your will;

SCENE I.

Rom. Now you are noble.

Charmi. I shall deserve this better yet, in giEnter CHARALors with a paper, Romont and

ving CHARMI.

My lord some counsel (if he please to hear it) Charmi. Sir, I may move the court to serve Than I shall do with pleading.

Rom. What may it be, sir? But therein shall both wrong you and myself. Charmi. That it would please his lordship, as Rom. Why think you so, sir?

the presidents Charmi. Because I am familiar

And counsellors of court come by, to stand With what will be their answer : They will say, Here and but shew yourself, and to some one Tis against law, and argue me of ignorance, Or two make bis request: There is a minute, For offering them the motion.

When a man's presence speaks in his own cause, Rom. You know not, sir,

More than the tongues of twenty advocates. How, in this cause, they may dispense with law, Rom. I have urged that. And therefore frame not you their answer for them,

Enter Rocu fort and Du Croy. But do your part.

Charmi. Their lordships here are coming, Charini. I love the cause so well,

I must go get me a place. You'll find me in court, That I could run the hazard of a check for it. And at your service.

[Erit Charmi. Rom. From whom?

Rom. Now, put on your spirits ! Charmi. Some of the bench that watch to give it, Du Croy. The ease that you prepare yourself, More than to do the office that they sit for: But give me, sir, my fee.

In giving up the place you hold in court,

a

my lord,

Will prove, I fear, a trouble in the state;
I

As loud and fertile-headed; and the client,
And that no slight one.

That wants the sops to fill their ravenous throats, Roch. Pray you, sir, no more.

Must hope for no access. Why should , then, Rom. Now, sir, lose not this offered means : Attempt impossibilities, you, friend, being Their looks

Too well acquainted with my dearth of means Fixed on you with a pitying earnestness,

To make my entrance that way? Invite you to demand their furtherance

Rom. Would I were not ! To your good purpose. This is such a dulness, But, sir! you have a cause, a cause so just, So foolish and untimely, as

Of such necessity, not to be deferred, Du Croy. You know him?

As would compel a maid, whose foot was never Roch. I do; and much lament the sudden fall Set o'er her father's threshold, nor, within Of his brave house. It is young Charalois, The house where she was born, ever spake word, Son to the marshal, from whom he inherits Which was not ushered with pure virgin blushes, His fame and virtues only.

To drown the tempest of a pleader's tongue, Rom. Ha! they name you.

And force corruption to give back the hire Du Croy. His father died in prison two days It took against her. Let examples move you. since.

You see men great in birth, esteem, and fortune, Roch. Yes, to the shame of this ungrateful Rather than lose a scruple of their right, state;

Fawn basely upon such, whose gowns put off, That such a master in the art of war,

They would disdain for servants. So noble and so highly meriting

Char. And to these can I become a suitor ? From this forgetful country, should, for want Rom. Without loss : Of means to satisfy his creditors

Would you consider, that, to gain their favours, The sum he took up for the general good, Our chastest dames put off their modesties, Meet with an end so infamous.

Soldiers forget their honours, usurers Rom. Dare you ever hope for like opportunity? Make sacrifice of gold, poets of wit, Du Croy. My good lord !

And men religious part with fame and goodness. Roch. My wish bring comfort to you.

Be therefore won to use the means that may Du Croy. The time calls us.

Advance your pious ends.
Roch. Good morrow,
Colonel !

Char. You shall o'ercome. [Ereunt Rochfort and Du Croy. Rom. And you receive the glory. Pray you Rom. This obstinate spleen,

now practise. You think becomes your sorrow, and sorts well 'Tis well. With your black suits: But, grant me wit or judgment,

Enter Old NoVALL, LILADAM, and three

Creditors. And, by the freedom of an honest man, And a true friend to boot, I swear, 'tis shameful; Char. Not look on me! And therefore flatter not yourself with hope, Rom. You must have patience-Offer it Your sable habit, with the hat and cloak,

again. No, though the ribbons help, have power to work Char. And be again contemned ! them

Noo. I know what's to be done. To what you would : For those that had no eyes 1 Cred. And, that your lordship To see the great acts of your father, will not, Will please to do your knowledge, we offer first From any fashion sorrow can put on,

Our thankful hearts here, as a bounteous earnest Be taught to know their duties.

To what we will add.-Char. If they will not,

Nov. One word more of this, They are too old to learn, and I too young I am your enemy. Am I a man, To give them counsel ; since, if they partake Your bribes can work on? Ha? The understanding and the hearts of men,

Lilad. Friends! you mistake
They will prevent my words and tears: If not, The way to win my lord; he must not hear this,
What can persuasion, though made eloquent But I, as one in favour, in his sight,
With grief, work upon such as have changed na- May hearken to you for my profit. Sir!
tures

--I
pray

hear them.
With the most savage beast? Blest, blest be ever Nov. 'Tis well.
The memory of that happy age, when justice Lilad. Observe him now.
Had no guards to keep off wronged innocence Nov. Your cause being good, and your pre-
From flying to her succours, and, in that,

ceedings so, Assurance of redress: Whereas now, Romont, Without corruption I am your friend ; The damned with more ease may ascend from Speak your desires. hell,

2 Cred. Oh, they are charitable; Than we arrive at her. One Cerberus there The marshal stood engaged unto us three, Forbids the passage; in our courts a thousand, Two hundred thousand crowns, which by his death

We are defeated of. For which great loss And then, the devil, your father, is called upon, We aim at nothing but his rotten flesh; To invent some ways of luxury ne'er thought on.. Nor is that cruelty.

Be gone, and quickly, or I'll leave no room 1 Cred. I have a son

Upon your foreheads for your horns to sprout on; That talks of nothing but of guns and armour, Without a murmur, or I will undo you, And swears he'll be a soldier; 'tis an humour For I will beat you honest. I would divert him from; and I am told,

1 Cred. Thrift forbid ! That if I minister to him, in his drink,

We will bear this rather than hazard that. Powder made of this bankrupt marshal's bones,

[Ereunt Creditors. Provided that the carcase rot above ground, Twill cure his foolish frenzy.

Enter CHARALOIS. Nor. You shew in it

Rom. I am somewhat eased in this yet.A father's care. I have a son myself,

Char. Only friend! A fashionable gentleman, and a peaceful : To what vain purpose do I make my sorrow And, but I am assured he is not so given, Wait on the triumph of their cruelty? He should take of it too. Sir, what are you? Or teach their pride from my humility, Char. A gentleman.

To think it has overcome? They are determined Noo. So are many that rake dunghills. What they will do; and it may well become me, If you have any suit, move it in court:

To rob them of the glory they expect I take no papers in corners.

From my submiss entreaties. Rom. Yes, as the matter may be carried; and Rom. Think not so, sir ! whereby

The difficulties that you encounter with, To manage the conveyance

Follow him. Will crown the undertaking-Heaven! you weep, Lilad. You're rude: I say he shall not pass. And I could do so too; but that I know,

[Ereunt Novall, Charalois, and advocates. There's more expected from the son and friend Rom. You say so? On what assurance? Of him whose fatal loss now shakes our natures, For the well-cutting of his lordship's corns, Than sighs or tears, in which a village nurse, Picking his toes, or any office else

Or cunning strnmpet, when her knave is hanged, Nearer to baseness?

May overcome us. We are men, young lord, Lilad. Look upon me better;

Let us not do like women.

To the court, Are these the ensigns of so coarse a fellow? And there speak like your birth : Wake sleeping Be well advised.

justice, Rom. Out, rogue ! do not I know (Kicks him. Or dare the axe. This is a way will sort These glorious weeds spring from the sordid dung- With what you are: I call you not to that hill

I will shrink from myself; I will deserve Of thy ofhcious baseness? Wert thou worthy Your thanks, or suffer with you how bravely Of any thing from me, but my contempt, That sudden fire of anger shews in you! I would do more than this,-more, you court- Give fuel to it; since you are on a shelf spider!

Of extreme danger, suffer like yourself. [Exeunt. Lilad. But that this man is lawless, he should find

SCENE II. That I am valiant. 1 Cred. If your ears are fast,

Enter RochfoRT, Novall, sen. CHARMI, Du Tis nothing. What's a blow or two? As much :

Croy, advocates, BEAUMONT, officers, and three 2 Cred. These chastisements as useful are as

presidents. frequent

Du Croy. Your lordship is seated. May this To such as would grow rich.

meeting prove Rom. Are they so, rascals? I will befriend you Prosperous to us, and to the general good of Burthen

[Kicks them.

gundy. 1 Cred. Bear witness, sirs !

Nov. sen. Speak to the point! Lilad. Truth, I have born my part already, Du Croy-Which is friends!

With honour to dispose the place and power In the court you shall hear more. (Exit. Of premier president, which this reverend man, Rom. I know you for

Grave Rochfort (whom for honour's sake I name), The worst of spirits, that strive to rob the tombs Is purposed to resign; a place, my lords, Of what is their inheritance, the dead :

In which he hath, with such integrity, For usurers bred by a riotous peace;

Performed the first and best parts of a judge, That hold the charter of your wealth and free- That, as his life transcends all fair examples dom,

Of such as were before him in Dijon, By being knaves and cuckolds, that never prayed, So it remains to those that shall succeed him, But when you fear the rich heirs will grow wise, A precedent that they may imitate, but not equal. To keep their lands out of your parchment toils Roch. I may not sit to hear this.

Du Croy. Let the love

Nov. sen. Speak to the cause. And thankfulness we are bound to pay to good- Charmi. I will, my lord. To say, the late dead ness,

marshal, In this overcome your modesty.

The father of this young lord here, my client, Roch. My thanks

Hath done his country great and faithful service, For this great favour shall prevent your trouble. Might tax me of impertinence, to repeat The honourable trust that was imposed What your grave lordships cannot but remember: Upon my weakness, since you witness for me, He, in his life, became indebted to It was not ill discharged, I will not mention; These thrifty men, (I will not wrong their credits, Nor now, if age had not deprived me of a

By giving them the attributes they now merit) The little strength I had to govern well

And failing, by the fortune of the wars, The province

that I undertook, forsake it. Of means to free himself from his engagements, Nov. sen. That we could lend you of our years! He was arrested, and for want of bail, Du Croy. Or strength!

Imprisoned at their suit: And not long after Nov. sen. Or, as you are, persuade you to con- With loss of liberty ended his life. tinue

And, though it be a maxim in our laws, The noble exercise of your knowing judgement ! All suits die with the person, these men's malice Roch. That may not be; nor can your lord- In death finds matter for their hate to work on, ships' goodness,

Denying him the recent rites of burial, Since your employments have conferred upon me Which the sworn enemies of the christian faith Sufficient wealth, deny the use of it;

Grant freely to their slaves: May it therefore And though old age, when one foot is in the please grave,

Your lordships so to fashion your decree, In many, when all humours else are spent, That, what their cruelty doth forbid, your pity Feeds no affection in them, but desire

May give allowance to. To add height to the mountain of their riches; Nov. sen. How long have you, sir, practised in In me it is not so; I rest content

court? With the honours and estate I now possess.

Charmi. Some twenty years, my lord. And, that I may have liberty to use,

Nov. sen. By your gross ignorance, it should apWhat Heaven, still blessing my poor industry,

pear, Hath made me master of, I pray the court

Not twenty days. To ease me of my burthen; that I may

Charmi. I hope I have given no cause in this, Employ the small remainder of my life In living well, and learning how to die so.

Nov. sen. How dare you move the court

To the dispensing with an act confirmed
Enter ROMANT and CHARALOIS.

By parliament, to the terror of all bankrupts? Rom. See, sir, our advocate.

Go home! and with more care peruse the staDu Croy. The court intreats

tutes : Your lordship will be pleased to name the man, Or the next motion, savouring of this boldness, Which you would have your successor, and in me May force you to leap (against your will) All promise to confirm it.

Over the place you plead at. Roch. I embrace it

Charmi. I foresaw this. As an assurance of their favour to me,

Rom. Why, does your lordship think the moAnd name my lord Novall. Du Croy. The court allows it.

A cause, more honest than this court had ever Roch. But there are suitors wait here, and The honour to determine, can deserve their causes

A check like this? May be of more necessity to be heard,

Nov sen. Strange boldness! And therefore wish that mine may be deferred,

Rom. 'Tis fit freedom : And theirs have hearing.

Or, do you conclude, an advocate cannot hold Du Croy. If your lordship please

His credit with the judge, unless he study To take the place, we will proceed.

His face more than the cause for which he pleads! Charmi. The cause

Charmi. Forbear! We come to offer to your lordship’s censure,

Rom. Or cannot you, that have the power Is in itself so noble, that it needs not

To qualify the rigour of the laws, Or rhetoric in me that plead, or favour When you are pleased, take a little from From your grave lordships, to determine of it; The strictness of your sour decrees, enacted Since to the praise of your impartial justice In favour of the greedy creditor, (Which guilty, nay, condemned men, dare not Against the overthrown debtor ? scandal)

Nov. sen. Sirrah! you that prate It will erect a trophy of your mercy

Thus saucily, what are you? Which married to that justice

Rom. Why, I'll tell you,

my lord

ving of

those eyes,

try,

Thou purple-coloured man! I am one to whom Would seem to most rather a willingness
Thou owest the means thou hast of sitting there, To quit the burden of a hopeless life,
A corrupt elder.

Than scorn of death, or duty to the dead.
Charmi. Forbear!

I, therefore, bring the tribute of my praise Rom. The nose thou wearest is my gift, and To your severity, and commend the justice,

That will not, for the many services That meet no object so base as their master, That any man hath done the commonwealth, Had been long since torn from that guilty head, Wink at his least of ills : What though my father And thou chyself slave to some needy Swiss, Writ man before he was so, and confirmed it, Had I not worn a sword, and used it better By numbering that day no part of his life, Than in thy prayers thou ever didst thy tongue.

In which he did not service to his country; Nov. sen. Shall such an insolence pass unpu- Was he to be free therefore from the laws, nished?

And ceremonious form in your decrees? Charmi. Hear me !

Or else, because he did as much as man, Rom. Yet I, that in my service done my coun- In those three memorable overthrows,

At Granson, Morat, Nancy, where his master, Disdain to be put in the scale with thee, The warlike Charalois (with whose misfortunes Confess myself unworthy to be valued

I bear his name) lost treasure, men, and life, With the least part, nay, hair of the dead mar- To be excused from payment of those sums shal,

Which (his own patrimony spent) his zeal
Of whose so many glorious undertakings, To serve his country, forced him to take up?
Make choice of any one, and that the meanest, Nov. sen. The precedent were ill.
Performed against the subtle fox of France, Char. And yet, my lord, thus much
The politic Lewis, or the more desperate Swiss, I know you'll grant; after those great defeatures,
And 'twill outweigh all the good purpose,

Which in their dreadful ruins buried quick
Though put in act, that ever gownman practised.
Nov. sen. Away with him to prison !

Enter Officers.
Rom. If that curses,

Courage and hope in all men but himself, Urged justly, and breathed forth so, ever fell He forced the proud foe, in his height of conOn those that did deserve them, let not mine

quest, Be spent in vain now, that thou, from this instant, To yield unto an honourable peace, Mayest, in thy fear that they will fall upon thee, And in it saved an hundred thousand lives, Be sensible of the plagues they shall bring with To end his own, that was sure proof against them.

The scalding summer's heat, and winter's frost, And for denying of a little earth,

Il airs, the cannon, and the enemy's sword,
To cover what remains of our great soldier, In a most loathsome prison.
May all your wives prove whores, your factors Du Croy. 'Twas his fault
thieves,

To be so prodigal.
And, while you live, your riotous heirs undo you. Nov. sen. He had from the state
And thou, the patron of their cruelty,

Sufficient entertainment for the army.
Of all thy lordships live not to be owner

Char. Sufficient, my lord? You sit at home, Of so much dung as will conceal a doy,

And, though your fees are boundless at the bar, Or, what is worse, thyself in. And thy years, Are thrifty in the charges of the warTo the end thou mayst be wretched, I wish many; But your wills be obeyed. To these I turn, And, as thou hast denied the dead a grave, To these soft-hearted men, that wisely know May misery in thy life make thee desire one, They're only good men that pay what they owe. Which men, and all the elements, keep from 2 Cred. And so they are. thee:

1 Cred. 'Tis the city doctrine; I have begun well; imitate; exceed.

We stand bound to maintain it. Roch. Good counsel, were it a praise-worthy Char. Be constant in it; deed.

And, since you are as merciless in

your natures, [Ereunt officers with Romont. As base and mercenary in your incans, Du Croy. Remember what we are.

By which you get your wealth, I will not urge Char. Thus low my duty

The court to take away one scruple from Answers your lordship's counsel. I will use, The right of their laws, or one good thought In the few words with which I ain to trouble In you to mend your disposition with. Your lordship's ears, the temper that you wish I know there is no music to your ears me;

So pleasing as the groans of men in prison, Not that I fear to speak my thoughts as loud, And that the tears of widows, and the cries And with a liberty beyond Romont :

Of famished orphans, are the feasts that take But that I know, for me, that am made up

you. Of all that's wretched, so to haste my end, That to be in your danger, with more care VOL. I.

F