The Elder Brother

Eust. Nor I from any, this shall decide my interest,Though I am lost to all deserving men,To all that men call good, for suffering tamelyInsufferable wrongs, and justly slightedBy yeelding to a minute of delayIn my revenge, and from that made a strangerUnto my fathers house and favour, orewhelm'dWith all disgraces, yet I will mount upward,And force my selfe a fortune, though my birthAnd breeding doe deny it. Cha. Seek not Eustace,By violence, what will be offerd to youOn easier composition; though I was notAllied unto your weakness, you shall find meA brother to your bravery of spirit,And one that not compell'd to't by your sword,(Which I must never feare) will share it with youIn all but Angellina. Mir. Nobly said Charles,And learne from my experience, you may heare reasonAnd never maime your fighting; for your creditWhich you think you have lost, spare, Charles, and swinge me,And soundly; three or foure walking cloakesThat weare no swords to guard 'em, yet deserve it,Thou art made up againe. Eust. All this is lip-salve.Mir. It shall be Hearts-ease, Eustace, ere I've done;As for thy fathers anger, now thou dar'st fight,Nere feare't, for I've the dowcets of his gravityFast in a string, I will so pinch and wring him,That spight of his authority, thou shalt makeThine owne conditions with him. Eust. Ile take leaveA little to consider. Cha. Here comes Andrew.

Mir. But without his Comical and learned face; What sad disaster, Andrew? And. You may read Sir, A Tragedy in my face. Mir. Art thou in earnest?

And. Yes, by my life Sir, and if now you help not,And speedily, by force or by persuasion,My good old Master (for now I pitie him) isRuin'd for ever. Cha. Ha, my father! And. He Sir.

Mir. By what meanes? speake. And. At the suit of Monsieur Lewis

His house is seiz'd upon, and he in personIs under guard, (I saw it with these eyes Sir)To be convey'd to Paris, and there sentenc'd.

Mir. Nay, then there is no jesting. Cha. Doe I live, And know my father injur'd? And. And what's worse Sir, My Lady Angellina– Eust. What of her?

And. Shee's carryed away too. Mir. How? And. While you were absent,

A crew of Monsieur Lewis friends and kinsmenBy force break in at th' back part of the house,And took her away by violence; faithful Andrew,(As this can witness for him) did his best,In her defence, but 'twould not doe. Mir. Away,And see our horses sadled, 'tis no timeTo talke, but doe: Eustace, you now are offer'dA spatious field, and in a pious warTo exercise you[r] valour, here's a cause,And such a one, in which to fall is honourable,Your duty and reverence due to a fathers nameCommanding it; but these unnatural jarresArising betweene brothers (should you prosper)Would shame your victorie. Eust. I would doe much Sir,But still my reputation! Mir. Charles shall give youAll decent satisfaction; nay joyne hands,And heartily; why this is done like brothers;And old as I am, in this cause that concernsThe honour of our family, Monsieur Lewis(If reason cannot work) shall find and feeleThere's hot blood in this arme, Ile lead you bravely.

Eust. And if I follow not, a Cowards name Be branded on my forehead. Cha. This Spirit makes you A sharer in my fortunes. Mir. And in mine, Of which (Brisac once freed, and Angellina Again in our possession) you shall know My heart speakes in my tongue. Eust. I dare not doubt it, Sir. Exeunt.

Actus V. Scaena II

Enter Lewis, Brisac, Angellina, Sylvia, Officers.

Lew. I'me deafe to all perswasions. Bri. I use none,Nor doubt I, though a while my innocence suffers,But when the King shall understand how falseYour malice hath inform'd him, he in justiceMust set me right againe. Ang. Sir, let not passionSo far[r]e transport you as to think in reason,This violent course repaires, but ruins it;That honour you would build up, you destroy;What you would seeme to nourish, if respectOf my preferment or my paternMay challenge your paternal love and care,Why doe you, now good fortune has providedA better husband for me than your hopesCould ever fancy, strive to robb me of him?In what is my Lord Charles defective Sir?Unless deep learning be a blemish in him,Or well proportion'd limbs be mulcts in Nature,Or what you onely aim'd at, large revenewesAre on the sudden growne distastful to you,Of what can you accuse him? Lew. Of a rapeDone to honour, which thy ravenous lustMade the consent to. Syl. Her lust! you are her father.

Lew. And you her Bawd. Syl. Were you ten Lords, 'tis false, The pureness of her chaste thoughts entertains not Such spotted instruments. Ang. As I have a soule Sir.

Lew. I am not to be alter'd; to sit downeWith this disgrace, would argue me a Peasant,And not borne noble: all rigour that the LawAnd that encrease of power by favour yeelds,Shall be with all severity inflicted;You have the Kings hand for't; no Bayle will serve,And therefore at your perils Officers, away with 'em.

Bri. This is madness. Lew. Tell me so in open Court, And there Ile answer you. Mir. Well overtaken;

[Enter Mir. Char. Eust. Andrew.]

Cha. Ill if they dare resist. Eust. He that advances But one step forward dies. L. Shew the King's Writ.

Mir. Shew your discretion, 'twil become you better.

Cha. Y'are once more in my power, and if againe I part with you, let me for ever lose thee.

Eust. Force will not do't nor threats; accept this serviceFrom your despair'd of Eustace. And. And bewareYour reverend Worship never more attemptTo search my Lilly-pot, you see what followes.Lew. Is the Kings power contemn'd? Mir. No, but the torrentO' your wilful folly stopp'd. And for you, good Sir,If you would but be sensible, what can you wishBut the satisfaction of an obstinate Will.That is not indear'd to you? rather thanBe cross'd in what you purpos'd, you'l undoeYour daughters fame, the credit of your judgement,And your old foolish neighbour; make your states,And in a suite not worth a Cardecue,A prey to advocates, and their buckram Scribes,And after they have plum'd ye, returne homeLike a couple of naked Fowles without a feather.Cha. This is a most strong truth Sir. Mir. No, no, Monsieur,Let us be right Frenchmen, violent to charge,But when our follies are repell'd by reason,Tis fit that we retreat and nere come on more:Observe my learned Charles, hee'l get thee a NephewOn Angellina shall dispute in her belly,And suck the Nurse by Logick: and here's Eustace,He was an asse, but now is grown an Amadis;Nor shall he want a Wife, if all my landFor a joynture can effect it: Y'are a good Lord,And of a gentle nature, in your lookesI see a kinde consent, and it shewes lovely:And doe you heare old Foole? but Ile not chide,Hereafter like me, ever doate on learning,The meere beleefe is excellent, 'twill save you;And next love valour, though you dare not fightYour selfe, or fright a foolish Officer, 'young EustaceCan doe it to a haire. And to conclude,Let Andrew's Farm b'encreas'd, that is your penance,You know for what, and see you rut no more,You understand me, So embrace on all sides;  Ile pay those Billmen, and make large amends;  Provided we preserve you still our friends.– Exeunt.

[A few misprints in the above have been corrected in square brackets to agree with B.]

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