The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 83

_Booz._ Silence--silence-- [_Dunce_ reads.

_Dun._ By an order of Council, dated _May_ the 10th, 1670. To all Gentlemen Soldiers, Merchants, Planters, and whom else it may concern.

Whereas _Bacon_, contrary to Law and Equity, has, to satisfy his own Ambition, taken up Arms with a pretence to fight the _Indians_, but indeed to molest and enslave the whole Colony, and to take away their Liberties and Properties; this is to declare, that whoever shall bring this Traitor dead or alive to the Council, shall have three hundred pounds Reward. And so G.o.d save the King.

_All._ A Council, a Council! Hah-- [Hollow.

Enter a _Soldier_ hastily.

_Sold._ Stand to your Arms, Gentlemen, stand to your Arms, _Bacon_ is marching this way.

_Dun._ Hah--what Numbers has he?

_Sold._ About a hundred Horse, in his march he has surpriz'd Colonel _Downright_, and taken him Prisoner.

_All._ Let's fall on _Bacon_--let's fall on _Bacon_, hay. [Hollow.

_Booz._ We'll hear him speak first--and see what he can say for himself.

_All._ Ay, ay, we'll hear _Bacon_ speak. [_Dunce_ pleads with them.

_Tim._ Well, Major, I have found a Stratagem shall make us Four the greatest Men in the Colony, we'll surrender our selves to _Bacon_, and say we disbanded on purpose.

_Dull._ Good--

_Whiff._ Why, I had no other design in the World in refusing to fight.

_Whim._ Nor I, d'ye think I wou'd have excus'd it with the fear of disordering my Cravat-String else.

_Dun._ Why, Gentlemen, he designs to fire _James_ Town, murder you all, and then lie with your Wives; and will you slip this opportunity of seizing him?

_Booz._ Here's a termagant Rogue, Neighbours--we'll hang the Dog.

_All._ Ay, ay, hang _Bacon_, hang _Bacon_.

Enter _Bacon_ and _Fearless_, some Soldiers leading in _Downright_ bound; _Bacon_ stands and stares a while on the Regiments, who are silent all.

_Bac._ Well, Gentlemen, in order to your fine Declaration, you see I come to render my self.

_Dun._ How came he to know of our Declaration?

_Whiff._ Rogues, Rogues among our selves, that inform.

_Bac._ What, are ye silent all,--not a Man to lift his Hand in Obedience to the Council, to murder this Traytor that has exposed his Life so often for you? Hah, what, not for three hundred Pound?--You see I've left my Troops behind, and come all wearied with the Toils of War, worn out by Summers heats, and Winters cold, march'd tedious Days and Nights through Bogs and Fens as dangerous as your Clamours, and as faithless,--what though 'twas to preserve you all in Safety, no matter, you shou'd obey the grateful Council, and kill this honest Man that has defended you.

_All._ Hum, hum, hum.

_Whiff._ The General speaks like a Gorgon.

_Tim._ Like a Cherubin, Man.

_Bac._ All silent yet--where's that mighty Courage, that cried so loud but now, A Council, a Council? where is your Resolution? cannot three hundred Pound excite your Valour to seize that Traitor _Bacon_ who has bled for you?

_All._ A _Bacon_, a _Bacon_, a _Bacon_. [Hollow.

_Down._ Oh villainous Cowards!--Oh the faithless Mult.i.tude!

_Bac._ What say you, Parson?--you have a forward Zeal.

_Dun._ I wish my Coat, Sir, did not hinder me from acting as becomes my Zeal and Duty.

_Whim._ A plaguy rugged Dog,--that Parson--

_Bac._ _Fearless_, seize me that canting Knave from out the Herd, and next those honourable Officers.

[Points to _Dull._ _Whim._ _Whiff_, and _Tim._ _Fearless_ seizes them, and gives them to the Soldiers, and takes the Proclamation from _Dunce_, and shews _Bacon_; they read it.

_Dull._ Seize us, Sir, you shall not need, we laid down our Commissions on purpose to come over to your Honour.

_Whiff._ We ever lov'd and honour'd your Honour.

_Tim._ So intirely, Sir--that I wish I were safe in _James_ Town for your sake, and your Honour were hang'd.

[Aside.

_Bac._ This fine Piece is of your penning, Parson,--though it be countenanc'd by the Council's Names.--Oh Ingrat.i.tude! Burn, burn the treacherous Town, fire it immediately.--

_Whim._ We'll obey you, Sir.

_Whiff._ Ay, ay, we'll make a Bonfire on't, and drink your Honour's health round about it.

[They offer to go.

_Bac._ Yet hold, my Revenge shall be more merciful, I ordered that all the Women of Rank shall be seiz'd and brought to my Camp. I'll make their Husbands pay their Ransoms dearly; they'd rather have their Hearts bleed than their Purses.

_Fear._ Dear General, let me have the seizing of Colonel _Downright's_ Daughter; I would fain be plundering for a Trifle call'd a Maiden-head.

_Bac._ On pain of Death treat them with all respect; a.s.sure them of the safety of their Honour. Now, all that will follow me, shall find a welcome, and those that will not, may depart in Peace.

_All._ Hay, a General, a General, a General.

[Some Soldiers go off: Some go to the side of _Bacon_.

Enter _Daring_ and Soldiers, with _Chrisante_, _Surelove_, Mrs.

_Whim._ and Mrs. _Whiff_, and several other Women.

_Bac._ Successful _Daring_, welcome, what Prizes have ye?

_Dar._ The fairest in the World, Sir; I'm not for common Plunder.

_Down._ Hah, my Daughter and my Kinswoman!--