The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 76

_Friend._ S'death, you lye, Sir--I do.

_Tim._ Gad zoors, Sir, lye to a Privy-Counsellor, a Major of Horse!

Brother, this is an Affront to our Dignities: draw and I'll side with you.

[They both draw on _Friendly_, the Ladies run off.

_Friend._ If I disdain to draw, 'tis not that I fear your base and cowardly Force, but for the respect I bear you as Magistrates, and so I leave you.

[Goes out.

_Tim._ An arrant Coward, gad zoors.

_Dull._ A mere Paultroon, and I scorn to drink in his Company.

[Exeunt, putting up their Swords.

SCENE III. A _Sevana_, or large Heath.

Enter _Whimsey_, _Whiff_, and _Boozer_, with some Soldiers arm'd.

_Whim._ Stand--stand--and hear the word of Command--do ye see yon Cops, and that Ditch that runs along Major _Dullman's_ Plantation?

_Booz._ We do.

_Whim._ Place your Men there, and lie flat on your Bellies, and when _Bacon_ comes, (if alone) seize him, d'ye see.

_Whiff._ Observe the Command now (if alone) for we are not for blood-shed.

_Booz._ I'll warrant you for our parts.

[Exeunt all but _Whim._ and _Whiff_.

_Whim._ Now we have ambusht our Men, let's light our Pipes, and sit down and take an encouraging dram of the Bottle.

[Pulls a Bottle of Brandy out of his Pocket--they sit.

_Whiff._ Thou art a Knave, and hast emptied half the Bottle in thy Leathern Pockets; but come, here's young _Frightall's_ Health.

_Whim._ What, wilt drink a Man's Health thou'rt going to hang?

_Whiff._ 'Tis all one for that, we'll drink his Health first, and hang him afterwards, and thou shalt pledge me, d'ye see, and though 'twere under the Gallows.

_Whim._ Thou'rt a Traitor for saying so, and I defy thee.

_Whiff._ Nay, since we are come out like loving Brothers to hang the General, let's not fall out among our selves; and so here's to you, [Drinks.] though I have no great Maw to this Business.

_Whim._ Prithee, Brother _Whiff_, do not be so villainous a Coward, for I hate a Coward.

_Whiff._ Nay, 'tis not that--but, my _Whiff_, my _Nancy_ dreamt to night she saw me hanged.

_Whim._ 'Twas a cowardly Dream, think no more on't; but as Dreams are expounded by contraries, thou shalt hang the General.

_Whiff._ Ay--but he was my Friend, and I owe him at this time a hundred Pounds of Tobacco.

_Whim._ Nay, then I am sure thou'dst hang him if he were thy Brother.

_Whiff._ But hark--I think I hear the Neighing of Horses, where shall we hide our selves? for if we stay here, we shall be mawled d.a.m.nably.

[Exeunt both behind a Bush, peeping.

Enter _Bacon_, _Fearless_, and 3 or 4 Footmen.

_Bac._ Let the Groom lead the Horses o'er the _Sevana_; we'll walk it on Foot, 'tis not a quarter of a Mile to the Town; and here the Air is cool.

_Fear._ The Breezes about this time of the Day begin to take wing, and fan refreshment to the Trees and Flowers.

_Bac._ And at these Hours how fragrant are the Groves!

_Fear._ The Country's well, were but the people so.

_Bac._ But come, lets on-- [They pa.s.s to the Entrance.

_Whim._ There, Boys-- [The Soldiers come forth and fall on _Bacon_.

_Bac._ Hah! Ambush--

[Draws, _Fearless_ and Footmen draw, the Soldiers after a while fighting, take _Bacon_ and _Fearless_, they having laid 3 or 4 dead.

_Whiff._ So, so, he's taken; now we may venture out.

_Whim._ But are you sure he's taken?

_Whiff._ Sure! can't you believe your Eyes, come forth; I hate a Coward--Oh, Sir, have we caught your Mightiness.

_Bac._ Are you the Authors of this valiant Act? None but such villainous Cowards durst have attempted it.

_Whim._ Stop his railing Tongue.

_Whiff._ No, no, let him rail, let him rail now his Hands are ty'd, ha, ha. Why, good General _Frightall_, what, was no body able d'ye think to tame the roaring Lyon?

_Bac._ You'll be hanged for this.

_Whim._ Come, come, away with him to the next Tree.

_Bac._ What mean you, Villains?

_Whiff._ Only to hang your Honour a little, that's all. We'll teach you, Sir, to serve your Country against Law.

As they go off, enter _Daring_ with Soldiers.

_Dar._ Hah--my General betray'd!--this I suspected.