Scene I. The Street.

AH Rogues, the World runs finely round, the bus'ness is done.

Done, the Town's our own, my fine Rascal.

We'll have Harlots by the Belly, Sirrah.

Those are Commodities I confess I wou'd fain be truck [...]ing for, — but no words of that Boy.

Stand, who go's there?

Who are you for,—hah?

Are for Friend; we are for Gad and the Lord Fleetwood.

Fleetwood, knock 'em down, Fleetwood that snivelling Thief?

Why Friends, who are ye for?

For? who shou'd we be for, but Lambert, Noble Lambert? Is this a time o'th' day to declare for Fleetwood, with a Pox? indeed. i'th morning 'twas a Question had like to have been decided with push a Pike.

Dry blows wou'd ne'r a don't, some must have sweat blood for't, but—'tis now decided.

Decided!

Yes, decided Sir, without your Rule for't.

Decided? by whom Sir? by us the Free-born Subjects of England, by the Honourable Committee of Safety, or the Right Reverend City? with­out which Sir, I humbly conceive, your Declaration for Lambert is illegal, and against the Property of the People.

Plain Lambert; here's a sawcy Dog of a Joyner; Sirrah, get ye home, and mind your Trade, and save the Hang-man a labour.

Look ye, Friend, I fear no Hang-man in Christendom; for Consci­ence and Publick good, for Liberty and Property, I dare as far as any man.

Liberty and Property, with a pox, in the mouth of a Joyner; you are a pretty Fellow to settle the Nation, — what says my Neighbour Felt­maker?

Why verily, I have a high respect for my honourable Lord Fleetwood, he is my intimate Friend, and till I find his Party the weaker, I hope my Zeal will be strengthened for him.

Zeal for Fleetwood, Zeal for a Halter, and that's your due: Why, what has he ever done for you? Can he lead you out to Battel? Can he si­lence the very Cannon with his Eloquence alone? — Can he talk — or fight — or —

But verily he can pay those that can, and that's as good — and he can pray —

Let him pray, and we'll fight, and see whose bus'ness is done first; We are for the General, who carries charms in every syllable; can act both the Souldier and the Courtier, at once expose his Breast to dangers for our sakes — and tell the rest of the pretending Slaves a fair Tale, but hang 'em sooner than trust 'em.

Ay, ay, a Lambert, a Lambert, he has courage, Fleetwood's an Ass to him.

Hum — here's Reason Neighbour.

That's all one, we do not act by reason.

Fleetwood's a Coward.

A Blockhead.

A snivelling Fool; a General in the Hangings, no better.

What think ye then of Vane?

As of a Fool, that has dreamt of a new Religion, and only fit to reign in that Fifth Monarchy he preaches so much up; but no King in this Age.

What of Haslerig?

A Hangman for Haslerig, I cry, No, no, One and all, a Lambert, a Lambert; he is our General, our Protector, our King▪ our Keiser, our — even what he pleases himself.

Well, if he pleases himself he pleases me.

He's our Rising Sun, and we'll adore him, for the Speaker's Glo­ry's set,

At nought, Boyes; how the Rogue look'd when his Coach was stop'd?

Under favour, what said the Speaker?

What said he? prethee what cou'd he say that we wou'd admit for Reason? Reason and our bus'ness are two things: Our Will was Reason and Law too, and the Word of Command lodg'd in our Hilts: Cobbet and Duckenfield show'd 'em Cock-pit Law.

He understood not Souldiers Dialect; the Language of the Sword puzled his Understanding; the Keeneness of which, was too sharp for his Wit, and over-rul'd his Roles — therefore he very mannerly kiss'd his hand, and wheel'd about, —

To the place from whence he came,

And e're long, to the Place of Execution.

No, damn him, he'll have his Clergy.

Why is he such an Infidel to love the Clergy?

For his Ends: But come, lets go drink the General's Health; Lambert! not Fleetwood, that Son of a Custard, always quaking.

Ay, Ay, Lambert I say, — besides, he's a Gentleman.

Come, Come, Brother Souldier, let me tell you, I fear you have a Stewart in your Belly.

I am sure you have a Rogue in your Heart, Sirrah, which a Man may perceive through that sanctify'd Dogs Face of yours; and so get ye gone ye Rascals, and delude the Rabble with your canting Politicks.

Nay, and you be in Wrath, I'll leave you.

No matter Sir, I'll make you know I'm a Free-born Subject, there's Law for the Righteous Sir, there's Law.

There's Halters ye Rogues? —

Come Lads, let's to the Tavern, and drink Success to change; I doubt not but to see 'em chop about, till it come to our great Heroe again.— Come, to the Tavern.

I'll follow ye Comrade presently.

— Save ye noble Collonel.

How is't Corporal?

A brave World Sir, full of Religion, Knavery, and Change; we shall shortly see better days.

I doubt it Corporal;

I'le warrant you Sir, — but have you had never a Billet, no Present, nor Love-remembrance to day, from my good Lady Desbro?

None, and wonder at it: Hast thou not seen her Page to day?

Faith Sir I was imploy'd in Affairs of State, by our Protector that shall be, and could not call.

Protector that shall be? who's that, Lambert or Fleetwood, or both?

I care not which, so it be a Change; but I mean the General? — but Sir, my Lady Desbro is now at Morning Lecture here hard by, with the La­dy Lambert.

Seeking the Lord for some great Mischief or other.

We have been there, but could get no Opportunity of speaking to her, — Loveless, know this Fellow, — he's honest and true to the Heroe, though a Red-Coat? I trust him with my Love, and have done with my Life.

Love! Thou can'st never make me believe thou art earnestly in Love with any one of that damn'd Reformation.

Thou art a Fool; where I find Youth and Beauty, I adore, let the Saint be true or false.

'Tis a Scandal to one of us to converse with 'em; they are all sancti­fy'd Iilts; and there can be neither Credit nor Pleasure in keeping 'em Com­pany; [Page 4] and 'twere enough to get the Scandal of an Adherer to their devilish Politicks to be seen with 'em.

What, their Wives?

Yes, their Wives. What see'st thou in 'em but Hypocrisie? Make Love to 'em, they answer you in Scripture.

Ay, and lye with you in Scripture too. Of all Whores, give me your z [...]alous Whore; I never heard a Woman talk much of Heaven, but she was much for the Creature too. What do'st think I had thee to the Meet­ing for?

To hear a Rascal hold forth for Bodkins and Thimbles, Contributi­on my beloved! to carry on the Good Cause, that is, Roguery, Rebel­lion, and Treason, prophaning the sacred Majesty of Heaven, and our glo­rious Sovereign.

But — were there not pretty Women there?

Damn 'em for sighing, groaning Hypocrites.

But there was one, whom, that handsom Face and Shape of yours, gave more occasion for sighing, than any Mortification caus'd by the Cant of the Lay-Elder in the half Hogs Head; Did'st thou not mind her?

Not I, damn it I was all Rage, and had'st not thou restrain'd me, I had certainly pull'd that Rogue of a Holder-forth by the Ears from his sanctify'd Tub. 'Sdeath he hum'd and haw'd all my Patience away, nose'd and snivel'd me to Madness. Heaven! That thou should'st suffer such Vermin to infect the Earth, such Wolves amongst thy Flocks, such Thieves and Robbers of all Laws of God and Man, in thy holy Temples. I rave to think to what thou'rt fall'n, poor England!

But the she Saint —

No more, were she as fair as Fancy could imagine, to see her there,—wou'd make me loath the Form; she that can listen to the dull Non-sence, the bantering of such a Rogue, such an illiterate Rascal, must be a Fool, past sense of loving, Free-man.

Thou art mistaken. — But, did'st thou mind her next the Pulpit?

A Plague upon the whole Congregation: I minded nothing but how to fight the Lord's Battel with that damn'd sham Parson; whom I had a mind to beat.

My Lady Desbro is not of that Persuasion, but an errant Heroick in her Heart, and feigns it only to have the better occasion to serve the Royal Party. I knew her, and lov'd her before she married.

She may chance then to be sav'd.

Come, I'll have thee bear up briskly to some one of 'em, it may redeem thy Sequestration; which, now thou see'st no hopes of compounding, puts thee out of Patience.

Let 'em take it, and the Devil do 'em Good with it: I scorn it should be said I have a Foot of Land in this ungrateful and accursed Island; I'd rather beg where Laws are obey'd and Justice perform'd, than be power­ful where Rogues and base born Rascals rule the Rost.

But suppose now, dear Loveless, that one of the Wives of these Pa­geant Lords should fall in love with thee, and get thy Estate again, or pay thee double for't?

I wou'd refuse it.

And this for a little dissembled Love, a little Drudgery —

Not a night by Heav'n — not an hour — no not a single kiss, I'd rather make love to an Incubus.

But suppose 'twere the new Protectoress her self, the fine Lady Lam­bert?

The greatest Devil of all; Damn her, dost think I'll Cuckold the Ghost of old Oliver?

The better; there's some Revenge in't; do'st know her?

Never saw her, nor care to do.

Collonel, Do you command me any thing?

Yes, I'll send thee with a Note— Let's step into a Shop and write it; Loveless stay a moment, and I'll be with thee.

O, I'm impatient to know his Name; ah, Desbro, he betray'd all my Devotion; and when I wou'd have pray'd, Heav'n knows, it was to him, and for him onely.

What manner of man was it?

A God! Altho his out-side were but mean; but he shone th'ro like Lightning from a Cloud, and shot more piercing Rayes.

Stay'd he long?

You might have known that by the Conquest; I never heard, e're one o'th t'other Party ever gain'd a Heart: and indeed, Madam, 'tis a just Revenge, our Husbands make Slaves of them, and they kill all their Wives.

Hah, what have we here?— Women — faith, and handsom too — I never saw a Form more Excellent! whoe're they are, they seem of Quality, — by Heav'n, I cannot take my Eyes from her.

If there be ought in me, that merits this amazing Favour from you, I owe my thanks to Nature that indow'd me with something in my Face that spoke my Heart.

Heav'n! how he looks and speaks—

Oh, these Heroicks, Madam, have the most charming Tongues.

Pray come to me — and ask for any of my Officers, and you shall have admittance —

Who shall I ask for Madam? for I'm yet ignorant to whom I owe for this great Bounty.

Not know me! Thou art indeed a Stranger. I thought I'd been so Elevated above the common Crowd, it had been visible to all Eyes who I was.

How now, what's the matter with thee?

Prethee wake me Freeman.

Wake thee!

Why this is she I told thee ey'd thee so at the Conventicle; 'tis Lam­bert, the renown'd, the famous Lady Lambert — Mad call'st thou her? 'tis her ill acted Greatness, thou mistak'st; thou art not us'd to the Pageantry of these Women yet; they all run thus mad: 'tis greatness in 'em, Loveless.

And is thine thus, thy Lady Desbro?

She's of another Cut, she marryed as most do, for Interest, — but what—thou't to her?

My Lord, now is your time, you may be King; Fortune is yours, you've time it self by th' fore-lock.

If I thought so, I'd hold him fast by Heaven.

If you let slip this Opportunity, my Lord, you are undone— Aunt Caesar, aut Nullus.

But Fleetwood—

Hang him soft head.

True, he's of an easie Nature, yet if thou did'st but know how lit­tle Wit governs this mighty Universe, thou wou'dst not wonder men should set up him.

That will not recommend him at this Iuncto, though he's an ex­cellent Tool for your Lordship to make use of; and therefore, use him Sir as Cataline did Lentulus; drill the dull Fool with hopes of Empire, on, and that all tends to his Advancement only: The Block-head will believe the Crown his own: what other Hopes could make him ruine Richard, a Gentleman of Qualities a thousand times beyond him?

They were both too soft; an ill Commendation for a General, who should be rough as storms of War it self.

His Time was short, and yours is coming on; Old Oliver had his.

I hate the Memory of that Tyrant Oliver.

So do I, now he's dead, and serves my Ends no more. I lov'd the Father of the Great Heroick, whilst he had Power to do me good: he failing, Reason directed me to the Party then prevailing, the Fag End of the Parlia­ment: 'tis true, I took the Oath of Allegiance, as Oliver, your Lordship, Tony, and the rest did, without which, we could not have sat in that Parli­ament; but that Oath was not for our Advantage, and so better broke than kept.

I am of your Opinion my Lord.

Let Honesty and Religion preach against it; but how cou'd I have serv'd the Commons by deserting the King? how have show'd my self loyal to your Interest, by fooling Fleetwood, in the deserting of Dick; by dis­solving the honest Parliament, and bringing in the odious Rump? how cou'd I have flatter'd Ireton, by telling him, Providence brought things about, when 'twas mere knavery all, and that the hand of the Lord was in't, when I knew the Devil was in't? or indeed, how cou'd I now advise you to be King, if I had started of Oaths, or prefer'd Honesty or Divinity before Inte­rest and the Good Old Cause.

Nay, 'tis most certain, he that will live in this World, must be in­du'd with the three rare Qualities of Dissimulation, Equivocation, and mental Reservation.

In which Excellency, Heav'n be prais'd, we out-do the Iesuits.

I'm glad to see you so well employ'd my Lord, as in Discourse with my Lord Whitlock he's of our party, and has Wit.

Your Honour graces me too much.

My Lord, my Lady is an absolute States-Woman.

Yes, I think things had not arriv'd to this exalted height, nor had you been in Prospect of a Crown, had not my Politicks exceeded your meaner Ambition.

I confess, I owe all my good fortune to thee.

My Lord, my Lord Wariston, Lord Hewson, Collonel Cobbet, and Col­lonel Duckenfield desire the Honour of waiting on you.

This has a [...]ace of Greatness — let 'em wait a while i'th' Antichamber.

My Love, I wou'd have 'em come in.

You wou'd have 'em, you wou'd have a Fools Head of your own; pray let me be Judge of what their Duty is, and what your Glory; I say I'll have 'em wait.

My Lord Fleetwood too is just alighted, shall he wait too Madam?

He may approach; and d' ye hear — put on your fawning looks, flatter him, and profess much Friendship to him, you may betray him with the more facility.

Madam, you counsel well,

My good Lord, your most submissive Servant.

My Gracious Lord, I am your Creature—your Slave—

I profess ingeniously, I am much ingag'd to you, my good Lords; I hope things are now in the Lard's handling, and will go on well for his Glory and my Interest, and that all my good People of England will do things that become good Christians.

Doubt us not, my good Lord; the Government cannot be put in­to abler hands, than those of your Lordship; it has hitherto been in the hard clutches of Iews, Infidels, and Pagans.

Yea verily, Abomination has been in the hands of Iniquity.

But, my Lord, those hands, by my good Conduct, are now cut off, and our Ambition is, your Lordship wou'd take the Government upon you.

I profess, my Lord, by ye and nay, I am asham'd of this Goodness, in making me the Instrument of saving Grace to this Nation; 'tis the great Work of the Lard.

The Lard, Sir, I'll assure you the Lard has the least hand in your good fortune; I think you ought to ascribe it to the Cunning and Conduct of my Lord here, who so timely abandon'd the Interest of Richard.

Ingeniously, I must own, your good Lord can do much, and has done much; but 'tis our Method to ascribe all to the Powers above.

Then I must tell you, your Method's an ungrateful Method.

Peace, my Love.

Madam, This is the Cant we must delude the Rabble with.

Then let him use it there, my Lord, not amongst us, who so well understand one another.

Good Dear, be pacifi'd—and tell me, shall the Gentlemen with­out have admittance?

They may.

Guds Benizon light on yu, my gued Loords, for this days work; Madam, I kiss your white Honds.

My Lord, I have not been behind hand in this days turn of State.

'Tis confess'd, Sir; What wou'd you infer from that?

Why, I wou'd know how things go; who shall be General, who Pro­tector, or who King next.

My Friend has well translated his meaning.

Fy, how that filthy Cobler Lord betrayes his Function.

We're in a Chaos, a Confusion, as we are.

Indeed the Commonwealth at present is out at heels, and wants un­derlaying.

And the People expect something suddenly from us.

My Lords and Gentlemen, we must consider a while.

Bread a gued there's mickle Wisdom i that Sirs.

It ought to be consulted betimes, my Lord, 'tis a matter of moment, and ought to be consulted by the whole Committee.

We design no other, my Lord, for which reason, at three a clock we'll meet at Wallingford House.

Nay, my Lord, do but settle the Affair, let's but know who's our Head, and 'tis no matter.

Ay, my Lord, no matter who; I hope 'twill be Fleetwood, for I have the length of his Foot already.

You are the leading men, Gentlemen, your Voices will soon settle the Nation.

Well, my Lord, we'll not fail at three a clock.

This falls out well for me; for I have Bus'ness in Smithfield, where my Horses stand; and verily, now I think on't, the Rogue the Ostler has not given 'em Oates to day: Well, my Lords, farewel; if I come not time enough to Wallingford House, keep me a place in the Committee, and let my Voice stand for one, no matter who.

A gued Mon I's warrant, and takes muckle Pains for the Gued o'th' Nation, and the Liberty o'th' Mobily: — The Diel confound 'em aud.

Come, my Lord Wariston, you are a wise man, What Government are you for?

Ene tol what ya please my gued Loord.

What think you of a single Person here in my Lord Fleetwood?

Mary Sir, and he's a brave Mon, but gen I may cooncel, tak't for yar sel my gued Loord, ant be gued for him, 'tis ene gued for ya te.

But above half the Nation are for him.

Bread a gued, and I's for him than.

The Will of the Lard be done; and since 'tis his Will, I cannot withstand my Fate—ingeniously.

My Lord Wariston, a Word — what if Lambert were the Man?

Right Sir, Wons and ya have spoken aud; He's a brave Mon, a Mon indeed gen I's 'ave any Judgment.

So I find this Property's for any use.

My Lord, I perceive Heaven and Earth conspire to make you our Prince.

Ingeniously, my Lords, the weight of three Kingdoms is a heavy Burden for so weak Parts as mine; therefore, I will, before I appear at Coun­cel, go seek the Lard in this great Affair; and, if I receive a Revelation for it, I shall with all Humility espouse the Yoke, for the Good of his People and mine: and so Gad with us, the Commonwealth of England.

Poor deluded Wretch, 'tis not yet come to that.

No my Dear, the Voice will go clearly for me; what with Bribes to some, Hypocrisie and Pretence of Religion to others, and promis'd Pre­ferments to the rest, I have engag'd 'em all.

And will you be a King?

You think that's so fine a thing—but let me tell you, my Love, a King's a Slave to a Protector, a King's ty'd up to a thousand Rules of musty Law, which we can break at Pleasure; we can rule without Parliaments, at least, chuse whom we please, make 'em agree to our Proposals, or set a Guard upon 'em, and starve 'em till they do.

But their Votes are the strangest things, — that they must pass for Laws; you were never voted King.

No, nor care to be: the sharpest Sword's my Vote, My Law, my Ti­tle. They voted Dick should reign, where is he now? They voted the great Heroicks from the Succession; but had they Arms or Men, as I have, you shou'd soon see what wou'd become of their Votes—No my Love! 'Tis this —must make me King.

Scene I. A Chamber of State.

GIlliflower, Has none been here to ask for any of my People, in order to his approach to me?

None, Madam.

Madam! how dull thou art! wou't never learn to give me a bet­ter Title, than such an one as foolish Custom bestows on every common Wench?

Pardon my Ignorance, Madam.

Again Madam!

Really, Madam, I shou'd be glad to know by what other Title you wou'd be distinguish'd?

Abominable dull! Do'st thou not know on what score my Dear is gone to Wallingford House?

I cannot divine, Madam.

Heav'n help thy Ignorance! he's gone to be made Protector, fool, or at least, a King, thou Creature; And from this day I date my self her Highness.

That will be very fine indeed, an't please your Highness.

I think 'twill sute better with my Person and Beauty than with that other Woman — what d' ye call her? Mrs. Cromwel— my shape — and Gat [...]—my Humour, and my Youth, have something more of Grandeur— have they not?

Infinitely, an't please you Highness.

Madam, a Man without has the boldness to ask for your Honour.

Honour, fool!

Her Highness, Blockhead.

Sawcily prest in, and struck the Porter for denying him entrance to your—Highness.

What kind of Fellow was't?

A rude, rough, Hectoring Swash, an't please your Highness; nay, and two or three times, Gad forgive me, he swore too.

It must be he.

His Habit was something bad and Cavalierish—I believe 'tis some poor petitioning, begging Tory, who having been sequester'd, wou'd press your Highness for some Favour.

Yes, it must be he—ah foolish Creature! and can he hope Relief, and a villanous Cavalier? out upon 'em, poor Wretches—you may admit him tho', I long to hear how one of those things talk.

Oh most strangely, Madam,—an't please your Highness, I shou'd say.

'Tis he, I'll swear, Gillifl [...]wer, these Heroicks are punctual men,— how now, your Bus'ness with us, Fellow?

My bus'ness, Madam?—

Hast thou ever a Petition to us?

A Petition, Madam? — Sure this put on Greatness is to amuse her Ser­vants, or has she forgot that she invited me; or indeed forgot me?—

What art thou?

Shall we search his Breeches, an't please your Highness, for Pistol, or other Instruments?

No Boy, we fear him not, they say the Pow'rs above protect the Persons of Princes.

You're very confident, know you to whom you speak? but I sup­pose you have lost your Estate, or some such trivial thing, which makes you angry.

Yes, a trivial Estate of some five and twenty hundred pound a year, but I hope to see that Rogue of a Lord reduc'd to his Cobler's Stall again, or, more deserv'dly hang'd, that has it.

I thought 'twas some such Grievance—but you must keep a good Tongue in your head, lest you be hang'd for Scandalum Magnatum— there's Law for ye, Sir.

No matter; then I shall be free from a damn'd Commonwealth, as you are pleas'd to call it, when indeed 'tis but a mungrel, mangy, Mock-Monarchy.

Is it your bus'ness Sir to rail?

You rais'd the Devil, Madam.

Madam, shall I call your Highness Guards, and secure the Traytor?

Madam, I waited here by your Commands.

How shall I tell him that I love him, Gilliflower?

Easily, Madam, tell him so in plain English. Madam, 'tis great; Wo­men of your exalted height ever speak first; you have no Equals dare pre­tend to speak of love to you.

Thou art i'th' right— Do'st know my Quality, and thy own Poverty? And hast thou nothing to ask that I may grant?

Are all your Party, Sir, so proud?

But what have I to do with Religion? Is Beauty the worse, or a kind Wench to be refus'd for Conventickling? She lives high on the Spoils of a glorious Kingdom, and why may not I live upon the Sins of the Spoiler?

Sir — you are poor!

So is my Prince; a Plague on the occasion.

I think you are—no Fool too?

I wou'd I were, then I had been a Knave, had thriv'd, and possibly by this time had been tugging for rifled Crowns and Kingdoms.

This Satyr ill befits my present Bus'ness with you,—you— want some Necessaries—as Cloaths, and Linnen too; and 'tis great pitty so proper a man shou'd want Necessaries. Gilliflower—take my Cabinet Key, and fetch the Purse of Broad-pieces that lyes in the lower Drawer; 'tis a small Present, Sir, but 'tis an Earnest of my farther Service,

I'm angry, that I find one Grain of Generosity in this whole Race of Hypocrites.

Here Sir, 'tis only for your present use; for Cloaths—three hun­dred Pieces; let me see you sweet—

Stark mad, by this good day.

Ah Gilliflower! How prettily those Cavalier things charm; I wonder how the Powers above came to give them all the Wit, Softness, and Gallantry,—whilst all the great ones of our Age have the most sloven­ly, ungrateful, dull Behaviour; no Ayr, no Wit, no Love, or any thing to please a Lady with.

Truly Madam, there's a great Difference in the Men; yet Heav'n at first did it's part, but the Divel has since so over-done his, that what with the Vizor of Sanctity, which is the gadly Sneere, the drawing of the Face to a prodigious length, the formal language, with a certain Twang through the Nose, and the pious Gogle, they are fitter to scare Children than beget love in Ladies.

You hit the Character of your new Saint.

And then their Dress, Gilliflower.

Oh! 'Tis an Abomination to look like a Gentleman; long Hair is wicked and Cavalierish, a Periwig is flat Popery, the Disguise of the Whore of Babylon; handsom Cloaths, or lac'd Linnen, the very Tempter himself, that debauches all their Wives and Daughters: therefore, the diminutive Band, with the Hair of the Reformation Cut, beneath which, a Pair of large sanctify'd Souses appear, to declare to the World, they had hitherto escap'd the Pillory, tho' deserv'd it as well as Pryn.

Have a Care what you say, Gilliflower.

Why Madam, we have no Informers here.

Madam, here's Old Noll's Wife desires Admittance to your Hon— your Highness.

Bid the poor Creature wait without, I'le do her what good I can for her Husbands sake, who first infus'd Politiques into me, by which I may boast I have clim'd to Empire.

So, her Madness runs in that Vein I see.

Alack Madam, I think she's coming.

Does she keep state in the Divel's Name, and must I wait!

Heav'ns! I shall be scandaliz'd by the godly, Dear Gilliflower, conceal my Cavalier; I wou'd not have a Cavalier seen with me for all the World.—Step into my Cabinet—

Unhand me Villain—'twas not long since a Rudeness Sir like this had forfeited thy Head.

What wou'd the Woman?

The Knave, the perjur'd Villain thy Husband, byth' Throat, thou proud, imperious Baggage; to make me wait? who's Train thou hast been proud to bear—how durst thou, after an Affront like this, trust thy false Face within my Fingers reach? that Face, that first bewitch't the best of Husbands from me, and tempted him to sin.

I beseech your Highness retire, the Woman's mad.

My honour'd Mother, I am glad to find you here, I hope we shall reconcile things between ye. Verily, we shou'd live in brotherly Love toge­ther; come, ingeniously, you shall be Friends, my Lady Mother.

Curse on th' occasion of thy being a Kin to me.

Why, an please ye forsooth Madam?

Nay, I'll warrant you Madam, when there is any gadly mischief to be done, I am as forward as the best, but 'tis good to take the Lard along with us in every thing. I profess ingeniously, as I am an honest man, verily— ne're stir—I shall act as becomes a good Christian.

I profess, Madam, you mistake my good Lord Lambert, he's an ho­nest man, and fears the Lard; he tells me I am to be the man; verily he do's, after all's done.

Yes, after all's done, thou art the man to be pointed at.

Nay, ingeniously, I scorn the words, so I do: I know the great Work of Salvation to the Nation is to be wrought by me, verily.

Do, Cant on, till Heav'n drop Kingdoms in thy mouth: dull, silly Sot, thou ruine of our Interest: thou fond, inccorrigible, easie Fool.

My Lord, the Committee of Safety waits your coming.

Why, law you now, forsooth,—I profess verily, you are ingeni­ously the hardest of belief—tell the honourable Lords I'm coming: Go, Lady mother, go home with my Wife; and verily you'll see things go to your wish.—I must to Coach.—

Madam your humble Servant.

Honour'd Lady I kiss your hands.

Why do you force me to't? d'ye think to put me off with such a Face—such lips,—such smiles—such Eyes—and every Charm— You've made me mad, and I shall swear my Soul away, if disappointed now.

Ah, save the Gentleman's Soul, I beseech ye, Madam.

Ah Desbro! thou art come — in the most lucky minute — I was just on the point of falling — As thou say'st, these Heroicks have the strangest Power—

I never knew a Woman cou'd resist 'em.

No marvel then, our Husbands use 'em so, betray 'em, banish 'em, sequester, murder 'em, and every way disarm 'em.—

But their Eyes Madam.

Ay, their Eyes Desbro; I wonder our Lords shou'd take away their Swords, and let 'em wear their Eyes.

I'll move it to the Committee of Safety, Madam, those Wea­pons shou'd be taken from 'em too.

Still they'll have some to be reveng'd on us.

Ay, so they will; My Lord says, a Cavalier is a kind of Hidra, knock him o'th' Head as often as you will, he has still one to peep up withall.

Madam, here's Mr. Freeman to speak with your Honour.

That's a Friend of mine Madam, and 'twou'd be unnecessary he saw your Highness and I together: let us withdraw—

Withdraw, why, What will Desbro say?

O Madam, I know your Vertue and your Piety too well to suspect your Honour wrongfully? 'tis impossible a Lady that goes to a Conventicle twice a day, besides long Prayers and lowd Psalm-singing, shou'd do any thing with an Heroick against her Honour. Your known Sanctity preserves you from Scandal.—But here's Freeman—

So Madam—you are very kind—

And 'tis but Iustice, Maria, he sequester'd me of my whole Estate, because, he said, I took up Arms in Ireland, on Noble Ormond's Side; nay, hir'd Rogues, perjur'd Villains—Witnesses with a Pox, to swear it too; when at that Time, I was but eight years old: But I 'scapt as well as all the Gentry and Nobility of England. To add to this, he takes my Mistress too.

You mistake, my lovely Freeman; I marryed only thy Estate, the best Composition I cou'd make for thee, and I will pay it back with Inte­rest too.

You wou'd suspect my love then, and swear that all the Adoration I pay you, were, as we do to Heaven, for Int'rest only.

How you mistake my love, but do so still, so you will let me give these—Proofs of it.

You know my leasure Hours are when my honourable Lord is busied in Affairs of State, or at his Prayers; from which long-winded Exer­cise I have of late withdrawn my self: three Hours by the Clock he prays ex­tempory, which is, for National and Houshold Blessings: for the first— 'tis to confound the Interest of the King, that the Lard wou'd deliver him, his Friends, Adherers and Allies, wheresoever scatter'd about the Face of the whole Earth, into the Clutches of the righteous: Press 'em good Lard, even as the Vintager doth the Grape in the Wine-Press, till the Waters, and gli­ding Chanels are made red with the Blood of the wicked.

And grant the faithful to be mighty, and to be strong in Persecu­tion; and more especially, Ah! I beseech thee confound that malignant To­ry Freeman—that he may never rise up in Judgment against thy Ser­vant, who has taken from him his Estate, his Sustinance, and Bread; give him Grace of thy infinite Mercy, to hang himself, if thy People can find no zealous Witnesses to swear him to the Gallows legally. Ah, we have done ve­ry much for thee Lard, thou shoud'st consider us thy Flock, and we shou'd be as good to thee in another thing.

Thou hit'st the zealous Twang right; sure thou hast been ac­quainted with some of'em.

Damn 'em, no; what honest Man wou'd keep 'em Company, where harmless Wit and Mirth's a Sin, laughing scandalous, and a merry Glav, Abomination.

Yes, if you drink Healths my wicked Brother; otherwise, to be silently drunk, to be as abusive and satyrical as you please, upon the Heroicks, is allowable — for laughing, indeed 'tis not so well; but the precise Sneere and Grin is lawful; no swearing indeed, but lying and dissimulation in abundance—I'll assure you, they drink as deep, and entertain themselves as well with this silent way of lewd Debauchery, as you with all your Wit and Mirth, your Healths to the Royal Family.

Nay, I confess, 'tis a great Pleasure to cheat the World.

'Tis Power, as divine Hobs calls it.

But what's all this to Love? Where shall we meet anon?

I'll tell you, that will please you as well.—Your Friend is within, with her Highness that shall be, if the Divel and her Husband's Po­liticks agree about the matter.

Ha, has my cautious Railer manag'd matters so sleyly?

No, No, the Matter was manag'd to his Hand: You see how Heav'n brings things about, for the Good of your Party; this Bus'ness will be worth him, at least a thousand pound a Year, or two, well manag'd.— But see, my Ladies Woman.

Oh Madam, my Lord!

Death, how shall I bring my Friend off? He'll certainly be ruin'd.

Madam, he's coming up.

Madam, for my self I care not, but much concern'd for you.

Here, take these two Petitions, each of you one,— Poor Fellows—you may be gone, your Petitions will not be granted.

How now, my Dear, what Petitions?—Friends, what's your Bus'ness?

'Tis enough we know their Business Love, we are sufficient to dispatch such Suters, I hope.

Pardon me, my Dear, I thought no harm; but I saw you frown, and that made me concern'd.

Frown! 'Twou'd make any Body frown, to hear the Impudence of Gentlemen, these Cavaliers; —wou'd you think it my Dear, if this Fel­low [Page 21] has not the Impudence to petition for the Thirds of his Estate again, so justly taken from him for bearing Arms for the Man?—

Nay, I 'am inform'd, that they, but two Nights ago, in a Ta­vern, Drunk a Health to the Man too.

How durst you, Sirrah, approach my Lady with any such sawcy Address, you have receiv'd our Answer.

Death, I've scarce Patience.

We knew, my Lord, the Influence your Ladies have over you, and Women are more tender and compassionate naturally, than Men; and Sir, 'tis hard for Gentlemen to starve.

Have you not able Limbs, can ye not work—

Persons of our Education work!

Starve or beg then.

Education, why, I'll warrant there was that young Creature they call the Duke of Glocester, was as well educated as any Lad in the Parish, and yet you see he should have been bound Prentice to a handy Crafts Trade, but that our Lords cou'd not spare Money to bind him out, and so they sent him to beg beyond Sea.

Death, I shall do Mischief: not all the Joy she gave me but now, can attone for this Blasphemy against the Royal Youth.

Patience—Well my Lord, we find you are obdurate, and we'll withdraw.

Do so: And if you dare presume to trouble us any more, I'll have you whip'd, d'e hear.

Madam, I'll take my leave of your Ladiship.

My Lord, 'twas I that ought to threaten 'em—but you'r so for­ward still—what makes you from the Committee?

I left some Papers behind.

And they'll make use of your Absence to set up Fleetwood King.

I'll warrant ye my Dear.

You'll warrant? you're a Fool and a Coxcomb; I see I must go my self, there will be no bus'ness done 'till I thunder 'em together: They want Old Oliver amongst 'em, his arbitrary Nod cou'd make ye all tremble; when he wanted Power or Money, he need but Cock in Parliament, and lay his hand upon his Sword, and cry, I must have Money, and had it, or kick'd ye all out a doors: And you are so mealy mouth'd, you cannot Cock for a Kingdom.

I'll warrant you Dear, I can do as good a thing for a Kingdom.

You can do nothing as you shou'd do't: You want Old Oliver's Brains, Old Oliver's Courage, and Old Oliver's Counsel: Ah, what a poli­tick Fellow was little Sir Anthony! What a Head-peice was there! What a plaguy Fellow Old Thurlo, and the rest: But get ye back, and return me Protector at least, or never hope for Peace again.

Scene I. A Council Chamber, great Table, Chairs, and Papers.

COme, Haste, Haste, the Lords are coming;—keep back there, room for the Lords, room for the honourable Lords: Heav'n bless your Worships Honours.

Bread a gued Gentlemen, I's serv'd the Commonwealth long and faithfully; I's turn'd and turn'd to aud Interest and aud Religions that turn'd up Trump, and wons a me, but I's get naught but Bagery by my Sol; I's noo put in for a Pansion as well as rest o ya Loones.

What we can serve you in my Lord, you may command.

And I too my Lord, when the Government is new moulded.

Wons Sirs, and I's sa moold it; 'twas ne're sa moolded sin the Dam boond the Head on't.

I know there are some ambitious Spirits that are for a single Person; but we'll have hot work e're yield to that.

The faud Diel take 'em then for Archibald; 'tis warse than Monar­chy.

A thousand Times: Have we with such Industry, been pulling down Kings of the Royal Family, to set up Tyrants of our own, of mean and ob­scure Birth? No, if we're for a single Person, I'm for a lawful one.

Wons and ya have spoken aud my Lord, so am I.

But Lambert has a busie, haughty Spirit, and thinks to carry it; but we'll have no single Person.

Nor I, ods Bread; the faud Diel brest the Wem of Lambert, or any single Person in England. I's for yare Interest my gued Lords.

My Lord Wariston, will you please to assume the Chair.

Ah, my gued Loord, I's yare most obedient humble Servant.

Hum, Hum.

My Lords and Gentlemen, we are here met together in the Name of the Lard—

Yea, and I hope we shall hang together as one man.—A Pox upon your preaching.

—And hope this days great work will be for his Praise and Glory.

'Bating long Graces my Lord, we are met together for the Bus'ness of the Nation, to settle it, and to establish a Government.

Yea, verily: And I hope you will all unanimously agree, it shall be your unworthy Servant.

What else my Lord?

And as thou Lard has put the Sword into my hand—

So put it into your Heart—My Lord, to do Justice.

Amen.

I'd rather see it there than in your Hand.

For, we are, as it were, a Body without a Head; or, to speak more learnedly, an Animal, unanimate.

My Lord, let us use, as little as we can, the language of the Beast; hard Words, none of your Eloquence, it savoureth of Monarchy.

My Lord, you must give men of Quality leave to speak in a Lan­guage more Gentile and Courtly than the ordinary sort of mankind.

My Lord, I am sorry to hear there are any of Quality amongst this Honourable Dissembly.

Assembly, my Lord—

Well, you know my meaning; or if there be any such, I'm sorry they shou'd own themselves of Quality.

How, own themselves Gentlemen? Death Sir, d' ye think we were all born Coblers?

Or if you were not, the more the pitty, for little England, I say.

Verily, my Lords, Brethren shou'd not fall out, it is a scandal to the Good Cause, and maketh the Wicked rejoyce.

Wons and theys garr the Loosey Proverb on't te, When Loons gang together by th' Luggs, gued men get their ene.

He, he, he.

He calls you Knaves by craft, my Lords.

Bread a gued, tak't among yee Gentlemen, I's ment weele.

I profess, my Lord Wariston, you make my hair stand an end to hear how you swear.

Wons, my Loord, I's sware as little as your Lordship, only I's sware out, and ya swallow aud.

There's a Bone for you to pick, my Lord.

He, he, he.

We give my Lord Wariston leave to jest.

But what's this to the Government all this while? a dad I shall sit so late, I shall have no time to visit my Horses, therefore proceed to the Point.

Ay, to the Point, my Lords; the Gentleman that spoke last spoke wll.

Well sed Brother, I see you will in time speak properly.

But to the Government, my Lords?

Put 'em off o' this Discourse, my Lord.

My Lord Wariston, move it, you are Speaker.

The Diel a me, Sirs, and noo ya talk of a Speaker, I's tell ye a blithe Tale.

Ingeniously my Lord, you are to blame to swear so.

Your Story, my Lord.

By my Solmon, and there was a poor Woman the other day beg'd ot'h' Carle the Speaker, but he'd give her nought unlas she'd lat a feart; wons at last a feart she lat, Ay marry, quoth the woman, noo my Rump has a Speaker te.

He, he, he.

But to our Bus'ness—

Bus'ness; ay, there's the thing, I've a world on't. I shou'd go and bespeak a pair of Mittens and Shears for my Hedger and Shearer, a pair of Cards for my Thrasher, a Sythe for my Mower, and a Skreen-fan for my Lady Wife, and many other things; my Head's full of bus'ness— I can­not stay.—

Fy my Lord, will you neglect the bus'ness o'th' day? we meet to oblige the Nation, and gratifie our Friends.

Nay, I'll do any thing, so I may rise time enough to see my Hor­ses at night.

Damn 'em, what stuff's here for a Council-Table?

Where are our English Spirits, that can be govern'd by such Dogs as these? —

Clark, Read the Heads of what past at our last sitting.

In the first place, I must mind your Lordships tol consider those that have been gued Members in the Commonwelth.

We shall not be backward to gratifie any that have serv'd the Com­monwealth.

There's Money enough; we have taxt the Nation high.

Yes, if we knew where to find it: however read.

To Walter Walton Draper, six thousand nine hundred twen­ty nine pounds six shillings and five pence, for Blacks for his Highness Fu­neral.

For the Devil's, put it down for Oliver Cromwel's Funeral: We'll have no Records rise up in Judgment for such a Villain.

How the live Asses kick the dead Lion?

Hark ye, my Lords, We sit here to reward Services done to the Com­monwealth; let us consider whether this be a Service to the Commonwealth or not?

However, we'll give him Paper for't.

Ay, let him get his money when he can.

Paper's not so dear, and the Clerk's pains will be rewarded.

Right, my gued Loord, 'sbred, that Cromwel was th' faudest limmer Loon that ever cam intol our Country, the faud Diel has tane him by th' luggs for robbing our Houses and Land.

No swearing, my Lord.

Weel, weel, my Loord, I's larne to profess and lee as weel as best on ya.

That may bring you profit, my Lord — but Clerk proceed.

To Walter Frost, Treasurer of the Contingencies, twenty thou­sand pounds: to Thurloe, Secretary to his Highness —

To old Nol.—

Old Nol, ten thousand pound, for unknown Service done the Commonwealth— to Mr. Hutchinson Treasurer of the Navy, two hun­dred thousand pounds—

Two hundred thousand pound; Owns what a Sum's there? — Marry it came from the Mouth of a Cannon sure.

A Present to the Right Honourable and truly Vertuous La­dy, the Lady Lambert, for Service done the late Protector.

Again — say Cromwel.

— Cromwel—six thousand pound in Iacobus's.

'Sbread, sike a Sum wou'd make me honour the face of aud Iemmy.

To Mr. Ice six thousand pound; to Mr. Loether late Secretary to his High—

To Oliver Cromwel say, can you not obey Orders?

— Secretary to Oliver Cromwel—two thousand nine hundred ninety nine pounds, for Intelligence and Information, and piously betraying the King's Liege People.

Haud, haud Sirs, Mary en ya gift se fast ya'll gif aud away fro poor Archibauld Iohnson.

Speak for your self, my Lord; or rather my Lord, do you speak for him.

Do you move it for him, and I'll do as much for you anon.

My Lord, since we are upon Gratifications, — let us consider the known Merits of the Lord Wareston, a Person of industrious mischiefs to the Malignant Party, and great Integrity to us, and the Commonwealth.

Gued faith an I's ha been a trusty Trojon Sirs, what say you my ve­ry gued and gracious Loords?—

I scorn to let a Dog go unrewarded; and you, Sir, fawn so prettily, 'tis pity you shou'd miss Preferment.

And so 'tis; come, come, my Lords, consider he was ever our Friend, and 'tis but reasonable we shou'd stich up one another's broken Fortunes.

Nay Sir, I'm not against it.

'Tis reason, 'tis reason.

Damn 'em, how they lavish out the Nation?

Scribe, pretha read my Paper —

Have you a pertition there!

A Pitition, my Lord.

Pshaw, You Scholards are so troublesom.

Read the Substance of it.

That your Honours wou'd be pleas'd, in consideration of his Ser­vices, to grant to your Petitioner a considerable Sum of Money for his pre­sent supply.

Verily, order him two thousand pound —

Two thousand poond? Bread a gued, and I's gif my Voice for Fleetwood.

Two thousand; nay, my Lords, let it be three.

Wons, I lee'd, I leed; I's keep my Voice for Lambert. —gueds Benizon light on yar Sol, my gued Lord Lambert.

Three thousand pound, why such a Sum wou'd buy half Scot­land.

Wons, my Lord, ya look but blindly on't then: time was, a mite on't had bought aud shoos in yar Stall, Brother, tho' noo ya so abound in Irish and Bishops Lands.

You have nick'd him there, my Lord.

He, he, he.

Scribe—gang a tiny bit farther.

— And that your Honours wou'd be pleas'd to confer an Annual Pension on him. —

Reason, I think; What say you my Lords of five hundred pound a year?

Agreed, agreed.

The Diel swallow me, my Lord, ya won my heart.

'Tis very well — but out of what shall this be rais'd?

We'll look what Malignants Estates are forfeit, undispos'd of — let me see— who has young Freeman's Estate?

My Lord, that fell to me.

What all the fifteen hundred pound a year?

A dad, and all little enough.

The Devil do him good with it.

Had not the Lard put it into your hearts to have given me two thou­sand par an um out of Bishops Lands, and three thousand par an um out of the Marquess's Estate; how shou'd I have liv'd and serv'd the Common­wealth as I have done?

A plague confound his Honour, he makes a hard shift to live on Eight thousand pound a year, who was born and bred a Hedger.

Patience, Friend.

I have been thinking—but I'll find out a way.

Or betray some honest Gentleman, on purpose to gratifie the Loone.

And Gentlemen, I am bound in Honour and Conscience to speak in behalf of my Lord Whitlock; I think fit, if you agree with me, he shou'd [Page 27] be made Constable of Windsor Castle, Warden of the Forrest, with the Rents, Perquisites, and Profits thereto belonging, nor can your Lordships confer a Place of greater Truth and Honour in more safe hands.

I find he wou'd oblige all to his side.

Has he not part of the Duke of Buckingham's Estate already, with Chelsey House, and several other Gifts?

He has dearly deserv'd 'em, he has serv'd our Interest well and faithfully.

And he has been well paid sor't.

And so were you, Sir, with several Lordships, and Bishops Lands, you were not born to, I conceive.

I have not got it, Sir, by Knavish Querks in Law, a Sword that deals out Kingdoms to the brave, has cut out some small parcels of Earth for me, And what of this?

I think, Sir, he that talks well, and to'th purpose, may be as useful to the Commonwealth as he that fights well; Why do we keep so many else in Pension that ne'r drew Sword, but to talk, and rail at the Malignant Party; to libel and defame 'em handsomly, with pious, useful Lyes:

Ten thousand pound a year in Bribes will do as well.

Bribes are not so frequent now as in Old Noll's dayes.

Well, my Lord, let us be brief and tedious, as the saying as, and humour one another; I'm for Whitlock's advance.

I move for a Salary, Gentlemen, Scobel and other petty Clerks have had a thousand a year, my Lord sure merits more.

Why,— let him have two thousand then.

I profess ingeniously, with all my heart.

I humbly thank your Lordships — but, if I may be so bold to ask, from whence shall I receive it?

Out of the Customs.

Brotherly love ought to go along with us— but, under favour, when this is gone, where shall we raise new supplies?

And our Oxes, with the help of their Wives.

Besides, the City's rich, and near her time, I hope, of being de­liver'd.

Wons a gued, wad I'd the laying o her, she shou'd be sweetly brought to Bed, by my Sol.

The City cares for no Scotch Pipers, my Lord.

By my Sol, but she has danc'd after the gued Pipe of Reformation, when the Covenant Jigg gang'd maryly round Sirs.

My Lords, here are some poor malignant Petitioners.

Oh, turn 'em out, here's nothing for 'em; these Fellows were petiti­oning my Lady to day — I thought she had given you a satisfactory An­swer?

She did indeed, my Lord; but, 'tis a hard Case, to take away a Gen­tleman's Estate, without convicting him of any Crime.

Oh Sir! we shall prove that hereafter.

But to make sure Work, you'll hang a man first, and examine his Offence afterwards; a Plague upon your Consciences: my Friend here had a little fairer Play, your Villains, your Witnesses in Pension swore him a Collonel for our Glorious Master, of ever blessed Memory, at eight years old; a Plague upon their miracles.

Ingeniously, Sirrah, you shall be pillory'd for defaming our reverend Witnesses: Guards take 'em to your Custody both.

Damn it, I shall miss my Assignation with Lady Desbro; a Pox of your unncessary Prating, what shall I do?

And now, my Lords, we have finish'd the bus'ness of the Day. My good Lord Fleetwood, I am entirely yours, and at our next sitting shall ap­prove my self your Creature.—

My good Lord, I am your submissive Vassal.

Wons my Lord, I scorn any man shou'd be mere yare Vassal than Archibald Iohnson.

Seiz'd on, secur'd, was there no time but this? What made him at the Committee, or when there, why spoke he honest Truth? What shall I do, good Corporal Advise: take Gold, and see if you can corrupt his Guards, but they are better paid for doing mischief; yet try, their Consci­ences are large.

I'll venture my Life in so good a Cause, Madam.

Madam here's Mr. Ananias Gogle, the Lay Elder of Clements Parish.

Dam the sham Saint; am I now in Condition to be plagu'd with [Page 29] his impertinent Non-sense?

Oh! Pray Madam hear him preach a little; 'tis the purest sport.—

Peace be in this Place.

A blessed Hearing; he preaches nothing in his Conventicles, but Blood and Slaughter.

What wou'd you Sir, I'm something busie now.

Ah, the Children of the Elect have no Business, but the great work of Reformation? Yea verily, I say, all other Business is prophane, and diabolical, and divelish; Yea, I say, these Dressings, Curles, and shining Habilliments,—which take so up your time, your precious time; I say, they are an Abomination, yea, an Abomination in the sight of the Righteous, and serve but as an Ignis fatuus, to lead vain man astray.—I say again—

—You are a very Coxcomb.

I say again, that even I, upright I, one of the new Saints, find a sort of a—a—a— I know not what,—a kind of a—Motion as it were— a stirring up—as a man may say, to Wickedness;—Yea, verily it cor­rupteth the outward man within me.

Is this your Business Sir, to rail against my Cloaths, as if you in­tended to preach me into my Primitive Nakedness again?

Ah, the Naked Truth is best; but, Madam, I have a little work of Grace to communicate unto you, please you to send your Page away—

Withdraw—sure I can make my Party good with one wicked Elder: Now Sir—your Bus'ness.

—Be brief.

As brief as you please—but—who in the sight of so much Beau—ty— can think of any Bus'ness but the Bus'ness!—Ah! hide those tempting Breasts,— Alack, how smoth and warm they are—

How now, Have you forgot your Function?

Nay, but I am mortal man also, and may fall seven times a day;— Yea verily, I may fall seven times a day:—Your Ladiships Husband is old,—and where there is a good Excuse for falling,—Ah, there the fall-ing— is excusable.—And might I but fall with your Ladiship,—might I, I say.—

How, this from you, the Head o'th' Church militant; the very Pope of Presbytery?

Verily, the Sin lyeth in the Scandal; therefore, most of the discreet pious Ladies of the Age, chuse us, upright men, who make a Conscien [...]e of a secret, the Laiety being more regardless of their Fame.—In sober sadness, the Place—inviteth, the Creature tempting, and the Spirit very violent within me.

Who waits there? — I'm glad you have prov'd your self what I ever thought of all your pack of Knaves.

Ah, Madam! Do not ruine my Reputation; there are Ladies of high Degree in the Commonwealth, to whom we find our selves most comfort­ing; why might not you be one?— for, alas, we are accounted as able men in Ladies Chambers, as in our Pulpits; we serve both Functions—

Hah! her Servants—

Shou'd I tell this, I shou'd not find belief.

Madam, I have another Errand to your Ladiship.— It is the Duty of my Occupation to catechize the Heads of every Family within my Diocese; and you must answer some sew Questions I shall ask—In the first place, Madam—Who made ye?

So, from whoring to a zealous Catechism — who made me? what Insolence is this, to ask me Questions which every Child that lisps out words can answer.

'Tis our Method, Madam.

Your Impudence Sirrah — let me examine your Faith, who are so sawcy to take an account of mine — Who made you? But lest you shou'd not know, I will inform you: First, Heav'n made you a de­form'd, ill favour'd Creature, then the Rascal your Father made you a Tay­lor, next, your Wife made you a Cuckold, and lastly, the Devil has made you a Doctor: and so get you gone for a Fool and a Knave all over.

A man of my Coat affronted thus!

It shall be worse, Sirrah, my Husband shall know how kind you wou'd have been to him, because your Disciple and Benefactor, to have be­got him a Babe of Grace for a Son and Heir.

Mistake not my pious meaning, most Gracious Lady.

I'll set you out in your Colours: your impudent and Bloody Principles, your cheats, your Rogueries on honest men, through their kind, deluded Wives, whom you cant and goggle into a Belief, 'tis a great work of Grace to steal, and beggar their whole Families, to contribute to your Gormandizing, Lust, and Laziness; Ye Locusts of the Land, preach Non­sence, Blasphemy, and Treason, till you sweat again, that the Sancti­fi'd Sisters my rub you down, to comfort and console the Creature.

Ah! Am —

Sirrah, be gone, and trouble me no more—be gone—yet stay— the Rogue may be of Use to me—amongst the heap of Vice, Hypocrisie, and Devils that possess all your Party, you may have some necessary sin; I've known some honest, useful Villains amongst you, that will swear, profess, and lie devoutly for the Good Old Cause.

Yea verily, I hope there are many such, and I shou'd rejoyce, yea, exceedingly rejoyce, in any Gadly Performance to your Ladiship.

This is a pious Work: You are a Knave of Credit, a very Saint with the rascally Rabble, with whom your Seditious Cant more prevails, your precious hum and ha, and gifted Nonsence, than all the Rhetorick of the learn'd or honest.

Hah [...]

— In fine, I have use of your Talent at present, there's one now in Confinement of the Royal Party—his name's Freeman.

And your Ladiship wou'd have him dispatch'd; I conceive ye — but wou'd you have him dispatch'd privately, or by Form of Law? we've Tools for all uses, and 'tis a pious Work and meritorious.

Right: I wou'd indeed have him dispatch'd, and privately; but 'tis hither privately, hither, to my Chamber, privately, for I have private Bus'ness with him: D' ye start? — this must be done — for you can pimp I'm sure upon occasion, you've Tools for all uses; come, resolve, or I'll discover your bloody offer; Is your Stomach so queasie it cannot di­gest Pimping, that can swallow Whoring, false Oaths, Sequestration, Rob­bery, Rapes, and Murders daily?

Verily, you mistake my pious meaning; it is the Malignant I stick at; the Person, not the Office: and in sadness, Madam, it goeth against my tender Conscience to do any good to one of the Wicked.

It must stretch at this time; go haste to the Guard, and de­mand him in my Husband's Name; here's something worth your Pains— having releas'd him, bring him to me, you understand me— go bid him be diligent, and as you behave your self, find my Favour; for know, Sir, I am as great an Hypocrite as you, and know the Cheats of your Religion too; and since we know one another, 'tis like we shall be true.

But shou'd the man be missing, and I call'd to an account?—

He shall be return'd in an hour; go, get you gon, and bring him, or— no more—

Scene I. Chamber, Candles and Lights.

BY what strange Miracle, my dearest Freeman, wert thou set at Liberty?

On the zealous Parole of Rabbie Ananias; that Rhetorick that can convert whole Congregations of well-meaning Block-heads, to errant Knaves, has now mollify'd my Keeper; I'm to be render'd back within this Hour: let's not, my dear Maria, lose the precious minutes this Reverend Hypocrite has given us.

Oh! You are very gay, have you forgot whose Prisoner you are, and that perhaps, e're many days are ended, they may hang you for High Treason against the Common-wealth? they never want good throw-stitch'd Witness, to do a Murder lawfully.

No matter; then I shall dye with Joy, Maria, when I consider, that you lov'd so well to give me the last Proof on't.

Are you in Earnest, Freeman, and wou'd you take what Honour will not suffer me to grant?

With all my Heart, Honour's a poor Excuse: Your Heart and Vows (your better part) are mine; you've only lent your Body out to one whom you call Husband, and whom Heav'n has mark'd for Cuckoldom. Nay, 'tis an Act of honest Loyalty, so to revenge our Cause; whilst you were only mine, my honest Love thought it a Sin to press these Favours from you; 'twas injuring my self as well as thee; But now we only give and take our Right.

No more, my Husband's old.—

Right my Dear Maria; — and therefore,—

—May possibly dye.—

He will be hang'd first.

—I hope so—either of which, will do our Business: — Unreasonable Freeman, not to have Patience till my Husband be hang'd a li [...]tle.

But what if Destiny put the Change upon us, and I be hang'd instead of Desbro?

Why then thou art not the first Gallant Fellow that has dy'd in the Good and Royal Cause; and a small Taste of Happiness will but turn thee off the Ladder with the sadder Heart.

But I am marryed to him.

So much the worse, to make a League and Covenant with such Vil­lains, and keep the sinful Contract; a little harmless Lying and Dissimulati­on I'll allow thee, but to be right down honest, 'tis the Devil.

This will not do; it never shall be said I've been so much de­bauch'd by Conventickling to turn a Sainted Sinner: No, I'm true to my Allegiance still, true to my King and Honour. Suspect my Loyalty when I lose my Virtue; a little Time, I'm sure, will give me honestly into thy Arms, if thou hast Bravery show it in thy Love.

You will o'recome, and shame me every way; —but when will this Change come? And till it do, what Pawn will you give me? I shall be happy then.

My Honour, and that Happiness you long for; and take but two Months Time for their Redemption.

How greedily I'll seize the Forfeiture!

But what am I like to get if this Change do come?

A Slave, and whatever you please to make of him.

Who knows, in such a universal Change, how you may alter too?

I'll give ye Bond and Vows, unkind Maria;—Here, take my hand— Be it known unto all Men, by these Presents, that I Iohn Freeman of London, Gent. acknowledge my self in debt to Maria Desbro, the Sum of one Heart, with an incurable Wound; one Soul, destin'd hers from it's first Being; and one Body, whole, sound, and in perfect Health; which I here promise to pay to the said Maria, upon Demand, if the aforesaid Iohn Freeman be not hang'd before such Demand made. Whereto, I set my Hand,—and seal it with my Lips.

And I, in Consideration of such Debt, do freely give unto the abovesaid Iohn Freeman the Heart and Body of the abovesaid Maria Desbro, with all Appurtenances thereto belonging, whenever it shall please Heav'n to bring my Husband fairly to the Gallows.

Amen.—kiss the Book—

Hah! that's Ananias sure; some Danger's near, the necessary Ras­cal gives us Notice of.

'tis so, what wou'dst thou have me do?

thou art undone if seen.—Here, step within this Cur­tain.

Ads nigs, what a Change is here like to be,—puff puff— we have manag'd matters sweetly—to let the Scotch General undermine us; puff, puff.

What's the matter?

Nothing Cockey, nothing, but that we are like to return to our first nothing.

Yea verily, when our times come; but ah, the great work of Re­formation is not yet fully accomplished, which must be wrought by the Saints, and we cannot spare one of them until the Work be finish'd.

Yea, yea, it is finished I doubt, puff, puff; fye, fye, what a Change is here!

Patience, ah, 'tis a precious Virtue! —

Patience Sir! what, when I shall lose so many fine Estates which did appertain to the Wicked; and which, I trusted, had been establish'd ours; and tell'st thou me of Patience! puff, puff.

How lose 'em Sir? Handle the matter with Patience; I hope the Committee of Safety, or the Rump, will not do an illegal thing to one of the Brethren.

No, No, I have been a trusty Knave to them, and so I have found them all to me: but Monk! Monk! O that ever we shou'd be such blind Fools to trust an honest General!

Patience Sir, What of him!

I just now receiv'd private Intelligence, he's coming out of Scotland. with his Forces.—puff, puff.

Why, let him come a Gads Name, we have those will give him a civil Salute, if he mean not honourably to the Commonwealth. Patience Sir.

But if he prove the stronger, and shou'd chance to be so great a Traytor to us to bring in the Man—the King?

How, the King Husband; the great Heroick?

Death, this Woman is a Sybill? Ah, Noble Monk!

Hum—the King!—

Ah, and with the King, the Bishops; and then, where's all our Church and Bishops Lands! Oh! undone.—puff puff.

How, bring in the King and Bishops! my righteous Spirit is raised too: —I say, I will excommunicate him for one of the Wicked; yea, for a prophane Heroick, a Malignant, a Tory,—a—I say, we will sur­round him, and confound him with a mighty Host; yea, and fight the Lards Battel with him; yea, we will.—

Truckle to his Pow'r.—puff, puff.

Nay, I say verily, nay; for, in Sadness, I will dye in my Calling.

So I doubt shall I—which is Plowing, Hedging, and Ditching.

Yea, we have the Sword of the Righteous in our hand, and we will defend the mighty Revenues of the Church, which the Lard hath given un­to his People, and chosen ones — I say, we will defend —

Ah, Patience, Sir, ah, 'tis a pious Virtue—

Ah, it is Zeal in one of us, the out-goings of the Spirit.

Sir, Will you go down to Prayers? the Chaplain waits.

How, Sir, not dissemble— ah, then you have lost a great Vertue indeed, a very great Vertue; ah, let us not give away the Good Old Cause— but, as we have hitherto maintain'd it by Gadly cozenage, and pious frauds, let us persevere—ah, let us persevere to the end; let us not lose our Heri­tage for a Mess of Pottage, that is, let us not lose the Cause for Dissimu­lation and Hypocrisie, those two main Engines that have carry'd on the great Work.

Verily, you have prevailed, and I will go take counsel of my pillow: Boy—call my man to undress me — I'll to bed, for I am sick at heart.

Death, what shall I do now?

You must get my man off, or we're undone.

Madam, be comforted, Heaven will bring all things about for our advantage.—

But he's behind the Curtains man—

Ah, let Providence alone —

—Your pious Lady, Sir, is doubtful, but I will give her ample satisfaction.

Ah do, Mr. Ananias, do, for she's a good and a vertuous Lady, certo she is.

Get ye behind my cloak—

Indeed Sir, your Counsel and Assistance is very comfortable,

We shou'd be helps meet to one another, Madam.

Alack, good man [...]

Ay, my Dear, I am so much oblig'd to him, that I know not with­out thy thy aid, how to make him amends.

So this is the first Cloak of Zeal I ever made use of.

Good Lady give him this twenty pieces, a dad he worthily de­serves 'em.

Indeed, and so he does, Dear, if thou knew'st all.

—What say you now, do I not improve in Hypocrisie? and shall I not in time make a precious member of your Church?

My Lord, my Lord Lambert has sent in all haste for you, you must attend at his house immediately.

So, he has heard the News— I must away — let my Coach be ready—

How unlucky was this that Freeman shou'd be gone — Sirrah, run, and see to o'retake him, and bring him back.

SCENE 2. A fine Chamber.

Where am I, Gilliflower?

In my Ladies Apartment, Sir, she'll be with you presently; you need not fear betraying, Sir, for I'll assure you I'm an Heroick in my heart: my Husband was a Captain for his Majesty of ever blessed memory, and kill'd at Naseby, God be thanked, Sir.

What pity 'tis that thou shou'dst serve this Party?

'Bating her Principles, my Lady has good Nature enough to oblige a Servant; and truly Sir, my Vails were good in old Oliver's dayes; I got well by that Amour, between him and my Lady; the man was lavish e­nough.

Yes, of the Nations Treasure—but, prithee tell me, Is not thy Lady mad, raving on Crowns and Kingdoms?

It appears so to you, who are not us'd to the Vanity of the Party, but they are all so mad in their degree, and in the Fit they talk of nothing else Sir; we have to morrow a hearing, as they call it.

What's that, a Conventicle?

No, no, Sir, Ladies of the last Edition, that present their Grievances to the Council of Ladies, of which my Lady's Chief, which Grievances are laid open to the Committee of Safety, and so redress'd, or slighted, as they are.

That must be worth one's Curiosity, cou'd one but see't.

We admit no man, Sir.

That wou'd be excellent.

Nay, I must do't: the Novelty is rare— but I'm impatient—pre­thee let thy Lady know I wait.

She's in Affairs of State, but will be here immediately; mean time, retire into her Cabinet, I'll send the Page with Lights, there you may repose, till my Lady comes, on the Pallat.

SCENE. A great Chamber of State, —and Canopy.

My Lord Wariston, you are not merry to night.

Wons Mon, this Monk sticks in my Gullet, the muckle Diel pull him out by th' Lugs; the faud Loone will en spoyle ad our sport mon.

I thought I had enough satisfy'd all your Fears; the Army's mine, that is—'tis yours, my Lords, and I'll employ it too so well for the Good of the Commonwealth, you shall have cause to commend both my Courage and Conduct: my Lord Wariston, will you accompany me?

Ah, my gued Lord, the Honour is too great! 'Tis not but I's dare fight my Lord, but I love not the limmer Loone, he has a villainous honest Face an's ene; I's kend him ence, and lik't him not; but I's drink tol yar gued Fortune; let it gang aboote, ene and ad Sirs.

We'll leave all discourse of bus'ness, and give our selves to Mirth; I fancy good Success from this days Omen.

Waited so long!

And grew inpatient, and please your Highness; must I go tell him you cannot see him to Night.

Go, let him know I'm coming—Madam, I must beg your Pardon, you hear, my Lord to morrow goes on this great Expedition; and, for any thing we know, may fall a glorious Sacrifice to the Commonwealth; therefore, 'tis meet I offer up some Prayers for his Safety, and all my Lea­sure Hours 'twixt this and that, will be too few.—Your humble Servant Madam.—

My Dear, I'll leave you too, my Time of Devotion is come, and heav'n will stay for no Body; where are my People, is my Coach rea­dy, or may Chair.

Go in your Chair my Love, lest you catch cold.

And light your Flambeaus,—I love to have my Chair sur­rounded with Flambeaus.

Your Chair is ready, Madam.

What think ye now my Lords of settling the Nation a little; I find my Head swim with Politicks, and what ye call ums.

Wons, and wad ya settle the Nation when we real our selves?

Who, pox shall we stand making Childrens Shoes all the year? No, No, let's begin to settle the Nation, I say, and go throw stich with our Work.

Right, we have no Head to obey; so that if this Scotch General do come, whilst we Dogs fight for the Bone, he runs away with it.

Shaw, we shall patch up matters with the Scotch General, I'll war­rant you: However, here's to our next Head.—One and All.—

Verily Sirs, this Health drinking savoureth of Monarchy, and is a Type of Malignancy.

Bread, my Lord, no preaching o're yar Liquer, wee's now for a Cup o'th' Creature.

In a gadly way you may, it is lawful.

Come, Come, we're dull, give us some Musick—Come my Lord, I'll give you a Song, I love Musick as I do a Drum, there's Life and Soul in't, call my Musick.

Yea, I am for any Musick, except an Organ.

'SBread Sirs, and I's for a Horn-pipe; I've a faud Theefe here shall dance ye dance tol a Horn-pipe, with any States man a ya'ad.

He, He, He.

I know not what your faud Theefe can do; but, I'll hold you a Wager, Collonel Hewson, and Collonel Desbro, shall dance ye the Saints Jigg with any Sinner of your Kirk, or Field Conventickler.

Wons, and I's catch 'em at that sport, I's danc [...] tol 'em for a Scotch Poond but farst yar Song, my Lord, I hope 'tis body, or 'tis not w [...]rth a Feart.

He, He, He.

The Diel a me, wele sung my Lord, and gen aud Trads fail, yas make a quaint Minstrel.

He, He, He.

Noo Sirs, yar Dance?

—Mary Sirs, an this be yar dancing, tol dance and ne're stir Stap, the Diel lead the Donce for Archibald.

—Haud Minstrels hade; Bread a gued, I's fatch ad Ladies in—lead away Minstrels tol my Ladies Apartment.

SCENE. Flat.

Here must I wait, to give my Lady Notice when my Lord approaches; —The fine Gentleman that is alone with her, gave me these two fine pieces of Gold, and bad me buy a Sword to fight for the King with-all; and I'm resolv'd to lay it all out in Sword, not a penny in Nickers, and fight for the Heroicks as long as I have a Limb, if they be all such fine Men as this within. But hark, sure I hear some coming. —

This Present's too magnificent: Such Bracelets young Monarchs shou'd put on.

Persons like me, when they make Presents, Sir, must do it for their Glory, not considering the merit of the Wearer; yet this, my charm­ing [Page 40] Loveless, comes short of what I ought to pay thy worth; comes short too of my Love.

You bless me, Madam—

Oh, Madam, the Lords are all got merry, as they call it, and are all dancing hither.

What at their Oliverian Frolicks? — dear Loveless, withdraw, I wou'd not give the fond believing Fool a Jealousie of me.

Withdraw, Madam, 'tis impossible, he must run just into their mouthes.

Im' ill at these Intrigues, being us'd to Lovers that still came with such Authority, that modestly my Husband wou'd withdraw — but Loveless is in danger, therefore take care he be not seen.

Heav'ns! they are coming, there's no retreat —

Lye down on the Couch —and cover him you with the Foot-Carpet,—so, give me my Prayer-Book.

[Page 42] —What Insolence is this? do you not hear me, you — Sots — whom Gayety and Dancing do so ill become.

Welcom, Ione Sanderson, welcom, welcom.

Wons, Madam, that's no part o'th' dance.

No, but 'tis part of a reward for your Insolence, which possibly your Head shall answer for.—

Pardon him, my dear, he meant no disrespect to thee.

Nay, my Lady, I ask you what's the matter,

By Heaven, all is not well: Hark ye, my fine she Politician, who was it you had hid beneath this Carpet?

Heav'ns! Do'st hear him, Gilliflower? Sure the Fellow's mad.

Bawd, come, confess thy self to be one; at her Devotion, yes, with a He Saint.

Ah! Gad forbid the Saints shou'd be so wicked.

Hark ye, thou little snivelling Hypocrite, who hast no Virtue but a little Conduct in Martial Discipline; who hast by Perjuries, Cheats, and Pi­ous Villanies, wound thy self up into the Rabbles Favour, where thou may'st stand, till some more great in Roguery remove thee from that height, or to the Gallows, if the King return. Hast thou the impudence to charge my Virtue?

I know not, Madam, whether that Virtue you boast were lost, or on­ly stak't, and ready for the Gamester; but I am sure a Man was hid under this Carpet.

Oh Heav'ns, a Man!

Alack, the Wickedness of these Heroicks, to hide under Carpets; why they'll have the Impudence to hide under our Petticoats shortly, if your Highness take 'em not down.

I do believe so; Death—a Cuckold; shall that black Cloud shade all my rising Fame?

Stay—be not so rash; who was beneath the Carpet?

I will not answer thee.

Nor any living thing?

No Creature in the Room, thou silly Idiot, but Gilliflower and I,—at our Devotion, praying to Heav'n for your Success to morrow;— and am I thus rewarded!

No matter Sir, the Committee shall right me.

Upon my Knees I ask thy Pardon Dear; by all that's good, I wou'd have sworn I'd felt something stir beneath me, as I sat, which threw me over.

Only your Brains turn'd round with too much drinking and dancing, Exercises you are not us'd to: — Go sleep, and settle 'em; for I'll not daign to Bed with you to Night; —retire, as 'ere you hope to have my Aid in your Advancement to the Crown.

I'm gone,—and once more, pardon my Mistake.

—So, this fighting Fool, so worshipp'd by the Rabble, how meanly can a Woman make him sneeke;

—the happy Night's our own. —

Excellent Creature, how I do adore thee!

But you, perhaps, are satisfy'd already.—

Never! shou'dst thou be kind to all Eternity. Thou hast one Ver­tue more, I pay thee Homage for; I heard from the Alcove how great a Mi­stress thou art in the dear Mystery of Jilting.

That's the first Lesson Women learn in Conventicles; Religion teaches those Maxims to our Sex, by this!

Scene I. Street.

HA Rogues, the City-Boys are up in Arms; brave Boys, all for the King now!

Have a Care what you say Sir; but as to the City's being in Muti­ny, that makes well for us: we shall fall to our old Trade of plundering, something will fall to the Righteous, and there is Plunder enough.

You plunder Sirrah, knock him down, and carry him into the Guard­room, and secure him.

They say, the Committee of Safety sat all Night at General Lambert's, about some great Affair—some rare Change Rogues!

Yes, and to put off Sorrow, they say, were all right reverendly drunk too.

I suppose so, there is some heavenly matter in hand; there was Trea­son cry'd out at the General's last Night, and the Committee of no Safety all ran away.

Or rather reel'd away.

—The Ladies squeek'd, the Lords fled, and all the House was up in Arms.

Yea, and with Reason they say; for, the Pope in diguise was found under the Ladies Bed, and two huge Jesuits as big as the Tall Irish-man, with Blunderbusses; having, as 'tis said, a design to steal the Crown now in Cu­stody of the General.—

Good lack, is't possible?

Nay Sir, 'tis true, and is't not time we look'd about us?

A Pox upon ye all, for lying Knaves:—secure 'em both on the Guard, till farther Order,—and let us in to th' City-boys: hay for Lum­bard-street.

Ay hay for Lumbard-street; there's a Shop I have mark'd out for my own already.

There's a handsom Citizens Wife, that I have an Eye upon, her Husband's a rich Banker, I'll take t'one with t'other.

You are mistaken Sir, that plunder is reserv'd for us, if they begin to mutiny; That wicked City that is so weary of a Commonwealth.

Yes, they'r afraid of the Monster they themselves have made.

Hah, my Noble Collonel; what, in Disguise!

We have made our Escapes, —and hope to see better times shortly; the Noble Scotch General is come Boys.

Come my Lads, since you have made me Captain, I'll lead you bravely on! I'll dye in the Cause, or bring you off with Victory.

Here's a Club shall do some Execution; I'll beat out Hewson's t'other Eye; I scorn to take him on the blind Side.

In the first Place, we must all sign a Petition to my Lord Mayor.—

Petitions, we'll have no Petitions Captain; we are for Club Law, Captain.

Obey, or I leave you.

Obey, Obey.

Look ye, we'll petition for an honest Free Parliament I say.

No Parliament, no Parliament, we have had too much of that Mischief already Captain.

No Parliament, no Parliament.

Farewel Gentlemen, I thought I might have been heard.

Death Sirs, you shall hear the Captain out.

We obey, we obey.

I say, an honest Free Parliament, not one pick'd and chosen by Fa­ction; but such an one shall do our Bus'ness Lads, and bring in the Great Heroick.

Ay, Ay, the Great Heroick, the Great Heroick!

A fine Youth, and shou'd be encourag'd.

Good—in the next place, the noble Scotch General is come, and we'll side with him.

Ay, Ay, all side with him.

Your Reason, Captain, for we have acted too much without Reason already.

Are we sure of him, Captain?

Oh, he'll doubtless declare for the King, Boyes.

Hay, Via la Roy, via la Monk.

Next, I hear there's a Proclamation coming out to dissolve the Com­mittee of no Safety.

Good, good.

And I hope you are all brave enough to stand to your Loyal Princi­ples with your Lives and Fortunes.

We'll dye for the Royal Interest.

In the next place, there's another Proclamation come out.

This Captain is a man of rare Intelligence; but for what Captain?

Why — to — hang us all, if we do not immediately depart to our re­spective Vocations, how like you that, my Lads?

Hum—hang'd! I'll e'n home again.

And I too, I do not like this hanging.

A man looks but scurvily with his Neck awry.

Ay, ay, We'll home.

Why now you shew what precious men you are— the King wou'd be finely hope up with such Rascals, that for fear of a little hanging wou'd de­sert his Cause; a Pox upon ye all, I here discharge ye —

A brave Boy.

We'll dye with thee, Captain—

Oh, noble Captain, we recant—

We recant, dear Captain, wee'l dy, one and all.

One and all, one and all.

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

But is there such a Proclamation, Captain?

There is; but anon, when the Crop-ear'd Sheriff begins to read it, let every man inlarge his Voice, and cry, No Proclamation, no Proclamation.

Agreed, agreed.

Take my Mite too, brave Lads.

Hay! Viva the brave Heroicks.

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?

Hah! one of the sanctify'd Lay Elders, one of the Fiends of the Na­tion, that go about like roaring Lyons, seeking whom they may devour?

Who, Mr. Ananias the Padder.

Bear Witness Gentlemen all, he calls me an High-way Man; thou shalt be hang'd for Scandal on the Brethren.

I'll prove what I say, Sirrah; do not you 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 Bodkins and Thimbles.

I commit ye; here Souldiers, 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.

How, lay hold of honest Gentlemen! Noble Cavaliers, knock him down.

Knock him down, knock him down.

Hold worthy Youths; the Rascal has done me Service.

Ye look like Citizens, what 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 Whoredom with your Fathers Idols, even in the midst of the Holy City, which the Saints have prepared for the Elect, the Chosen ones.

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

Nay, I say nay, I will dye 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 Lightening, even as a Field of Corn blasted by a strong Blast.

Knock him down.

Down with Dagon, down with him.

Ah Rogues, have I caught ye napping?

Whoop Cobler, Whoop Cobler.

SCENE changes to a Chamber.

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

How mean you? do you suspect my Vertue? 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.

My Lord departed highly satisfied.

She is not worthy of Intrigues of Love, that cannot mannage a sil­ly Husband as she pleases — but Gilliflower, you forget that this is Council day.

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

She speaks as she were Queen, but I shall put a Spoke in her rising Wheel of Fortune, or my Lords Politicks fail him

Where are the Ladies of the Council?—how remiss they are in their Attendance on us?

We, poor Creature! how simply Majesty becomes her?

—Madam, as I take it, at our last sitting, our pleasure was that you shou'd sit no more.

Your pleasure! Is that the General Voice? This is my Place in spight of thee, and all thy fawning Faction, and I shall keep it, when thou, perhaps, shalt be an humble Suppliant here at my Foot-stool.

I smile at thee.

Gentlewomen? some of us are Ladies.

Ladies, in good time; by what Authority, and from whom do you derive your Title of Ladies?

Have a care how you usurp what's not you own?

How the Devil rebukes Sin?

From whom had you your Honours, Women?

From our Husbands.

Husbands; who are they, and of what standing?

Of no long standing, I confess.

That's a common Grievance indeed.

And ought to be redress'd.

And that shall be taken into consideration; write it down, Gil­liflower, Who made your Husband a Knight, Woman?

Oliver the first, an't please ye.

Of horrid Memory; write that down—who yours?

Richard the Fourth, an't like your Honour.

Of sottish Memory; Shall I write that down too?

Most remarkably.

Heav'ns! Can I hear this Profanation of our Royal Family?

I wonder with what impudence Noll and Dick cou'd Knightifie your Husbands? for 'tis a Rule in Heraldry, that none can make a Knight but him that is one; 'Tis Sancha Pancha's Case in Don Quixot.

Thou ly'st, my Husband earn'd it with his Sword, braver and juster than thy bold Usurper, who waded to his Glory, through a Sea of Royal Blood. —

Sure Loveless has done good on her, and converted her.

Madam, I humbly beg you will be patient, You'll ruine all my Lord's Designes else.— Women, proceed to your Grievances, both pub­lick and private.

I petition for a Pension, my Husband, deceas'd, was a constant active man, in all the late Rebellion, against the Man; he plunder'd my Lord Ca­pel, he betray'd his dearest Friend Brown Bushel, who trusted his Life in his hands, and several others; plundering their Wives and Children even to their Smocks.

Most considerable Service, and ought to be consider'd.

And most remarkably, at the Tryal of the late Man, I spit in's Face, and betray'd the Earl of Holland to the Parliament.

In the King's Face, you mean— it shew'd your zeal for the Good Cause.

And 'twas my Husband that headed the Rabble, to pull down Gog and Magog, the Bishops, broke the Idols in the Windows, and turn'd the Churches into Stables and dens of Thieves; rob'd the Altar of the Cathedral of the twelve pieces of Plate call'd the twelve Apostles, turn'd eleven of 'em into Money, and kept Iudas for his own use at home.

On my word, most wisely perform'd, note it down—

And my Husband made Libels on the Man, from the first Troubles to this day, defam'd and profan'd the Woman and her Children, printed all the man's Letters to the Woman with Burlesque Marginal Notes, pull'd down the sumptuous Shrines in Churches, and with the golden and Popish Spoils adorn'd his own Houses and Chimney Pieces.

We shall consider these great Services.

To what a height is Impudence arriv'd?

Proceed to private Grievances.

An't please your Honours, my Husband prayes too much; which both hinders his private Bus'ness at home, and his Publick Services to the Commonwealth—

A double Grievance—set it down, Gilliflower.

And then he rails against the Whore of Babylon, and all my Neigh­bours think he call me Whore.

A most unpardonable fault.

We'll have that rectify'd, it will concern us.

Then he never kisses me, but he sayes a long Grace, which is more mortifying than inviting.

That is the fault of all the new Saints, which is the reason their Wives take a pious care, as much as in them lies, to send 'em to Heaven, by making 'em Cuckolds.

A very charitable work, and ought to be encourag'd.

The humble Petition of the Lady Make-shift,

—Heav'ns! Madam, here is many thousand hands to't of the distressed Sex.

Read it.

Whereas there pass'd an Act Iune 24th against Fornication and Adultery, to the great detriment of most of the young Ladies, Gentle­women, and Commonalty of England, and to the utter decay of many whole Families, especially when married to old men; your Petitioners most hum­bly beg your Honours will take this great Grievance into Mature Considera­tion and that the said Act may be repealed.

— a blessing on 'em, they shall have my hand too.

We acknowledge, there are many Grievances in that Act: but there are many Conveniences too, for it ties up the Villanous Tongues of men from boasting our Favours.

But as it layes a Scandal on Society—'tis troublesom, Society be­ing the very Life of a Republick — Peters the first, and Martin the Second.

But in a Free State, why shou'd not we be free?

Why not? we stand for the Liberty and Property of our Sex, and will present it to the Committee of Safety.

Secondly, we desire the Heroicks, vulgarly call'd the Malignants, may not be look'd on as Monsters, for assuredly they are Men; and that it may not be charg'd to us as a Crime to keep 'em company, for they are honest men.

And some of 'em men that will stand to their Principles.

Is there no other honest men that will do as well?

Good men are scarce.

They're all for Heroicks, sure 'tis the mode to love 'em — I cannot blame 'em.

And that when we go to Mornings and Evenings Lectures, to Tant­lings or elsewhere, and either before or after visit a private Friend, it may [Page 51] be actionable for the Wicked to scandalize us, by terming of it, [...]busing the Creature, when 'tis harmless recreating the Creature.

Reason, Reason.

Nor that any Husband shou'd interupt his Wife, when at her private Devotion.

I have been too late sensible of that Grievance.

And Madam, I wou'd humbly pray a Patent for Scolding, to ease my Spleen.

An please Your Highness, here's a Messenger arriv'd Post, with Let­ters from my Lord, the General.

Greater Affairs—oblige us to break up the Council.

—What means this Haste?

Hah, bless my Eye-sight, she looks pale,—now red again, some Turn to his Confusion, Heav'n, I beseech thee.

Ha, ha, ha,—What, has your Highness any cause of Grief?

Call up your Courage Madam, do not let these things scoff you,— you may be yet a Queen: Remember what Lilly told you Madam.

Damn Lilly, who with lying Prophesies, has rais'd me to the hopes of Majesty: a Legend of his Divels take him for't.

Oh, have a Care of Cursing, Madam!

Wons Madam, undone, undone; our honourable Committee is gone to th' Diel, and the damn'd loosey Rump is aud in aud; the muckle Diel set it i'solt, and his Dam drink most fort.

The Committee dissolv'd, whose wise Work was that? it looks like Fleetwood's silly Politicks.

Mary, and yar Ladiship's i'th' Right, 'twas en the Work o'th' faud Loone, the Diel brest his Wem for't.

So Brethren in Iniquity, we have spun a fine Thread, the Rump's all in all now; rules the Rost, and has sent for the General with Sissers and Rasor.

With a Sisserara, you mean.

None of your Terms in Law, good Brother.

Right, but gen ya have any Querks in Law, Mr. Lyer, that will save our Crags, 'twill be warth a Fee.

We have plaid our Cards fair.

Is deny that; Wans Sirs ya plaid 'em faul; a Fule had the shooftling of 'em, and the Muckle Diel himself turn'd up Trump.

We are lost Gentlemen, utterly lost; who the Devil wou'd have thought of a Desolution?

Is there no Remedy?

Death, I'le to the Scotch General; turn but in time as many greater Rogues than I have done, and 'twill save my Stake yet.—Farewel Gentlemen.

No Remedy?

Nene Sirs agen the Kings Evel; Bread Sirs, ya's ene gang tol yat Stall agen: Is en follow Duckingfield—Farewel Mr. Leyer.

How now Fool, what is't that makes ye look so pertly? Some migh­ty Business you have done, I'll warrant.

Verily Lady Mother, you are the strangest Body; a Man cannot please you.—Have I not finely circumvented Lambert? Made the Rump Head, who have committed him to th' Tower; ne're stir now that I have, and I'm the greatest Man in England, as I live I am, as a Man may say.

Yes, till a greater come. Ah Fool of Fools, not to fore-see the Dan­ger of that nasty Rump.

Good Madam, treat my Lord with more Respect.

You are not so well spoken of neither, ne're stir now, and you go to that. I can be King to morrow if I will.

Thou ly'st, thou wo't be hang'd first; mark that I tell thee so. I'll prove Cassandra to thee, and prophesie thy Doom; Heav'n pays the Tray­tor back with equal measure. Remember how you serv'd my poor Son Richard.

She's mad—Come, my Dear, let's leave the House of this Vil­lain that meant to have couzen'd me illegally of three Kingdoms,—but that I out-witted him at last.

Imprison'd too, i'th' Tower! What Fate is mine?

Madam, the fine Heroick's come to wait on you.

Hah, Loveless! let him not see the Ruines of my Greatness, which he foretold, and kindly begg'd I wou'd usurp no more.

This News has brought me back, I love this Woman! Vain as she is, in spight of all her Fopperies of State—

Oh Madam! all the Heroick-Boys are up in Arms, and swear they'll have your Highness, dead or alive,—they have besieg'd the House.

Heavens, the Rabble!—those faithless things that us'd to crowd my Coaches Wheels, and stop my Passage, with their officious Noise and Adoration.

SCENE. The Street.

I say we'll have the She-Polititian out, she did more mischief than her Husband, pittiful, dittiful Lambert; who is, thanks be praised, in the Tower, to which place, Lord of his mercy bring all the Kings Enemies.

Amen, Amen.

Why how now Captain, what besiege the Women? No, let us lead our Force to Nobler Enemies.

Nay, noble Chief, your word's our Law.

No, I resign that Title to the brave Scotch General, who has just now enter'd the City.

We know it, Sir; Do you not observe how the Crop-ear'd Phana­ticks trot out of Town? — The Rogues began their old belov'd Mutiny, but 'twou'd not do.

A Pox upon 'em, they went out like the Snuff of a Candle, stink­ingly and blinkingly.

Ay, ay, let 'em hang themselves, and then they are cold meat for the Devil.

But noble Champion, I hope we may have leave to rost the Rump to Night?

With all our hearts; here's Money to make Fires —

And here's for drink too't, Boyes.

Hey—Via le Roy, via les Heroicks!

So, the Rabble's gone: ah, Brethren! what will this wicked World come too?

Alack, alack, to no goodness, you may be sure; pray what's the News?

Anania, Anania.

Who calleth Ananias? lo, here am I.

Behold, it is I, look up. How goeth tidings?

Full ill, I fear, 'tis a bad Omen to see your Lordship so nigh Heaven; when the Saints are Garettifi'd.

I am fortifying my self against the Evil day.

Which is come upon us like a Thief in the Night; like a Torrent from the Mountain of Waters; or a Whirl-wind from the Wilderness.

Why, what has the Scotch General done?

Ah! He playeth the Devil with the Saints in the City, because they put the Covenant Oath unto him, he pulls up their Gates, their Posts and Chains, and enters.

And wou'd the wicked City let him have his beastly will of her?

Nay, but she was ravished—deflow'red.

How, ravish'd! oh, monstrous! was ever such a Rape committed up­on an innocent City? lay her Legs open to the wide World, for every Knave to view her Nakedness?

Ah, ah! what Dayes, what Times, and what Seasons are here?

What say you now, Lads, is not my Prophesie truer than Lillie's? I told you the Rump wou'd fall to our handling, and drinking for: the Kingss proclaim'd, Rogues.

Ay, ay, Lilly, a Plague on him, he prophesied Lambert shou'd be up­permost.

Yes, he meant perhaps on Westminster Pinacle; where's Lilly now, with all his Prophecies against the Royal Family?

In one of his Twelve Houses.

We'll fire him out to night, Boy; come, all hands to work for the Fire.

SCENE. A Chamber.

With much ado, according to thy direction, dear Freeman, I have pass'd the Pikes, my House being surrounded, and my Husband demanded, fell down dead with fear.

How, thy Husband dead!

Dead as old Oliver! and much ado I got off with these Jewels, the Rabble swore I was one of the Party, and had not the honest Corporal con­vinc'd 'em, I had been pull'd to pieces: — Come, haste away, Madam, we shall be rosted with the Rump else.

Adieu, dear Mansion! whose rich gilded Roofs so oft put me in mind of Majesty — And thou my Bed of State, where my soft Slumbers have presented me with Diadems and Scepters, — when waking I have stretch'd my greedy Arms to grasp the vanish'd Phantom! ah, adieu! And all my hopes of Royalty adieu. —

And dare you put your self into my Protection? Well, if you do, I doubt you'll never be your own Woman again.

No matter, I'm better lost than found on such occasions.

SCENE, a Street; a great Bonfire, with Spits, and Rump rosting, and the Mobile about the Fire, with Pots, Bottles, and Fiddles.

Here, Iack, a Health to the King.

Let it pass, Lad, and next to the Noble General.

Ralph, baste the Rump well, or ne'r hope to see a King agen.

The Rump will baste it self, it has been well cram'd.

Hah, Noble Champion, Faith Sir, you must honour us so far as to drink the King's Health, and the Noble General's before you go.

Will ya buy a Guedly Ballat or a Scotch Spur Sirs? a guedly Ballat or a Scotch Spur. — S'bread, Is scapt hither te weele enough, Is sav'd my Crag fro stretching twa Inches longer than 'twas borne: will ya buy a Jack line to rost the Rump, a new Iack Lambert line,—or a blithe Ditty, of the Noble Scotch General — come buy my Ditties.

How a Ditty o'th' General? let's see't, Sirrah.

S'bread, Sirs, and here's the guedly Ballad of the General's coming out of Scotland.

Here, who sings it? we'll all bear the bob.

New Almanacks, new Almanacks.

Hah, who have we here? Ananias Holder-forth of Clements Parish?

Ha, a Traytor, a Traytor.

If I be not mistaken, this blithe Ballad-singer too was Chair-man to the Committee of Safety.

Is your Lordship turn'd Pedlar at last?

What mon I do noo? Lerd, ne mere Lerd than yar sel Sir; wons Is show 'em a fair pair a heeles.

Play Fortune my Foe, Sirrah.

Who are you, Sirra? you have the mark o'th' Beast.

Who, aye, Sir? aye am a Doncer, that come a merry making among ya—

Come, Sirrah, your Feats of Activity quickly then.

A Cobler, a Cobler.

To Prison with the Traytors, and then we have made a good Nights work on't.