you there
As know myself a Prisoner. Now you perceive
To what a desperate state your headlong Counsells
And rash designes have brought us: to stand out now
Were to no purpose, for, alas, they have
Too pregnant prooffes against us.
_Bar_. You that feele
The horrour of fowle guilt in your falce bosom
Confes yourself soe; my strong Inocence
To the death stands constant.
_Or_. Take _Modesbargen_ in.
[_Exit Cap. and Modesb_.]
_Vand_. This is an impudence I never read of.
But now wee'll show thee, miserable man,
Such further prooffes as would call up a blush
Upon the devills cheeke. Looke upon this,
Signd by the Governor, Chauncellor and Counsell
Of _Gilderland_ and _Zutphen_, who here name thee
The roote and head of the late Schisme.
_Bred_. And this
Sent from the Lords of _Utrecht_, where 'tis prov'd
That the new Companies were raisd by you,
And to what purpose.
_William_. To subvert Religion,
To deface Justice and to breake the union
And holly League betweene the _Provinces_.
[_Henry_.[193] The Proclamations are allowd by you
Sent forth against the Protestants; and here
Your resolution to degrade my Brother
And then dispose of him as you thought fitt.]
_Vand_. Your plott here to withdraw all the old Soldiers
From the Commandement of the States, and wyn them
To serve for your ends in a Civill war.
_Bred_. To raise up Cittizen against Cittizen,
Stranger gainst stranger, Soldier against Soldier,
And Maiestrates against the Maiestrates.
_Or_. To waste the Land within that with lesse danger
The forraigne Enemy might make his entraunce.
Yf then this be not treacherie beyond
All presidents of Traitours--
_Bar_. Give me Leave
Onely to smile, then say all theis are falce,
Your witnesses subornd, your testemonies
And wrytings forgd, and this elaborate forme
Of Justice to delude the world a cover
For future practises: this I affirme
Upon my soule[194]. Now when you please condempne me:
I will not use one sillable for your mercy
To have mine age renewd and once againe
To see a second triumph of my glories.
You rise, and I grow tedious; let me take
My farwell of you yet, and at the place
Where I have oft byn heard; and, as my life
Was ever fertile of good councells for you,
It shall not be in the last moment barren.
_Octavius_[195], when he did affect the Empire
And strove to tread upon the neck of _Rome_
And all hir ancient freedoms, tooke that course[196]
That now is practisd on you; for the _Catos_
And all free sperritts slaine or els proscribd
That durst have stir'd against him, he then sceasd
The absolute rule of all. You can apply this[197]:
And here I prophecie I, that have lyvd
And dye a free man, shall when I am ashes
Be sensible of your groanes and wishes for me;
And when too late you see this Goverment
Changd to a Monarchie[198] youll howle in vaine
And wish you had a _Barnavelt_ againe.
Now lead me where you will: a speedy Sentence:
I am ready for it and 'tis all I ask you.
[_Exeunt_.
_Actus Quintus_.
SCAENA PRIMA.
_Enter Wife, Daughter, Servant with Peares_.
_Wife_. Denyde to see my Husband! o you Tirants!
And (to increase my misery) in vaine
By heaven I kneeld for't, wept and kneeld in vaine
To such as would, while _Barnavelt_ was himself--
But why do I remember that word 'was,'
That never happie word of 'was.'
_Serv_. Good Madam,
Beare (with your usuall wisdom) what is not
In you to help. The strict guard's kept upon him;
His State ceizd on; my Lord your Son disgracd, too,
And all your frends suspected, may assure you
No price beneath his head must answeare for him.
_Daughter_. But is he not alredy dead?
_Wife_. I, I,
There lyes my feare.
_Serv_. I sweare to you I saw him
Not many howres since, and hundreds more;
But yet, as one that's bound to honour him,
I had rather have had assuraunce of his death
Than so to have seen him.
_Both_. Why?
_Serv_. I have followd him
When every step he made met a Petition,
And these, that are his Judges now, like Clyents
Have wayted on him. The whole Court attended
When he was pleasd to speake, and, with such murmours
As glad Spectators in a Theater
Grace their best Actors with, they ever heard him;
When to have had a sight of him was held
A prosperous omen; when no eye gazd on him
That was not filld with admiration, not
As now with scorne or pitty. His rude Guard,
For proofe that they contempne all such as ayme
Or hope for his release (as if he were
Some prodigie or monster), each night show him
To such as greive his fortune, which must be
To him worse then ten thousand deaths made horrid
With all the actes of Crueltie.
_Daught_. I have hope yet
To see an alteration.
_Wife_. My good Servant,
He has some frends left yet and powerfull ones
That can doe more then weepe for him as we doe;
Those I will strayt sollicite. In the meane time,
That to his comfort he may know so much,
Endeavour thou to have this simple present
As from thy self sent to him.
_Serv_. I will hazard
All that can fall upon me to effect it.
[_Exeunt[199] Wife and Daughter_.
_Enter Provost & Guard_.
_Pro_. What makes this fellow here? Whether would ye, Sir?
_Serv_. Sir, to desire accesse unto my Lord
Were to ask that I know must be denide,
And therefore I forbeare it; but intreating
What cannot wrong you in the graunt, I hope
To find you curteous.
_Pro_. What's the Suit?
_Serv_. This onely:
My Lord, your prisoner, for my service gave me
A poore house with an Orchard in the Cuntry.
The fruites of which he did not scorne to taste of
In th'height of his prosperitie; but of all
That pleasd his pallat there was one faire tree,
On which theis Peares grew, which by his appointment
Were still reservd for him, and as a Rent
Due for my Living I stood bound to tender.
Theis, yf you please, the last I shall pay to him,
I would present him with, by what Attorney
Your goodnes shall prescribe me.
_Prov_. They are faire Peares,
Exceeding faire ones: ile make bold with one,
The rest beare to him.
_Serv_. [aside[200]] All wilbe discoverd,
I am glad I am got off, yet. [_Exit_.
_Enter Provosts Wife_[201].
_Prov_. What make you here?
Do you come to traile a pike or use a Musket?
_Wife_. For neither, Sir; I came to see you.
_Pro_. Home!
This is no place for women. To your Gossips!
This burthen would become a Chamber better.
_Wife_. 'Tis a faire Peare.
_Prov_. You long for't: pray you take it,
You are priviledgd now to beg.--Ha! charmes in't? stay,
Give mee't. I would not for a thousand dollars
This had byn undiscoverd. Pray you goe home;
At night ile see you.
_Wife_. You know my obedience
And I must practise it.
_Prov_. Make out for the fellow
That came with this device. 'Twas queintly carried:
The stalke pluckt cleanly out, and in the quill
This scroll conveyd. What ere it be the Prince
Shall instantly peruse it.
_Enter Orange, Wm., Vandort, Bredero_.
_Or_. How came you by this?
_Prov_. I intercepted it in a dish of Peares
Brought by a man of _Barnavelts_, but sent to him
From some of better ranck.
_Or_. See what is written here,--
'You have frends left and therefore, Sir, dispaire not.'
_Vand_. 'Tis this that feeds his Insolence, theis are they
That, when they should have paid their prairs for him
As for a guilty man, adoarnd his house
In the dispight of us and of our Justice.
_Bred_. But such shall find their flattering breath but makes
The fire, our Cuntries safetie byds us cherish,
To burne with greater heate.
_Vand_. And so consume him.
_Or_. The freedom of our goverment, and our honours,
And what we dare doe now lies at the stake.
The better part of all the christian world
Marks our proceedings, and it wilbe said,
Yf having the Conspirators in our powre
We sentence none of them, being convincd, too,
Of fowre and thirtie Articles and each treason,
'Tis don for feare. Then, to affright the rest,
I hold it fitt that _Barnavelt_, one that has
Most frends and meanes to hurt, and will fall therefore
With greater terror, should receive his Sentence,
Then dye as he deserves. For _Modesbargen_
And _Hogerbeets_ we shall find fitt time to
Thinck of them hereafter.
_Bred_. Let him be sent for.
_Vand_. In the meane time 'tis fit we should give hearing
To the _French_ Embassadors, who, I know, come now
To mediat for him.
_Bred_. Wayt upon them in:
Their Propositions shalbe answeard freely,
And by such men as are their frends, not Servants.
_Enter Boisise, Morier, Wife, Daughter, Attendants_.
_Boi_[202]. We will plead for him and prevaile, we doubt not.
Take comfort therefore, Madam, and a while,
Since you are not to be admitted here,
Leave us to our endeavors.
_Wife_. Heaven direct
And prosper theis your charitable traviles.
[_Exeunt Wife & Daughter_.
_Or_. Bring Chaires there for their Lordships.
[_2 Chaires_.
_Vand_.[203] And prepare them
A sylent hearing.
_Bois_. My good Lords,
We are commaunded by the King our Master
(Who ever hath respected your affaires
As the tranquility of his owne kingdoms)
To let you thus far understand his pleasure:
He do's exhort you, as the best foundation
Of your estate, with all care to preserve
The union of your provinces, and wishes
The change that you have made of Maiestrates,
The Advocate and Counsellors of State
In many of your Townes, breed not dissentions
In steed of ceasing them. Touching your Prisoners
That stand accusd of detestable Crymes,
His Counsaile is, if they be culpable,
That you use speedy Justice and with rigour.
_Mor_. Ever remembring that the greatest Princes
Have sometimes to their glory byn most apt
To pardon what was enterprizd against
Their Goverments, nay their lives; and that the freest
And the best Common-Wealthes, have alwaies usd
To spare the blood of their owne Cittizens,
And that in great offenders--it still being
The principall signe of libertie and freedom
Not easily, but with mature advice,
To touch the lives of Cittizens.
_Bois_. And the rather
When question is made of such as are
Your officers placed in authoritie,
Of whom the ancientst Mounsieur _Barnavelt_,
So much commended for so many good
And notable services don for theis Cuntries,
Deserves most serious regard. My Master
And other Kings & Princes your allyes,
Lyving yet witnesses of his great meritts
And with such admiration that they can
Be hardly brought to thinck he should conspire
Against these States, for which yourselves best know
What travayles he hath undergon; and therefore
Once more he do's advice you to use mercy,
Which if you doe, he then shall thinck you merit
The many favours you have tasted from him:
Yf not, he having given you whollsom Counsaile,
Yf you refuce it he must thinck himself
Slighted in his requests; and then, perhaps,
Hereafter you may misse that promptnes in him
Which you have found when your wants most requird it.
_Vand_. May it please your Highnes in the names of all
To make their Lordships answeare.
_Or_. Willingly;
For I must still be glad to take occasion
To speak how much your Lordships and myself
Ever stand bound to that most Christian King
Whose favours, with all thancks, we must acknowledge
As with all care preserve. Onely we hope
His Maiestie will give us leave to say
We greive that he is misinformd of us
And our proceedings, of which we hereafter
Will give him certaine and unanswerable proofes
To iustefie our Actions, which we will
Make knowne to all the world; till when we wish
He will be pleasd to give way to the States
To finish what they have begon, with Justice
Temperd with mercy; and that your good Lordships
Will give his Grace to understand thus much,
If with the generall voice you doe approve it.
_Bred_. We will confirme it with our generall Seale,
And send our answeare to his Propositions
With our respect and duties.
_Mor_. This we shall
Make knowne unto him.
_Or_. Roome there for their Lordships.
[_Ext. Embs_.
_Bred_. What thinck you now, my Lords?
_Vand_. In my opinion
'Tis time he had his Sentence!
_Wm_. Is it drawne?
_Vand_. Yes, here it is. The peoples loves grow daungerous;
In every place the whispers of his rescue;
The lowd and common voice of his deservings
Is floong abroad. Nor doe they handle theis things
By rules of truth and reason, but their owne wills--
Their headstrong hott affections.
_Bred_. Is he sent for?
_Or_. Yes and will presently be here.
_Bred_. Sit downe then,
And now with speedy Justice let's prepare
To cutt off this Imposthume.
_Enter Provost & Guard, with Barnavelt_.
_Vand_. 'Tis high time, Sir.
_Prov_. Roome for the Prisoner!
_Vand_. Bring him in; Sit downe, Sir,
And take your last place with us.
_Bar_. 'Tis your forme
And I infringe no order.
_Bred_. Mounseiur _Barnavelt_,
Will ye confes yet freely your bad practises
And lay those Instruments open to the World,
Those bloody and bold Instruments you wrought by?
Mercy may sleepe awhile but never dyes, Sir.
_Bar_. I have spoake all I can, and seald that all
With all I have to care for now, my Conscience.
More I beseech your honours--
_Or_. Take your pleasure.
_Vand_. You will give us no more lights: What this world gives you,
To morrow thus we take away. Receive it.
_Bar_. My Sentence?
_Vand_. Yes; consider for your soule now,
And so farewell.
_Bar_. I humbly thanck your honours:
I shall not play my last Act worst.
_Bred_. Heavens mercy
And a still conscience wayt upon your end, Sir.
_Or_. Now guard him back againe: by the break of day
You shall have order from us.
_Prov_. Roome for the Prisoner!--
[_Ext. Provost and Guard, with Barnavelt_.
_Or_. The world shall know that what's iust we dare doe.
_Vand_. Nor shall the desperate act of _Leidenberch_
Delude what we determind. Let his Coffin
Be therefore hangd up on the publique Gallowes.
Th'Executioners like hungry vultures
Have smelld out their imployment.
_Or_. Let them have it:
And all that plot against the generall good
Learne from this mans example, great in age,
Greater in wealth and in authoritie,
But matchles in his worldly pollicie,
That there is one above that do's deride
The wisest counsailes that are misaplide.
[_Exeunt_.
SCAENA 2.
_Enter Harlem, Leyden & Utrecht Executioners_.
_Har_. Now hard and sharpe, for a wager, who shall doe it. Here's a
Sword would doe a man's head good to be cut of with it; cures all
rhumes, all Catharres, megroomes, verteegoes: presto, be gone!
_Ley_. You must not carry it, _Harlem_: you are a pretty fellow and lop
the lyne of life well, but weake to _Baltazar_. Give roome for _Leyden_:
heer's an old Cutter, heer's one has polld more pates and neater then a
dicker[204], of your Barbers; they nere need washing after. Do's not thy
neck itch now to be scratchd a little with this?
_Har_. No, in truth do's it not; but if you'll try first, yf I doe not
whip your dodipoll as clenly of and set it on againe as handsomely as it
stands now, that you may blow your nose and pledge me too Cans after--
_Ley_. I was afraid
The rogue had don't indeed.
_Utr_. You two imagine now
You are excellent workmen and that you can doe wonders,
And _Utrecht_ but an Asse. Let's feele your Raizors:
Handsawes, meere handsawes! Do you put your knees to'em too,
And take mens necks for timber? You cutt a feather?
Cut butter when your tooles are hot! Looke here, puppies;
Heer's the sword that cutt of _Pompeis_ head.
_Har_. The head of a Pumpion.[205]
_Utr_. Looke on't but come not neere it: the very wind on't
Will borrow a leg or an arme. Heers touch & take, boyes!
And this shall moaw the head of Mounsieur _Barnavelt_.
Man is but grasse and hay: I have him here
And here I have him. I would undertake with this Sword
To cutt the devills head of, hornes and all,
And give it to a Burger for his breakfast.
_Ley_. We know you have byn the headman of the parish
A great while, _Utricht_, and ministerd much Justice,
Nickt many a worthie gamester; and that you, _Harlem_,
Have shortend many a hanging cause, to your Commendation:
Yet, for all this, who shall trym Monsieur _Barnavelt_
Must run by fortune. You are proper men both;
But why before me that have studdied the true trick on't
Theis twenty yeeres, and run through all the theorems?
_Har_. Let's fling for't then.
_Ley_. I am content.
_Utr_. And I.
_Har_. Sit round, then: here are dyce, and ile begin to ye.
Have at your head, Sir _John_! dewce ace[206]; a doggs-head![207]
The devill turnd this ace up. Farwell, velvet gowne!
Thou hast mist the luckiest hand to scratch thy Coxcomb.
_Ley_. No, no, Sir.
Now for my part. Heigh! fight aloft for the head, boyes.
How? Cater-trey[208]?
_Utr_. Will you take a sleeve for your share, Sir?
_Ley_. 'Tis but a desperat cast, and so hee'l find it,
If it fall to me. Cast for your game.
_Utr_. Have at it:
Stay, let me swing my Sword thrice round first: now,
Now the Graves head ... goose giblitts.--
Two sixes, boyes! I knew I should performe it.
Har. Ye have it: thanck your fortune.
_Utr_. I could not misse it,
I never lost so faire a stake yet. How ile doe it
And in what posture: first, how ile take my leave of him,
With a few teares to draw more money from him;
Then fold up his braunchd[209] gowne, his hat, his doblet,
And like the devill cry 'mine owne! lye there, boyes!'
Then bind his eyes; last stir myself up bravely
And, in the midle of a whollsome praire,
Whip and--_hic iacet Barnavelt_.--
Come, let's sing our old Song,
And then come view me how I doe my busines.
Boy, come, sing you for me.
[_Song. Exeunt_.
SCAENA 3.
_Enter 2 Captaines[210] & their Soldiers, severally_.
1 _Cap_. Here stand we fast.
2 _Cap_. Cock all your Musketts, Soldiers, now,
And gentlemen be ready to bend your pikes;
The prisoner's comming out.
1 _Cap_. But doe you thinck
They meane to take his head of, or to fright him?
2 _Cap_. Heaven keep me from such frights. Why are theis Guards
Commaunded to make good the Execution,
If they intend not death?
1 _Cap_. But dare they doe it?
2 _Cap_. What dare not Justice do that's right and honest?
Is he not proov'd a guilty man? What bugs
Should publick safety be afraid to looke on?
Do you hold the United _States_ so tame to feare him,--
Feare him a Traitor, too?
1 _Cap_. You know hee's much lov'd,
And every where they stir in his Compassion.
2 _Cap_. They'll stir so long till some of 'em will sinck for't,
Some of the best I feare that glewd his faction;
Their building lyes discoverd and their bases broken.
1 _Cap_. There is much money laid in every place, too,
Hundreds and thousands, that they dare not strike him.
2 _Cap_. Give loosers leave to play the fooles; 'tis lost all.
Secure yourself he dyes; nor is it wisdom
To go an ace lesse with him: he is monstrous.
--The people hurry now; stand fast, he is comming.
_Enter Provost, Soldiers & Executioners, with a Coffin & a Gibbett_.
_Pro_. Make roome before! cleere all theis gaping people
And stop their passage.
1 _Cap_. How now? What wonder's this?
_Prov_. Stay! or ile make ye stay: I charge ye stir not.
2 _Cap_. What thinck you now? dare not theis men do Justice?
This is the body of _Leidenberg_, that killd himself
To free his Cause: his shame has found him yet.
_Prov_. Up with him, come: set all your hands & heave him!
_Exec_. A plaguy, heavy Lubber! Sure this fellow
Has a bushell of plot in's belly, he weighes so massy.
Heigh! now againe! he stincks like a hung poll cat.
This rotten treason has a vengeance savour;
This venison wants pepper and salt abhominably.
_Prov_. Pyn him aloft, and pin him sure.
_Exec_. I warrant ye;
If ere he run away againe ile swing for him.
This would make a rare signe for a Cookes shop,
The Christmas pie.
[_Exeunt Executioners_.
_Prov_. Come; now about the rest.--Keepe the Court cleere still.
[_Exeunt Provost and Soldiers_.
2 _Cap_. What thinck you now?
1 _Cap_. Now I am afraid of him.
This prologue should portend a fatall Tragedie:
Theis examples will make 'em shake.
2 _Cap_. 'Tis well they have 'em;
Their stubbornenes and pride requires 'em greater.
The Prince strikes iust ith' nick and strikes home nobely:
This new pretending faction had fird all els;
They had floong a generall ruyn on the Cuntry.
_Enter Boyes & Burgers_.
1 _Boy_. He comes, he comes, he comes! o for a place now!
2 _Boy_. Let's climb the Battlements.
_Cap_. Away with theis rogues.
1 _Burg_. I saw the Guard goe for him: Where shall we be now?