_Enter Boisise, Morier, Wife, Daughter, Attendants_.
_Boi_[202]. We will plead for him and prevaile, we doubt not. Take comfort therefore, Madam, and a while, Since you are not to be admitted here, Leave us to our endeavors.
_Wife_. Heaven direct And prosper theis your charitable traviles.
_Or_. Bring Chaires there for their Lordships.
_Vand_.[203] And prepare them A sylent hearing.
_Bois_. My good Lords, We are commaunded by the King our Master (Who ever hath respected your affaires As the tranquility of his owne kingdoms) To let you thus far understand his pleasure: He do's exhort you, as the best foundation Of your estate, with all care to preserve The union of your provinces, and wishes The change that you have made of Maiestrates, The Advocate and Counsellors of State In many of your Townes, breed not dissentions In steed of ceasing them. Touching your Prisoners That stand accusd of detestable Crymes, His Counsaile is, if they be culpable, That you use speedy Justice and with rigour.
_Mor_. Ever remembring that the greatest Princes Have sometimes to their glory byn most apt To pardon what was enterprizd against Their Goverments, nay their lives; and that the freest And the best Common-Wealthes, have alwaies usd To spare the blood of their owne Cittizens, And that in great offenders--it still being The principall signe of libertie and freedom Not easily, but with mature advice, To touch the lives of Cittizens.
_Bois_. And the rather When question is made of such as are Your officers placed in authoritie, Of whom the ancientst Mounsieur _Barnavelt_, So much commended for so many good And notable services don for theis Cuntries, Deserves most serious regard. My Master And other Kings & Princes your allyes, Lyving yet witnesses of his great meritts And with such admiration that they can Be hardly brought to thinck he should conspire Against these States, for which yourselves best know What travayles he hath undergon; and therefore Once more he do's advice you to use mercy, Which if you doe, he then shall thinck you merit The many favours you have tasted from him: Yf not, he having given you whollsom Counsaile, Yf you refuce it he must thinck himself Slighted in his requests; and then, perhaps, Hereafter you may misse that promptnes in him Which you have found when your wants most requird it.