University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter Mortimer and Chancellour.
Chan.
To Night will it be done?

Mort.
This Night; The Queen's gone to her Son,
Who is in Council with these Men we've mention'd;
At Dead of Night the Guards shall seize 'em,
And when they once are Pris'ners, see you take care
That nothing frees 'em but an Ax or Gibbet.

Chan.
But pray, what Evidence has your Lordship against 'em?

Mort.
Dull Wretch, have I against 'em?
Law and Religion sure are useless grown,
When Priests want Vouchers, or a Judge Informer,
Think of the management in Edmonds Tryal,
And give these Lords his Fate.

Chan.
Well, well, my Lord, their bus'ness shall be done.

Mort.
Or they'l do ours, I know their Subtleties,
They're silent setters all, and close,
Not apt to quest and give their quarry notice:
'Tis then the Net draws certain to destruction.

Chan.
But, my Lord, Judge Eitherside must be the Man,
And you must make him Chief-Justice to go through it.

Mort.
Could'st not thou do't?

Chan.

I, why I'me a Priest, besides Lord Chancellor, and Equity is
never us'd in Cases of Life and Death.

Mort.

Well, loose no time, but instantly prepare for't.

Chan.

Fear not my Diligence in dispatching an enemy, But 'twould
do well to get the Queen to pass an order under the Broad-Seal for the
speedy removing 'em to London, and let her Son be kept here till they're
dispatch'd.

Mort.

It shall be done, is there ought else?

Chan.

That's all, and I'le send up my Creatures before-hand to purchase
a Jury for 'em: As for Evidence, there are Poor Rogues in abundance,
and the larger the Bribe: the stronger the Oath; Adieu, my Lord,
I'le give you an account how my Emissarys Fadge

[Exit.
Mort.
This is a true Compound of Justice and Piety,
For one's guided by Interest, and the other by Ambition:
This fellow hopes to be the head o'th Church,
As much as I hope to be King of England,
And whilst he serves my Ends, Perferment's his:
A Crown, oh the Delightfull sound!
If Isabella Thou wouldst keep me thine,
Thy Son must wait upon thy sleeping Husband:
She's fond and Languishes; why should I doubt?
Oh Love, thy Power has Compass'd wonderous things,
Drove out, Restor'd, Destroy'd, and set up Kings.

[Exit.