The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 127

_2 Pren._ A Man looks but scurvily with his Neck awry.

_3 Pren._ Ay, ay, we'll home.

_Capt._ Why, now you shew what precious Men you are-- the King wou'd be finely hop'd up with such Rascals, that for fear of a little hanging would desert his Cause; a Pox upon you all, I here discharge ye-- --Take back your Coward Hands and give me Hearts.

[Flings 'em a Scroll.

I scorn to fight with such mean-spirited Rogues; I did but try your boasted Courages.

_Lov._ Brave Boy.

_Lov._ and _Free._ We'll die with thee, Captain--

_All._ Oh, n.o.ble Captain, we recant--

_1 Pren._ We recant, dear Captain, we'll die, one and all.

_All._ One and all, one and all.

_Capt._ Why, so there's some trusting to you now.

_3 Pren._ But is there such a Proclamation, Captain?

_Capt._ There is; but anon, when the Crop-ear'd Sheriff begins to read it, let every Man enlarge his Voice, and cry, no Proclamation, no Proclamation.

_All._ Agreed, agreed.

_Lov._ Brave n.o.ble Lads, hold still your Resolution, And when your leisure Hours will give ye leave, Drink the King's Health, here's Gold for you to do so.

_Free._ Take my Mite too, brave Lads. [Gives 'em Gold.

_All._ Hay! _Viva_ the brave Heroicks!

Enter _Ananias Gogle_.

_Ana._ Hum, what have we here, a Street-Conventicle-- or a Mutiny? Yea, verily, it is a Mutiny-- What meaneth this Appearance in hostile manner, in open Street, by Day-light?

_Capt._ Hah! one of the sanctify'd Lay Elders, one of the Fiends of the Nation, that go about like roaring Lions seeking whom they may devour.

_Lov._ Who, Mr. _Ananias_ the Padder?

_Ana._ Bear witness, Gentlemen all, he calls me Highway-man; thou shalt be hang'd for Scandal on the Brethren.

_Lov._ I'll prove what I say, Sirrah; do you not rob on the High-way i'

th' Pulpit? rob the Sisters, and preach it lawful for them to rob their Husbands; rob Men even of their Consciences and Honesty; nay rather than stand out, rob poor Wenches of their Bodkins and Thimbles?

_Ana._ I commit ye; here, Soldiers, I charge ye in the Name of-- of-- marry, I know not who, in my Name, and the good People of _England_, take 'em to safe Custody.

_Capt._ How, lay hold of honest Gentlemen! n.o.ble Cavaliers, knock him down.

_All._ Knock him down, knock him down.

_Free._ Hold, worthy Youths; the Rascal has done me Service.

_Ana._ [Pulling off his Hat to 'em all.] Ye look like Citizens, that evil Spirit is entered in unto you, oh Men of London! that ye have changed your Note, like Birds of evil Omen; that you go astray after new Lights, or rather no Lights, and commit Wh.o.r.edom with your Fathers Idols, even in the midst of the Holy City, which the Saints have prepared for the Elect, the Chosen ones.

_Capt._ Hark ye, Sirrah, leave preaching, and fall to declaring for us, or thou art mortal.

_Ana._ Nay, I say nay, I will die in my Calling-- yea, I will fall a Sacrifice to the Good Old Cause; abomination ye with a mighty Hand, and will destroy, demolish and confound your Idols, those heathenish Malignants whom you follow, even with Thunder and Lightning, even as a Field of Corn blasted by a strong Blast.

_Lov._ Knock him down!

_All._ Down with Dagon, down with him!

Enter _Hewson_ with Guards.

_Hews._ Ah, Rogues, have I caught ye napping?

[They all surround him and his Red-Coats.

_All._ Whoop Cobler, Whoop Cobler!

[The Boys, _Lov._ and _Free._ _Corp._ and Sold. beat off _Hewson_ and his Party. _Ana._ gets a Sword, and fights too.

SCENE II. _Changes to a Chamber in La. _Lambert's_ House._

Enter L. _Lam._ and _Gill._

_Gill._ I've had no time to ask your Highness how you slept to Night; but that's a needless Question.

_L. Lam._ How mean you? do you suspect my Virtue? do you believe _Loveless_ dares attempt any thing against my Honour? No, _Gilliflower_, he acted all things so like a Gentleman, that every moment takes my Heart more absolutely.

_Gill._ My Lord departed highly satisfied.

_L. Lam._ She is not worthy of Intrigues of Love, that cannot manage a silly Husband as she pleases-- but, _Gilliflower_, you forget that this is Council day.

_Gill._ No, but I do not, Madam, some important Suitors wait already.

Enter L. _Des._ and L. _Fleetwood_.

_L. Lam._ Your Servant, Madam _Desbro_, thou'rt welcome-- _Gilliflower_, are all things ready in the Council-Chamber?

We that are great must sometimes stoop to Acts, That have at least some shew of Charity; We must redress the Grievance of our People.

_L. Fleet._ She speaks as she were Queen, but I shall put a spoke in her rising Wheel of Fortune, or my Lord's Politicks fail him.

[Scene draws off, Table with Papers: Chairs round it.

_L. Lam._ Where are the Ladies of the Council?-- how remiss they are in their Attendance on us.

_L. Fleet._ Us! Heav'ns, I can scarce endure this Insolence!-- We will take care to mind 'em of their Duty--