 | The Doubtfull Heir |  |
1
ACT. I.
Enter Rodriguez and Ernesto.Rod.
This turn was not expected, Prince Leonario
Is much perplext.
Ern.
I cannot blame his Highness,
So neer an expectation of a blessing,
To be thus crost.
Rod.
The Day of Marriage set,
With the applausive Vote of both the Kingdoms,
By an unlookt for War to be put of,
Would vex a royall spleen.
Er.
'Tis but deferr'd.
Rod.
I doe not like the hope on't.
Er.
I pittie
The Princely lover, worthy (without blemish
To the excelling virtues of the Queen)
Of as much goodness as her sex contains,
So Noble in his Nature, Active, bountifull
Discreet, and valiant, if we may believe
What his young fame profers to every knowledge.
Rod.
This character is not flattery, and yet
The Queen our Mistriss is not lost in this
2
Er.
I have no thought so Impious,
My dutie never taught me to commend
But to obey, her Virgin sweetness makes me
Her just admirer but when I observe
Her prudent manage of the State, a strength
Would become many years, her pious Laws,
But that without example, made to advance
Her sexes Chastitie, I forget all
Beside worth praise, though every least of her
Desert would ask a volume. 'Tis his Excellence.
Enter Leonario, Captain.
Rod.
Ther's one not sorry for these Wars.
Er.
'Tis his
Profession; Souldiers batten in a Tempest.
Rod.
And he deserves employment; yet I think
Hee'l never purchase with his pay.
Leo.
Be confident;
Your worth will plead alone; the Queen expects me.
Ex. Leon.
Capt.
Your Highness humble creature;—so, ther's hope yet
After a time of ease, and surfet, we
May cure our selves by letting others Bloud.
My Noble Lords.
Ernest.
'Morrow Captain, you look blith, and bright.
Capt.
I'l put my Sword to scowring that shall shine.
I thank Heaven my prayers are heard.
Rod.
What prayers?
Cap.
That honest men may cut knaves throats, and bid
Defiance to the Hangman; Musk, and Civet
Have too long stifled us, ther's no recovery
Without the smell of Gunpowder.
Enter two Citizens.
Er.
But Captain—
1 C.
'Tis he, we must not lose him,
2 C.
He has credit with the Lords it seems.
1 C.
He has spied us.
3
My honest friends, welcome to Court. My Lords
Pray grace these honest Gentlemen, they will
Deserve to kiss your Hands.
1 C.
Our business
Is to you Captain.
Capt.
Doe you think what these brace of Baboons come for?
Rod.
Not I.
Capt.
By this day for mony, moneys that I owe 'em.
Er.
Is't possible?
Capt.
I ha' mov'd your sute Gentlemen.
1 C.
What sute?
Capt.
Touching the Masque. Which you two in the name
Of the whole City, offer'd to present
At the Town charges to congratulate
The Queens intended Marriage; I know
This Egge was long a hatching, and expected,
But that your Heads could not agree, they being
Of severall sizes, some upon the shoulders
Of your long-winded Officers, whose purse
Was made of the Leather with their conscience.
1 Ci.
Does he talk to us of a Masque?
2 Ci.
Good Captain put your Masque off, and give us.
The money that you owe us.
Capt.
Was't not meant nobly?
But you my good Lords know how much
The Queen and Prince are sorry, that so rare
A President of their duty should not be
Upon record; this villanous War distracts
All civill mirth, but you will be remembred.
1 Ci.
We know not what you mean, we have no anticks
In agitation; if your Captain-ship
Will pay your debts so; there is Law and courses
To be taken, and you will find that Justice
Can deal Sir with the Sword as well as Ballance.
Capt.
The Puppys talk Philosophy; nay then
I must be plain, would I could tice 'em to
A little treason, theyl ne'r hang for felony.
4
1 Cit.
We care not whither; so you pay us first.
Capt.
Let their own Fathers swing, so they have mony.
2 Cit.
May be you are going to the Wars.
Capt.
Yes Mongrels,
To fight for your chamlet Faces, while you stay at home
And catch the cramp with telling mony,
Putting your Guts to Pension every Day,
And roots, untill the wind cry out agen you,
And with your belching backwards stifle Men
That walk the Street, untill the Air be purg'd;
Must we Eat Bullets without Butter, Whelps?
Have our Throats cut, or drop like Sheep by'th' hundred,
O' the rot, to buy your Peace, you boding Screechowls?
And ha' your consciences so course a Nap
To aske money of us?
1 Cit.
You had the conscience
To take up our commodities.
Capt.
Reason good;
Should I goe naked leeches?
2 Cit.
No, but there is reason
That you should pay good Captain, for your warmth.
Capt.
Pay you? for what? for Cloaths, such things as these?
Your tribe is bound to keep us.
1 Cit.
How?
Capt.
Yes, and desire us to accept your wares,
To recompence our sufferings; 'tis we,
'Tis we that keep your Worships warm and living,
By Marching, Fasting, Fighting and a thousand
Dangers, (you o'r grown moths) you that love gold,
And wo'not take an Angell sent from Heaven
Unless you weigh him, you that spend the Day
In looking o'r your debt—Book, and at Night
Can lap and lecher in your Feather Beds,
Then snort, and dream of fourscore in the hundred,
5
Is a more just reward for your hard hearts
The stone, which puts you to the charge of Physick
To make you piss out your last Usurers Gallon,
Or of a Surgeon, to cut you for
The Pibles, which (if you survive Incission)
You keep in penny Boxes, like deer reliques,
And shew your friends, when you intend to visit 'em.
And beg a Dinner.
Er.
Let not passion
Make you too much abuse their qulaity;
The City does contain brave fellows Captain,
As generous, as bountifull, discreet,
And valiant too, as any boast themselves
In Court or Camp.
Cap.
I grant you my good Lord,
And honour all the Noble souls within it,
But these are walking sicknesses, not Citizens;
Two such prodigious things with crooked consciences,
Though Young, yet Old in Usury—
2 Cit.
All this Captain
Wo'not pay us our money, which we must
Have or Petition for to your disgrace.
Cap.
Well since there is no remedy, will you take
These two Noblemens words for what I owe you?
1 Cit.
Withall our Hearts.
Rod.
That bargain is to make.
Er.
Good Captain, at this time you may excuse us,
Capt.
Why, doe your Lordships think I'd let you suffer,
Come, y'ar my honourable friends; pass, pass
Your word, Ile pay the mony; hang 'em dottrels
Ile not be beholding to 'em.
Rod.
We had rather you should good Captain.
Capt.
No,—come hither Capons
Will money content you; shall I walk the Street
Without a Head ake, with your bawling for
6
2 Cit.
'Tis but reason.
Capt.
I'l fetch you money presently,—you may follow
If you please, but these Noblemen shall see
And witness what I pay you, I'l not trust
Your Memorandums.
1 Cit.
Withall our Hearts Sir.
2 Cit.
We desire no more.
Capt.
I'l wait on you again.
[Ex. Manent Rod. Ernesto.
Enter Leandro, reading a Paper.
Rod.
Fortune de la guerre.
My Lord Leandro? what papers that
He so intentively peruses?
Lean.
I like it, and could willingly allow
The change; the Queen grows mighty in her spirit,
And this match with the Prince, would swell her State
Too much; my Lords.
Rod.
We are yours.
Leand.
See what dangerous Papers have been scatter'd
To wound the Title of our Royall Mistriss;
My servant brought me this; our Enemie
Who calls himself Prince Ferdinand would fain
Have us believe him Cosen to the Queen,
She an usurper of his Crown.
Er.
We all know him dead.
Rod.
I'm sure I did attend his Funerall.
Lean.
I think I waited too.
Er.
This paper sayes he was conveyd away,
And so escap'd his Uncles cruelty,
To whose protection he was left an Infant;
He dying, we translated our obedience
To his Daughter, now our Queen.
Rod.
Here's an Impostor.
Leand.
Heaven aid the Innocent say I; he has
Valentias aid and comes not to Invite
But force a resignation; I wish things
Were calm agen.
7
Prince Leonario, if she prosper not,
Is like to be a loser too.
Leand.
For him
It matters not, we have more to think on now,
Than love and complement.
Rod.
I thought he would be Generall
'Gainst this pretended Ferdinand.
Leand.
What else?
Her sweet Heart, that gives Cupid in his crest.
Alas! there needs no art, nor strength of War
To advance her cause, Justice will fight for her
I'th' Clouds, and victory sent from Heaven, without
Her souldiers sweat, will gloriously descend
To Crown his Head with Laurell.
Er.
May it prove so.
Leand.
I could say things would stagger your belief,
But I forgot the Queen sent for me; to
You both a servant—
Exit.
Er.
I do not like my Lord Leandros winding,
He has been faithfull.
Rod.
Alwaies honourable. The Queen.
Enter Queen, Leonario, Captain, Leandro, Violinda, Attendants, Ladies, Gentlemen.
Leon.
I take this as the greatest honour Madam
You could confer; my name is young in War,
But my affection to your royall person,
Arm'd with the virtue of your cause, shall make me
Doe something worth your name.
Que.
'Twas your request,
Nor could we place our chief command, but where
'Tis equald with your Interest in us
And your own merit.
Leon.
Sure my Stars did mean
This way to make you know, how much my heart
Dares in your service; and if Ferdinand,
For so he calls himself, possess a soul
8
The Blood of many, and conclude the War
In single opposition.
Leand.
With your Highness pardon,
It not becomes you should Engage your Person,
And so great a cause so dangerously;
It will be too much honor to th'Impostor,
And in the supposition of the World,
A strength to his pretence, to bring your Birth
So low, to humble both your self and fortunes
To his unworthy Levell, a thing grown
Up in the Night, a Meteor hanging in
The Air, prodigiously, fed with vapor, and
Black Influence, ambitious to deceive
The World, and challenge kindred with the Stars;
It is too great a venture Sir.
Er.
Since there must be a War
Let the armies meet in Battail, theres more hope
After the worst to reinforce, and prosper,
Than when the kingdoms put upon one stake,
And one Mans chance to assure it.
Que.
I allow
Your Counsell Lords; but have more argument
Convincing me, not to run such a hazard
Of what must make Olivia rich hereafter;
A kingdoms loss may be repair'd, but your
Life made a Sacrifice to tyrant War,
May find a welcome to the other shades,
But no tears can Invite you back, to share,
Or grief, or Joy with me; Ile have no Duell.
Leon.
'Tis a command, and my obedience
Shall meet it, though I fear 'twill be a sin
To be too carefull of my self but I
Shall still remember I am your Souldier,
And this consider'd shall not make me rash,
But wisely teach me to deserve this title
9
Que.
I'l pray for you,
And not so much for what concerns the State,
As what your merit hath already gain'd
Upon my Heart.
Rod.
Blessings upon 'em both,
A curse upon these Wars, that spoil their mirth.
Que.
My Lord Leandro.
Leon.
Ther's your Commission Captain, I suppose
You have found wayes to empty your Exchequer.
Capt.
My Baggs are not brimfull my Lord, I have
Defalk'd, and made an ebbe for Wine, and Women,
And other things that keep poor men alive
To doe their country service.
Leon.
Please you walk
With this Gentleman Captain, he shall pay you
Five hundred pieces that I owe you.
Capt.
Me, your Grace owes me nothing,
Leon.
I could not pay the debt in better time Sir.
Capt.
Umh! I will take the mony, and allow the miracle.
Ex. Capt. & Gent.
Er.
Did you observe the Princes nobleness?
Although the act become him. Yet the manner
Takes me especially, Heaven preserve the Captain
From being Mad.
Leon.
I prosper in your Vote,
But shall I Madam, if that power, which Crowns
With victory, guides me with fair success
In this your War, and triumph smile upon us,
Shall I at my return have that reward
My soul next Heaven affects? shall no delay
(Colder than Frost to lovers blood,) afflict
My expectation of our Marriage?
Although to doubt this be a sin, yet where
The ambition is so Just, I shall but right
My Heart, to have it oft assur'd, nor can
It make your eye less rich in smiles, when 'tis
10
The busie harmless question.
Que.
It does please me,
Nor can you ask so often, as I have
A cheerfulness to answer, that I love you,
And have propounded nothing dearer to me,
Than that which perfects chast affection,
And chains two Hearts; the Priest with sadness will
Expect you safe agen, but from this War
When you return, he shall not in his Register
Of Lovers, find one, with more wing hath met
The bosom of her friend, than glad Olivia
To make one soul with you.
Leon.
I have enough,
And thirst for action in the Field, from whence
I will bring Harvest home, or leave my self,
Happy in life or death to doe you service.
Ex. Queen, Leon. Lean. Ladies, attendants.
Rod.
Well, I'm afraid if Hymen should set up
His Tapers now, they would not last to light
His Priest, at their return to say his Office.
Er.
Hope fairly.
Rod.
I allow his spirit, but
The Prince hath not been practis'd in
The School of War, where stratagems prevail
Above all personall resolution.
Er.
He cannot want fit counsell to direct
His early valour, besides
Ferdinand by computation as young as he
Enter Captain, two Citizens, and a Souldier.
May poize the scale. See, the Captain.
1 Cit.
We alwaies thought you Noble, and we hope
You'l take no offence, that our occasions
Prevail'd above our modestie.
Capt.
I know
You two are very modest; well I'm glad
11
Intreat you to be witnesses of what money
I pay these Gentlemen, that have trusted me.
2 Cit.
And will agen; command our Shops.
Capt.
No, sit there, and starve,
Or if you like it better take a swing
At your own sign Post.
Er.
Good words Captain.
Capt.
They expect good money, and both good are too much.
1 Cit.
We alwaies lov'd you.
2 Cit.
And doe so still most virtuously.
Capt.
It does appear,
1 Cit.
And you shall find us ready—
Capt.
I'l make but one fair motion, it will be
Sufficient tryall of your honestie;
I have five hundred pounds, you see me tell it,
Faith make it up a thousand 'twixt you both
Till I come back, you will be Aldermen.
1 Cit.
Ne'r a whit the sooner.
2 Cit.
Alas Sir, if it were at another time—
1 Cit.
Hereafter, upon good occasion you shall find—
Capt.
You both i'th' Pillorie, for selling Copper
Lace by a wrong name; well, ther's no remedy,
I'l keep my word; the money's ready for you.
1 Cit.
You are noble Captain.
2 Cit.
May you kill all the Queens Enemies.
Capt.
You would not scape,
That Cosen her liege people every day, then.
2 Cit.
This payment Captain will come most seasonably.
1 Cit.
And doe us as much good, as you had given us
The sum twice told, another time.
Capt.
Before
These Noblemen, have you such want
As you profess? you have no Wives nor Children.
1 Cit.
I protest upon my credit, I am to pay
This day two hundred pound, or be indanger'd
To an arrest.
12
And I must goe to Prison
If before Sun-set—
Capt.
Then 'twill doe you a pleasure.
Both. Cit.
Above expression.
Capt.
Heres twelve pence a peece for you y'ar fit Men
To serve the Queen:
Both Cit.
How Captain?
Capt.
Why in the Wars, choose either Pike or Musket,
You shall have that favour.
Both Cit.
We are both undone.
Lords.
Ha, ha, but will you use 'em so?
Capt.
Ha' they not ready mony? why d'ee stare?
No thanks for my protection?
Both Cit.
Protection?
Capt.
Did you not protest you should to prison else?
Why you unthankfull sons of false light, Sergeant
Take 'em to thei'r Rendevous
1 Cit.
Captain, a word—we are content—
Capt.
I'm glad on't, Why d'ee stay then.
1 Cit.
To abate half our money.
2 Cit.
All, all good Captain, he shall have all, rather
Than be sent a souldiering; d'ee know what 'tis?
'Tis no Artillery Garden, where you come off
With as you were.
Rod.
This was his Project.
Capt.
Umh'. You will forgive me both your debts?
2 Cit.
And pray Heaven to forgive you too.
Capt.
My Lords, bear witness,
These two would bribe me to abuse the Queen
And the present service, is this less then Treason?
Both Cit.
Oh.
Er.
Nay, nay Captain.
Capt.
There are not two more able Men i'th' Army,
I mean for bulk; ram me into a Cannon
If you shall buy your selves with your estates
From this Imployment; Il not cosen you,
Your mony is good debt still, you may live,
13
Rod.
But shall they serve indeed?
Capt.
That's at their perill
When they come to'th' field, but goe they shall,
And they were my Cosen-germans.
Both Cit.
Good my Lord speak for us.
Capt.
You doe not know my Lords, but a little suffering
May save their souls, and teach 'em, if they come
Off, with a quarter of their limbs, compassion
To other Men, that venter their lives for 'em,
Their consciences are tough, and must be suppled,
When they shall fast, and march ten months in armor,
Sometimes through Rivers, sometimes over Mountains,
And not have straw at Night, to keep their Breech
From growing to the Earth, in storms, in heats;
When they have felt the softness of a trench
Thigh deep in water, and their dung to fatten it;
When they shall see no meat within a month,
But chaw their Match like Liquorish, and digest
The Bark of trees like Sallads in the Summer;
When they shall live to think theres no such thing
In Nature as a thirst, and wonder why
A Taylor was created; when they have
As much in ready shot, within their flesh,
As would set up a Plummer, or repair
A Church with Lead, beside ten thousand more
Afflictions, which they are sure to find,
They may have Christianitie, and not put
A Souldier to the payment of his debts.
Rod.
'Tis a Mad Captain, come my Lord lets leave him.
Ex. Lords.
Capt.
You shall have time and place to send for mony,
Or make your Wils; set on, who knows but you
Hereafter may be honest, and prove Captains;
You may have preferment in the Wars for money,
And so my Gentle Creditors, march on.
Exeunt.
| The Doubtfull Heir | |