University of Virginia Library

SCE. II.

Enter Cont. Lap. Du. Const. Mam.
Cont.
We have done well my Lords, we've made a rod
To whip our selves—Right Æsop's frogs y'faith,
We must be changing—Nay 'tis well enough.

La.
For why my Lord—I'm sure my thoughts were clear,
As spotless christal? could I conceive one drop
Of blood within me trayterous, it should out,
Though 'twere that next my heart:

Du.
The same were mine:
I only meant to use him as a purge
To carry ill humors, not our spirits off:

Const.
A fit comparison—We're purg'd indeed;
The remedy proves worse than the disease:

Mam.
I, you o'reshot the mark—E're he came in
He was your Creature, but your Master now:

Const.
Where is this perjur'd Villain?—Sure he believes
The bottomless bag—That Lovers, and Traitors Oaths
Are lodg'd together (shouts)
The Devil's in this Rout,
More shouting yet.—

La.
And more is like to be;
'Tis thought when fuel fails, they'll pluck down houses
To keep the bon-fires up—Did not your Lordship
See the installment?—

Const.
No, but I have heard
'Twas very splendid.—

Cont.
Yes, as Art could make it:

Mam.
So't should; The trappings of the Presidents horse,
Is more than half i'th' Government o'th' City:

Const.
But have you seen no publick Acts of late?
The vizard is half off—The names transpos'd
Andronicus first, and then Alexius:

Mam.
And reason good; should not the figure stand
Before the cypher?—Cæsar, and Bibulus;
One does all, t'other drinks all.

La.
Could he yet stop,
There might be hopes.—

Mam.
Small hopes—Ambition
Is ne're so high but she still thinks to mount:
That station which lately seem'd the top,
Is but a step to her now, and what before
Was even beyond her wish, being once in power,
Seems low, and cheap—If I mistake it not,
The Emperor yet lives; and though he is
But the bare shadow of a swelling name,
Can you believe Andronicus will brook
An equal in authority?—Is Andronicus
No better known?—Well my good Lords what say you?
Please you to give me leave and I'll propose,
A short expedient.—

Omnes.
With all our hearts.

Mam.
And you engage however you dislike it
Not to discourse't abroad?—

Omnes.
Upon our Honours.—

Mam.
Then thus—He's yet unsetled; Heavy bodies
Once mov'd, retain a trembling e're they fix:
So here—The Empire's in a strange confusion,
And 'tis his interest to keep it so;
Now what I offer, is this; That every one
Pick out his Faction, and oblige it to him;
Get but so far into 'um, as to please um,
You have 'm sure enough; the power to raise 'um,
Follows of course; Then shall we fall upon him
E're he have time to think; And break his neck,
By the same hand that set it.—

Const.
I like it well,
But cannot judge it safe to trust a tumult,
Unless we had a body to make a stand?

Mam.
Nor will we want it; we'll but use the people
As a forelorn: And for the rest, what think you
Of Stephanus? I'll pawn my head I make him.

Const.
Impossible— He was the chiefest person
Set t'other up.—

Mam.
But what has he done for him?
He's but the same he was; and, which makes for us,
Has equals, if not superiors in favour;
I know his spirit can never brook it long;
Do you but give the word, I'll run the hazard:

Const.
How say ye my Lords?

Omnes.
Worthy Mamalus,
You have our hearts, and thanks, and wishes to't:

Enter Maria as in hast.
Const.
See! here's more news, I do not like the hast.

Mar.
Help, help my Lords the Emperor and's Mother,

Omnes.
What of them?—

Mar.
Oh! dead, dead, dead—murder'd:
That ever earth should bear so curst a Traytor,
Such a false, treacherous, perfidious slave;
And which is worse than all; The people cry,
A judgment on him for his Mothers death?

Const.
How! What's all this? good Madam divide your grief,
And let us bear a part.—

Mar.
I know not what 'tis.
Reports are various—But they say, he sign'd
A warrant for his Mothers execution,
For a suppos'd betraying of Belgrade;
And since has broke his neck by a fall from's horse,
As he was hunting—There are others agen
Say he was bow-string'd—Oh this cursed string,
That murders more, than e're the bow kill'd fairly:
That I could see him yet;—
Then thus I throw off woman; and bury my tears
In my revenge—Come Lords—Let't ne're be said
There's nothing left us of our former greatness
But fame, and ruine—Let it ne're be spoke
Greece is grown barbarous, and the merry Greek
Has drown'd the valiant.—

Const.
Most excellent Madam!

Mar.
Come, let's forgive (our selves I mean) that crime
Of ignorance, and well-meaning; We that were
The stairs that helpt him up, our backs, the steps
By which he climb'd, How are we trampled on?
Come, come my Lords—'Tis time we look about us,
And ward the threatning blow—Let's but agree
And our work's done; The Tortoise is secure
Within her shell, if any part lye out,
It dangers all the rest:—What says Mamalus?

Mam.
What? But that he ows
Himself, and his, unto your Highness courage;
We had half drove the nail e're you came in,
But now 'tis rivited: There remains nothing,
But that we thank your Highness, and keep to it:

Const.
Well mov'd—Let's on:—

Mar.
Do—And you'll find the Lion
Is not so terrible as the Painter makes him:

La., Du.
Agree'd, agreed—Let's on—

Mar.
Bravely resolv'd;
Stars have their strongest influence in conjunction:

A clap or two of thunder
Const.
Hark!—Hark!—The voice of Heaven—'T as answer'd us,
And seal'd the enterprise—And when I fail it,
Let Heaven strike me, as I this earth.—

Enter Philo with a guard.
Ph.
Stand—Treason—Seize 'um.

Mar.
Seize me! for what?

Phil.
Oh! your Highness?
The Emperor will discharge you presently.

Const.
Unhand me villain—Take that—

Constantinus knocks one of the guard down; after a short skuffle all seiz'd.
Phil.
So—So—Away with 'um.

Exeunt.