Five new plays ... as they were acted by His Majesty's servants at the Theatre-Royal / written by the Honourable Sir Robert Howard.

SCENE I.

Enter Montalto, and his two Companions.

1 Com.

TRoth, Captain, I did not perceive That daring Valour you talk of.

Mont.

Thy fears blinded thee, else thou might'st have seen What furious thrusts I exchang'd with that Devil In a Friars Habit. You are a Courteous Gentleman, To lend your Sword at such a time.

2 Com.

He came behind me on the sudden, And wrench'd it from me: Who wou'd have suspected a Friar for such tricks?

1 Com.

All our reward is lost; if we might have it, I think we shou'd be asham'd to ask it; He that hir'd us was hurt himself.

Mont▪

Why, 'twas his own cause, and his own fault; As for Example, I'll shew you what he shou'd have done; Observe me.—

Enter Miranzo, and Baptista following at a distance.

How now—what Apparition's this, as a Friar? I hope, 'tis not another fighting Friar. 'Slid, 'tis he; my villainous apprehensions Go as true as a Sun-dial. What an unlucky posture he has found me in, Wou'd my Sword were up to th' hilts in him Or a Dunghill, or any thing that wou'd but hide it.

Mir.

What, more mischief towards? I am provided for them now; They are those very Rascals:—I know that blustring Fellow again: Now Heav'n prosper my designs; I have a fair occasion to improve them. How now, Gentlemen? What means a Weapon drawn?

Mont.

We, Sir, are Men that have been us'd To handle Swords; when there's no War to imploy them, We play with 'um in Peace: I hope 'tis no offence To have a kindness for our best Friends. Sure he knows us not.—

Aside.

1 Com.

Alter your Countenance as much as possible, Captain; perhaps he may not know us.

2 Com.

I'll seem blowing my Nose, and so hide my face.— 'Slid, I have no Handkerchief to do it with.

Mir.

You stare as if you did not know me.

Mon.

Know you? how shou'd we know you?

Mir.

No? that's strange; one of you was so civil To lend me a Sword lately; Can you yet call me to remembrance?

Mon.

We know not what you mean; if we were Friends, We are not now at leisure to answer idle questions.

He offers to go.

Mir.

Nay, you must stay; come, no blustring; I am provided now, look you—

He shews a Sword under his Gown.

I shall not trouble you for a Sword again.

Mont.

Wou'd he had mine, where I cou'd wish it.

Mir.

I am sorry I have an unpleasant question to ask you; But yet it must be answer'd.

Mon.

Must!

Mir.

Yes, must; and you will do it calmly, For all your stormy looks. Bladder, if thou continuest thus to swell, I'll make an hole to let out your vain humour.

Mon.

'Tis well you are a Man of Peace, or else—

1 Com.

Not half so much as he is.

Mir.

Never at peace with Murtherers; Impudent Villains, Who hir'd you to that damn'd act Of murthering the generous Cialto? Had not your feet been nimbler than the Sword, I'd paid you your just hire, Sir—Come, confess.

1 Com.

We are undone.—Lord, how our Captain looks big, And trembles all at once!

Mon.

We do not understand you.

Mir.

Well, I cannot stay to parley; Here, take away these Rascals Swords.

Mon.

How, our Swords!

Mir.

Come, come; nay, it must be so; I know your gentle natures.

Mon.

Why, Sir, I deny nothing to one of your Coat, Or else—

Mir.

You wou'd deliver them however.

1, 2 Com.

Good Sir, disgrace us not.

Mon.

Pox on't, wou'd that were the worst; How the Rogues stand upon their credit?

Mir.

Disgrace you! is that possible? Come, deliver, deliver, Or you shall have ours, d' see, where you do not wish them.

Mon.

Well, our Religion obliges me to this; but it shall be upon Condition you use it well till you return it; 'Tis a good Blade.

They deliver their Swords.

Mir.

If the Blade be good, you shall have a Knife out of it, 'Tis your only Weapon, this was not well mounted.

Mon.

Well, Sir, you are merry, and we take our leaves.

Mir.

O, by no means; you must deliver your selves up too. Here carry these Gentlemen Murtherers To Cialto's Kinsman; these are the Rogues He has been looking for; I leave them to his Examination.

Mon.

O, good Sir, we will do any thing.

Mir.

A way with them; I'll follow at a distance, If they stir; and d' hear—

He whispers to Baptista.

Bapt.

Yes, Sir.—Come, my Masters.

Exit Miranzo.

Mon.

What say you Friends? umh— This was a good Bargain; we shall never have such another: How plaguily you guess'd! we are not likely To live to make another: What say you To a Dialogue with Fear and Conscience?

1 Com.

Why, if we hang we shall be in no more wants, And you'll be in no more frights, Captain.

Bapt.

Come along, Gentlemen of the peaceable Blade: But, d' hear? if you can yet be honest, And confess truly and penitently, You may 'scape, I'll undertake it.

Mon.

We will confess all we know, Sir.

1 Com.

Yes, and more too, if that will do't.

Bapt.

Come, despair not then.

Exeunt.