Scene I THE SWISS ER

Andru. [aside]. And nobly spoken!

Clep. [to Timentes\ Nay, Sir, neuer stare! 160

Wo'd you durst venture on the foe as boldly As I dare speake truth!

King. You presume to much Vpon our Patience.

Clep. Sir, my zeale for you Is the strong motiue. If you meane to bury The memorie of your braue Ancestors 165

In black Obliuion, send this fellow forth. But if you striue to add vnto the height Of all their glories, lett your fauors shine Vpon Arioldus, whome your angry frownes Haue driuen to a priuate life; ther's a sparke hidd 170

In the cold asshes of Neglect : hee knowes How to command an hoast abroad, aswell As to obay at home.

Andru. [aside]. How I co'd hug thee Thou good old man!

Clep. Fortune that crownes your actions Will neuer bring a Garland to your Vertues, i75

By such weake meanes as that.

King. Now I haue heard yee.

And find a crosse opinion to my will Hath, onely, lett your tougne loose. Who am I ? Am I your king? Why thus controul'd? how dare you Venture vpon my anger? Who is here 180

Mutters a word more?

14 THE SWISSER Act I

AndrtL. [aside]. I must steale away I shall burst out elce. Exit, andrv.

King. Euery priuate man Is master of his famely, and there Commands, and is obay'd : are Princes tyed To strickter Rules? There is no Difference 185

As, being men, wee are one Species, And that which onely makes vs kings, is Power : And will yee tye vp that ? I haue not found Myne anger yett : be dumb or —

[Reenter] asprandvs.

What's y® newes?

Aspr. The Enemie with speed marches this way, 190

And throwes his feares before him, which do seaze The benum'd Sences of the Multitude, So that it conquers more then slaughter can.

King. They shalbe stopt; wee'le meet 'em.

Aspr a. But the Souldiers, Busied with feare that the now Generall 195

Should lead them on, more then the Enemies fortune, (As if they had one mouth) call for Arioldus, Braue Arioldus, and brand lord Timentes With the base name of Cowardize; they vowe Neuer to stirr a foot without Arioldus. 200

King. Well ! we will stay this outrage. Shall a swarme Of slaues contemne our will? Antharis, see The Cittie be well garded, Clephis age

Will best become it too, but moderate

Your speech hereafter. Come Timentes, wee 205

Will parlée with theise Roisters. Exeunt

Manent antharis, clephis.

Ant ha. Yes, yes, Clephis, Your Elloquence hath carried it, the King Will hx on your aduice.

Clep. I wo'd thy meaning, Vnworthy lord, had no worse End then myne.

Antha. It euer had a better (Dotard). Barest thou 210

Shape any thought whereby my anger may Haue way to a reuenge?

Clep. I feare thee not.

Lett guiltie men weare that pale liuene Vntill their Crimsen be lett out by Justice. Da what thou darst ! If Modestie restrain'd not, 215

And Age, the ground of all, I sho'd breake forth In action : thou abusest a braue Prince With base and seruile fawnings, pois'nest him, W^ith thy pernitious lipps, neuer leau'st licking Till (like an Indian Ratt) thou hast deuour'd 220

The Bowel Is of his honor.

Antha. And, I pray.

What is your ayme, but to crosse his désignes And curbe his Power? Which is the iuster course, To yeild to, or oppose my Soueraigne?

But I do know your Pride; you must command. 225

1 6 THE SWISSER Act I

And goe without Sir. I doe heare my sonne Lookes on thy daughter with a louers Eye, rie pluck it out then — none of thy base breed Shall euer close with myne.

Clep. Thy insolence Hath worne out all my Passion; I can laugh 230

At thy distempers, now. I hope thy sonne Hath more of goodness in him then can come From such a father; if hee did pertake Of so much villanie, I'de ha' my daughter, With all her maiden sweets, bound to the stench 235

Of some corrupted carcasse, till they both Desolu'd one way, rather then match her soe.

Antha. Out, Harpie, Viper, scum of Mankind !

Clep. Doe !

Raue till thy foming breath infect the Ayre; 'Tis not thy priuate hate shall crosse my Care 240

Vnto the publike safetie. Exit clep.

Antha. I shall fitt yee. Exit antha.

SC^NA SECVNDA

[A Room in the House of Arioldîis.] Two SERVANTS bring in a table with bookes.

ARIOLDVS followes.

Seru. Come, come, dispatch, my lord wilbee heere presently. Ariel. Is the boy gon?