The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05 — John Shaqi
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05Dryden, John
History
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05
Dryden, John
English literature
_Fisc._ You shall hear: I asked him, when his pains were strongest on
him, if Towerson, or the English factory, had never hired him to
betray the fort? he answered, (as it was true) they never had; nor was
his meaning more in that discourse, than as a soldier to inform
himself, and so to pass the time.
_Van Her._ Did he confess no more?
_Fisc._ You interrupt me. I told him, I was certainly informed the
English had designs upon the castle, and if he frankly would confess
their plot, he should not only be released from torment, but
bounteously rewarded: Present pain and future hope, in fine, so
wrought upon him, he yielded to subscribe whatever I pleased; and so
he stands committed.
_Har._ Well contrived; a fair way made, upon this accusation, to put
them all to torture.
_2 Dutch._ By his confession, all of them shall die, even to their
general, Towerson.
_Har._ He stands convicted of another crime, for which he is to
suffer.
_Fisc._ This does well to help it though: For Towerson is here a
person publicly employed from England, and if he should appeal, as
sure he will, you have no power to judge him in Amboyna.
_Van Her._ But in regard of the late league and union betwixt the
nations, how can this be answered?
_1 Dutch._ To torture subjects to so great a king, a pain never heard
of in their happy land, will sound but ill in Europe.
_Fisc._ Their English laws in England have their force; and we have
ours, different from theirs at home. It is enough, they either shall
confess, or we will falsify their hands to make them. Then, for the
apology, let me alone; I have it writ already to a title, of what they
shall subscribe; this I will publish, and make our most unheard of
cruelties to seem most just and legal.
_Har._ Then, in the name of him, who put it first into thy head to
form this damned false plot, proceed we to the execution of it. And to
begin; first seize we their effects, rifle their chests, their boxes,
writings, books, and take of them a seeming inventory; but all to our
own use.--I shall grow young with thought of this, and lose my son's
remembrance!
_Fisc._ Will you not please to call the prisoners in? At least inquire
what torments have extorted.
_Har._ Go thou and bring us word. [_Exit_ FISCAL.] Boy, give me some
tobacco, and a stoup of wine, boy.
_Boy._ I shall, sir.
_Har._ And a tub to leak in, boy; when was this table without a
leaking vessel?
_Van Her._ That's an omission.
_1 Dutch._ A great omission. 'Tis a member of the table, I take it so.
_Har._ Never any thing of moment was done at our council-table without
a leaking tub, at least in my time; great affairs require great
consultations, great consultations require great drinking, and great
drinking a great leaking vessel.
_Van Her._ I am even drunk with joy already, to see our godly business
in this forwardness.
_Enter_ FISCAL.
_Har._ Where are the prisoners?
_Fisc._ At the door.
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