The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 77

[His Men come in, they fall on, release _Bacon_ and _Fearless_, and his Man, and get Swords. _Whimsey's_ Party put _Whim._ and _Whiff_ before 'em striking 'em as they endeavour to run on this side or that, and forcing 'em to bear up, they are taken after some fighting.

_Fear._ Did not the General tell you Rogues, you'd be all hang'd?

_Whiff._ Oh, _Nancy_, _Nancy_, how prophetick are thy Dreams!

_Bac._ Come, lets on--

_Dar._ S'death, what mean you, Sir?

_Bac._ As I designed--to present my self to the Council.

_Dar._ By Heavens, we'll follow then to save you from their Treachery, 'twas this that has befallen you that I feared, which made me at a distance follow you.

_Bac._ Follow me still, but still at such a distance as your Aids may be a.s.sisting on all occasions.--_Fearless_, go back and bring your Regiment down; and _Daring_, let your Sergeant with his Party guard these Villains to the Council.

[Ex. _Bac._ _Dar._ and _Fearless_.

_Whiff._ A Pox on your Wors.h.i.+p's Plot.

_Whim._ A Pox of your forwardness to come out of the Hedge.

[Ex. Officers, with _Whim._ and _Whiff_.

SCENE IV. _The Council-Table_.

Enter Col. _Wellman_, Col. _Downright_, _Dullman_, _Timorous_, and about seven or eight more seat themselves.

_Well._ You heard Mr. _Dunce's_ opinion, Gentlemen, concerning _Bacon's_ coming upon our Invitation. He believes he will come, but I rather think, though he be himself undaunted, yet the persuasions of his two Lieutenant-Generals, _Daring_ and _Fearless_, may prevent him--Colonel, have you order'd our Men to be in Arms?

Enter a _Soldier_.

_Down._ I have, and they'l attend further order on the _Sevana_.

_Sold._ May it please your Honours, _Bacon_ is on his way, he comes unattended by any but his Footmen, and Col. _Fearless_.

_Down._ Who is this Fellow?

_Well._ A Spy I sent to watch _Bacon's_ Motions.

_Sold._ But there is a Company of Soldiers in Ambush on this side of the _Sevana_ to seize him as he pa.s.ses by.

_Well._ That's by no order of the Council.

_Omnes._ No, no, no order.

_Well._ Nay, 'twere a good design if true.

_Tim._ Gad zoors, wou'd I had thought on't for my Troop.

_Down._ I am for no unfair dealing in any extremity.

Enter _Brag_ in haste.

_Brag._ An't please your Honours, the saddest News--an Ambush being laid for _Bacon_, they rush'd out upon him on the _Sevana_, and after some fighting took him and _Fearless_--

_Tim._ Is this your sad News--zoors, wou'd I had had a hand in't.

_Brag._ When on a sudden, _Daring_ and his Party fell in upon us, turn'd the tide--kill'd our Men, and took Captain _Whimsey_, and Captain _Whiff_ Pris'ners; the rest run away, but _Bacon_ fought like fury.

_Tim._ A b.l.o.o.d.y Fellow!

_Down._ _Whimsey_ and _Whiff_? they deserve Death for acting without order.

_Tim._ I'm of the Colonel's Opinion, they deserve to hang for't.

_Dull._ Why, Brother, I thought you had wish'd that the Plot had been yours but now.

_Tim._ Ay, but the Case is alter'd since that, good Brother.

_Well._ Now he's exasperated past all hopes of a Reconciliation.

_Dull._ You must make use of the Statesman's Refuge, wise Dissimulation.

_Brag._ For all this, Sir, he will not believe but that you mean honourably, and no Persuasions could hinder him from coming, so he has dismiss'd all his Soldiers, and is entring the Town on foot.

_Well._ What pity 'tis a brave Man should be guilty of an ill Action.

_Brag._ But the noise of his danger has so won the Hearts of the Mobile, that they increase his Train as he goes, and follow him in the Town like a Victor.

_Well._ Go wait his coming. [Exit _Brag_.

He grows too popular and must be humbled.

_Tim._ I was ever of your mind, Colonel.

_Well._ Ay, right or wrong--but what's your Counsel now?

_Tim._ E'en as it used to be, I leave it to wiser Heads.

Enter _Brag_.

_Brag._ _Bacon_, Sir, is entring.

_Tim._ Gad zoors, wou'd I were safe in bed.

_Dull._ Colonel, keep in your Heat, and treat calmly with him.

_Well._ I rather wish you would all follow me, I'd meet him at the head of all his noisy Rabble, and seize him from the Rout.