 | The Siege of Constantinople |  |
SCENE The Palace.
Enter Emperour and Chancellour discoursing.
Emp.
These doubts of theirs concerning such wild things,
That Soveraign Pow'r may do, amaze me;
Because 'tis possible we may do harm,
Will they conclude we certainly do it?
Chanc.
Your Majesty
Has had no cause to doubt their steddy Loves
To your Imperial Interest and Person.
Emp.
'Tis true, my Lord, nor can my memory
Prompt me with want of care of them or theirs:
None of my Predecessors ever were
More careful of Propriety than I;
Therefore I cannot chuse but take unkindly
Motions, like these, just on the Neck of War.
Enter Theophilus.
Theop.
Our Scouts are beaten in; the Turks Van-guard
Are easily discern'd from off the Steeples,
Which does all the Streets produce the Crys
Of Women, Children, and the heartless Crowd
That nothing but Confusion fills the Town.
Emp.
It can't be help't; my Lord, we must endure it.
These Noises fill the Streets of every place,
When they are first besieg'd; a day or two
Will quiet all their minds.
Theop.
I hope it will; but, my Lord Chancellour,
The short five moneths, since morning, makes me doubt
I have unknown unto my self been sleeping;
Or else that your Intelligence deceives you:
Or if not that, then you deceive us all.
Chanc.
Methinks, my Lord, the liberty you take,
Doth scarce become this Presence.
Theop.
Why, my Lord,
I'm sure his Majesty will pardon me,
Since 'tis my plain and honest heart that speaks;
And I must own, it was your bold affirming,
That we had full five moneths for preparation,
Which got my Vote for War. But now I fear
The Rumour's true, that you have got a Turk
To manage your Intelligence.
Chanc.
How's this?
Your Majesty, I hope, will do me Justice
Against this Calumny?
Emp.
Lord Chamberlain,
What grounds have you for this?
Theop.
Truly no more
Than half the Lords o'th' Councels just suspition;
Nay, the better half; but they perchance may err,
It is not the first time, witness the approaching Siege.
Chanc.
My Lord, you would have done more like a Friend
T'have told me of such Rumours privately.
Theop.
Good my Lord, is not this Presence private?
Who's here but's Majesty, and you, and I;
As I am a Privy Councellour I speak it.
Chanc.
Explain your self; who, and what is't you mean?
Theop.
I mean you have a Secretary call'd Michael.—
Some say he's a Turk;
Enter Michael.
And this Sir is the Man.
Chanc.
What causes this Intrusion?
Micha.
I come in haste
To give you notice all the English Ships,
And the Venetian too, are under Sail;
Except they be arrested presently,
They will get past the Forts.
Emp.
Is not the Warrant issu'd for their stay?
Chanc.
A Broad-Seal-Warrant too.
Mich.
That Sir they slight.
Emp.
They might slight Death as well.
Mich.
Sir, they pretend
The Senate says it is against the Law,
That they should be Arrested,
Chanc.
Think of that Sir;
If they resent the deed, 'tis not the stores
Of those few Ships can recompence the loss
Of their affections.
Emp.
Nor can their best Zeal
Find such another timely succour near
To draw to our supply.
Chanc.
Do as you please,
But I dare pawn my life that they'l be troubl'd?
Theop.
At their departure most, I'le warrant you;
At nothing else, my Head on't.
Emp.
But what then?
Shall I neglect my duty to the whole
For private mens resentments? Come, my Lord,
I'le see it done my self.
Ex. Emp. and Theop.
Chanc.
Michael! how is't?
Mich.
Gone Sir; beyond Redemption; both the Consuls
Were at your House but now: There I advis'd them,
With all the haste that might be, to set Sail,
Whatever Orders they shou'd see to stop them.
Chanc.
'Tis very well; then you are sure they're gone?
Mich.
My Zeal had never seem'd so earnest else.
Chanc.
That happen'd well though: 'twill clear a late suspition
That you're a Turk.—
But more of that anon—You sent the Warrant.
Mich.
Aye Sir; but gave command to him that went
To say you seal'd it much against your will:
Besides, I spread it every where abroad,
That 'twas against the Law; so none would act by't.
Chanc.
That is a certain Method to confound things;
And 'tis the way I'le take; for I perceive
I've lost some ground i'th' Emperours affections,
And now must keep my Pow'r more by the Vogue
O'th' Senate, than his love; but let's go out,
And view Thomazo's Actions in the Field;
'Tis to his Genius only mine does yield.
Exeunt.
Enter Emperour and Chancellour discoursing.
Emp.
These doubts of theirs concerning such wild things,
That Soveraign Pow'r may do, amaze me;
Because 'tis possible we may do harm,
Will they conclude we certainly do it?
Chanc.
Your Majesty
Has had no cause to doubt their steddy Loves
To your Imperial Interest and Person.
Emp.
'Tis true, my Lord, nor can my memory
Prompt me with want of care of them or theirs:
None of my Predecessors ever were
More careful of Propriety than I;
Therefore I cannot chuse but take unkindly
Motions, like these, just on the Neck of War.
Enter Theophilus.
Theop.
Our Scouts are beaten in; the Turks Van-guard
Are easily discern'd from off the Steeples,
Which does all the Streets produce the Crys
Of Women, Children, and the heartless Crowd
That nothing but Confusion fills the Town.
Emp.
It can't be help't; my Lord, we must endure it.
These Noises fill the Streets of every place,
When they are first besieg'd; a day or two
Will quiet all their minds.
Theop.
I hope it will; but, my Lord Chancellour,
The short five moneths, since morning, makes me doubt
I have unknown unto my self been sleeping;
Or else that your Intelligence deceives you:
Or if not that, then you deceive us all.
Chanc.
Methinks, my Lord, the liberty you take,
Doth scarce become this Presence.
Theop.
Why, my Lord,
22
Since 'tis my plain and honest heart that speaks;
And I must own, it was your bold affirming,
That we had full five moneths for preparation,
Which got my Vote for War. But now I fear
The Rumour's true, that you have got a Turk
To manage your Intelligence.
Chanc.
How's this?
Your Majesty, I hope, will do me Justice
Against this Calumny?
Emp.
Lord Chamberlain,
What grounds have you for this?
Theop.
Truly no more
Than half the Lords o'th' Councels just suspition;
Nay, the better half; but they perchance may err,
It is not the first time, witness the approaching Siege.
Chanc.
My Lord, you would have done more like a Friend
T'have told me of such Rumours privately.
Theop.
Good my Lord, is not this Presence private?
Who's here but's Majesty, and you, and I;
As I am a Privy Councellour I speak it.
Chanc.
Explain your self; who, and what is't you mean?
Theop.
I mean you have a Secretary call'd Michael.—
Some say he's a Turk;
Enter Michael.
And this Sir is the Man.
Chanc.
What causes this Intrusion?
Micha.
I come in haste
To give you notice all the English Ships,
And the Venetian too, are under Sail;
Except they be arrested presently,
They will get past the Forts.
Emp.
Is not the Warrant issu'd for their stay?
Chanc.
A Broad-Seal-Warrant too.
Mich.
That Sir they slight.
Emp.
They might slight Death as well.
Mich.
Sir, they pretend
The Senate says it is against the Law,
That they should be Arrested,
32
Think of that Sir;
If they resent the deed, 'tis not the stores
Of those few Ships can recompence the loss
Of their affections.
Emp.
Nor can their best Zeal
Find such another timely succour near
To draw to our supply.
Chanc.
Do as you please,
But I dare pawn my life that they'l be troubl'd?
Theop.
At their departure most, I'le warrant you;
At nothing else, my Head on't.
Emp.
But what then?
Shall I neglect my duty to the whole
For private mens resentments? Come, my Lord,
I'le see it done my self.
Ex. Emp. and Theop.
Chanc.
Michael! how is't?
Mich.
Gone Sir; beyond Redemption; both the Consuls
Were at your House but now: There I advis'd them,
With all the haste that might be, to set Sail,
Whatever Orders they shou'd see to stop them.
Chanc.
'Tis very well; then you are sure they're gone?
Mich.
My Zeal had never seem'd so earnest else.
Chanc.
That happen'd well though: 'twill clear a late suspition
That you're a Turk.—
But more of that anon—You sent the Warrant.
Mich.
Aye Sir; but gave command to him that went
To say you seal'd it much against your will:
Besides, I spread it every where abroad,
That 'twas against the Law; so none would act by't.
Chanc.
That is a certain Method to confound things;
And 'tis the way I'le take; for I perceive
I've lost some ground i'th' Emperours affections,
And now must keep my Pow'r more by the Vogue
O'th' Senate, than his love; but let's go out,
And view Thomazo's Actions in the Field;
'Tis to his Genius only mine does yield.
Exeunt.
| The Siege of Constantinople | |