Enter Putskie, Ancient, Souldiers, with Torches.
Puts. Give us the General, we'll fire the Court else,
Render him safe and well.
Anc. Do not fire the Cellar,
There's excellent Wine in't, Captain, and though it be cold weather,
I do not love it mull'd; bring out the General,
We'll light ye such a Bone-fire else: where are ye?
Speak, or we'll toss your Turrets, peep out of your Hives,
We'll smoak ye else: Is not that a Nose there?
Put out that Nose again, and if thou dar'st
But blow it before us: now he creeps out on's Burrough.
Enter Gentleman.
Puts. Give us the General.
Gent. Yes, Gentlemen;
Or any thing ye can desire.
Anc. You musk-cat,
Cordevant-skin we will not take your answer.
Puts. Where is the Duke? speak suddenly, and send him hither.
Anc. Or we'll so frye your Buttocks.
Gent. Good sweet Gentlemen—
Anc. We are neither good nor sweet, we are Souldiers,
And you miscreants that abuse the General.
Give fire my Boys, 'tis a dark Evening,
Let's light 'em to their lodgings.
Enter Olympia, Honora, Viola, Theodore, Women.
Hon. Good Brother be not fierce.
The. I will not hurt her,
Fear not sweet Lady.
Olym. Nay, do what you please, Sir,
I have a sorrow that exceeds all yours,
And more, contemns all danger.
Enter Duke, above.
The. Where is the Duke?
Du. He's here; what would ye Souldiers? wherefore troop ye
Like mutinous mad-men thus?
The. Give me my Father.
Puts. Anc. Give us our General.
The. Set him here before us,
Ye see the pledge we have got; ye see the Torches;
All shall to ashes, as I live, immediately,
A thousand lives for one.
Du. But hear me?
Puts. No, we come not to dispute.
Enter Archas, and Burris.
The. By Heaven I swear he's rackt and whipt.
Hon. Oh my poor Father!
Puts. Burn, kill and burn.
Arc. Hold, hold, I say: hold Souldiers,
On your allegiance hold.
The. We must not.
Arc. Hold:
I swear by Heaven he is a barbarous Traitor stirs first,
A Villain, and a stranger to Obedience,
Never my Souldier more, nor Friend to Honour:
Why did you use your old Man thus? thus cruelly
Torture his poor weak Body? I ever lov'd ye.
Du. Forget me in these wrongs, most noble Archas.
Arc. I have balm enough for all my hurts: weep no more Sir
A satisfaction for a thousand sorrows;
I do believe you innocent, a good man,
And Heaven forgive that naughty thing that wrong'd me:
Why look ye wild, my friends? why stare ye on me?
I charge ye, as ye are men, my men, my lovers,
As ye are honest faithful men, fair Souldiers,
Let down your anger: Is not this our Soveraign?
The head of mercy, and of Law? who dares then,
But Rebels, scorning Law, appear thus violent?
Is this a place for Swords? for threatning fires?
The Reverence of this House dares any touch,
But with obedient knees, and pious duties?
Are we not all his Subjects? all sworn to him?
Has not he power to punish our offences?
And do we not daily fall into 'em? assure your selves
I did offend, and highly, grievously,
This good, sweet Prince I offended, my life forfeited,
Which yet his mercy and his old love met with,
And only let me feel his light rod this way:
Ye are to thank him for your General,
Pray for his life and fortune; swear your bloods for him.
Ye are offenders too, daily offenders,
Proud insolencies dwell in your hearts, and ye do 'em,
Do 'em against his Peace, his Law, his Person;
Ye see he only sorrows for your sins,
And where his power might persecute, forgives ye:
For shame put up your Swords, for honesty,
For orders sake, and whose ye are, my Souldiers,
Be not so rude.
The. They have drawn blood from you, Sir.
Arc. That was the blood rebell'd, the naughty blood,
The proud provoking blood; 'tis well 'tis out, Boy;
Give you example first; draw out, and orderly.
Hon. Good Brother, do.
Arc. Honest and high example,
As thou wilt have my Blessing follow thee,
Inherit all mine honours: thank ye Theodore,
My worthy Son.
The. If harm come, thank your self, Sir,
I must obey ye. [Exit.
Arc. Captain, you know the way now:
A good man, and a valiant, you were ever,
Inclin'd to honest things; I thank ye, Captain. [Ex. Soul.
Souldiers, I thank ye all: and love me still,
But do not love me so you lose Allegiance,
Love that above your lives: once more I thank ye.
Du. Bring him to rest, and let our cares wait on him;
Thou excellent old man, thou top of honour,
Where Justice, and Obedience only build,
Thou stock of Vertue, how am I bound to love thee!
In all thy noble ways to follow thee!
Bur. Remember him that vext him, Sir.
Du. Remember?
When I forget that Villain, and to pay him
For all his mischiefs, may all good thoughts forget me.
Arc. I am very sore.
Du. Bring him to Bed with ease, Gentlemen,
For every stripe I'll drop a tear to wash 'em,
And in my sad Repentance—
Arc. 'Tis too much,
I have a life yet left to gain that love, Sir. [Exeunt.