University of Virginia Library

Scena Prima.

Enter Rollo with a glass, Aubrey, and Servants.
Rol.
I never studied my glass till now,
It is exceeding well; now leave me; Cousin,
How takes your eye the object?

Aub.
I have learn'd
So much Sir of the Courtier, as to say
Your person does become your habit;
But being called unto it by a noble War,
Would grace an armour better.

Rol.
You are still
For that great Art of which you are the Master;
Yet I must tell you, that to the encounters
We oft attempt, arm'd only thus, we bring
As troubled blood, fears mixt with flatt'ring hopes,
The danger in the service too as great,
As when we are to charge quite through and through
The body of an Army.

Aub.
I'le not argue
How you may rank the dangers, but will die in't,
The ends which they arrive at, are as distant
In every circumstance, as far as honour
Is from shame and repentance.

Rol.
You are sowr?

Aub.
I would speak my free thoughts, yet not appear so;
Nor am I so ambitious of the title
Of one that dares talk any thing that was
Against the torrent of his own opinion,
That I affect to speak ought may offend you:
And therefore gracious Sir, be pleas'd to think
My manners or discretion have inform'd me
That I was born, in all good ends, to serve you:
And not to check at what concerns me not:
I look not with sore eyes on your rich out-side,
Nor rack my thoughts to find out to what purpose
'Tis now employ'd; I wish it may be good,
And that, I hope, offends not for a subject
Towards his Prince in things indifferent;
To use the austereness of a censuring Cato
Is arrogance, not freedom.

Rol.
I commend
This temper in you, and will cherish it.
Enter Hamond with Letters.
They come from Rome, Latorch imployed you?

Ham.
True Sir.

Rol.
I must not now be troubled with a thought
Of any new design; good Aubrey read 'em,
And as they shall direct you, use my power,
Or to reply or execute.

Aub.
I will, Sir.

Rol.
And Captain bring a squadron of our Guard
To th'house that late was Baldwins, and there wait me.

Ham.
I shall.

Rol.
Some two hours hence.

Ham.
With my best care.

Rol.
Inspire me Love, and be thy deity,
Or scorn'd or fear'd, as now thou favour'st me.
[Exit Rollo.

Ham.
My stay to do my duty, may be wrongs
Your Lordships privacy.

Aub.
Captain, your love
Is ever welcome; I intreat your patience
While I peruse these.

Ham.
I attend your pleasure.

Aub.
How's this, a plot on me?

Ham.
What is contain'd
In th'letters that I brought, that thus transports him?

Aub.
To be wrought on by Rogues, and have my head
Brought to the Axe by Knaves that cheat for bread?
The Creatures of a Parasite, a slave;
I find you here Latorch, not wonder at it;
But that this honest Captain should be made
His instrument, afflicts me; I'le make trial
Whether his will or weakness made him do it.
Captain you saw the Duke when he commanded
I should do what these letters did direct me,
And I presume you think I'le not neglect
For fear or favour, to remove all dangers
How near soever that man can be to me
From whom they should have birth.

Ham.
It is confirm'd.

Aub.
Nor would you Captain, I believe, refuse,
Or for respect of thankfulness, or hopes,
To use your sword with fullest confidence
Where he shall bid you strike.

Ham.
I never have done.

Aub.
Nor will I think—

Ham.
I hope it is not question'd.

Aub.
The means to have it so, is now propos'd you.
Draw, so, 'tis well, and next cut off my head.

Ham.
What means your Lordship?

Aub.
'Tis, Sir, the Dukes pleasure:
My innocence hath made me dangerous,
And I must be remov'd, and you the man
Must act his will.

Ham.
I'le be a Traytor first, before I serve it thus.

Aub.
It must be done,
And that you may not doubt it, there's your warrant,
But as you read, remember Hamond, that
I never wrong'd one of your brave profession;
And, though it be not manly, I must grieve
That man of whose love I was most ambitious
Could find no object of his hate but me.

Ham.
It is no time to talk now, honour'd Sir,
Be pleas'd to hear thy servant, I am wrong'd,
And cannot, being now to serve the Duke,
Stay to express the manner how; but if
I do not suddenly give you strong proofs,
Your life is dearer to me than my own,
May I live base, and dye so: Sir, your pardon.
[Exit Ham.

Aub.
I am both waies ruin'd, both waies mark't for slaughter
On every side, about, behind, before me,
My certain fate is fix't: were I a Knave now,
I could avoid this: had my actions
But meer relations to their own ends, I could 'scape now:
Oh honesty! thou elder child of vertue,
Thou seed of Heaven, why to acquire thy goodness
Should malice and distrust stick thorns before us,
And make us swim unto thee, hung with hazards?
But Heaven is got by suffering, not disputing;
Say he knew this before-hand, where am I then?
Or say he does know it, where's my Loyalty?
I know his nature, troubled as the Sea,
And as the Sea devouring when he's vex'd,
And I know Princes are their own expounders.
Am I afraid of death? of dying nobly?
Of dying in mine innocence uprightly?
Have I met death in all his forms, and fears,
Now on the points of Swords, now pitch'd on Lances?
In fires, and storms of Arrows, Battels, breaches,
And shall I now shrink from him, when he courts me
Smiling and full of sanctity? I'le meet him;
My Loyal hand and heart shall give this to him,
And though it bear beyond what Poets feign
A punishment, duty shall meet that pain;
And my most constant heart to do him good,
Shall check at neither pale affright nor bloud.

Enter Messenger.
Mess.
The Dutchess presently would crave your presence

Aub.
I come; and Aubrey now resolve to keep
Thy honour living, though thy body sleep.

[Exit.