University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Douglas-Castle.
Douglas, Fleming.
Fleming
, (delivering a Letter)
A packet from the States—

Douglas.
Pray open it.

Fleming
, (reads)

My Lord of Douglas,

You have been accused of conniving at several
acts of oppression in your dependants, and of
protecting others who are obnoxious to the laws. But as these
complaints seemed to be founded on vague and uncertain reports,
the States have dismist them. It however gives them
just concern, that your illustrious house should lie under such
foul aspersions; and they earnestly desire your attendance in parliament,
as soon as the conveniency of your affairs will permit.
The publick disorders that too generally prevail, call aloud
for the assistance of every lover of his country; and the
States cannot doubt of my Lord of Douglas's readiness to join
in every measure for the publick good. That you may have no
room to distrust their good intentions, the States hereby engage
the publick faith for your absolute security, and promise to overlook
whatever may have been amiss in your conduct hitherto.
Signed in name, and by appointment of the Estates of Scotland,
by

Alexander Livingston Regent.

Douglas.
Methinks 'tis hard my friend,
At once to bear the envy of the great,
And the reproach of low malicious tongues.
I charge you on our friendship, speak the truth,
Has ever my protection been abus'd

Essay.
To shelter ro [OMITTED] or stop the course of law?
Have any that [OMITTED] end on me been screen'd
From publick justice? Or have I indulg'd
The breach of social duty?

Fleming.
I aver,
The man that says it greatly injures truth,
And dares not shew his face to make it good.

Douglas.
At least, my heart acquits me of designs
To honour so repugnant. But 'tis strange
The authors of such false reports should dare
To shew their heads before th'assembled States
Where truth and justice ever should preside.

Fleming.
These false reports industriously are spread,
By whom, for what intent, I will not say.
Whatever grudge the ministers might owe
Your noble father, him they dread no more;
He would exert his antient right, and judge
Within his jurisdiction, be the cause
Such as to common royalties belong,
Or such as seem'd above a subject's sphere.
This gave offence—But since his death, my Lord,
No case hath happ'ned, which the meanest Baron
Has not an ample pow'r to have decided.

Douglas.
The ministers appear to be my friends;
Nor have they list'ned with a willing ear
To these injurious tales; they would not else
Have kindly broke a blade by malice forg'd
To wound me in the tend'rest part.

Fleming.
This favour, in the scale of justice said,
A down outweighs: they only did you right.
To me, their difference with my Lord your father—

Douglas.
That gave me pain, and had an ill effect.
I neither will condemn; tho' yet I own,
He seem'd to treat them with too much contempt.
Whate'er the men, the offices they hold,
From highest subjects claim a just respect.
Their families, compar'd with some, are new;
What then? In the impartial eye of reason,
The accidents of birth and fortune weigh not.
The man, who treading in the paths of virtue.
Can raise a name, or fortune to himself,
May look with just contempt on him, who boasts
His birth-right-titles, and his father's worth.

Fleming.
'Tis greatly said my Lord! a generous soul
Will never boast of what it owes to chance.
Perhaps my Lord on some occasions shew'd
Too warm resentment of the wrongs he bore;
Was he alone to blame? The world allows,
He knew the men, and judg'd of them aright.

Douglas.
Here let their quarrels rest. Should we consult
Our cousin Grame, before we write the Regent?

Fleming.
[OMITTED] compliment, which to his worth
[OMITTED] justly due.

Douglas.
Take care my friend,
The messenger be fitly entertain'd.

[Exit, Fleming.
Douglas
, solus.
Would I had been an humble cottager,
Below the eye of this malicious world!
Plenty, with liberal hand my board supplies,
And wide domains acknowledge me their Lord;
Meantime the noxious breath of envy blasts
The tender shoots, I vainly hop'd to raise
From honour's root—An honest fame hath charms
The stictest virtue needs not blush to court;
And he that coolly hears his fame arraign'd,
Must know himself a villain—

(going, meets Grame)