University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The Bishop, Nuntio, and several other Priests.
Bish.
Since, Brethren, Friends, and Fellow-Sufferers all,
With one consenting Heart of general Woe
You feel the Church's Ruin, and your own;
Here we assemble, that each loyal Son,
Each daring Pastor of our sinking Faith
May give his well-known Grievances full Vent.
Nor is it fitting we assemble here
For the poor Comfort only to complain,
To sigh like Doves one heartless mournful Note,
But to consult how we may mourn no more,
And turn our present Injuries on those,
Who smile to see the Day so near their own.

Nunt.
Ay, Sirs, in a Convention form'd like this,
Compos'd of righteous enterprizing Spirits,
Ecclesiastick Souls, and Sons of Rome,
What Resolutions may we not expect,
Worthy ourselves, and worthy of our Cause?
Why, what a paultry Figure would it make,
When told in Times to come, to our disgrace,
That a Cabal of Priests, a Set of Men
From every other People fam'd the first
For sure Revenge, and Steddiness of Counsels;
Now when a tottering Church, a slighted Power,
And all that can inflame a Priestly Breast,
Summons the lazy Genius on its guard,
And thunders Vengeance to the deafen'd Ear,
With Tears debated, and with Fears resolv'd?
If you shed Tears, let them be happy Omens
Of all the Tears of Blood our Foes shall weep.

1 Priest.
No, Reverend Father, here are none but dare,
As far as Hope can wish, or Thought can form,
To second their Complaints with Hearts of Vengeance.
Propose the glorious Means, and curs'd be he,
Ten thousand Church-Anathema's his Doom,
Who shrinks from leaguing in the pious Scheme.

Nunt.
Then hear, ye honest true-born Sons of Rome,
Hear, and applaud this Dawning of Success,
With what industrious Zeal I have advanc'd
The Means for our Deliverance: Since I here
Resided Nuntio from the Holy See,
It chanc'd one day, that I remark'd a Youth
Walking demurely with a sullen Port,
A downcast lowring discontented Brow,
And dark with every Feature of Despair,
Angry at all; and mutt'ring to himself;
Him with a willing Heart I entertain'd,
Judg'd him a proper Instrument to form
For any desperate Enterprize in view,
And better than my Hopes, I find him out
To be State-mad, Religiously sick:
All of you know how well we may improve
The Lees of Education settled thus,
And work our Wills upon the Bigot Youth.

Bish.
Well have you chose, this is indeed a Tool
Worthy the subtle Statesman's nicest Care;
Where he may push the Danger from himself,
And act his Mischiefs by a second Hand:
This is an Engine for our present Work,
Looks it not, Brothers, with a lucky Face?
Did not this Henry's Predecessor fall
By the sharp Malice of a Friar's Hand,
A hot-brain'd Boy, that itch'd to live in Fame?
Why may not this, upon our present Scourge,
That Fosterer of Hereticks, and Source
Of all our Church's Grievance, act again
The Friar's part, and strike a second Blow.

All Priests.
There spoke the Heart and Purpose of us all.

Nunt.
I will produce him then: i'th' outward Room,
By my Appointment, he attends our Call;
I'll fetch him in: Break to him your Intent,
I'll answer on my Life for the Success.
[Exit Nuntio.

Bish.
If he comes up to his Description full,
We need but spur the young Enthusiast on,
With Views of Fame, and Promises of Heaven,
And he engages firm without a Pause.

The Nuntio returns with Ravilliac.
Nunt.
Come forth, Ravilliac, if thou still maintain'st
A Soul that labours with the Nation's Groans,
That feels with a Religious Christian Ire
Each sad Infringement on our Church's Right:
Hast thou a Heart of Vengeance, as prepar'd
To act as to complain, to dare as talk,
To this Assembly make the Motion out.

Ravil.
Yes, Holy Chiefs of our afflicted Church,
Young as I seem, these Years have I with Care
Employ'd in Politicks mysterious School,
Remark'd each Maxim, Turn, and Tide of State,
With deep Reflection, and a curious Eye,
The Publick Weal my own: then think not now
My Soul a Stranger to our present Griefs;
Fathers, it burns as hot as any here.
Indignant I behold a graceless King
Pervert the great Commission that he holds,
And countenance the Vice he should erase;
Whilst by Connivance from the Throne itself,
Fierce as an Inundation Schism pours in,
And overthrows our pure Establish'd Faith.

Nunt.
Then think, brave Catholick, true Christian Youth,
Our Country's Honour, and our Church's Pride,
How many pious Blessings wait the Hand
That shall attempt the Remedy, and free
By one auspicious Blow the suffering Land.

Ravil.
I take the glorious Hint, that part be mine:
Yes, with a niggard Breast I to myself
Engross the great Atchievement, and the Praise.

Bish.
A Praise refin'd, exalted, and divine,
Beyond th'Ambition of a common Toil;
Such Praise as Martyrs reap, or Saints attain,
Shall crown the holy meritorious Deed.
Be speedy and resolv'd, nor doubt th'Event;
Our Church shall mark thee in the sacred List
Of her best Champions, and her foremost Sons.
Who would not venture on this glorious Push,
Life but the Hazard, and the Purchase Heaven?
One Act like this atones an Age of Sins.
Be secret, to absolve thee be our Care:
What may be Murder deem'd from other Hands,
In us our Function sanctifies as Justice.

Ravil.
Conclude it done; I am as firmly fix'd
As Oath could bind, or Conscience can engage;
Let Time and Opportunity present,
With a sure Hand I'll make my Contract good,
And give our Church new Life from Henry's Blood.

[Exeunt.