Volume Iv Part 71 (1/2)

_Whim._ Why, Brother _Whiff_, you were for making him a General but now.

_Whiff._ The Counsels of wise States-men, Brother _Whimsey_, must change as Causes do, d'ye see.

_Dun._ Your Honours are in the right; and whatever those two leading Counsellors say, they would be glad if _Bacon_ were dispatch'd: but the punctilio of Honour is such a thing.

_Whim._ Honour, a Pox on't; what is that Honour that keeps such a bustle in the World, yet never did good as I heard of?

_Dun._ Why, 'tis a foolish word only, taken up by great Men, but rarely practis'd.--But if you wou'd be great Men indeed--

_Whiff._ If we wou'd, Doctor, name, name the way.

_Dun._ Why, you command each of you a Company--when _Bacon_ comes from the Camp, as I am sure he will, (and full of this silly thing call'd Honour, will come unguarded too) lay some of your Men in Ambush along those Ditches by the _Sevana_, about a Mile from the Town; and as he comes by, seize him, and hang him up upon the next Tree.

_Whiff._ Hum--hang him! a rare Plot.

_Whim._ Hang him!--we'll do't, we'll do't, Sir, and I doubt not but to be made General for the Action--I'll take it all upon my self.

[Aside.

_Dun._ If you resolve upon this, you must about instantly--Thus I shall at once serve my Country, and revenge my self on the Rascal for affronting my Dignity once at the Council-Table, by calling me Farrier.

[Ex. _Dr._

_Whiff._ Do you know, Brother, what we are to do?

_Whim._ To do! yes, to hang a General, Brother, that's all.

_Whiff._ All! but is it lawful to hang any General?

_Whim._ Lawful, yes, that 'tis lawful to hang any General that fights against Law.

_Whiff._ But in what he has done, he has serv'd the King and our Country, and preserv'd our Lives and Fortunes.

_Whim._ That's all one, Brother; if there be but a Quirk in the Law offended in this Case, though he fought like _Alexander_, and preserv'd the whole World from Perdition, yet if he did it against Law, 'tis lawful to hang him; why, what, Brother, is it fit that every impudent Fellow that pretends to a little Honour, Loyalty, and Courage, should serve his King and Country against the Law? no, no, Brother, these things are not to be suffer'd in a civil Government by Law establish'd,--wherefore let's about it.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. _Surelove's_ House.

Enter _Ranter_ and _Jeffery_ her Coachman.

_Ran._ Here, _Jeffery_, ye drunken Dog, set your Coach and Horses up, I'll not go till the cool of the Evening, I love to ride in _Fresco_.

Enter a _Boy_.

_Coach._ Yes, after hard drinking-- [Aside.] It shall be done, Madam.

[Exit.

_Ran._ How now, Boy, is Madam _Surelove_ at home?