University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter a Gentleman Usher, and several Peasants, who kneel and bow at a Distance.
Crist.
What Slaves are those?

Gent.
My gracious Liege, your Subjects.

Crist.
Whence?

Gent.
Of Sweden.
From Angermannia, from Helsingia some,
Some from Gemtian, and Nerician Provinces.

Crist.
Their Business.

Gent.
They come to speak their Griefs.

Crist.
Their Griefs! their Insolence!
Is not the Camel mute beneath his Burden?
Were they not born to bear? Away!—hold! come,
What wou'd these Murmurers?

Gent.
Most royal Cristiern.
They say they have but one—one gracious King,
And yet are bow'd beneath a Host of Tyrants,
Task-Masters, Soldiers, Gatherers of Subsidies,
All Officers of Rapine, Rape, and Murder;
Will-doing Potentates, the Lords of Licence,
Who weigh their Sweat and Blood, and heavier Shame,
Ev'n as a Feather puff'd away in Sport,
The Pastime of a Gale.

Crist.
I'll hear no more.
I know ye, well I know ye, ye base Supplicants,
Fear is the only Worship of your Souls;
And ever where ye hate, ye yield Obeysance.
Wretches! Shall I go poring on the Earth,
Lest my imperial Foot should tread on Emmets?
Is it for you I must controul my Soldier,
And coop my Eagles from their Carrion? No—
Are ye not Commoners, vile Things in Nature,
Poor priceless Peasants? Slaves can know no Property:
Out of my Sight!

[Exeunt Peasants.