 | The Female Rebelion |  |
SCEN: 1s t.
App: Moonshine night in a Park.Enter Jasius (from the left) & whistles. Ericthonius whistles and enters (from the right.)
Jas.
Punctual Ericthonius, so—but where is Ilus with his Veracity?
[they shake hands; Ilus whistles, And enters (from the bottom of the scene.)
Ilu.
As sure as fate within call.
[Ilu. shakes hands with Jasius and Erictho.
Eric.
'Twas lucky our Keepers watched no closer.
Ilu.
O there's a balsam in Loyalty will cement us togather in
spight of seperation.
Jas.
Why worms cut asunder will reunite, proving the soul in them
also to be whole in every part.
Eric.
Yet we have sollicited some Cullys and Bullys, no more
concern'd at the Queens sufferings, then a Tale of Chimeras deposing
the Queen of Tainsland.
Ilu.
Such who have nothing of Civil or Martial order, but in
drinking
the commanders Healths.
Jas.
And for that, no doubt, they would be thought good subjects,
though they break better than themselves, by running a tick for't.
Ilu.
And when they have gam'd themselves into bare Adamites,
they had rather winter in that Querpo, than shelter under Ammunition
coats; Buff makes 'em quake more than nakedness.
Eric.
They'll thrust themselves into all companys, yet be listed to
none; nor venture their blood for a common good, yet throw it away
on a common Miss; where they have often the fate of Beavers, who
divert their ruine with the loss of their dousets.
And this they'll entitle recruiting the Army, thô their perfectest
Issue had ne're heart enough to be of the train bands.
Eric.
See yonder our night ravens!
[Eric. spys Ant., Pen., & Cel. at a distance.
Jas.
Abroad by moonshine, the false Allarum of Day.
Ilu.
Now these blood hounds are off the guards, 'tis the best
minute for our designe.
[Exeunt all (at the left.)
Enter Antiopa, Penthes., Celeno, Thalestris, Eribea, and Nicostrate under guard, all without Jewells (from the right.)
Ant.
'Tis safest now i'th'dead of Night to execute
[to Pen. & Cel.
This High-born Traytor.—Were we fit to be
[to Nic.
Gull'd with Pretence, we should surprize the Tyrants.
Nic.
Thô they both 'scap'd 'twas not my Fault; No Sybills
Leafs were more true than my Intelligence.
Ant.
Is protesting your Innocence all yr confession? fetch that
grim retainer to Justice, the executioner.
[To Erib., who exit at the left. Ant., Pen., & Cel. confer togather.
Tha.
You, Lady Wiseacre, why willn't you confess as others do,
and have your throat cut according to Law, when you are so fairly
offered it?
[To Nic.
Nic.
What? when I am not guilty?
Tha.
Why you must be guilty, that's concluded allready; or suffer
for looking so guiltyly.
Nic.
But I should blush at such a confession.
Tha.
I can tell you by experience a remedy for that, be but
Impudent enough, and I'll warrant you shall never blush.
Nic.
But I have a desire to save my self.
Tha.
That's not to the Purpose; do you think we took all this
pains to let you be sav'd? The Queen is fled for committing Treason
against her self, & in all conscience somebody must die for it. And
if you do not, I don't know who will.
Then I will confess.
Tha.
Well said; had I not lov'd you, I had never given you such
wholsome nodification, nor come thus kindly to see your heart forthcoming;
I'll look they shalln't wrong you (as Taylors are wont) in
the cutting out.
Nic.
And that yr self contriv'd the Plot; Now you being a Principal
Joyner for our new frame of Goverment, The Jury will turn, and
return Ignoramus's for you, and then I, as accessary, shall escape of
course.
Tha.
Who? I, you loyal Traytor? Ladys she'll confess to
me, but
she is dead in law, and who but an Oaf will care what any say when
they are dead.
Enter Eribea carrying a block, and Eorpata an Ax (from the left.)
Ant.
Eorpata, chop off her Head.
[she points to Nic.
Tha.
I'll go bring hither my fencing Iron, and cut off this wen of
Honour from the face of the Earth.
Nic.
I do not fear the Ax, for if I did,
I need not now have come within its reach.
Dying's an Act so short, who death doth fear,
Dreads that which has no being any where.
Enter Alcymen without Jewells (from the left.)
Alc.
Your Trojans to Night have surpriz'd the Tower, while I
guarded the Palace.
Nic.
Let's storm 'em on each side; & all mount up
On one anothers shoulders 'till we top 'em.
The Giants borrow'd Hills to help 'em climb,
Ranking their forces barely on the Earth;
But we'el be our own Mountains, and our files
Shall be all marshall'd upward in the Air.
Her death must be deferr'd till we have quell'd them (since
she pretends for us) least we provoke more Enemys, And loose Friends.
Cel.
Defer'd for them?
Pen.
O that our Earth should foster such a brood,
And not gape rather to make them her Food!
Enter Thalestris in old Armour, with a rusty two handed sword (from the right.)
Tha.
This Roguy consort of mine has blunted the two handed
dagger with weeding the Yard. Hey-day, is not her head off yet?
Had all you togather but done that, I alone would have killed the rest
of her.
[she looks on Nic.
Ant.
Bind this Illustrious cheat. We'll to the Army.
[To Alc.
[Exeunt Ant., Pen., Cel., & Thal. (at the left.)
Nic.
All I thank Fortune for is, that I'm made
Your charge, And if you now dare take my Word,
I'll venture one Attempt for my release.
Alc.
'Twere base if I deny'd this to the[e] only,
Princess of the Blood; 'specially since 'twas you
Gave me my Place, and thereby Power to grant it.
Nic.
The Trojans come, let's vanish.
[A Drum beats low within (at ye left.) Exeunt Nic., Alcy., Eribea, Eorp., and Guards (at the right.)
| The Female Rebelion | |