Leid. We are yours, Sir. Mod. [Exeunt Bar., Leid., Mod.

Or. My lords, to what a monster this man's grown You may (if not abusd with dull securitie) See plaine as day.

Bre. We doe not like his carriage.

Van. He do's all, speakes all, all disposes.

Or. Spoiles all. He that dare live to see him work his ends out Uncrossd and unprevented, that wretched man Dare live to see his Cuntry shrinck before him. Consider my best lords, my noblest masters, How most, most fitt, how just and necessary A sodaine and a strong prevention.

Bre. We all conceave your Grace and all look through him And find him what we feare not yet but grieve at. You shall have new Commission from us all To take in all those Townes he has thrust his men in: When you have that, proceed as likes your Excellence.

Or. Your lordships true friend and most obedient Servant.

Van. Come to the present busines then.

Or. We attend you.

[Exeunt.



Actus Secundus.

SCAENA PRIMA.

Enter Barnavelt, Leidenberch, Modesbargen.

Bar. I have with danger venturd thus far to you That you might know by me our plot's discoverd. But let not that discourage you: though Van Dort And Bredero, with others, have assented To force this Towne, stand you still on your Guard, And on my reputation rest assured With violence they never dare attempt you; For that would give the world to understand Th'united Provinces, that by their concord So long have held out 'gainst th'opposition Of all Spaines Governours, their plotts and armyes, Make way to their most certaine ruyn by A Civill warre.

Leid. This cannot be denide.

Bar. And so at any time we may make our peace, Returning to our first obedience Upon what termes we please.

Mod. That is not certaine; For, should we tempt them once to bring their forces Against the Towne and find we give it up For want of strength to keepe it, the Conditions To which we must subscribe are in their will And not our choice or pleasure.

Bar. You are governd More by your feare then reason.

Mod. May it prove soe: That way I would be guiltie.

Bar. How appeere The new raisd Companies?

Leid. They stand full and faithfull; And for the Burgers, they are well affected To our designes. The Arminians play their parts too, And thunder in their meetings hell and dampnation To such as hold against us.

Bar. 'Tis well orderd: But have you tride by any meanes (it skills not How much you promise) to wyn the old Soldiers (The English Companies, in chief, I ayme at) To stand firme for us?

Leid. We have to that purpose Imploid Rock-Giles, with some choice Burgers els That are most popular to the Officers That doe commaund here in the Collonells absence. We expect them every mynitt. Yf your Lordship (For 'tis not fitt, I think, you should be seene) Will please to stand aside (yet you shalbe Within the hearing of our Conference) You shall perceive we will imploy all arts To make them ours.

Mod. They are come.

Bar. Be earnest with them.

Enter Rock-Giles, 2 Burgers, Captaines, Leuitenant.

R: Giles. With much adoe I have brought 'em: the prowde Shellains[154] Are paid too well, and that makes them forget We are their Masters.

1 Burg. But when we tooke them on, Famishd allmost for want of entertainement, Then they cryde out they would do any thing We would commaund them.

1 Cap. And so we say still, Provided it be honest.

Giles. Is it fitt That mercenary Soldiers, that for pay Give up their liberties and are sworne t'expose Their lyves and fortunes to all dangers, should Capitulate with their Lords?

1 Burg. Prescribing when They are pleasd to be commaunded and for what.

Giles. Answeare to this.

Leuit. You know our resolutions, And therefore, Captaine, speak for all.

1 Cap. I will, And doe it boldly: We were entertaind To serve the generall States and not one Province; To fight as often as the Prince of Orange Shall lead us forth, and not to stand against him; To guard this Cuntrie, not to ruyn it; To beat of foreigne Enemies, not to cherish Domestique factions. And where you upbraid us With the poore means we have to feed, not cloath us, Forgetting at how deere a rate we buy The triffles we have from you, thus I answeare:— Noe Cuntrie ere made a defensive war And gaind by it but you. What privat Gentleman That onely trailes a pike, that comes from England Or Fraunce, but brings gold with him which he leaves here And so enriches you? Where such as serve The Polander, Bohemian, Dane, or Turck, Though they come almost naked to their Collours, Besides their pay (which they contempne) the spoiles Of armyes overthrowne, of Citties sackd, Depopulations of wealthie Cuntries, If he survive the uncertaine chaunce of war, Returne him home to end his age in plenty Of wealth and honours.

Bar. This is shrewdly urgd.

1 Cap. Where we, poore wretches, covetous of fame onely, Come hether but as to a Schoole of war To learne to struggle against cold and hunger, And with unwearied steps to overcome A tedious march when the hot Lyons breath Burnes up the feilds; the glory that we ayme at Being our obedience to such as doe Commaund in cheif; to keepe our rancks, to fly More then the death all mutenies and rebellions. And would you then, whose wisdomes should correct Such follies in us, rob us of that litle, That litle honour that rewards our service, To bring our necks to the Hangmans Sword or Halter, Or (should we scape) to brand our foreheads with The name of Rebells?

Giles. I am put to a non plus:— Speake mine Here Secretarie.

Leid. I have heard So much deliverd by you and so well, Your actions, too, at all parts answearing What you have spoken, that I must acknowledge We all stand far indebted to your service: And therefore, as unto the worthiest, The faithfullest and strongest that protect Us and our Cuntries, we now seek to you, And would not but such men should be remembred As principall assistants in the Care Of a disease which now the State lyes sick of. I know you love the valiant Prince, and yet You must graunt him a Servant to the States As you are, Gentlemen, and therefore will not Defend that in him which you would not cherish In cold blood in your selves; for should he be Disloyall—

Leuit. He disloyall! 'tis a language I will not heare.

2 Cap. Such a suspition of him Is one that wore a Sword deserv'd the lye.

1 Cap. We know your oild tongue; and your rethorique Will hardly work on us that are acquainted With what faire language your ill purposes Are ever cloathd, nor ever wilbe won To undervalue him whose least fam'd service Scornes to be put in ballance with the best Of all your Counsailes; and for his faith, O heaven! It do's as far transcend yours in your praires As light do's darkness.

Leid. I perceive 'tis true That such as flatter Servants make them prowd. Wee'll use a rougher way, and here commaund you To leave the Towne, and sodainely, if you wish not To be forced hence.

1 Cap. Your new raisd Companies Of such as never saw the Enemie Can hardly make that good: we were placed here By the allowaunce of the generall States And of the Prince to keep it to their use.

Leuit. And we will doe it.

1 Cap. And while there is Lead Upon a house, or any Soldier master But of a doyt: when that is gon, expect That we will make you sport, or leave our lives To witness we were faithfull.—Come, Lieutenant, Let us draw up the Companies; and then Charge on us when you please. [Exeunt.

Mod. This I foresaw.

Bar. Oh, I am lost with anger! are we falne So lowe from what we were, that we dare heare This from our Servants and not punish it? Where is the terrour of our names, our powre That Spaine with feare hath felt in both his Indies? We are lost for ever, and from freemen growne Slaves so contemptible as no worthie Prince, That would have men, not sluggish Beasts, his Servants, Would ere vouchsafe the owning. Now, my frends, I call not on your furtherance to preserve The lustre of my actions; let me with them Be nere remembred, so this government Your wives, your lives and liberties be safe: And therefore, as you would be what you are, Freemen and masters of what yet is yours, Rise up against this Tirant, and defend With rigour what too gentle lenitie Hath almost lost.

Leid. Ile to the new raisd Soldiers And make them firme.

Giles. Ile muster up the Burgers And make them stand upon their guard.

Mod. For me Ile not be wanting.

Bar. Ile back to the Hage And something there Ile doe that shall divert The torrent that swells towards us, or sinck in it; And let this Prince of Orange seat him sure, Or he shall fall when he is most secure.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 2.

Enter Holderus, Dutch-woemen and an English Gentlew.

1 D. W. Here come the Sisters: that's an English Gentlewoman, Let's pray for hir Conversion.

2 D. W. You are wellcom, Lady, And your comming over hether is most happy; For here you may behold the generall freedom We live and traffique in, the ioy of woemen. No emperious Spanish eye governes our actions, Nor Italian jealouzie locks up our meetings: We are ourselves our owne disposers, masters; And those that you call husbands are our Servants.

3 D. W. Your owne Cuntry breedes ye hansom, maintaines ye brave, But with a stubborne hand the husbands awe ye: You speake but what they please, looke where they point ye, And though ye have some libertie 'tis lymitted.

4 D. W. Which cursse you must shake of. To live is nothing; To live admird and lookd at,—poore deservings But to live soe, so free you may commaund, Lady, Compell, and there raigne Soveraigne.

1 D. W. Do you thinck there's any thing Our husbands labour for, and not for our ends? Are we shut out of Counsailes, privacies, And onely lymitted our household busines? No, certaine, Lady; we pertake with all, Or our good men pertake no rest. Why this man Works theis or theis waies, with or against the State, We know and give allowaunces.

2 D. W. Why such a Gentleman, Thus hansom and thus yong, commaunds such a quarter; Where theis faire Ladies lye; why the Grave's angry And Mounseiur Barnavelt now discontent,— Do you thinck it's fitt we should be ignorant?

2 D. W. Or why there's sprung up now a new devotion? Good Gentlewoman, no. Do you see this fellow? He is a Scholler and a parlous Scholler, Or whether he be a Scholler or no 'tis not a doy't matter: He's a fine talker and a zealous talker; We can make him thinck what we list, say what we list, Print what we list and whom we list abuse in't.

Eng.-gentw. And a Teacher do you say?

2 D. W. A singuler teacher, For so we hold such here.

Eng.-gentw. Doe they use no modestie Upon my life, some of theis new Arminians, Theis hissing tosts!

Hold. An ignorant strange woman, Whose faith is onely tride by a Coach and foure horses.

3 D. W. Come, you must be as we are and the rest of your Countrywomen; You doe not know the sweet on't.

Eng.-gentw. Indeed, nor will not; Our Cuntry brings us up to faire Obedience To know our husbands for our Governours, So to obey and serve 'em: two heads make monsters; Nor Dare we thinck of what is don above us, Nor talk of Graves.

Hold. The Grave shall smart for 't shortly; Goe you and tell him soe, gooddy English woman: You have long tayles and long tongues, but we shall clip 'em.

Enter Vandermitten.[155]

I D. W. How now? what haste?

Vand. The Prince is drawing up to us And has disarmd all the strong Townes about us Of our new Soldiers; the English now stand only And the old Companies.

Eng.-gentw. Now your wisdomes, Ladies, Your learning also, Sir, your learned prating— You that dare prick your eares up at great Princes And doble charge your tongue with new opinions,— What can you doe? or can theis holly woemen That you have arm'd against obedience And made contempners of the fooles their husbands, Examiners of State,—can they doe any thing? Can they defy the Prince?

Hold. They shall defie him, And to his face: why doe not ye raise the Burgers And draw up the new Companies?

Enter Leidenberge?[156]

Leid. Away, good women! This is no sport for you: goe, cheere your husbands And bid 'em stand now bravely for their liberties. Arnam and Roterdam and all about us Have yeilded him obedience; all the new Companies Purgd and disarmd. Goe you; talke to the Arminians, And raise their harts. Good Ladies, no more Councells: This is no time to puppet in.

1 D. W. We are gon, Sir,

2 D. W. And will so coniure up our lazie husbands.

Eng.-gentw. And coniure wisely, too; the devill will faile else. [Exeunt Women.

Leid. What's she?

Vand. An English woman.

Leid. Would they were all shipt well To th' other part oth' world. Theis stubborne English We onely feare.

Vand. We are strong enough to curb 'em.

Leid. But we have turnop hearts.

Enter a Messenger.

Now what's the next newes?

Mess.[157] The Prince is at the Barriers, and desires his entraunce

Leid. He must not enter:—what Company is with him?

Mess. But few, and those unarmd too: about some twentie.

Leid. And what behind?

Mess. We can discover none.

Leid. Let's goe and view: Brothers, be strong and valiant; We have lost the Towne els and our freedoms with it. [Exeunt.



SCAENA 3.

Enter 1 Captaine[158] and Soldiers.

Sold. They charge us not to let him in.

1 Cap. We will doe it; He has our faithes.—What strengthe's upon the Guard?

Sold. Two hundred English.

1 Cap. Goe, and give this comaund then: That if any Burgers or Arminian Soldiers Offer to come upon the Guard, or let in or out Any without our knowledge, presently To bend their strength upon 'em.

Sold. It shalbe don. [Exit.

1 Cap. Do you disperse to the old Companies, Bid 'em be ready; tell 'em now is the time, And charge 'em keepe a strong eye ore the Burgers. Ile up to'th Guard.

Sold. Wee'le doe it seriously.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 4.

Enter Prince of Orange, William, Captaine,[159] Leiutenant, &c.

Or. None of our frends upon the Portt? Is this the welcom Of such a Towne, so bound in preservation To us and ours?

2 Cap. The Prince is sadly angry.

Leiut. Can ye blame him, Captaine, when such a den of dog whelps Are fosterd here against him? You will rouse anon: There are old Companies sure, honest and faithfull, That are not poysond with this ranck infection. Now they appeare, Sir.

Enter Captaine[160] on the walls.

1 Cap. Will your Grace please to enter?

Or. And thanck ye too.

1 Cap. The Port is open for ye.

Or. You see my number.

1 Cap. But I hope 'tis more, Sir.

Or. Theis must in first; 'Twill breed a good securitie.

1 Cap. We stand all ready for your Grace.

Or. We thanck ye.

1 Cap. What Companies come on, Sir.

Or. Three Troope of horse, That will be with ye presently: keepe strong the Port.

1 Cap. Enter when please your Grace; we shall stand sure, Sir.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 5.

Enter Leidenberge, Vandermitten,[161] Rock Giles.

Leid. Is he come in, do you say?

Vand. He is, but followed So slenderly and poore.

Leid. We are undon then; He knowes too well what ground he ventures on. Where are the Arminian Soldiers?

R. Giles. They stand ith' market place.

Leid. Are they well armd?

R. Giles. Ready to entertaine him.

Leid. Who commaunds the Port?

Vand. The English.

Leid. Ten towsand devills! Odd's sacrament! a meere trick to betray us.

Vand. We can discover none behind.

Leid. A trick: Those English are the men borne to undooe us.

Enter Messenger.[162]

Mess. Arme, arme, and now stand to your ancient freedoms! Three troope of horse, ten Companies of foote Are enterd now the Port.

Leid. I told ye, Gentlemen.

Mess. The English make a stand upon the new Companies, Ready to charge 'em if they stirr.

Leid. Oh mischief! All our designes are crackt, layed open, ruynd: Let's looke if any cure remaine. O devill!

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 6.

Enter Duch-woemen and Burgers.

Duch-W. The Prince, the Prince, the Prince! O our husbands.

Burg. Goe pray, goe pray, goe pray: We shalbe hangd all.

Duch-W. I would it were no worse:

Enter Eng.-gentw.

Eng.-gentw. Now where's your valours, You that would eat the Prince?

Duch-W. Sweet English Gentlewoman.

Eng.-gentw. Fy, doe not run! for shame! body a me, How their feare outstincks their garlick! litle Sir Gregory,

Enter Holderus.[163]

Art thou afraid, too? out with thy two edgd tongue And lay about thee!

Hold. Out o' my way, good woeman, Out o' my way: I shalbe whipt, and hangd too.

Eng.-gentw. Theis fellowes have strong faithes and notable valours: Ile walk about and see this sport.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 7.

Enter Orange, Leidenberge, Burgers, Captaines, Soldiers, and Arminians.

Or. Now, Mounseuir Leidenberge you may se openly The issues of your desperate undertakings, And your good helpes, myne Heeires; now you must feele too, And to your greifes, what the deserts of those are That boldly dare attempt their Cuntries ruyn And who we serve, how faithfully and honestly You must and shall confes too: not to blind ends Hood-winckt with base ambition, such as yours are, But to the generall good.—Let[164] theis new Companies March by us through the Market, so to the Guard house, And there disarme;—wee'll teach ye true obedience;— Then let 'em quitt the Towne, hansom swag fellowes And fitt for fowle play.

Leiut. Theis are but heavy marches.

Or. They wilbe lighter straight, when they are unfurnishd You put your trust in theis; you have tall defences,— Treason maintaind with heresie, fitt weapons! —So now disarme the Towne: wee'll plant new Governours!

Leid. Will your Grace be pleasd to heare?

Or. Yes, at the Hage, Sir, Till when bethinck you of your acts and answeares, For there before the generall State—Where's Modesbargen?

Cap. He left the Towne two daies agoe.

Or. A guilty feare, But we shall fright him worsse. Good order take For the Towne, and what fitt Garrison to leave in't. We are homeward bound, where we shall make you wellcom, You have instructed us in what free fashion. Come, Gentlemen, let's now goe take our rest: Prowd confidence is but a foole at best.

[Exeunt.



Actus Tercius.

SCAENA PRIMA.

Enter Bredero, Vandort.[165]

Bre. Myne Heire Vandort, what thinck ye of the Prince now?

Vandort. Like a true noble Gentlemen he has borne himself And a faire fortunate Soldier: I hold the State, Sir, Most happie in his care, and this torne Cuntry, Whose wounds smart yet, most bound to his deliveraunce.

Bre. 'Tis certaine his proceedings in this busines, As in all els, have byn most wise and constant And waited on with full wingd Expedition: How many Townes armd with theis new Pretenders, Stird up and steeld by founders of new doctrines, The collour to their Cause, hath he (and sodainely) Disarmd againe and setled in obedience, And without bloodshed, Lords, without the Sword And those Calamities that shake a kingdom: So gently and without noyse he has performd this As if he had don it in a dreame.

Vand. Most certaine, He has run through a busines will much add to him And set his vertues of with greater Lustre: But that a man so wise as Mounseiur Barnavelt, So trusted, so rewarded for his Service, And one that built the ladder to his honour Of open, honest actions, strong and straight still, Should now be doubted!

Bred. I know not nor I wish it not, But if he have a fowle hart't has byn hid long, And cunningly that poyson has byn carried.

Vand. But why a father to theis new professions? Why should he strengthen those opinions That all true learning much laments and greives at And sincks the soules sweet union into ruyn? Why theis, my lords? and why in every Garrison, Unles he had an end that shot at evill, Should he so strongly plant theis fire-brands And through his powre add daylie to their nombers?

Bred. Most sure he is suspected, strongly suspected But that a man of his great trust and busines Should sinck or suffer under doubts or whispers Or loose his honour by an others envy, Is not faire play nor honest. The Prince of Orange, Most thinck, affects him not, nor he the Prince. That either of their angry wills should prove A lawful act to ruyn one another, And not a medium of more open Justice, More equall and more honorable, step in, Man had no powre to stand nor fall with honour. If he be falce, honest and upright proofes Will ripen the Imposture.

Enter Barnavelt and his Son.

[1 Lord.[166] Here he comes, sir.]

Vand. Methincks he beares not in his Countenaunce The fulnes of that grave and constant sperit, Nor in his eye appeeres that heat and quicknes He was wont to move withall.—Salute, and counsell: Let's leave him to his thoughts.

Son. They mind ye not: Now, as I have a soule, they looke not on ye.

Bar. My noble Lords, what is't appeeres upon me So ougly strange you start and fly my Companie? What plague sore have ye spide, what taynt in honour, What ill howre in my life so cleere deserving That rancks in this below your fellowships? For which of all my cares, of all my watches, My services (too many and too mightie To find rewards) am I thus recompenced, Not lookd on, not saluted, left forgotten Like one that came to petition to your honours,— Over the shoulder sleighted?

Bred. Mounseiur Barnavelt, I am sorry that a man of your great wisdom And those rare parts that make ye lov'd and honourd, In every Princes Court highly esteemd of, Should loose so much in point of good and vertue Now in the time you ought to fix your faith fast, The creadit of your age, carelessly loose it,— I dare not say, ambitiously—that your best frends, And those that ever thought on your example, Dare not with comon safetie now salute ye.

Bar. I loose in point of honour! My frends feare me! My age suspected too! now as ye are iust men Unknit this riddle.

1 Lord. You are doubted, strongly doubted.

Bar. O the devill.

2 Lord. Your loialtie suspected.

Bar. Who dare doe this?

Bred. We wish all well; and you that know how dangerous In men of lesser mark theis foule attempts are And often have bewaild 'em in the meanest, I make no doubt will meet your owne fault sodainely And chide yourself; grow faire againe and flourish In the same full esteeme ye held and favour.

Bar. And must I heare this sett downe for all my service? Is this the glorious mark of my deservings? Taynted and torne in honour must I perish, And must theis silver curles, o you unthanckfull, Theis emblemes of my frostie cares and travells For you and for the State, fall with disgraces? Goe, fall before your new Prince! worship him, Fill all your throates with flattery, cry before him 'Tis he, and onely he, has truly serv'd ye! Forget me and the peace I have wrought your Cuntry; Bury my memory, raze out my name, My forty yeares endeavoures write in dust That your great Prince may blow 'em into nothing; And on my Monument (you most forgetfull) Fling all your scornes, erect an yroon-toothed envy That she may gnaw the pious stones that hides me.

Vand. Ye are too much mov'd, and now too late ye find, Sir, How naked and unsafe it is for a long Gowne To buckle with the violence of an Army. The Emperour Traian challenging a yong man And a swift runner to try his speed against him, The Gentleman made answeare sodainely It was not safe nor fitt to hold contention With any man commaunded thirtie legions. You know the Prince and know his noble nature, I thinck you know his powre, too: of all your wisdomes This will not show the least nor prove the meanest In good mens eyes, I thinck, in all that know ye, To seeke his love: gentle and faire demeanours Wyn more then blowes and soften stubborne angers. Let me perswade ye.

Bar. When I am a Sycophant And a base gleaner from an others favour, As all you are that halt upon his crutches. Shame take that smoothnes and that sleeke subjection! I am myself, as great in good as he is, As much a master of my Cuntries fortunes, And one to whom (since I am forcd to speak it, Since mine owne tongue must be my Advocate) This blinded State that plaies at boa-peep with us, This wanton State that's weary of hir lovers And cryes out "Give me younger still and fresher!" Is bound and so far bound: I found hir naked, Floung out a dores and starvd, no frends to pitty hir, The marks of all her miseries upon hir, An orphan State that no eye smild upon: And then how carefully I undertooke hir, How tenderly and lovingly I noursd hir! But now she is fatt and faire againe and I foold, A new love in hir armes, my doatings scornd at. And I must sue to him! be witnes, heaven, If this poore life were forfeyt to his mercy, At such a rate I hold a scornd subiection I would not give a penney to redeeme it. I have liv'd ever free, onely depended Upon the honestie of my faire Actions, Nor am I now to studdy how to die soe.

Bred. Take better thoughts.

Bar. They are my first and last, The legacie I leave my friends behind me. I never knew to flatter, to kneele basely And beg from him a smile owes me an honour. Ye are wreatches, poore starv'd wreatches fedd on crumbs That he flings to ye: from your owne aboundaunce Wreatched and slavish people ye are becom That feele the griping yoak and yet bow to it. What is this man, this Prince, this God ye make now, But what our hands have molded, wrought to fashion, And by our constant labours given a life to? And must we fall before him now, adoare him, Blow all we can to fill his sailes with greatnes? Worship the Image we set up ourselves? Put fate into his hand? into his will Our lives and fortunes? howle and crye to our owne clay "Be mercifull, o Prince?" o, pittied people! Base, base, poore patch men! You dare not heare this; You have sold your eares to slavery; begon and flatter. When ere your politick Prince putts his hooke into my nose Here must he put his Sword too.

Bred. We lament ye.

[Exeunt.

Enter the Son.

Son. We are undon, Sir.

Bar. Why?

Son. For certaine perishd. Utrecht is taken in, Modesbargen fled, And Leidenberge a Servant to their pleasures,— A prisoner, Sir.

Bar. Ha!

Son. 'Tis too true.

Bar. A prisoner?

Son. And, some say, has byn tortured, reveald much, Even all he knowes. No letters are against ye, For those he burnt; but they have so much foold him That his owne tongue—

Bar. He cannot be so boyish.

Son. My goverment of Barghen is disposd of; Their anger now against us all profest, And in your ruyn all must fall.

Bar. A prisoner! Modesbargen fledd! I am glad he is scapt their fingers. Now if the devill had but this Leidenberge I were safe enough. What a dull foole was I, A stupid foole, to wrap up such a secreat In a sheepes hart! o I could teare my flesh now And beat my leaden braines!

Son. Faith, try the Prince, Sir; You are at your last.

Bar. Art thou my Son? thou lyest; I never got a Parasite, a Coward. I seeke the Prince or bend in base submission! Ile seeke my grave first. Yf I needes must fall And that the fatall howre is cast of Barnavelt, Just like a strong demolishd Tower ile totter And fright the neighbour Cuntries with my murmour. My ruyns shall reach all: the valiant Soldier, Whose eies are unacquainted but with anger, Shall weep for me because I fedd and noursd him; Princes shall mourne my losse, and this unthanckfull, Forgetful Cuntry, when I sleepe in ashes, Shall feele and then confes I was a father.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 2.

Enter P. of Orange, William, Bredero, Vandort, Lords, Collonells, Captaines.

Bred. Will your Excellence please to sitt?

[Table: Bell.

Or. I am prowd your Lordships So willingly restore me to that place From which the envy of the Advocate Of late hath forcd me. And that you may know, How ere his mallice live to me, all hatred Is dead in me to him, I am a Suitour He may be sent for; for, as Barnavelt is A member of this body politique, I honour him, and will not scorne to yeild A strict accompt of all my Actions to him; And, though my Enemie, while he continues A frend to his owne fame and loyall to[167] The State, I love him and shall greive that he, When he falls from it must deserve my pitty.

Vand. This disposition in your Excellence Do's well becom you, but would wrong our iudgements To call one as a partner to these counsailes That is suspected, and ev'n then when all His dark designes and deepest purposes Are to be sifted.

Bred. It were most unfit, And therefore we entreat your Highnes to[167] Presse it no further.

Or. My good lords, your pardon; You are your owne disposers.—Gentlemen, I shall a while entreat ye to forbeare The troble that you put upon yourselves In following me. I can need no defence here, Being left among these whose grave counsailes ever Have lookd out for my safetie. 'Tis your pleasure And therefore I embrace it.

[Exeunt Collonells & Captaines.

Vand. Now, when you please, Your Excellence may deliver what you have Observ'd concerning the Arminian faction, What hopes and heads it had, for without question It found more favorers, and great ones too, Then yet we have discoverd.

Or. My grave Lords, That it hath byn my happines to take in, And with so litle blood, so many Townes That were falne of, is a large recompence For all my travell; and I would advise That (since[168] all now sing the sweet tunes of Concord, No Sword unsheathd, the meanes to hurt cut off, And all their stings pluckd out that would have used them Against the publique peace) we should end here And not with labour search for that which will Afflict us when 'tis found. Something I know That I could wish I nere had understood, Which yet if I should speake, as the respect And duty that I owe my Cuntry binds me, It wilbe thought 'tis rather privat spleene Then pious zeale. But that is not the hazard Which I would shun: I rather feare the men We must offend in this, being great, rich, wise, Sided with strong frends, trusted with the guard Of places most important, will bring forth Rather new births of tumult, should they be Calld to their Triall, then appease disorder In their iust punishment; and in doing Justice On three or foure that are delinquents, loose So many thousand inocents that stand firme And faithfull patriots. Let us leave them therefore To the scourge of their owne consciences: perhaps Th'assurance that they are yet undiscoverd, Because not cyted to their answeare, will So work with them hereafter to doe well That we shall ioy we sought no farther in it.

Vand. Such mild proceedings in a Goverment New setled, whose maine strength had it's dependaunce Upon the powre of some perticuler men, Might be given way to, but in ours it were Unsafe and scandalous: then the Provinces Have lost their liberties, Justice hir Sword, And we prepared a way for our owne ruyn When for respect or favour unto any, Of what condition soever, we Palliat seditions and forbeare to call Treason by hir owne name.

1 Lord. It must not be: Such mercie to ourselves were tirranie.

2 Lord. Nor are we to consider who they are That have offended, but what's the offence And how it should be punishd, to deter Others by the example.

Bred. Which we will doe; And using that united powre which warrants All we thinck fitt, we doe intreat your Highnes (For willingly we would not say comaund you), As you affect the safetie of the State Or to preserve your owne deserved honours And never-tainted loyaltie, to make knowne All such as are suspected.

Or. I obey you; And though I cannot give up certaine proofes To point out the delinquents, I will name The men the generall voice proclaimes for guiltie. Modesbargens flight assures him one, nor is The pentionary of Roterdam[169] Grotius, Free from suspition: from Utrecht I have brought The Secretarie Leidenberge, who hath Confest alredy something that will give us Light to find out the rest. I would end here And leave out Barnavelt.

Bred. If he be guiltie He's to be nam'd and punishd with the rest.

Vand. Upon good evidence, but not till then To be committed.

Will. 'Twer expedient That something should be practisd to bring in Modesbargen. Out of him the truth of all May be wroong out.

Bred. The advice is sound and good.

Vand. But with much difficultie to be performd; For how to force him out of Germanie (Whether they say hee's fledd) without a war, At least the breaking of that league we have Concluded with them, I ingeniously Confes my ignoraunce.

Or. Since you approve it, Leave that to me.

Enter Officer[170]

Off. My lord.

Or. Call in the Captaine You saw me speake with at the dore.

Off. 'Tis don. [Exit.

Bred. What does your Excellence ayme at?

Or. Have but patience, You shall know sodainely.

Enter Captaine.[171]

Cap. My good Angell keepe me And turne it to the best.—What am I sent for?

Or. You are wellcom, Captaine; nay 'tis for your good That you are calld for. You are well acquainted With all the parts of Germanie?

Cap. I have livd there. Most of my time.

Or. But doe you know the Castle Belonging to Modesbargens Aunt or Cosen,— Which 'tis I know not?

Cap. Very well, my Lord; A pleasant Cuntry 'tis, and yeilds good hunting.

Bred. And that's a sport Modesbargen from his youth Was much inclind to.

Or. Wee'll make use of it. It is of waight that you must undertake, And does require your secrecie and care.

Cap. In both I wilbe faithfull.

Or. I beleeve you; And, to confirme it, with all possible speed I would have you to post thether: from the Borders Make choice of any horsemen you thinck fitt, And, when you come there, devide them into parties And lodge neere to the Castle. Yf Modesbargen Come forth to hunt, or if at any time You find the draw-bridge up, break in upon him And willing or unwilling force him hether. You shall have gold to furnish you, and this don Propose your owne rewards, they shalbe graunted.

Cap. Yf I be wanting let my head pay for it; Ile instantly about it. [Exit.

Or. Doe, and prosper.

Will. What will you do with Leidenberge?

Bred. Let him be Kept safe a while: for Barnavelt, till we have Some certaine proofes against him, I hold fitt He have his libertie, but be suspended From any place or voice in Court untill His guilt or inocence appeere.

Vand. I like it.

Lords. We are all of your opinion.

Or. Bring in Leidenberch.

Enter Leidenberch, Boy, Guard.

Boy. Doe all theis, father, wayt on you?

Leid. Yes, Boy.

Boy. Indeed I doe not like their Countenaunces; They looke as if they meant you litle good. Pray you, put them away.

Leid. Alas, poore inocent, It is for thee I suffer; for my self I have set up my rest.

Or. Now, Mounseiur Leidenberch, We send not for you, though your fault deserve it, To load you with reproofe, but to advise you To make use of the way we have found out To save your life and honour. You already, In free confession of your fault, have made A part of satisfaction; goe on in it, And you shall find a faire discovery Of youre fowle purposes and th'agents in 'em Will wyn more favour from theyr lordships to you Then any obstinate deniall can doe.

Leid. All that I know I will deliver to you, And beyond that your Excellence nor their Lordships Will not, I hope, perswade me.

Vand. In the meane time You are a prisoner.

Boy. Who? my father?

Bred. Yes, Boy.

Boy. Then I will be a prisoner, too. For heaven sake Let me goe with him, for theis naughtie men Will nere wayt on him well. I am usd to undresse him When he's to goe to bed, and then read to him Untill he be a sleepe, and then pray by him: I will not leave him.

Bred. Why, thou shalt not, Boy. Goe with thy father.

Boy. You are a good Lord, Indeed I love you for't and will pray for you. Come, father; now I must goe too, I care not. While I am with you, you shall have no hurt, Ile be your warrant.

Leid. I have lost myself, But something I shall doe.

[Exeunt Leid., Boy, Guard.

Or. 'Tis time to rise; And, if your Lordshipps please, we will defer Our other busines to an other sitting.

Vand. In the meane time wee'll use all honest meanes To sound the depth of this Confederacie, In which Heaven's hand direct us and assist us.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 3.

Enter 2 Captaines.[172]

1 Cap. This is a strange cutting time.

2 Cap. Let 'em cutt deep enough, They will doe no great cure els. I wonder strangely They carry such a gentle hand on Leidenberch That any frends come to him.

1 Cap. 'Has confest much, Beleeve it, and so far they feare him not, They would be els more circumspect.

2 Cap. Pray ye, tell me, Is there no further newes of those are fledd,— I meane those fellow Instruments?

1 Cap. None as yet,— At least divulgd abroad. But certenly The wise States are not idle, neither at this time Do's it concerne their safeties. We shall heare shortly More of theis monsters.

2 Cap. Let's to dynner, Sir; There we shall heare more newes.

1 Cap. Ile beare ye companie.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 4.

Enter Barnavelt & Provost.

Bar. And how doth he take his imprisonment, Mr. Provost?

Pro. A litle discontent, and't please your Lordship, And sad as men confind.

Bar. He does not talke much?

Pro. Litle or nothing, Sir.

Bar. Nor wrighte?

Pro. Not any thing, Yet I have charge to give him those free uses.

Bar. Doe you keep him close?

Pro. Not so close, and't like your Lordship, But you may see and speake with him.

Bar. I thanck ye.

Pro. Pray ye give me leave; Ile send him to your Honour. [Exit.

Bar. Now, Barnavelt, thou treadst the subtlest path, The hardest and the thorniest, most concernes thee, That ere thy carefull course of life run through: The Master peece is now a foot, which if it speed And take but that sure hold I ayme it at, I make no doubt but once more, like a Comet, To shine out faire and blaze prodigiously Even to the ruyn of those men that hate me.

Enter Leidenberch.

—I am sorry for your fortune.

Leid. 'Tis a sad one And full of burthen, but I must learne to beare it. How stands your State?

Bar. Upon a ball of yce That I can neither fix, nor fall with safetie.

Leid. The heavie hand of heaven is now upon us And we exposd, like bruizd and totterd vessells, To merciles and cruell Seas to sinck us.

Bar. Our Indiscreations are our evill fortunes, And nothing sincks us but [our] want of providence. O you delt coldly, Sir, and too too poorely, Not like a man fitt to stem tides of dangers, When you gave way to the Prince to enter Utrecht. There was a blow, a full blow at our fortunes; And that great indiscreation, that mayne blindnes, In not providing such a constant Captaine, One of our owne, to commaund the watch, but suffer The haughtie English to be masters of it,— This was not well nor fitting such a wisdom, Not provident.

Leid. I must confes my errour; The beastly coldnes of the drowsy Burgers Put me past all my aymes.

Bar. O, they are sweet Jewells! He that would put his confidence in Turnops[173] And pickled Spratts—Come, yet resume your Courage, Pluck up that leaden hart and looke upon mee; Modesbargen's fledd, and what we lockt in him Too far of from their subtle keys to open, Yf we stand constant now to one another And in our soules be true.

Leid. That comes too late, Sir, Too late to be redeemd: as I am unfortunate In all that's gone before, in this—

Bar. What?

Leid. O, In this, this last and greatest—

Bar. Speake.

Leid. Most miserable. I have confessd. Now let your eies shoot through me And if there be a killing anger sinck me.

Bar. Confessd!

Leid. 'Tis done: this traitor tongue has don it, This coward tongue.

Bar. Confessd!

Leid. He lookes me blind now.

Bar. How I could cursee thee, foole, despise thee, spurne thee, But thou art a thing not worthie of mine anger. A frend! a dog: a whore had byn more secreat, A common whore a closer Cabinet. Confest! upon what safety, thou trembling aspyn, Upon what hope? Is there ought left to buoy us But our owne confidence? What frends now follow us, That have the powre to strike of theis misfortunes, But our owne constant harts? Where were my eies, My understanding, when I tooke unto me A fellow of thy falce hart for a frend? Thy melting mind! foold with a few faire words Suffer those secreats that concerne thy life, In the Revealer not to be forgiven too, To be pluckt from thy childes hart with a promise, A nod, a smile! thyself and all thy fortunes Through thy base feare made subject to example! Nor will the shott stay there, but with full violence Run through the rancke of frends, disperse and totter The best and fairest hopes thy fame was built on.

Leid. What have I done, how am I foold and cozend! What shall redeeme me from this Ignoraunce!

Bar. Not any thing thou aymst at, thou art lost: A most unpittied way thou falst.

Leid. Not one hope To bring me of? nothing reservd to cleere me From this cold Ignoraunce?

Bar. But one way left, But that thy base feare dares not let thee look on; And that way will I take, though it seeme steepe And every step stuck with affrights and horrours, Yet on the end hangs smyling peace and honour, And I will on.

Leid. Propound and take[174] me with ye.

Bar. Dye uncompelld, and mock their preparations, Their envyes and their Justice.

Leid. Dye?

Bar. Dye willingly, Dye sodainely and bravely: So will I: Then let 'em sift our Actions from our ashes. I looke to-morrow to be drawne before 'em; And doe you thinck, I, that have satt a Judge And drawne the thred of life to what length I pleasd, Will now appeare a Prisoner in the same place? Tarry for such an ebb? No, Leidenberch: The narrowest dore of death I would work through first Ere I turne Slave to stick their gawdy triumphes.

Leid. Dye, did you say? dye wilfully?

Bar. Dye any way, Dye in a dreame: he that first gave us honours Allowes us also safe waies to preserve 'em, To scape the hands of infamy and tirrany. We may be our owne Justice: he that loses His Creadit (deere as life) through doubt or faintness Is guilty of a doble death, his name dies; He is onely pious that preserves his heire His honour when he's dead.

Leid. 'Tis no great paine.

Bar. 'Tis nothing: Imagination onely makes it monstrous. When we are sick we endure a hundred fitts, This is but one; a hundred waies of torture, And cry and howle, weary of all about us, Our frends, allyes, our children teadious to us, Even our best health is but still sufferaunce. One blow, one short peece of an howre dos this, And this cures all; maintaines no more phisitians, Restores our memories, and there's the great cure, Where, if we stay the fatall Sword of Justice, It moawes the man downe first, and next his fashion, His living name, his creadit.

Leid. Give me your hand, Sir; You have put me in a path I will tread strongly; Redeeme what I have lost, and that so nobely The world shall yet confes at least I lovd ye. How much I smile at now theis peoples mallice! Dispise their subtle ends, laugh at their Justice! And what a mightie Prince a constant man is! How he can set his mind aloft, and looke at The bussings and the busines of the spightfull, And crosse when ere he please all their close weavings. Farwell, my last farwell.

Bar. A long farwell, Sir.

Leid. Our bodies are the earthes, that's their dyvorsse: But our immortall names shall twyn togeather.

Bar. Thus tread we backward to our graves;—but faint not.

Leid. Fooles onely fly their peace: thus I pursue it.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 5.

Enter Grotius & Hogerbeets.

Gro. They have arrested him, Hogerbeets?

Hog. Yes; That you all know, Grotius, they did at Utrich, But since they have with more severitie And scorne of us proceeded. Monsieur Barnavelt Walkes with a thousand eies and guards upon him, And has at best a painted libertie; Th'Appollogie he wroat so poorely raild at, (For answeard at no part a man can call it) And all his life and Actions so detracted, That he, as I am certenly informed, Lookes every howre for worsse.

Gro. Come, come, they dare not, Or if they should I will not suffer it; I that have without dread ever maintaind The freedom I was borne to, against all That ever have provoakd me, will not feare What this old Grave or the new Prince of Orange Dare undertake beyond this, but will rise up And if he lay his hands on Barnavelt, His Court, our Guift, and where the generall States Our equalls sit ile fry[175] about their eares And quench it in their blood. What now I speake Againe ile speake alowd; let who will tell it, I never will fly from it.

Hog. What you purpose I will not fly from.

Gro. Back you then to Leyden, Ile keep at Roterdam: there if he fetch me Ile nere repent whatever can fall on me.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 6.

Enter Leidenberch & Boy.

Boy. Shall I help you to bed, Sir, [Taper, pen & inke: Table.

Leid. No, my Boy, not yet.

Boy. 'Tis late and I grow sleepie.

Leid. Goe to bed then, For I must wryte, my Childe.

Boy. I had rather watch, Sir, If you sitt up, for I know you will wake me.

Leid. Indeed I will not; goe, I have much to doe; Prethee to bed; I will not waken thee.

Boy. Pray, Sir, leave wryting till to morrow.

Leid. Why, Boy?

Boy. You slept but ill last night, and talkd in your sleep, too; Tumbled and tooke no rest.

Leid. I ever doe soe. Good Boy, to bed; my busines is of waight And must not be deferrd: good night, sweet Boy.

Boy. My father was not wont to be so kind To hug me and to kisse me soe.

Leid. Why do'st thou weep?

Boy. I cannot tell, but sure a tendernes, Whether it be with your kind words unto me Or what it is, has crept about my hart, Sir, And such a sodaine heavynes withall, too.

Leid.—Thou bringst fitt mourners for my funerall.

Boy. But why do you weep, father?

Leid. O, my Boy, Thy teares are dew-drops, sweet as those on roses, But mine the faint and yron sweatt of sorrow. Prethee, sweet Child, to bed; good rest dwell with thee, And heaven returne a blessing: that's my good Boy. [Exit boy. —How nature rises now and turnes me woman When most I should be man! Sweet hart, farewell, Farewell for ever. When we get us children We then doe give our freedoms up to fortune And loose that native courage we are borne to. To dye were nothing,—simply to leave the light; No more then going to our beds and sleeping; But to leave all these dearnesses behind us, These figures of our selves that we call blessings, Is that which trobles. Can man beget a thing That shalbe deerer then himself unto him? —Tush, Leidenberch: thinck what thou art to doe; Not to play Niobe weeping ore her Children, Unles that Barnavelt appeere againe And chide thy dull-cold nature.—He is fast: [Son abed. Sleepe on, sweet Child, the whilst thy wreatched father Prepares him to the yron sleepe of death. Or is death fabled out but terrable To fright us from it? or rather is there not Some hid Hesperides, some blessed fruites Moated about with death. Thou soule of Cato, And you brave Romaine speritts, famous more For your true resolutions on yourselves Then Conquest of the world, behold, and see me An old man and a gowne man, with as much hast And gladnes entertaine this steele that meetes me As ever longing lover did his mistris. —So, so; yet further; soe.

Boy within. Oh!

Leid. Sure the Boy wakes And I shalbe prevented.

Boy. Now heaven blesse me. O me, O me!

Leid. He dreames and starts with frightings. I bleed apace but cannot fall: tis here; This will make wider roome. Sleep, gentle Child, And do not looke upon thy bloody father, Nor more remember him then fitts thy fortune. —Now shoot your spightes, now clap on all your councells; Here is a constant frend will not betray me. I, now I faint; mine eies begin to hunt For that they have lost for ever, this worldes beutie— O oh, o oh! my long sleepe now has ceizd me.

Enter Boy.

Boy. I heard him groane and cry; I heard him fall sure. O, there he lyes in his owne blood! o father, O my deare father, dead and bequeathd no blessing! Why did I goe to bed, why was I heavy? O, I will never sleep againe. The house there! You that are verteous rise! you that have fathers! Ho, Master Provost! o my deerest father. Some Surgeons, Surgeons!

Enter Provost & Servts.

Prov. 'Twas the Boyes voice, certaine.

Ser. What bloody sight is this? 'has killd himself: Dead, stone-cold dead; he needs no art of Surgeons.

Prov. Take of the Boy.

Boy. O let me dwell here ever.

Prov. This was a fatall stroak, to me a heavy, For my remissnes wilbe loaden with it. Bring in the Boy; ile to the State instantly; Examine all the wounds and keep the knives; The Boy fast too,—may be he knowes some circumstance.

Boy. O that I never knew againe.

Prov. In with it.

[Exeunt.



Actus Quartus.

SCAENA PRIMA.

Enter Captaine[176] and Soldiers.

Cap. Are the Horses left where I appointed 'em, And all the Soldiers ready?

Sold. They are all, Captaine.

Cap. 'Tis well: Modesbargen is abroad, for certaine, Hunting this morning.

Sold. Tis most likely, Sir; For round about the Castle, since the dawning, We have heard the merry noyse of hornes.

Cap. Dispeirce then, Except some three or foure to watch the Castle Least he break in againe. What Company Have ye discoverd that attends him?

Sold. Few, Sir: I do not thinck he has five within the fort now Able to make resistaunce.

Cap. Let 'em be twenty We are strong enough to fright 'em; and by all meanes Let those that stay seek by some trick or other To make the Bridge good, that they draw it not If he returne upon us.

Sold. With all care, Sir. [Exeunt.—Hornes.

Enter Modes-bargen & Huntsmen[177].

Mod. The doggs have hunted well this dewy morning, And made a merry cry.

1 Hunt. The Hare was rotten[178]; You should have heard els such a rore, and seene 'em Make all hir dobles out with such neat hunting And run at such a merry rate togeather, They should have dapled ore your bay with fome, Sir.

Mod. 'Tis very well, and so well I affect it That I could wish I had nere hunted after Any delight but this, nor sought more honour. This is securely safe, drawes on no danger, Nor is this Chace crost with malignant envy. How sweatly do I live and laugh upon The perrills I have past, the plotts and traynes! And now (methincks) I dare securely looke on The steepe and desprat follyes my indiscretion Like a blind careles foole had allmost cast me on. Here I stand saffe 'gainst all their strengths and Stratagems: I was a boy, a foole to follow Barnavelt, To step into his attempts, to wedd my freedom To his most dangerous faction, a meere Coxcomb; But I have scapd their clawes.—Have ye found more game?

Enter 2 Huntesmen[179].

2 Hunt. Beating about to find a new Hare, we discoverd—

Mod. Discoverd what?

2 Hunt. Horsemen, and't please ye, Sir, Scowt round about us, and which way still the doggs went They made up within view.

Mod. Look't they like Soldiers?

2 Hunt. For certaine they are Soldiers; for if theis are eyes I saw their pistolls.

Mod. Many?

2 Hunt. Some half a score, Sir.

Mod. I am betraide: away and raise the Boores up, Bid 'em deale manfully.

1 Hunt. Take a close way home And clap your spurres on roundly.

Mod. No place safe for me! This Prince has long armes, and his kindled anger A thousand eyes—Make hast and raise the Cuntry.

[Exeunt.

Enter Captn & Soldiers.

Cap. This was a narrow scape; he was ith' feild, sure.

Sold. Yes, that was certaine he that ridd of by us, When we stood close ith' brakes.

Cap. A devill take it! How are we cozend! pox of our goodly providence! If he get home or if the Cuntry know it!

Sold. Make haste, he is yet unmand: we may come time enough To enter with him. Besides there's this advantage: They that are left behind, instead of helping A Boores Cart ore the Bridge, loden with hay, Have crackt the ax-tree with a trick, and there it stands And choakes the Bridge from drawing.

Cap. There's some hope yet. Away and clap on spurs: he shall scape hardly If none of us salute him. Mounte, mounte.

[Exeunt.

Enter Modesbargen & Huntesmen.

Mod. Hell take this hay! 'tis set on purpose here: Fire it and draw the Bridge: clap faggotts on't And fire the Cart and all. No Boores come in yet? Where be your Musketts, Slaves?

Hunt. We have no powder, Sir.

Mod. You have sold me, Rogues, betrayd me: fire the Cart, I say, Or heave it into th' Moat.

Hunt. We have not men enough. Will ye goe in? the Cuntry will rise presently, And then you shall see, Sir, how wee'll buckle with 'em.

Mod. I see I am undon: the[180] hay choakes all, I cannot get beside it.

Enter Captaine & Soldiers.

Cap. Stir not a foote, For he that do's has mett his preist.—Goe, ceize his body, But hurt him not. You must along with us, Sir: We have an easie nag will swym away with ye,— You ghesse the cause, I am sure. When you are ith' saddle once, Let your Boores loose; we'll show 'em such a baste. Do not deiect yourself nor rayle at fortune; They are no helpes: thincke what you have to answeare.

Mod. Captaine, within this Castle in ready coyne I have a thousand ducketts: doe me one curtesie, It shalbe brought out presently.

Cap. What is it? For I have use of money.

Mod. Doe but shoot me, Clap both your Pistolls into me.

Cap. No, I thanck ye, I know a trick worth ten o'that: ile love ye And bring ye to those men that love to see ye. Away, away; and keepe your pistolls spand still: We may be forced.

Mod. I am undon for ever.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 2.

Enter Orange, Bredero, Vandort.

Bred. Is't possible he should be so far tempted[181] To kill himself?

Vand. 'Has don it and most desperately, Nor could strong nature stay his hand,—his owne Child That slept beside him: which showes him guilty, lords, More then we suspected.

Or. 'Tis to be feard soe And therefore, howsoere I movd your lordships To a mild and sweet proceeding in this busines, That nothing might be construde in't malitious And make the world believe our owne ends wrought it, Now it concernes ye to put on more strictnes And with seveerer eyes to looke into it: Ye robb yourselves of your owne rightes els, Justice, And loose those pious names your Cuntries safeties. And sodainely this must be don and constantly: The powrs ye hold els wilbe scornd & laughd at, And theis unchristian stroakes be laid to your charge.

Bred. Your Grace goes right; but with what generall safetie (For ther's the mayne point), if we proceed seveerely May this be don? We all know how much followed And with what swarmes of love this Mounsieur Barnavelt Is courted all the Cuntry over. Besides, at Leyden We heare how Hogerbeets behaves himself, And how he stirrs the peoples harts against us. And Grotius has byn heard to say, and openly, (A man of no meane mark nor to be slighted) That if we durst imprison Barnavelt He would fire the Court and State-house, and that Sacrifize He would make more glorious with your blood and ours, Sir.

Vand. All angers are not armd; the lowdest Channell Runs shallowest, and there betrayes his weaknes: The deep & silent man threatens the danger.

Or. If they had equall powre to man their wills And hope, to fling their miseries upon us, I that nere feard an Army in the feild, A body of most choice and excellent Soldiers And led by Captaines honourd for experience: Can I feare them or shake at their poore whispers? I that have broke the beds of Mutenies And bowde againe to faire obedience Those stubborne necks that burst the raynes of order, Shall I shrinck now and fall, shot with a rumour? No, my good Lords, those vollyes never fright me; Yet, not to seeme remisse or sleep secure here, I have taken order to prevent their angers; I have sent Patents[182] out for the choicest Companies Hether to be remov'd: first, Collonell Veres From Dort; next Sir Charles Morgans, a stowt Company; And last my Cosens, the Count Ernests Company: With theis I doubt not to make good our busines; They shall not find us babes.

Bred. You are nobely provident.

Vand. And now proceed when it please you, and what you thinck fit We shall subscribe to all.

Or. I thanck your Honours. Call in the Captaine of my Guard.

Serv. Hee's here, Sir.

Enter Captaine.

Or. Harck in your eare.

Cap. I shall, Sir.

Or. Doe it wisely And without tumult.

Cap. I observe your Grace.

Or. Now take your rest, my lords: for what care followes Leave it to me.

All. We wish it all succes, Sir.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 3.

Enter Barnavelt (in his studdy).

Bar. This from the King of Fraunce, of much importance, And this from Englands Queene, both mightie Princes And of immortall memories: here the Rewards sett,— They lou'd me both. The King of Swechland this, About a Truyce; his bounty, too. What's this? From the Elector Palatine of Brandenburge, To doe him faire and acceptable offices: I did so; a rich iewell and a chaine he sent me. The Count of Solems, and this from his faire Countess About compounding of a busines: I did it and I had their thancks. Count Bentham, The Archbishop of Cullen, Duke of Brunswick, Grave Embden: theis from Citties, theis from Provinces; Petitions theis; theis from the States for places. Have I held correspondence with theis Princes, And had their loves, the molding of their busines, Trusted with their most secreat purposes? Of every State acquainted with the misteries? And must I stick here now, stick unreleevd, too? Must all theis glories vanish into darknes, And Barnavelt passe with 'em and glide away Like a spent exhalation? I cannot hold; I am crackt too deepe alredy. What have I don I cannot answeare? Foole! remember not Fame has too many eares and eyes to find thee! What help, o miserable man? none left thee. What constant frends? 'tis now a cryme to know thee ... ... ... be death.

Enter Servant.

Serv. My Lady would entreat, Sir—

Bar. My head? What art thou? from whom sent?

Serv. Heaven blesse me!

Bar. Are they so greedy of my blood?—O, pardon me: I know thee now; thou art my honest Servant. What would thy Lady?

Serv. Your Company to supper, Sir.

Bar. I cannot eate; I am full alredy, tell hir: Bid hir sitt downe: full, full, too full. [Exit Serv. My thancks Poyzd equally with those faire services I have done the States, I should walk confidently Upon this high-straind danger. O, this end swayes me, A heavy bad opinion is fixt here That pulls me of; and I must downe for ever.

Enter Daughter[183]

Daught. Sir, will it please ye—

Bar. Ha!

Daught. Will it please ye, Sir—

Bar. Please me! what please me?—that I send thee, Girle, To some of my great Masters to beg for me. Didst thou meane so?

Daught. I meane, Sir—

Bar. Thou art too charitable To prostitute thy beutie to releeve me; With thy soft kisses to redeeme from fetters The stubborne fortune of thy wretched father.

Daught. I understand ye not.

Bar. I hope thou do'st not.

Daught. My Lady Mother, Sir—

Bar. Prethee, good Girle, Be not so cruell to thy aged father To somme up all his miseries before him.

Daught. I come, Sir, to entreat your Company.

Bar. I am not alone.

Daught. My Mother will not eate, Sir. —What fitt is this!

Bar. There can be no attonement: I know the Prince: Vandort is fleshd upon me, And Bredero, though he be of noble nature, Dare not step in. Wher's my Son William? His Goverment is gon, too; and the Soldier, O, the falce Soldier! What! wouldst thou have a husband? Goe, marry an English Captaine, and hee'll teach thee How to defy thy father and his fortune.— I cannot eate; I have no stomach, Girle.

Daught. Good Sir, be patient.

Bar. No news from Grotius? No flow of frends there? Hoger-beets lye still, too? —Away: ile come anon.

Daught. Now heaven preserve ye! [Exit.

Bar. A gentle Girle: why should not I pray, too? I had nere more need. When I am sett and gon, What understanding can they stick up then To fill the place I bore? None, not a man: To traffick with Great Princes? none: to deale With all the trobles of the war? None, certaine, no man: To bring in daylie treasure? I know no man; They cannot pick a man made up to serve 'em. Why should I feare then? doubt, and fly before Myne owne weake thoughts?—Art thou there, too?

Enter Wife[184] and Daughter.

Wife. Fy, fy, Sir: Why do you suffer theis sad dead retirements To choake your speritts? You have studied long enough To serve the uses of those men that scorne ye; 'Tis time you take your ease now.

Bar. I shall shortly; An everlasting ease, I hope.

Wife. Why weep ye, My deere Sir? speak.

Bar. Never till now unhappie! Thy fruit there and my fall ripen togeather And fortune gives me heires of my disgraces.

Wife. Take nobler thoughts.

Bar. What will becom of thee, Wiffe, When I am gon? When they have gorgd their envies With what I have, what honest hand in pitty Will powre out to thy wants? What noble eye Will looke upon my Children strooke with miserie And say 'you had a father that I honourd; For his sake be my Brothers and my Sisters.'

Wife. There cannot be such crueltie.

Bar. I hope not; Yet what so confident Sailour that heares the Sea rore, The winds sing lowd and dreadfull, the day darkend, But he will cry 'a storme'! downe with his Canvas And hull, expecting of that horrid feavour?

Enter Son.

—How now? What newes?

Son. Plucke up your hart, Sir, fairely And wither not away thus poorely from us; Be now secure: the myst ye feard is vanishd,— Leidenberch's dead.

Bar. Dead?

Son. Killd himself; his owne hand Most bravely was his Justice; nor left behind him One peece of paper to dishonour ye. They are all to seeke now for their Accusations.

Bar. And is he dead? so timely, too? so truly? Speak't againe, Will?

Son. Hee's dead, Sir, if I live here.

Bar. And his owne hand?

Son. His hand and will performd it.

Bar. Give me some wyne. I find now, notwithstanding [Enter Servant with wine. The opposition of those mindes that hate me, A wise-man spyns his owne fate and secures it. Nor can I, that have powre to perswade men dye, Want living frends to iustifie my Creadit. Goe in and get me meat now; invyte my frends, I am determind to be high and merry. Thou hast lost thy Charge; wee'll have another, Will; It shall goe hard els. The Prince of Orange now Will find what frends I have, and of what reckning; And when he seekes this life, he must make passage Through thousands more and those he little dreames of.

Son. I wonder how he got that speritt, Sir, to dye soe?

Bar. He was a weak man, indeed, but he has redeemd it: There be some other I could wish of his mind. Do'st thinck they dare doe any thing now.

Son. 'Troth, I thinck not, Sir.

Bar. No, Boy, I warrant thee; they make great soundes, But mark what followes. Prethee, let's be merry, I want it much.

Son. I am glad to see you so, Sir.

Enter Servant.

Bar. I cannot be above two daies from Councell, I know their wants. How now, what haste?

Serv. O, Sir, ye are undon; We have lost ye.

Bar. Ha!

Serv. For ever lost ye.

Bar. Why?

[Serv.] The Captaine of the Guard, the Princes Captaine—

Bar. Where? how?

Enter Wife & Daughter.

Serv. Is broken in now upon us.

Wife. He will not be denyde. O, my deare Husband! The cruell Princes Captaine!

[Captaine within.

Cap. Ope the dore; Wee'll force it els, and all that dare resist us Wee'll put to th'Sword.

Bar. Open the dore: farewell, Wiffe; Goe to the French Embassadour presently; There's all my hope. To him make knowne my misery, Wooe him with teares, with praires: this kisse; be happie.

Wife. O, we shall never see ye more!

[Exeunt Wife and Daughter.

Enter Captaine & others.

Bar. Away!— You Instrument of blood, why doe ye seeke us? I have knowne the day you have wayted like a suppliant And those knees bended as I past. Is there no reverence Belonging to me left now, that like a Ruffian Rudely ye force my lodgings? No punishment Due to a cryme of that fowle nature?

Cap. You must pardon me, I have commission, Sir, for what I offer, And from those men that are your Masters, too; At least you'll find 'em soe. You must shift your lodging, And presently: I have a charge to see ye Yeild yourself quietly.

Bar. Goe and tell their Lordships I will attend to-morrow. I know my time And how to meet their mallice without guards. This is the Prince, the cruell Prince your Master, The thirstie Prince of this poore Life.

Cap. Be not vext; That will not help ye, Sir.

Bar. I wilbe vext, And such an anger I will fling amongst 'em Shall shake the servile soules of these poore wretches That stick his slight deservings above mine. I charge ye draw your Guard off and disperce 'em: I have a powre as full as theirs.

Cap. You'll find not; And I must have ye with me.

Bar. And am I subiect That have stood the brunt of all their busines, And when they slept watcht to secure their slombers,— Subiect to slights, to scornes, to taynts, to tortures? To feed one privat mallice am I betrayd? Myne age, myne honour and my honest dealing Sold to the hangmans Sword?

Cap. I cannot stay.

Bar. Take me And glory in my blood, you most ungratefull; Feed your long bloody hopes and bath your angers In Barnavelts deservings; share my Services; Let it be death to pitty me; to speak well of me, The ruyn of whole famylies. When I am gon And angry war againe shall ceize your Cuntry, Too late remember then and cursse your follyes. —I am ready. Farwell, Son; remember me But not my fortune; let them cry that shall want me.

Cap. No man come neere on paine of death: away with him.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 4.

Enter Orange & 1 Captaine.[185]

Cap. And as I told your Highnes, so wee tooke him.

Or. 'Twas with discretion and valour followd. You were not noted as you made entraunce Into the Hague?

Cap. No, Sir; 'twas about midnight, And few were stirring but the Guard.

Or. The better. Let his being brought in be still conceald, and tell him If uncompelld he will confes the truth At Barnavelts Arraignement, that all favour That I can wyn him shall prepare a way To quallifie his fault.

Cap. Ile work him to it And doubt not.

Enter Burgers & Women with bowghs & flowres.

Cap. 'Tis Kramis[186]-time, In which it is a custome with the people To deck their dores with Garlonds, Bowghes, and flowres That are most gratious.

Or. I remember. —Stand close.

[1] Burg. Strew, strew: more Garlonds and more Flowres. Up with the Bowghes! Sacramant, I will have My noble frends house, Mounseiur Barnavelts, As well deckt as his Excellencies Court, For though they have got him in prison he deserves As well as any.

Cap. Mark you that.

2 Burg. 'Tis said They will cutt of his head.

1 Burg. Much![187] with a Cusshin! They know he has too many frends.

[2] Burg. They dare not. People will talke: I hope ere long to see him As great as ever.

[1] Burg. Greater too, I doubt not, And of more powre; his feet upon the necks Of all his Enemies.

Or. I am glad I heard this; And Barnavelt shall feele I will make use oft. Come; follow me. [Exeunt.

2 Burg. So, now the merry Song We made for his good Lady. Lustique,[188] hoa!

[Song.

Enter Wife above.

Wife. All thancks, kind frends, that a sad house can give ye Pray you receive; for I rest well assurd, Though theis sports are unseasonable here, They testifie your loves; and, if my Lord Ere live to be himself againe, I know He will remember it.

1 Burg. Now for the Daunce, Boyes.

Wife. Ther's something for your paines: drinck it, I pray.

2 Burg. To a doyt, my vroa, to thy Lords health and thyne. The Bree[189] for his Excellencie and the Heeres That love him not. Ten hundred thousand blessings To him and thee, my vroa. [Daunce.

Wife. I thanck you, frend. [Exeunt.



SCAENA 5.

Enter Orange, Bredero, Vandort, William, Lords. [Table.

Vand. Let him be sent for presently: he shall know, [A Bar brought in. Were he ten times more popular, his frends And flatterers Centuple, the Sword of Justice Shall fall on him as on the meanest man Since he deserves it.

Enter Provost, Captaines & Guard with Barnavelt.

Pro. Make roome for the Prisoner.

Bar. My dutie to your Highnes and theis Princes And an increase of wisdome to your Lordships, For which the world admires you, I wish to you. Alas, what troble do's a weake old man, (That is, being out of all imployment, useles) The bag of his deserts, too, cast behind you, Impose upon this Senat? My poore life (Which others envy makes your Instruments To fight against) will hardly be a Conquest Worthie such great performers.

Vand. Mounseiur Barnavelt, 'Tis no mans envy that hath brought us hether To sitt as Judges on you, but your owne. Your owne late actions they have raisd a war Against your former merritts, and defeated What ever then was ranckt for good and great, For which your Enemies, those that you thought frends, Triumph, not wee.

Bre. We rather wish you could Acquitt yourself of that for which we have Too evident prooffes, then labour to intrap you.

Bar. I must beleeve and suffer whatsoever Your Lordships charge me with: yet would gladly heare What my faultes are.

Vand. Read the Confessions Of Leidenberch and Taurinus.

Bar. Leidenberch!

Officer reads. First, that the Arminian faction (of which Sir John Van Olden Barnavelt, late Advocate of Holland and West Frizeland and Councellor of State, was without contradiction the head) had resolved and agreed to renounce and break the generallity and unitie of the State.

Secondly, Change and alter the Religion, and to that end, without the Consent of the Generall States, had raysed up and dispeirsed 3000 Arminian Soldiers.

Thirdly, To degrade the Prince of Orange.

Fourthly, To massacre the people of the Townes which were their greatest Enemies or offered resistaunce.

Fiftly, yf that fayled, to take in assistaunce of some forreigne Potentates, as Spaine or Brabant, delivering unto them Utricht, Nunweghen, Bergen op Zone, and the Brill—

Bar. And that, with others, this was Barnavelts purpose? For so your Lordships take it.

Bred. With good reason.

Vand. Too many and strong proofes invyting us To creadit it.

Bar. Yf you will have them such, All truth I can bring to dyvert your Lordships From your determinate opinion that way Will not remove them. Yet 'tis strange that man Should labour to devide those Generall States That had no weak hand in unyting them,— That Barnavelt (a name you have remembered When you have thought by whom you were mad happie)— That Barnavelt (alowd I dare repeat it), Who, when there was Combustion in the State, Your Excellence, Grave William and Count Henrie, Taking instructions for your Commaunds From one that then ruld all; the Provinces Refucing to bring in their Contributions And arguing whether the West Frizelander And Hollander had powre to raise such Tribut, When many of the Governours stood ill Affected to you, all our Garrisons Not sworne then to the Generall States but others, Which the promiscuous multitude gladly followed: When Graves and Vendloe were held by the Spaniard And Nunweghen with violence assaulted, Confusion with one greedy gripe being ready To seaze on all; then when the Sluice was lost And all in muteny at Midleborough, Who then rose up or durst step in before me To doe these Cuntries service? Who then labourd More then the now suspected Barnavelt T'appease seditions and compound all Quarrells? Who pacified the Malcontents? Who taught you To stand upon your Guards and trust yourselves? O, you forgettfull, all this I performd And in the golden fagot of faire Concord Bound safely up those strengthes which Mutenies, Corruption and homebred Traitors scatterd.

Vand. This is a point you often choose to treat of, And yet some part of theis good services None will deny you.

Or. But to ingrosse all Would argue me your ward, should I give way too't, And these grave Lords your Schollers.

Bar. In the Art Of Goverment they scornd not once to be soe, Nor you to give me hearing: and if ever 'Twer lawful th' unthanckfull men t'upbraid Unequall benefitts, let it not in me Be now held glorious if I speake my best. I have five times in regall Embassies Byn sent the principall Agent for theis Cuntries, And for your good have spoken face to face With mightie Kings: twyce with that virgin Queene, Our Patronesse of happie memory, Elizabeth of England; twyce in Fraunce With that invincible King that worthely (Though dead) is still'd the Great, Henry the fourth; Once with the King of Britaine that now is: Yet let my greatest Enemy name the least Of theis so high Imployments in which I Treated without advantage, and returnd not With proffitt, as with honour, to my Cuntry, And let me fall beneath the worst aspersion His mallice can throw on me. Besides Soldiers So often levied by my meanes for you, Which to particularize were teadious, Two millions and five hundred thousand pounds, For which the Provinces stood bound, I wrought Freely to be dischargd; the Townes they pawnd To be deliverd up; and after all Theis meritorious and prosperous travells T'unyte theis States, can Barnavelt be suspected To be the authour to undoe that knot Which with such toyle he fastend[190].

Or. Pawse, I beseech you, And while you gather breath to fill the Trumpet Of your deserts give me leave to deliver A litle for the States and mine owne honour. We have heard a glorious Catalogue of your vertues But not one vice or slip of yours rememberd; But I will help your memory:—who was he That gave intelligence of my sodaine comming To surprize Antwerpe? They that brought the Letters Were knowne and but from you could have no notice Of any such design. Who hinderd me From rescuing of Rheinberch in the last Seige? Who warranted the yeilding of it up Without necessitie to the Governour? Who was the cause no greater powre was sent Against the Enemie when he past the Rhine And tooke the Townes of Oldensell, Lingen, Groll? To thinck of this would give a litle vent To the windy bladder of your vanitie Which you have blowne to an unlymitted vastnes. Your Insolence to me before the Battaile Of Flaunders I forget[191].— Call in Modesbargen.

Bar. [aside[192]] He a prisoner, too! Then I am lost.

Enter Captaine with Modesbargen.

Or. Ha! do's that startle you?

Bar. [aside[192]] I must collect myself.

Or. You shall heare more.

Modesb. O, Mounseiur Barnavelt, do we meet thus? I am as sorry to behold you there As know myself a Prisoner. Now you perceive To what a desperate state your headlong Counsells And rash designes have brought us: to stand out now Were to no purpose, for, alas, they have Too pregnant prooffes against us.

Bar. You that feele The horrour of fowle guilt in your falce bosom Confes yourself soe; my strong Inocence To the death stands constant.

Or. Take Modesbargen in.

[Exit Cap. and Modesb.]

Vand. This is an impudence I never read of. But now wee'll show thee, miserable man, Such further prooffes as would call up a blush Upon the devills cheeke. Looke upon this, Signd by the Governor, Chauncellor and Counsell Of Gilderland and Zutphen, who here name thee The roote and head of the late Schisme.

Bred. And this Sent from the Lords of Utrecht, where 'tis prov'd That the new Companies were raisd by you, And to what purpose.

William. To subvert Religion, To deface Justice and to breake the union And holly League betweene the Provinces.

[Henry.[193] The Proclamations are allowd by you Sent forth against the Protestants; and here Your resolution to degrade my Brother And then dispose of him as you thought fitt.]

Vand. Your plott here to withdraw all the old Soldiers From the Commandement of the States, and wyn them To serve for your ends in a Civill war.

Bred. To raise up Cittizen against Cittizen, Stranger gainst stranger, Soldier against Soldier, And Maiestrates against the Maiestrates.

Or. To waste the Land within that with lesse danger The forraigne Enemy might make his entraunce. Yf then this be not treacherie beyond All presidents of Traitours—

Bar. Give me Leave Onely to smile, then say all theis are falce, Your witnesses subornd, your testemonies And wrytings forgd, and this elaborate forme Of Justice to delude the world a cover For future practises: this I affirme Upon my soule[194]. Now when you please condempne me: I will not use one sillable for your mercy To have mine age renewd and once againe To see a second triumph of my glories. You rise, and I grow tedious; let me take My farwell of you yet, and at the place Where I have oft byn heard; and, as my life Was ever fertile of good councells for you, It shall not be in the last moment barren. Octavius[195], when he did affect the Empire And strove to tread upon the neck of Rome And all hir ancient freedoms, tooke that course[196] That now is practisd on you; for the Catos And all free sperritts slaine or els proscribd That durst have stir'd against him, he then sceasd The absolute rule of all. You can apply this[197]: And here I prophecie I, that have lyvd And dye a free man, shall when I am ashes Be sensible of your groanes and wishes for me; And when too late you see this Goverment Changd to a Monarchie[198] youll howle in vaine And wish you had a Barnavelt againe. Now lead me where you will: a speedy Sentence: I am ready for it and 'tis all I ask you.

[Exeunt.



Actus Quintus.

SCAENA PRIMA.

Enter Wife, Daughter, Servant with Peares.

Wife. Denyde to see my Husband! o you Tirants! And (to increase my misery) in vaine By heaven I kneeld for't, wept and kneeld in vaine To such as would, while Barnavelt was himself— But why do I remember that word 'was,' That never happie word of 'was.'

Serv. Good Madam, Beare (with your usuall wisdom) what is not In you to help. The strict guard's kept upon him; His State ceizd on; my Lord your Son disgracd, too, And all your frends suspected, may assure you No price beneath his head must answeare for him.

Daughter. But is he not alredy dead?

Wife. I, I, There lyes my feare.

Serv. I sweare to you I saw him Not many howres since, and hundreds more; But yet, as one that's bound to honour him, I had rather have had assuraunce of his death Than so to have seen him.

Both. Why?

Serv. I have followd him When every step he made met a Petition, And these, that are his Judges now, like Clyents Have wayted on him. The whole Court attended When he was pleasd to speake, and, with such murmours As glad Spectators in a Theater Grace their best Actors with, they ever heard him; When to have had a sight of him was held A prosperous omen; when no eye gazd on him That was not filld with admiration, not As now with scorne or pitty. His rude Guard, For proofe that they contempne all such as ayme Or hope for his release (as if he were Some prodigie or monster), each night show him To such as greive his fortune, which must be To him worse then ten thousand deaths made horrid With all the actes of Crueltie.

Daught. I have hope yet To see an alteration.

Wife. My good Servant, He has some frends left yet and powerfull ones That can doe more then weepe for him as we doe; Those I will strayt sollicite. In the meane time, That to his comfort he may know so much, Endeavour thou to have this simple present As from thy self sent to him.

Serv. I will hazard All that can fall upon me to effect it.

[Exeunt[199] Wife and Daughter.

Enter Provost & Guard.

Pro. What makes this fellow here? Whether would ye, Sir?

Serv. Sir, to desire accesse unto my Lord Were to ask that I know must be denide, And therefore I forbeare it; but intreating What cannot wrong you in the graunt, I hope To find you curteous.

Pro. What's the Suit?

Serv. This onely: My Lord, your prisoner, for my service gave me A poore house with an Orchard in the Cuntry. The fruites of which he did not scorne to taste of In th'height of his prosperitie; but of all That pleasd his pallat there was one faire tree, On which theis Peares grew, which by his appointment Were still reservd for him, and as a Rent Due for my Living I stood bound to tender. Theis, yf you please, the last I shall pay to him, I would present him with, by what Attorney Your goodnes shall prescribe me.

Prov. They are faire Peares, Exceeding faire ones: ile make bold with one, The rest beare to him.

Serv. [aside[200]] All wilbe discoverd, I am glad I am got off, yet. [Exit.

Enter Provosts Wife[201].

Prov. What make you here? Do you come to traile a pike or use a Musket?

Wife. For neither, Sir; I came to see you.

Pro. Home! This is no place for women. To your Gossips! This burthen would become a Chamber better.

Wife. 'Tis a faire Peare.

Prov. You long for't: pray you take it, You are priviledgd now to beg.—Ha! charmes in't? stay, Give mee't. I would not for a thousand dollars This had byn undiscoverd. Pray you goe home; At night ile see you.

Wife. You know my obedience And I must practise it.

Prov. Make out for the fellow That came with this device. 'Twas queintly carried: The stalke pluckt cleanly out, and in the quill This scroll conveyd. What ere it be the Prince Shall instantly peruse it.

Enter Orange, Wm., Vandort, Bredero.

Or. How came you by this?

Prov. I intercepted it in a dish of Peares Brought by a man of Barnavelts, but sent to him From some of better ranck.

Or. See what is written here,— 'You have frends left and therefore, Sir, dispaire not.'

Vand. 'Tis this that feeds his Insolence, theis are they That, when they should have paid their prairs for him As for a guilty man, adoarnd his house In the dispight of us and of our Justice.

Bred. But such shall find their flattering breath but makes The fire, our Cuntries safetie byds us cherish, To burne with greater heate.

Vand. And so consume him.

Or. The freedom of our goverment, and our honours, And what we dare doe now lies at the stake. The better part of all the christian world Marks our proceedings, and it wilbe said, Yf having the Conspirators in our powre We sentence none of them, being convincd, too, Of fowre and thirtie Articles and each treason, 'Tis don for feare. Then, to affright the rest, I hold it fitt that Barnavelt, one that has Most frends and meanes to hurt, and will fall therefore With greater terror, should receive his Sentence, Then dye as he deserves. For Modesbargen And Hogerbeets we shall find fitt time to Thinck of them hereafter.

Bred. Let him be sent for.

Vand. In the meane time 'tis fit we should give hearing To the French Embassadors, who, I know, come now To mediat for him.

Bred. Wayt upon them in: Their Propositions shalbe answeard freely, And by such men as are their frends, not Servants.

Enter Boisise, Morier, Wife, Daughter, Attendants.

Boi[202]. We will plead for him and prevaile, we doubt not. Take comfort therefore, Madam, and a while, Since you are not to be admitted here, Leave us to our endeavors.

Wife. Heaven direct And prosper theis your charitable traviles.

[Exeunt Wife & Daughter.

Or. Bring Chaires there for their Lordships.

[2 Chaires.

Vand.[203] And prepare them A sylent hearing.

Bois. My good Lords, We are commaunded by the King our Master (Who ever hath respected your affaires As the tranquility of his owne kingdoms) To let you thus far understand his pleasure: He do's exhort you, as the best foundation Of your estate, with all care to preserve The union of your provinces, and wishes The change that you have made of Maiestrates, The Advocate and Counsellors of State In many of your Townes, breed not dissentions In steed of ceasing them. Touching your Prisoners That stand accusd of detestable Crymes, His Counsaile is, if they be culpable, That you use speedy Justice and with rigour.

Mor. Ever remembring that the greatest Princes Have sometimes to their glory byn most apt To pardon what was enterprizd against Their Goverments, nay their lives; and that the freest And the best Common-Wealthes, have alwaies usd To spare the blood of their owne Cittizens, And that in great offenders—it still being The principall signe of libertie and freedom Not easily, but with mature advice, To touch the lives of Cittizens.

Bois. And the rather When question is made of such as are Your officers placed in authoritie, Of whom the ancientst Mounsieur Barnavelt, So much commended for so many good And notable services don for theis Cuntries, Deserves most serious regard. My Master And other Kings & Princes your allyes, Lyving yet witnesses of his great meritts And with such admiration that they can Be hardly brought to thinck he should conspire Against these States, for which yourselves best know What travayles he hath undergon; and therefore Once more he do's advice you to use mercy, Which if you doe, he then shall thinck you merit The many favours you have tasted from him: Yf not, he having given you whollsom Counsaile, Yf you refuce it he must thinck himself Slighted in his requests; and then, perhaps, Hereafter you may misse that promptnes in him Which you have found when your wants most requird it.

Vand. May it please your Highnes in the names of all To make their Lordships answeare.

Or. Willingly; For I must still be glad to take occasion To speak how much your Lordships and myself Ever stand bound to that most Christian King Whose favours, with all thancks, we must acknowledge As with all care preserve. Onely we hope His Maiestie will give us leave to say We greive that he is misinformd of us And our proceedings, of which we hereafter Will give him certaine and unanswerable proofes To iustefie our Actions, which we will Make knowne to all the world; till when we wish He will be pleasd to give way to the States To finish what they have begon, with Justice Temperd with mercy; and that your good Lordships Will give his Grace to understand thus much, If with the generall voice you doe approve it.

Bred. We will confirme it with our generall Seale, And send our answeare to his Propositions With our respect and duties.

Mor. This we shall Make knowne unto him.

Or. Roome there for their Lordships.

[Ext. Embs.

Bred. What thinck you now, my Lords?

Vand. In my opinion 'Tis time he had his Sentence!

Wm. Is it drawne?

Vand. Yes, here it is. The peoples loves grow daungerous; In every place the whispers of his rescue; The lowd and common voice of his deservings Is floong abroad. Nor doe they handle theis things By rules of truth and reason, but their owne wills— Their headstrong hott affections.

Bred. Is he sent for?

Or. Yes and will presently be here.

Bred. Sit downe then, And now with speedy Justice let's prepare To cutt off this Imposthume.

Enter Provost & Guard, with Barnavelt.

Vand. 'Tis high time, Sir.

Prov. Roome for the Prisoner!

Vand. Bring him in; Sit downe, Sir, And take your last place with us.

Bar. 'Tis your forme And I infringe no order.

Bred. Mounseiur Barnavelt, Will ye confes yet freely your bad practises And lay those Instruments open to the World, Those bloody and bold Instruments you wrought by? Mercy may sleepe awhile but never dyes, Sir.

Bar. I have spoake all I can, and seald that all With all I have to care for now, my Conscience. More I beseech your honours—

Or. Take your pleasure.

Vand. You will give us no more lights: What this world gives you, To morrow thus we take away. Receive it.

Bar. My Sentence?

Vand. Yes; consider for your soule now, And so farewell.

Bar. I humbly thanck your honours: I shall not play my last Act worst.

Bred. Heavens mercy And a still conscience wayt upon your end, Sir.

Or. Now guard him back againe: by the break of day You shall have order from us.

Prov. Roome for the Prisoner!—

[Ext. Provost and Guard, with Barnavelt.

Or. The world shall know that what's iust we dare doe.

Vand. Nor shall the desperate act of Leidenberch Delude what we determind. Let his Coffin Be therefore hangd up on the publique Gallowes. Th'Executioners like hungry vultures Have smelld out their imployment.

Or. Let them have it: And all that plot against the generall good Learne from this mans example, great in age, Greater in wealth and in authoritie, But matchles in his worldly pollicie, That there is one above that do's deride The wisest counsailes that are misaplide.

[Exeunt.



SCAENA 2.

Enter Harlem, Leyden & Utrecht Executioners.

Har. Now hard and sharpe, for a wager, who shall doe it. Here's a Sword would doe a man's head good to be cut of with it; cures all rhumes, all Catharres, megroomes, verteegoes: presto, be gone!

Ley. You must not carry it, Harlem: you are a pretty fellow and lop the lyne of life well, but weake to Baltazar. Give roome for Leyden: heer's an old Cutter, heer's one has polld more pates and neater then a dicker[204], of your Barbers; they nere need washing after. Do's not thy neck itch now to be scratchd a little with this?

Har. No, in truth do's it not; but if you'll try first, yf I doe not whip your dodipoll as clenly of and set it on againe as handsomely as it stands now, that you may blow your nose and pledge me too Cans after—

Ley. I was afraid The rogue had don't indeed.

Utr. You two imagine now You are excellent workmen and that you can doe wonders, And Utrecht but an Asse. Let's feele your Raizors: Handsawes, meere handsawes! Do you put your knees to'em too, And take mens necks for timber? You cutt a feather? Cut butter when your tooles are hot! Looke here, puppies; Heer's the sword that cutt of Pompeis head.

Har. The head of a Pumpion.[205]

Utr. Looke on't but come not neere it: the very wind on't Will borrow a leg or an arme. Heers touch & take, boyes! And this shall moaw the head of Mounsieur Barnavelt. Man is but grasse and hay: I have him here And here I have him. I would undertake with this Sword To cutt the devills head of, hornes and all, And give it to a Burger for his breakfast.

Ley. We know you have byn the headman of the parish A great while, Utricht, and ministerd much Justice, Nickt many a worthie gamester; and that you, Harlem, Have shortend many a hanging cause, to your Commendation: Yet, for all this, who shall trym Monsieur Barnavelt Must run by fortune. You are proper men both; But why before me that have studdied the true trick on't Theis twenty yeeres, and run through all the theorems?

Har. Let's fling for't then.

Ley. I am content.

Utr. And I.

Har. Sit round, then: here are dyce, and ile begin to ye. Have at your head, Sir John! dewce ace[206]; a doggs-head![207] The devill turnd this ace up. Farwell, velvet gowne! Thou hast mist the luckiest hand to scratch thy Coxcomb.

Ley. No, no, Sir. Now for my part. Heigh! fight aloft for the head, boyes. How? Cater-trey[208]?

Utr. Will you take a sleeve for your share, Sir?

Ley. 'Tis but a desperat cast, and so hee'l find it, If it fall to me. Cast for your game.

Utr. Have at it: Stay, let me swing my Sword thrice round first: now, Now the Graves head ... goose giblitts.— Two sixes, boyes! I knew I should performe it.

Har. Ye have it: thanck your fortune.

Utr. I could not misse it, I never lost so faire a stake yet. How ile doe it And in what posture: first, how ile take my leave of him, With a few teares to draw more money from him; Then fold up his braunchd[209] gowne, his hat, his doblet, And like the devill cry 'mine owne! lye there, boyes!' Then bind his eyes; last stir myself up bravely And, in the midle of a whollsome praire, Whip and—hic iacet Barnavelt.— Come, let's sing our old Song, And then come view me how I doe my busines. Boy, come, sing you for me.

[Song. Exeunt.



SCAENA 3.

Enter 2 Captaines[210] & their Soldiers, severally.

1 Cap. Here stand we fast.

2 Cap. Cock all your Musketts, Soldiers, now, And gentlemen be ready to bend your pikes; The prisoner's comming out.

1 Cap. But doe you thinck They meane to take his head of, or to fright him?

2 Cap. Heaven keep me from such frights. Why are theis Guards Commaunded to make good the Execution, If they intend not death?

1 Cap. But dare they doe it?

2 Cap. What dare not Justice do that's right and honest? Is he not proov'd a guilty man? What bugs Should publick safety be afraid to looke on? Do you hold the United States so tame to feare him,— Feare him a Traitor, too?

1 Cap. You know hee's much lov'd, And every where they stir in his Compassion.

2 Cap. They'll stir so long till some of 'em will sinck for't, Some of the best I feare that glewd his faction; Their building lyes discoverd and their bases broken.

1 Cap. There is much money laid in every place, too, Hundreds and thousands, that they dare not strike him.

2 Cap. Give loosers leave to play the fooles; 'tis lost all. Secure yourself he dyes; nor is it wisdom To go an ace lesse with him: he is monstrous. —The people hurry now; stand fast, he is comming.

Enter Provost, Soldiers & Executioners, with a Coffin & a Gibbett.

Pro. Make roome before! cleere all theis gaping people And stop their passage.

1 Cap. How now? What wonder's this?

Prov. Stay! or ile make ye stay: I charge ye stir not.

2 Cap. What thinck you now? dare not theis men do Justice? This is the body of Leidenberg, that killd himself To free his Cause: his shame has found him yet.

Prov. Up with him, come: set all your hands & heave him!

Exec. A plaguy, heavy Lubber! Sure this fellow Has a bushell of plot in's belly, he weighes so massy. Heigh! now againe! he stincks like a hung poll cat. This rotten treason has a vengeance savour; This venison wants pepper and salt abhominably.

Prov. Pyn him aloft, and pin him sure.

Exec. I warrant ye; If ere he run away againe ile swing for him. This would make a rare signe for a Cookes shop, The Christmas pie. [Exeunt Executioners.

Prov. Come; now about the rest.—Keepe the Court cleere still.

[Exeunt Provost and Soldiers.

2 Cap. What thinck you now?

1 Cap. Now I am afraid of him. This prologue should portend a fatall Tragedie: Theis examples will make 'em shake.

2 Cap. 'Tis well they have 'em; Their stubbornenes and pride requires 'em greater. The Prince strikes iust ith' nick and strikes home nobely: This new pretending faction had fird all els; They had floong a generall ruyn on the Cuntry.

Enter Boyes & Burgers.

1 Boy. He comes, he comes, he comes! o for a place now!

2 Boy. Let's climb the Battlements.

Cap. Away with theis rogues.

1 Burg. I saw the Guard goe for him: Where shall we be now?

2 Burg. He will make a notable Speech, I warrant him.

3 Burg. Let's get us neere the Skaffold.

1 Cap. Keep of, Turnops: Ye come upon our Pikes els.

1 Burg. Pox o' theis Soldiers? We cannot see our frends hangd in quiet for 'em. Come, come, to th' top oth' hall.

[Exeunt Boys & Burgers.]

2 Cap. Away, good pilchers![211] Now blow your matches and stand fast: he comes here.

1 Cap. And now bend all your pikes.

Enter Provost, Barnavelt, Lords, Guard. (A Scaffold put out) Executioner.