torments of the damned! The sack of Imperial Rome! (_holding up his hands in dismay_) Satanic Bourbon! Infernal Tempter! Thou knew’st the mystic Solder which alone could weld that Rebel Host, mad with lust and hunger, discordant, dissolute, through battle, fatigue, and famine! And hurl the blazing Meteor on the goal of thy Vengeance and Ambition! I beheld the Holy Father himself a prisoner in his castle of St. Angelo; his jailors! the Catholics of Spain. My eyes were opened! I fled from the Desolation. Before me spread an Earthquake of Republics, a wreck of Nations. France and Spain had torn the land. I took refuge in the fleet of Dorea with the Spirits that were left. Genoa rose at his heroic summons. We proclaimed the Republic. Yes! I saw that last flame of Italian Glory! It flickered and went out for ever. Through the once free cities of Italy I harangued the Infidel—in democratic clubs on the RIGHTS of Nature—the Republicans on their LAWS—to gather up the broken fragments of their liberties, and arm against the spoilers of the land. In Holland I preached freedom through the grim creed of Calvin, and urged the dull Flemmings to defend their Constitutions. I have been ALL things to ALL men. My single foe—Despotic Spain—My creed, its overthrow. In England two characters by turns. A conspirator to assassinate the Queen with fanatics who would deluge the land with blood, destroy their own and other’s freedom, and yield our glorious Island to a foreign tyrant—the execrable Philip. And now I am an agent of the unselfish Patriot, Walsingham (I would trust none other!)—to foil this foul conspiracy, and save my native country from slavery and ruin. I must to the “Blue Anchor” to meet this Arch-plotter for the Church and Philip. I’ll search his inmost thoughts. I’ll sound the very depths of all his treason! (_Exit_.) SCENE II.—“THE BLUE ANCHOR”—THE TAP ROOM. _Ornamented with model ships of every form and rig_; _all of a warlike character_. _Here and there are hung up arms_, _chiefly those used at sea_, _with Parrots and curious birds_, _shells and other productions of foreign climes_, _all indicating that the owner and his friends are familiar with distant lands_, _in fact_, _all maritime contributions_. _The room is filled with sailors and their women_, _profusely decorated with gold_, _reckless of expenditure_, _playing at dice for gold pieces_, _and displaying masses of gold and silver articles_, _chalices and cups_, _the fruit of plunder by land and sea_. _Their bold dashing air shows a character not likely to hesitate about what they would attack_, _and themselves ready to take their own part_, _or that of England_, _against the world_. _They call for wines of the most expensive sorts like men habituated to wealth_. _The two spies at a table_, _served with a flagon of wine and cups of silver_, _by the landlord_. _The foreigner is much surprised at the scene_.