University of Virginia Library

Scæa. pria.

Enter Barnauelt: Leidenberch, Modesbargen.
Bar.
I haue with danger venturd thus far to you,
that you might know by me, our plot's discoverd.
But let not that discourage you: though Van-Dort
and Bredero, with others haue assented
to force this Towne; stand you still on Yor Guard,
and on my reputation rest assurd
wt h violence they neuer dare attempt You:
for that would give the world to vnderstand
th'vnited Prouinces, that by their Concord
so long haue held out 'gainst th'opposition
of all Spaines Governor s, their plotts, and Armyes
make way to their most certaine ruyn, by
a Civill warre.

Leid.
this cannot be denide

Bar.
and so, at any time we may make ou r peace
returning to or first obedience
vpon what termes we please.

Mod.
that is not certaine:
For should we tempt them once to bring their Forces
against the Towne, and find we give it vp
for want of strength to keepe it, the Conditions
to wc h we must subscribe, are in their will,
and not our choice, or pleasure.

Bar.
you are governd
more by yor feare, then reason:

Mod.
may it prove soe:
that way I would be guiltie

Bar.
how appeere
the new raisd Companies?

Leid
they stand full and faithfull:
and for the Burgers, they are well affected
to or designes: the' [Preachers] Arminians play their parts too,
and thunder in their meetings [Pulpitts], hell and dampnation
to such as hold against vs.

Bar.
'tis well orderd;
But haue you tride by any meanes (it skills not
how much you promise) to wyn the old Soldiers
(the English Companies, in cheif I ayme at)
to stand firme for vs?

Leid
—Enter Rock-Giles: 2. Burgers Captaines Leiutennt [Soldiers]

Mod.
they are come.

Bar.
be earnest with them.

R. Giles.
with much a dooe I haue brought'em: the prowd Shellains
are paid too well, and that makes them forget
we are their Masters.

1. Burg.
but when we tooke them on
famishd allmost for want of enterteinement,
then they cryde out, they would do any thing
we would com̄aund them.

1 Cap.
and so we say still:
provided it be honest.

Giles.
is it fitt
that mercinary Soldiers, that for pay
give vp their liberties, and are sworne t'expose
their lyves, and fortunes to all dangers, should
capitulate with their Lords.

1. Burg.
prescribing when
they are pleasd to be com̄aunded, and for what?

Giles
answeare to this

Leiut.
you know or resolutions,
and therefore Captaine speak for all.

1. Cap.
I will;
and doe it boldly: We were entertaind
to serve the generall States, and not one Prouince:
to fight as often as the Prince of Orange
shall lead vs forth, and not to stand against him:
to guard this Cuntrie, not to ruyn it,
to beat of forreigne Enemies, not to cherish
domestique Factions: And where you vpbraid vs
wt h the poore meanes we haue to feed, not cloath vs,
fogetting at how deere a rate we buy
the triffles we haue from you, thus I answeare,
noe Cuntrie ere made a defencive war
and gaind by it, but you, what privat Gentleman
that onely trailes a pike, that comes from England
or Fraunce, but brings gold with him? wc h he leaves here,
and so enriches you; where such as serve
the Polander, Bohemian, Dane, or Turck,
though they come almost naked to their Collours
besides their pay (wc h they contempne) the spoiles
of Armyes ouerthrowne, of Citties sackd,
depopulations of wealthie Cuntries
if he survive the vncertaine chaunce of war,
returne him home, to end his age in plenty
of wealth, and honor s.

Bar.
this is shrewdly vrgd.

1. Cap

Giles
I am put to a non plus:
speake mine here Secretarie

Leid.
I haue heard
somuch deliuerd by [of] you, and so well,
yor actions too, at all parts answearing
what you haue spoken, that I must acknowledge,
we all stand far indebted to yor service:
and therefore, as vnto the worthiest
the faithfullest, and strongest, that protect
vs, and or Cuntries, we now seek to You,
and would not but such men should be remembred
as principall Assistaunts in the Cure
of a disease wc h now the State lyes sick of:
+ I know you love the Prince [of Orange,] valiant Prince and yet
you must graunt him a Servant to the States,
as you are Gentlemen, and therefore will not
defend that in him which you would not cherish
in cold blood in yor selues, for should he be
disloyall.

Leiut.
+ he disloyall? 'tis a language
I will not heare.

2. Cap.
such a suspition of him
in one that wore a Sword, deserv'd the lye.

1. Cap.
we know yor oild tongue; and yor rethorique,
will hardly work on vs, that are acquainted
wt h what faire language yor ill purposes
are ever cloathd: nor ever wilbe won
to vndervalue him, whose least fam'd service
scornes to be put in ballance wt h the best
of all yor Counsailes: and for his faith, ô heaven
it do's as far transcend yours in yor praires
as light do's darcknes.

Leid
I perceive 'tis true
that such as flatter Servants, make them prowd;
wee'll vse a rougher way, and here com̄aund you
to leave the Towne, and sodainely: if you wish not
to be forcd hence.

1. Cap.
Yor new raisd Companies
of such as neuer saw the Enemie,
can hardly make that good; we were placd here
by the allowaunce of the generall States
and of the Prince, to keepe it to their vse?

Leiut.
and we will doe it:

1. Cap.
and while there is Lead
vpon a house, or any Soldier master
but of a doyt: when that is gon, expect
that we will make you sport, or leave or lives
to witnes we were faithfull: Come Lieutenaunt
let vs draw vp the Companies, and then
charge on vs when you please.

—Ext.
Mod.
this I foresaw.

Bar.
oh, I am lost with anger: are we falne
so lowe from what we were, that we dare heare
this from or Servants, and not punish it?
where is the terror of or names, our powre,
That Spaine wt h feare hath felt in both hir Indies?
we are lost for ever: and from Freemen growne [slaues]

Slaves so contemptible: as no worthie Prince that would haue men, not sluggish Beastes his Srvants would ere vouchsafe the owning, Now my Frends

(Marginal note by Scribe)

[slaves to the pride of one we haue raisd vp]
+ [vnto this g«ian»t height, the Spanish y[OMITTED]k]
[is soft, and easie, if compard with what]
+ [we suffer from this popular S«na»ke, that hath]
[stolne like a cun̄ing theif the Armyes harts]
[to serve his owne ambitious ends: Now F«r»ends]
I call not on yor furtheraunce, to preserve
the lustre of my Actions: let me with them
be nere remembred, so this government,
yor wives, yor lives. and liberties be safe:
and therefore, as you would be what you are,
Freemen, and Masters of what yet is yours
rise vp against this Tirant, and defend
wt h rigor, what too gentle lenitie
hath almost lost

Leid
ile to the new raisd Soldiers
and make them firme

Giles
ile muster vp the Burgers
and make them stand vpon their guard.

Mod.
for me
ile not be wanting.

Bar.
ile back to the Hage
and something there ile doe, that shall divert
the torrent that swells towards vs, or sinck in it,
and let this Prince of Orange seat him sure, [[illeg.]]
or he shall fall, when he is most secure

—Exeunt/.