Chapter X: Introduction: To the Tragedy of Sir John Van Olden Barnavelt (3)

_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! ô 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! ô 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_.

_Prov_. Cleere all the Skaffold; Let no more into th'Court; we are choakd with people.

_Bar_. You are curteous in your preparations, gentlemen,

1 _Lord_. You must ascend, Sir.

_Bar_. Feareles I will, my lords, And, what you can inflict, as feareles suffer. Thus high you raise me, a most glorious kindnes For all my Cares! For my most faithfull service For you and for the State thus ye promote me! I thanck ye, Cuntrymen, most nobely thanck ye. --Pull of my Gowne. Of what place are ye, frend?

_Exec_. Of _Utrich_, Sir.

_Bar_. Of _Utrich_! Wherefore, prethee, Art thou appointed here?

_Exec_. To tell you true, Sir, I won this place at dyce: we were three appointed.

_Bar_. Am I becom a generall game? a Rest[212] For every Slave to pull at? Thanck ye still: You are growne the noblest in your favours, gentlemen. --What's that hangs there? what Coffin?

_Lord_. How it stirrs him.

2 _Lord_. The body, Sir, of _Leidenberch_[213] the Traitour.

_Bar_. The traitour?

2 _Lord_. I, the Traitour, the fowle Traitour, Who, though he killd himself to cleere his cause, Justice has found him out and so proclaimd him.

_Bar_. Have mercy on his soule! I dare behold him.

1 _Lord_. Beleeve me, he's much moved.

2 _Lord_. He has much reason.

_Bar_. Are theis the holly praires ye prepare for me-- The comforts to a parting soule? Still I thanck ye, Most hartely and lovingly I thanck ye. Will not a single death give satisfaction, O you most greedy men and most ungratefull,-- The quiet sleep of him you gape to swallow, But you must trym up death in all his terrors And add to soules departing frights and feavors? Hang up a hundred Coffins; I dare view 'em, And on their heads subscribe a hundred treasons It shakes not me, thus dare I smile upon 'em And strongly thus outlooke your fellest Justice.

2 _Lord_. Will ye bethinck ye, Sir, of what ye come for.

_Bar_. I come to dye: bethinck you of your Justice And with what Sword ye strike, the edge of mallice. Bethinck ye of the travells I had for ye, The throaes and grones to bring faire peace amongst ye; Bethinck ye of the dangers I have plundgd through And almost gripes of death, to make you glorious. Thinck when the Cuntry, like a Wildernes, Brought nothing forth but desolation, Fire, Sword and Famine; when the earth sweatt under ye Cold dewes of blood, and _Spanish_ flames hoong ore ye, And every man stood markt the child of murder And women wanted wombes to feed theis cruelties;-- Thinck then who stept in to you, gently tooke ye And bound your bleeding wounds up; from your faces Wipd of the sweatts of sorrow, fed and nurssd ye; Who brought the plowgh againe to crowne your plenty; Your goodly meadowes who protected (Cuntrymen) From the armd Soldiers furious marches; who Unbard the Havens that the floating Merchant Might clap his lynnen wings up to the windes And back the raging waves to bring you proffit. Thinck through whose care you are a Nation And have a name yet left,--a fruitfull Nation (Would I could say as thanckfull)--bethinck ye of theis things And then turne back and blush, blush [for] my ruyne.

1 _Lord_. 'Tis strange how this [man b]rags; 'tis a strange impudence Not to be pittied in his [case], not sufferd. You breed the peace, you bring the plowgh againe? You wipe the fire and blood of from this Cuntry, And you restore hir to hir former Beuty? Blush in thine age, bad man; thy grave blush for thee And scorne to hide that man that holds no Creadit. Beare witnes all the world that knowes our Trobles Or ever greiv'd our plagues, what we have sufferd And, under Heaven, by what armes we have cur'd theis,-- Councells and frends; in which I tell thee (_Barnavelt_), And through thy Impudence I here proclaime it, Thou hadst the least and last share. 'Tis not your face, Sir, The greatnes of your friends, corruptly purchast, The Crying up of your manie Services, Which lookd into wither away like Mushrumps, Shall scandall us.

2 _Lord_. Your _Romaine_ end, to make men Imagine your strong conscience fortifide, No, nor your ground Religion. Examine all men Branded with such fowle syns as you now dye for, And you shall find their first stepp still Religion. _Gowrie_ in _Scotland_, 'twas his maine pretention: Was not he honest, too? his Cuntries father? Those fyery Speritts next that hatchd in _England_ That bloody Powder-Plot, and thought like meteors To have flashd their Cuntryes peace out in a Moment: Were not their Barrells loden with Religion? Were not they pious, iust and zealous Subiects? Humble your soule for shame, and seeke not now, Sir, To tumble from that happines even Angells Were throwne from for their pride. Confes, and dye well.

1 _Lord_. Will ye confes your faultes?

_Bar_. I come not heather To make myself guilty; yet one fault I must utter, And 'tis a great one.

2 _Lord_. The greater mercy.

_Bar_. I dye for saving this unthanckfull Cuntry.

1 _Lord_. Play not with heaven.

_Bar_. My Game's as sure as yours is, And with more care and inocence I play it. Take of my doblet; and I prethee, fellow, Strike without feare.

_Exec_. I warrant ile fitt ye. I pray forgive me, Sir.

_Bar_. Most hartely, And heer's my hand. I love thee, too: thy physick Will quickly purge me from the worldes abuses. When I speak lowdest, strike.

_Exec_. I shall observe ye.

_Bar_. Farwell, my lords: to all your Counsailes fortune, Happie succes and proffit; peace to this Cuntry; And to you all, that I have bredd like children, Not a more faithfull father but more fortunate. Doe not I stay too long?

2 _Lord_. Take your owne time, Sir.

_Bar_. I have a wiffe, my lords, and wretched children, Unles it please his Grace to looke upon 'em And your good honours with your eies of favour. 'Twill be a litle happines in my death That they partake not with their fathers ruyns.

1 _Lord_. Let not that troble ye: they shall not find it.

_Bar_. Commend my last breath to his Excellence; Tell him the Sun he shot at is now setting, Setting this night, that he may rise to morrow, For ever setting. Now let him raigne alone And with his rayes give life and light to all men. May he protect with honour, fight with fortune, And dye with generall love, an old and good Prince. My last petition, good Cuntrymen, forget me: Your memories wound deeper then your mallice, And I forgive ye all.--A litle stay me.-- Honour and world I fling ye thus behind me, And thus a naked poore man kneele to heaven: Be gracious to me, heare me, strengthen me. I come, I come, ô gracious heaven! now, now, Now, I present--

_Exec_. Is it well don mine Heeres?

1 _Lord_. Somewhat too much; you have strooke his fingers, too, But we forgive your haste. Draw in the body; And Captaines, we discharge your Companies.

_Vand_. Make cleere the Court.--Vaine glory, thou art gon! And thus must all build on Ambition.

2 _Lord_. Farwell, great hart; full low thy strength now lyes: He that would purge ambition this way dies.

_Exeunt_.