Ungrateful fair one; and, since you are such,
'Tis lawful for me to proclaim myself,
And what I have deserved.

Cleora. Neglect and scorn
From me, for this proud vaunt.
Leost. You nourish, lady,

Your own dishonour in this harsh reply,
And almost prove, what some hold of your sex,
You're all made up of passion: For, if reason
Or judgment could find entertainment with you,
Or that you would distinguish of the objects
You look on in a true glass, not seduced
By the false light of your too violent will,
I should not need to plead for that which you
With joy should offer. Is my high birth a ble-
mish?

Or does my wealth, which all the vain expence
Of women cannot waste, breed loathing in you?
The honours, I can call mine own, thought scan-
dals?

Am I deformed, or, for my father's sins,
Mulcted by Nature? If you interpret these
As crimes, 'tis fit I should yield up myself
Most miserably guilty. But, perhaps,
(Which yet I would not credit) you have seen
This gallant pitch the bar, or bear a burden
Would crack the shoulders of a weaker bond-

Or

man;

any other boisterous exercise, Assuring a strong back, to satisfy

Your loose desires, insatiate as the grave.
Cleora. You are foul-mouthed.

Arch. Ill-mannered too.
Leost. I speak

In the way of supposition, and entreat you,
With all the fervour of a constant lover,
That you would free yourself from these asper-
sions,

Or any imputation black-tongued slander
Could throw on your unspotted virgin whiteness;
To which there is no easier way, than by
Vouchsafing him your favour; him, to whom,
Next to the general, and the gods, and fautors,
The country owes her safety.

Timag. Are you stupid?

'Slight, leap into his arms, and there ask pardon-
Oh! you expect your slave's reply; no doubt
We shall have a fine oration: I will teach
My spaniel to howl in sweeter language,
And keep a better method.

Arch. You forget
The dignity of the place.
Diph. Silence!

Timol. Speak boldly.

Pis. 'Tis your authority gives me a tongue, I should be dumb else; and I am secure, I cannot clothe my thoughts, and just defence, In such an abject phrase, but 'twill appear Equal, if not above, my low condition. I need no bombast language, stolen from such As make nobility from prodigious terms The hearers understand not; I bring with me No wealth to boast of, neither can I number Uncertain fortune's favours with my merits;

I dare not force affection, or presume

To censure her discretion, that looks on me
As a weak man, and not her fancy's idol.
How I have loved, and how much I have suf
fered,

And with what pleasure undergone the burthen
Of my ambitious hopes (in aiming at
The glad possession of a happiness,
The abstract of all goodness in mankind
Can at no part deserve,) with my confession
Of mine own wants, is all that can plead for me.
But if that pure desires, not blended with
Foul thoughts, that like a river keeps his course,
Retaining still the clearness of the spring
From whence it took beginning, may be thought
Worthy acceptance; then I dare rise up,
And tell this gay man to his teeth, I never
Durst doubt her constancy, that, like a rock,
Beats off temptations, as that mocks the fury
Of the proud waves; nor from my jealous fears
Question that goodness, to which, as an altar
Of all perfection, he, that truly loved,
Should rather bring a sacrifice of service,
Than raze it with the engines of suspicion;
Of which, when he can wash an Ethiop white.
Leosthenes may hope to free himself;
But, till then, never.

Timag. Bold, presumptuous villain!
Pis. I will go farther, and make good upon
him,

In the pride of all his honours, birth and fortunes,

He's more unworthy than myself.
Leost. Thou liest.

Timag. Confute him with a whip, and, the
doubt decided,

Punish him with a halter.

Pis. O the gods!

My ribs, though made of brass, cannot contain My heart, swoln big with rage-The lie! A whip! [Plucks off his disguise. Let fury then disperse these clouds, in which I long have marched, disguised; that, when they know

Whom they have injured, they may faint with horror

Of my revenge, which, wretched men! expect, As sure as fate, to suffer!

Leost. Ha! Pisander?

Timag. 'Tis the bold Theban!

Asot. There's no hope for me then!

I thought I should have put in for a share, And borne Cleora from them both: But now, This stranger looks so terrible, that I dare not So much as look on her.

Pis. Now, as myself, Thy equal at thy best, Leosthenes.-For you, Timagoras, praise heaven you were

born

Cleora's brother, 'tis your safest armour.
But I lose time.-The base lie cast upon me,
I thus return: Thou art a perjured man,
False and perfidious, and hast made a tender
Of love and service to this lady, when

Thy soul (if thou hast any) can bear witness,
That thou were not thine own. For proof of this,
Look better on this virgin, and consider,
This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing
In a Greekish dress, such as when first you saw her,
If she resemble not Pisander's sister,
One called Statilia?

Leost. 'Tis the same! my guilt
So chokes my spirits, I cannot deny
My falsehood, nor excuse it.

Pis. This is she,

To whom thou wert contracted: This the lady, That, when thou wert my prisoner, fairly taken In the Spartan war, that begged thy liberty, And with it gave herself to thee, ungrateful!

Statil. No more, sir, I entreat you: I perceive True sorrow in his looks, and a consent To make me reparation in mine honour; And then I am most happy.

Pis. The wrong done her

Drew me from Thebes with a full intent to kill thee:

But this fair object met me in my fury,
And quite disarmed me. Being denied to have her
By you, my lord Archidamus, and not able
To live far from her, love (the mistress of
All quaint devices) prompted me to treat
With a friend of mine, who, as a pirate, sold me
For a slave to you, my lord, and gave my sister
As a present to Cleora.

Timol. Strange meanders!

Pis. There how I bare myself needs no relation. But, if so far descending from the height Of my then flourishing fortunes, to the lowest Condition of a man, to have means only To feed my eye with the sight of what I honoured; The dangers too I underwent, the sufferings; The clearness of my interest, may deserve A noble recompence in your lawful favour; Now 'tis apparent that Leosthenes Can claim no interest in you, you may please To think upon my service.

Cleora. Sir, my want

Of power to satisfy so great a debt,

Makes me accuse my fortune; but if that,
Out of the bounty of your mind, you think
A free surrender of myself full payment,
I gladly tender it.

Arch. With my consent too,

All injuries forgotten.

Timag. I will study,

In my future service, to deserve your favour

And good opinion.

Leost. Thus I gladly fee

This advocate to plead for me. [Kissing STATILIA.
Pis. You will find me

An easy judge. When I have yielded reasons
Of your bondmen's falling off from their obedi-

Grac. Give me leave;

I'll speak for all.

Timol. What canst thou say, to hinder The course of justice?

Grac. Nothing. You may see

We are prepared for hanging, and confess
We have deserved it. Our most humble suit is,
We may not twice be executed.

Timol. Twice! How mean'st thou ?

Grac. At the gallows first, and after in a ballad, Sung to some villainous tune. There are tengroat rhymers

About the town grown fat on these occasions.
Let but a chapel fall, or a street be fired,
A foolish lover hang himself for pure love,
Or any such like accident, and before
They are cold in their graves, some damned dit-
ty's made,

Which makes their ghosts walk.-Let the state take order

For the redress of this abuse, recording
'Twas done by my advice, and, for my part,
I'll cut as clean a caper from the ladder
As ever merry Greek did.

Timol. Yet I think

Though he kicked me for exercise; and the like I promise for all the rest.

Timol. Rise then, you have it.

All Slaves. Timoleon! Timoleon!
Timol. Cease these clamours.

And now, the war being ended to our wishes,
And such as went the pilgrimage of love,
Happy in full fruition of their hopes,
'Tis lawful, thanks paid to the powers divine,
To drown our cares in honest mirth and wine.

[Exeunt.

Here, and but shew himself, and to some one
Or two make his request: There is a minute.
When a man's presence speaks in his own cause,
More than the tongues of twenty advocates.
Rom. I have urged that.

Enter ROCHFORT and DU CROY.
Charmi. Their lordships here are coming,
I must go get me a place. You'll find me in court,
And at your service.
[Exit CHARMI.
Rom. Now, put on your spirits!
Du Croy. The ease that you prepare yourself,
my lord,

In giving up the place you hold in court,
Will prove, I fear, a trouble in the state,
And that no slight one.

Roch. Pray you, sir, no more.

Rom. Now, sir, lose not this offered means:
Their looks,

Fixed on you with a pitying earnestness,
Invite you to demand their furtherance
To your good purpose.-This is such a dulness,
So foolish and untimely, as-

Du Croy. You know him?

Roch. I do; and much lament the sudden fall Of his brave house. It is young Charalois, Son to the marshal, from whom he inherits His fame and virtues only.

Rom. Ha! they name you.

Du Croy. His father died in prison two days

since.

Roch, Yes, to the shame of this ungrateful state;

That such a master in the art of war,
So noble, and so highly meriting
From this forgetful country, should, for want
Of means to satisfy his creditors

The sums he took up for the general good,
Meet with an end so infamous.

Rom. Dare you ever hope for like opportunity?
Du Croy. My good lord!

Roch. My wish bring comfort to you!
Du Croy. The time calls us.
Roch. Good morrow, colonel!

[Exeunt ROCHFORT and DU CROY. Rom. This obstinate spleen,

You think becomes your sorrow, and sorts well With your black suits: But, grant me wit or judgment,

man,

And, by the freedom of honest an And a true friend to boot, I swear, 'tis shame

ful;

And therefore flatter not yourself with hope,
Your sable habit, with the hat and cloak,
No, though the ribbons help, have power to
work them

To what you would: For those, that had no eyes
To see the great acts of your father, will not,
From any fashion sorrow can put on,
Be taught to know their duties.

Char. If they will not,

They are too old to learn, and I too young To give them counsel; since, if they partake The understanding and the hearts of men, They will prevent my words and tears: If not,

What can persuasion, though made eloquent With grief, work upon such as have changed na

ture

With the most savage beast? Blest, blest be ever
The memory of that happy age, when justice
Had no guards to keep off wronged innocence
From flying to her succours, and, in that,
Assurance of redress! Where now, Romont,
The damned with more ease may ascend from hell,
Than we arrive at her. One Čerberus there
Forbids the passage; in our courts a thousand,
As loud and fertile-headed; and the client,
That wants the sops to fill their ravenous throats,
Must hope for no access. Why should I, then,
Attempt impossibilities, you, friend, being
Too well acquainted with my dearth of means
To make my entrance that way?

Rom. Would I were not!

But, sir, you have a cause, a cause so just,
Of such necessity, not to be deferred,
As would compel a maid, whose foot was never
Set o'er her father's threshold, nor, within
The house where she was born, ever spake word
Which was not usher'd with pure virgin blushes,
To drown the tempest of a pleader's tongue,
And force corruption to give back the hire
It took against her. Let examples move you.
You see men great in birth, esteem, and fortune,
Rather than lose a scruple of their right,
Fawn basely upon such, whose gowns put off,
They would disdain for servants.

Char. And to these can I become a suitor?
Rom. Without loss:

Would you consider, that, to gain their favours,
Our chastest dames put off their modesties,
Soldiers forget their honours, usurers
Make sacrifice of gold, poets of wit,

And men religious part with fame and goodness.
Be therefore won to use the means that may
Advance your pious ends.

Char. You shall overcome. Rom. And you receive the glory. Pray you now practise. 'Tis well.

Enter NOVALL senior, LILADAM, Advocates, and three Creditors.

Char. [Tenders his petition.] Not look on

me!

Nov. sen. 'Tis well.

Lilad. Observe him now.

Rom. I know you for

ceedings so,

Without corruption I am your friend;

Speak your desires.

2 Cred. Oh, they are charitable;

The marshal stood engaged unto us three,

For usurers bred by a riotous peace,

That hold the charter of your wealth and free

dom,

By being knaves and cuckolds; that neʼer prayed, But when you fear the rich heirs will grow wise,

death,

We are defeated of. For which great loss We aim at nothing but his rotten flesh; Nor is that cruelty.

1 Cred. I have a son

That talks of nothing but of guns and armour,
And swears he'll be a soldier; 'tis an humour
I would divert him from; and I am told,
That if I minister to him, in his drink,
Powder made of this bankrupt marshal's bones,
Provided that the carcase rot above ground,
"Twill cure his foolish frenzy.

Nov. sen. You shew in it

A father's care. I have a son myself,
A fashionable gentleman, and a peaceful:
And, but I am assured he is not so given,
He should take of it too.

Charal, Sir.

Nov. sen. What are you?
Charal. A gentleman.

Nov. sen. So are many that rake dunghills.
If you have any suit, move it in court:
I take no papers in corners.

[Exit

Rom. Yes, as the matter may be carried, and
whereby

To manage the conveyance-Follow him.
Lilad. You're rude: I say he shall not pass.
[Exeunt CHARALOIS, and Advocates.
Rom. You say so! On what assurance?
For the well-cutting of his lordship's corns,
Picking his toes, or any office else
Nearer to baseness!

Lilad. Look upon me better;

Are these the ensigns of so coarse a fellow?
Be well advised.

Rom. Out, rogue! do not I know These glorious weeds spring from the sordid dunghill

Of thy officious baseness? Wert thou worthy
Of any thing from me, but my contempt,

I would do more than this,-[Beats him.] more, you court-spider!

Lilad. But that this man is lawless, he should find.

That I am valiant.

1 Cred. If your ears are fast,

'Tis nothing. What's a blow or two? As much. 2 Cred. These chastisements as useful are as frequent

To such as would grow rich.

Rom. Are they so, rascals? I will befriend you then[Kicks them.

1 Cred. Bear witness, sîrs! Lilad. Truth, I have borne my friends! In the court you shall have more.

part already,

[Exit.

And then, the devil, your father, is called upon,
To invent some ways of luxury ne'er thought on.
Be gone, and quickly, or I'll leave no room
Upon your foreheads for your horns to sprout on;
Without a murmur, or I will undo you,
For I will beat you honest.

1 Cred. Thrift forbid!

We will bear this rather than hazard that. [Exeunt Creditors.

Re-enter CHARALOIS.

Rom. I am somewhat eased in this yet.
Char. Only friend,

To what vain purpose do I make my sorrow
Wait on the triumph of their eruelty?
Or teach their pride, from my humility,

To think it has o'ercome? They are determined
What they will do; and it may well become me,
To rob them of the glory they expect
From my submiss entreaties.

Rom. Think not so, sir:

The difficulties that you encounter with,
Will crown the undertaking-Heaven! you weep,
And I could do so too; but that I know,
There's more expected from the son and friend
Of him whose fatal loss now shakes our naturés,
Than sighs or tears, in which a village nurse,
Or cunning strumpet, when her knave is hanged,
May overcome us. We are men, young lord,
Let us not do like women. To the court,
And there speak like your birth: Wake sleeping
justice,

Or dare the axe. This is a way will sort
With what you are: I call you not to that
I will shrink from myself; I will deserve
Your thanks, or suffer with you-O how bravely
That sudden fire of anger shews in you!
Give fuel to it; since you are on a shelf
Of extreme danger, suffer like yourself, [Exeunt.

SCENE II.The Court of Justice.

Enter ROCHFORT, NOVALL, sen. Presidents, CHARMI, DU CROY, BEAUMONT, Advocates, Officers, and three Creditors.

Du Croy. Your lordships seated, may this meeting prove

Prosperous to us, and to the general good of Burgundy!

Nov. sen. Speak to the point.

Du Croy-Which is

With honour to dispose the place and power
Of premier president, which this reverend man,
Grave Rochfort (whom for honour's sake I name),
Is purposed to resign; a place, my lords,
In which he hath with such integrity