Volume Iv Part 83 (1/2)

_Booz._ Silence--silence-- [_Dunce_ reads.

_Dun._ By an order of Council, dated _May_ the 10th, 1670. To all Gentlemen Soldiers, Merchants, Planters, and whom else it may concern.

Whereas _Bacon_, contrary to Law and Equity, has, to satisfy his own Ambition, taken up Arms with a pretence to fight the _Indians_, but indeed to molest and enslave the whole Colony, and to take away their Liberties and Properties; this is to declare, that whoever shall bring this Traitor dead or alive to the Council, shall have three hundred pounds Reward. And so G.o.d save the King.

_All._ A Council, a Council! Hah-- [Hollow.

Enter a _Soldier_ hastily.

_Sold._ Stand to your Arms, Gentlemen, stand to your Arms, _Bacon_ is marching this way.

_Dun._ Hah--what Numbers has he?

_Sold._ About a hundred Horse, in his march he has surpriz'd Colonel _Downright_, and taken him Prisoner.

_All._ Let's fall on _Bacon_--let's fall on _Bacon_, hay. [Hollow.

_Booz._ We'll hear him speak first--and see what he can say for himself.

_All._ Ay, ay, we'll hear _Bacon_ speak. [_Dunce_ pleads with them.

_Tim._ Well, Major, I have found a Stratagem shall make us Four the greatest Men in the Colony, we'll surrender our selves to _Bacon_, and say we disbanded on purpose.

_Dull._ Good--

_Whiff._ Why, I had no other design in the World in refusing to fight.

_Whim._ Nor I, d'ye think I wou'd have excus'd it with the fear of disordering my Cravat-String else.

_Dun._ Why, Gentlemen, he designs to fire _James_ Town, murder you all, and then lie with your Wives; and will you slip this opportunity of seizing him?

_Booz._ Here's a termagant Rogue, Neighbours--we'll hang the Dog.

_All._ Ay, ay, hang _Bacon_, hang _Bacon_.

Enter _Bacon_ and _Fearless_, some Soldiers leading in _Downright_ bound; _Bacon_ stands and stares a while on the Regiments, who are silent all.

_Bac._ Well, Gentlemen, in order to your fine Declaration, you see I come to render my self.

_Dun._ How came he to know of our Declaration?

_Whiff._ Rogues, Rogues among our selves, that inform.

_Bac._ What, are ye silent all,--not a Man to lift his Hand in Obedience to the Council, to murder this Traytor that has exposed his Life so often for you? Hah, what, not for three hundred Pound?--You see I've left my Troops behind, and come all wearied with the Toils of War, worn out by Summers heats, and Winters cold, march'd tedious Days and Nights through Bogs and Fens as dangerous as your Clamours, and as faithless,--what though 'twas to preserve you all in Safety, no matter, you shou'd obey the grateful Council, and kill this honest Man that has defended you.

_All._ Hum, hum, hum.

_Whiff._ The General speaks like a Gorgon.

_Tim._ Like a Cherubin, Man.

_Bac._ All silent yet--where's that mighty Courage, that cried so loud but now, A Council, a Council? where is your Resolution? cannot three hundred Pound excite your Valour to seize that Traitor _Bacon_ who has bled for you?