 | The Tailors |  |
SCENE II.
An Antichamber in the Alehouse. Abrahamides and Bernardo, meeting.Abr.
Oh, faithful friend, sole partner of my councils,
Thy early industry proclaims thy heart.
Bern.
None yet arriv'd? what means this dull delay?
Abr.
'Tis yet too soon; therefore I bid thee come,
To share the troubles that disturb my breast.
Bern.
Is this a time, oh, chief, to harbour fear,
When our long-labour'd scheme is near its birth?
Abr.
Mistake me not: So cold a guest as Fear
Ne'er found admittance into this firm breast.
I fear, and doubt of others.
Bern.
Who? explain!
Abr.
Hast thou not mark'd, in all our various meetings,
Some fearful hearts, still wavering and weak?
Bern.
Whom do you mean?
Abr.
Pale Zachariades,
Envious Philippomenos, I fear;
Ralpho's cold heart; Timotheus' addle brain!
Bern.
Why do you doubt them?
Abr.
Oh, I know them well:
On the same board together oft we've work'd;
Oft have I seen them, with an abject eye,
Tremble before the tyrant master's frown,
19
Bern.
If thus you doubt, 'twere better to prevent
The ills you fear, than wait in vain their cure.
Abr.
That's my design.
Bern.
Shall I secure them, then?
Abr.
Not yet, with open force: With deeper art,
We'll make their fears the rulers of their fate.
Involv'd in guilt, they'll then have no retreat,
But must go forward. This night's hostile act
(I know Isaacos will do his duty)
Commences war; no hopes of peace remain.
Bern.
Have you yet heard from great Isaacos?
Abr.
Yes, my Bernardo, that the blow is struck:
That done, they all dispers'd, but will attend
Their several duties here. In the mean time,
Be it thy care to watch those heartless Dungs;
Inform the leaders of the Eastern climes,
Redriff, and Wapping, of our honest fears,
That when we've singled out these half-made souls,
(Should we not bring them to the paths of Honour)
Then, like a limb diseas'd, we'll lop them off!
Bern.
Bravely resolv'd, my chief.—But sure, 'tis time
That we repair to council.
Abr.
Let's go in.
[Exeunt.
| The Tailors | |