Soul destin'd hers from it's first Being and one Body whole sound and in perfect Health which I here promise to pay to the said Maria upon Demand if the aforesaid Iohn Freeman be not hang'd before such Demand made Whereto I set my Hand and seal it with my Lips La. Des. And I in Consideration of such Debt do freely give unto the abovesaid Iohn Freeman the Heart and Body of the abovesaid Maria Desbro with all Appurtenances thereto belonging whenever it shall please Heav'n to bring my Husband fairly to the Gallows in a tone Free Amen kiss the Book Kisses her Ana. hums without La. Des. Hah that 's Ananias sure some Danger 's near the necessary Rascal gives us Notice of Free 't is so what wou'dst thou have me do La. Des. thou art undone if seen Here step within this Curtain He goes Enter Ananias humming and spreading his Cloak wide Desbro behind him puffing in a Chafe Des. Ads nigs what a Change is here like to be puff puff we have manag'd matters sweetly to let the Scotch General undermine us puff puff La. Des. What 's the matter Des. Nothing Cockey nothing but that we are like to return to our first nothing Ana. Yea verily when our times come but ah the great work of Reformation is not yet fully accomplished which must be wrought by the Saints and we cannot spare one of them until the Work be finish'd Des. Yea yea it is finished I doubt puff puff fye fye what a Change is here Ana. Patience ah 't is a precious Virtue Des. Patience Sir what when I shall lose so many fine Estates which did appertain to the Wicked and which I trusted had been establish'd ours and tell'st thou me of Patience puff puff walking fast Ana. How lose 'em Sir Handle the matter with Patience I hope the Committee of Safety or the Rump will not do an illegal thing to one of the Brethren Des. No No I have been a trusty Knave to them and so I have found them all to me but Monk Monk O that ever we shou'd be such blind Fools to trust an honest General Ana. Patience Sir What of him Des. I just now receiv'd private Intelligence he 's coming out of Scotland with his Forces puff puff Ana. Why let him come a Gads Name we have those will give him a civil Salute if he mean not honourably to the Commonwealth Patience Sir Des. But if he prove the stronger and shou'd chance to be so great a Traytor to us to bring in the Man the King La. Des. How the King Husband the great Heroick Free Death this Woman is a Sybill Ah Noble Monk Ana. Hum the King Des. Ah and with the King the Bishops and then where 's all our Church and Bishops Lands Oh! undone puff puff Ana. How bring in the King and Bishops my righteous Spirit is raised too I say I will excommunicate him for one of the Wicked yea for a prophane Heroick a Malignant a Tory a I say we will surround him and confound him with a mighty Host yea and fight the Lards Battel with him yea we will Des. Truckle to his Pow'r puff puff Ana. Nay I say verily nay for in Sadness I will dye in my Calling Des. So I doubt shall I which is Plowing Hedging and Ditching Ana. Yea we have the Sword of the Righteous in our hand and we will defend the mighty Revenues of the Church which the Lard hath given unto his People and chosen ones I say we will defend Des. Ah Patience Sir ah 't is a pious Virtue Ana. Ah it is Zeal in one of us the out-goings of the Spirit Enter Page Tom. Sir Will you go down to Prayers the Chaplain waits Des. No no Boy I am too serious for that Exercise I cannot now dissemble Heav'n forgive me Ana. How Sir not dissemble ah then you have lost a great Vertue indeed a very great Vertue ah let us not give away the Good Old Cause but as we have hitherto maintain'd it by Gadly cozenage and pious frauds let us persevere ah let us persevere to the end let us not lose our Heritage for a Mess of Pottage that is let us not lose the Cause for Dissimulation and Hypocrisie those two main Engines that have carry'd on the great Work Des. Verily you have prevailed and I will go take counsel of my pillow Boy call my man to undress me I 'll to bed for I am sick at heart Ex. Tom. Page Free Death what shall I do now Des. walks she whispers Ana. La. Des. You must get my man off or we 're undone Ana. Madam be comforted Heaven will bring all things about for our advantage as Des. turns La. Des. But he 's behind the Curtains man Des. turns from ' em Ana. Ah let Providence alone sâ—reads his cloak wide and goes by degrees towards the Bed Your pious Lady Sir is doubtful but I will give her ample satisfaction Des. Ah do Mr. Ananias do for she 's a good and a vertuous Lady certo she is goes close to the Bed-post and speaks over his shoulder Ana. Get ye behind my cloak La. Des. Indeed Sir your Counsel and Assistance is very comfortable Ana. We shou'd be helps meet to one another Madam Des. Alack good man â— La. Des. goes to cokes her Husb. La. Des. Ay my Dear I am so much oblig'd to him that I know not without thy thy aid how to make him amends Free So this is the first Cloak of Zeal I ever made use of An. going spreading his cloak to the door Freeman behind goes out Des. Good Lady give him this twenty pieces a dad he worthily deserves ' em gives her Gold La. Des. Indeed and so he does Dear if thou knew'st all What say you now do I not improve in Hypocrisie and shall I not in time make a precious member of your Church to Ana. Ana. Verily your Ladiship is most ingenious and expert Sir I most humbly take my leave Ex. Ananias Enter Tom Page Page My Lord my Lord Lambert has sent in all haste for you you must attend at his house immediately Des. So he has heard the News I must away let my Coach be ready Ex. Des. La. Des. How unlucky was this that Freeman shou'd be gone Sirrah run and see to o'retake him and bring him back Ex. all SCENE 2. A fine Chamber Enter Gilliflower and Loveless by dark richly drest Lov. Where am I Gilliflower Gill. In my Ladies Apartment Sir she 'll be with you presently you need not fear betraying Sir for I 'll assure you I 'm an Heroick in my heart my Husband was a Captain for his Majesty of ever blessed memory and kill'd at Naseby God be thanked Sir Lov. What pity 't is that thou shou'dst serve this Party Gill. ' Bating her Principles my Lady has good Nature enough to oblige a Servant and truly Sir my Vails were good in old Oliver's dayes I got well by that Amour between him and my Lady the man
wicked La. Lam. Hark ye thou little snivelling Hypocrite who hast no Virtue but a little Conduct in Martial Discipline who hast by Perjuries Cheats and Pious Villanies wound thy self up into the Rabbles Favour where thou may'st stand till some more great in Roguery remove thee from that height or to the Gallows if the King return Hast thou the impudence to charge my Virtue Lam. I know not Madam whether that Virtue you boast were lost or only stak't and ready for the Gamester but I am sure a Man was hid under this Carpet La. Lam. Oh Heav'ns a Man Gill. A Lord a Man Are you sure 't was a man my Lord Some Villanous Malignant I 'll warrant Lam. It may be so Gill. Alack the Wickedness of these Heroicks to hide under Carpets why they 'll have the Impudence to hide under our Petticoats shortly if your Highness take 'em not down To La. Lam. Lam. I do believe so Death a Cuckold shall that black Cloud shade all my rising Fame La. Lam. Cuckold Why is that Name so great a Stranger to ye Or has your rising Fame made ye forget How long that Cloud has hung upon your Brow 'T was once the height of your Ambition Sir When you were a poor sneeking Slave to Cromwel Then you cou'd cringe and sneere and hold the Door And give him every Opportunity Had not my Piety defeated your Endeavours Lam. That was for Glory Who wou'd not be a Cuckold to be great If Cromwel leap'd into my Saddle once I 'll step into his Throne for 't but to be pointed at By Rascals that I rule 't is insupportable La. Lam. How got this Fellow drunk call up my Officers Who dur'st deliver him this Quantity of Wine Send straight in my Name to summon all the Drunken Committee of Safety to my Presence By Heav'n I 'll show you Sir yes they shall See what a fine King they 'r like to have In Honest Gadly Sober Wise Iack Lambert Nay I 'll do 't d' ye think to take away my Honour thus I who by my sole Politicks and Management Have set you up Villain of Villains Sirrah Away summon 'em all to Gilliflower Lam. Stay be not so rash who was beneath the Carpet La. Lam. I will not answer thee Lam. Nor any living thing La. Lam. No Creature in the Room thou silly Idiot but Gilliflower and I at our Devotion praying to Heav'n for your Success to morrow and am I thus rewarded Weeps Gill. weeps too Lam. My Soul I cannot bear the sight of Tears From these dear charming Eyes La. Lam. No matter Sir the Committee shall right me Lam. Upon my Knees I ask thy Pardon Dear by all that 's good I wou'd have sworn I 'd felt something stir beneath me as I sat which threw me over La. Lam. Only your Brains turn'd round with too much drinking and dancing Exercises you are not us'd to Go sleep and settle 'em for I 'll not daign to Bed with you to Night retire as ' ere you hope to have my Aid in your Advancement to the Crown Lam. I 'm gone and once more pardon my Mistake bows and goes out Ex. Gill. La. Lam. So this fighting Fool so worshipp'd by the Rabble how meanly can a Woman make him sneeke to Loveless the happy Night 's our own Enter Gill. Loveless Lov. Excellent Creature how I do adore thee La. Lam. But you perhaps are satisfy'd already Lov. Never shou'dst thou be kind to all Eternity Thou hast one Vertue more I pay thee Homage for I heard from the Alcove how great a Mistress thou art in the dear Mystery of Jilting La. Lam. That 's the first Lesson Women learn in Conventicles Religion teaches those Maxims to our Sex by this Kings are depos'd and Commonwealths are rul'd By Jilting all the Universe is fool'd ACT V. Scene I. Street Enter Corporal half drest with Souldiers Ioyner and Felt-maker Cor. HA Rogues the City-Boys are up in Arms brave Boys all for the King now Felt. Have a Care what you say Sir but as to the City's being in Mutiny that makes well for us we shall fall to our old Trade of plundering something will fall to the Righteous and there is Plunder enough Corp. You plunder Sirrah knock him down and carry him into the Guard-room and secure him Two Souldiers seize him 1 Sould. They say the Committee of Safety sat all Night at General Lambert's about some great Affair some rare Change Rogues 2 Sould. Yes and to put off Sorrow they say were all right reverendly drunk too Cor. I suppose so there is some heavenly matter in hand there was Treason cry'd out at the General 's last Night and the Committee of no Safety all ran away 1 Sould. Or rather reel'd away Cor. The Ladies squeek'd the Lords fled and all the House was up in Arms. Felt. Yea and with Reason they say for the Pope in diguise was found under the Ladies Bed and two huge Jesuits as big as the Tall Irish-man with Blunderbusses having as 't is said a design to steal the Crown now in Custody of the General 2 Sould. Good lack is 't possible Ioyn Nay Sir 't is true and is 't not time we look'd about us Cor. A Pox upon ye all for lying Knaves secure 'em both on the Guard till farther Order and let us in to th' City-boys hay for Lumbard-street 2 Sould. Ay hay for Lumbard-street there 's a Shop I have mark'd out for my own already 1 Sould. There 's a handsom Citizens Wife that I have an Eye upon her Husband 's a rich Banker I 'll take t'one with t'other Ioy. You are mistaken Sir that plunder is reserv'd for us if they begin to mutiny That wicked City that is so weary of a Commonwealth 2 Sould. Yes they 'r afraid of the Monster they themselves have made Enter Lov. and Free in disguise Cor. Hah my Noble Collonel what in Disguise Free We have made our Escapes and hope to see better times shortly the Noble Scotch General is come Boys Enter Captain of the Prentices and a great Gang with him arm'd with Staffs Swords c. Cap. Come my Lads since you have made me Captain I 'll lead you bravely on I 'll dye in the Cause or bring you off with Victory 1 Pren. Here 's a Club shall do some Execution I 'll beat out Hewson's t'other Eye I scorn to take him on the blind Side Capt. In the first Place we must all sign a Petition to my Lord Mayor 2 Pren. Petitions we 'll have no Petitions Captain we are for Club Law Captain Cap. Obey or I leave you All. Obey Obey Capt. Look ye we 'll petition for an honest Free Parliament I say 1 Pren. No Parliament no Parliament we have had too much of that Mischief already Captain All. No Parliament no Parliament Capt. Farewel Gentlemen I thought I might have been heard Free Death Sirs you shall hear the Captain out All. We obey we obey Capt. I say an
King and his Royal Brother defend his Cause and assert his Right without the fear of a taste of the Old Sequestration call'd a Fine Guard the Illustrious Paire good Heaven from Hâ—llâ—sh Plots and all the Devilish matchinations of Factious Cruelties and you great Sir whose Merits have so justly deserv'd that glorious Command so lately trusted to your Care which Heaven increase and make your glad Regiment Armyes for our safety May you become the great Example of Loyalty and Obedience and stand a firm and unmoveable Pillar to Monarchy a Noble Bull-work to Majesty defend the Sacred Cause imploy all that Youth Courage and Noble Conduct which God and Nature purposely has endued you with to serve the Royal Intrest You Sir who are obliged by a double Duty to Love Honour and Obey his Majesty both as a Father and a King O undissolvable Knot O Sacred Vnion what Duty what Love what Adoration can express or repay the Debt we owe the first or the Alegiance due to the last but where both meet in one to make the Tye Eternal Oh vvhat Counsel what Love of Power what fancied Dreams of Empire what fickle Popularity can inspire the heart of man or any Noble mind with Sacreligious thoughts against it can harbour or conceive a stubborn disobedience Oh what Son can desert the Cause of an Indulgent Parents what Subject of such a Prince without renouncing the Glory of his Birth his Loyalty and good Nature Ah Royal lovely Youth bevvare of false Ambition wisely believe your Elevated Glory at least more happy then a Kings you share their Ioys their pleasures and magnificence without the toiles and business of a Monarch their carefull dayes and restless thoughtful nights know you are blest with all that Heaven can give or you can wish your Mind and Person such so excellent that Love knows no fault it would wish to mend nor Envy to increase blest with a Princess of such undisputable charming Beauty as if Heaven designing to take a peculiar care in all that concerns your happiness had form'd her on purpose to compleat it Haile happy glorious Paire the perfect joy and pleasure of all that look on ye for whom all Tongues and Hearts have Prayers and Blessings May you out-live Sedition and see your Princely Race as Numerous as Beautifull and those all great and Loyal Supporters of a long Race of Monarchs of this Sacred Line This shall be the perpetuall wish this the Eternal Prayer of SIR Your Graces most Humble and most Obedient Servant A. Behn PROLOGUE Spoken by the Ghost of Huson ascending from Hell drest as a Cobler I Am the Ghost of him who was a true Son Of the late GOOD OLD CAVSE Ecliped Huson Rous'd by strange scandal from th' eternal flame With noise of Plotts of wonderous birth and name Whilst the sly Jesuit robs us of our fame Can all their Conclave tho' with Hell th' agree Act mischief equal to Presbittery Look back on our success in Forty One Was ever braver Villanies carryed on Or new ones now more hopefully begun And shall our unsuccess our merit lose And make us quit the Glory of our Cause No Hire new Villains Rogues without remorse And let no Law nor Conscience stop your course Let Polititions order the Confusion And let the Saints pay Pious Contribution Pay those that Rail and those that can delude With scribling Nonsence the Loose Multitude Pay well your Witnesses they may not run To the right side and tell who set 'em on Pay 'em so well that they may ne'r Recant And so turn Honest meerly out of want Pay Juries that no formal Laws may harm us Let Treason be secur'd by Ignoramus Pay Bully Whig who Loyal writers bang And honest Tories in Effigie hang Pay those that burn the Pope to please the fools And dayly pay Right Honourable Tooles Pay all the Pulpit knaves that Treason brew And let the zealous Sisters pay 'em too Justices bound by Oath and obligation Pay them the utmost price of their Damnation Not to disturb our useful Congregation Nor let the Learned Rabble be forgot Those Pious hands that crown our hopeful Plott No Modern States-men cry t is Lunacy To barter Treason with such Rogues as we But subtiller Oliver did not disdain His Mightier Politiques with ours to joyn I for all uses in a State was able Cou'd Mutiny cou'd fight hold forth and Cobble Your lazy State man may sometimes direct But your small busie knaves the Treason Act. The Actors Names 1. Lord Fleetwood 2. Lord Lambert Competitors for the Crown but Lambert is General of the Army Lord Wariston Chairman of the Committee of Safety Hewson Desbro Duckingfield Corbet Commanders and Committee men 3. Lord Witlock Ananias Gogle Lay Elder of Clements Parish A Rable Of the sanctified Mobily Corporal Right An Oliverian Commander but honest and a Cavelier in his heart Loveless A Royalist a man of Honor loves Lady Lambert Freeman His friend of the same Character in love with Lady Desbro Lady Lambert In love with Loveless Lady Desbro In love with Freeman Lady Fletwood Lady Cromwell Gilliflower Lady Lamberts Old Woman Several Ladies For Redress of Grievances Two Pages To Lady Lambert Page To Lady Desbro Footmen Fidlers and a Bâ—nd of Loyal City Apprentices THE ROVND-HEADS OR THE Good Old Cause ACT. I. Scene I. The Street Enter three Souldiers and Corporal Right Cor. AH Rogues the World runs finely round the bus'ness is done 1 Sould. Done the Town 's our own my fine Rascal 2 Sould. We 'll have Harlots by the Belly Sirrah 1 Sould. Those are Commodities I confess I wou'd fain be truckâ—ing for but no words of that Boy Cor. Stand who go's there To them a Ioyner and Felt-maker 1 Sould. Who are you for hah Ioyn Are for Friend we are for Gad and the Lord Fleetwood 1 Sould. Fleetwood knock 'em down Fleetwood that snivelling Thief Felt. Why Friends who are ye for Cor. For who shou'd we be for but Lambert Noble Lambert Is this a time o' th' day to declare for Fleetwood with a Pox indeed i' th morning 't was a Question had like to have been decided with push a Pike 2 Sould. Dry blows wou'd ne'r a don 't some must have sweat blood for 't but 't is now decided Ioyn Decided 2 Sould. Yes decided Sir without your Rule for 't Ioyn Decided by whom Sir by us the Free-born Subjects of England by the Honourable Committee of Safety or the Right Reverend City without which Sir I humbly conceive your Declaration for Lambert is illegal and against the Property of the People 2 Sould. Plain Lambert here 's a sawcy Dog of a Joyner Sirrah get ye home and mind your Trade and save the Hang-man a labour Ioyn Look ye Friend I fear no Hang-man in Christendom for Conscience and Publick good for Liberty and Property I dare as far as any man 2 Sould. Liberty and Property with a pox in the mouth of a Joyner you are
Fleetwood Fleet. My honour'd Mother I am glad to find you here I hope we shall reconcile things between ye Verily we shou'd live in brotherly Love together come ingeniously you shall be Friends my Lady Mother Cro. Curse on th' occasion of thy being a Kin to me Flee Why an please ye forsooth Madam Cro. My Daughter had a Husband Worthy the Title of my Son in Law Ireton my best of Sons he 'd Wit and Courage And with his Councels rais'd our House to Honours Which thy impolitick Easiness pulls down And whilst you shou'd be gaining Crowns and Kingdoms Art poorly couzening of the World with fruitless Prayers Fleet. Nay I 'll warrant you Madam when there is any gadly mischief to be done I am as forward as the best but 't is good to take the Lard along with us in every thing I profess ingeniously as I am an honest man verily ne're stir I shall act as becomes a good Christian. Cro. A Good Coxcombe Dost thou not see her reverend Highness there That Minion now assumes that glorious Title I once and my Son Richard's Wife enjoy'd Whilst I am call'd the Night Mare of the Commonwealth But wou'd I were I 'd so hag-ride the perjur'd Slaves Who took so many Oaths of true Allegiance To my great Husband first and then to Richard Who whilst they reign'd were most illustrious Most high and mighty Princes whilst fawning Poets Write Panegyricks on 'em And yet no sooner was The wonderous Heroe dead but all his glorious Titles fell to Monster of Mankind Murderer Of Piety Traytor to Heav'n and Goodness Flee Who calls him so Pray take their Names down I profess ingeniously forsooth Madam verily I 'll order 'em as I am here I will Cro. Thou alas they scorn so poor a thing as thou Fleet. Do they ingeniously I 'll be even with 'em forsooth Mother as I am here I will and there 's an end on 't Cro. I wou'd there were an end of our disgrace and shame which is but just begun I fear What will become of that fair Monument Thy careful Father did erect for thee to La. Fleetw Yet whilst he liv'd next to thy Husband Ireton Lest none shou'd do it for thee after he were dead The Malice of proud Lambert will destroy all Fleet. I profess Madam you mistake my good Lord Lambert he 's an honest man and fears the Lard he tells me I am to be the man verily he do's after all 's done Cro. Yes after all 's done thou art the man to be pointed at Fleet. Nay ingeniously I scorn the words so I do I know the great Work of Salvation to the Nation is to be wrought by me verily Cro. Do Cant on till Heav'n drop Kingdoms in thy mouth dull silly Sot thou ruine of our Interest thou fond inccorrigible easie Fool. Enter Page Pag. My Lord the Committee of Safety waits your coming Fleet. Why law you now forsooth I profess verily you are ingeniously the hardest of belief tell the honourable Lords I'm coming Go Lady mother go home with my Wife and verily you 'll see things go to your wish I must to Coach L. Fleet. Madam your humble Servant to La. Lam. Fleet. Honour'd Lady I kiss your hands Ex. Crom. Fleet. and La. Fleet. Enter Loveless Lov. Was this the thing that is to be Protector This little snivelling Fellow rule three Kingdoms But leave we Politicks and fall to Love Who deals more Joyes in one kind happy moment Than Ages of Dull Empire can produce La. Lam. Oh Gods Shall I who never yielded yet But to him to whom three Kingdoms fell a Sacrifice Surrender at first Parly Lov. Perhaps that Lover made ye gayer Presents But cou'd not render you a Heart all love Or mind embyass'd in Affairs of Blood I bring no Guilt to fright ye from my Embraces But all our hours shall be serene and soft La. Lam. Ah Gilliflower thy Aid or I 'm lost Shall it be said of me in after Ages When my great Fame 'mongst Queens shall be recorded That I ah Heav'ns regardless of my Countries Cause Espous'd the wicked Party of its Enemies The Heathenish Heroicks ah defend me Lov. Nay by all that 's La. Lam. Ah hold Do not prophane my Ears with Oaths or Execrations I cannot bear the sound Lov. Nay nay by Heav'n I 'll not depart your lodgings till that soft Love that playes so in your Eyes give me a better proof by La. Lam. Oh hold I dye if you proceed in this Abomination Lov. Why do you force me to 't d' ye think to put me off with such a Face such lips such smiles such Eyes and every Charm You 've made me mad and I shall swear my Soul away if disappointed now Gill. Ah save the Gentleman's Soul I beseech ye Madam La. Lam. I 'm much inclin'd to Acts of Piety leaning on him smiling He goes to lead her out Enter La. Desbro And you have such a Power that howe're I incommode my Honour Desbro here how unseasonably she comes La. Des. Cry mercy Madam I 'll withdraw a while La. Lam. Ah Desbro thou art come in the most lucky minute I was just on the point of falling As thou say'st these Heroicks have the strangest Power La. Des. I never knew a Woman cou'd resist ' em La. Lam. No marvel then our Husbands use 'em so betray 'em banish 'em sequester murder 'em and every way disarm ' em La. Des. But their Eyes Madam La. Lam. Ay their Eyes Desbro I wonder our Lords shou'd take away their Swords and let 'em wear their Eyes La. Desbro I 'll move it to the Committee of Safety Madam those Weapons shou'd be taken from 'em too La. Lam. Still they 'll have some to be reveng'd on us La. Des. Ay so they will My Lord says a Cavalier is a kind of Hidra knock him o' th' Head as often as you will he has still one to peep up withall Enter Page Page Madam here 's Mr. Freeman to speak with your Honour Lov. That 's a Friend of mine Madam and 't wou'd be unnecessary he saw your Highness and I together let us withdraw La. Lam. Withdraw why What will Desbro say Des. O Madam I know your Vertue and your Piety too well to suspect your Honour wrongfully 't is impossible a Lady that goes to a Conventicle twice a day besides long Prayers and lowd Psalm-singing shou'd do any thing with an Heroick against her Honour Your known Sanctity preserves you from Scandal But here 's Freeman Puts 'em in Enter Freeman Free So Madam you are very kind La. Des. My charming Freeman this tedious day of Absence has been an Age in love How hast thou liv'd without me Free Like one condemn'd sad and disconsolate And all the while you made your Husband happy La. Des. Name not the beastly Hypocrite thou know'st I make no other use of him But a dull Property to advance our Love Free And 't is but Iustice Maria he sequester'd me
Kingdom La. Lam. You can do nothing as you shou'd do 't You want Old Oliver's Brains Old Oliver's Courage and Old Oliver's Counsel Ah what a politick Fellow was little Sir Anthony What a Head-peice was there What a plaguy Fellow Old Thurlo and the rest But get ye back and return me Protector at least or never hope for Peace again Lam. My Soul trouble not thy self go in With mine no Power can equal be And I will be a King to humour thee Exeunt ACT III. Scene I. A Council Chamber great Table Chairs and Papers Enter two Clarks who lay Papers in Order and Door-keeper Door COme Haste Haste the Lords are coming keep back there room for the Lords room for the honourable Lords Heav'n bless your Worships Honours Enter Lambert Fleetwood Whitlock Wariston discoursing earnestly to them Duckenfield Cobbet Hewson Desbro and others Duck takes Wariston by the Hand and talks to him War Bread a gued Gentlemen I's serv'd the Commonwealth long and faithfully I's turn'd and turn'd to aud Interest and aud Religions that turn'd up Trump and wons a me but I's get naught but Bagery by my Sol I's noo put in for a Pansion as well as rest o ya Loones Cob. What we can serve you in my Lord you may command Duc. And I too my Lord when the Government is new moulded War Wons Sirs and I's sa moold it 't was ne're sa moolded sin the Dam boond the Head on 't Duc. I know there are some ambitious Spirits that are for a single Person but we 'll have hot work e're yield to that War The faud Diel take 'em then for Archibald 't is warse than Monarchy Duc. A thousand Times Have we with such Industry been pulling down Kings of the Royal Family to set up Tyrants of our own of mean and obscure Birth No if we 're for a single Person I 'm for a lawful one War Wons and ya have spoken aud my Lord so am I. Duc. But Lambert has a busie haughty Spirit and thinks to carry it but we 'll have no single Person War Nor I ods Bread the faud Diel brest the Wem of Lambert or any single Person in England I's for yare Interest my gued Lords Bowing Lam. My Lord Wariston will you please to assume the Chair Enter Loveless Freeman and others with Petitions War Ah my gued Loord I's yare most obedient humble Servant Bowing to Lam. all set All. Hum Hum. Fleet. My Lords and Gentlemen we are here met together in the Name of the Lard Duc. Yea and I hope we shall hang together as one man A Pox upon your preaching Aside Fleet. And hope this days great work will be for his Praise and Glory Duc. ' Bating long Graces my Lord we are met together for the Bus'ness of the Nation to settle it and to establish a Government Fleet. Yea verily And I hope you will all unanimously agree it shall be your unworthy Servant Lam. What else my Lord Flee And as thou Lard has put the Sword into my hand Duc. So put it into your Heart My Lord to do Justice Fleet. Amen Duc. I 'd rather see it there than in your Hand Aside Fleet. For we are as it were a Body without a Head or to speak more learnedly an Animal unanimate Hus. My Lord let us use as little as we can the language of the Beast hard Words none of your Eloquence it savoureth of Monarchy Lam. My Lord you must give men of Quality leave to speak in a Language more Gentile and Courtly than the ordinary sort of mankind Hew My Lord I am sorry to hear there are any of Quality amongst this Honourable Dissembly stands up Cob. Assembly my Lord Hews Well you know my meaning or if there be any such I 'm sorry they shou'd own themselves of Quality Duc. How own themselves Gentlemen Death Sir d' ye think we were all born Coblers Hews Or if you were not the more the pitty for little England I say in heat Fleet. Verily my Lords Brethren shou'd not fall out it is a scandal to the Good Cause and maketh the Wicked rejoyce War Wons and theys garr the Loosey Proverb on 't te When Loons gang together by th' Luggs gued men get their ene All. He he he Duc. He calls you Knaves by craft my Lords War Bread a gued tak 't among yee Gentlemen I's ment wee le Fleet. I profess my Lord Wariston you make my hair stand an end to hear how you swear War Wons my Loord I's sware as little as your Lordship only I's sware out and ya swallow aud Duc. There 's a Bone for you to pick my Lord. All. He he he Lam. We give my Lord Wariston leave to jest Des. But what 's this to the Government all this while a dad I shall sit so late I shall have no time to visit my Horses therefore proceed to the Point Hews Ay to the Point my Lords the Gentleman that spoke last spoke wll Cob. Well sed Brother I see you will in time speak properly Duc. But to the Government my Lords beats the Table Lam. Put 'em off o' this Discourse my Lord. aside to War Des. My Lord Wariston move it you are Speaker War The Diel a me Sirs and noo ya talk of a Speaker I's tell ye a blithe Tale. Fleet. Ingeniously my Lord you are to blame to swear so Lam. Your Story my Lord. War By my Solmon and there was a poor Woman the other day beg'd ot'h ' Carle the Speaker but he 'd give her nought unlas she 'd lat a fea rt wons at last a fea rt she lat Ay marry quoth the woman noo my Rump has a Speaker te All. He he he Duc. But to our Bus'ness Des. Bus'ness ay there 's the thing I 've a world on 't I shou'd go and bespeak a pair of Mittens and Shears for my Hedger and Shearer a pair of Cards for my Thrasher a Sythe for my Mower and a Skreen-fan for my Lady Wife and many other things my Head 's full of bus'ness I cannot stay Whit. Fy my Lord will you neglect the bus'ness o' th' day we meet to oblige the Nation and gratifie our Friends Des. Nay I 'll do any thing so I may rise time enough to see my Horses at night Lov. Damn 'em what stuff 's here for a Council-Table Free Where are our English Spirits that can be govern'd by such Dogs as these Lam. Clark Read the Heads of what past at our last sitting War In the first place I must mind your Lordships tol consider those that have been gued Members in the Commonwelth Fleet. We shall not be backward to gratifie any that have serv'd the Commonwealth Whit. There 's Money enough we have taxt the Nation high Duc. Yes if we knew where to find it however read Clark reads To Walter Walton Draper six thousand nine hundred twenty nine pounds six shillings and five pence for Blacks for his Highness Funeral Lam. For the Devil 's put
was lavish enough Lov. Yes of the Nations Treasure but prithee tell me Is not thy Lady mad raving on Crowns and Kingdoms Gill. It appears so to you who are not us'd to the Vanity of the Party but they are all so mad in their degree and in the Fit they talk of nothing else Sir we have to morrow a hearing as they call it Lov. What 's that a Conventicle Gill. No no Sir Ladies of the last Edition that present their Grievances to the Council of Ladies of which my Lady 's Chief which Grievances are laid open to the Committee of Safety and so redress'd or slighted as they are Lov. That must be worth one's Curiosity cou'd one but see 't Gill. We admit no man Sir Lov. 'Sdeath for so good a sight I will turn Woman I 'll Act it to a hair Gill. That wou'd be excellent Lov. Nay I must do 't the Novelty is rare but I 'm impatient prethee let thy Lady know I wait Gill. She 's in Affairs of State but will be here immediately mean time retire into her Cabinet I 'll send the Page with Lights there you may repose till my Lady comes on the Pallat. she leads him out SCENE A great Chamber of State and Canopy And at a Table seated Lambert Fleetwood Desbro Hewson Duckingfield Wariston Cobbet all half drunk with Bottles and Glasses on the Table La. Lam. and La. Fleet. Lam. My Lord Wariston you are not merry to night War Wons Mon this Monk sticks in my Gullet the muckle Diel pull him out by th' Lugs the faud Loone will en spoyle ad our sport mon. Lam. I thought I had enough satisfy'd all your Fears the Army 's mine that is 't is yours my Lords and I 'll employ it too so well for the Good of the Commonwealth you shall have cause to commend both my Courage and Conduct my Lord Wariston will you accompany me War Ah my gued Lord the Honour is too great 'T is not but I's dare fight my Lord but I love not the limmer Loone he has a villainous honest Face an's ene I's kend him ence and lik't him not but I's drink tol y ar gued Fortune let it gang aboote ene and ad Sirs all drink Lam. We 'll leave all discourse of bus'ness and give our selves to Mirth I fancy good Success from this days Omen Enter Gill. whispers La. Lam. she rises La. Lam. Waited so long Gill. And grew inpatient and please your Highness must I go tell him you cannot see him to Night La. Lam. Not for the World my silly Politician will be Busying himself in dull Affairs of State Dull in Comparison of Love I mean I never lov'd before Old Oliver I suffer'd for my Interest And 't is some Greatness to be Mistress to the best But this mighty Pleasure comes A propo To sweeten all the heavy Toyls of Empire Gill. So it does an 't please your Highness La. Lam. Go let him know I 'm coming Madam I must beg your Pardon you hear my Lord to morrow goes on this great Expedition and for any thing we know may fall a glorious Sacrifice to the Commonwealth therefore 't is meet I offer up some Prayers for his Safety and all my Leasure Hours 'twixt this and that will be too few Your humble Servant Madam Ex. La. Lam. La. Fleet. My Dear I 'll leave you too my Time of Devotion is come and heav'n will stay for no Body where are my People is my Coach ready or may Chair Fleet. Go in your Chair my Love lest you catch cold La. Fleet. And light your Flambeaus I love to have my Chair surrounded with Flambeaus Enter Page Pag. Your Chair is ready Madam She goes out led by Fleet. Hews What think ye now my Lords of settling the Nation a little I find my Head swim with Politicks and what ye call ums War Wons and wad ya settle the Nation when we real our selves Hews Who pox shall we stand making Childrens Shoes all the year No No let 's begin to settle the Nation I say and go throw stich with our Work Duc. Right we have no Head to obey so that if this Scotch General do come whilst we Dogs fight for the Bone he runs away with it Hews Shaw we shall patch up matters with the Scotch General I 'll warrant you However here 's to our next Head One and All. all drink Flee Verily Sirs this Health drinking savoureth of Monarchy and is a Type of Malignancy War Bread my Lord no preaching o're y ar Liquer wee's now for a Cup o' th' Creature Cob. In a gadly way you may it is lawful Lam. Come Come we 're dull give us some Musick Come my Lord I 'll give you a Song I love Musick as I do a Drum there 's Life and Soul in 't call my Musick Fleet. Yea I am for any Musick except an Organ War ' SBread Sirs and I's for a Horn-pipe I 've a faud Theefe here shall dance ye dance tol a Horn-pipe with any States man a ya'ad All. He He He. Duc. I know not what your faud Theefe can do but I 'll hold you a Wager Collonel Hewson and Collonel Desbro shall dance ye the Saints Jigg with any Sinner of your Kirk or Field Conventickler War Wons and I's catch 'em at that sport I's dancâ— tol 'em for a Scotch Poond but farst y ar Song my Lord I hope 't is body or 't is not wâ—rth a Feart All. He He He. Song sung by Lord Lambert A Pox of the States-man that 's witty That watches and Plots all the sleepless Night For Seditious Harangues to the Whigs of the City And piously turns a Traytor in spight Let him wrack and torment his lean Carrion To bring his Sham-Plots about Till Religion King Bishop and Baron For the Publick Good be quite rooted out Whilst we that are no Politicians But Rogues that are Resolute bare-fac'd and Great Boldly head the rude Rabble in open Sedition Bearing all down before us in Church and in State Your Impudence is the best State trick And he that by Law means to rule Let his History with ours be related Tho' we prove the Knaves 't is he is the Fool. War The Diel a me we le sung my Lord and gen aud Trads fail yas make a quaint Minstrel All. He He He. War Noo Sirs y ar Dance They fling Cushions at one another and grin Musick plays Mary Sirs an this be y ar dancing tol dance and ne're stir Stap the Diel lead the Donce for Archibald When they have flung Cushions thus a while to the Musick Time they beat each other from the Table one by one and fall into a godly Dance after a while Wariston rises and dances ridiculously a while amongst them then to the Time of the Tune they take out the rest as at the Cushion Dance or in that Nature Wariston being the last taken in leads the rest Haud Minstrels hade Bread a gued I's fatch ad Ladies in