Chapter VI: Part 6

_And._ Shee's carryed away too. _Mir._ How? _And._ While you were absent, A crew of Monsieur _Lewis_ friends and kinsmen By force break in at th' back part of the house, And took her away by violence; faithful _Andrew_, (As this can witness for him) did his best, In her defence, but 'twould not doe. _Mir._ Away, And see our horses sadled, 'tis no time To talke, but doe: _Eustace_, you now are offer'd A spatious field, and in a pious war To exercise you[r] valour, here's a cause, And such a one, in which to fall is honourable, Your duty and reverence due to a fathers name Commanding it; but these unnatural jarres Arising betweene brothers (should you prosper) Would shame your victorie. _Eust._ I would doe much Sir, But still my reputation! _Mir._ _Charles_ shall give you All decent satisfaction; nay joyne hands, And heartily; why this is done like brothers; And old as I am, in this cause that concerns The honour of our family, Monsieur _Lewis_ (If reason cannot work) shall find and feele There's hot blood in this arme, Ile lead you bravely.

_Eust._ And if I follow not, a Cowards name Be branded on my forehead. _Cha._ This Spirit makes you A sharer in my fortunes. _Mir._ And in mine, Of which (_Brisac_ once freed, and _Angellina_ Again in our possession) you shall know My heart speakes in my tongue. _Eust._ I dare not doubt it, Sir. _Exeunt._

_Actus V. Scaena II._

_Enter_ Lewis, Brisac, Angellina, Sylvia, _Officers._

_Lew._ I'me deafe to all perswasions. _Bri._ I use none, Nor doubt I, though a while my innocence suffers, But when the King shall understand how false Your malice hath inform'd him, he in justice Must set me right againe. _Ang._ Sir, let not passion So far[r]e transport you as to think in reason, This violent course repaires, but ruins it; That honour you would build up, you destroy; What you would seeme to nourish, if respect Of my preferment or my patern May challenge your paternal love and care, Why doe you, now good fortune has provided A better husband for me than your hopes Could ever fancy, strive to robb me of him? In what is my Lord _Charles_ defective Sir? Unless deep learning be a blemish in him, Or well proportion'd limbs be mulcts in Nature, Or what you onely aim'd at, large revenewes Are on the sudden growne distastful to you, Of what can you accuse him? _Lew._ Of a rape Done to honour, which thy ravenous lust Made the consent to. _Syl._ Her lust! you are her father.

_Lew._ And you her Bawd. _Syl._ Were you ten Lords, 'tis false, The pureness of her chaste thoughts entertains not Such spotted instruments. _Ang._ As I have a soule Sir.

_Lew._ I am not to be alter'd; to sit downe With this disgrace, would argue me a Peasant, And not borne noble: all rigour that the Law And that encrease of power by favour yeelds, Shall be with all severity inflicted; You have the Kings hand for't; no Bayle will serve, And therefore at your perils Officers, away with 'em.

_Bri._ This is madness. _Lew._ Tell me so in open Court, And there Ile answer you. _Mir._ Well overtaken;

[_Enter Mir. Char. Eust. Andrew._]

_Cha._ Ill if they dare resist. _Eust._ He that advances But one step forward dies. _L._ Shew the King's Writ.

_Mir._ Shew your discretion, 'twil become you better.

_Cha._ Y'are once more in my power, and if againe I part with you, let me for ever lose thee.

_Eust._ Force will not do't nor threats; accept this service From your despair'd of _Eustace_. _And._ And beware Your reverend Worship never more attempt To search my _Lilly-pot_, you see what followes.

_Lew._ Is the Kings power contemn'd? _Mir._ No, but the torrent O' your wilful folly stopp'd. And for you, good Sir, If you would but be sensible, what can you wish But the satisfaction of an obstinate Will. That is not indear'd to you? rather than Be cross'd in what you purpos'd, you'l undoe Your daughters fame, the credit of your judgement, And your old foolish neighbour; make your states, And in a suite not worth a Cardecue, A prey to advocates, and their buckram Scribes, And after they have plum'd ye, returne home Like a couple of naked Fowles without a feather.

_Cha._ This is a most strong truth Sir. _Mir._ No, no, Monsieur, Let us be right Frenchmen, violent to charge, But when our follies are repell'd by reason, Tis fit that we retreat and nere come on more: Observe my learned _Charles_, hee'l get thee a Nephew On _Angellina_ shall dispute in her belly, And suck the Nurse by Logick: and here's _Eustace_, He was an asse, but now is grown an _Amadis_; Nor shall he want a Wife, if all my land For a joynture can effect it: Y'are a good Lord, And of a gentle nature, in your lookes I see a kinde consent, and it shewes lovely: And doe you heare old Foole? but Ile not chide, Hereafter like me, ever doate on learning, The meere beleefe is excellent, 'twill save you; And next love valour, though you dare not fight Your selfe, or fright a foolish Officer, 'young _Eustace_ Can doe it to a haire. And to conclude, Let _Andrew's_ Farm b'encreas'd, that is your penance, You know for what, and see you rut no more, You understand me, So embrace on all sides; Ile pay those Billmen, and make large amends; Provided we preserve you still our friends.-- _Exeunt._

[_A few misprints in the above have been corrected in square brackets to agree with_ B.]

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