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. VII.

Enter Alphonso and Guard.

Alph.

Whither do you hale me? you Pease-por∣ridge Peasants: Is this a place for me to come to Tryal in? If I had broke the Law, as I have not I am a Peer, and do appeal unto The Kings high Seat of Justice, publikely.

Lol.

And will not our low stool of Justice, privily

Serve for a Traytor? ha.

Alph.

Your selves are Traytors,

In succouring 'gainst the Law, a dissolute woman Whom I command you, in the Kings high name, To yield into my hands.

Lol. Pog. Andr.

You shall be hang'd first.

Alph.

By whose Authority?

Lol.

By the said wo∣mans Sir.

She is our Queen and her Authority is in our hands.

Alph.

That speaks you Traytors: and the King has Law against you and her.

Lol.

When you are hang'd he has: to the next able

Tree with him, and hang him presently.

Alph.

Villains: you dare not so say.

Omu.

We do all say Hang him with one accord:

Gua.

If on cord will not do't another shall: So come away Sir.

Lol.

Stay: hear a speech first.

Alph.

You dare not use me thus: dare you take Justice one ye?

Lol.

Yes Sir, we can spie Great faults in Noble Coats, with half an eye. What though we nod? does Treason therefore think Justice is adle brain'd? or though she wink In us (as thus) that she's a sleep? or say She take a nap, d' ye think shee'l sleep for ay? No, she but dreams a while, to circumvent, Your vains hopes, with sharper punishment. For if she be but jogg'd, no Mastife takes Swifter or surer vengeance when she wakes.

Pog.

I, hang him, hang him.

Andr.

Is he not hang'd yet?

Pog.

Without all peradventure the Hangman means to hang for him.

Guard.

Come Sir along, never hang backward, for up you must.

Lol.

Stay him, my speeches will be lost else.

Pog.

Your long speeches will loose our purpose again, without all peradventure.

Alph.

Must I be mock'd out of my life? and have My death by hanging made a sport to Peasants, In this blind hole oth' Kingdom?

Andr.

Why thou choplogicall Fellow, dost thou not think, there are as good men hang'd, and as good sport made of it too, in the bli•••• holes of the Kingdom, as in the very eye or open mouth of it? ha!

Pog.

Away with him without peradventure

Alph.

I am a Courtier, and servant to the King.

Lot.

Come all the Court in all your costly Braveries.

And Treason in your Breech, we'll hang you for your Knaveries, On tree in Hempen twine nay if you come In open Arms, up shall you all and some. For though for Tournament your Fames do flie Run all at Tilt on us, wee'l draw you dry.

Andr.

Tell us you are a Courtier? we find here F••u••••s to correct, which you perceive not there. So, now away with him, I have spoke my best.

Pog.

And without all peradventure well said Judge Andrea: How long must we say away with him? ha!

Alph.

You hobnayl'd Rascals: can you think that you Are fit to spie or corrects faults at Court?

Lol.

Stay, a short speech for that, and turn him off. Your shoes at Court are all too fine and thin: To tread out snuffes and sparks of kindling Sin, Which let alone the Rushes may take fire. Then flame, then burn up higher still, and higher: You warm you at such fire, 'tis we walk through't The hobnayl'd Common wealth must tread it out.

Andr.

So, now away with him. Hang him first, d' ye hear He has the bast clothes, that will encourage The Hangman the better to turn the rest after him.

Enter Eulalia, Lodovico.

Enl.

Whither away with him?

Pog.

So, now you see what's become of your fine s••••eches.

Eul.

Will ye, 'gainst all my Counsels and requests Persist to pull destruction by taking others lives upon your own? And seem to carry it as in care for me?

Pog.

No, 'tis in care of our selves, because we know Not to breed our Children honestly without you.

Eul.

Have I not often councell'd and entreated You would forbear?

Lol.

Your councels and entreats We are bound to disobey by Proclamation: For we must grant you nothing.

Andr.

VVell found out.

Pog.

And therefore if you say, Hang not this man We are bound to hang him; we will shew our selves the Kings Subjects not yours.

Lod.

If you can answer't to the King, 'tis well; His Majesty is here at hand.

Eul.

Go leave him unto me.

Andr.

The King at hand? 'tis time for us to look about us.

Lol.

Must not we be hang'd now?

Pog.

It will be so, without all peradventure.

Eul.

Release your Prisoner, set him free, and go send the rest of the confederats.

Exeunt Guard Alphonso kneeles.

Alph.

I was not bound till now I have no power to move or stir a limb: O sacred Queen, use mercy, in ad••udging me, To present death, to quit me of the torment. That rages all upon me, all within me. The sight of you has shot more paines into me Then I have drops of blood: O let me die.

Eul.

I cannot give thee death: nor will my prayers Be prevalent for thy cure poor sinful man! Till rhou layst ope the cause of thy disease; (Thy hainous sin) by fair and free confession.

Alph.

I hope no cure, and therefore ask no life. But the Kings Justice to afford me death, That is no less deserved then desir'd; For I confess, This my Device was but To make my way to you, t' have murder'd you.

Enter two Lieutenants, Doctor and Midwife.

Wrought thereunto by Alinda's Instigation.

More I confess; The Evidence against you, Whereby you were despos'd, was false. And all these witnesses which now do bring Addition to my to my torment, did I hire Both for their perjury past, and for their late Attempt upon your life, with the Queens money.

Eul.

Do you confess it?

Omn.

Heaven Pardon our misdeed: it is most true.

Eul.

Heaven grant you all your cures.

Omn.

All blessings on the Queen.

Eul.

All was confess'd before by Fabio and Strozzo. And you do well to seem so penitent: I do forgive you: and will plead your pardon unto the King.

Alph.

Your sacred mercy Madam, shall save a life then, to be spent in Praises and Prayers for your Grace.

Eul.

Go, and pray for grace to mend your lives.

[Exeunt offenders.]

So, let's now to the King.

Lod.

Now look you about you: cast your Coats, and instantly Hast to the Curat, hee's preparing sports, In speech and Dance, to entertain the King: Go and assist him: that must be the way To gain your Pardons.

Andr.

Come then, let's away, No longer Brothers of the Bench wee'l be, But of the Revels for his Majesty.