University of Virginia Library

ACT. II.

SCE. I.

Alarums as at the Sack of a Town: Shouts within—Enter Sebastus as in a fright.
Seb.
Undon, undon:—That ever Man should be
Lost e're he dream't it—Whither shall I run
To hide my self? Shout.
—Hark—They've won the City.

Enter Alexius and Anna.
Alex.
What sudden noyse is this?—

Seb.
I' cannot tell.

Anna.
Who should tell then?—

Seb,
They say Andronicus
Has landed 30000 Horse and Foot.
And is now storming of the City.

Anna.
One would have thought you should have lookt to this:

Seb.
Who would imagin Banishment a place
To raise an Army? Or suspect the Fleet?

Alex.
No doubt but he's well backt by some at home:

Anna.
Too true I fear me:

Seb.
Wil't please your Majesty to get away,
E're't be too late?—

Alez.
No—I have done no wrong,
Unless to wear a Crown may be call'd such.

Seb.
You will do well enough, who ever suffer.
(To Anna
Pray think on me:

Anna.
Yes—I'll remember you,
And if my word will do't—

Seb.
Do't without doubt.

Anna.
I'll have thee hang'd:—Thou coward—Take thy Sword,
And if thou canst not find a man, that loves thee
So well, as to dye by thy side; yet go,
And thrust thy self amid's thy thickest foes;
It may deceive the world; thy life's not worth
His pains, that takes it from thee.—

Alarum—Shouts.
Seb.
Hark! again!
The Palace is beset—I've but one shift,
And if that fail me then good night to all.

Enter Andronicus as giving order to some within
And.
See that the Soldiers make no outrages
Upon the Palace; there are Frankes enough
Within the City, and good pillage too:
Set your guards round; besure no great ones scape;
And if you take Sebastus, bore his eyes out;
But see—The Emperor—I must to him—Heaven
(Goes up to him, and kneels and kisseth his feet)
Preserve your Majesty, and confound your foes.

Alex.
Cousin you're well return'd; and might have been
As welcome with fewer followers: however; rise:
Give me thy hand, and unto Heaven thy knee.

And.
Next that, unto my Prince: and do not think
He riseth
Deard Soveraign, that I intend you hurt
Although I knockt thus rudly; all my aim
Was to remove your wardship, and I've don't.
And now you're free: free, as the air you breath:
Make the experiment; and if you doubt my faith,
Bid me return to banishment—I'm gon:

An.
I know not why, But I don't like his looks.

(Aside.
Alex.
Cousin I thank you; and believe you too:
The Helm requires your help:—I cannot trust it
Into a better hand—But pray forget,
Those injuries, my Father put upon you:
I am no otherwise entitled to 'um,
Than as I am his Son.—

And.
Had they been more,
I could have past 'um all, yet never cancel'd
That double tye of loyalty, and blood:
'Twas not his fault, but my unlucky fate,
To have my love misconstru'd; Not the burthen
That greiv'd me, but the hand; not banishment,
But that 'twas caus'd by him—However let
Revenge sleep with his ashes; I will pay
All mine in service to your Majesty;
And to that end have I embark'd at present:

Alex.
Pray let me see you often:—Farewel:

(Exeunt Alex. Anna)
An.
All happiness attend your Majesties.
Yes—you shall see me; I, and feel me too
E're you're much elder—Th'ast a double crime,
First that th'art Emperor; next, that Manuel gat thee;
Curst Manuel! would thou liv'dst; I'de make the feel
The weight of my Revenge; I scorn to raze
Thy monument, or to ungrave thy dust;
I rather wish the rest of all my foes
Entomb'd as fairly—But thy Son, thy Wife,
Thy friends, or whatsoever may prop either,
I will destroy—And make this Boy to know,
They're Children, trust a reconciled foe.
Enter Philo.
How now! what news? have you dispos'd the Army
Into good quarters? Are the Lords well pleas'd?

Phil.
Yes, as success can make 'um; and the People
Call you the publick Father—Scarce a house
Without its bon-fire:—

An.
Then the ground-work's laid:
But prithee tell me (for I must acknowledge
Thy management) how gat you this odd rabble?
Their tempers are more different than their faces:
'Twould puzle the Devil to suit 'um into pairs.

Phil.
Oh Sir! I've t'ane more shapes than Proteus knew:
Been every thing, to every man; divided,
And subdivided 'um again: most men
Have their blind sides; But these, are blind on both.

An.
But how didst pick 'um out?—

Phil.
He that will make
Ought of the husband must begin with th'wife:
I've dealt 'twixt bark and tree, Turn'd Confessor,
And now and then held forth; Talkt of ingoings,
And of outgoings, So thin and body less,
That I was forc'd t'assign six or seven marks,
To know it by, Twelve consequent effects,
Nineteen perswasions; Besides, waies to get it,
Innumerable.—

An.
You are merry Philo!
I fain would give my self the loose—Proceed.

Phil.
And since your highness gives me leave, I shall
Set out my Cattle.—
I've one (but he's a scabbed sheep) a Taylor;
And he's been studying these twenty years
A Querpo cut of Government: I told him
Twas special good, and must be well receiv'd:
Another, A Philosopher by fire,
And he has broke his brains to find the powder,
To clense Houses-of-office without stinking;
And him, I have possest 'tis the first step
To the Philosophers stone; too great a thing
For any private man; however he
Should (as the first Inventor) have the Patent;
T'other a one-ey'd Cobler; Him I humour'd
As a fit instrument to stitch a hole
Ith Common Wealth; when in a trice he threw
His wax to th'Devil, and his Awl to's Dam:
T'other a Meal-man; And he was for sifting
The flower of pure doctrine, from the bran
Of superstition; which his neighbour Baker,
Like't well, and cry'd, he'd leave the Leaven out:
There's scarce a trade of which I have not one;
And to keep all together, I've a smal Levite;
He does so tew the Pope; That man of sin,
The Whore of Babylon; and when he takes a run
'Gainst sence, and Antichrist, the Clock can't stop him.

An.
'Tis such a rope of sand! Howe're they have
Done their work well enough.—

Phil.
And are apt matter
Ready dispos'd for what you'd have 'um next.

And.
But what was he that skuttled by my side
As I came in: He went as if his head
Would run away with's shoulders?—

Phil.
Can you blame
A Bowl to wabble that hath lost its bias?
He's been an old State-martyr.—

And.
I remember him;
He was a Scribler in the old Emperor's daies.

Phil.
And has done special service for your Highness;
Not that he loves you more than him, but hates
Whatever's uppermost.—

And.
Then 'twere best hang him,
To please the people.—

Phil.
You may do what you will,
'Tis but a halter lost.—

And.
But what was he
(Don't you remember him) that led the Van,
And storm'd the Cittadell? I saw it all:
Thrice he came on, and thrice beat back again;
But (as a happy Omen to my cause)
Brought off th'Emperial Eagle in his hand;
Rally'd his men upon the spot again,
Mounted the walls afresh, and leapt among 'um:
And as you've seen a flock of sheep, when one
Breaks through the hedge, the rest streight follow him:
So here; his Soldiers, as asham'd to see
One single man give battel to the Empire,
Leapt after him, and (while you'd say, what's this?)
Carry'd the place—Canst tell me what he was?

Phil.
Yes, he's a Gentleman of noble blood;
And if your Highness please to ratifie
What I have done, the Regiment is his.

And.
With all my heart, and thank him too—Where is he?

Phil.
Here in the Palace Sir.—

And.
Go fetch him to me.

Phil.
I shall:—
Exit Philo.

And.
This single soul is worth two Empires:
Just such another had my Manuel been,
But that he fell too soon:—For all the rest,
How I could hate 'um?—What's the best of men?
That he must be beholding to such slaves:
But, it must be—I have a greater work
For 'um to do; over their shoulders, I
Must climb th'Emperial Throne; No matter how:
He that attempts a wickedness, must lay
Thorough a greater wickedness his way:
Sin, sin must hide; Thus Architects do roul
Stone, upon stone, and so cement the whole:
I have my Agents, that shall buz the people,
How fit it is Alexius youth should have
One that may help, and share in Government;
And whom more fit than I, whom every mouth
Terms the preserver of their liberty:
Nor shall they want rewards—Tush, 'tis but lent;
I can as easie pluck it back, as squeeze
A sponge that's full: One need not far to find
A staff to beat a dog; nor circumstance,
To make him guilty, that's before foredoom'd;
Thus when they've done I'll throw the rod i'th' fire;
And break the ladder when 't 'as rais'd me higher;
Enter Philo conducting Manuel.
Now thou hast brought me something—How he looks!
As he would shake the world—you're welcome Sir:
I have sent for you, first to acknowledge, next,
To thank your valour:—

Man.
'Twas my duty Sir.

And.
Call't what you will, I do assure you thus
I cherish it—And now, to let you know
hugs him.
How I can value vertue where I find it;
I ratifie whatever Philo promis'd:
I've a strange curdling in my blood; what ails me?

(aside)
Man.
I thank your Highness.—

Phil.
So do I; you never
Could have bestow'd it better.—

(Philo plucks off Manuels disguise)
And.
Hah! what's this?
Some Devil has assum'd my Manuel's shape,
To vex my soul—But I shall conjure him,
(draws)
And blow this thickned cloud to Air agen.

(Man. kneels)
Man.
Your blessing Royal Sir—forbear a while:
I am your Son, your Manuel; not slain
As was supposed.—

And.
Stand up and let me feel thee:
(And. feels him)
'Tis flesh, and warm—And now, I own thee too:
Welcome my Manuel to thy Father, welcome:
Let me embrace my Son—Me thinks I'm young,
And have snatcht forty years from time; my blood
Beats high, and strong again—But prithee tell me;
Twenty at least have sworn they saw thee fall,
But (like thy self) opprest, not overcome.

Man.
How 'twas I fell I know not, but next day
A Country man searching to find his Son
Among the dead, found me (almost one wound)
But yet not breathless, and in charity
Convey'd me to his house, and us'd me so,
As he had known whom 'twas he entertain'd;
And that I am (next Heaven) I ow't to him.

And.
Philo, take care 2000 Crowns be sent him;
And my faith too, to his next wish:
He was an honest man;

Phil.
It shall be done my Lord.—

And.
Come Manuel;
I'me but too happy now:—Some little mischief
To turn this Tide; Lest swelling up, it tear
Its banks, & drown, what it but thought to chear.

Exeunt.

SCE. II.

Enter Mamalus Solus.
Mam.
Unhappie Greece; or more unhappie me,
That live to see this day; How is thy sword
Turn'd on thy self? and thine old foe invited
Unto the Funeral of thy liberty?
Pray Heaven my Augury prove false; but yet
Me thinks I see a cloud hang o're thy head,
And I'm afraid, will break too soon—That State
Is past its Zenith, that ne're learns to do,
But by undoing; and that ne're sees order,
But where disorder shews it; some curst star
Has fir'd the people, and our seditious Peers,
Bring fuel to't; if one should ask 'um now
What they would have? not one of um can tell;
But praise those times of old, they only hear'd of;
And damn the present; though they neither know,
What's the disease, nor yet the remedy;
And now, Andronicus is the great Idoll,
The Father of his Country, and what not?
A man may safer speak 'gainst Heaven, than him;
Him, whom last year they curst, and ten to one
Will do't agen before the next be past:
Nor will he lose his time, he knows they're clay,
And may be moulded to what shape he pleases:
The people is a skittish beast, and must
Be smooth'd, and stroak'd, till he get into th'saddle:
He's at it now; but if he once get there,
(Which Heaven forbid) they'l find both switch and spur:
His age, has more of fire, than Phaethon's youth;
He knows no mean; but as his soul is large,
So is his courage; Think, and act, to him
Are the same things, only remov'd in time;
He's not like others; He was born to rule
Within an empty sphear, for such he'll make it;
And Christen that solitude, with the name of Peace;
Enter Conto leading Maria: Constantinus, Ducas, Lapardus.
Other, they're like t'ave none;—But see! my friends
That brought him in; 'My life they rue it first.

Omnes.
Mamalus!—well met;

Mam.
Your Lordships; servant.

They salute.
Mar.
And now my Lords will you believe me next?
Is not Andronicus the same I promist?

Const.
Yes troth he is; And praise can add as little
Unto him, as detraction take from him.

Conto.
But yet it does no hurt to talk a little;
One may observe, more than another does:
It did me good to see how he receiv'd us;
Mannag'd the storm, and when that brush was over,
How he embrac't us with the same even temper,
As though he had not been concern'd at all:
Certain he must be wise;—

Map.
His long experience
Must doe't, if yet, it had not found him so.

Du.
And for his Valor, ask the meanest Soldier,
And he will swear, it was his great example
Put courage in 'um all; and like the soul,
Did actuate the whole, and every part.

Conto.
Most strangely liberal—Has giv'n the Fleet
Ten thousand Crowns, besides what other presents
Has made to th'Officers—What pitty 'tis
The Empire lost so brave a man so long;
Or since it has him now, age creeps upon him.

Mar
The greater is his glory: Had he been young,
It had not been so much; though yet he has
Out stript what ever I or heard, or read:
I'll vie his Autumn, with the pride of springs.

Const.
But hark you Gentlemen; you do'nt consider
How much work's yet to do—The Councel waits us:
Will't please your Highness walk?—

Mar.
Lead on my Lord;
The Duke, and I will follow.

Exeunt Const. Conto. Maria.
Manent Lepardas du. Mamalus.
Lap.
Now my good friend
That are so costive of your faith!—How think you?
Is not Andronicus a Gallant person?

Mam.
You know I told it you, and only doubted
How long 'twas possible to keep him so;
Then are you safe, and only then, when 'tis not
Within his power, to hurt you if he would:
I hope you've ty'd him up by hand and seal,
Though you have done no more;—

Lap.
It needed not;
We have his Honor, and his Oath engag'd:

Mam.
To what?—

Du.
Wee'll tell you that, another time;

Mam.
How willingly these Lords would cheat themselves!

Aside
Lap.
Me thought you said he was ambitious,
But I'll be sworn he is the humblest man,
I ever met with.—

Mam.
And that may be pride
For ought we know—Who was the prouder pray
Diogenes, that spurn'd at every thing,
Or Alexander, that sute out at nothing?
'Tis dangerous; There is a rule in Ethicks,
That pride, which riseth from humility,
Is hardest cur'd; because the vice is grounded
Upon the vertue, and the sin, built on
That, that should be the cure.—

Lap.
What should one talk
To make an infidel a Proselite:
Farewel.—

Du.
—Farewel.—

Mam.
My noble Lords your servant.

(Exeunt: by several waies)

SCE. III.

Enter Andronicus, and Philo.
And.
But did they relish it?—

Phil.
'Twas not dislikt,
Nor much approv'd: But yet they drank your health,
And swore you were the best, and bravest Prince
That Greece e're bred;—I only threw it out
As 'twere by chance, then catcht it back again
To make 'um follow it;—What in the Lump
Would fright, by piece-meal giv'n, goes easy down.

And.
It was discreetly mannag'd; you must ply 'um,
For fear it cool.—

Phil.
I warrant you 'tis don:
The women are all agogge; they would fain see
Another shew; Besides, I've promist 'um,
One's husband shall be this, and t'others that:
Let it ferment a while, 'twill do it self.

And.
I like it well, leave me; and tell Basilius
And Stephanus, that I expect 'um hear;

Exit Philo
An.
What's the best workman without tools? I think
I am fitted pretty well; The Fleet mine own,
In spight of Conto; and the fool dreams it not:
The City sure upon Basilius's score;
The guards on Stephanus account; The Army,
Upon my own: He that can lose this game,
(By my consent) should never play another:
And why should I suspect my fortune then?
Who courts her, loses her; she is a whore,
And must be ruffled; so will I; she never
Coy'd it to him, that boldly offer'd at her:
I'll forward then; But as men get up stairs;
Step, after Step; 'tis somewhat long, but sure;
He that will get thorough a croud, he must
First wedge an elbow, then a shoulder in,
And press on still, till the whole body follow;
I must court every thing, submit to all;
Tye up my self; yet what of that? A Lion,
Is still a Lion, though his claws be par'd?
They'll grow again; he that doth otherwise,
Falls foul of that odd solecism of power,
To will the end, yet not the means endure.
Wellcome my friends, for that, & nothing else
Enter to him Bas. & Steph.
Must be the name hereafter: 'Tis we three
Must make a new Triumvirate, and share
Greece, and her glory; and throw in the world,
As over weight;—What is't you may not have
As cheap, as aske? But give your selves the trouble
To wish, and 'tis your own—Is it estate?
The Empire, and her wealth, lye at your feet;
Is it command? the Provinces are yours:
Is it revenge? mark out your head, and have it;
Would you a beauty? 'twill be offer'd you;
Wives, by their Husband; Daughters, by their Mothers:
And to compleat all this, would you have honour?
I am your servant; only mind your selves;
What say' my noble friends?—

Ste.
'Tis seal'd, and done:
Nor shall the fate, or fortune of the Empire
Stave it off longer.—

Bas.
I have giv'n my hand;
Nor would I pluck it back, to save my head;
Nay, though the Universe depended on't:

And.
Spoke like your selves my friends (hugs 'um)
Thus men resolve:
Nothing remains, but that we deal like friends;
That's free, and plainly.—Have you discours'd the thing
Unto your Cousin Basilius? what saies he?

Bas.
Yes;—and 'twill do:—But heere's a Gentleman
Will scarce believ't.—

And.
And why my Stephanus?

Ste.
Pox othese holy cheats—He hum'd, and haw'd;
Told me a sleeveless story; could not tell
What God might suffer; and I know not what,
Of dispensations, and providence;
Pleaded his holy function; but at last,
Promis'd neutrality, and secrecy:

And.
Oh! then he's sure enough.—

Bas.
My life for yours,
Do you but make it Law, he'll make it Gospel:

Ste.
Nay, there's no doubt, he can:—

Bas.
Trust me for him,
The thing is now a brewing; But great designs,
Are like great wheels, if once they move too fast,
'Tis odds, they fire themselves;—Besides, the people,
Must not be rid too hard; They travel best
When they play with the bit i' their mouths; if once they get it
Between their teeth, 'Twill try your horsemanship:
A man must deal with them, as we break horses,
Shew 'um the saddle first; then let 'um smel't;
Lay it i'th' manger, set it on their backs;
Your foot i'th' stirrop; let 'um feell your weight,
Once, and agen; and as you find 'um coming,
Fall gently into th'saddle; off again;
And use 'um thus but half a dozen times,
They'll take the rest themselves.—

And.
He's in the right;
And I had former thoughts, whether were best
For my design, the People, or the Nobles;
But have resolv'd upon the first: They're won
With half the do, and easier kept; engage 'um
Though never so implicitly, they drive
Furiously on; They're like a Conjurers Devil,
Find 'um but work enough, you need not fear 'um,
Without it, 'ware your self;—Our first work then
Is to divide 'um, and to keep 'um so,
Till we be safe our selves; We must have parties,
And Antiparties; Factions, and Antifactions;
Untill they break to nothing; then you'll have 'um
Be glad of any thing: dis-tune a Viol,
And you may set it to what Tone you please.

Ste.
But is't not requisite your Highness were
Of every of 'um? at least underhand;
One would not think what an endearment 'tis
When they believe that he that has the power,
Is theirs, and singly theirs; it girds 'um to you:

And.
What saies Basilius?—

Bas.
Extreamly good,
Nay, necessary; if the people are mad,
He's madder far, that will not be mad with 'um;
What should a sober man in drunken company
But have his brains knockt out?—

Ste.
Besides, by this
You'll raise a dust before the grand design;
'Tis hard to see the bayt in troubled waters:

And.
Now you're my friends I'm sure; I see you love me,
You've advis'd so true and honestly:

(hugs 'um)
Bas.
On my Lord, and trust me for, the City:

Ste.
And for the Guards, my self—I'm sure I can
Form 'um to any thing; nor are they mine,
But to your Highness service.—

And.
My best friends;
Agen.
Let's heep this knot inviolable; And however
Our present actions may seem flat, and dull,
They'll credit us when they are seen at full.

SCE. IV.

Enter Philo and 4 Cittizens drunk.
Phil.
Troth we were merry—Is not this better then
Small Beer and Homilies?

1. Cit.
Yes—but methinks
I cannot find my feet.—

2. Cit.
Nor I my head,
But by the noise in't—Now were I a Schollar
Would I confute Philosophy and prove
The world went round.—

3. Cit.
Faith neighbour at this time
I could say somewhat to that point.—

4. Cit.
If so,
It had been roasted to a coal e're now.

Phil.
Or raw, or roasted, what is that to us?

1. Cit.
I, let it round until the spit do crack:
Give me more drink (knocks)
Sirrah, boy, rogue, more drink;

Enter drawer.
Draw.
Anon, Anon Sir:
Speak in the Mitre Christopher—What lack you Gent?

2. Cit.
Some drink you rogue—some drink—And d'you here me?
The best i'the Cellar—We trouble you but seldom.

Draw.
Please you to walk up Gentlemen?

3. Cit.
No we'll take it here.

Draw.
I wait upon you presently Gentlemen.

4. Cit.
I've drunk enough, but I'll be rul'd: whoop Ambrose.
What all-a-mort.—

Claps him on the shoulder.
2. Cit.
I am not satisfy'd,
But as a man would say—how do you?—and so forth.

Phil.
Why what's the matter man? Art thou that Greek
That knockst men under board by scoars, and cry'st
Have y'any more that must be drunkify'd—
Enter Drawer and fils.
Sit out your hand, or hang you—here's this to you.

4. Cit.
I know what troubles him; The Court is broke,
And most of 'um lye leiger in his book:

Phil.
'Tis not all lost; 'twill serve at last for wast paper;
If that be all, give him his drink—filt up.

2. Cit.
What was't—

Phil.
Andronicus his health—

2. Cit.
Away with't.

Leaves some.
Phil.
I must not bare you that—

4. Cit.
Come drink it off
He's a brave person—

2. Cit.
He's a man indeed,
He paid me honestly—Then down it goes,
If it were a mile to bottom—Here's to thee Greg:

3. Citt.
With all my heart—He! kept a Princely house:

(One might have been drunk in his Cellar with a good conscience—it cost a man nothing.)
1. Citt.
The most affable man
I never met; you could not speak to him
But he'd be bare as soon as you.—

4. Citt.
He ow'd me
Some moneys at his banishment—I was paid
And without sending for't: not many Courtiers
Have such good memories.—

3. Citt.
A few such men
Would make Tradesman live.—Bless him say I.

Phil.
So; it begins to work:
(Aside)
Enter two others drunk and singing: Ta! La! La! La! La! La!
Plague o'these fools
To them, a Fidler
They'l put it off agen.—

(Aside)
Fid.

Please you have any musick gentlement?—A dainty
fine, merry, new song—there is none but I and my boy—
Sirrah come forth! Where are you?—I have not lost
you in the crowd? have I?—

Enter a tall well set fellow
Phil.
A pretty Child—chopper.

1, 2, 3, Citt.
I, I, Strike up; strike up

4, 5, 6. Citt.
Scrape rogues, scrape.—

They play
3. Citt.
But shan't we have a song too?

Omnes.
I, I, I, I, I.

Fid.
A merry drinking song and't like your worships?

Omnes.
I, I, I.

he sings—Fill—Fill up &
[Fid.]

1. Citt.
How now Brother—whence came you?—

6. Citt.
Even from where it was—or as a man may say,
The more the merryer—we have been drinking
The best man's health in Europe.—

3. Citt.
Then here's to you
The second best.—

6. Citt.
Who's that?

3. Citt.
Andronicus.

6. Citt.
Twas his I meant.—

5. Citt.
We cannot hav't too oft.

6. Citt.
Come then, away with't.—

(They drink round
Phil.
Now's my only time.
(Aside)
What say you Gentlemen? you all confess
He is a Noble Person.—

Omnes.
As ever liv'd.

1. Citt.
Wise.

3. Citt.
Bounteous.

4. Citt.
Valiant.

2. Citt.
Every thing

5. Citt.
And deserves every thing

6. Citt.
And would he had every thing.

Phil.
Why so; I see
You're understanding men; and may be trusted:
Look over this.—

(He gives them u long roll.)
4. Citt.
Here are a thousand hands.—

Phil.
Yes, ten at least:
I'me sure't'as cost my Lord and me 5 daies
(Aside.)
To scrible their ugly Fists:

2. Cit.
Let's see what is't?

1. Cit.
(Reads)

The humble Petition and Address of
the Citizens and Inhabitants of Constantinople—Sheweth,
&c. Hang't—Give me a pen—I had rather set
my hand to't unsight and unseen, than to trouble my
head to read it over—

Subscribes.
4. Cit.
Sure there can be no hurt in't; there are so many hands to't:

Ph.
You may be sure of that—

3. Cit.
What is it then?

Phil.
Why—you congratulate his safe return,
And pray him he would assist the Emperor;
Alas good Prince, he'll have a heavy trouble of't.

5. Cit.
Assist: hum! That is as much as to say, Assist—or so—

6. Cit.
—I, neighbour I, 'tis plain.

5. Cit.

Not so plain as you make it neither—Give
me the pen—I cannot write; but I can make
a G for John.

3. Cit.

And I a K for Christopher:

6. Cit.

I cannot read, but I can write—when I have
written it, any one may read it.—

(They all subscribe)
(9 others pass the Stage)
2. Cit.
Hoop holy day! What's Hell broke loose? What are you?

Tay.
Tailors, so please you Sir.

2. Cit.
Oh—Tailors—One man set his mark for you all:

Phil.
They look like honest men—Come Gentlemen;
Subscribe, subscribe—

They all subscribe.
Enter a seventh Citizen.
7. Cit.
How now my Masters? Sheering of Hogs?
All cry, and no wooll?
What's the matter?

2. Cit.
Subscribe, subscribe,

Phil.
Nothing but set your hand to Petition:

7. Cit.

For ought I know, it may be Treason twenty
years hence—Not I beloved.

3. Cit.

Not you, why not you? will you be wiser than
the best o'th' Parish?

4. Cit.
And City too—will you?

2. Cit.
Shew him the President's hand there;

7. Citt.
Oh ho—I'm satisfy'd;

Phil.
Come, come, subscribe:

He subscribes.
2. Cit.
But hark you, how shall we get this presented?

Phil.
The President's an honest Gentleman,
And loves the City—I hope he will do't:

2. Cit.
Away—Away—Let's to him,

Omnes.
I, I, I.

Fid.
Please your Worships to remember the Musick:

5. Cit.
Musick you rogue! I'd have made better upon a Gridiron.

1. Cit.
Or I with a Key and Tongs.

2. Cit.
Hang 'um, hang 'um, we have done with 'um:

Phil.
There Sirrah:

Gives him money.
Fid.
I thank your Worship:

3. Cit.

Hold, hold, let him do somewhat for his money
before he goes—Has he subscrib'd?

4, 5, 6. Cit.

No, no, no—he has not yet; but he shall

Fid.

What your Worships please— (Subscribes)
Is
there any more?

4, 5, 6. Cit.

No, no, no, enough, enough, good Mr. Scraper.

Exeunt reeling.