Volume Iv Part 78 (2/2)

_Bac._ Sir, you affront my Birth--I am a Gentleman, and yet my Thoughts were humble--I would have fought under the meanest of your Parasites.

_Tim._ There's a Bob for us, Brother. [To _Dull._

_Bac._ But still you put me off with Promises--and when compell'd to stir in my Defence I call'd none to my aid, and those that came, 'twas their own Wrongs that urg'd them.

_Down._ 'Tis fear'd, Sir, under this Pretence, you aim at Government.

_Bac._ I scorn to answer to so base an Accusation; the height of my Ambition is to be an honest Subject.

_Well._ An honest Rebel, Sir--

_Bac._ You know you wrong me, and 'tis basely urg'd--but this is trifling--here are my Commissions.

[Throws down Papers, _Down._ reads.

_Down._ To be General of the Forces against the _Indians_, and blank Commissions for his Friends.

_Well._ Tear them in pieces--are we to be imposed upon? Do ye come in hostile manner to compel us?

_Down._ Be not too rough, Sir, let us argue with him.

_Well._ I am resolv'd I will not.

_Tim._ Then we are all dead Men, Gudzoors! he will not give us time to say our Prayers.

_Well._ We every day expect fresh force from _England_, till then, we of our selves shall be sufficient to make defence against a st.u.r.dy Traitor.

_Bac._ Traitor! S'death, Traitor--I defy ye, but that my Honour's yet above my Anger, I'd make you answer me that Traitor dearly.

[Rises.

_Well._ Hah--am I threatned--Guards, secure the Rebel.

[Guards seize him.

_Bac._ Is this your honourable Invitation? Go--triumph in your short-liv'd Victory, the next turn shall be mine.

[Exeunt Guards with _Bac._

_A Noise of Fighting--Enter _Bacon_, _Wellman's_ Guards beat back by the Rabble, _Bacon_ s.n.a.t.c.hes a Sword from one, and keeps back the Rabble, _Tim._ gets under the Table._

_Down._ What means this Insolence?

_Rab._ We'll have our General, and knock that Fellow's Brains out, and hang up Colonel _Wellman_.

_All._ Ay, ay, hang up _Wellman_.

[The Rabble seize _Well._ and _Dull._ and the rest.

_Dull._ Hold, hold, Gentlemen, I was always for the General.

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