The Fifth of November; or, The Gunpowder Plot: An historical play

DRAMATIS PERSONS.

King James The First.
Cecil, Earl Of Salisbury.
Earl Of Northumber-
Land.

Earl Of Suffolk.
Earl Of Essex.
Lord Monteagle.
Dudley.
Percy,
Littleton,
Habington,

SlR EVERARD DlGBY,

Catesby,
Winter,
Iiokewood,
Grant,

Garnet,

Tesmond,  Jesuits.

Hall, J

Guy Fawkes.

Carh, afterwards Earl

Of Somerset. Sir Thomas Knyvett. Sir Fulk Greville. Sir Richard Bromly. Sir Edward Neville. Archie Armstrong. Prim, Pore, Captain of Guards. Grim, Captain of Robbers. David.

Lady Habington.

Olivia Percy.

Julia Habington.

Agnes.

Nurse.

Chorus of Village Maidens.

Soldiers, Servants, Messengers, Robbers, fyc.

ERRATUM. In page 79, line 10 from bottom, for rare read ware.

THE

FIFTH OF NOVEMBER.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.

Westminster Bridge.—Morning.

Percy, Catesby.

Percy. The Morning's mantle, rising from the stream, Thick and fuliginous, its volum'd wreaths Winds round yon fated mansions; and the eye Of glorious day would seem suffus'd awhile To shroud and sanctify our enterprize.

Catesby. Let ten-fold mufflings dim its orient light,
Vapours funereal cloud its noon-tide beam ;
This night, my Percy, we will light a blaze
To shame the torch of Phcebus.

Percy. Castesby, yes,
To vengeance and our renovated wrongs
We'll light our ev'ning sacrifice, and hurl
Ruin's red fragments through the vaulty night.
Methinks the paths of glory are unclog'd
To my prophetic gaze, and Percy's star
Shall re-ascend the zenith of its brightness.

Catesby. Thee blighted hopes and tainted honours urge

Towards our great intent:—avenging hate,
Our prostrate altars, persecuted faith,
Firm my fierce purposings.

Percy. Although thou deem'st
My nature rugged, yet the white-wing'd love
Still hovers o'er the tempest of my soul;
And pity pleads, a dew-eyed cherub, there.

Catesby. I know thine eye affects the star of Hendip,
Affianc'd to Monteagle; and for thee
The priest, who rules the house of Habington,
'Tis said, amidst each sterner argument,
Mingles love's colloquies, but still in vain.

Percy. And must Monteagle die ? Of kindred faith,
Yet, shrinking from our secret machinations,
Shall honour firm, and meek humanity,
Propel him to his doom ? I still must mourn
The cruel need, although each priestly council
Has still'd the whisp'ring monitor within,
And steel'd my heart to deeds of death.

Catesby. He dies;
The Lord Monteagle was, I think, thy friend ?

Percy. Yes, the world call'd him so; we liv'd together;
Sat at the festive board; we laugh'd together;
Pursued the chace, and fought in distant lands;
Thus he became my friend:—we lov'd together;
And so he is my foe.

Catesby. Monteagle dies;
To caution him would mar our enterprize;
The sweeping besom of destruction spares
Nor friend nor foe:—king, commons of the realm,
Queen, nobles, princes, all one glorious ruin!
We, like avenging gods, shall stand aloof,
Safe, unsuspected; and shall see those walls
In which were forg'd the curs'd proscriptive edicts
Against our fathers, and our children's children,
Rent in ten thousand fragments!

Percy. Th' august head
Of majesty ; the nation's eldest hope ;
All the collected council of the state;
Th' imperial crown, the sceptre, and the dove,
The cross, and orb, and mitre; star of merit,
Garter of honour, cushion'd coronal,
The velvet ermin'd; lawn pontifical;
Th' emblazon'd pomp of antique heraldry;
All the enrolled records of the realm;
The seal of sov'reignty, the stamp of law—

Catesby. E'en let them mount, and claim their kindred

stars.

But Rokewood this way comes: his lightsome step
Seems to foretel glad tidings. Welcome Rokewood.

Enter Rokewood.
Say, then, how speeds our cause in Warwickshire ?

Rokewood. Sir Everard Digby, Grant, and other friends,
Sworn federates, have arm'd their followers ;
And on the outburst of our mighty act,
They seize Elizabeth at Lord Harrington's—

Catesby. And straight proclaim her queen. Elizabeth !
I would her name were Mary—second Mary,
To gaze unmov'd upon the blazing pile,
And with unmoisten'd front to list the groans
Of down-descending heretics.

Percy. But say,
What news from Hendip and the Lady Julia ?

Rokewood. Firm to her faith, but firmer to her love.

Percy. I'll have her in her hate :—and my fair sister ?

Rokewood. Loves a loose heretic, if report says true.

Catesby. Dudley: well, well, he meets his fate to-day; Or else 'twere Littleton's to guard his own.

Percy. 'Neath Hendip's roof, like kindred buds in May, The maidens grew together, and each bosom Is the soft treasury of the other's council.

Catesby. When women's wits thus chime in unison,
'Twere well to watch them; and the Jesuit Hall
Has still the keeping of their consciences.

Rokewood. And Habington is firm.

Catesby. I know him well;
Firm to our cause, and bolder than the tempest,
Yet of a tender soft confiding nature:
Trusts he his wife ?

Rokewood. E'en if he does, she's safe.

Catesby. Andknowst thounot she's sister to Monteagle?

Rokewood. Yet is she safe: no other ties she owns Than those her prompting priest has fashion'd for her.

Catesby. Rokewood, I'd have no woman of our council; There is but one tie for a woman's tongue; She will not utter what she does not know. We meet at noon. [Exit Catesby.

Rokewood. He would have been Rome's ruler.

Percy. England's too
He may be; for he holds a master spirit,
To which all others bow them in subjection;
And such the forward aim and noble frankness
With which he bears himself, that willing minds
Give him their unweigh'd guidance. We must part,
Each to our separate agencies: at noon
We meet beneath the vaults.

Rokewood. Till then adieu. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Morning.—Hendip Castle, Worcestershire. Olivia Percy, Julia Habington.

Olivia. Th' unfetter'd sun-beam now, my Julia, Throws a wan lustre o'er those ancient woods,

Gilding the skirts of the departing storm,

Which sweeps their nodding summits; Hendip's towers,

Time-tinted roofs, and frowning battlements,

Merge from the grey clasp of the gusty cloud,

And hill and valley are unveil'd. Can He,

The Universal Spirit, far enthron'd

Above yon orb, yet smiling in its beam,

Parent of good and gladness, say, can He

Look diff'rent on two hearts which worship him

With equal warmth, yet rites dissimilar ?

Julia. So say the holy fathers of our church; And oh ! my heart bleeds for thee. Oh ! Oh'via, And wouldst thon clasp an heretic to thy bosom ? One with perdition stamp'd upon his brow ; Proscrib'd of all heav'n's hope ? O never, never!

Th' inexorable ban and fiery gulph

Must ever yawn between ye.
Olivia. O 'tis dreadful!

And yet it ne'er can be! but my toss'd soul

Is borne about upon a sea of troubles:

Love and religion sway th' alternate tides.

And surely Garnet is a good old man,

Pure as th' unflesh'd seraphim, and meek

And holy as the sainted anchorite ;

Yet is he mortal, and may err. O Dudley,

Why did we ever meet ? Why did we love ?

E'er yet I saw thee, all my heart was peace;

My life flow'd joyous as a summer rill,

Smiling and caroling in its tranquil course.

Julia. I share thy griefs, Olivia, doubly share them;

With me, too, love and duty are at variance;

Fraternal rigour thwarts my bosom's wish :

Sway'd by our priesthood, Habington denies

Monteagle's claim, and urges Percy's suit;

And from the clouds which mantle on his brow,
And nightly meetings in the Western Tower,

And messengers still hast'ning to and fro,
I fear some dread proceeding.

Olivia. Percy's soul

Is clad in honour, and would scorn to stain,
E'en for thy love, his proud illustrious birth ;
And yet I fear his dark vindictive spirit,
Which, link'd with Catesby's cursed policies,
Have urg'd thy brother's pliant easy nature
Upon some desp'rate enterprize ; and Garnet,
Arm'd with the thunder of the Vatican,
Sways his blind zeal, and with some web perplex'd,
Of misty sophistries and fair pretexts,
Clouds his high-feeling heart.

Julia. Some mischief hovers :
Love is as watchful as the parent dove,
Peering with quick eye round her platted nest:
To shield the threaten'd heads of those we love,
We must e'en play the listeners, Olivia,
And stoop to arts which wont to raise the tint
Of shame on noble cheeks. But see; Alicia,
The trusty treasurer of our bosom's secrets,
With tremulous haste approaches, and methinks
Piscovery sits affrighted on her brow.

Enter Nurse, with a paper in her hand.

Alicia. Here's a combustion ! take it, lady, take it. [Gives a paper to Olivia.] As I was listening at the door of the great chamber in the Western Tower, I heard them talking about gunpowder and faggots ; and I picked up that paper, dropped out of one of their pockets, which I can't make out: it is all about fire and faggots. Take care, lady ; it may go off.

Olivia. [Reads."] " The train is laid: the powder is concealed amidst faggots heaped up in the vaults under the house of parliament; it is resolved that our friends cannot with safety be warned of their danger, but must

perish with our foes; Garnet has satisfied our consciences. The explosion will take place at nine of the clock. Catesby."

Julia. O heav'ns ! Monteagle !

Olivia. O Dudley, Dudley !

[They fall into one another's arms.

Julia. They will both be there.

Olivia. And perish, Julia.

Alicia. O my poor ladies! Don't talk of perishing. O what wickedness!

Julia. He dies, he dies ! I ne'er shall see him more!

Olivia. My brain whirls round ! O for an eagle's wings To bear me buoyant through the yielding air, And whisper safety to my love!

Enter Habington. Julia. My brother !

0 save us, save us!

Habington. What mean these sorrowings ? Ah! that

paper! then Ye know your punishment as well as crime.

Julia. O save them, save them; take a willing victim; Take me a joyful martyr to thy cause; I'll die, I'll die a thousand ling'ring deaths.

Habington. Could I arrest some courier of the sky, And bid him ride upon the posting winds,

1 then might save them. I confess, my sister,

Full many a doubt has cross'd my troubled thoughts,

If it be lawful that the innocent

Be punish' d with the guilty: so our priests

Confirm the dread decree; and, O my Julia,

My mind is sore distraught; the 'whelming ruin,

The piercing shriek, the scath'd and fractur'd forms,

Come dreadful o'er my fancy.

Olivia. Shame upon ye !
Ye might have met them in the battle's shock,
Arm'd front to front, with heav'n upon your cause;
Not come upon them, 'neath the stealthy night,
With coward conjurations. Shame upon ye !
A Percy's spirit mantles in my bosom !
I see, I see it all: Catesby and Grant,
Coupled in hell, the doubting fiends of fraud;
Old Garnet too, a trusted hypocrite :
Revenge sits smiling on my anguish'd heart:
The guilty still shall suffer. Habington,
Thou art my Julia's brother, and the light
Of her sweet nature is not dead in thee ;
But, ah! 'tis vain: I am a woman still.

0 Dudley, Dudley, beautiful in youth !

In love more lovely,—in thy spring of life,
Its purer banquet newly tasted. Oh !
And must thou perish ?

Habington. O Olivia,
All my firm purpose is dissolv'd in tears;
I'll weep the live-long day with thee and Julia:
Yet sacred are our woes and sacrifice.

Olivia. It ne'er can be: the flimsy veil is rent
Which hid the selfish coz'nings of the heart;

1 see it all,—yet, yet I'll find a means, Or die in the attempt.

Julia. 'Tis vain, Olivia. The swiftest courser, in his speediest flight, Could not reach half the distance e'er the deed Is perpetrated. O, then, what remains ? We'll mingle sister sorrows, my Olivia; Twine the sad knot of woe, and evermore, Like two twin flow'rets, bent with Heaven's displeasure, Hang our meek heads in kindred wretchedness.

[They retire to the back of the stage.— Habington leans against a pillar in dejection. Alicia. O my poor dear ladies; their hearts will break, I am certain. What! blow up the Parliament-house ? And the Lord's anointed ? And all the nobles of the land in their rich robes and stars ? Oh, barbarous ! And the princes and princesses, too, dear little eyes ? And two such pretty gentlemen to have their fair faces disfigured? To be sure, one of them is a heretic; but the Lady Olivia did not see any thing so very terrible in him, nor I neither; and perhaps she might have converted him. O ! sir, save us, save us !

Habington. Peace, peace, officious dame.

Alicia. I can have no peace whilst my dear young ladies are in affliction. O, madam—

Enter Lady Habington.

Lady H. Methought I heard
The voice of deep lament. Olivia ! Julia !
Like two sad pageants on a cenotaph,
Twin'd in sepulchral woe ! Thou too, my husband,
Seem'st one of Sorrow's foedaries, to grace
Some pale solemnity. What mean these tears ?

Habington. Know'st thou of nought to call the drops of sadness ?

Lady H. Nothing to shake the true and faithful heart.

Habington. They have discover'd all.

Lady H. They only know What Time's quick ministers would have told them soon.

Habington. Hast thou no feeling for a brother's safety ?

Lady H. None, if my faith forbid. No ties of kindred E'er check the labourer in heav'n's vintage land; So says my holy counsellor. But since 'vantage None to our cause lie in Monteagle's death, I've found a means to save him.

Habington. Ha ! what means ?

Lady H. Percy, by Catesby's friendly interference. Will find some means to draw him from the council.

Habington. And is this all ? Why then his fate is seal'd. [Aside.

Lady H. Moreo'er, I've sent a trusty messenger,
To drop a written paper in his path,
To warn him of his danger.

Habington. Then we're lost.
Fool that I was !

Julia. Thus lowly at your feet Let me pour forth my thanks.

[Falls at Lady Habington's feet.

Lady H. No thanks to me
Thou ow'st: Monteagle is not sav'd for thee.

Julia. Let him but live, and breathe the same sweet air,
I thank thee still; and full and fond content
Flows o'er my heart, which meditates his welfare,
Neglectful of my own.

Olivia. And what for me ? (Despondingly.)

Julia. Hope, hope, Olivia: if Monteagle's warn'd, He rescues Dudley; aye, and saves the state.

Olivia. O be it so. Let us away, my Julia; Let us away, and leave these hated mansions; Danger is brooding o'er them. Let's away; Great thoughts are busy in my breast. Away ! Let us to horse, to horse, my Julia. [Aside.

[Exit with Julia ; Alicia following.

Habington. Fond, easy fool; to trust a woman's ear With a state secret! Woman, babbling woman! But so it has been since the world began; Man ever was a fond confiding fool— Woman inquiring, trustless, and deceiving.

[Exit Habington.

Lady H. Women are fond, and are confiding too.
Whilst we possess the ears of youthful priests,
And we confess to them, and they to us
Their secret souls, without a husband's aid
I might have ravell'd all this mighty clew.

Women, prevent us as ye can, may still

Know what we wish, and practise what we will. [Exit.

SCENE III.

The faults below the House of Lords.

Fawkes and Winter discovered; refreshments before

them.

Winter. Why, you eat and drink, Master Guy, as if nothing was to happen.

Fawkes. I always do in these cases, Master Winter.

Winter. Why so ?

Fawkes. Because there are two things which always take away my appetite.

Winter. What are they ?

Fawkes. Springing a mine, and a quarrel with my wife; so I lay in a store beforehand.

Winter. Both, in truth, rather squeamish affairs; and in both cases a little thunder and lightning: eh, Master Guy?

Fawkes. Aye, and bombardments and blowings up: it shocks my nerves; I must take another glass.

Winter. You seem rather squeamish and nervous.

Fawkes. Very: I was obliged to take a double dose when I blew up my wife and a bastion together.

Winter. By mistake ?

Fawkes. Yes, a puritanical one—on purpose. She had an assignation with a Spanish don; I knew the place of appointment, and blew up her and her spark together : it passed off as a chance medley.

Winter. That, to be sure, was only a countermine, Master Guy. So you peppered your gay young spark ?

Fawkes. No; I powdered him.

Winter. And your wife ?

Fawkes. It was the last blow up we ever had.

Winter. We always thought you had a soft conscience; so I was sent abroad on purpose to find you; and, it seems, we could not have found a more tender implement of destruction. Is the train laid ?

Fawkes. Yes.

Winter. And no suspicions afloat ?

Fawkes. None: all as quiet and unsuspecting as the monsieurs were at Dieppe,—all chattering, grinning, gaping, and gambling; when I sent them sprawling into the air.

Winter. We shall give the heretics a foretaste of frying.

Fawkes. An antepast of hell's torments, as old Friar Garnet would say. He is our conscience-curer, our soulsalve ; and has given us absolution before-hand hi this business.

Winter. But in that of your wife ?

Fawkes. He gave it me afterwards; which is much the same, you know.

Winter. You are a happy rascal. But here comes Father Garnet, and Littleton, a rare muddy son of sin, and the fitter for the filtering-stone of a Jesuit confessor. Under that peacock plumage of his, he bears a head and heart fit for any deed of darkness; yet is he a coiner of conceits, and a dealer in dainty devices. His language, like his dress, is all studded anil stiff with knots, points, bossings, and embroidery; all inlaid with quaint flowers and rare refinements. He will fight in rhyme, and make love in enigma.

Enter, from a communication with Percy's house,
Littleton, Percy, Garnet, with other Conspira-
tors, and a Chorus of Priests.
Littleton. You are so garrulous, most noble confede-

rates, and make such a noise with your molish manoeuvres and bibulous loquacity, that if Percy's house was not contiguous, we should have been discovered. Well, most iniquitous, is all ready ?

Fawkes. All, most exquisite. You have a mining kind of a shoe; there is a sort of a boring catastrophe at the end of it.

Littleton. This is but a dingy device, after all. A little of Mistress Turner's specific, plain arsenic, or assassination, would have done our business better. What think you, father? [To Garnet.]

Garnet. 'Tis just and righteous in the eye of Heav'n T' exterminate th' enemies of our faith: The end is to be look'd to, not the means.

Littleton. Well done, most divine sin-spice; sweet balm of iniquity!

Garnet. This day the sacred ministers of wrath,
Thron'd on convolving clouds, and curtain'd deep
Amidst the foldings of the tempest, frown
On these devoted mansions. Hither bring
The consecrated vase, and let us pour
The lust'ral water round Death's implements,
And chaunt the dirge of vengeance deep and slow.

SINGLE VOICE.

Hail! these cavern'd walls among,
The new-born freedom of our isle;

Pour the deep sepulchral song
O'er a tyrant's funeral pile.

Angel of destruction! come,

Grasp the bolted vengeance high;

Seal, in one tremendous doom,
A recreant nation's heresy.

CHORUS.

Thunder of primeval hell!
Burst thy deep imprison'd spell,
And roll a tyrant's funeral knell.

Enter Catesby.

Catesby. Cease these unmeaning strains, and let our hate Be silent as the brooding time of vengeance. Confederates, hovering on the eastern shores, Sir William Stanley's fair-rigg'd armament, Spaniards and Flemish, swarm upon the seas, Waiting the signal of success to land.

Littleton. Any good news from Hendip and the coast of love?

Catesby. None which thy vanity may feed upon.
The star of Love sets lurid in the west:
Olivia slights thee for an heretic.

Fawkes. Most exquisite, you'll never succeed in that ruff, and those shoes; Cupid never walk'd in long-toed shoes, and that tie is inexplicable.

Littleton. Would it were a halter round your throat.

Fawkes. It would puzzle the hangman. Take my advice, and mend your points, and study the slash militant : change your tooth-pick for a pike; and, instead of corantos and lavoltas, work by lines and approaches, storm and escalade; and, if that wont do, spring a mine,

and blow her up to the devil, as I did my Mum !

[Looks at Winter.

Littleton. Your advice smells of gunpowder, most militant miner; and perhaps some part of it may be seasonable to-night, if Dudley attends the Parliament.

Catesby. Yes, like a gilded sacrifice, he comes,
And others of his tribe. They come, they come,
To expiate our long polluted altars.
If any cloud hangs on our enterprize,

'Twill be of woman's working: much I fear
Habington's wife, and Percy's keen-eyed sister;
The mists which mantle vulgar intellects
Her vision penetrates ; and her bold heart
Is prompt in execution.

Percy. Let her see

Whate'er she will, and let her prescient view
Be lightning to her act, it now falls harmless.

Catesby. Yet nine times must the iron tongue of Time Proclaim the hour, 'ere yet the deed be done.

Percy. Then, Catesby, let us cheat the drawling antick
By rich libations at the social board,
Which now is spread within: welcome, my friends.
Thee, father, and thy white-rob'd choristry,
We'll follow in fair sequence. Lead the way.

Catesby. My soul is restless as the ocean-wave,
And full of dark forebodings. I will go,
And see how points the courtly vane : to-day
Our gracious King will answer at White-hall
A deputation of the Catholics;
A wond'rous boon,—on some state-puppetry,
To be allow'd to ask, and be denied!
We'll take a shorter road.—I'll hover round,
And watch if any cloud of dim surmise
Is gathering round the throne; and then attend
Thy banquet, Percy.

Fawkes. I shall remain at my post, Master Percy; I've laid in a tolerable share already: a cool head and a stout heart, you know. However, Winter, you may bring me in a flask of that same Rhenish, just to keep out the damp.

[Exeunt, in procession, all except Fawkes

and Littleton.

Littleton. Adieu! molecular man; when wilt thou worm thy way to the infernal regions ?

Fawkes. When thou fliest on those moth wings to heav'n.

Littleton. That's a flight above thee, son of Erebus; thou auger and bore of iniquity, the devil surely taught thee the art of sinking.

Fawkes. By which I make others rise, most ineffable.

Littleton. Adieu! Want, earth-worm, subterranean man, adieu ! diving iniquity, adieu!

Fawkes. Mounting vanity, civet-cat, moth, essencebox, fan-tail popinjay, last feather of a moulting magpie.

Littleton. Gimlet, most penetrative mud-lark, disturber of worms' dinners, infernal machine, farewell! battering ram, Tartarean man, adieu!

[Exit Littleton.—Manet Fawkes.

SCENE IV.

A Court in WTiite-hall.

Lord Monteagle is discovered perusing a letter. He reads aloud the following passages of it:—" / advise you, as you value your life, to shift off" your attendance on the Parliament to-day.'' " They will receive a terrible blow, this Parliament, and not see who hurts them.''—He takes his eyes off" the paper, and meditates.

Monteagle. Twould seem the counsel of a friend. " A

blow!"

A dreadful blow !—the hand unseen ! It speaks
Of danger to the general weal: each hour
Is big with fate. Ill to the council; Cecil,
With practis'd skill, may wind this ravel'd clew.
Methinks I've seen these tortur'd characters.

[Ponders again over the paper

Enter Catesby.

Catesby. It soothes my soul, and fills the pause of

vengeance,

To watch these state-flies, with their burnish'd plumes,
Prank'd victims, glitt'ring in their robes of price,
To grace our evening sacrifice. Monteagle !

[Seeing Monteagle.
A paper in his hand ! By all my fears,
Discovery knits his brow : we are betray'd.
But hush, my spirit; let unruffled guile
Lure forth the giant danger, if it wake,
And we may foil it still. The Lord Monteagle,
Some sonneting to win his lady-love;
Or the charg'd schedule of our grievances
Cons for the council.

Monteagle. Catesby ! read I right;
The shadow'd evil fronts me in his form :
I must dissemble. [Aside.] Even what you will;
A roundelay to wed my lady's lute,
Or supplication, or perchance a plan
Of fortresses in Flanders and Brabant.

Catesby. And doth Monteagle taunt, in curl'd contempt,
Each refuge of our persecuted faith ?
Aye, sally-port, were all its votaries true.

Monteagle. Robe but our cause in honour, I will wear it At my sword's point, and die in its defence. Catesby, I would forget that thou and Percy Have ever practis'd aught against my fealty, And strove to win me from my true allegiance ; I'd deem it vague surmise. But mark me well, If thou hast any monster in thy thought Bearing the stamp of treason, keep it from me; Or I will bear it to the face of day, And drag it to the footstool of the throne.

Catesby. The laws of faith and honour were not fram'd . For this condemned crew,—the foes of Heav'n,—

c

Curs'd and proscrib'd, and excommunicate,—
The vile usurpers of our rights : so speaks
Our sovereign pontiff, and proclaims aloud,
That the great end and aim of sacred justice
May well be compass'd by ignoble means.

Monteagle. 'Tis otherwise express'd in Holy Writ.
I am a soldier, and a Christian too;
And should some white-rob'd spirit from above
Descend, all radiant, on this earthly ball,
And bid me swerve from Virtue's fair confine,
I'd say he was some juggling fiend of hell,
And bid him hence.

Catesby. Thou speak'st a poet's creed.

Monteagle. A Christian's, too, if I have read aright.

Catesby. I'll shift my sail, and try another track. [Aside. Thou wilt attend the Parliament to-day ?

Monteagle. E'en such my purpose.

Catesby. If report says true, There's danger in such purpose.

Monteagle. Danger ! ah ?

Catesby. By heav'ns ! he's moved: but all is calm again.

Monteagle. This is some feint. [Aside.] Thou talk'st of danger, Catesby ?

Catesby. Some idle prophecy,—you'll say, a dream
Of some priest-prompted bigot,—that to-night
The winds of heav'n will rise in vengeful wrath
Against the mansion of the Parliament,
And tear up Dagon's temple from its base,
Upon the head of the Philistines.

Monteagle. Ah!

I see his treach'rous aim; he would mislead
My deeper questionings. [Aside.] Some old wife's tale !
Does Catesby give his ear to monkish dreams,
Or list some wither'd beldame's mutter'd saw ?

Catesby. I give it not my credence. All is safe ;
I have beguil'd the eye of wak'd surmise. [Aside.

Monteagle. And Percy, too, attends the Parliament ? If danger threat the seat of sovereignty, Each loyal heart beats muster round the throne.

Catesby. Perdition seize thee ! but I'll move thee now.

[Aside.

And know'st thou not that Percy chides to-day
His reeking courser, though on foot of speed
He bears him on to Hendip !

Monteagle. Ah ! to Hendip !
Does aught of ill betide his lovely sister,
The bright Olivia ?

Catesby. E'en a sister's safety
Would scarce, in chill November's muffled morn,
Win his smooth footstep from the courtly hall,
To houseless wand'rings: other maidens bloom
'Neath Hendip's towers, of most excelling grace.
Is it not so ?

Monteagle. I see thy venonfd aim ;
But Percy still is noble, and my friend.

Catesby. E'en so; but Love doth aim his shafts alike At friend and foe; and Habington will yield The warded Julia, as a glorious meed, To him who best will vindicate our cause.

Monteagle. And deem'st thou, then, the spotless

maiden's heart

A counter-coin, or boon transferrable ?
The traitor's guerdon, or the ruffian's hire?
Catesby, I know thee now,—thy wiles are vain :
Julia is true, and Percy is my friend;
E'en though his erring spirit is distraught
By fancied wrongs, and a smooth rebel's tongue.

Catesby. A rebel! this to me ? [ Touches his sword.

Monteagle. Aye, this to thee.
Nay, sheath thy sword; remember that we stand
Within the precincts of the court. To-morrow,
If thou can'st prove thee loyal,—aye, and worthy

c 2

To measure weapons with a gentleman,

I'll meet thee as becomes thy birth and station.

Catesby. To-morrow be it, then.

Monteagle. Till then, adieu ! And learn, once more, thy tortuous wiles are vain; The forward path and aim of honesty Will still outstrip fraud's doubling footstep. Go, And if you ever would be counted wise, Be honest,—aye, and loyal too. Farewell! [Exit.

Catesby.To-day is thine; to-morrow,—aye, to-morrow,— Proud sophist, thou shalt never see to-morrow, If no foul chance befal us. Baffled, foil'd, Brav'd by a boy ! perchance detected, too ! I mark'd a secret triumph in his eye, Which laugh'd to scorn my wary quest. Why, then, 'Tis meet that we prepare for either chance, So back to Percy, and our Court of Vengeance. [Exit.

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

The Presence Chamber, White-hall,

King James seated on his Throne.—Lords Salisbury, Suffolk, Dudley, and other Nobles; Carr, Archie Armstrong, Sfc.

Enter a Gentleman.
Gentleman. A deputation of the Puritans
Await your Majesty.

K. James. Bid them approach ;
I will discuss them briefly. Bring, Lord Salisbury,
The chart and schedule of their grievances.

[salisbury presents a paper, which the
King reads.

Enter a Deputation of the Puritans, plainly dressed,

with cropt hair, thin ruff's, fyc. fyc. K. James. Welcome, my subjects; though it grieves

me much

That ye would strip religion of the aid
Of dignities and high solemnity;
Or make her but a rhapsody of words ;
And for the fretted fane, and column'd aisle,
The pealing organ, heav'n ascending chaunt,
Would choose some cloth-hall or rude money-change
For her devoted temple; and forego
The customary summons of sweet bells,
Whose mingled music, booming up the valley,
Doth call the simple shepherdess to prayer.

Though this has my dissent, yet grieve I more

That ye would strain our free prerogative;

Curtail our privilege, and fain disbranch

The sacred honours of our sovereignty ;

And make us but a log and scaffold king,

Upon whose backs yourselves may climb to power.

Now take my answer, and my firm resolve,—

I am descended from a line of kings,

And I will represent them royally;

We are the delegates of Heav'n on earth,

And questionless our true supremacy;

It is my heritance,—I will defend it;

It is my birth-right,—none shall wrest it from me:

Strip royalty of its rights, and 111 not wear it;

111 fling a barren sceptre from my grasp,

And mingle with my subjects, and sustain

Some meaner task to aid the common-weal.

Ye have my answer, gentlemen. Now go,

Lard your lean ruffs with drops of discontent;

Or come again some seven years hence, and then,

Should I be pursy, fat, fantastical,

I chance may grant to ye a Presbytery ;

'Twill physic me, and wear me to the bone.

[Exeunt the Deputation of Puritans, bowing, and placing their hands on their breasts. — Archie Armstrong mimics them, by transforming his cap into a Geneva hat, <$fc. fyc. Salisbury. Methinks a needless harshness of reproof

You gave, my Liege, these meek and lowly men :

Not a severer measure can you deal

To the proud-crested Papist.

K. James. Salisbury, '

A Puritan's a Papist without heart;

Himself is his own idol. Well I know them ;

No kindness conquers, and no promise binds,

These poisonous pests of church and commonweal,
A race hard-hearted, subtle, and deceitful,
Who bend to rise, and crouch but to betray.
Meek call you them and lowly ? Full of pride,
Pride neither link'd with honour, truth, or virtue;
Ingrate and treacherous as border thieves,
They lie and rail, and square their consciences
Unto the measure of their own conceits.
Lord Salisbury, what says your horologe ?

Salisbury. 'Tis somewhat past the hour of noon, my

Liege.
K. James. Of true Geneva cut, Northumberland.

[Pointing at Salisbury's watch. Nor-
Thumberland smiles eaoultingly; Salis-
Bury looks indignant.

Enter a Gentleman.

Gentleman. A deputation of the Catholics
Await your Majesty.
K. James. Bid them approach.

[He takes from Salisbury the petition of

the Catholics, and reads it. A repetition of an old wive's tale !

Enter a Deputation of the Catholics, consisting of Noblemen, Priests, and Gentlemen, in Court Dresses.

K. James. Nobles and dignities, and well-lov'd subjects, Trust me I well have ponder'd your petition, Claiming communion of your country's rights, And equal and free scope to exercise Each part and function of the commonweal. I«do believe ye honest, true, and loyal; Nor can forget me that your ancestors Have fought and bled for England, and have made her Lovely among the nations, great and happy;

Again I say I hold ye all right loyal,

And I would keep ye so ; and thereunto

This is my answer to your discontent:—

Give but the oath and test of your allegiance,

Ye have a fair partition of our rights ;

Ye have a free communion of our laws.

What then your just complaint ? Ye differ from us

In what concerns the welfare of the state,

Ground-work and key-stone of its wholesome structure,

In faith, in customs, in moralities;

We have no common measure of constraint;

We have no common standard of appeal:

Ye bow obedient to a foreign power,

Who still denies us our supremacy ;

Absolves ye from all virtue and allegiance;

Sanctifies crime, and justifies rebellion;

Therefore, in working for the commonweal,

That ye should be our colleagues seemeth fraught

With equal danger to yourselves and us.

I would then that we all do move content,

Each in our chosen sphere; and thus attune,

In this our sea-walFd isle, an harmony

To be the wonder of the kingdoms round.

Adieu. Ye have our answer, gentlemen.

[Exetint the Deputation of the Catholics. James descends from his Throne, and comes forward.

K. James. Are they all gone ? Then I shall breathe a little more freely. Eh ! Salisbury, perhaps you think I did not hit them hard enough. If they come again, 111 give them some long quotations from my book.

Arch. Arm. Do, nunky, and you'll never see them again, depend upon it.

Salisbury. Indeed, methought your answer was too mild, My Liege, to these complotters of all mischief; These thrice-convicted traitors, who would still

Pluck from your brows the circle of command,
And place a foreign princess on your throne.

Nor thumb. Make due distinction, Cecil, or perchance
You may yourself be credited to lean
To a free sounding sect, who would erect
A rude republic on the overthrow
Of king and priesthood, and from wayward will
Shake off the muzzle of restraint: 'tis thought
Your hat, your cloak, your doublet, and your hose,
Bespeak a formal prim Geneva cut.

Arch. Arm. Now silk, now grogram !

[Patting Salisbury and Northumberland on the backs.

K.James. Come, come, Salisbury, we must not confound the innocent with the guilty: there are many who, though misled by the errors of popery, are good and loyal subjects : here is our friend Northumberland, whom, although a firm Catholic, neither bull, anathema, nor dispensation, would ever move from his allegiance.

Northnmb. Not the thrice-vollied thunder, my good

Liege,

Nor dread denouncements of the Vatican,
Would ever shake my fealty ; and I trust
The current of my life has ever flow'd
Pure and transparent, lucid in my actions,
Pure in the principle which works within me;
Nor sullied by the slime of discontent,
Nor ruffled in the windings of sedition.

K. James. Where is that second Hotspur of the north?
Plots he in Flanders with our malcontents ?
Or is he busy in domestic broils ?
Percy's thy kinsman, Earl Northumberland.

Northumb. Allied in blood, but not in mind, my Liege: Neither his actions nor his whereabouts Regard I, though I saw him yester-morn.

K. James. Thou must be surety for his true allegiance; Suffolk, look at Sal. and Thumb, frowning at one another like two black clouds. See how I play them off! In their mutual hatred and distrust I have a pledge of the watchfulness of the one over the sect to which the other is allied; and in their honour and high estates for their fidelity, eh, Suffolk ? This is king-craft: but you have read my book.

Suffolk. Your policy, your wisdom, and your learning, Are known to all your subjects. But some step Breaks newly on this presence. 'Tis Monteagle.

Enter Lord Monteagle.

Monteagle. Salisbury, this paper, by a hand unseen In at the casement of my closet thrown, Seems of no trivial import: read and judge: If on perusal you esteem it so, 'Twere well it met the eye of Majesty.

[Gives a paper to Salisbury.

Salisbury. Ah, is it so ? Why this indeed confirms My crude suspects. Read, read, Lord Chamberlain.

[Gives the paper to Suffolk. Treason is rife ; aye on the very bent; But I must flatter our good monarch's king-craft; And aid his penetrative wits, and make This wonderful discov'ry seem his own.

[Aside to Suffolk.

K. James. Eh, what's that? You seem alarmed, Salisbury. What's that paper ? Any thing against the prerogative, eh ?

Salisbury. A paper fraught with strange and mystic meanings.

K. James. Read it, Salisbury.

Salisbury reads. " To Lord Monteagle. My Lord, Outof the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preservation; therefore I advise you, as you tender your life, devise some excuse to shift of your attendance on

the Parliament; for God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of the times. And think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire yourself into the country, where you may expect the event in safety; for, though there be no appearance of any stir, yet, I say, they will receive a terrible blow, this Parliament, and not see who hurts them. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no harm ; for the danger is passed as soon as you have burned the letter ; and I hope God will give you grace to make good use of it, to whose holy protection I commend you."

K. James. Give me the paper. (Reads.) " Wickedness of the time." Some canting Puritan, eh, Carrie ? " A terrible blow !" Blow, knock, hit—hit at the prerogative, eh, Salisbury ? " And not see who hurts them." That's the way the wind blows, as Will. Shakespeare says:

" Which th' impetuous blast with eyeless rage."

A terrible blow is a high wind, eh, Carrie ? It's only a prophecy of some Puritan that the wind will blow down the Parliament-house to-day, eh, Salisbury ?

Salisbury. It may be so that heaVn's high King, my

Liege,

Sometimes lets fall upon the guiltless mansion
The winds, his viewless ministers of wrath,
In dreadful conspiration ; but this paper
Tells us, I deem, of mortal agencies.

K. James. Od's fish ! so it does : " God and man."

Salisbury. You look above, my Liege, and I below : Within the teeming sulphurous womb of earth The deep imprison'd ruin works unseen In a portentous silence; then bursts forth, And splits the nodding steeple to its base, Or scatters death upon the sleeping hamlet.

Carr. Dad, I smell gunpowder.

K. James. (In alarm, walking about.) O(Ts death, I have found it out: I smell gunpowder, Salisbury. Terrible blow ! Blow us all up ! Are we safe now ?

[Walking about in agitation. Care, skipping after him, runs against NORTHUMBERLAND.

Northumb. These skip-jacks jostle us at ev'ry turn.

K. James. HavVt they undermin'd us ? I never could bear gunpowder or cold iron.

Carr. Never since we were in Scotland, Dad.

K. James. No more of that, Carrie. We shall all be blown up ! What's Archie about ?

[archie Armstrong, after listening and flying about, takes off his garters, and ties the throne to the pillars behind it.

Arch. Arm. Only tightening the girths of your saddle, Nunky, as you are likely to ride aloft.

Salisbury. Might I suggest, and offer my weak counsel, Your life is threaten'd in your Parliament: Treason is there-at work: let armed men Oppose each outlet, so that none escape. Some subterraneous passages there are, How tenanted I know not; let it be, Suffolk, thy task to search them, if our Master Approve my weak suggestions.

K. James. Salisbury is right: Go, Lord Chamberlain, take our high commission, and use your own good discretion. [Exit Suffolk.] Carrie, I wish we were at Royston cracking our nuts and jokes after a fox chace.

Carr. I wish we were, Dad. I told you that no good would ever come of these Parliaments ; they take away our patents and monopolies, Dad; we had better trust to benevolencies and subsidies, and go to the city: I have some interest with the city dames, you know, Dad.

K. James. You young rascal, how much have you read of my book to-day ? [carr knocks down a chair ; James starts.] Scoundrel! tell me how have you been employing yourself?

Carr. In reading your Counter-blast, Dad: that seems the most necessary piece of king-craft at present.

K. James. You are a witty rascal: let us go into the open air till Suffolk returns: I shall breathe a little more freely. [Exit with Carr, fyc.

Northumb. Mark me, Monteagle, that young silk fly

there,

Flutt'ring round royalty, though light he seems,
And heedless in his mirth, some after-time
Shall prove a cermorant of the commonweal.

[Exeunt all except Monteagle and Dudley.

Monteagle. If I may trust my bosom's augury,
Some cloud of evil hangs upon our loves,
Dudley, as on our lives.

Dudley. What means my friend ?

Monteagle. I'm slow to dark surmise, but certain words Of Catesby, practising upon my fealty, And menacing my love, have caus'd my doubts: All is not well at Hendip.

Dudley. Say'st thou so ? Then let us haste to rescue. If young Love E'er stole Jove's thunder, 'twas to guard his own He seiz'd some quick bolt of his slumb'ring sire : Then let us snatch, where Justice is too slow, Her spear and shield; and, with love's sprightlier heed, Outstrip the cumber'd foot of armed law. O let's to horse, my friend.

Monteagle. I must attend

Lord Suffolk's search : meantime do you prepare
Our arms and followers ; and then to Hendip. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Court before Westminster Abbey, with a View of Westminster Bridge.

Enter Suffolk, Attendants, and Guards, fyc. disguised as Revellers just landed from a State Barge at Westminster-bridge, to the sound of soft music; to them Monteagle.

Suffolk- If treason's on the watch, 'tis well t'elude
Its eager eye; so up the silver Thames,
Carol'd by flutes and dulcet symphonies.
Our fair-rigg'd barge we've oar'd in summer state,
And seem like revellers in our noon-day trim.
This is the place appointed us to wait
The espials sage and arm'd authorities
Of waken'd justice.

Enter Captain Of The Guard.

Captain. Lord High Chamberlain, Beside each portal of the Parliament I've secretly dispos'd an armed force.

Suffolk. 'Tis well. Where are the city magistrates ?

Captain. Sir Thomas Knyvett, and a chosen band E'en now approach.

Suffolk. Thou venerable pile,

[ Turning to Westminster Abbey.
Full fronting, in thy haught and beauteous pride
Of tower'd grandeur, yon majestic stream !
Thou mystic masonry and fretted pomp,
Emblazon'd 'midst the many-kissing clouds,
Sublime in loveliness ! Ambition's bourn,

Stern lap of glory,—marbled wreath of fame,—
Tomb of our kings, and cradle of our laws;

Heav'n consecrated ! through whose column'd aisles

The voice of adoration and of praise

Floats in full choristry. High oracle !

Whose cenotaphs, and storied monuments,

A yet unfinish'd tale to after-times

May'st tell of England's honour and renown:—

And would they lay thee low ?

Enter Sir Thomas Knyvett, Sfc.

Knyvett. Lord Chamberlain,
We have discover'd that by Percy's agents
The cavern'd vaults beneath the Parliament
Are rented for his uses, and adjoin,
By passages and ways intrinsecate,
His present sojourn,—where he, even now,
With certain restless and proscribed spirits,
Holds deep carousal.

Monteagle. Ah ! and is it so ?
Then is each doubt dispell'd: misguided man !
But I will save thee. (Aside.) Percy's open'nature,—
I know him well,—will give us easy access
And scope to our inquiries. Truth, my lord,
Lives in the genial bowl.

Suffolk. And treachery, too; Trust not in wine, young man. We must intrude Upon his orgies and his festive train In hospitable guise. Ye, gentlemen, Take our transferr'd commission, to inforce The strictest search ; and, Captain of the Guard, Be ready at our need. [Exeunt severally'

SCENE III.

Percy's House—A Hall.

Percy, Catesby, Littleton, Rokewood, Winter, Garnet, and others, at Table, with Wine and Refreshments.

Percy. Confederates brave, some other time we'll find For deep potations: let us drain this goblet To the success of our emprize, and drink Confusion to the enemies of our faith.

All. Confusion, &c.

Percy. Methought, amidst the pausings of the blast, I heard soft music on the Thames; the time Suits not to water-minstrelsy. Look out.

Winter. (Looking out of window.) A party of revellers seem to have landed at the stairs, and approach this way. Some roisterers and roaring boys, Percy, from the city, come to look after their wives or fair cousins: shall we admit them ?

Percy. We must admit them, if they visit us: Our doors are open, to avoid suspicion. [Exit Winter. Bring cards and dice, and let us seem engag'd Deep in the changing cube or painted pack. Garnet, away; your presence may betray us.

[garnet retires. Cards and dice are brought in.

Re-enter Winter.

Winter. It is the Earl of Suffolk, with Lord Monteagle, and a train of followers, in the guise of festivity.

Catesby. Ah! the Lord Chamberlain! my dream

spoke true. Percy, what thinkest thou ? Percy. We are betray'd.

[Laying his hand on his sword. Catesby. Nay, nayj array thy brow in smiles;

perchance

'Tis but a visit of the day. Ply, Winter,
Haste to the vaults, and hide each implement
Which may awake discovery; bid Guy Fawkes
Speed, on the instant, through the outer portals.

Enter Suffolk, Monteagle, and Train.

Percy. Lord Chamberlain, this visit is unlook'd for,
Yet not less welcome. You detect us here,
Cheating November's noon-tide gloom with games
Of sportive chance; please you to throw a main ?
Or drain the spicy bowl ?

Suffolk. I must be brief.
Percy, I bear with me the royal mandate
T'explore these premises, which, it is said,
Hold deep communication with the vaults
Beneath the Parliament.

Percy. What need, what law
Sanctions this outrage on our privacy ?

Suffolk. 'Tis done by order of the Council, Percy,
Upon suspicion that some contraband
And lawless goods are there concealed:—nay—

[Conspirators touch their swords.
Resistance is but vain; a guard attends us;
Here our commission ends; ye have free scope
To stay or go; but if yell not despise
An old man's counsel, fly to distant lands.
Now to the search. Be peaceful, on your lives.

[Exit Suffolk, with Officers, Sfc.—Manet

MONTEAGLE.

Monteagle. Fly, Percy, save thyself; thou art dis

cover'd;

If what I fear is true, the toils are round thec :

D

Though thou hast been regardless of my life,
I yet would save thee :—on the instant fly.

Percy. A traitor's life was never yet my care.

Monteagle. A traitor!

Percy. To thy faith, and to thy friend!

Monteagle. I hold no faith which wars with truth and

virtue; I know no friend who is my country's foe.

Percy. Double deceiver, would'st thou bid me shun The toils thyself hast spread around my path ?

Monteagle. My soul has e'er been open to thee, Percy; And hadst thou ought imparted to mine ear Conspiring 'gainst the welfare of the state, Thou know'st full well I would not have conceal'd it.

Percy. Well, I'll believe thee honest, if thou will'st; I will be honest too. Know then, Monteagle, I've sought thy life, and yet would cross thy love: I seek the lady Julia for my bride.

Monteagle. Why then I pity thee.

Percy. What, pity me ?
Chance I may change that feeling. Pity me!

Monteagle. Yes, I do pity thee: some cozening fiend Has wrought thy noble nature to dishonour.

Catesby. Meanest thou me ?

Monteagle. Convicted felon, thee !

[catesby touches his sword. I know thee well, false-fronted villain ! Nay, I will not be thy executioner: 'Twould stain a soldier's sword. Away, away; Fly whilst thou canst. [ To Percy.

Catesby. Why then we speed to Hendip.

Monteagle. Percy, that ruffian's menac'd guile I reck

not:

Strive as thou wilt, thou canst not disenthral
The inborn fealty of thy breast. Now mark me,
I will be watchful of thy sister's safety :

Roam where thou wilt; but, if near Hendip's towers,
Thou meet'st thy ruin, and I am thy foe !

[Exit MONTEAGLE.

Percy. And dost thou threaten me, proud lord ? then,

Catesby,
I am thine own again.

Catesby. You must be our's,
Whether you will or no ; the die is cast;
E'en now with scrutinous heed they wind about
Our magazine of fate: if Fawkes be ta'en,
We are betray'd ; if not, we are suspected:
Then let us speed; our friends are up in arms,
Ere this, at D unchurch ; I have quick relays
Of horse upon the road; to-night we'll reach
St. Agnes' Priory, whose grey ruins shield
A band of outlaws, whom the Jesuit Tesmond
Sways, as he lists, to any desp'rate purpose.

Littleton. We must be penetrated perforce with thy sage counsel, Catesby; for if we tarry here, we must decapitate, or dance a coranto on the viewless air: so, Percy, we'll to horse; and, like knights of errant renown, after having bisected as many jugulars as we can, place our two reluctant damsels on the croups of our Bigliadoro steeds, and away to the coast, where thy fair-rigged ships await us; and then to distant lands. The breath of love shall swell our sails ; and Don Cupido himself ride laughing on our ensigns.

Percy. E'en what you will, should blasts from hell propel

us, And death and desperation be our guides.

[Exeunt Percy and Littleton. Catesby. O would we had more spirits like to these, Whose passions, rising like the brisk'ning gale, Give easy helmship to the pilot hand. Disastrous hap ! thus foiled on the verge Of our great act! it must be woman's doing !

D2

My mind forebode that woman would betray us :

These cackling geese have sav'd the Capitol,

Or Rome had been our own. [Exeunt omnes.

SCENE IV.

The Vaults.

Guy Fawkes discovered examining the Train, with Lantern, Matchlock, fyc. on the Table.

Fawkes. It is all right: this train reaches to the banks of the Thames; I shall light it there, and then push off in my boat; and see from the water how death dances in the air. [Sits down.] Now what am I like ? The poets would find a simile for me. I am a sort of a salamander : fire is my element; and, if I change it, perhaps I shall be blown, like a fish, out of water! I am an ignis fatuus, which some call Jack-a-lantern. Some would say that I was a comet, and that this is my tail. [Pointing to the train.] Others would compare me to Jupiter, and say these were my thunderbolts: we shall see bye-and-by which of us will make the most noise. To be sure, he has the advantage of his wife's tongue ; and I have lost poor Nell's alarum-bell. If I am Jupiter, I should like a little of his iiectar. Where is my cup-bearer ? Where does Winter tarry with that said rhenish ? O here he comes : I hear footsteps. Percy's rhenish is fit drink for the gods. [Enter Winter in haste.] My good fellow, don't hurry yourself: you'll fall and spill the rhenish.

Winter. Fly, Fawkes, we are discovered !

Fawkes. Discovered!

Winter. There is no time to lose; the blood-hounds are close upon us.

Fawkes. Let us blow them up then.

Winter. No, that we can do when we are out: quick, hide your implements, and cover the train; and let us fly out at the postern before they arrive.

Fawkes. Who are they ?

[Putting away his implements, c$-c.

Winter. The Lord Chamberlain, and other nobles and guards.

Fawkes. Well, this will only be a half-job, I fear, after all, if it comes to anything. A Lord Chamberlain would make a pretty sky-rocket. [ They attempt to depart, but are stopped by Sir Thomas Knyvett and followers, who enter at the postern.

Fawkes, If that's the case, let us all mount together.

Winter. With all my heart. [fawkes attempts to set Jlre to the gunpowder, but is beaten down by Monteagle, who enters from the house, with Suffolk and Guards : Winter is also secured.

Fawkes. Take care, gentlemen, you'll overturn the table. [Submits doggedly,

Suffolk. Secure him: search him. [They search Fawkes, and find a matchlock, dark lantern, <|-c. on his person.] What do these portend ?

Fawkes. I always light my own fire, my lord.

Suffolk. Remove those faggots. [ The faggots are removed, and a large row of casks discovered piled one on another.~\ Ah! what then are these?

Fawkes. Bombards, my lord; bombards, full of potential ale.

Officer. [Examining them,~\ Gunpowder, my lord!

Fawkes. I told you that they were bombards; and strong ale and gunpowder are equally potential. 'Tis a pretty masked battery, my lord: I never saw a better in Flanders.

Suffolk. Why 'twere enough to shake the firm-set

earth; All London would have reel'd; through all her marts,

Her courts, her commerce, and her palaces,
Have felt the fitful shock ; and yon proud mansion
Have been a formless ruin ! Praise to Him
Who guides the vollied lightning to his ends.

Fawkes. Yes, London would have had a slight aguefit, my lord, and have thrown off thereby some of her bad humours; and have vomited up crowns, sceptres, maces, and mitres; kings and lord-chamberlains.

Suffolk. Convey these miscreants to the Presence Chamber, [ They bear off Fawkes and Winter. And let these piled magazines of death Be warely shipp'd upon the Thames; meantime Let a strong guard surround these fated caverns, And further search be made. We'll to the palace.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE V.

Whitehall.—The Banqueting House ; Council Chamber.

King James, Northumberland, and other Peers; Carr, Archie Armstrong, &c.

K. James. " Terrible blow, and nobody see who hurts them!" Certainly gunpowder.

Carr. Gunpowder, Dad, gunpowder !

Arch. Arm. Gunpowder, Nunky, gunpowder !

K. James. What, blow up the Lord's anointed ? surely Belzebub himself must be at work ! What all of us at one terrible blow ! at one fell swoop, as friend Bill says ! All of us together: myself, and Sal., and Thumb.; and Carrie and Archie; aye, and Queenie too; and Henry, and Baby Charles ? What all of us ! [ Weeps.

Carr. Yes, Dad, and the Lord Chancellor riding on his woolsack; and Garter King at Arms, emblazoned; and all the bishops and maids of honour, topsy-turvy, higgledy-piggledy, head over heels, all in the air at once ! [archie Armstkong runs about imitating the action of flying.

K. James. What's the fool about ?

-Arch. Arm. Learning to fly, Nunky: it is now a necessary accomplishment for us courtiers.

K. James. Is Suffolk returned ?

Northumb. Not yet, my Liege; but see, Lord Salisbury

comes, Full of fresh tidings.

Enter Salisbury.

Salisbury. On the eastern coast
Sir William Stanley, with an armament,
Spaniards and Flemish, ride in friendly seeming,
But dubious intent.

K. James. Sir William Stanley?
A renegade, is he not, who late gave up
A town of Brabant to the Spanish general ?

Salisbury. The same, my Liege, and now in th' Archduke's service.

K. James. Then launch our navies forth upon the deep, To question his bold purpose: strange events Come hurrying on, and jostle one another Into the space of one revolving day ; Time's womb is burthensome, and many-birth'd ; Conspiring perils frown; this armament Is of no single import. Where is Suffolk ?

Salisbury. He comes, my Liege ?

Enter Suffolk.
K. James. My lord high chamberlain,
Security sits calm upon thee; speak;
Are our suspicions just ?

Suffolk. Too just, my Liege:
The magazine of death was amply stor'd
'Neath the foundations of your Parliament;
But all is now secure.

K. James. How know'st thou that ?
Say, have you then discover'd, my good Suffolk,
The movers of this mischief ?

Svffolk. In the act

Of preparation, we have seiz'd on Fawkes,
A noted miner.

K. James. Bring him then before us. Suffolk. He is at hand, my Liege : one Winter too. K. James. Bring them before us: well examine them ourselves: I'll get it out of them, as I did out of the sleeping parson. But are you sure they are safe ? He must be a terrible fellow.

Carr. He may go oft', Dad, although he is unloaded.
Arch. Arm. He'll explode, Nunky.
K. James. And no one else ?
Suffolk. We found communicating passages
With Percy's house ; himself in deep carouse
With Catesby, Rokewood, and with Littleton,
And sundry others of a doubtful fealty.

K. James. Let them all be seized and brought before us. That Hotspur of the North again ! Northumberland, you are guarantee for that fiery kinsman of your's: bring him before us. [northumberland bows, and exit. Carr. Do you hear, my Lord Suffolk, the king calls him Northumberland, no longer Thumb.: 'tis a sure sign he's out of favour.

Suffolk. Let him who deems
The wavelcss ocean never vex'd by storms
Trust to Court favour, boy : some after-time,
Mark me, you'll comment on this text.

Fawkes and Winter are brought in fettered.

K. James. A terrible-looking fellow: gunpowder written in every line of his countenance ! Is he secure ?

Carr. He'll go off, Dad.

Arch. Arm. He'll explode, Nunky.

K. James. Now I'll sift him: perhaps he deals in witchcraft. Friend, did you ever read our book upon Demonology ?

Fawkes. No, your Majesty : we have black devils enough in our line, without going to hell for them. I only study my own art, please your Majesty.

K. James. What is that ?

Fawkes. The art of mining or blowing up—your Majesty.

K. James. (Starts back.) Terrible blow ! Scoundrel, would you have blown up the Lord's anointed, and all the assembled peers of the realm ? Who were your accomplices ? Speak, or the rack shall inforce thee.

Fawkes. There were three of us: myself, John-aLantern, and Black George, or Terrae Filius.

K. James. Black George! Terrae Filius ! the fellow talks Latin: he's a sorcerer. Who is Black George or Terras Filius?

Fawkes. Gunpowder, great potentate.

K. James. [Starts. Carr capers. Archie ArmStrong smells to Fawkes, and pretends to be alarmed.] Take him away to the Tower, and show him the rack. Away with them.

[They prepare to carry off Fawkes and Winter.

Fawkes. Adieu, high and mighty ! I'll meet thee at Philippi! [Borne off.

K. James. He'll meet us at Philippi! The fellow is a sorcerer. We'll try him according to my book. Meet us at Philippi! That was a field of battle. But here comes Essex.

Enter The Earl Of Essex.

Essex. Treason has many heads, my Liege: th' High

Sheriff

Of Warwickshire has sent intelligence
That he has crush'd a base conspiracy
To seize the Princess at Lord Harrington's,
And has convey'd her safe to Coventry,
Waiting your high commands. He further writes,
Sir Everard Digby, Grant, and other gentlemen,
Under the pretext of a hunting-match,
Are now assembled at the town of Dunchurch,
On this and other dangerous designs.

K. James. Essex, you are a good and approved soldier; take a body of light cavalry with you, and aid the High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire in seizing the conspirators. [Exit Essex.] We ourselves will follow at a convenient distance. A hunting-match! We'll spoil their sport, Carrie. [To Carr aside: Archie Armstrong listens.] What sort of a hunting country is it ?

Carr. There are plenty of sly vermin there, Dad; and perhaps we might unkennel a Guy Fox.

K. James. (Starts.) Be quiet: I have it. (Rubbing his hands and chuckling.) I have it: Carrie, I have it! We'll go down and seize the hounds, and draft the best of them into our pack.

Carr. Aye, Dad, and take down some of our own; and have a merry peal after these Guys and Slys.

K. James. Odsfish, Carrie, so we will: we'll take with us Merry Lass, Little Sorcerer, and Witchcraft.

Carr. Aye, Dad, and Skyscraper, Lent, and Prerogative.

K. James. And Ferret, Little Searcher, and Qui Tam.

Carr. And Fowler, Growler, Entail, and Capias.

K. James And Death, Rapine, and Quo Warranto.

Carr. And Quirk, Quibble, and Catholic Claims.

K. James. And Crop-Ear, Roundhead, and Barebones.

Carr. And Cant, Ranter, and Little Hypocrite.

K. James. And—Odsfish, Carrie, we shall be taking the whole pack: it will be rare sport.

Carr. Egad, Dad, and so it will. Hie in there, Searcher; fetch him out, Little Ferret; Qui Tam's on the scent; there he is, Old Growler; to him again, Little Hypocrite; now he's out; Tallyho ! Now on him, my boys; Capias, Death, and Entail; Rapine, Ranter, and Quo Warranto; Tallyho !

K. James. Tally—(Checks himself.) We must be grave, Carrie ; be quiet, Archie; Sal. and Suff. are looking at us. [archie Armstrong has been gallopping about the stage crying out " Tallyho.'" " A slapping pace" 4-0. and comes suddenly to a full stop.

Arch. Arm. It's a high leap; I'll do it by deputy; it is our prerogative.

K. James. And here comes Thumb., as staid and erect as St. Paul's. Where is Percy ?

Enter Northumberland.

Northumb. He is fled, my Liege,
With Littleton, and Rokewood, and with Catesby,
Who, if report says true, has levied men,
Under your manual, for the Archduke's service,
To second this emprize.

Salisbury. And join the rebels
At Dunchurch. We must arm, my royal Master,
And crush this giant treason, whose o'erwrought
And devilish purpose wears the crude aspect
Of but a reckless preparation.

K. James. Arm,

Lord Salisbury; and be th' alarum struck
Of loos'd rebellion; let our generals wield
Th' embodied force and thunder of our ire

Against these outlaws. We, with stern-eyed Justice

Aye, and the white-rob'd Mercy at our side,

Will follow in their rear :

Look to it, Northumberland: if you don't bring that

Percy of your's to judgment, 111 send you to the Tower;

and, ods death ! I'll never call you Thumb, again.

Northumb. These hard suspicions of my faith, my Liege, Have pierc'd me to the soul: my loyalty Is as the sun ; though planets unbenign Claim kindred to its pure and genial beam, Yet holds he on his glorious course unblam'd.

[Retires to the back of the stage.

K. James. Well, well, catch Percy, or—

[Exit King James, Carr, Archie Arm-
Strong, fyc.

Salisbury. Thy star is on the wane, Northumberland ;
Suffolk, our Monarch's mind is strangely checker'd
With dark and lightsome hues : if right I deem,
Some wild vagary now is on the wing,
Amidst these threatening glooms.

Suffolk. Let us afford
Due line and scope to his unwieldy gambols
Where well we may; for we have often seen
That when occasion and high exigence
Call gravely on him, he can re-assume
The awful state of kings, and guide our bark
With pilot wisdom through the tempest.

Salisbury. Yes,

Keep we the compass and o'erlook the chart:
Well, well, we must be busy, good my lord,
And hunt these fanatic and troublous spirits
Unto their lurking holds and blind retreats.

[Sneeringly at Northumberland. Each to our separate posts and tasks allotted.

[Exeunt severally; Northumberland slowly, and in a despondent attitude.

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.

The Ruins of the Monastery of St. Agnes, with a few Cottages scattered round them.—Sun-set.

Tesmond, solus.

Tesmond. E'er yon descending orb shall climb again The bright cerulean arch, with its young beams Fleckering each ivied buttress and grey tower, A deed shall be accomplish'd, which shall clothe In pristine splendor these dismantled fanes, And wake anew, through every rich arcade, The volum'd peal, and heav'n accepted strain Of choral minstrelsy ; and bid once more, From forth th' unfoldings of the crimson curtain, The white rob'd train and order'd pageant sweep, In solemn sequence, up the pillar'd aisle, To bend before the gem-illumin'd shrine, The mystic vase, and holy blazonry. Ye mould'ring domes, where erst our priesthood held, In lawned pride and high monastic state, A more than princely sway, I love to linger Amidst your wan renown; and as I gaze The fractur'd column and the prostrate image, Strewn in yon desolate and grass-grown courts, To muse the mighty vengeance.—But what forms, Rather like angels of descending Love Than Desolation's votaries, glide this way ? I'll screen myself behind this tablet stone, And catch their purpose as I can.

Enter Olivia and Julia.

Olivia. My Julia,

Here muse we, till our faithful follower
Return with tidings of some hostelry
Where we may rest, until another dawn
Relight us on our love-lorn pilgrimage.
How beautiful to see yon burnish'd orb,
After these warrings of the elements,
Sink to his glorious rest, whilst purple clouds
Spread forth their golden fringes, ministrant
On his descending state ! it well might seem
As if in soft-strewn folds of evening light,
Tinging the tuftings of those sacred groves,
The pure and balmy spirit of repose
Hung o'er the closing landscape. Here, my Julia,
Might the vex'd footstep of affrighted Peace,
Far from the world's conflictings, find again
Her lone lov'd resting-place, and sit and smooth
Her ruffled plumes, and gaze yon sinking sun-beam.

Julia. If the sweet hope, which lights us on our way,
Be banished, why then to holier love
We'll give our undivided hearts, and seek
Some shrine unbroken of our virgin saint,
Secluded, like this mould'ring desolation ;
There shall, at matin-dawn, our orisons
Woo heav'nly peace, and to the vesper chime
We'll chaunt Hope's requiem.

Olivia. O my Julia,

Th' appointed hour to crush a nation's hope
Comes slowly on; and yet I fondly trust
Monteagle's and my Dudley's noble nature
Save not themselves alone. Ye Lybian birds,

[Looking up.

Who wing through loftier chambers of the sky
Your marshall'd flight; co-denizens of the clouds,

White in the van of winter; O scream forth,
As ye pass o'er those death-devoted domes,
A shrill portentous warning on the ears
Of love and loyalty.

Tesmond. Ah ! our sworn council [Aside.

In woman's keeping ! Baffled by our foes !
Then meek Hypocrisy, and smooth-tongued Guile
Learn all, thyself untold.—A step approaches.

Enter David.

David. There is fair accommodation for our steeds, but a poor one for your sweet selves, good ladies: the host a stone Puritan, a civil, canting, cut-throat looking fellow.

Olivia. We maidens militant must not seem nice.
Good David, and our needs will be but brief,
And well repaid;

Tesmond comes forward.
Tesmond. Daughters, mine ear has caught
Some part of your discourse : if that my roof,
'Neath which a maiden of your seeming years
Dwells in lov'd loneliness, a sister's child,
Might lodge awhile such fair and noble guests,
'Twould cheer an old man's heart.

Olivia. ( To Julia.) I like him not;
I trust again no fawning priest. But hark !

[A part of an hymn is sung to the organ

from a ruined chancel. Julia. Listen, Olivia: 'tis the vesper hymn.

[A pause.

How sweet the song of pray'r and praise ! It mounts,
Like fragrant incense from the golden censer,
Up to accepting Heav'n. Again ! O list.

[An interlude on the organ is played, pre-
paratory to a chorus of female voices.

Seraphic harpings, lightly lifted, play
Amidst the dancing sun-beams, preluding
The chaunted strain symphonious.

[ The hymn continued; a pause; and
symphony.

Julia. Seem'd it not
As if ascending spirits jubilant
Pour'd the full song of praise ? Methought I heard
The gladsome sounding of celestial wings,
Higher and higher up th' aerial way,
Wafted in dulcet concord. O, Olivia,
Here let us rest to-night: 'tis holy ground.

Olivia. I am bewilder'd, and my soul is tranc\l
In holy ecstasies. Say, Father, whence
This sacred minstrelsy ?

Tesmond. Nay, marvel not:
Poor Agnes, with a few instructed maidens,
At eve and morn, to soothe a broken spirit,
How visited I know not, loves to wake,
'Mid the recesses of yon ruin'd chancel,
Its old lov'd rights and holy choristry.

Olivia. With the afflicted and the pious maiden
Our hearts hold fellowship. We will accept,
Father, the proffer' d shelter of thy roof,
And rest with thee to-night. Good David, bid
Our followers be ready with the morn.
Where is their hostelry ?

Tesmond. Those pines conceal it:
Welcome, sweet ladies, to our humble cot.
Yon portal, bower'd by the eglantine,
Invites ye, where, by Winter yet unpalcd,
It flaunts its purple sweetness. But those arms
Become not one whose maiden innocence
Might shield her through less peaceful solitudes.

Olivia. All here around us bears the show of peace ; Yet, Father, have 1 learned to distrust

Each smiling semblance, aye, and holy seeming:—
Proceed; we follow thee.

[tesmond shrinks confused, and exit, fol-
lowed by Olivia and Julia.

David. [Lingering.]- The old fellow winced; I'll watch him: I thought that I saw some cursed ugly faces in the forest. Our ladies, however, will be better here than with old Barebones, our host. Of two evils we must choose the least:—the Jesuit is better than the Puritan.

[Exit.

Two Robbers come forward, who have been seen lurking behind the trees.

1st Robber. Egad, Jack, they have escaped us; . I thought that we should have had them when they parted with their convoy; but the church is in our way. Fairrigged galleys, and richly laden, I warrant.

2nd Robber. We shall have them yet: the priest has enticed them into port under show of false colours: we must go and inform our captain.

1st Robber. The captain has put us under marching orders to-morrow morning; and he holds a meeting tonight in the friar's cell.

2nd Robber. There's some rough work for us, I guess ; but I know our captain's trim : he wont leave these two delicate morsels for the munching of old Slyboots there.

1st Robber. Well, let us away, then, or we shall be seen : a woman and a priest have a quick eye for the devil. [Exeunt. SCENE II.

A Vaulted Chamber beneath the Ruins of the Monastery illuminated.

A Party of Banditti collected, with Grimm, their Captain.

Grimm. Well, my brave companions, are your arms all ready for to-morrow ?

All. Ready, noble captain.

Grimm. We are all good Catholics, and therefore honest men.

. Pure. Excuse me, man of war, I am not one of the worshippers of the beast, but one of the elect and purified.

Grimm. 'Tis just the same, my boy. The greatest thief among us. [Aside.] We are all enemies to church and state, and to things as they are, and wish for a change.

All. All!

Grimm. Well, to-morrow a great change will take place; and, after a few hard knocks, we shall have a scramble in the new administerings.

All. Huzza!

Grimm. I am promised a grant of Abbey-lands, and the place of inspector of repairs of monasteries; and ye shall be all my functionaries.

All. Huzza, noble captain !

Pure. Excuse me, captain, I shall not be one of the restorers of the Temple of Dagon.

Grimm. Verily, friend Pure, the tabernacles of the elect shall also be free and tolerated; and you and our host, Master Prim, may howl and p rophesy.

Pure. Verily we will prophesy and equivocate. Grimm. And pick pockets, and encourage population.

Enter the Two Robbers.

1st Robber. Captain, two ladies, richly habited, are now at Father Tesmond's ; and three of their followers, well armed, are at the hostelry.

Captain. Well, you and our host, Prim, will take charge of the men and their arms; they may be wanted to-morrow; and here comes our holy father to give an account of his fan- guests. Bring a full goblet.

Enter Tesmond.

Grimm. Father, pledge me to the health of your fair guests, and to the success of our enterprize.

Tesmond. It has, I fear, miscarried : be we private.

Grimm. Ah! [He makes a sign to the men, who retire to the back of the stage.

Tesmond. My tidings are of moment; those fair maids, Who seem'd new dropt from some empurpled cloud, Like evening sun-beams after the turmoil Of warring winds, but herald our destruction. I heard them prattle of discovery, And safety to the state.

Grimm. Then adieu to our preferment and exaltation, unless it be an aerial one, father. We must detain them till we hear from Catesby.

Tesmond. That be my care:
Be thine to seize their followers, arms, and steeds;
They were of noble seeming.

Grimm. Hark! I hear a signal: it is Catesby's. Then the game is certainly up, and he is off to escape reckonings.

Tesmond. Even so:

Then vengeance came, a cozening phantasy.
The gibbering spectre mocks us in its flight;

And I must measure back to distant lands
A darker pilgrimage; and these old limbs
Consign to clay unkindred.

Enter Catesby, Percy, Littleton, and other Conspirators.

Welcome still,

Ye brave asserters of our ancient rights,
E'en though the shades which darken on your brows
Bespeak ye fugitives.

Catesby. 'Tis so, indeed;
We are betray'd, mark'd, hunted, and proscrib'd.

Tesmond. Betray'd! By whom ?

Catesby. The prime deceiver, woman; The wife of Habington, Monteagle's sister.

Tesmond. Monteagle ! Ah ! Two pilgrim maids,

e'en now,

With honey'd speech, and sanctifi'd persuasion,
I've guiTd beneath the shelter of my roof.
I heard them fondly talk of Lord Monteagle;
Of Dudley too; and safety to the state.

Littleton. By heavens, Percy, it must be Olivia and Julia, turned damsels-errant: our lady-loves, with eyes disdainful as the stag's. Man of beads, are they safe ?

Tesmond. We, ere ye came, had purpos'd to detain them.

Percy. Then are we conquerors still, my noble friend.

Catesby. What, woman-winners ? Plague upon the

sex!

But they may serve us still. Well, well, brave Percy,
Do with them as ye list: upon the morrow
We shall have men to deal with. Warwickshire,
And all the neighbouring parts, are full of friends,
Trooping to join the standard of our faith,
Unfurl'd at Dunchurch : at the wak'ning morn,

With all our levies, we must haste to join them :
Captain, are all your followers prepar'd ?

Grimm. Ready for hard fighting, but in hopes of plunder and promotion. I don't know what they will say to gratuitous knocks for the sake of old Mother Church.

Catesby. Then bid despair take place of hope, and firm The wav'ring purpose; tell them, valiant sir, That this your refuge and your sally-port Is known, and will be briefly in the grasp Of armed law.

Grimm. Why, then, to be sure, we must march; but suppose we fail at Dunchurch ?

Catesby. If but our hearts be true,
We shall not fail: the spirit of revolt
Wakes far and near, and will stalk forth to-morrow,
To make a tyrant tremble on his throne.

Percy. And if we fail, we still have fortresses
Well fortified, and full of kindred souls:
Hendip and Holdbeach on each flank. If still
The chance of battle be against us, then
We must to distant shores. I've secret sail
Moor'd near the Humber's mouth; which, with new hopes,
Will bear us buoyant o'er the chafed brine
To Flanders or to Antwerp.

Grimm. Well, gentlemen, I came over with ye from Flanders, and am ready to go back again. Our trade is as good there as here: there we either levy contributions on the monasteries, or they afford us a sanctuary: here the Crown-thieves have been before-hand with us, and we have only a few rough stones left to shelter us.

[ Talks apart with Tesmond. Percy. I would shun [to Littleton] The keen encounter of Olivia's speech: 'Twould mar my rest: full deftly on the morrow We'll mesh these truant warblers of the grove,

And, 'neath the conduct of some trusty guards,
Convey them back to Hendip, there enthrall'd,
To grace some turret, till we claim our own.

Littleton, There are plenty of bird-cages in the old castle. Percy [aside to Percy], we will domesticate to-night with our old friend Prim, at the Monk's Head, or pitch our tents where we may. If Percy [turning aside to Catesby] is afraid of one woman's tongue, I have reason to keep clear of the alarum bells of two—the reproaches of Agnes, and the taunts of Olivia. Agnes seems to have kept her secret, as the priest received me courteously.

Catesby. 'Tis well: how many are their followers ?

[ To Tesmond.

Tesmond. An old man, and two serving men, well arm'd.

Catesby. We must secure them: see, my noble friends,
The moon is up, heavVs pale-eyed centinel,
And walks along the star-enamell'd way, '

Beneath the banner of a fleecy cloud.
It lessons well: beneath the snow-white cope
Of the pure streamers of the holy cross
We too must watch; for eagle-eyed pursuit
Hangs clamouring on our rear: each to our posts,
And be our spirits buoyant with the morn.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE III.

The Hostelry.

Catesby, Percy, and Littleton, and other Conspirators, discovered at one Table; Peim, Pure, and Two Robbers, at another. David apparently asleep on the Floor.

Littleton. [Gaping.] Master host, the leaden god is heavy on me; light me to my chamber; or send some new-elected damsel with a luminary.

Prim. Verily, all the maidens of our parish are trained to holy minstrelsy by Mistress Agnes, in the high places, and do war against the flesh. There is my rib, who might reclaim thee from the doctrines of the Beast, and our kitchen-maid has lately become a sealed vessel.

Littleton. Hang your ugly Sposa and your Culina: a light, ho !

Percy. And rouse our followers with the morning's dawn.

[Exit Percy, with Littleton, Host, and others; Host returns; and, with some others, joins Pure, fyc.

Catesby. These boards shall be my couch. Confederates,

Our plot hasfail'd; but, with to morrow's sun,
New glories dawn upon us: drink, then, drink ;
Hope brightens in the bowl. This sluggard here,

[Pointing to David. Why is he not secur'd ? his fellows too ?

Prim. Verily, I have locked them up in the stable with their horses, and the key is in my pocket. David. Is it? [Aside.] Prim. But this old strong man refused to quit the hearth. Shall we bind him in cords ? for, in truth, he sleepeth.

Catesby. Say, are these doors secure?

Prim. They are locked, and the key is in my pocket.

David. Thank you for the information.

Catesby. Then let him rest.

[catesby meditates ; Host sits down with the rest.

Prim. Verily, we will draw our benches round the door and window before we sleep, so that the strong man may not attempt to escape without disturbing us.

Pure. Forsooth it grieveth me much that the plot did not succeed.

1st Robber. There would have been pretty pickings: silver-hilted swords, stars, coronets, and crown jewels; and we not invited to the scramble !

Prim. I would have filched the golden candlesticks from the high places.

David. A halter ! [Affects to talk in his sleep.

Prim. Verily he talketh in his sleep, and dreameth of his horses: shall we stop his mouth, and let him down into the dungeon by the trap-door ?

1st Robber. No, we had no order for that from our captain: he is safe.

Prim. Then let us drink.

1st Robber. Good stuff, Master Host, where did you get it ?

Prim. I got it from your captain, and scored it against his account; but where he got it the spirit did not move me to inquire.

Pure. Verily we will drink, and prophesy exceedingly.

1st Robber. I thought that I knew the twang : it is the same which we found in the cellar of the last house we robbed.

Prim. Pure knoweth as well as I.

Pure. It may be among the good things of this world,

of which we think it right to partake, when our neighbours have too much, yea, verily.

David. Nick, why don't you bring a halter ?

Pure. Verily, he remindeth me of being suspended in the high places. I wish that I might end his troubles.

Prim. Come, let us drink : the wine goeth down like our Pastor Ephraim's doctrine: it comforteth the inward man: verily it inspireth, and I listen to its suggestions.

2nd Robber. Either to rape, rapine, or murder.

Prim. Aye, to the suggestions of the spirit, whatsoever it does suggest.

David. The devil!

Pure. He dreameth of the devil, but I do not fear him, for I am a sealed vessel.

1st Robber. And I am a cleansed vessel; for Father Tesmond gives us absolution once a-week.

Pure. Verily, though we much differ from ye, who are tied to the tail of the Beast, yet»in one thing we agree.

2nd Robber. What is that, Master Pure ?

Pure. Forsooth, that sinning is of no consequence.

2nd Robber. There is only one thing in our way.

Pure. And what is that ?

David. A halter!

2nd Robber. True, I was thinking of the gallows.

Prim. Verily and forsooth, what is to be done with those weak vessels which are deposited at Father Tesmond's ? they are most inviting ;—sweet Dalilahs!

1st Robber. Shall we enlighten them, Master Host ?

Prim. Verily I am moved thereunto ; but one of them is the sister of Master Percy, and the other his betrothed, I ween.

1st Robber. Our captain says that they are to be guarded back to Hendip to-morrow morning.

Prim. Verily I will guard them: I am moved thereunto.

1st Robber. Yes, like a wolf: but I feel drowsy; let us arrange our resting-places, and drink and sleep, and sleep and drink.

Prim. Yea, verily, I will drink and sleep; and wake and prophesy. O the sweet Dalilahs!

[ They arrange themselves round the door and window,- Catesby has fallen asleep. The Scene closes.

SCENE IV.

A Terrace before the Ruins of the Chancel.— Moonlight.

Olivia, Julia, Agnes.

Olivia. Now the bright stars begin their golden dance:
Here linger we, and watch the moon-beams fall
On yonder shafted Oriel, silvering
The tremulous spray, which wooingly o'erflaunts
Its wmdow'd arch, and mystic tracery :
Pal'd are the ivy's studded beads; and see
How glancing climb the hoar and cluster'd column,
Like an huge serpent, its gigantic folds.

Julia. Methinks, Olivia, some celestial choir,
Harp'd to the chiseling of this masonry,
Distilling sacred symphonies upon
The mouldings of each rich-wrought architrave!
As late we listen'd to the vesper chime,
It seem'd responsive undulations play'd
Along th' embroider'd aisles ; the mould'ring stone
Heav'd into life; and the awaken'd ear
Of th' unshrin'd spirit of this sacristry
In every soft-ton'd pealing cadence smil'd.

[agnes rises from a dejected attitude.

Agnes. Tesmond still wanders late. Would all were well! [Aside.

Thus oft he strays amidst congenial glooms,
Weaving his moony fantasies. I've heard
Strange sounds which seem'd from 'neath the cavern'd

vaults

To issue of these ruins; and I've seen,
Stalking athwart the unfrequented aisles,
Wildly accoutred forms, as I have watch'd,
From this lov'd eminence, night's pitying star
Strew its wan radiance o'er the hallow'd scene.
Would all were well! Ye holy saints above,
Protect these maids, and guide their blameless footsteps!
Fair dames, 'twould ill become my lowly state
To question of your love-lorn pilgrimage;
May it prove happy ! but, might I advise,
These ways are full of peril; go not hence
Until the tasked hind has left awhile
His straw-strewn pallet; and the freshen'd ox
Has don'd his yoke again ; accept my heed;
There's safety in the sun-beam.

Julia. Be it so;

And though occasion press, I fain would list,
Maiden, your matin orisons, if such
Your custom, as at eve.

Agnes. Our minstrelsy
Is wakeful with the morn.

Olivia. And, gentle Agnes,
As we have trusted to thy faithful bosom
Our perilous purposes, say may we not
Claim thine heart's history ? for well I know
Some grief lies heavy on thee, which, imparted
To kindred bosoms, may some solace find,
Perchance redress.

Agnes. Ah, no, my woes I fear
Are remediless, save of that pure balm

Which soothes all sorrows ; yet to pour them forth Would ease my throbbing breast; and chance, sweet

maids,

Make all your woes mount lightly to the beam ;
For though kind fortune smile not on your loves,
Though dangers cloud about them ; yet to know
That faith and constancy bedew their blossoms,
To me would seem most happy: e'en in death
The tears which fall upon a true love's bier
To me were drops of gladness: may ye never
Know what it is to love, and be forsaken;
To have long garner'd up a little store
Of joys, and hopes, and rosy fantasies:
And then to see them wither'd in the frost
Of bleak unkindness. May ye never know
How blank desertion strikes the cold shrunk heart
With more than mortal sadness. Never, never !

[Falls on the neck of Julia.

Julia. If to relate the story of your woes
Renew the traits of anguish, we'll not ask it.

Agnes. O, yes, the pang is past; my tale is short
And sorrowful, but nothing new. Some time
We dwelt in Antwerp's city; there I rul'd
Our humble household, as beseemed best
My young discretion ; when a stranger came,
Journeying on secret int'rests of our faith ;
And I was bid to welcome him: I smil'd
In courtesy, I look'd, I lov'd; full oft
He gain'd my guileless ear; and pouring forth
Deep vows of constancy and plighted truth,
He won my easy credence, and beguil'd
My innocence and maiden treasure; then
Left me to shame, to sorrow, and repentance.

Olivia. His name, sweet maid ?

Agnes. He bore a borrow'd name— De Courcy, suiting so his embassy ;

But noble was his seeming. O sweet ladies,

'Twas horror, wild amaze, and piercing thought;

I found no friendly bosom, where to unfold

My secret shame; and now and then I deem'd,

Press'd by his kind inquiries, to intrust

A second father's fondness; but I knew him

Stern, unforgiving of our sex's frailty.

What might I do ? I sought an heav'nly father ;

And pouring out my burthen'd soul before Him,

I ask'd of Him forgiveness, and to turn

The heart of my betrayer : this the balm

And solace of my wounded spirit.

Olivia. Villain!

Some coward, cozening, dull, remorseless villain !
O that I had him at my dagger's point,
He then should right thee, maiden. Come with us,
We'll throw us at our gracious monarch's feet,
And claim redeeming justice. Chivalry,
Thy flower is fallen ! for there was a time
When truth and continence were blazon'd high
Upon the knightly scutcheon; woman's honour
Seem'd its own safeguard, and to be the test,
The guirding band, and sacramental heed
Of the glaiv'd champion. Yes, there was a time
When swords would lightly leave their continents
To 'venge a maiden's wrongs; but virgin shame
Is now the knightly plume ; and recreant souls,
Exulting in the conquest of the weak,
Pass on uncensur'd in the halls of kings,
And sun themselves in gentle ladies' eyes.
I'd put a basilisk in every glance
To blast them into shame. He was some outlaw,
Cut-purse, or minion of the moon; believe me,
Maiden, he was not gentle : yet I pain thee :
Perhaps I err, and you may yet reclaim him:
Then join your fate with ours.

Agnes. Ah no; ah no;

I should but stain your fortunes : no, the fault
Was all my own ; and, ah ! the punishment
Be also mine. But see, my guardian winds
Homeward his pensive way : the moon-beams sprinkle
His silent path : he hastens to call down
HeavVs benison on our prepar'd repast,
And welcome each fair guest; and then invoke
The kindly dews of sleep and sweet reflection
On the strewn pillows of their rest.

Olivia. Lead on,

Bright drooping lily of the wild, and guide
Our willing footsteps through the checker'd gloom.

[Exeunt.

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

The Hostelry.—Day-break.

Catesby discovered asleep on one Bench; Prim, Pure, Robbers, fyc. on others; David awake, and watching them.

David. The morning breaks: I must get out, even if I cut all their throats. How shall I get the keys out of my host's pocket, and get at the door ? [prim mutters.] But he talks in his sleep : perhaps he'll tell me.

Prim. The Parliament is blown up; yea, verily, we will scramble. I have found one of the crown-jewels. Comrade, that is a part of the great seal which thou hast in thy hand: I will dub thee Lord Chancellor. And here are some golden clasps of one of the maids-of-honour's prayer-books. Friend Pure, that is a mitre which thou hast picked up, and thou art become archbishop.

Pure. Verily, I am unfortunate, and have found nothing valuable in the scramble, after the overthrow of the Philistines; and my host has filled his pockets; verily I will pick his pockets. [Hepicks Prim's pockets.] Here, Ephraim, take these keys; they are the keys of the Treasury: I create thee Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Treasury.

[david seizes the keys, and retires.

1st Robber. Here's the king's leg : take off the diamond buckles.

2nd Robber. Here's the queen's arm: strip off the golden bracelets.

Prim. Verily, here is a maid-of-honour's tweezer-case.

David. It would be an act of justice to cut all their throats; but I think that I can get at the door; and, if they awake, I must brain some of them. But the archscoundrel is stirring. [catesby mutters.

Catesby. Hark ! ruin's knell has toll'd: it is the signal: Now fire the train :—'tis done : I see the flash ! And now I hear the thunder ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! They gambol in the chambers of the sky, Death, and the grim combustion, dainty fiends. I see the royal diadem aloft, Glancing meteorous through the murky air; Sceptres and mitres throng the lurid heav'n: See how they mount, and jostle one another, Toys and state-puppets, dignities and thrones, Nobles and priests, and coronals and kings; Columns and towers, and massy tablatures! And now they fall' Red ruin's smould'ring shower Shakes the firm earth, and breaks the crystal bosom Of the still Thames, whose upheav'd billowings Dash wide their fretted foam! Exulting Death Rides on the night; and contemplative vengeance Drinks deep the groans which murmur in the blast.

[Lies down again, and sleeps.

David. Thank you, my friend, for the hint; I'll have a gunpowder plot too, and give them a slight blow up, and get out in the confusion. [He spreads a train round the sleepers from his powder-flask.] Now I'll realize their dreams. [He is about to fire the train, when Catesby moves again.] Hasn't he had his dream out ? Well, let us hear the end of it.

Catesby. Hark ! hark ! a second crash! the fane is rent! Wide it disparts ; and towers and pinnacles, And crowned turrets, strew the ground. See ! see ! The yawning monuments give up their dead: Bonner arises, beautiful in blood ! In his right hand a scourge of twisted snakes He brandishes; and on the scatter'd limbs, Dismember'd trunks, and mangled carcases, Gazes with grim delight. And Gardiner darts, Sheeted in lawn, a persecuting glance Upon the reeking desolation. Lo ! A female form, succinct in regal pomp, Ray'd with the golden circle of command I 'Tis sceptred Mary, of the ruthless eye; She points again the blazing pile, and smiles.

[He smiles eaiultingly.

David. The fellow will awake; I must astonish him. [He sets fire to the train; an explosion, and thick smoke.] Holloa, boys, a scramble; the Parliament-house is blown up. [He overturns the benches and Conspirators, unlocks the door and exit, and locks it on the other side. — The Conspirators arise in confusion.

Catesby. Hail! hail! again, imperial votaress, hail! Thus lowly at your feet. [Falls prostrate.

Prim. Pure, thou art become archbishop. Some one has picked my pocket of the crown jewels. 1st Robber. I have got the king's leg. 2nd Robber. I have got the queen's arm. Pure. Verily,. I have found a maid of honour's— thingumbob.

[They all run about, repeating as above, until they recollect themselves, and stare at one another. In the mean time, LitTleton, Percy, and the party above stairs, come tumbling down, half dressed, and armed.

V

Littleton. What has happened, thou caterer of the forest ? The smell of gunpowder strikes my olfactories: hast thou been practising a new powder-plot, or are the Philistines upon us ? Say, thou purveyor of dainty delights!

Catesby. Where is the prisoner ?

Prim. Verily, [looking about,] he is escaped. [Feeling his pockets.] The strong man has filched the key from my pockets, and is escaped.

Percy. Then force the door.

Prim. It is too strong; we will remove some of the bars of the casement

Catesby. Arm, arm, my friends; the ebbing glass of

Time

Pours drops of price: these flying grooms may strew
The seeds of deep battalion'd ranks around.
Pursue—seize—slay. Quick, force some ready outlet;
Pierce through the roof; or instant batter down
These feeble barriers. Bid our muster'd troops
Surround the ruins of the monastery.
Black fate hangs hovering on the march of morn.

Prim. Spare my poor tenement, good gentlemen : we will force the bars of the windows, and descend from them, —it is near the ground; yea, verily, and pursue that strong man and his fellows, whom he has, I wot, released from the stable; and catch those Dalilahs, forsooth. [They force the casement.] I will follow ye, gentlemen.

Littleton. No, Master Host, if our necks are to be disjointed, make a beginning with your own.

[They leap out of the window.

SCENE II.

The Chancel—Sun-rise through the Oriel.

Chorus of Village Maidens, chaunting the Morning
Hymn. Olivia, Julia, Agnes.

Olivia. Consenting with your dulcet orisons,
Soft are the morning's breathings; golden streams
Of radiance through each avenue of light
Proclaim th' ascending pageant of the day
Cloudless and unobscurVl: so may the shades
Of thick'ning dangers roll in peace away
From each Wd head. Where are our followers,
With our appointed steeds ? See, David comes.

Enter David.

David. Good ladies, we have not a moment to lose. Your horses are at a short distance; haste with me, or we maybe detained. [The report of a pistol is'heard.] Ah! they are upon us. Ladies, be not alarnTd, I will soon return. [Exit.

Olivia. O heavens! we are betray'd; our followers

[Looking out.

Contend with armed men. O, valiant David!
Three of them bite the dust, but more appear;
They are surrounded; but a trumpet sounds.

[A trumpet.

A troop is on the hill; our followers burst
The barriers of the foe, and haste to join them.
They meet in amity. The banner'd aid
Comes sweeping down. Friends, friends, my Julia.

[agnes screams.
Olivia. What ails thee, maiden ?
Agnes. O, it is De Courcy !

F2

Olivia. Where, maiden, where ?

Agnes. He with the crimson'd scarf.

Olivia. 'Tis Littleton, accurs'd, dissembling villain ! But see, she faints; look to her, maidens. She Shall have redress, e'en if a woman wear The paled plume of chivalry, and snatch Th' avenging spear of justice. Armed men Come glancing from the forest, marshalled Beneath the banners of our foes. Hark ! hark ! They meet, they meet,—the conflict is begun.

[ Julia faints.

My Julia, too ! this way the storm of fate
Comes thund'ring on. My brain is dizzy, too,
And I can gaze no more. O save us, Heav'n!

[She sinks by the side of Julia. The
Scene closes.

SCENE III.

An open space beneath the Chancel.—
Alarums.

Enter Catesby, Percy, and Littleton, with their party, retreating before Monteagle, Dudley, fyc.— A Pause.

Catesby. We are outnumber'd : half our levies march Straight t'wards Dunchurch. Where's your captain,

fellow, With his supplies ?

1st Robber. See, they come out of the forest in the rear of our pursuers.

Catesby. Then, brave associates, stand; We have them in our toils.

Enter Monteagle and Dudley, David, #c.

in pursuit. Monteagle. Fly, Percy, fly, and save yourself; that

traitor Must yield himself to justice.

Catesby. Take again

Th' apostate name, and wait thy doom, proud lord;
We have thee in the toils, and thou shalt pour
Thy caitiff life, a reeking sacrifice
To our betrayed cause. Ye are surrounded.

Monteagle. Then firm a marshall'd front on every side.
Stem but the ruffian onset for awhile,
And aid will soon be near.

David. There is but five to one, my lord, and I have brought down ten of the rascals already. Come on, ye dogs.

Dudley. We want no aid
'Gainst robbers, cowards, midnight murderers;
And if Olivia's near, the strength of hosts
Shall nerve my arm to crush this recreant foe.

Monteagle. And shrined in thy love, my Julia,
I'll move in safety, tho' a thousand swords
Were pointed at my bosom. Charge on them!

[A charge.—Olivia comes to the window,
and sees Dudley fighting with Little-
Ton and two others.

Olivia. Oh, heard I not my Dudley's voice ? O yes, And there he is, by numbers overpower'd. That miscreant, too ! My weak arm may avail.

[She fires a pistol, and wounds Littleton.

Dudley beats down the others. Take this from Agnes!

Littleton. 'Twas the bolt of vengeance; Methought I saw her faded form. 'Twas Agnes.

[He retreats wounded in the arm.—A trumpet sounds from a distance.

Olivia. Hark ! hark! a trumpet sounds; a rescue,

Dudley.

It is the royal banner; beautiful
It dances in the sun-beam. Percy, fly,
And save thyself; the royal force approaches.

Grimm. Master Percy, we shall be in the minority; let us resign before we are kicked out.

Percy. Gain ye, my friends, the blind and secret portal Which opens on the chancel; bear away Those flutt'ring truants from their walled cage, And wait us on the outskirts of the forest. We'll stem the foe meanwhile, and tangle them Within the mazes of the abbey ruins; Through whose scoop'd embrasures our ready guns Will baffle their pursuit. [Exit Grimm and party.

Monteagle. Yield, Catesby, yield; your brave confederates fly

Th' uplifted noose,—it dangles in the air:
Mark you it not ?

Catesby. Perdition catch thy soul!
We meet again, Monteagle. Comrades, form
A close compacted fronting of retreat
Beneath yon portal; let them follow jus
E'en as they list. [ They retreat.

Dudley. We'll drag them from their den.

[catesby, Percy, and followers, retreat, Jighting, through an arch, pursued by Dudley and Monteagle, tyc.—A scattered firing is heard. Re-enter MonTeagle, Dudley, and party in haste. Monteagle. The ruffians, through the loop-holes of

each turret

Scatter concealed death; we must retreat
Till aid approach. My Julia, O my Julia,
Appear; Monteagle calls.

[olivia supports Julia to a window.

Monteagle. She droops,—she droops ! Let me support her.

[A shriek is heard within the chancel; and Tesmond, Grimm, and the robbers, are seen forcing away Olivia, Julia, and Agnes, from the windows. Olivia. Help, my Dudley, help, Or we are lost.

Dudley. Unhand them, villains, or

[dudley and Monteagle rush up the steps into the chancel.

Enter the Eael of Essex with Ms troops. Essex. Hence came the sound of conflict: all is still. [monteagle and Dudley rush out of the

chancel.

Monteagle. The fane is empty, and our search is vain; They are borne off by some concealed outlet; I heard their fainter screams. To horse, to horse. Aid, aid, Lord Essex; this rebellious crew Have borne away two noble maids, e'en now Untreasuring this ruin'd sanctuary.

Essex. Direct us; for our aid and arms are yours. : [prim peeps from behind a wall; David

espies him.

Prim. Verily, they have carried away the Dalilahs: O Lord, the strong man sees me; I must fly.

David. That sculking scoundrel: we'll make thee of use, Master Doleful. -

[david runs after Peim, and brings him

back.

Prim. Spare me, man of war; I am but a tapster. David. Thou art in league with the devil and his gang. Masters, this fellow is purveyor to all the rogues in the forest. Tell us where the ladies are carried, or I will cut your throat, incontinent; yea, verily.

Prim. Verily, I am but a drawer of strong drinks and mild ale.

David. Speak, or thou diest,

Prim. Verily, I will proclaim; harm me not, and I will guide ye to the outlet of the subterranean passage from these ruins; yea, in truth, the passage from which they must issue with the damsels, sweet Dalilahs ! We must be circuitous.

Essex. Monteagle, on your swiftest courser's back Fasten this miscreant; he must be your guide. Should they have pass'd the outlet, I will gain The skirtings of the forest, scattering Our circling cavalry, and snatch your doves From the fierce vulture's talons, ere he reach His crag of refuge. Let your bugles sound On needed aid, or meeting with the foe. {Exit Essex, $c.

David. Bear him out,Nick, and tiehim upon grey Nanny.

Prim. Verily, I am unaccustomed to ride upon the back of the Beast.

David. And, Nick, mind, tie a rope round his neck; these fellows will lie at the gallows itself. If thou playest me false, Master Host, we will throttle thee before thy time; yea, verily, and forsooth we will.

Prim. The spirit telleth me that I shall give ye the slip yet. [Aside.

Dudley. Moments are ages; speed him on our way.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

An open space on the Outskirts of the Forest.

Enter Loud Essex and his Troops.

Essex. Our prospect sweeps an ample space around, And yet no vestige of the foe. 'Tis meet We urge our way t'wards Dunchurch, there to join

The high sheriff and his levies. Yet no signal '-

From Dudley and Monteagle. Sound a trumpet.

[.4 trumpet sounds, and is answered by another.

Enter David and Nicolas, dragging in King James

and Cahr, disguised as a Puritan and Neophyte.

Essex. What have we here ?

David. One crop-eared rascal has deceived and escaped us, but I have caught another, very like him; starch, upright, prim, and muffled about the mazard, like one of our apothecary's phials, when capt and labelled.

Essex. Where are our noble comrades ? And who are these so dolefully array'd ?

David. Lords Monteagle and Dudley are close behind, my lord; but I had a side chase of these two sly-looking rascals, who don't want legs.

Essex. What tidings of the robbers ?

David. None, my lord; that scoundrel whom we took as a guide deceived us, and escaped in the recesses of a cavern, which he persuaded us to enter with him. Although I held him by a rope round his neck, he gave us the slip; 'tis the way of them : but we have caught a brother, whom we must hang forsooth, if he does not give us a good account of himself.

K. James. Od's flesh ! Carrie, we shall be hung if we don't discover ourselves: I wish we were back again.

Carr. Never mind, dad, keep it up ; we'll have some sport yet. [Makes faces at David.

Essex. Who art thou ? speak ! thy name and purpose . tell.

K. James. My name is Obadiah, Lie-in-truth, No-and-yes Never-out; my business is, although a man of peace, to war against the Beast, yea, the horned Beast of Babylon, and to carry about the new light; and this is a lad who has partaken of it: his name is Nicodemus.

Carr. Yea, verily, my name is Nicodemus Roundabout, and I am become a Neophyte.

David. And ready for all mischief.

Carr. Yea, verily, for any thing to which the spirit doth move me. [Makes sanctified faces.

Essex. But see, our comrades, with distracted brows, Burst forth impatient from the forest.

Enter Monteagle and Dudley.

. Dudley. Lost,

Lost our soul's treasures,—foil'd, dishearten'd,
And by a wretched hypocrite betray'd.
We'll follow to the earth's extremest bounds.

Monteagle. Perchance they bear them back to Hendip.—Essex, Hast thou seen aught upon the outstretch'd plain ?

Essex. Nought but these errant pilgrims of the wild.

K. James. What seek ye, friends ? Perhaps I may bring ye tidings of what ye seek.

David. Two stray daughters of Eve, most parched.

K. James. Verily, we did see such borne away by strong men and militant, men of buff and Belial; whom we did hide ourselves from, as they galloped past us.

Essex. What course did they pursue ?

K. James. Towards the profane steeple of Dunchurch.

Essex. May these be trusted ?

David. My lord, I will take better care of these psalmsinging fellows than the last.

K. James. Yea, in truth, Nicodemus, we will lift up our voices as we journey on.

Carr. Yea, we will howl most melodiously. Dad, it's a fine hunting morning. [Aside.

K. James. Od's fish, so it is: it's a fine open country.

Carr. It's lucky we have earthed the Guy Fox, dad.

K- James. Be quiet, scoundrel; they'll hear us.

Essex. To Dunchurch, then, as speedily as ye may,

And may the golden cherub of delight
Fly in our van, and marshal us our path.

[Earit with Monteagle and Dudley

Carr. Man of war! [To David.] It liketh our pastor here to mortify the flesh; so place him on a hard-trotting horse, yea, one yclepped a bone-setter.

K. James. Scoundrel, I'll break your head to-morrow.

David. I'll provide for ye. March, ye stiff dogs, march. [Exeunt.

SCENE V.

A Camp before Dunchurch.

SlR EvERARD DlGBY, HABINGTON, RoKEWOOD, and

other Conspirators.

Digby. The day looks cheerily on our cluster'd camp, And yet a cloud hangs heavy on my soul; Methinks the master-spirit which I worship Would have sent, minist'ring through the viewless air, Bright emanations of success.

Enter Giiant.

Ah, Grant! From Catesby aught ?

Grant. Not that I wot of, Digby.

Digby. What of Elizabeth ?

Grant. The royal bird

Had fled 'ere our approach. The Lord Lieutenant,
In secret foresight of our enterprize,
Had borne her off to Coventry.

Digby. This bodes ill.

Grant. The country rises round in arms against us, And friendly musters come but slowly in.

Digby. They wait perchance the tidings of the blow.

Grant. 'Tis struck, or it has fail'd; and here comes one Whose fixed feature never spoke the prelude Of good or ill.

Enter Catesby.

Digby. Catesby ! my friend, my guide ! Alone, and unattended ? Say, my Catesby.

Catesby. Brave men are in my rear.

Digby. Then, is it done ?

Catesby. Digby, our plot has fail'd.

Digby. Then all is lost.
Scarce here and there a straggling malcontent
Comes shiv'ring to our tents; and grave men say
That hope has left our cause.

Catesby. Then let despair
Be our best hope; for where retreat is death,
Ruin with vengeance wears the plume of conquest;
And if the rav'ning vulture o'er our ensigns
Pour a prophetic scream, 'tis that he scents
The blood of heretics, whose carcases
Shall strew these plains ere yet our sun is set.
See how our friends, all eager for the onset,
Come like prank'd guests, or champions to the justs,
Of some high festival.

Enter Percy and Littleton, his arm in a scarf, with
Troops, Robbers, fyc. <Sfc.

Digby. Right welcome, Percy, And Littleton; welcome these order'd ranks; But who are these so strange in their attire, So wild, and rudely arm'd. [Pointing to the Robbers.

Littleton. These are justices of the war ; self-constituted serjeants-at-arms ; distrainers of dainty delights ; surveyors of high-ways, and expounders of forest laws; a new order of knight conveyancers, who take from those who have too much, and give to themselves, who have

too little; friends of Guy Fawkes, and ready to revenge his death. [Guv Fawkes and Winter have entered, disguised as Pedlars, and are offering their wares, fyc. to some of the Robbers.

Digby. Is he then dead ?

Littleton. He is in the gripe of justice, and cutting corantos in the resistless air, ere this. I should like to see the subterranean man perform his aerial vagaries.

Guy Fawkes. You'll see him soon. [Retires.

Littleton. Who spoke ? 'Twas a good imitation of his voice.

Percy. My fancy cheats me, or he'll worm his way From out his prison-house, and join our arms.

Enter Prim running, with a halter round his neck, tied closely behind.

Littleton. Verily, my host, thou seemest half hung, and bearest with thee the sign of aerial exaltation; your ruff has a peculiar tie, I may profit by it in my next.

Prim. Verily, the tie is troublesome; undo it a little, Master Littleton ; but I did cut the knot of iniquity, and escape from the hands of the strong man. But the Philistines are upon us.

Littleton. What meanest thou, man of much ale ?

Prim. Verily, Sir Fulke Greville, the deputy lord lieutenant, and Sir Richard Bromley, high sheriff, with the militia of the country, have marched from Warwick, and are now approaching towards Dunchurch.

Catesby. Where gain'd ye this report ?

Prim. E'en from a man of speed, who did communicate it, in my hearing, to Lord Monteagle, before I did seize a stray horse, and escape with the remnant of a cord.

Littleton. A rope's end ; eh, Master Host ?

Catesby. What say ye, friends ? Shall we await them

here, Outnumber'd as we are ?

Percy. 'Twere madness, Catesby,
'!" oppose thin ranks and our loose levyings
Against their cannon and train'd cavalry.
E'en let us on to Hendip, whose strong towers
Will hold a toilsome siege. Should kindred spirits
Awake, and rally to our resting point,
'Tis well: if not, then to my two stout ships
Moor'd off the Humberts mouth,—I've good relays,
And friendly hidings on the road,—and then
To Antwerp, there to wait some Vantage ground,
Whence we may take a surer, deadlier aim,
'Gainst these usurpers of our ancient rights.

Catesby. Percy, thou counsel'st well: so let's to Hendip.

Digby. Catesby, my little bark was ever launch'd
Upon the sea and safety of thy counsel,
And follows faithful to thy guiding star.

Prim. Master Littleton, what have you dene with the damsels ?

Littleton. Sent them, under a strong escort, to Hendip, man of scores and reckonings.

Prim. I wish that ye had sent them under my guide-nice; O the sweet Dalilahs !

Catesby. Sound a retreat, and strike our tents, and march. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

A Wood near Dunchurch, the road passing through it.

Guy Fawkes and Winter disguised.

Guy Fawkes. Well, Master Winter, we have seen our friends and true men off for Hendip, and now we will put ourselves in the way of the infidels.

Winter. You puzzled Littleton's butterfly brain.

Guy Fawkes. I am glad the fool did not discover us : they will be safe walled in Hendip, and don't want us at present. We may pick up some intelligence. The king is somewhere on the road, with a small escort; could we but nab him, Master Winter ?

Winter. You are always at the highest game.

Guy Fawkes. Yes, I fly high, and dive low. I should like to astonish him.

Winter. The very sight of you would put him in convulsions : he thinks you in the Tower.

Guy Fawkes. He little knew Guy Fawkes when he put him in a cage. I used to play at hide-and-seek in the Tower when I was a juvenile Armadillo ; and if the tinder-turnkey had not been our friend and a concealed Catholic, I would have undermined the Thames, and come out at the Surrey side. [A trumpet sounds.] But here come the infidels ; let us retreat within ear-shot: if we can remain concealed, the better; if not, we must act our Mercanto parts. [ They retreat behind the trees.

Enter Esskx, Monteagle, Dudley, King Jamks and Carr disguised, David, Sfc.

Essex. We're near to Dunchurch ; they have reach'd,

'ere this,

The rebel camp; then let us pause awhile,
Beneath the branchings of these aged oaks,
And wait our fleet equerries, whose rare speed,
Wafted on winged fetlocks, shall instruct us
The bearings and the numbers of the foe.

Dudley- Essex, I cannot tarry. Bid the eagle
Rest her broad pinion on some midway cloud,
Whene'er she upwards cleaves the sounding air
Towards her platted eyrie, fearing lest
Some cleft-nurs'd serpent twine himself around
Her callow care.

Essex. But, hark ! a step approaches.

Enter an EauEBRY.

Equerry. Sir Everard Digby, with his new supplies, Has left his station near the town of Dunchurch, And moves t'wards Worcestershire ; from yonder height I mark'd their flags and battailous array, But faintly featur'd on the welkin's bound.

Monteagle. They seek a refuge in the towers of

Hendip,

Where, it is said, rebellion's streamers wave
Open defiance. f

Essex. There, I wot, 'ere this,
Monteagle's hopes and Dudley's are encag'd;
But Love has oft-time leap'd the mighty rampart,
And loos'd the massy portal.

K. James. Carrie, here's a love affair. Od's fish! I'll get to the bottom of it; it is all in my way.

Carr. Ill tell you all about it, dad; I got it out of David on the road. [Whispers.] Monteagle—Julia Habington; Oh'via Percy—Dudley; poor Agnes—that dog Littleton ; and so, dad, he " untied her virgin knot," as Will Shakspeare says, and then deserted her.

K. James. Od's death ! he shall marry her.

Essex. So, to Hendip; Our light battalion is too weak t' attack Their now augmented phalanx. Speed t'wards Warwick,

[ To an EauEERY.

And meet the High Sheriff; fully caution him
The plan and shiftings of the rebel force,
And bid him change his course t'wards Worcestershire.
Say that, ere noon, Lord Essex with his troops
Will swell his tide of battle, and beat down,
As bends the light reed to the thund'ring tread
Of our steel'd cavalry, the battlements
And bulwarks of rebellion.

Monteagle. Dudley, on!
We'll hang upon their flight; and know, Lord Essex,
That to the phrcnzy of the love-sick heart
Action is rest, and e'en the vainest toil
A golden solace. Did I deem her borne
To some unsearchable and pendent sphere,
I'd parley with the spirits of the air,
And hold communion with the fiery elves
Which imp the forked lightning,—so to find
The biding of my love.

Essex. Mar not by haste
The calcul'd certainty of our emprize ;
Wait, and the mellow fruitage yields itself
Unto your easy grasp; but, pluck'd untimely,
Ye wound the verdant branches of your hopes.

K. James. Verily, great militant, thou art right; and the damsels, before this, are out of reach, and carried into the strong places; and, might I offer my crum of advice, ye would wait the arrival of our sovereign and master before ye batter down the strong holds of the Philistines.

Esse.v. We differ, friend; I deem, we best express
Our faith and loyalty in laying low
These ramparts, ere he come, and yielding up
Their recreant defenders to his justice;
For we are well advised, that our king,
Though sapient in the craft of peaceful rule.
Loves not th' explosive element, nor bides
The glancings of bright steel.

Carr. How do you like that, Dad ?
K. James. The rascal! I'd cashier him if he had not
complimented our king-craft.

David. I have heard that his Majesty has written a book on laying ghosts and blue devils; and these brimstone, powder-plotting fellows are in that line, please your lordships, and might vanish at a conjurer's cap and wand. Carr. How do you like that, Dad? K. James. The rascal! but he's a brave fellow. Essex. 'Tis well, good David,

G

I

Our monarch hears thee not, thus lik'ning him
To ancient Vice, with dagger made of lath,
Bestriding Satan.

Carr. How do you like that, Dad ?

K. James. Od's death! I shall discover myself: the dog!

Essex. Since your truth is prov'd,

[To King James and Carr. Ye 're welcome to the shelter of our arms ; Or ye have licence free to wend your way, As best beseems your pious pilgrimage.

K. James. Verily, we will abide with thee, great militant, and shelter ourselves under thy wing; and lift up our voices against the Beast, yea, the horned Beast of Babylon.

David. [77o Carr.] Ye're queer kind of loose fishes: I don't know what to make of ye.

Carr. I am a Neophyte, a new-born babe, thou man of strength.

David. Then thy mother must have been a giantess. If there is not more of the old man than the new one in thee, I don't know a sheep's head from a fox's.

Essex. Then be our march upon the rebel rear.

[Trumpet sounds.—They march.

Guy Fawkes and Winter come forward.

Winter. We shall have tight work of it to make good the old towers of Hendip against the king's forces, provided, no doubt, with a battering train. We shall have a blow-up yet, Master Guy.

Fawkes. Winter, did you see nothing ?

Winter. Yes, I saw the king's troops and Lord Essex.

Fawkes. Nothing else ? .

Winter. Nothing but two stiff stone Puritans.

Fawkes. It was the king and Carr.

Winter. The king ? he can't abide a Puritan.

Fawkes. It was the king, by heav'ns! I knew him by the shuffle and wideness of his gait, as he moved off, as uprightly as he could, just like a retreating gander. We'll have him, Winter, and the game's our own again.

Winter. I never should have discovered him.

Fawkes. We'll have him. I know a short road to Hendip; we'll mount our steeds, and get a few stout hands, and lie in wait for our friends, the stiff rumps. I'll pounce on him like a falcon on a grey goose, carry him into Hendip, and perhaps off to Flanders; and then we make our own terms. Away, Winter, away.

[Exeunt. ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

Uendip.—A Prison Chamber in one of the
Turrets.

Olivia, Julia, Agnes, Nurse.

Julia. Thine eye looks cheerily to-day, Olivia.
O that the wing of sleep could waft away
Th' anathema and imprecated curse
Of our stern pastor!

Olivia. I have dream'd, my Julia;
And consolation, like a dove-wing'd cherub,
Sits smiling on my bosom.

Julia. Can light visions
Sway my Olivia's faith ?

Olivia. Yes, maiden, yes,
They can, if the night's warnings counterfeit
The deep convictions of debating day ;
For sometimes, in the twilight of the soul,
Heav'n's fires are up, to point our paths aright;
And I will trust them, if they firm th' award
Of th' unseal'd eye of reason.

Julia. Th' old man's words
Sway'd too my sleeping fancies; dreadful shapes
Came crowding on my soul; confusion mocks
The portraiting their mystic characters.

Olivia. My vision on the tablet of my brain
Still lives distinct, and I will tell it thee.

Alicia. O ladies, I had a dream, too: I thought I saw Lords Monteagle and Dudley ride into the court on fiery chargers, with their swords drawn; and then I saw old Friar Garnet vomiting flames at them out of window; and then the prison walls burst asunder, and then my young ladies leaped into the arms of the handsome cavaliers.

Julia.' Peace, peace, Alicia; some fitter time—
Olivia. Methought I stood upon a promontory,
Arid, and black, and desolate; around

Stern silence brooded. In the Occident,
Not the prank'd pageant of descending day,

But a dread chasm, amidst funereal clouds,

Gap^d like the jaws of hell, o'erarched high

The piled convolutions. Far outspread

Within, a vale of bedded fiery marl,

Encircled by a rugged mountain surge,

Ridg' d with fantastic horrors : some were wreath'd

With sickly vapours dank, and some o'ertopp'd

With red malignant flames, or vomiting

A lurid desolation; one there seem'd

Forni'd of insufferable ice; another

Of deepest sapphire, fring'd with streamy gold.

Emblazon'd domes and gorgeous palaces

Were featur'd in the distant tablature.

Beneath the beetling cliff on which I stood

Roll'd a broad lake, in undulations vast,

O'ercast with livid fumes and flaky fires;

And as I gaz'd, in fearful dizzy trance,

My name was mutterM in low thunder;—then

I saw old Garnet scowling, as last night

He stood before us; and what seenVd a tire

Of serpents, hissing imprecations dark,

Ray'd round his brow: he pointed to the lake,

And then his fiery finger he uprais'd,

And mov'd it to the West; I look'd, and saw

A gorgeous car, bright hov'ring in mid air,

By coal-black coursers drawn: there Littleton,
Shrin'd in wan lustre, like a misted star,
Ambiguous smil'd, and beckon'd. Up to HeaVn
I rais'd a mute imploring eye; when, lo !
From forth the opening chambers of the East
A bright form issued, in his red right hand
Poising a spear, on which immortal Truth
Was rayM in golden characters; whereat
The old man scowl'd a dark demoniac scowl,
And all the dreadful pageant vanished.
And then methought I walk'd a joyous vale,
Beneath the blush of morn; and that bright form
Led Dudley on, as simple shepherd clad,
With pipe, and crook, and scrip,—and caroling
Some rustic roundelay ; and then I woke.

Alicia. O, how delightful! it will surely come to pass.

Julia. Yet wise men tell us, my Olivia,
Curs'd spirits walk in darkness, whose suggestions
May prompt the coinings of the fever'd brain.

Agnes. Be not our talk of visions; waking horrors
Compass us round; for Tesmond's stern command,
Unconscious of his wrongs, bids me enforce
To thee the hateful suit of Littleton.
I will my tearful tale unfold; my shame
Shall shield thee, lady; for e'en now I deem
The Hymeneal altar is prepar'd
In the lone sacristy.

Olivia. No, Agnes, no;

Keep thine own mournful council, I'll not need it:
My buoyant spirit claims no other refuge
Than the bright shield of justice : I will plead
My own right cause, and my sweet Julia, too;—
Fear not,—hope shines with heav'n upon our loves.

Agnes. But, hark ! I hear his footstep. Garnet, too!

Enter Tesmond and Gabnet.

Olivia. 'Tis he! the same, that dark and withering

scowl,

Which scar'd me in my dreams! Away, old man !
I know thee now.

Garnet. What mean these fantasies ?
Have ye well ponder'd on my words, my daughters ?
Wed Littleton,—wed Percy; banish Dudley,—
Forswear Monteagle; or Heav'n's curse upon ye!

Olivia. Blaspheming wretch! and woukTst thou clothe

thyself

In the bright armour of Omnipotence,
And wield aloft HeavVs thunder ? Out upon thee!
Go meditate your midnight massacres;
Edge traitors' swords, and organize rebellion;
Or bring your brave assassins. See, I wear
Their fate, or thine, or mine. [Shewing a dagger.

Garnet. Attendants, ho!
Brav'd by a girl, and scoff'd our holy seeming!
Quick, drag them to the altar.

[A distant trumpet sounds.

Olivia. Rescue, rescue ! It is the royal trumpet!

Enter an Officer.

Officer. We're besieged;
Your presence, holy father, is requir'd
Straight in the council chamber.

Garnet. Maidens, hope not;
Your fate is but deferr'd,—'tis seal'd in heav'n.

[Exit with Tesmond.

Olivia. Out, holy hypocrite !

Alicia. [Who has raised herself to a window.] O ladies, I see the flags streaming at a distance; and now I see the horses galloping. O daisies ! my dream will be made out.

Olivia. [Looking out-] O Julia, Julia,
It is the royal banner ! and I see
A troop of horse in full career towards us ;
'Tis Dudley,—His Monteagle : let us wave
Some signal from our casements ; this wrought scarf
Of fretted silk and flowery inlay,—
The gift of love,—shall float upon the breeze ;
A lover's eye will recognize its own,
Were it a rose-sprig fluttering from the vane
Of some high pinnacle.

Julia. This pictur'd web,
Monteagle's gift; O be it as a flag
Of some lorn vessel in the perilous deep,
Claiming quick succour; which the pilot sees
From his crown'd watch-tower, and goes forth to save.

Alicia. And I'll hang out my sampler, which I worked when a girl, with St. George killing the dragon, all in red worsted; our David used to admire it so much, and I dare say he will see it if he is with them.

[They wave signals; Agnes assists, and then droops Disconsolately.—Scene closes.

SCENE II.

The Hall,

Habington, Sin Everard Digby, Catesby, LittleTon, Captain Of Robbers, Puim, Pure, Garnet, Tesmoni), <?rc.

Habington. A troop of horse is seen upon the plain, And, as our scouts' intelligence, behind A serried phalanx moves in cluster'd columns, With ordinance and circumstance of siege.

'Tis meet that Hendip's old artillery

Pour a rude welcome from their brazen throats.

Littleton. Most grave and potential signers, we are tied to the stake; all we can do is to butt and roar a little; and then to watch our opportunity, take to our heels and fetlocks, and so to the north.

Percy. [Reading papers.] These signets tell me that

my ships are ready,

And on our way full many a kindred shelter
Will entertain our passage of retreat.

Catesby. Aye, to get rid of us; if, noble Percy,
Your friends had muster'd open in our cause,
We then had needed no retreat.

Habington. The clouds
Of danger gather in our castle's front;
And scarce a discontented churl or two
Has join'd our ensigns, which unheeded wave
Their beckonings to the idle air.

Littleton, I hear that Anointed is coming himself against us: cannot we take him oft' with us ? Or pierce his pericardium ?

Percy. Long since

This dagger had been purpled in his heart's blood,
If Catesby's cooler counsel had not sway'd me,
To our defeated purpose.

Littleton. Our friend Guy, the borer, might be of use to us now, if he were alive, and could creep out of his stony girdle.

Enter Guy Fawkes and Winter. Fawkes. He is ready at your service, most exquisite.

[ They all start.

Littleton. Most infernal, hast thou worm'd thyself out of Erebus ? What news from our friends below ?

Fawkes. They are in daily expectation of you, and will be most happy to see you.

Catesby. Welcome, Fawkes,
Thrice welcome, brave confederate; say, what wile
Has led thee forth to freedom and to vengeance ?

Fawkes. I have no time to tell you: I must have a few strong ropes and a few strong hands, and two or three of your swiftest horses, Master Habington; and I will bring the king incontinent into the castle.

All. The king?

Fawkes. He is in disguise among Essex's troops, with Carr: he will be peering about the country, like a stray goose upon a common; I'll bag him, and bring him in.

Catesby. Thou art our better genius ; catch the king, We bear him with us. If our fortunes fail, Vengeance remains,—a regal sacrifice On our profaned altars.

Garnet. 'Tis the smile

Of Heav'n upon our cause, who thus gives up
Our arch foe, bound and helpless, to our hands.

Habington. Be it my care to yield thee, brave confederate,

Whatever aid thy noble purpose needs ;
Go choose, select, as seemeth best to thee.

Grimm. Take me with you, Master Guy. Perhaps I may touch yet some of the crown jewels. [Aside.

Prim. [To Pure.] Verily, Pure, we will be of the party ; it may chance that he bear about him the Star and Garter, and we may filch them, forsooth.

[Exeunt Fawkes, Grimm, Prim, Pure, #c. —A trumpet sounds.

Enter an Officer.

Officer. An herald from the royal general claims Short parley, and safe conduct.

Habington. Grant it him.

Catesby. We trust, ere long, to dictate, not to parley, E'en at the spring and fountain head of greatness.

Enter Sir Edward Neville.

Neville. I bear a message from the king's vicegerents Unto this castle's lord. Yield, Habington, Yield up these traitors to thy country's laws ; And for thy ties of kindred to Monteagle, Who sav'd th' anointed head of majesty, Accept free pardon.

Habington. Say to him who sent thee, That had the lowliest cairn beneath my roof Sought shelter, Habington would not betray him ; But these my brave compatriots, kindred spirits,— Their cause my own,—my guests, confederates, friends ! Methinks, Sir Edward Neville, that the council Which prompts such base suggestion ne'er can thrive.

Garnet. Go, tell your masters, Heaven has yet in store Its thunderbolts of wrath,-—ready to burst, And hurl down vengeance on the guilty head.

Percy. Say that our cause is rife, and nothing

desp'rate; Expected aid, good arms, and fair supplies.

Neville. And two stout ships to bear ye off' to Flanders. Is it not so ? [percy starts.] Percy, your ships are taken; Sir William Stanley's armament dispers'd; Nay more, Northumberland is in the Tower. Where now your trust ?

Percy. Then in our own goods swords.

Garnet. The shield of Heav'n, and justice of our cause.

Catesby. Adieu, Sir Edward; be your tidings true, That you have tied us even to the stake, Then must ye bear the butting. Had I choice, Say to your general, I would not fight With men who carry halters round their necks.

Percy. And, good Sir Edward, tell the Lord Monteagle, I keep a nightingale within a cage, Who tunes her plaintive ditties eve and morn.

[Exit Sin Edward Neville.

Littleton. If Commissioned says true, we are incarcerated, most noble companions. What shall we do with Anointed, if we catch him ?

Habington. Confine him closely in the eastern tower.

Littleton. What, near our lady-birds ? We have hardly time to visit them ere our work begins. I thought, father, [to Garnet,] that you would have tied one knot for us, and then we should have been better prepared for the other.

Catesby. This is no time for dalliance; nor, methinks,
Of other questionings than as beseems
The man who stands in danger's giant grasp,
And treads the coming earthquake. To your posts,
My noble comrades; Habington and I
Will to each rampart and loopM embrasure,
T' explore the strength of our artillery,
And marshal their deep thunders; so to whirl
The winged vengeance through the yawning ranks
Of these embattled sons of peace. Away.

Garnet. And, Tesmond, we will seek our sacristy,
To consecrate our ensigns and our arms,
And call the curse of Heav'n upon our foes.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE III.

A Coppice and Furze Cover near the Encampment before Hendip.

Enter King James and Carr, disguised.

Carr. We must not stray too far, Dad, from the camp, or we shall be caught up, bagged, and carried into the castle.

K. James. I can't help it, Carrie. Ods fish, it's a fine scenting morning, and here are such beautiful covers.

Carr. Aye, Dad, for Guys and Slys: we may unkennel one yet.

K. James. Now don't, Carrie, you put me in a tremor,, Suff. and Sal. must be at the camp by this time ; and I ordered Jack Juniper and Archie to keep in the rear, out of sight, with the hounds. What a fine cover for a fox ! I wish we had Ferret and Qui Tam here. Hie in there, little dogs! Search him out! To him again ! Now they give tongue ! They are on the scent! There he breaks! Talliho ! [ Guy F A Wkes starts from out the cover; the KiNG/a^s back frightened.

Carr. You've unkennelled him, Dad, a real Guy !

K. James. O lud ! O lud ! it is a spirit: I wish I had my book of Demonology here. I'll try to recollect one of my exorcisms, and lay him back in the Red Sea. Exorcizo te, I exorcise thee; pessime demon qui sumas effigiem Guidoni Fawksii, thou devil who assumest the likeness of Guy Fawkes ; abi, profuge sis, conjuro te ! vanish, and become extinct, I conjure thee!

Fawkes. Cease your mummery: march towards the castle, or I'll—

K. James. Ods death, it brandishes a sword! I am gone !

Carr. High and mighty, I am but a Neophyte, and this is my pastor, Obadiah Never-cut: we are searching after the stray sheep of the fold: perhaps thou art one of them.

Fawkes. Aye, a black one. I know ye. March towards the castle.

Carr. Not without a thrust or two. [Draws his sword.] Never mind, Dad, 111 pink his pericardium ; I'll let daylight into his diaphragm!

Fawkes. Seize that urchin. [winter, Grimm, Prim, and Others, seize the King and Carr.

K. James. Ruffians! Would ye bind the Lord's Anointed ? Would ye lay hands on my prerogative ? Would ye violate my privilege ? Know ye not

" There's a Divinity doth hedge a king ?"

Prim. Verily, we will disrobe thy divinity, forsooth, and strip off thy outward man. [They pull off" his disguise.

Grim. I can't find the star and garter.

Carr. It's a fine scenting day, Dad; a fine cover for Guys and Slys. [Pointing to Fawkes and Prim.] Dad, we shall be bagged; but let us make a noise; perhaps they may hear us at the camp. Holloa! The king's in danger! Help, help ! The king, the king!

Fawkes. Gag them, and bear them off. [They gag the King and Care, and bear them off.

Enter Monteagle and Dudley, <5fc. in haste. Monteagle. Hence came the voice, which cried the

king's in danger!
Dudley. It ne'er can be.
Monteagle. I know not. Salisbury
And Suffolk, who have reach'd the camp, report
The king had left his escort, and is bent,
Disguis'd, with Carr, upon some truant scheme,
Perchance in these confines.

Dudley. By Heav'ns ! I see,
Winding the foot of yonder tufted grove,
Some rough accoutred horsemen, who bear off
A man and boy between their loosen'd ranks.

Monteagle. It is the king and Carr. Bring up our

horse:

Our steeds are breath'd, and nimble as the wind:
We yet may rescue e'er they reach the castle.

[Exeunt severally; alarums; charge, and
pursuit.

SCENE IV.

The Encampment before Hendip Castle.

Salisbury, Suffolk, Essex, Sir Fulk Greville,
Deputy Lord Lieutenant; and Sir Richard Brom-
Ley, High Sheriff.

Suffolk. Noble vicegerents, these misguided men,
Who thus have scorn' d your summons of surrender,
Traitors proscrib'd, a price upon their heads,
May well prove dangerous in their despair:
Then let us spare the blood of better subjects
As best we can. We will surround the castle,
Cut off supplies and aid, and batter down
Its vantage towers, and shake its strong cementings,
Until its shiv'Ving inmates are expos'd,
Few, feeble, starv'd, unshelter'd, and defenceless,
Within the serried circle of our arms.
Are there no tidings of our royal master,
Our fount of mercy, and our arm of justice ?

Salisbury. All search as yet is vain, and dark surmise Hangs heavy on each brow: some grave mischance Must have befallen.

Essex. Say, where parted ye ?

Salisbury. He secretly departed from our escort
West of the precincts of St. Agnes' Priory,
Upon some vagrant purpose, or wild chase,
Eager, perhaps, to visit those grey ruins,
And swell his treasures of monastic lore;
And, 'tis conjectur'd, in some strange disguise,
As in his wayward fancies he is wont,
With Carr, his truant guide.

Essex. Then is the king
Within our camp.

Salisbury. What means my Lord of Essex ?

Essex. Go find that zealot and his Neophyte,
And bring them hither: 'twas his circling gait,
His lisp and stutter. Strange he should deceive us !

Enter Monteagle, Dudley, David, fyc. in haste.

Monteagle. My lords, the king is captur'd; borne

within

Yon den of treason. To the castle gates
We follow'd, but in vain.

Suffolk. My prescient soul
Had shadow'd this mischance. Alas ! alas !
That Majesty should thus unsphere itself,
And stray from its august confine ! The monarch
Who leaves the charmed circle of control,
Unpluming his high pomp of sov'reignty,
Must stoop to compromise with meaner spirits,
And truckle e'en to traitors: Salisbury,
We must e'en bandy terms with these assassins.

Monteagle. If right I saw, Guy Fawkes was of the crew, Who snar'd the crown of England.

Suffolk. 'Twas thy dream,
We left him in the tower.

Salisbury. Nay, very like:
Nor chain, nor cullis-port, nor battlement,
Bolt, bar, or dungeon keep, can e'er defend
These juggling priests t'enfranchise their own tools :
They burrow like th' intrusive air, and walk
At will our prisons and our palaces;
Nay, dive into the very souls of men,
To scan their unshap'd purposes ; but see,
A messenger approaches.

Enter an Officer.
Officer. Please ye, lords,
Sir Everard Digby, Habington, and Catesby,

Would hold a parley with your delegates,
The king a party to the conference,
From the crown'd platform on the battlements
Fronting your camp.

Salisbury. What pledges of Our safety ?

Officer. Hopes of their own.

Salisbury. Then be it so. [Exit Officer.] They'll

strive

To practise on our monarch's timid nature
For undisturb'd retreat. Well^ if the scaffold
Be cheated of its own, still it is good
That our distemper'd country vomit forth
These rank intestine poisons, and becalm
Her wholesome state again.

Monteagle. My lords, it seems
That I was chos'n, a worthless instrument,
T' unfold a dark conspiracy against
My king and country; and it would appear,
From what my speech shall now communicate,
That I am doom'd a second time to frame
A new enfranchisement, and cumulate
Upon the heads of these misguided men
Their own malign intents. Lord Essex knows
Why Dudley and myself along these walls
Have urg'd our midnight rounds and wolf-like watch,
Seeking the stolen treasures of our hearts;
And by the aid of this our follower,
An heretofore retainer of the castle,
We've found a means, by a concealed passage,
Aided by friends within, to introduce
An armed rescue; and, in noting well
The place and access of the royal durance,
To light again a nation's drooping hope,
And drag these traitors from their stony dens.

David. Please your lordships, I know every hole and cranny of the castle much better than those within it ; and can turn it inside-out for ye like an old glove. There is scarce a chamber which has not some concealed outport ; all the chimneys have lurking-holes supplied with air by false funnels: it seems built for robbers and rebels.

Salisbury. Why this looks well. Monteagle, may we trust him ?

Monteagle. My life upon his fealty, my lord.

Salisbury. Then you and I, my Lord High Chamberlain,

Will hold a parley with these murd'rous men,
And dally with them, till our plot is ripe,
By making banishment a seeming boon;
And, with a speedy promise of redemption,
Console our captive monarch as we may.

Suffolk. Meantime, my lord, by ambush or assault

[To Monteagle.

You will arrange your secret machinations
To gam the turret where the king's confin'd,
Upon the instant, as occasion calls.

Essex. And we, Lord Salisbury, will wheel around
Our rank'd artillery, making diversion
Against a distant quarter of the castle,
To mask this bold emprize.

Suffolk. Thus we're prepar'd
Alike for wiles of war, or fair entreatment;
For would we hunt a savage in his den,
Or rescue from the grasp of guilty men
Th' unwary victim, we must pause awhile,
And use, as seemeth best, or force or guile.
The paths of caution still become the brave;
Whilst our arms conquer, let our wisdom save.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE V.

Hendip Castle.

The King and Carr Prisoners; Catesby, Percy, Littleton, Habington, fyc. on the Battlements over the Gateway; Salisbury, Suffolk, and AtTendants, below.

Salisbury. State then the articles of quick redemption,
Our king will sanction at his own high will
The terms ye offer.

Catesby. Pardon ratified;
Seal manual, and sacramental oath ;
Security and hostage; money, ships,
To bear us all to Flanders:—such our terms,
Which grant without delay, or these old towers
Make, as ye list, a regal monument.

Salisbury. [Aside to Suffolk.] He'll grant them what they ask.

Suffolk. I know not that.
Methinks I see his royal spirit brighten
From forth the stragglings of his weaker nature.

Salisbury. What says my liege ? Your subjects are

prepar'd

To welcome worse conditions as the price
Of your redeemed person, and to scarf
The brow of shame and base discomfiture
With golden gratulations.

K. James. Salisbury,

Receive our thanks, and all my generous subjects :
Indeed my nature is but tame and feeble;
I ne'er could brook the harsh discourse of war;

H2

My spirit trembles at the cannon's roar,

And quick recoils at flashes of bright steel;

I'm weak, I say, my lords, and much unfit

For these rash tumults; but I am a king ;

And ne'er will compromise my royal honour

By treating with base rebels; or e'er sue

For freedom at a vile assassin's footstool:

Do with me as ye list. [To the Conspirators.] Aye,

hang, dismember,

And bleach me on your battlements. Come on
My loyal subjects; mount your culverines;
Trail your huge bombards; make them roar again,
And split the welkin with their horrid din;
Aye, stop the rolling thunder in its course,
And bid it rattle round me; I'll not shrink;
And let your swords and steely partisans
Glance like the lurid lightning round about,
The vex'd air firing. I will gaze upon them
Like th' eagle on the sun-beam. On, my friends:
Bring up your rank'd artillery ; let it burst;
And pile me of these stones a monument,
To shame the cenotaphs of ancient Nile.

Suffolk. There spoke the spirit of an English king.

Catesby. Why then 'tis broad defiance; and Despair Waves his red pennons in the face of doom; And wings of prey are flick'ring round about, Scenting the coming carnage. Mark me then, My noble lords, ye shall have ingress free To council with the king. See ye yon dial Above the gate ? Time's shadowy finger rests Upon the print of noon: ere yet it walk Its measur'd round another horal space, Gain ye the royal sanction to our terms, Or ye shall see yon proud arch-heretic Swinging above our topmost battlements.

Break up the confrence: to your tents, my lords;

There quick resolve : Guards, bear him back to durance;

And let our trumpets sound defiance.

[Exit with Percy, <Sfc. from the ramparts, Suffolk. Well,

Lord Salisbury, our path is plain; go thou,

And urge Monteagle's instant enterprize;

And, better to conceal their bold intent,

Til claim the proffer'd ingress at the castle,

To council with the king; and should we wave

The signal flag of safety and success

Upon the eastern turret; then, my lord,

Let all our cannon on the opposite

Pour a redoubled thunder. Should we fail,

We must e'en bend our royal master's spirit

To treat for his redemption as we may.

Farewell. I go to share his fate and fortunes.

[Exeunt severally: Salisbury back to the encampment; and Suffolk knocks at the gate of the castle. Scene closes.

SCENE VI.

The Eastern Turret.

The King seen through Bars of a Casement; Carr gets his Head out between them.

K. James. I can't get my head out, Carrie.

Carr. It is too thick, Dad.

K. James. Too full of brains, I suppose, Carrie.

Carr. You had no brains when you got in here, Dad. Dad, we shall certainly be hung.

K. James. Be quiet, you plague. Do you see anything ?

Carr. No; but I hear soft music. [Soft music is heard from a chamber above ; Olivia and Julia sing; and then are seen waving their handkerchiefs out of window.

SONG.—Julia.
Balmy wand'rer of the sky,
Stay thee, zephyr, take my sigh ;
Prithee stay, and let me string
A bead of sorrows on thy wing ;
Then to yonder tents convey
Thy dewy breathings: haste away,

Olivia.

Beam of Phoebus, newest born,
Stay, ye glitt'ring shafts of morn ;
Purpled Sun-beam, pause awhile,
Till I braid thee with my smile;
Then to yonder tents convey
Thy streamy love-light: haste away.

Both.
Then to yonder tents convey

Thy dewy breathings: -) , ,

r.,, , ,?, f haste away.

Thy streamy love-light: -*

K. James. What sweet voices! Carrie, do you see anything ?

Carr. Two fine girls, Dad.

K. James. I wish I could get my head out, and have a peep.

Carr. And they wave their handkerchiefs. Ah ! ah ! I thought so. Two handsome chevaliers, dad: it is Monteagle and Dudley. And now the lady lets down a long twine, and Monteagle fixes a letter to it. He sees me, and beckons me to do the same. Have you got any cord, dad ?

K. James. Don't talk of cord, Carrie, don't.

Carr. True, dad, we shall certainly be hung. I have it! I'll make a line of the old tattered bed-curtains, -which will reach the ground. [carr forms a line, and lets it down, and draws up a paper. Reads:—" The king may expect instant rescue from the most loyal of his

Subjects. " MONTEAGLE,

"robert Dudley."]

Carr. Here's an affair, Dad; we sha'nt be hung, after all.

K. James. What does it mean, Carrie ?

Carr. They are off like shot; and the damsels have disappeared. I hear a noise upon the stairs.

K. James. I hear Suffolk's voice : then the riddle will be expounded. [ They retreat.

SCENE VII.

The Hall

Habington, Catesby, Littleton, Percy, Guy Fawkes, Garnet, Tesmond, Sec.

Hdbington. Methinks, upon so sharp an exigence, Suffolk holds tedious commune with the king.

Littleton. He will advise Anointed to put his sign manual to our passports for foreign lands; and then, most incomparable delver, we shall not need a specimen of thy art to let us out at the Antipodes.

Fawkes. I don't know that, exquisite. I have clapt three barrels of gunpowder under the king's apartment, and have loaded half the castle; so that we may have a blow-up yet, Master Littleton; and you may have to shake those feathers of yours, most aerial.

Littleton. I have no objection, most terrene, in good company, and if you are of the party. But here comes a messenger, with visage elongate, and perturbed physiognomy.

Enter a Messenger.

Messenger. Our foragers, this instant driven in,
Bring tidings that th' artillery of the foe
Are rang'd within the wood-crown'd eminence
Fronting the western towers.

Catesby. Then treachery
Is on the spring; and we must rouze ourselves
To gambols of despair. You, Littleton,
And Percy, to the Eastern : bring the king,
And Suffolk, too, with halters round their necks.
Our day of doom is low'ring ; yet revenge
Flames in its front; and black-brow'd desolation
Shall smile to light, with HeavVs commission'd fires,
The funeral pile of statesmen and of kings.
Haste to the ramparts: let our cannons roar
Stern-mouth'd defiance, and denounced fate !

[Exeunt severally, except Prim, Pure,
Guy Fawkes, and Grim.

Prim. Verily, friend Pure, we will guird ourselves, and go with Percy and Littleton, and help to conduct the king to the high places,

Pure. Aye, my host, and have a peep at those Dalilahs who are caged in the lofty turret.

Prim. O the sweet Dalilahs J

[Exeunt Prim and Pure,

Grimm. There they go, the psalm-singing rascals. I don't feel easy in their company, Master Guy ; they have the devil's own mark upon them; and smell of the infernals.

Fawkes. Very bad company, indeed, captain ; and you and I are in danger of contamination.

Grimm. But I don't like this hanging business, Master Fawkes: it gives me an odd sensation about the jugular. Had we not better make off in the confusion, and get back to Flanders ?

Fawkes. No, captain: I came over for a- blow-up, and a blow^up I will have; and if we escape unsinged, then to Flanders, or where you will: so, to our posts, captain.

[Exit Fawkes.

Grimm. I don't see anything to be got by either hanging or burning; or by having the flinty ribs of the old castle beat about my ears; I'll steal away at the first fair opening. [Exit.

SCENE VIII.

A Court in the Castle before the Eastern Turret; one of tJie Casements of the King's Prison Chamber opening into it.

Carr looking out; a Centinel below on guard; David is seen opening a Wicket, and watching the Centinel; and when his back is turned, he steals towards him under a Corridor.

Carr. Centinel!

Centinel. If you don't put in your head, I'll fire.

[Presents his piece.

Carr. Now don't, my good fellow. As the king cannot get his head out to show you his good countenance, I'll throw his picture down to you to drink his health.

[carr throws down a gold piece, and whilst the Centinel is stooping to pick it up, David comes upon him, and disarms him; and, assisted by others, who have entered by the wicket, gags him.

Enter Monteagle and Dudley, with Troops.

David. Now you are secure and silent, my good friend, we must force the door, and hoist the signal flag.

[They endeavour to force the gate of the turret. Monteagle. But love shall find a shorter embassy To spread his triumphs to the joyous air, And wave our signals of success.

[He beckons to Olivia and Julia, who let down a twine, to which he attaches the signal flag: they hoist it up, and wave it from their casements.

Carr. Dad, the centinel is gagg'd : they are battering down the door: here are Monteagle and Dudley with the troops : the damsels have let down a cord, and have hoisted up the signal flag: now they wave it to and fro: it is the royal ensign. Hark! the cannon acknowledge it. Huzza ! dad, huzza ! [Roar of cannon.] See, see, the castle troops are coming. Ware, ware, Monteagle, you are attacked!

David. We have forced the door. Monteagle. Then let our soldiers line each embrasure And loop-hole of offence ; guard thou the portal; And we will drive these rash intruders back To their dark conclave.

[ The soldiers enter the fortress; alarum ;

charge. Littleton and the castle

troops are driven back by Dudley and

the king^s troops. Percy remains,

fighting with Monteagle.—A pause.

Monteagle. Percy, I would not harm thee: here I

stand,

To guard the casket where my treasure lies :
Then tempt not thou my rage. Guards, hurt him not.
Percy. Seek'st thou the shelter of thy menial train ?
It shall not Vail thee—at thy life, Monteagle :

Would I had rifled all thy treasure-itore,

When in my keeping, I had fall'n content.
Monteagle. Nay, then, vile traitor to the sacred laws

Of honour and of friendship.—

[ They fight: Monteagle wounds and disarms Pehcy.

Guards, confine him

Within the turret, but in gentle durance.

[david, with the guards, carry off"Percy; more of the kings troops have entered at the wicket, and are marshalled. Noise of cannon.

Our cannon thunder on the opposite,

Breaching the nodding battlements, and soon

Will force a passage through the flinty ribs

Of these old walls. But Dudley may have rush'd

Too far upon the foe. Then on, my friends,

And rescue. See, the tide of battle ebbs !

Each yawning portal pours forth armed men;

Our serried phalanx slow recedes; and firm,

E'en in retreating fronts a leaguer'd host;

Let them recline upon our ranks ; and then

We hold th' assailants in our toil of vantage.

[dudley and his party enter, retreating before Catesby, Littleton, Fawkes, and the castle troops. They fall back on Monteagle's ranks.

Rise, soldiers, on the ramparts, and unmask

Portentous fate. Yield, Catesby, for behold

[Soldiers suddenly line the ramparts.

Death ambushes in every eyelet hole

Of this old fortress. [ The rebel forces fall back.

Catesby. Cowards, do ye droop ?

Death comes to me no spectre of affright,

But as a beckoning bridcmaid in her trim ;

And I will follow her. On, Digby, on.

Enter Sir Everard Digby. Strike ere we fall: if ruin gape, down, down, We'll drag them with us to their penal doom.

Digby. Some traitors have unbarr'd the postern gate; Our bulwarks yawn; our cannon are dislodg'd; The tide of battle flows continuous in Upon the western, bearing down before it Our number'd strength; and Habington is taken.

Fawkes. Then, Master Catesby, there is nothing left for us but a blow-up. I have laid three trains round the turret. Keep Monteagle in parley awhile; and Winter and I will make a push, and tire them with our pistols.

[fawkks and Winter move covertly towards an angle of the fortress; David observes them.

David. Those skulking scoundrels are after some mi&chief: Til keep an eye on them: they are peering towards the angle under the prison chambers.

[david watches them,

Catesby. Safe in the serried circle of thy fence
Stand thou, Monteagle. Push thy men aside,
And meet me arm to arm, and point to point;
I brand thee, vile apostate of thy faith,
Informer, coward. Does it move thee ? Speak.

Monteagle. In deeds, not words. Let traitors rail. The

man

Who lifts a sword in my defence, I deem
My foe. [Theyfght.

Carr. The king commands that they are parted, and that Catesby, Littleton, and Sir Everard Digby, are arrested; and that Guy Fawkes is secured.

[The guards seize Catesby, who is

wounded by Monteagle ; and surround

and arrest Littleton and Sir Everard

Digby.

Carr. Haste, Dudley, look to Guy Fawkes and Winter: seize them; they are after no good; they'll blow us up yet. We shall explode, dad.

David. By Heavens, here is a train laid; and here is another!

[Breaks them with his foot, and beats down
Winter, who is rushing on with Guy
Fawkes.

Fawkes. But here is a third yet, which will at least crack the shell, if it does not dislodge the kernel.

[Fires a train with his pistol, and is at the same time beaten down by David ; Care retreats. The walls of the turret about the king's prison chamber crack and separate, after an explosion; and the King, and Suffolk, and Carr, are discovered, with Olivia, Julia, Agnes, Nuese, Sj-c. in the interior of a large apartment. Monteagle. They yet are safe; and love shall yield

us, Dudley,

The upward stragglings of an eagle's plume
To fly to their assistance.

[Rushes, with Dudley, up the turret. Carr. Never mind, Dad, they have only cracked the shell; we are all as safe and lively as maggots in a decayed filbert.

[david drags forward Fawkes wounded. David. Art still alive ? I thought that I had cut deep enough to let out the lives of a cat.

Fawkes. Ha, ha, ha ! how the old walls tumble about! It puts me in mind of my wife: what capers they are cutting in the air ! My eyes are rather dim; tell me, my good fellow, are they down yet ? or is the king hanging on one of the horns of the moon ? It was but a half job, after all; don't look so sour at me, old Garnet, I'll do better next time. What! dost refuse me absolution, old sin-spice ? Then do thy own black work, I'll no more of it. [Dies.

Alarums.— The King, Carr, with Suffolk, MonTeagle, Dudley, Olivia, Julia, Agnes, and Nurse, enter from the turret on one side. On the other side enter Essex, Sir Fulke Greville, Sir Henry Bromley, with Habington, Grant, RokeWood, Garnet, Hall, and other Prisoners ; among whom are Pure and Prim, the latter with the end of a rope sticking out of his pocket.

K. James. [Stopping his ears.] Has the cannon ceased ?

Carr. All is hushed, Dad.

K. James. I wish we were at Royston, Carrie. We might as well have sat in our Parliament, as have come down here to be blown up.

Carr. It is nothing when you are used to it, Dad.

K. James. Any lives lost in the explosion?

David. None, sire; but Percy's confined in the guardroom.

K. James. So much the better; hot-headed traitor!

Olivia. My brother, O my brother!

[Reclines on Dudley.

K. James. [Seeing Fawkes.] Eh! Carrie, are you sure he is dead ?

Carr. He'll explode, Dad; he'll go off yet.

David. He took a great deal of killing, please your Majesty; but he is safe at last.

Essex. Unto your royal presence we have brought These traitors bound,—awaiting your award.

Catesby. I will proclaim it,—Death, most welcome

Death;

And first on me,—for mine the fashioning
Of thy destruction; mine th' embryo purpose.
The instigation mine. These but the tools,
Warm'd to my wish, and shap'd to my endeavour.

K. James. Quick bear him from our presence. Guard

him well.

This is the well-head of that mighty mischief
Which would have crush'd our faith, and lives, and laws,
In one convolving ruin.

Catesby. Mark me, tyrant; [He grows faint.

I faint,—I bleed to death,—my eyes grow dim;
Yet a stern vision of futurity
Glooms on my sinking sense. A lowly train,—
Prayers on their lips, but curses in their hearts,—
Pass scowling on ; they trample on thy dust;
One lifts a sceptred pall, and one a sword .

All red with royal destiny. See, see,
A cup of death and exile on thy race
Is poured out, e'en by the hands you hate.

[Faints, and is borne out.

K. James. He raves; quick, bear him hence. And

what for thee, Misguided man? [To Habington.] Who should have

barr'd thy gates

To black rebellion, and thy cullis-port
Let down against the enemies of the state ;—
For thee, whose feofTd and enfranchise walls
Should in their cincture safely have enshrin'd
Thy sovereign's lawful and anointed head,
And not have harbour'd traitors ?

Enter Lady Habington.

Lady H. Pardon, pardon,
Pardon, my liege, and at my lowly suit;
If I have sav'd my country and my king
From these complotters, and their dread design:
I wrote the letter which betray'd their council.

Olivia and Julia. And we, too, kneel for pardon.

K.James. [To Monteagle.] Is this true?

Monteagle. It is, my liege; those tortur'd characters E'en then I deenTd familiar to my view.

K. James. [To Lady H.] Then has thy fealty seal'd
thy husband's pardon.

[habington falls at the feet of the king.
Thee, Littleton, I would award the fate
Of a convicted traitor; but being taught
That thou hast wrong'd that hapless maiden there,

[Pointing to Agnes.

I will commute thy penance. Marry her;—
Endow her with thy wealth and fair domains,
And then be banished from our realms for ever.

Littleton. 'Tis a hard doom, Anointed; if, however, I must make one of the copulates, I am glad that my friend Guy the borer is not here to laugh at me. Has no one a spare halter ?

David. Here's a halter, Master Littleton, now at your service. [He takes a rope out of Prim's pocket.

K. James. Ods death! what's that ? Have you caught any of my psalm-singing and bare-bone friends among the conspirators ? 1 thought as much; there is no mischief which they have not a hand in.

David. This fellow was connected, my Liege, not only with the conspirators, but a band of robbers in the forest of St. Agnes. His hostelry was their place of meeting; and this rope was intended for suspending your Majesty on one of the turrets, or, as he called it, the high places.

K. James. Ods death, Carrie, this is the true cant of Puritanism.

Carr. Aye, Dad, I said that we should be hung.

K. James. Keep the rope for his own execution;

Nee lex est sequior ulla
Quam necis artifices arte perire sua.

Eh, Suffolk ?

Prim. Verily, I will peach,—I will inform,—I will recant; I will give evidence against the mighty in the land; yea, I will worship in the high places.

[prim is borne off".

K. James. Sir Everard Digby, if report says true,
There is not of my subjects one whose name
Appears less suitably upon the roll
Of treason and rebellion. How is this ?

Digby. My faith and conscience were my guides, my
Liege.

K. James. Conscience, Sir Everard, in Holy Writ,

Is call'd a law engraved on our hearts;

And this will never teach us to infringe

Th' enroird and register'd commands of Heav'n,

And deep-digested statutes of the realm.

Some fiend has whisper'd thee, and not thy conscience;

You'll answer this elsewhere. Those sainted traitors,

[ To Garnet, Hall, # Arch-fiends, inveigling hypocrites,—the root, The pois'nous fount, and goad of all this mischief,— Bind them in links of iron, till the -law Take dreadful cognizance of their misdeeds: But where is Tesmond ? . Essex. With those outlaws fled. Garnet. The glorious crown of martyrdom is ours.

[Borne off with Hall. K. James. The meed of murder. Vile blasphemers,

hence. Ye other chains await, my noble friends;

[To Monteagle and Dudley. Love's roseate fetters, and the laureate wreath Of valour and of fealty, well cssay'd. Come, maidens, as the father of the state, Well may I claim each fair and willing hand, As a sweet guerdon and well-earned meed

i

For those, who from rebellion's giant grasp
Have rescued twice their country and their king.

[Takes the hands of Olivia and Julia,
and joins them with those of Dudley and

MONTEAGLE.

K. James. Carrie, my boy, has Jack Juniper brought up the hounds ? Sal. and Suff. will have no objection now to our trying these covers.

Carr. None, Dad, since the Guys and Slys, and such like vermin, are destroyed.

Enter Archie Armstrong.

But here comes Archie, who will give us tidings of the hounds.

Arch. Arm. Yes, here they are, nunky ; and we are in at the death, you see.

K. James. Well said, Archie.

Arch. Arm. But one dog is become dumb, nunky.

K. James. Which is that, Archie ?

Arch. Arm. Catholic Claims, nunky: he made such a yelping, that the chief huntsman crammed him with hasty pudding, and he has never barked since: yea, he has become a dumb dog, nunky.

K. James. Never mind, Archie, he wont be silent long: he will want more pudding, and will soon give tongue again. [Scene closes.