of another Cut she marryed as most do for Interest but what thou 't to her Lov. If Lightening stop my way Perhaps a sober view may make me hate her Exit both Enter Lambert and Whitlock Scen. A Chamber Whit. My Lord now is your time you may be King Fortune is yours you 've time it self by th' fore-lock Lam. If I thought so I 'd hold him fast by Heaven Whit. If you let slip this Opportunity my Lord you are undone Aunt Caesar aut Nullus Lam. But Fleetwood Whit. Hang him soft head Lam. True he 's of an easie Nature yet if thou did'st but know how little Wit governs this mighty Universe thou wou'dst not wonder men should set up him Whit. That will not recommend him at this Iuncto though he 's an excellent Tool for your Lordship to make use of and therefore use him Sir as Cataline did Lentulus drill the dull Fool with hopes of Empire on and that all tends to his Advancement only The Block-head will believe the Crown his own what other Hopes could make him ruine Richard a Gentleman of Qualities a thousand times beyond him Lam. They were both too soft an ill Commendation for a General who should be rough as storms of War it self Whit. His Time was short and yours is coming on Old Oliver had his Lam. I hate the Memory of that Tyrant Oliver Whit. So do I now he 's dead and serves my Ends no more I lov'd the Father of the Great Heroick whilst he had Power to do me good he failing Reason directed me to the Party then prevailing the Fag End of the Parliament 't is true I took the Oath of Allegiance as Oliver your Lordship Tony and the rest did without which we could not have sat in that Parliament but that Oath was not for our Advantage and so better broke than kept Lam. I am of your Opinion my Lord. Whit. Let Honesty and Religion preach against it but how cou'd I have serv'd the Commons by deserting the King how have show'd my self loyal to your Interest by fooling Fleetwood in the deserting of Dick by dissolving the honest Parliament and bringing in the odious Rump how cou'd I have flatter'd Ireton by telling him Providence brought things about when 't was mere knavery all and that the hand of the Lord was in 't when I knew the Devil was in 't or indeed how cou'd I now advise you to be King if I had started of Oaths or prefer'd Honesty or Divinity before Interest and the Good Old Cause Lam. Nay 't is most certain he that will live in this World must be indu'd with the three rare Qualities of Dissimulation Equivocation and mental Reservation Whit. In which Excellency Heav'n be prais'd we out-do the Iesuits Enter La. Lam. L. Lamb. I 'm glad to see you so well employ'd my Lord as in Discourse with my Lord Whitlock he 's of our party and has Wit Whit. Your Honour graces me too much Lam. My Lord my Lady is an absolute States-Woman La. Lam. Yes I think things had not arriv'd to this exalted height nor had you been in Prospect of a Crown had not my Politicks exceeded your meaner Ambition Lam. I confess I owe all my good fortune to thee Enter Page Pag. My Lord my Lord Wariston Lord Hewson Collonel Cobbet and Collonel Duckenfield desire the Honour of waiting on you La. Lam. This has a â—ace of Greatness let 'em wait a while i' th' Antichamber Lam. My Love I wou'd have 'em come in La. Lam. You wou'd have 'em you wou'd have a Fools Head of your own pray let me be Judge of what their Duty is and what your Glory I say I 'll have 'em wait Page My Lord Fleetwood too is just alighted shall he wait too Madam La. Lam. He may approach and d' ye hear put on your fawning looks flatter him and profess much Friendship to him you may betray him with the more facility Whit. Madam you counsel well Ex. Page re-enter with L. Fleetwood Enter Lord Fleetwood Lamb. My good Lord your most submissive Servant Whit. My Gracious Lord I am your Creature your Slave Fleet. I profess ingeniously I am much ingag'd to you my good Lords I hope things are now in the Lard's handling and will go on well for his Glory and my Interest and that all my good People of England will do things that become good Christians Whit. Doubt us not my good Lord the Government cannot be put into abler hands than those of your Lordship it has hitherto been in the hard clutches of Iews Infidels and Pagans Fleet. Yea verily Abomination has been in the hands of Iniquity Lam. But my Lord those hands by my good Conduct are now cut off and our Ambition is your Lordship wou'd take the Government upon you Fleet. I profess my Lord by ye and nay I am asham'd of this Goodness in making me the Instrument of saving Grace to this Nation 't is the great Work of the Lard La. Lam. The Lard Sir I 'll assure you the Lard has the least hand in your good fortune I think you ought to ascribe it to the Cunning and Conduct of my Lord here who so timely abandon'd the Interest of Richard Fleet. Ingeniously I must own your good Lord can do much and has done much but 't is our Method to ascribe all to the Powers above La. Lam. Then I must tell you your Method's an ungrateful Method Lam. Peace my Love Whit. Madam This is the Cant we must delude the Rabble with La. Lam. Then let him use it there my Lord not amongst us who so well understand one another Lam. Good Dear be pacifi'd and tell me shall the Gentlemen without have admittance La. Lam. They may Page goes out Enter Hewson Desbro Duckenfield Wariston and Cobbet War Guds Benizon light on yu my gued Loords for this days work Madam I kiss your white Honds Duc. My Lord I have not been behind hand in this days turn of State Lam. 'T is confess'd Sir What wou'd you infer from that Duc. Why I wou'd know how things go who shall be General who Protector or who King next Hews My Friend has well translated his meaning La. Lam. Fy how that filthy Cobler Lord betrayes his Function Duc. We 're in a Chaos a Confusion as we are Hews Indeed the Commonwealth at present is out at heels and wants underlaying Cob. And the People expect something suddenly from us Whit. My Lords and Gentlemen we must consider a while War Bread a gued there 's mickle Wisdom i that Sirs Duc. It ought to be consulted betimes my Lord 't is a matter of moment and ought to be consulted by the whole Committee Lam. We design no other my Lord for which reason at three a clock we 'll meet at Wallingford House Duc. Nay my Lord do but settle the Affair let 's but know who 's our Head and 't is no matter Hew Ay my Lord no matter who I hope 't will be Fleetwood
lead away Minstrels tol my Ladies Apartment Musick playing before all Ex. Dancing SCENE Flat Enter Page Pag. Cock Here must I wait to give my Lady Notice when my Lord approaches The fine Gentleman that is alone with her gave me these two fine pieces of Gold and bad me buy a Sword to fight for the King with-all and I 'm resolv'd to lay it all out in Sword not a penny in Nickers and fight for the Heroicks as long as I have a Limb if they be all such fine Men as this within But hark sure I hear some coming Ex. Flat Scene draws off discovers La. Lam. on a Couch with Loveless tying a rich Diamond Bracelet about his Arm a Table behind with Lights on which a Velvet Cushion with a Crown and Scepter cover'd Lov. This Present's too magnificent Such Bracelets young Monarchs shou'd put on La. Lam. Persons like me when they make Presents Sir must do it for their Glory not considering the merit of the Wearer yet this my charming Loveless comes short of what I ought to pay thy worth comes short too of my Love Lov. You bless me Madam La. Lam. This the great Monarch of the World once ty'd about my Arm and bade me wear it till some greater man shou'd chance to win my Heart Thou art that man whom Love hath rais'd above him Whom every Grace and every Charm thou hast Conspire to make thee mightier to my Soul And Oliver Illustrious Oliver Was yet far short of thee Lov. He was the Monarch then whose Spoils I triumph in La. Lam. They were design'd for Trophies to the young and Gay Ah Loveless that I cou'd reward thy Youth With something that might make thee more than man As well as give the best of Women to thee rises takes him by the hand leads him to the Table He starts Behold this Gay this wondrous Glorious thing Lov. Hah a Crown and Scepter Have I been all this while So near the Sacred Reliques of my King And found no Awful motion in my blood Nothing that mov'd Sacred Devotion in me kneels Hail Sacred Emblem of Great Majesty Thou that hast circled more Divinity Than the great Zodiack that surrounds the World I ne'r was blest with sight of thee till now But in much reverenc'd Pictures rises and bows La. Lam. Is 't not a lovely thing Lov. There 's such Divinity i' th very Form on 't Had I been conscious I 'd been near the Temple Where this bright Relique of the Glorious Martyr Had been inshrin'd ' thad spoil'd my soft Devotion 't is Sacrilege to dally where it is A rude a Sawcy Treason to approach it With an unbended knee for Heav's sake Madam Let us not be profane in our Delights Either withdraw or hide that Glorious Object La. Lam. Thou art a Fool the very sight of this Raises my Pleasure higher Methinks I give a Queen into thy Arms And where I love I cannot give enough softly Wou'd I cou'd set it on thy Head for ever ' Twou'd not become my simple Lord The thousandth part so well goes to put it on his Head he puts it back Lov. Forbear and do not play with holy things Let us retire and love as Mortals shou'd Not imitate the Gods and spoil our Joyes La. Lam. Lovely and unambitious What hopes have I of all your promis'd Constancy Whilst this which possibly ' ere long may adorn my Brow And ought to raise me higher in your Love Ought to transform you even to Adoration Shall poorly make you vanish from it's Lustre Methinks the very Fancy of a Queen Is worth a thousand Mistress's of less Illustrious Rank Lov. What every Pageant Queen You might from thence infer I 'd fall in Love with every little Actress because She acts the Queen for half an hour But then the gawdy Robe is laid aside La. Lam. I 'll pardon the Comparison in you Lov. I do not doubt your Power of being a Queen But trust it will not last How truly brave wou'd your great Husband be If whilst he may he pay'd this mighty Debt To the Right Owner If whilst he has the Army in his Power He made a true and lawful use of it To settle our great Master in his Throne And by an act so glorious raise his Name Even above the Title of a King La. Lam. You love me not that wou'd perswade me from my Glory Enter Gilliflower Gill. Oh Madam the Lords are all got merry as they call it and are all dancing hither La. Lam. What at their Oliverian Frolicks dear Loveless withdraw I wou'd not give the fond believing Fool a Jealousie of me Gill. Withdraw Madam 't is impossible he must run just into their mouthes La. Lam. Im ' ill at these Intrigues being us'd to Lovers that still came with such Authority that modestly my Husband wou'd withdraw but Loveless is in danger therefore take care he be not seen Gill. Heav'ns they are coming there 's no retreat La. Lam. Lye down on the Couch and cover him you with the Foot-Carpet so give me my Prayer-Book He lyes down along on the Couch they cover him with the Carpet La. Lam. takes her Book sits down on his Feet and leans on the back of the Couch reading Gill. stands at t'other end they enter dancing as before What Insolence is this do you not hear me you Sots whom Gayety and Dancing do so ill become War singing Welcom Ione Sanderson welcom welcom goes to take her out she strikes him Wons Madam that 's no part o' th' dance La. Lam. No but 't is part of a reward for your Insolence which possibly your Head shall answer for Lam. Pardon him my dear he meant no disrespect to thee La. Lam. How dare you interrupt my Devotion Sirrah Begon with all your filthy ill-bred Crew Lam. sits down on Loveless Lam. My only dear be patient hah Something moves under me Treason Treason He rises Lov. rouls off and turns Lam. over the rest of the men run out crying Treason Treason overthrowing the Lights putting 'em out La. Lam. Treason Treason my Lord my Lord Lam. Lights there a Plot a Popish Plot lights She groping about finds Lov. by his clothes knows him La. Lam. The Crown the Crown guard the Crown Here take this Key the next room is my Bed-chamber Secure your self a moment Ex. Loveless Lights there the Crown who art thou takes hold of Lamb. Lam. 'T is I. La. Lam. Ah my Lord what 's the matter Lam. Nay my Lady I ask you what 's the matter Enter Page with lights By Heaven all is not well Hark ye my fine she Politician who was it you had hid beneath this Carpet La. Lam. Heav'ns Do'st hear him Gilliflower Sure the Fellow 's mad Gill. Alack my Lord Are you out of your Honourable Wits Heav'n knows my Lady was at her Devotion Lam. Bawd come confess thy self to be one at her Devotion yes with a He Saint Gill. Ah! Gad forbid the Saints shou'd be so
THE ROUNDHEADS OR The Good Old Cause A COMEDY As it is Acted at His Royal Highness the DUKES Theatre By Mrs. A. Behn LONDON Printed for D. Brown at the Black Swan and Bible without Temple bar and Benskin in St. Brides Church Yard and H. Rhodes next door to the Bear Tavern neer Bride Lane in Fleetstreet MDCLXXXII To the Right Noble Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Grafton Earle of Sutton Viscount of Ipswich Baron of Sudbury Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and Colonell of his Majesties Regiment of Foot Guards c. May it please Your Grace DEdications which were Originally design'd as a Tribute to that Reverence and just esteem we ought to pay the Great and Good are now so corrupted with Flattery that they rarely either find a Reception in the World or merit that Patronage they wou'd implore But I without fear Aproch the great Object being above that mean and mercenary Art nor can I draw the Lovely Picture half so charming and so manly as it is and that Author may more properly boast of a Lucky Hiâ—t whose choice and fortune is so good then if he had pleas'd all the different ill Iudging world besides in the business of the Play for none that way can ever hope to please all in an Age when Faction rages and differing Parties disagree in all things But coming the first day to a new Play with a Loyal Title and then even the sober and tender conscienc'd throng as to a forbidden Conventicle fearing the Cub of their old Bear of Reformation should be expos'd to the scorn of the wicked and dreading tho but the faint shadow of their own deformity their Rebellion Murders Massacres and Villanies from 40 upwards should be Represented for the better undeceiving and informing of the World flock in a full Assembly with a pious design to Hisse and Rail it as much out of countenance as they would Monarchy Religion Laws and Honesty throwing the Act of Oblivion in our Teeths as if that whose mercy can not make them forget their Old Rebellion cou'd hinder honest truths from breaking out upon 'em in Edifying Plays where the Loyal hands ever out-do their venom'd Hisse a good and happy omen if Poets maybe allowd for Prophets as of old they were and t is as easily seen at a new Play how the Royal Interest thrives as at a City Election how the good Old Cause is carried on as a Noble Peer lately said Tho' the Tories have got the better of us at the Play we carried it in the City by many Voyces God be praysed This Play call'd The Roundheads which I humbly lay at your Graces feet Pardon the Title and Heaven defend you from the bloody Race was carryed in the House nemine contra dicente by the Royal Party and under your Graces Ilustrious Patronage is safe from any new Seditious affronts abroad Your Grace alone whom Heaven and Nature has form'd the most adorable Person in the whole Creation with all the advantages of a Glorious birth has a double right and power to defend all that aproch you for sanctuary your very Beauty is a guard to all you daigne to make safe for You were born for Conquest every way even what Phanatick what peevish Politition testy with Age Diseases miscarried Plots disappointed Revolutions envious of Power of Princes and of Monarchy and mad with Zeal for Change and Reformation could yet be so far lost to sence of Pleasure as not to turn a Rebel to Revenge the Good old Cause and the patronage to Plebean sedition with only looking on you ' twoud force his meger face to blushing smiles and make him swear he had mistook the side curse his own Party and if possible be reconcild to Honesty again such power have charms like Yours to calm the soul and will in spight of You plead for me to the disaffected even when they are at Wars with Your Birth and power But this Play for which I humbly beg Your Graces Protection needs it in a more peculiar manner it having drawn down Legions upon its head for its Loyalty what to Name us cryes one t is most abominable unheard of daring cryes another she deserves to be swing'd cryes a third as if t were all a Libel a scandal impossible to be provd or that their Rogueries were of so old a Date their Reign were past remembrance or History when they take such zealous care to renew it daily to our memories And I am satisfied that they that will justifie the best of these Traytors deserves the fate of the worst and most manifestly declare to the World by it they wou'd be at the Old Game their fore-Fathers played with so good success yet if there be any honest loyal man alied to any here nam'd I heartily beg his Pardon for any offensive Truth I have spoken and 't is a wonderful thing that amongst so Numerous a Flock they will not allow of one mangy Sheep not one Rogue in the whole Generation of the Association Ignoramus the 1st and the 2d But as they are I leave e'm to your Grace to Iudge of e'm to whom I humbly present this small Mirror of the late wretched Times wherein your Grace may see something of the Miseries three the Most Glorious Kingdoms of the Vniverse were reduc't to where your Royal Ancestors victoriously Reign'd for so many hundred years How they were Govern'd Parcell'd out and deplorable inslav'd and to what Low Prostituted Lewdness they fell at last where the Nobility and Gentry were the most contemn'd and despis'd part of them and such Meane and till then obscure Villains Rul'd and Tyraniz'd that no Age nor Time or scarce a Parish Book makes mention or cou'd show there was any such Name or Family Yet these were those that impudently Tug'd for Empire and Prophan'd that Illustrious Throne and Court so due then and possest now through the infinite Mercies of God to this bleeding Nation by the best of Monarchs a Monarch who had yet the divine goodness to Pardon even his worst of Enemies what was past Nay out of his Vast and God-like Clemency did more than Heaven it self can do put it out of his Power by an Act of Oblivion to punish the unparalell'd Injuries done His Sacred Person and the rest of the Royal Family How great his Patience has been since I leave to all the World to judge but Heaven be prais'd he has not yet forgot the Sufferings and Murders of the Glorious Martyr of ever blessed memory Your Graces Sacred Grandfather and by what Arts and Ways that Devilish Plot was layed and will like a skilful Pilate by the wreck of one Rich Vessell learn how to shun the danger of this present Threatning and saved the rest from sinking The Clouds already begin to disappear and the face of things to change thanks to Heaven His Majesties infinite Wisdom and the Over-Zeal of the falsly called True Protestant Party Now we may pray for the