The Little French Lawyer Part 26

_Ana._ I am with ye.

_Cler._ I'le know now who sleeps by me, keep your standing.

[_Ex._ Cler. _and_ Anabel.

_Lam._ Well, go thy way, and thine own shame dwell with thee.

Is this the constancy she shew'd, the bravery?

The dear love and the life she ow'd her kinsmen?

O brave tongue, valiant glorious woman!

Is this the n.o.ble anger you arriv'd at?

Are these the thieves you scorn'd, the rogues you rail'd at?

The scabs and sc.u.ms of nature? O fair modesty, Excellent vertue, whither art thou fled?

What hand O Heaven is over us, when strong virgins Yield to their fears, and to their fears their fortunes?

Never belief come near me more, farewel wench, A long farewel from all that ever knew thee: My turn is next, I am resolv'd, it comes But in a n.o.bler shape, ha?

_Enter_ Dinant.

_Din._ Blesse ye Lady.

_Lam._ Indeed Sir, I had need of many blessings, For all the hours I have had since I came here, Have been so many curses. How got you liberty?

For I presume you come to comfort me.

_Din._ To comfort you, and love you, 'tis most true, My bondage was as yours, as full of bitterness And every hour my death.

_Lam._ Heaven was your comfort.

_Din._ Till the last evening, sitting full of sadness, Wailing, sweet Mistris, your unhappy fortunes, (Mine own I had the least care of) round about me The Captain and the company stood gaping, When I began the story of my love To you fair Saint, and with so full a sorrow, Follow'd each point, that even from those rude eyes, That never knew what pity meant or mercy, There stole down soft relentings: take heed Mistris, And let not such unholy hearts outdo you, The soft plum'd G.o.d will see again; thus taken, As men transform'd with the strange tale I told, They stood amaz'd, then bid me rise and live, Take liberty and means to see your person, And wisht me prosperous in your love, wish you so, Be wise and loving Lady, shew but you so.

_Lam._ O Sir, are these fit hours to talk of love in?

Shall we make fools of our afflictions?

Can any thing sound sweetly in mine ears, Where all the noise of b.l.o.o.d.y horrour is?

My Brother, and my Cousin, they are dead Sir, Dead, basely dead, is this an age to fool in?

And I my self, I know not what I shall be, Yet I must thank you, and if happily You had ask'd me yesterday, when these were living, And my fears less, I might have hearkned to you.

_Din._ Peace to your grief, I bind you to your word.

_Enter_ Cleremont, Anabel, Beaupre, Verdone, Charlote, _Nurse, the two Gentlemen._

_Lam._ How? do you conjure?

_Din._ Not to raise dreadfull apparitions, Madam, But such as you would gladly see.

_Lam._ My Brother, and nephew living?

_Beau._ And both owe their lives To the favour of these Gentlemen.

_Verd._ Who deserve Our service, and for us, your gracious thanks.

_Lam._ Which I give freely, and become a suitor, To be hereafter more familiar [_Kisse._ With such great worth and vertue.

_1 Gent._ Ever think us Your servants, Madam.

_Cler._ Why if thou wilt needs know How we are freed, I will discover it, And with laconick brevity: these Gentlemen This night incountring with those outlaws that Yesterday made us prisoners, and as we were Attempted by 'em they with greater courage, (I am sure with better fortune) not alone, Guarded themselves, but forc'd the b.l.o.o.d.y thieves, Being got between them, and this h.e.l.lish Cave, For safety of their lives, to fly up higher Into the woods, all left to their possession, This sav'd your Brother, and your nephew from The gibbet, this redeem'd me from my Chains, And gave my friend his liberty, this preserv'd Your honour ready to be lost.

_Din._ But that I know this for a ly, and that the thieves And gentlemen, are the same men, by my practice Suborn'd to this, he does deliver it With such a constant brow, that I am doubtfull, I should believe him too.

_1 Gent._ If we did well, We are rewarded.

_2 Gent._ Thanks but takes away From what was freely purpos'd.

_Cler._ Now by this hand, You have so cunningly discharg'd your parts, That while we live, rest confident you shall Command _Dinant_ and _Cleremont_; nor _Beaupre_, Nor _Verdone_ scents it: for the Ladies, they Were easie to be gull'd.

_1 Gent._ 'Twas but a jest, And yet the jest may chance to break our necks Should it be known.

_Cler._ Fear nothing.

_Din._ _Cleremont_, Say, what success?

_Cler._ As thou wouldst wish, 'tis done Lad, The grove will witness with me, that this night I lay not like a block: but how speed you?

_Din._ I yet am in suspence, devise some means To get these off, and speedily.

_Cler._ I have it, Come, we are dull, I think that the good fellows, Our predecessors in this place, were not So foolish, and improvident husbands, but 'Twill yield us meat and wine.

_1 Gent._ Let's ransack it, 'Tis ours now by the Law.

_Cler._ How say you sweet one, Have you an appet.i.te?

_Ana._ To walk again I'th' Woods, if you think fit, rather than eat.

_Cler._ A little respite prethee; nay blush not, You ask but what's your own, and warrantable: _Monsieur_, _Beaupre_, _Verdone_, What think you of the motion?

_Verd._ Lead the way.

_Beau._ We follow willingly. [_Ex. Man._ Din. _and_ Lam.

_Cler._ When you shall think fit, We will expect you.

_Din._ Now be mistris of Your promise Lady.

_Lam._ 'Twas to give you hearing.

_Din._ But that word hearing, did include a grant, And you must make it good.

_Lam._ Must?

_Din._ Must and shall, I will be fool'd no more, you had your tricks; Made properties of me, and of my friend; Presum'd upon your power, and whip'd me with The rod of mine own dotage: do not flatter Your self with hope, that any humane help Can free you, and for aid by miracle A base unthankfull woman is unworthy.

_Lam._ You will not force me?