University of Virginia Library

SCENA III.

Enter Ld Strange, Mrs. Stanly.
Mrs. Stanly.
Nephew, your hasty Courage I must chide;
[Ld Strange holds a letter open in his hand.
This letter now must all your Actions guide.

Strange.
Delays encrease the Hazard, we would shun:
By swift Dispatch our Danger we out-run.

Mrs. Stanly.
Hasty Beginnings halt before they end.

Strange.
But does the Princess know, what we intend?

Mrs. Stanly.
Should I this Enterprise to her disclose,
She might in Honour Scruples interpose.

Strange.
Must she be sav'd against her own Consent,
Lest, knowing it, she should the means prevent?

Mrs. Stanly.
But to conceal it, is the safest way.
Think, how her Person you may best convey;
Whilst I the Abbess speedily prepare,
To take the Kingdom's Pledge into her Care.
And, pray, be watchful lest the searching Eye
Of Catesby should our Enterprise descry.
The Captain, whom my Brother sent, you must
With all the Conduct of this Bus'ness trust.

Strange.
With you the dull, and slow are only Wise;
The Phlegme of so much Caution I despise.

Mrs. Stan.
Your own distemper'd Heat does judge him Cold;
For you are more too Young, then he too Old.

[Enter Captain.
Cap.
My Lord, the Armies are engag'd; and now
You may your Ardour in your Actions shew.
Whilst Stanly's Name does in the Field afford
Originals to lengthen Fames Record,
Your growing Valour here in narrower space
May living Copies of their Glory trace.

Strange.
Captain, you have restor'd my Libertie;
And now my Freedom shall the Princess free.

Mrs. Stanly.
May thy brave Courage with success be blest;
Whilst I prepare to lodge our Royal Guest.

[Exeunt several ways.