1st SAILOR. Mine Host there! Some Hippocras for the ladies! and—and—more Gascony! 2nd SAILOR (_saucily_). Bear a hand, Joe Jolly! or Jolly Joe! another measure of that old Sack. You’re an old sack yourself. Ho! here he comes, rolling like a dismasted ship in the trough of the sea (_laughter_). Ha! Ha! Ha! _Enter Host_, _scowling fiercely and holding out in his right hand menacingly a great tankard of Wine_. HOST. I say, Cut-throat! Belay your damned tongue! Don’t you think to make a butt of me for your gibes, or I’ll give you this (_holding out the tankard_) on your head! _The sailor laughs and holds out by the muzzle his heavy pistol as if to show its weight_. 2nd SAILOR. If you did, Joe, I would, and that quickly too, make a butt of yours. Look you! Butt to Butt. This has cracked many a skull as thick as Joe Jolly’s. ALL (_interfering_). Avast there! Enough of that messmates! Here, Jolly, drink with me! Here, Joe (_says another party_), drink with us! Hurrah! old chap! ENGLISH SPY (_to his companion_). I made our appointment here, Brother, to give you an idea of what is going on in the world—a mighty revolution—which I think neither His Majesty of Spain nor His Holiness yet comprehends, and to show you the character of our people. You will thus understand with whom you have to deal. FOREIGN SPY. They surprise and almost frighten me with their fierce demeanour and warlike defiant air. ENGLISH SPY. Of that anon. Now, Brother what of the Great Cause in the Low Countries? There the struggle is at present. FOREIGN SPY, (_Slowly and with emphasis_), And there, brother, it is almost ended. William the silent is silent for ever! (_The English spy starts with surprise_). That Arch-Heretic, the Prince of Orange, is no more! ENGLISH SPY. What? The Prince of Orange dead! FOREIGN SPY, (_With bitter emphasis_), Three poisoned bullets did for him, spite of all his caution! Parma outmanœuvred him. Philip is at the right game of war now! ENGLISH SPY, (_Interested to excitement_), How? How was this, brother? It will be a thunder clap to Europe! FOREIGN SPY. It was difficult; William was so closely guarded; so many attempts had failed. He seemed unapproachable. We found the fitting tool! (_He pauses_, _watching his startled companion with exultation_, _then continues_). Balthazzar Gerard, an enthusiast from Burgundy. We fanned the Bigot-flame, and armed his fiery soul with all the panoply of Faith the church could give, a Martyr’s Crown! Immediate bliss in Heaven. Philip added earthly honours, nobility and estates in Spain. Balthazzar swallowed the baited hook, and counted not the cost! (_He pauses_, _looking at his deeply interested and astounded companion_.) ENGLISH SPY, (_Eagerly_), Pray go on, Brother! He was seized of course! how did he proceed, or obtain access?