Volume Iv Part 77 (1/2)

[His Men come in, they fall on, release _Bacon_ and _Fearless_, and his Man, and get Swords. _Whimsey's_ Party put _Whim._ and _Whiff_ before 'em striking 'em as they endeavour to run on this side or that, and forcing 'em to bear up, they are taken after some fighting.

_Fear._ Did not the General tell you Rogues, you'd be all hang'd?

_Whiff._ Oh, _Nancy_, _Nancy_, how prophetick are thy Dreams!

_Bac._ Come, lets on--

_Dar._ S'death, what mean you, Sir?

_Bac._ As I designed--to present my self to the Council.

_Dar._ By Heavens, we'll follow then to save you from their Treachery, 'twas this that has befallen you that I feared, which made me at a distance follow you.

_Bac._ Follow me still, but still at such a distance as your Aids may be a.s.sisting on all occasions.--_Fearless_, go back and bring your Regiment down; and _Daring_, let your Sergeant with his Party guard these Villains to the Council.

[Ex. _Bac._ _Dar._ and _Fearless_.

_Whiff._ A Pox on your Wors.h.i.+p's Plot.

_Whim._ A Pox of your forwardness to come out of the Hedge.

[Ex. Officers, with _Whim._ and _Whiff_.

SCENE IV. _The Council-Table_.

Enter Col. _Wellman_, Col. _Downright_, _Dullman_, _Timorous_, and about seven or eight more seat themselves.

_Well._ You heard Mr. _Dunce's_ opinion, Gentlemen, concerning _Bacon's_ coming upon our Invitation. He believes he will come, but I rather think, though he be himself undaunted, yet the persuasions of his two Lieutenant-Generals, _Daring_ and _Fearless_, may prevent him--Colonel, have you order'd our Men to be in Arms?

Enter a _Soldier_.

_Down._ I have, and they'l attend further order on the _Sevana_.

_Sold._ May it please your Honours, _Bacon_ is on his way, he comes unattended by any but his Footmen, and Col. _Fearless_.

_Down._ Who is this Fellow?

_Well._ A Spy I sent to watch _Bacon's_ Motions.

_Sold._ But there is a Company of Soldiers in Ambush on this side of the _Sevana_ to seize him as he pa.s.ses by.

_Well._ That's by no order of the Council.

_Omnes._ No, no, no order.

_Well._ Nay, 'twere a good design if true.

_Tim._ Gad zoors, wou'd I had thought on't for my Troop.

_Down._ I am for no unfair dealing in any extremity.