Teague. Very honestly; I knocked a fellow down in the street, and took it from him. Care. Was there ever such a fancy? Why, didst thou think this was the way to take the covenant? Teague. I am sure it is the shortest and the cheapest way to take it. Blunt. I am pleased yet with the poor fellow's mistaken kindness; I dare warrant him honest, to the best of his understanding. Care. This fellow, I prophesy, will bring me into many troubles by his mistakes: I must send him on no errand but, How d'ye; and to such as I would have no answer from again.-Yet his simple honesty prevails with me; I cannot part with him. Lieu. Come, gentlemen, time calls—~How now, who's this? Enter OBADIAH, and four Persons more, with Papers. Care. I am a rogue if I have not seen a picture in hangings walk as fast. Blunt. 'Slife, man, this is that good man of the committee family that I told thee of; the very clerk: how the rogue's loaded with papers !— Those are the winding-sheets to many a poor gentleman's estate. 'Twere a good deed to burn them all. Care. Why, thou art not mad?———Well met, sir; pray do not you belong to the committee of sequestrations? Üb. I do belong to that honourable committee, who are now ready to sit for the bringing on the work. Blunt. Oh, plague! what work, ras— Care. Pr'ythee be quiet, man.—Are they to sit presently? Ob. As soon as I can get ready, my presence being material. [Exit. Care. What, wert thou mad? Wouldst thou have beaten the clerk, when thou wert going to compound with the rascals, his masters? Blunt. The sight of any of the villains stirs me. Lieu. Come, colonels, there's no trifling; let's make haste, and prepare your business; let's not lose this sitting. Come along, Teague. [Exeunt. Enter ARBELLA at one door, ABEL at another, as if he saw her not, and starts when he comes to her, as RUTH had taught him. Arb. What's the meaning of this? I'll try to steal by him. Abel. Pardon, mistress, my profound contemplations, in which I was so hid that you could not [Aside. Abel. Something I can do, and that with somebody; that is, with those that are somebodies. Arb. Whist, whist. [Beckons to RUTH, and she shakes her head.] Pr'ythee, have some pity. O, unmerciful girl! Abel. I know parliament-men, and sequestrators; I know committee-men, and committeemen know me. Arb. You have great acquaintance, sir? skill, sir? Abel. When the weather is not good, we hold a fast. -Hark ye, Arb. And I want a deliverance.Ruth, take off your dog, or I'll turn bear indeed. Ruth. I dare not; my mother will be angry. Arb. O, hang you. Abel. You shall perceive that I have some power, if you please to- Arb. O, I am pleased, sir, that you should have power! I must look out my hoods and scarfs, sir: 'tis almost time to go. Abel. If it were not for the weighty matters of state which lie upon my shoulders, myself would look them. Arb. O, by no means, sir; 'tis below your greatness-Some luck yet; she never came seasonably before, Enter Mrs DAY. Mrs Day. Why, how now, Abel? Got so close to Mrs Arbella; so close indeed! nay, then I smell something. Well, Mr Abel, you have been so us'd to secrecy in counsel and weighty matters, that you have it at your fingers' ends. Nay, look ye, mistress, look ye, look ye; mark Abel's eyes; ah, there he looks. Ruth, thou art a good girl; I find Abel has got ground. Ruth. I forbore to come in, till I saw your ho nour first enter; but I have overheard all. N Mrs Day. And how has Abel behaved him self, wench, ha? Ruth. O, beyond expectation! If it were lawful, I'd undertake he'd make nothing to get as many women's good-wills as he speaks to: he'll not need much teaching; you may turn him loose. Arb. O, this plaguy wench! Mrs Day. Say'st thou so, girl? It shall be something in thy way; a new gown, or so; it may be a better penny. Well said, Abel, I say; I did think thou would'st come out with a piece of thy mother's at last :-- -But I had forgot the committee are near upon sitting. Ha, mistress, you are crafty; you have made your composition before-hand. Ah, this Abel's as bad as a whole committee; take that item from me. Come, make haste, call the coach, Abel. Well said Abel, I say. [Exeunt Mrs DAY and ABEL. Arb. We'll fetch our things and follow you. Now, wench, canst thou ever hope to be forgiven? Ruth. Why, what's the matter? Arb. The matter! Couldst thou be so unmerciful, to see me practised on, and pelted at, by a blunderbuss charged with nothing but proofs, weighty affairs, spirit, profound contemplation, and such like? Ruth. Why, I was afraid to interrupt you; I thought it convenient to give you what time I could, to make his young honour your friend. Arb. I am beholden to you: I may cry quit tance. Ruth. But did you mark Abel's eyes? Ah, there were looks! that you shall desire, if you will become my entire friend. Pray remember my love and service to your discreet wife, and acquaint her with this; whose wisdom I hear is great. So, recommending this to her and your wise consideration, I remain Your friend, C. K. 2 Com. C. K.! Mr Day. Ay, that's for the king. 2 Com. I suspect-[Aside.]-Who brought you this letter? Mr Day. Oh, fie upon't! my wife forgot that particular. [Aside.]—Why, a fellow left it for me, and shrunk away when he had done. I warrant you, he was afraid I should have laid hold on him. You see, brethren, what I reject; but I doubt not but to receive my reward; and I have now a business to offer, which in some measure may afford you an occasion. 2 Com. This letter was counterfeited certainly. [Aside. Mr Day. But first be pleased to read your last order. 2 Com. What does he mean? That concerns [Aside. me. Ob. The order is, that the composition arising out of Mr Lashley's estate be, and hereby is invested and allowed to the honourable Mr Nathaniel Catch, for and in respect of his sufferings and good service. Mr Day. It is meet, very meet; we are bound in duty to strengthen ourselves against the day of trouble, when the common enemy shall endeavour to raise commotions in the land, and disturb our new-built Zion. 2 Com. Then I'll say nothing, but close with Arb. Nay, pr'ythee give off; my hour's ap- him: we must wink at one another-I receive proaching, and I cann't be heartily merry till it your sense of my services with a zealous kindbe past. Come, let's fetch our things; her lady-ness. Now, Mr Day, I pray you propose your ship's honour will stay for us. Ruth. I'll warrant ye, my brother Abel is not in order yet; he's brushing a hat almost a quarter of an hour, and as long a driving the lint from his black clothes, with his wet thumb. Arb. Come, pr'ythee hold thy peace; I shall laugh in's face else, when I see him come along. Now for an old shoe. [Exeunt. A Table set out. The Committee, and OBADIAH ordering Books and Papers. Ob. Shall I read your honours' last order, and give you the account of what you last debated? Mr Day. I first crave your favours, to communicate an important matter to this honourable board, in which I shall discover unto you my own sincerity and zeal to the good cause. 1 Com. Proceed, sir. Mr Day. The business is contained in this letter: 'tis from no less a man than the king; and 'tis to me, as simple as I sit here. Is it your pleasures that our clerk should read it? 2 Com. Yes, pray give it him. Ob. [Reads.] "Mr Day, we have received good intelligence of your great worth and ability, especially in state matters; and therefore thought fit to offer you any preferment or honour business. Mr Day. I desire this honourable board to understand, that my wife being at Reading, and to come up in the stage-coach, it happened that one Mrs Arbella, a rich heiress of one of the cavalier party, came up also in the same coach. Her father being newly dead, and her estate before being under sequestration, my wife, who has a notable pate of her own, (you all know her,) presently cast about to get her for my son Abel; and accordingly invited her to my house; where, though time was but short, yet my son Abel made use of it. They are without, as I suppose: but before we call them in, I pray let us handle such other matters as are before us. 1 Com. Let us hear then what estates besides lie before us, that we may see how large a field we have to walk in. 2 Com. Read. Ob. One of your last debates was upon the plea of an infant, whose estate is under sequestration. Mr Day. And fit to be kept so till he comes of age, and may answer for himself; that he may not be in possession of the land till he can promise he will not turn to the enemy. Ob. Here is another of almost the like nature; desires your honour's favour to be shewn unto him in her composition. an estate before your honours under sequestration. The plea is, that the party died without any offer of taking up arms; but in his opinion he was for the king. He has left his widow with child,mittee have taken it into their serious and pious 2 Com. Say you so, Mrs Day? Why, the comwhich will be the heir; and his trustees com- consideration, together with Mr Day's good serplain of wrong, and claim the estate. vice upon some knowledge that is not fit to communicate. 2 Com. Well, the father, in his opinion, was a cavalier? Ob. So it is given in. 2 Com. Nay, 'twas so, I warrant you; and there's a young cavalier in his widow's belly; I warrant you that too; for the perverse generation increaseth. I move, therefore, that their two estates may remain in the hands of our brethren here, and fellow-labourers, Mr Joseph Blemish, and Mr Jonathan Headstrong, and Mr Ezekiel Scrape, and they to be accountable at our pleasures; whereby they may have a godly opportunity of doing good for themselves. Mr Day. Order it, order it. 3 Com. Since it is your pleasures, we are content to take the burthen upon us, and be stewards to the nation. 2 Com. Now verily it seemeth to me that the work goeth forward, when brethren hold together in unity. Mr Day. Well, if we have now finished, give me leave to tell you my wife is without, together with the gentlewoman that is to compound. She will needs have a finger in the 3 Com. I profess we are to blame to let Mrs Day wait so long. pye. Mr Day. We may not neglect the public for private respects. I hope, brethren, that you will please to cast the favour of your countenances upon Abel. 2 3 Com. You wrong us to doubt it, brother Day. Call in the compounders. Ŏb. Call in the compounders. Por. Come in the compounders. Enter Mrs DAY, ABEL, ARBELLA, RUTH; and after them the Colonels and TEAGUE: they give the Door-keeper something, who seems to scrape. Mr Day. Come duck, I have told the honourable committee that you are one that will needs endeavour to do good for this gentlewoman. 2 Com. We are glad, Mrs Day, that any occasion brings you hither. Mrs Day. I thank your honours. I am desirous of doing good, which I know is always acceptable in your eyes. Mr Day. Come on, son Abel; what have to say? you Abel. I come unto your honours full of profound contemplations for this gentlewoman. Arb. 'Slife, he's at's lesson, wench. [Aside to RUTH. Ruth. Peace-Which whelp opens next? Oh, the wolf is going to bark. [Aside. Mrs Day. May it please your honours, I shall presume to inform you, that my son Abel has settled his affections on this gentlewoman, and Mrs Day. That was the letter I invented. 2 Com. And the composition of this gentlepose, to Mr Abel, and so consequently to the woman is consigned to Mr Day; that is, I supfor such good fortune; your estate's discharged; gentlewoman. You may be thankful, mistress, Mr Day shall have the discharge. Blunt. O, damn the vultures! [Aside. [Aside. Arb. I am willing to be thankful when I understand the benefit. I have no reason to compound for what's my own; but if I must, if a public censure, not to be left in private hands. woman can be a delinquent, I desire to know my 2 Com. Be contented, gentlewoman; the committee does this in favour of you. We understand how easily you can satisfy Mr Abel; you may, if you please, be Mrs Day. Ruth. And then, good night to all. [Aside. Arb. How, gentlemen! Are you private marriage-jobbers? D'ye make markets for one another? [Aside. 2 Com. How's this, gentlewoman? Blunt. A brave, noble creature! Care. Thou art smitten, Blunt; that other female too, methinks, shoots fire this way. [Aside. Teague. Take care she don't burn your wig. Mrs Day. I desire your honours to pardon her incessant words; perhaps she doth not imagine the good that is intended her. 2 Com. Gentlewoman, the committee, for Mrs Day's sake, passes by your expressions: you resolution; you may be your own enemy, if you may spare your pains; you have the committee's will. Arb. My own enemy ! Ruth. Pr'ythee, peace, 'tis to no purpose to wrangle here; we must use other ways. [Aside. 2 Com. Come on, gentlemen! What's your case? [To the colonels. Ruth. Arbella, there's the downright cavalier that came up in the coach with us—On my life, there's a sprightly gentleman with him. [While they speak, the colonels pull the papers out, and deliver them. Care. Our business is to compound for our estates; of which here are the particulars, which will agree with your own survey. Teague. And here's the particulars of Teague's estate; forty cows, and the devil a bull amongst them. Ob. The particulars are right. Mr Day. Well, gentlemen, the rule is two years purchase; the first payment down, the other at six months end, and the estate to secure it. Care. Can you afford it no cheaper? Care. No. I Teague. Upon my shoul, but he has now: took it for him, and he has taken it from me, that he has. Ruth. What sport are we now like to have? 2 Com. What fellow's that? Care. A poor simple fellow that serves me.Peace, Teague. Teague. Why, did not I knock the fellow down? 2 Com. Well, gentlemen, it remains whether you'll take the covenant? Teague. Why, he has taken it. Care. This is strange, and differs from your own principle, to impose on other men's consci ences. Mr Day. Pish! we are not here to dispute; we act according to our instructions, and we cannot admit any to compound without taking it; therefore your answer. Teague. Was it for nothing I took the Care. Hold your tongue.-No, we will not take it. Much good may it do them that have swallows large enough; 'twill work one day in their stomachs. Blunt. The day may come, when those that suffer for their consciences and honour may be rewarded. Mr Day. Ay, ay, you make an idol of that ho nour. Blunt. Our worships then are different: you make that your idol which brings you interest; we can obey that which bids us lose it. Arb. Brave gentlemen! [Aside. Ruth. I stare at 'em till my eyes ache. [Aside. 2 Com. Gentlemen, you are men of dangerous spirits. Know, we must keep our rules and instructions, lest we lose what Providence hath put into our hands. Care. Providence! such as thieves rob by. 2 Com. What's that, sir? Sir, you are too bold. Care. Why, in good sooth, you may give losers leave to speak; I hope your honours, out of your bowels of compassion, will permit us to talk over our departing acres. Mr Day. It is well you are so merry. Cure. O, ever whilst you live, clear souls make light hearts! faith, would I might ask one ques tion? 2 Com. Swear not then. Care. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours' goods; there's a Rowland for your Oliver. Teague. There's an Oliver for your Rowland; take that till the pot boils. Care. My question is only, which of all you is to have our estates; or will you make traitors of them, draw 'em, and quarter 'em? 2 Com. You grow abusive. Blunt. No, no, 'tis only to intreat the honourable persons that will be pleased to be our house keepers, to keep them in good reparations; we may take possession again without the help of the covenant. 2 Com. You'll think better on't, and take this covenant. Care. We will be as rotten first as their hearts that invented it. Ruth. 'Slife, Arbella, we'll have these twe men; there are not two such again to be had for love nor money. Mr Day. Well, gentlemen, your follies light upon your own heads; we have no more to say. Care. Why then, hoist sails for a new worldTeague. Ay, for old Ireland. Care. D'ye hear, Blunt; what gentlewoman is that? Blunt. 'Tis their witty daughter I told thee of. Care. I'll go speak to them; I'd fain convert that pretty covenanter. Blunt. Nay, pr'ythee let's go. Care. Lady, I hope you'll have that good fortunc not to be troubled with the covenant. Arb. If they do, I'll not take it. Blunt. Brave lady! I must love her against my will Care. For you, pretty one, I hope your portion will be enlarged by our misfortunes. Remember your benefactors. Ruth. If I had all your estates, I could afford you as good a thing. Care. Without taking the covenant? Ruth. Nay, I am not bound to discover. Blunt. Pr'ythee, come! Is this a time to spend in fooling? Care. Now have I forgot every thing. 2 Com. Gentlemen, void the room. Care. Sure, 'tis impossible that kite should get that pretty merlin. Blunt. Come, pr'ythee let's go; these muckworms will have earth enough to stop their mouths with one day. Care. Pray use our estates husband-like; and so our most honourable bailiffs, farewell. [Exeunt. Teague. Ay, bum-baily rascals Mr Day. You are rude. Door-keeper, put 'em forth there. Por. Come forth, ye there; this is not a place for such as you. Teague. Devil burn me, but ye are a rascal, that you are. Por. An' please your honours, this profane Irishman swore an oath at the door, even now, when I would have put him out. 2 Com. Let him pay for't. Por. Here, you must pay, or lie by the heels. Teague. What, must I pay by the heels? I will not pay by the heels, master; ubbub boo! Enter CARELESS. Care. What's the matter? Teague. This gander-fac'd gag says I must pay by the heels. Care. What have you done? Teague. Only swore a bit of an oath. Care. Here's a shilling; pay for't, and come along. Teague. Well, I have not curs'd, how much had that been? Por. That had been but sixpence. Teague. Och, if I had but one sixpence halfpenny in the world, but I would give it for a curse to ease my stomach on you. My money is like a wild colt; I am oblig'd to drive it up in a corner to catch it. I have hold of it by the scruff of the neck. Here mister, there's the shilling for the oath; and there's the sixpence half-penny for you, for the curse, before-hand; and now, my curse, and the curse of Cromwell, light upon you all, you thieves, you, [Knocks down the porter, and exit. Ruth. Hark ye, Arbella; 'twere a sin not to love these men. Arb. I am not guilty, Ruth. Mrs Day. Has this honourable board any other command? 2 Com. Nothing farther, good Mrs Day.-Gentlewoman, you have nothing to care for, but be grateful and kind to Mr Abel. Arb. I desire to know what I must directly trust to, or I will complain. SCENE 1. Mrs Day. The gentlewoman needeth, no doubt; she shall suddenly perceive the good that is intended her, if she does not interpose in her own light. Mr Day. I pray withdraw; the committee has pass'd their order, and they must now be private. 2 Com. Nay, pray, mistress, withdraw. [Exeunt all but the Committee.] So, brethren, we have finished this day's work; and let us always keep the bonds of unity unbroken, walking hand in hand, and scattering the enemy. Mr Day. You may perceive they have spirits never to be reconcil'd; they walk according to nature, and are full of inward darkness. 2 Com. It is well, truly, for the good people that they are so obstinate, whereby their estates may of right fall into the hands of the chosen, which truly is a mercy. Mr Day. I think there remaineth nothing farther, but to adjourn till Monday. Take up the papers there, and bring home to me their honours order for Mrs Arbella's estate. So, brethren, we separate ourselves to our particular endeavours, 'till we join in public on Monday, two of the clock; and so peace remain with you. [Exeunt. ACT III. Enter Colonel CARELESS, Colonel BLUNT, and Lieutenant STORY. Lieu. By my faith, a sad story. I did apprehend this covenant would be the trap. Care. Never did any rebels fish with such cormorants; no stoppage about their throats; the rascals are all swallow. Blunt. Now am I ready for any plot: I'll go find some of those agitants, and fill up a blank commission with my name: and if I can but find two or three gather'd together, they are sure of me; I will please myself, however, with endeavouring to cut their throats. Care. Or do something to make them hang us, that we may but part on any terms. Enter TEAGUE. How now, Teague! what says the learnedTeague. Well then, upon my shoul, the man in the great cloak, with the long sleeves, is mad, that he is. Care. Mad, Teague! Teague. Yes, i' faith is he; he said, I was sent to make game of him. Care. Why, what didst thou say to him? Teague. I ask'd him if he would take any counsel. Care. 'Slife, he might well enough think thou mock'dst him. Why, thou shouldst have ask'd him when we might have come for counsel. Teague. Well, that is all one, is it not? If he would take any counsel, or you would take any counsel, is not that all one then? Cure. Was there ever such a mistake? Blunt. Pr'ythee never be troubled at this; we are past counsel. If we had but a friend amongst them, that could but slide us by this covenant. Care. Nothing anger'd me so, as that my old kitchen-stuff acquaintance turn'd her head another way, and seem'd not to know me. Blunt. How! kitchen-stuff acquaintance! Cure. Mrs Day, that commanded the party in the stage-coach, was my father's kitchen-maid, and in days of yore was called Gillian. Lieu. Hark ye, colonel; what if you did visit this translated kitchen-maid? Teague. Well, how is that? a kitchen-maid! where is she now? Blunt. The lieutenant advises well. Care. Nay, stay, stay; in the first place, I'll send Teague to her, to tell her I have a little business with her, and desire to know when I may have leave to wait on her. Blunt. We shall have Teague mistake again. Teague. I will not mistake the kitchen-maid. Whither must I go now, to mistake that kitchenmaid? Care. But, d'ye hear, Teague? you must take no notice of that, upon thy life; but, on the contrary, at every word you must say, your ladyship, and your honour: as, for example, when you have made a leg, you must begin thus: my master presents his service to your ladyship, and |