City politiques a comedy : as it is acted by His Majesties servants / written by Mr. Crown.

Scene the Street.

Enter the Governour of the City, Artall, and Guard.

Gov.

This foolish head-strong City will chuse that factious trouble∣some Coxcomb Paulo Camillo for their Podesta.

A Shout, A Paulo, a Paulo.

Enter Podesta, Citizens, Brick-layer.

Br.

A brave Paulo, we ha' carryed thee Boy!

Go.

Is this Gentleman Elected?

Br.

Yes that he is, for all the tricks that were us'd to hinder it.

Go.

I thought his Excellency the Vice-Roy had given you intimati∣on another person wou'd be more pleasing to him, and in this juncture more sitting for the Office.

Pod.

Another Man more fit to be Podesta then me? then I shall think another Man more fit to be Vice-Roy then he, and so I'le make bold humbly to acquaint His Majesty.

[Aside.

Br.

Are we to follow the Vice-Roys pleasure, or our own consciences?

Art.

Here's sawcy Rogue.

Go.

What are you Sir, that undertake thus impudently for all the rest?

Br.

'Tis well known what I am, I am a Freeman of Naples, a Brick∣layer by Trade.

Go.

Oh I have heard of a busie pragmatical Fellow that calls him∣self the Catholick Brick-layer, are you he Sir?

Br.

I am not bound by Law to give an account what I am; if any one has any thing to say to me, let him deal with me according to Law.

Go.

But Sir, you might be so civil as to make me an Answer.

Br.

I'le do nothing for no Man, but according to Law.

Pod.

My Lord, the Man as to his occupation is but a mean Man, but as to his abilities, he makes a very considerable Figure.

Art.

He is a pretty Figure indeed.

Br.

We have a Charter for the free Election of our Magistrate, and what we have done, our Charter will justifie.

Go.

Have you a Charter to be sawey Sir?

Br.

What I speak is according to Law, and I may speak Law in de∣fence of our proceedings.

Pod.

Come, pray be silent, 'tis according to Law also for me to speak, His Excellence the Vice-Roy has been pleased to oppose my Election, stimulated thereunto by evil Men, Enemies to the City and Nation, they wou'd betray and sell us to the French, and they'r angry so active a Man as I am put over the City to prevent their wicked Machinati∣ons; for that reason I will be ten times more active.

Art.

A Pox of an active Rogue.

[aside.

Go.

Who are these evil Men you speak of, Indict 'em and prove 'em Guilty, and I'le engage the Vice-Roy will severely punish 'em.

Pod.

I don't know who they are, all's one for that, I'm sure there are such Traytors, though I don't know who they are, and French-Men, though I don't know where they are, and Plots, though I don't know what they are, and I'le make work.

Go.

May not you be deceived?

Pod.

No, I'm never deceived; for the preservation therefore of the Town, I wi••l have four Regiments of the Train bands be upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, during my whole Year; and I, or my Officers, will every four and twenty Hours search every House in the City.

Go.

At this rate you will not let people be quiet in their Houses.

Pod.

No▪ nor out of their Houses neither, I will have no Ranting, Re∣v••l••••ng, Gameing, Drinking, no nor Eating immoderat••ly; I will have 〈…〉〈…〉 eat and drink according to Law, and I will have all Mens Tables examined to see if there be no Letters cou••ey'd into their Dish∣es from the French, and if I find but the least cause of suspition, I'le take their dinners into custody; I will have all persons be in bed at the ring∣ing of the Nine-a-Clock Bell; and I, or my Officers, will see 'em i'bed, and see who they have a bed with 'em too.

Art.

Here's a fine business, pox o'thee and thy Officers, shall we nei∣ther eat, drink, nor lye a bed in quiet, for thee and thy Officers?

Pod.

Poxo' me and my Officers? Pox o' your Wenches Sir, I'll make you know I am a Magistrate; Seize him.

Go.

And have I no Authority, that you offer to Seize him in my pre∣sence?

Br.

Yes, we know your Authority, know you are Military Gover∣nour of the City, Captain of the Vice Roys Guards, a Lord, nay more then all this, a Justice of Peace, and twenty things more; what do we care for all that, we are in the City Liberties, and what we do is ac∣cording to Law.

Go.

Hold your prateing Si••rah.

Pod.

He says truth.

Go.

It may be according to Law, but 'tis unmannerly.

Br.

All's one, 'tis according to Law.

Go.

But Sir, this Gentleman is an Officer under me, and you have not power over him, therefore I advise you not to meddle with him.

Br.

Have a care what you do, do nothing but according to Law.

Pod.

Have you a care of advising me, I know what I do, I'll do no∣thing but according to Law.

Go.

Nor I neither, for I have Authority by Law to Protect my Offi∣cer by force, if you use force; but because I'll make no disturbance, let him alone, and I'll pass my word for him.

Br.

If the Law will let him alone, do, otherwise not.

Go.

Will you not take my Word?

Br.

Advise with Counsel.

Pod.

Advise me agen! I know what I do, I will advise with Counsel!

Go.

Advise with Counsel whether my Word's to be taken, or no; Guards, force Artall out of their Hands, and take that Rascally Brick-layer into Custody,

[Brick layer is seiz'd.

and let me see who dares resist. Now Sirrah, though I cou'd punish you by Law for your insolence, since you are a Freeman, I will not disturb the City-Festival with the punishment o'the least o'their Members, though they deserve it not; therefore Sirrah, if any of your great Friends here will be bound for your good behavi∣our, I'll release you.

Pod.

'Tis beneath my Dignity, though I respect the Man.

Go.

Who else will be bound for him? No-body? You see, Sirrah, for what special Friends you leave you Trade and venture your Neck.

Br.

Hang 'em, I knew the Rogues were of untemper'd Mortar: A word with you Sir in private—Procure me a Pention, I'll come over to your Party.

Go.

A Pention! a Whip you Rascal; go Sirrah, I give you liberty, follow your Trade, and mind all of you your own matters, leave State affairs to your Governours, we have more to lose than any of you.

Pod.

I don't know that I have a hundred thousand pound to lose, and that's enough for one Man; but however my Lord, if you please to in∣troduce me to His Excellence the Vice-Roy—

Go.

What to be—? I understand you my Lord.

Pod.

How the Devil came he to understand my mind so well?

Go.

Truly my Lord, I must tell you plainly, I don't care to do so un∣grateful an Office to His Excellency, for I know his mind very well, I know, till you have a better introducer then my self, I mean your good management of affairs, you will not be very welcome to him, nor re∣ceive any honour from him. And so Farwel my Lord.

Exeunt Governour, Artall, and Guards.

Pod.

Say ye so, shall I not be wel∣come to him? then he shan'not be Welcome to me; And since he'l do me no Honour, I'll do his Govern∣ment not Honour. My Wife, for want of this Knighthood, will lead me an ill life; and I for want of it will lead him an ill life, since he is so huffy and stormy, I'll be a Storm.

Cat.

Do my Lord.

Pod.

A Whirlwind, that shall rumble and roar over his head, tear o∣pen Doors by day and by night, toss his Friends out of their Coaches and Beds into Goals; nor shall all the Preachings, and Pulpit-Charms 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Priests

Dispossess me, or fright me in the least, A Whig's a Devil that can cast out a Priest.

[Exeunt.

The End of the First Act.