University of Virginia Library

Scene V.

Ethel's Quarters in Engelborg.
A Council of Officers.
Ethel, Olave, Cornelius, and Officers.
Eth.
Speak, gentlemen.
Your duty lies not in your neighbour's eyes;
Search your own breasts; he that falls off from me,
And does it simply from his soul's conviction,
I will believe he is as true a man,
As tender of the right, and as courageous,
As those who most applaud me;
He that hangs doubtful,
Oh, let him think, before he turns away,
Unredressed wrong grows rich in his defection,
And mighty Justice like a beggar stands,
Craving his alms. Who speaks? Who goes with me?

[The Officers whisper together.
Old Capt.
My lord, we are plain men; deal plainly with us;
Tell us in bold words you desire the crown,
We'll aid you faithfully.

Sec. Capt.
Ay, do; you wrong us,
To muffle up your secret purposes
In these fine words.

Third Capt.
Be open with us, sir;
Many are here that love you.

Eth.
In dear truth,
And as I am a soldier and a gentleman,
I have no private end. Let no man go with me
That hopes to win a gain by my advancement.

Third Capt.
He will not trust us.

Sec. Capt.
Tell us, General,
Will you set free the Earls of Ingelwald?

Eth.
I will not free the Earls of Ingelwald.

Sec. Capt.
Nor I, then, will not countenance a man
Who scruples not in death of dearest friends
To root the ambitious ends he mis-styles virtue.
Go to, you fair-faced lord, we are not children!

Eth.
Be it so;
Some of you present judge me worthier.
Yet think not by your hanging back to move me
From my first course—nor by worst opposition.
If every man should turn his back on me,
Unto the rough breast of the common soldier
Will I appeal. Judge as you will of me,
And send me word how you will deal with me.
Oh, that a man might take sincerity
Out of his breast, and lay 't before your eyes!—
Cornelius, take my place here.

[Exit.
Ol.
Let me speak:
I tell you, he is made of simple faith,
And what he says he means.

Cor.
Tush! not a whit.

Ol.
What, do you not believe it?

Cor.
I? oh, yes.

Fourth Capt.
Cornelius knows his mind; let's hear Cornelius.

Cor.
Nay, gentlemen, so much I cannot say;
And what close policy lies in these masked speeches
I guess not; only these two things I know,—
Unto his friends was Felborg never false,
Nor ever knew the vice ingratitude;
His bounty flows as liberal as water
To his least servitor. And for those gentlemen
That fear for the two noble Ingelwalds,
Let them not trust me if he means them harm.
He'll not acquit them; is't not possible
Their doors may be ill-guarded?

Ol.
Now, by Heaven,
You wrong him wickedly, Cornelius!
And though their love did lie about his soul,
He will not spare them.

Sec. Capt.
Look to yourselves, gentlemen.
Fidelity, long service, true attachment,
Weigh not a grain against his fantasy,
Nor earn you any liberty.

Ol.
Not to be traitors!

Sec. Capt.
Who dares to talk of traitors? All are not such
A rambling fancy styles so. Ha!

Cor.
Come, come;
He's not so strict. Maybe I should not name it,—
They have found open doors!

Ol.
Who? by whose means?
It's false! most false!

Cor.
What will you wager on it?

Ol.
My life.

Cor.
Your purse?

Ol.
Ay, all I'm worth i' the world.

Enter Soldier.
Sol.
My lord! the General, where's the General?

Cor.
Your news, fellow? your news?

Sol.
Away! they are loose!
I saw them o' horseback. Where's the General?

[Exit.
Cor.
Ha! ha! ha!

Ol.
If this be true, and with his cognisance,
Farewell, fair faith; I'll break my sword and leave him.

Enter two Soldiers.
Sol.
The Ingelwalds have escaped! The Earl of Felborg
Calls out aloud for you.

Ol.
For me?

[Exeunt Olave and Soldiers.
Cor.
Now, sirs,
Will any man refuse to go with us?

Third Capt.
Humph, what he says is true; the men will go;
No man can doubt that he will gain his end.
I ride, for one.

Sec. Capt.
And I.

Fourth Capt.
Would he were honester!
There was a time he could not hide his meaning.
We must go on with him.

Fifth Capt.
Thus much for me,
Where Felborg leads, I'll follow.

Sixth Capt.
Do! to hell.
Well, I'll make one with you.

Cor.
Thanks, gentlemen;
And when his head lies in the golden hoop,
Power will enrich his gratitude.

Old Capt.
For me,
I pin my faith with Olave, and believe
He nothing seeks himself.

Cor.
But will you join us?

Old Capt.
Ethel I'll join; not you, nor any such.

Cor.
No man says nay; I'll tell the General so.
Break up; we shall be moving with the morning.

[Exeunt all save two Captains.
First Capt.
You are not one of them?

Sec. Capt.
I hang. 'Tis monstrous odds
If the King can stand against him.

First Capt.
If he should, though?

Sec. Capt.
Let's send him a messenger and give him warning;
If Felborg fail, that might make peace for us.

First Capt.
And stay ourselves?

Sec. Capt.
Why, it's the likelier side.

First Capt.
Unless his heart should fail. Well, we must risk it.

[Exeunt.