English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Leid_. Might it please you
But thinck, Sir, of our honest services
(I dare not terme them equall) and but waigh well,
In which I know your Grace a perfect master,
Your judgment excellent, and then but tell us
And truly (which I know your goodnes will doe)
Why should we seeme so poore, so undertrodden,
And though not trusted with the State and Councell,
Why so unable vallued. Pardon, great Sir,
If those complaine who feele the waight of envy,
If such poore trod on wormes make show to turne againe.
Nor is it we that feele, I hope, nor you, Sir,
That gives the cullour of this difference:
Rumour has many tongues but few speak truth:
We feele not onely,--if we did 'twere happie--
Our Cuntry, Sir, our Cuntrie beares the blow too;
But you were ever noble.
_Or_. Good my Lords,
Let it be free your Servant, chargd in mallice,
If not fling of his crymes, at least excuse 'em
To you my great correcter. Would to heaven, Sir,
That syn of pride and insolence you speake of,
That pufft up greatnes blowne from others follyes
Were not too neere akin to your great Lordship
And lay not in your bosom, your most deere one.
You taint me, Sir, with syns concerne my manners,--
If I have such Ile studdy to correct 'em;
But, should I taint you, I should charge ye deeper:
The cure of those would make ye shrinck and shake, too,
--Shake of your head.
_Bar_. You are too weak ith' hams, Sir.
_Or_. Who raisd these new religious forces, Sir,
And by what warrant? what assignement had ye
From the States generall? who blew new fires?
Even fires of fowle rebellion, I must tell ye;
The bellowes to it, Religion. You were lov'd yet
But for your ends,--through all the Townes, the Garrisons,
To fright the union of the State, to shake it.
What syns are theis? You may smile with much comfort,
And they that see ye and not looke closely to ye
May crye too er't be long.
_Bar_. Your Grace has leave, Sir,
And tis right good it be soe.--Follow me home,
And there Ile give ye new directions
How to proceed, and sodainely.
_Leid_. | We are yours, Sir.
_Mod_. |
[_Exeunt Bar., Leid., Mod_.
_Or_. My lords, to what a monster this man's grown
You may (if not abusd with dull securitie)
See plaine as day.
_Bre_. We doe not like his carriage.
_Van_. He do's all, speakes all, all disposes.
_Or_. Spoiles all.
He that dare live to see him work his ends out
Uncrossd and unprevented, that wretched man
Dare live to see his Cuntry shrinck before him.
Consider my best lords, my noblest masters,
How most, most fitt, how just and necessary
A sodaine and a strong prevention.
_Bre_. We all conceave your Grace and all look through him
And find him what we feare not yet but grieve at.
You shall have new Commission from us all
To take in all those Townes he has thrust his men in:
When you have that, proceed as likes your Excellence.
_Or_. Your lordships true friend and most obedient Servant.
_Van_. Come to the present busines then.
_Or_. We attend you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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