Five nevv playes, viz. The English moor, or the mock-marriage. The love-sick court, or the ambitious politique: Covent Garden weeded. The nevv academy, or the nevv exchange. The queen and concubine. / By Richard Brome.

Scoen. VIII.

Sfor.

My first object from my long obscurity, The man that hates me most of all the world? It is: his news cannot be good. not good? The better: 'tis best to know the worst; he cannot deceive me.

Petr.

My Lord, I do presume I am unwelcom, Because you are possess'd I never lov'd you:

Sfor.

The Court yields me such Complement; this has No ampler Comforts in't. But y'are deceiv'd, For you are welcom, sowre captious Lord, y'are welcom.

Because (love me or love me not) you speak. I have been here these two and twenty dayes, And never heard the voice of Man till now: Meat I have found, and Lodging; but for Language, In what part of the world I am, I know not. Proceed; I value your words well, you see, That give you six for one; why do you not speak? I have been us'd to talk with men that love me not, And more with Enemies, I dare besworn, Then Friends: come, speak, I pray, what is't you come for?

Petr.

Alas! I pity him: his too too much vexation Has over-tam'd him.

Sfor.

Will you not speak and tell me?

Petr.

Pray let me ask you first; Have you been kept So strictly from the Speech of all men?

Sfor.

E'er since I was committed, and from the knowledge Of vvhy I vvas committed too; nay, he that keeps me, 'Till now he call'd me forth, never spake a vvord: If I ask'd him, what News? here he vvas vvith me: Or when he heard from Cuurt? then there again: Or, why I vvas committed? still the same answer. So that I could inform my self of nothing. Come, if thou bee'st an honest Enemy, Tell me something: As thou dost wish my throat cut, tell me something.

Petr.

You seem to take no notice of the cause of your commitment.

Sfor.

Further than this I cannot: 'Twas the Kings pleasure to command it. Treason was cry'd; a Guard: away with him: But for what cause, unless it were for drawing My sword upon (O that Rebellions Girle!)

To save her from the danger of his lust, (VVhich I tell you I was doubtful of) and so Sir, Let me ask you, is she still about the Queen? (Queen. My daughter Sir, I mean.

Petr.

Yes, much about the

Sfor.

And the Queen loves her?

Petr.

As dearly as her self.

Sfor.

Nay if you be a Souldier, now speak truely.

Petr.

The Queen and shee's all one.

Sfor.

Then there's some hope, The King yet keepes fair quarter with her. VVomen are quickly jealous.

Petr.

He knows no∣thing, I'm confident, of all these great proceedings. Poor man! I pity him: but Ile put him to it. VVill you now answer me as y' are a Souldier To some few Articles?

Sfor.

You have engag'd me.

Petr.

'T were shame he should die ignorant of at least The Accusations are laid against him.

Sfor.

Come Sir, your Articles?

Petr.

You are ac∣cus'd Of an intended Treason 'gainst the King.

Sfor.

Who's my Accuser?

Petr.

Even the King himself.

Sfor.

Umh, umh, umh: he should not be my Judge then. It is some Devillish dream of his, or else That Policie that Princes purchase Hell by, With strong assurance without all exception; That is, when Souldiers men of best desert Have merited more then they have means to give, To cut their lives by whom they onely live.

Petr.

You flie now from the question: y' are en∣gag'd by the Honour of a Souldier Unto that Accusation: guiltie or not guiltie?

Sfor.

I am not guiltie, as I am a Souldier; And in that Oath I would not be forsworn,

To save as many lives, were they within me, As perish'd by my Sword to save his One.

Petr.

In that I am satisfied: now to the next, If you will hear it; you shall promise me To answer without passion I or no.

Sfor.

I will do what I can.

Petr.

You're next accus'd Of fowl Adulterie with the Queen Eulalia.

Sfor.

Hah!

Petr.

Guiltie or no?

Sfor.

No Sir, nor dares there be Such a suggestion in the heart of Hell. And were he there, that thought, or could but dream Of such a Scandal, I'ld squeeze it out on's Brains.

Petr.

Then I must hold you to your promise Sir.

[Enter Guard.]

Sfor.

A wrestling towards; away west, away. Nay then I am betray'd.

Petr.

Forbear I pray.

[Guard retire]

Sfor.

He comes but to insult and to torment me.

Petr.

My Lord you much forget, is not this Passion?

Sfor.

Passion of heart! he hopes not for Salvation That hears with patience but the repetition Of such a Blasphemie. I must not die, Until the world be vindicated from The redamnation such an error threatens.

Petr.

You see I could oppress you; but all forbear the roome.

Exit Guard.

Sfor.

Do you come to mad me?

Petr.

If you will be calm, Ile tell you what I come for.

Sfor.

As setled as a Rock beneath a mountain Here will I sit, and hear thy loudest malice.

Petr.

If this man be not innocent, vertue lives not.

Sfor.

Now tell me what you come for; and be sure You ask no more abominable questions, VVhilst calmly I clear these, thus: By the Honour And faith of a true Souldier, I am clear

Of these suggested crimes, which before Heaven (Which knows my Innocencie) I do not urge To save my life from the Kings violent Fury, Nor any way to close with thee in Friendship, Now that my fortune is at worst. So, speak: 'Tis long a coming: I begin to think It is some good, you are so loath to utter 't.

Petr.

It is, if you can apprehend it so. My Lord, I take you for my friend, and come To make my moan to you; insomuch as now I do conceive you Noble, Vertuous, Honest.

Sfor.

Foh! this is worse than all the rest, this stinks Of the Court-putrefaction, Flatterie, grossly. But on I prithee: talk is such a noveltie, I will hear any thing.

Petr.

I could not see your vertue, when it shin'd Thorow the radiant favours of the King: It dazled me with envie then: but now, Like the red Sun through cold and mystie va∣pours, I can behold it at the full.

Sfor.

So, so: umh, whu: so much for my vertues: What's your business now?

Petr.

I say I come to make my moan to you, Groaning beneath a weightie Injury The King has thrown upon me.

Sfor.

Has denyed him Something I warrant, that he would have begg'd; The making of a Knight, or some such foolerie: What was 't?

Petr.

In putting a base office on me.

Sfor.

Is the great Marshals and chief Generals Office, become so base?

Petr.

No Sir, the Hangmans Office. Read that— I am commanded there, and warranted VVith present speed to bring your Head to him.

Sfor.

A prayer or two, by his great leave and yours, And you shall have it instantly.

Petr.

My Lord, you shall not undervalue't so: That Honour which has won me to you, shall Work better for your preservation. I have much more to tell you, and strong Reasons Why you should live: of the Queens infinite wrongs And yours, wrought by your Daughters cruel Am∣bition.

Sfor.

This is a nobleness beyond Example: Sure now you are honest.

Petr.

There you see my strength: If now for truth and Honours cause I strain A point of Loyaltie, you will engage Your Honour to secure me?

Sfor.

I hold my Honour equal to the best, And prize it still so far above my life, That to save Kingdoms Ile not forfeit it. Here in the sight of Heaven I do engage it, For your securitie.

Petr.

I ask no better. Keeper!

[Enter Keeper.]

Keep.

My Lord.

Petr.

Dismiss that Guard, and give us way.

Keep

I shall.

Petr.

Now come my Lord, vertue may be cast by; But never overcome by Tyrannie.

Sfor.

VVars Sword, Laws Axe, or Tyrannies fell Knife, May overcome my Person, not my life. For that is yours Petruccio.

Exeunt Ambo.