University of Virginia Library

The third Scene

Enter Zorates, Selucious, and Admiral.
Zorates.
We must by all means, quickly out of hand,
Seize on the strongest places of the Land.
Which that we may perform, and better do,
We must declare, and to the people shew,
That the Militia, to us does belong:
And that without our care, they can't be strong,
Nor yet secure, so much as for an how'r,
From any forreign, or Domestique pow'r.
Then put in such, in whom we may confide,
Whose zeal unto the Kingdom has been try'd:
And thrust out those, whom justly we suspect,
The common good at all, not to affect.

Admir.
Upon my word, the matter you propose,
Is not so easly done, as you suppose.
You'le find a harder business, without doubt,
Then you conceive, to compass it about.
You must so many persons discontent,
Displacing them, without the Kings consent:
That if you had no other rub alone,
'Twoo'd hinder your design from going on.

Selu.
If that be all, we have not lost our hold,
So long as we can compass, store of gold.
That joyn'd with a pretence, that's somewhat fair,
Will tempt the vulgar, any thing to dare.

Admir.
That is 'tis true, the life and soul of war;
But with our King, to wage it be it far
From us, who are his Subjects, not his foes,
And are oblig'd, to purchase his repose.
There may no doubt, a better way be found,
To heal the Kingdom, and make all things sound,
Then by so rude a course, to let it blood,
If that the manner how, we understood.

Zor.
But since the King, refuses our request,
Which tendeth only, to his Royal rest;
What other course, can we conceive to take,
If not by force, his Majesty to make?

Admir.
Intreat him twice, or thrice, and if that then
He will not grant, beseech him thrice agen.
A Subject, ought to have no other sword,
To force his Prince, then a submissive word.
If that will not prevail, we ought to have
Recourse to Heaven, and his assistance crave
To sweeten him, and mollifie his heart,
It not belonging, justly to our part.

Selu.
It by your favour, does belong to those
Which steer the State, to punish all its foes.
Now if that he, to save them will pretend,
We do not ill, our selves for to defend.

Admir.
Do so, but not with his own weapons then,
Nor so, as misbecomes discreet States-men.

Zor.
What weapons else, have we except the Law,
Which he esteems, no more then a Jack Daw,
Because the Cardinal, instructs him still,
That he shoo'd rule, according to his will:
And know no other Law, but what he makes,
When, and so often, as his fancy takes.
VVhom from his ear, we must and will remove,
Though to the Kingdom, it shall fatal prove.
You know it well enough, if you'd but speak,
And us assist, them of their wills to break:
As it does aptly, in your power fall
To ald us now, as you are Admiral.

Admir.
Are you my Lord in earnest, or in jest?
So strange I vow to me, seems your request!

Zor.
My Lord I am in earnest; 'twere a crime,
In jesting now, to spend away the time.

Admir.
No, no, I'le not consent, to such a thing,
VVhen namely so to do, you'de make me King.
VVere he a Tyrant, or a Prince unjust,
It were no argument, to break my trust.
Heaven on conditions, gave him not to me,
Unless it were for me, 't obedient be.
VVherefore I'le faithful be; be what he will,
He is my King, and I his Subject still.
A tye so close, and strong, that one cannot
Undo it well, except he breaks the knot.

Selu.
'Tis not to break it, for the Kingdoms good,
'Tis to preserve it, and the Subjects blood.
VVe will maintain you in a thing so just,
Into our hands, do but resign your trust.
VVhat can the King, in his own person do,
VVithout his Subjects, for to succour you?
'Tis not the name of King, that makes him strong,
That only to his people, does belong.
That Prince upon my word, is most secure,
VVhich of his Subjects love, is alwayes sure.
Think you that Heaven, plac't on his head a Crown,
For to oppress, and keep his people down?
No, no, you are deceiv'd, if you think so,
The King is to himself, the greatest foe.

Zor.
And you will be, one of his greatest friends,
If you will help, for to correct his sins.
There is no better way, to take him down,
Then let him know, who 'tis upholds his Crown.
VVithout a King, there is no question we,
May live if that we will, most happily:
So cannot he, without his Subjects live,
For it is they, which to him life do give.

Admir.
Your Doctrine is of Devils; I fear to name
The words which you have utter'd, without shame.
That I shoo'd help, for to correct the King,
VVere he the worst, of any living thing!
Or were his Royal soul, more black then Hell,
Far be't in me, such wickedness shoo'd dwell!
Let Heaven, who sees more clearly then we do,
And with less passion, his correction shew.
To us, who cannot judge of common things,
Does not belong, the judgement of great Kings.
They shoo'd be like stars, seated in the Sky,
Far from our reach, though seeming near our eye.

Zor.
But in mean while, wee'le keep you in our reach,
And to you better doctrine, likewise teach.

Enter Guard and carry him to prison.