 | The Elder Brother |  |
SCENA II.
Enter Lewis, Brisac, Angellia, Sylvia, Officers.Lew.
I'm deaf to all perswasions.
Bri.
I use none, nor doubt I, though a while my innocence
suffers, but when the King shall understand how false
your malice hath inform'd him, he in justice must set me
right again.
Ang.
Sir, let not passion so far transport you, as to think it
reason, this violent course repairs, but ruins it; that honour
you would build up, you destroy; what you would seem to
nourish, if respect of my preferment or my pattern may
challenge your paternal love and care, why do you, now
good fortune has provided a better Husband for me than
your hopes could ever fancy, strive to rob me of him? In
what is my Lord Charles defective, Sir? unless deep Learning
mulcts in nature, or, what you only aim'd at, large Revenues,
are, on the sudden, grown distasteful to you. Of what
can you accuse him?
Lew.
Of a Rape done to Honour, which thy ravenous lust
made thee consent to.
Syl.
Her lust! you are her Father.
Lew.
And you her Bawd.
Syl.
Were you ten Lords, 'tis false; the pureness of her
chaste thoughts entertains not such spotted instruments.
Ang.
As I have a Soul, Sir.
Lew.
I am not to be alter'd; to sit down with this disgrace,
would argue me a Peasant, and not born Noble: all
rigour that the Law, and that increase of power by Favour
yields, shall be with all severity inflicted; you have the
King's hand for't, no Bail will serve, and therefore at your
perils, Officers, away with 'em.
Bri.
This is madness.
Lew.
Tell me so in open Court, and there I'le answer
you.
Enter Miramont, Charles, Eustace, Andrew.
Mir.
Well overtaken.
Char.
Ill if they dare resist.
Eust.
He that advances but one step forward dies.
Lew.
Shew the King's Writ.
Mir.
Shew your discretion, 'twill become you better.
Char.
Y'are once more in my power, and if again I part
with you, let me for ever lose thee.
Eust.
Force will not do't, nor threats; accept this service
from your despair'd of Eustace.
And.
And beware your Reverend Worship never more
attempt to search my Lilly pot, you see what follows.
Lew.
Is the King's power contemn'd?
Mir.
No, but the torrent o' your wilful folly stopp'd.
And for you, good Sir, if you would but be sensible, what
can you wish, but the satisfaction of an obstinate will, that
is not endear'd to you? rather than be cross'd in what you
purpos'd, you'll undo your Daughter's fame, the credit of
your judgment, and, your old foolish Neighbour; make
your Estates, and in a Suit not worth a Cardecue, a prey to
Advocates, and their buckram Scribes, and after they have
plum'd ye, return home like a couple of naked Fowles
without a feather.
Char.
This is a most strong truth, Sir.
Mir.
No, no, Monsieur, let us be right Frenchmen,
violent to charge; but when our follies are repell'd by
reason, 'tis fit that we retreat, and ne'er come on more:
observe my learned Charles, he'll get thee a Nephew on
Angellina shall dispute in her belly, and suck the Nurse by
Logick: and here's Eustace, he was an Ass, but now is
grown an Amadis; nor shall he want a Wife, if all my
Land, for a Joynture, can effect: Y'are a good Lord, and
of a gentle nature, in your looks I see a kind consent, and
it shews lovely: and do you hear, old Fool? but I'le not
chide, hereafter, like me, ever doat on Learning, the meer
belief is excellent, 'twill save you; and next love Valour,
though you dare not fight your self, or fright a foolish Officer,
young Eustace can do it to a hair. And, to conclude,
let Andrew's Farm b' encreas'd, that is your penance, you
know for what, and see you rut no more; you understand
me. So embrace on all sides.
Provided we preserve you still our Friends—
[Exeunt.
| The Elder Brother | |