Like undertakers, measuring men for shrouds'Tis not a soldier's office! Rien. These are scruples, Fantastic honor starts in gallant minds; 'Twere weakness to indulge them.-Count Alasco! Welcome, brave chief! our sanction and our strength! Alasco. Brave friends and countrymen! why late I come Amongst you, and so long have stood aloof, As one who seemed indifferent, or adverse To the great cause that moves you, you have heard 'Tis indeed most true, I have not stirred you to this enterprise. I would not idly mouth your wrongs, nor seek Revolt's a desperate game, that none should play, Rien. Noble Alasco! we Are resolved to die, or free our country. Alas. O! brave alternative, and worthy heroes! (They all draw their swords, and exclaim,) Alasco and our country!-liberty or death! Alas. Then, since your hearts are wound up to this pitch, And, edged with wrongs, your unsuborned swords Have leaped their scabbards thus, behold! at once I pledge me to your purpose. Yes, from this moment, do I here suspend All private functions-supersede all claims All duties of my station and degree, Which might disturb me in this glorious course, Mal. We will assert our freedom, and inflict (Several voices heard.) Yes, revenge and liberty. Alas. Then let our liberty be our revenge.But now, my friends! to business, for the time Is critical. His late defeat, I fear, Must see us in the field. If we surprise Mal. By heaven! we'll burn the castle to the ground, Alas. Sir! let us fight like men, in the fair field. Mal. We may be too magnanimous, my lord, And in our lenity, betray our country. Alas. Nay, do not hold that maxim! of all traitors, The general eye, and fearful to its friends. Con. By Mars! that touches home. (Aside.) Then as our chief, 'Tis fit that you peruse this document. (Takes up a paper and presents it to Alasco.) Alas. What is its purport, Conrad ? Con. O! promotions! The staff of a new corps of skeletons— A kind of scarecrow company !-to serve In shrouds and winding sheets. Alas. (Reading.) What! a proscription ?-Colonel Walsingham! Con. Yes, yes! you'll find some friends upon the list. A spirit smarting from some grievous wrong, To justify his vengeance. Alas. Sir, what wrong Procured the honored name of Walsingham, A place on such a list? Mal. He is an Englishman! Alas. Yes, and his virtues well sustain a name Long dear to feedom. Foe to our faith, our freedom, and our country. Alas. Sir, beware! That lady's name is not to be profaned By vulgar mouths, nor mingled with the sounds, That from a ruffian's tongue would stimulate Alas. (Looking round with indignation.) And have you all combined in this foul compact? All signed and sealed this instrument of blood? Rien. Noble Alasco! If we through over zeal, have erred in this, Alas. (Tearing the paper.) Then, thus I use my privilege! sacred powers! I thought I had joined me to a noble band. Rien. And such, we dare assert, our deeds shall prove us Alas. Away! you will crouch like slaves, or kill like cow. ards. What! you have swords! by heaven you dare not use them! A sword is the brave man's weapon-you mistake Your instruments-knives-daggers best become you! Heavens! am I leagued with cut throats and assassins? With wretches, who at midnight lurk in caves, To mark their prey, and meditate their murders? Well then! to your office-if you must stab, Begin with me ;-here-here, plant all your daggers! Rien. Spare us, my lord! Nor press this past endurance; your reproof Ålas. Your country's freedom! say your own discharge From wholesome rule and honest industry!— You mean immunity for blood and spoil ;- Con. (Advancing earnestly.) O! brave friends! (The chiefs all draw their swords, kneel down and kiss the hilt.) Rien. We swear-and as our hearts are in the oath, So may our wishes prosper! Alas. (Kneels also.) Record it, heaven! And in a cause so just, vouchsafe thy guidance. (They all rise.) This solemn sanction, Conrad, reassures me. Now, once again, I pledge me to your fortunes. My friends, your hands! Whate'er of comment harsh, in heat has passed, Your candor, sirs, will in its cause excuse. Rien. The fault is ours-we own it, and our swords To-morrow shall redeem it on the foe. Alas. Then to our work like men, who are fit for liberty! Fierce in the field as tigers for our rights, But when the sword is sheathed, the friends of peace, And firm, for law and justice. Portius. You know, I'd rather die than disobey you. Scene.-A Chamber. (Cato, solus, sitting in a thoughtful posture; in his hand, Plato's book on the Immortality of the Soul; a drawn sword on the table by him.) Cato. It must be so-Plato, thou reasonest wellElse whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire, This longing after immortality? Or whence this secret dread, this inward horror, "Tis Heaven itself that points out an hereafter, Eternity! thou pleasing, dreadful thought! Through what new scenes and changes, must we pass? The wide, the unbounded prospect lies before me: |