The loyal subject, or, The faithful general a play acted at the Theatre-Royal by Her Majesties servants / the authors, Mr. Beaumont and Mr. Fletcher ; with a preface.

SCENE VI.

Enter Duke and Burris.

Du.

Exceed my Warrant?

Bur.

You know he loves him not.

Du.

He dares as well meet Death as do it, eat Wildfire; Through a few Fears I mean to try his goodness, That I may find him fit to wear, here Burris; I know Borosky hates him, to Death hates him, I know he's a Serpent too, a swoln one

Noise within.

But I have pull'd his Sting out; what noise is that?

The.

Within.

Down with 'em, down with the Gates.

Sold.

Within.

Stand, stand, stand.

Puts.

Within.

Fire the Palace before ye.

Bur.

Upon my Life the Soldier, Sir, the Soldier, A miserable time is come.

Enter Gent.

Gent.

O save him, Upon my Knees, my hearts Knees, save Lord Archas, We are undone else.

Du.

Dares he touch his Body?

Gent.

He racks him fearfully, most fearfully.

Du.

Away Burris, Take Men, and take him from him; clap him up, And if I live, I'll find a strange Death for him:

Ex. Bur.

Are the Soldiers broke in?

Gent.

By this time sure they, are Sir, They beat the Gates extreamly, beat the People.

Du.

Get me a Guard about me: make sure the Lodgings, And speak the Soldiers fair.

Gent.

Pray Heaven that take Sir.

Exit.

Enter Putsky, Ancient, Soldiers with Torches.

Put.

Give us the General, we'll fire the Court else, Render him safe and well,

An.

Do not fire the Cellar, There's excellent Wine in't, Captain, and though it be cold weather, I do not love it mull'd: bring out the General, We'll light you, such a Bonfire else; where are you? Speak, or we'll toss your Turrets, peep out of your Hives We'll smoak you else: is not that a Nose there? Put out that Nose again, and if thou dar'st But blow it before us: now he creeps out on's Burrough.

Puts.

Give us the General.

Enter Gent.

Gent.

Yes, Gentlemen;

Or any thing you can desire.

Anc.

You Musk-cat Cordevan-skin, we will not take your answer.

Put.

Where is the Duke? speak suddenly and send him hither.

Anc.

Or we'll so fry your Buttocks.

Gent.

Good sweet Gentlemen —

Anc.

We are neither good, nor sweet, we are Soldiers And you Miscreants that abuse the General, Give fire my Boys 'tis a dark Evening, Let's light 'em to their Lodgings.

Enter Olimpia, Honora, Viola, Theodore, Women.

Hon.

Good Brother be not fierce.

The.

I will not hurt her, Fear not sweet Lady.

Ol.

May do what you please Sir, I have a Sorrow that exceeds all yours, And more, contemns all danger.

Enter Duke above.

The.

Where is the Duke?

Du.

He's here; what would you Soldiers? wherefore troop ye Like mutinous Mad-men thus?

The.

Give me my Father.

Put.

Anc. Give us our General.

The.

Set him here before us, You see the Pledge we have got; you see these Torches; All shall to Ashes, as I live, immediately, A thousand lives for one.

Du.

But hear me?

Put.

No, we come not to dispute.

Enter Archas and Bur.

The.

By Heaven I swear he's rackt and whipt.

Hon.

O my poor Father!

Put.

Burn, kill and burn.

Ar.

Hold, hold I say: hold Soldiers, On your Allegiance hold.

The.

We must not.

Ar.

Hold: I swear by Heaven he is a barbarous Traitor stirs first, A Villan, and a Stranger to Obedience, Never my Soldier more, nor Friend to honour: Why did you use your old Man thus? thus cruelly Torture his poor weak Body? I ever lov'd you.

Du.

Forget me in these wrongs, most noble Archas.

Ar.

I have blame enough for all my hurts: weep no more Sir, A Satisfaction for a thousand Sorrows: I do believe you innocent, a good Man, And Heaven forgive that naughty thing that wrong'd me. Why look you wild my Friends? why stare you on me? I charge you as you are Men, my Men, my Lovers,

As you are honest faithful Men, fair Soldiers, Let down your Anger: Is not this our Soveraign, The Head of Mercy and of Law? who dares then, But Rebels scorning Law, appear thus violent? Is this a place for Swords? for threatning Fires? The Reverence of this House dares any touch, But with obedient Knees, and pious Duties? Are not we all his Subjects? all sworn to him? Has not he power to punish our Offences? And not we daily fall into 'em? assure your selves I did offend and highly, grievously, This good sweet Prince I offended, my Life forfeited, Which yet his Mercy, and his old Love met with, And only let me feel his light Rod this way: You are to thank him for your General, Pray for his Life, and Fortune: sweat your Bloods for him. You are Offenders too, daily Offenders, Proud Insolencies dwell in your Hearts, and you do 'em, Do 'em against his Peace, his Law, his Person; You see he only Sorrows for your Sins, And where his Power might persecute, forgives you: For shame put up your Swords, for honesty, For orders sake and whose you are, my Soldiers, Be not so rude.

The.

They have drawn Blood from you Sir.

Ar.

That was the Blood rebel'd, the naughty Blood, The proud provoking Blood; 'tis well 'tis out Boy; Give you example first; draw out, and orderly.

Hon.

Good Brother do

Ar.

Honest and high Example, As thou wilt have my Blessing follow thee, Inherit all mine Honours: thank you Theodore, My worthy Son.

The.

If harm come, thank your self Sir; I must obey you.

Exit.

Ar.

Captain, you know the way now: A good Man, and a valiant; you were ever, Inclin'd to honest things: I thank you Captain.

Ex. Soul.

Souldiers, I thank you all: and love me still, But do not love me so to lose Allegiance, Love that above your lives: once more I thank you.

Du.

Bring him to rest, and let our Cares wait on him; Thou excellent old Man, thou top of honour, Where Justice and Obedience only build, Thou stock of Vertue, how am I bound to love thee? In all thy noble ways to follow thee?

Bur.

Rememember him that vext him Sir,

Du.

Remember! When I forget that Villany, and to pay him For all his mischiefs, may all good thoughts forget me

Ar.

I am very sore,

Du.

Bring him to bed with ease Gentlemen, For every strip Ile drop a tear to wash 'em, And in my sad Repentance—

Ar.

'Tis too much, I have a Life yet left to gain that Love Sir.

Exeunt.