University of Virginia Library

SCEN. PRIMA.

Enter Ld Stanly, Sir Will. Stanly, Servant.
Ld Stanly.
O Tyrant Honour! why dost thou impose
A Law, which that of Nature overthrows?
Heaven does my Vertue too severely try,
When to save others, my own Son must dye.

Sir W. Stanly.
For common service common Minds suffice;
Heaven tryes the Great by great Extremities.
Honour's hard Tasks are only fit for you;
Who must subdue your Foes, and Nature too.

Ld Stanly.
Brother, I know the Duty, which my Blood
To Nature, and to Honour must make good:
And in their Civil War I shall not make
A long dispute, which side I ought to take:
Nor shall my Sorrows their just Bounds exceed;
I'le grieve for Nature, but for Honour bleed.

Sir W. Stan.
The same high Thoughts you to your Son transfer;
In whose green age ripe Honour does appear:
His Courage does the Tyrant's Rage defie;
All his Fear is, lest he should tamely die:
And, when he must receive the Fatal Blow,
He would his Valour, not his Patience show.

Ld Stanly.
He must no Actor, but a Sufferer be;
And quietly submit to Heaven's decree.

Sir W. Stanly.
His generous thoughts a high attempt contrive,
Which after Death may keep his Fame alive;
For he would give the World, when he must dye,
Exemplar Courage for a Legacy.

Ld Stanly.
Alas! we can expect no great Success
From his weak Age, and from his Conduct less.

Sir W. Stanly.
He has not weakly laid his great Design,
For, when the Armies shall in Battel joyn,
The Field will drain the Quarters; and then he
Hopes, that his Sword may set the Princess free:
For the remaining Guards will be intent
On their own safety and the War's Event.

L. Stanly.
That Enterprise will need a stronger Hand,
And Head, then his, to act, and give Command.

Sir W. Stanly.
I with a Party in disguise have sent
A Leader, who his rashness may prevent.

L. Stanly.
May he succeed! but Brother, now with care
We must our bus'ness in the Field prepare.

Sir W. Stanly.
Your Army I have plac'd in such a Line,
That they with either Camp may easily joyn;
And to amuse the Tyrant, from that side,
Where Richmond lyes, strong Trenches both divide.

L. Stanly.
'Tis well design'd: For, if we should declare
By early Deeds, what our Intentions are,
Before the Fight to Heat, and Tumult grows,
We rashly should our dearest Pledges lose.

Sir W. Stan.
This is most true.

L. Stan.
When we engage, your Wing
Must to our Richmond timely Succour bring.

Sir Wil. Stan.
The Tyrant's Batteries are all pointed there.

L. Stanly.
And I will charge brave Norfolk in the Reer.

Sir Wil. Stanly.
I shall your Orders punctually obey.

L. Stan.
Our Army wants our presence; let's away.
[Ex. L. Stan.

S. W. Stan.
Where are those Arms?

Ser.
Here Sir.

S. W. Stan.
without delay
Those to my Tent, this to young Strange convey.
Delivers a Letter.
Ex. Ser.
Richmond! In happy Love thou conquer'st me,
But I in Glory will out-rival thee:
Drest in thy Shape I will thy Mistress woo;
And, whilst I court thy danger, court her too.
Strange Charm of Love! Must I my Life employ
For him, who does my Happiness destroy?
I only am unjust, Poor Strange! to thee;
For all thy Danger should belong to me:
And yet a nobler Cause cannot engage
Thy blooming Valour at thy tender Age.
He is most happy, who her Love obtains,
But he, who dyes for her, more Glory gains.
[Exit Sir W. Stan.