Volume I Part 123 (1/2)

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

_Lov._ That must be worth one's Curiosity, could one but see't.

_Gill._ We admit no Man, Sir.

_Lov._ 'Sdeath, for so good a sight I will turn Woman, I'll act it to a hair.

_Gill._ That would be excellent.

_Lov._ Nay, I must do't; the Novelty is rare-- but I'm impatient-- prithee let thy Lady know I wait.

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

[She leads him out.

SCENE III. _A great Chamber of State, and Canopy in _Lambert's_ House._

And at a Table, seated _Lambert_, _Fleetwood_, _Desbro_, _Hewson_, _Duckenfield_, _Wariston_, _Cobbet_; all half drunk, with Bottles and Gla.s.ses on the Table; L. _Lam._ and L. _Fleet._

_Lam._ My Lord _Wariston_, you are not merry to night.

_War._ Wons, Mon, this _Monk_ sticks in my Gullet, the muckle Diel pull him out by th' Lugs; the faud Loone will en spoyle and our Sport, mon.

_Lam._ I thought I had enough satisfied all your Fears; the Army's mine, that is,-- 'tis yours, my Lords, and I'll imploy it too so well for the Good of the Commonwealth, you shall have Cause to commend both my Courage and Conduct; my Lord _Wariston_, will you accompany me?

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

[All drink.

_Lam._ We'll leave all Discourse of Bus'ness, and give our selves to Mirth; I fancy good Success from this day's Omen.

Enters _Gill_, whispers L. _Lam._ she rises.

_L. Lam._ Waited so long!

_Gill._ And grew impatient, an't please your Highness; must I go tell him you cannot see him to night.

_L. Lam._ Not for the World; my silly Politician will be Busying himself in the dull Affairs of State; --Dull in comparison of Love, I mean; I never lov'd before; old _Oliver_ I suffer'd for my Interest, And 'tis some Greatness, to be Mistress to the best; But this mighty Pleasure comes _a propos_, To sweeten all the heavy Toils of Empire.

_Gill._ So it does, an't please your Highness.

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

[Ex. L. _Lam._ and _Gill._

_L. Fleet._ My Dear, I'll leave you too, my time of Devotion is come, and Heav'n will stay for no Body; where are my People? is my Coach ready, or my Chair?

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

_L. Fleet._ And light your Flambeaus,-- I love to have my Chair surrounded with Flambeaus.

Enter _Page_.

_Page._ Your Chair is ready, Madam.