Volume Iv Part 77 (2/2)

Enter _Brag_ in haste.

_Brag._ An't please your Honours, the saddest News--an Ambush being laid for _Bacon_, they rush'd out upon him on the _Sevana_, and after some fighting took him and _Fearless_--

_Tim._ Is this your sad News--zoors, wou'd I had had a hand in't.

_Brag._ When on a sudden, _Daring_ and his Party fell in upon us, turn'd the tide--kill'd our Men, and took Captain _Whimsey_, and Captain _Whiff_ Pris'ners; the rest run away, but _Bacon_ fought like fury.

_Tim._ A b.l.o.o.d.y Fellow!

_Down._ _Whimsey_ and _Whiff_? they deserve Death for acting without order.

_Tim._ I'm of the Colonel's Opinion, they deserve to hang for't.

_Dull._ Why, Brother, I thought you had wish'd that the Plot had been yours but now.

_Tim._ Ay, but the Case is alter'd since that, good Brother.

_Well._ Now he's exasperated past all hopes of a Reconciliation.

_Dull._ You must make use of the Statesman's Refuge, wise Dissimulation.

_Brag._ For all this, Sir, he will not believe but that you mean honourably, and no Persuasions could hinder him from coming, so he has dismiss'd all his Soldiers, and is entring the Town on foot.

_Well._ What pity 'tis a brave Man should be guilty of an ill Action.

_Brag._ But the noise of his danger has so won the Hearts of the Mobile, that they increase his Train as he goes, and follow him in the Town like a Victor.

_Well._ Go wait his coming. [Exit _Brag_.

He grows too popular and must be humbled.

_Tim._ I was ever of your mind, Colonel.

_Well._ Ay, right or wrong--but what's your Counsel now?

_Tim._ E'en as it used to be, I leave it to wiser Heads.

Enter _Brag_.

_Brag._ _Bacon_, Sir, is entring.

_Tim._ Gad zoors, wou'd I were safe in bed.

_Dull._ Colonel, keep in your Heat, and treat calmly with him.

_Well._ I rather wish you would all follow me, I'd meet him at the head of all his noisy Rabble, and seize him from the Rout.

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