_Dull._ Ay, had he writ, I had soon been amongst them, i’faith; but this is some Plot to betray us.
_Sea._ Keep me here, and kill me if it be not true.
_Down._ He says well--there’s a Brigantine and a Shallop ready, I’ll embark immediately.
_Friend._ No, Sir, your Presence is here more necessary, let me have the Honour of this Expedition.
_Haz._ I’ll go your Volunteer, _Charles_.
_Whim._ A mere Trick to kidnap us, by _Bacon_,--if the Captain had writ.
_Well._ I see you’re all base Cowards, and here cashier ye from all Commands and Offices.
_Whim._ Look ye, Colonel, you may do what you please, but you lose one of the best dress’d Officers in your whole Camp, Sir.
_Whiff._ I’ll say nothing, but let the State want me.
_Dull._ For my part I am weary of weighty Affairs. [In this while _Well._ _Down._ _Friend._ and _Haz._ talk.
_Well._ Command what Men you please, but Expedition makes you half a Conqueror.
Enter another _Seaman_ with a Letter, gives it to _Downright_, he and _Wellman_ read it.
_Down._ Look ye now, Gentlemen, the Master has writ.
_Dull._ Has he--he might have writ sooner, while I was in Command,--if he had--
_Whim._ Ay, Major--if he had--but let them miss us.
_Well._ Colonel, haste with your Men, and reinforce the Beach, while I follow with the Horse;--Mr. _Dunce_, pray let that Proclamation be read concerning _Bacon_, to the Soldiers.
_Dun._ It shall be done, Sir. Gentlemen, how simply you look now.
_The Scene opens and discovers a Body of Soldiers._
_Tim._ Why, Mr. Parson, I have a scruple of Conscience upon me, I am considering whether it be lawful to kill, though it be in War; I have a great aversion to’t, and hope it proceeds from Religion.
_Whiff._ I remember the Fit took you just so when the _Dutch_ besieged us, for you cou’d not then be persuaded to strike a stroke.
_Tim._ Ay, that was because they were Protestants as we are; but, Gads zoors, had they been _Dutch_ Papists I had maul’d them: but Conscience--
_Whim._ I have been a Justice of Peace this six Years, and never had a Conscience in my Life.
_Tim._ Nor I neither, but in this damn’d thing of fighting.
_Dun._ Gentlemen, I am commanded to read the Declaration of the honourable Council to you. [To the Soldiers.
_Booz._ Silence--silence-- [_Dunce_ reads.