BEAUFORT SENIOR

I am sorry, Lady, your father's gilded compels your innocence ask what I in justice must deny. Thou foolish boy, I can deny thee nothing. Well, it's granted. Monsieur Chamont, Montaigne, Lanour, assistants by a Commission from the most Christian King in punishing, or reeing Malefort our late great Admiral: though I know you needs not instructions from me, how to dispose of your selves in this men trial (that exacts your clearest judgements) give me leave with favour to offer my opinion: we are to hear him, a little looking back on his fair actions, loyal, and true demeanour, not as now by the general voice, already he's condemned. But if we find (as most believe) he hath held intelligence with his accursed son, fall e off from all allegiance, and turned (but for what cause we know not) the most bloody and fatal enemy, this Country ever repented to have brought forth, all compassion of what he was, or may be, if now pardoned, we fit engaged to censure him with all extremity and rigour. He comes, but with a strange distracted look. Monsieur Malefort et not your passion so far transport you to believe from any private malice, r envy to your person you are questioned, or do the suppositions want weight, That do invite us to a strong assurance, Your son. Pray you hear with patience, ever Without assistance, or sure aids from you, Could with the pirates of Argers and Tun , even those that you had almost twice defeated, acquire such credit, as with them to be made absolute commander? (p y you observe me) if there had not some pass ed between you, that when occasion v'd you would y with they to the ruin of Marcellis? What you have done is granted, and applauded, but yet know this glorious relation of your actions must not so blind our judgements, as to suffer this most unnatural crime you stand accused of, to pass unquestioned. Speak the motives That brings thee hither. Speak to the man, (If in this presence he appear to you) To whom you bring this challenge. His father We are sorry Monsieur Malefort for our error And are much taken with your resolution But the disparity of years, and strength Between you, and your son, duly considered We would not so expose you You shall orebeare me, And since you are so confident in your cause, Prepare you for the combat. All honours we can give you and rewards Though all that's rich, or precious in Marseilles Were laid down at your feet, can hold no weight With your deservings, let me glory in Your Actium as if it were mine own, And have the honour with the arms of love, To emb ce the great performer of a deed, Transcending all this Country ere could boast of. It must be something Of a strange nature, if it find from me Denial or delay. Be not raped so: Though I dislike not what is motioned, yet In what so near concerns me, it is fit I should proceed with judgement. You are Master Of your own will but fail not i'll expect you. 'Tis well. I love a table furnish with full plenty, And store of friends to eat it, but with this caution, I would not have my house a common Inn, For some men that come rather to devour me, Than to present their service. At this time too It being a serious and solemn meeting, I must not have my board pestered with shadows, That under other men's protection break in Without invitement. What is he? Oh Belgarde! The more their misery, yet if you can For this day put him off. No: say this only, And as from me; you apprehend me? But it must be done gravely. Wee'll dine in the great room, but let the music And banquet be prepared here. 'Tis a strange fondness. I have known him from his first youth, but never yet observed In all the passages of his life, and Fortune's, Virtues so mixed with vices, valiant the world speaks him, But with that bloody; liberal in his gi ts too. But to maintain his prodigal expense, A fierce extortioner, and impotent lover Of women for a flash, but his fires quenched, Hating as deadly, the truth is I am not Ambitious of this match: nor will I cross you in your affections. You are most welcome, And what I speak to you, does from My heart disperse it self to all. Rather Sir increase of honour, When you are pleased to grace my house. Being her self She cannot but be excellent, these rich And curious dressing , which in others might Cover deformities, from her take lustre Nor can add to her. There needs not Sir The least excuse for this, nay I must have Your arm, you being the master of the feast, And this the mistress. Quick, quick irs, See all things perfect. And as I said when we are at the banquet, And high in our cups, for 'tis no feast without it, Especially among soldiers: Theocrine Being retired, as that's no place for her, Take you occasion to rise from the table, And loose no opportunity. Nay dispatch there fellows. Pray you take your place, It matters not. Lets pause here if you please, And entertain the time with something else, Music there in some lofty strain, the song too That I gave order for; the new one called The soldiers delight? The song ended: enter Belgarde in armour a case of C rbi es by his side. 'Tis acknowledged, And this a grace done to me unexpected. I commend This wholesome sharpness in you, and prefer it B before obsequious tameness, it shows lovely: No shall the rain of your good counsel fallen Upon the barren sands, but spring p fruit Such as you long have wished for. And the rest Of your profession Like you discontented For want of means, shall in the r present payment Be b und to pra see your b ldnesse: and hereafter I will take order you sh ll have no cause, For want of change to put your armour on But in the face of and enemy; not as now Among your friends. To that which is endue to you, To furnish you Like your self, of mine own bountle I'll add five hundred crowns. You are dull, Sir, And seem not to be taken with the passage You saw presented. You amaze me Your Daughter' sake, and now exchanging With my son her servant, why do you hear this With such distracted looks? since to that end You brought her hither? 'Tis so determined. Come I will bring you Where you, with that see if they so please, may see The love-s aene acted. Yonder they are. Theres nothing wanting But your consent. I'll not court A grant from you, nor do I wrong your Daughter, Though I say my son deserves her. Whither tend this? Take comfort, H shall walk in clouds, but I'll discover him: And he shall find, and feel, if he excuse not, And with strong reasons this gross injury, I can make use of my authority. Why, In this heat, Belgarde We at better leisure Will learn the cause of this. None, his daughter is removed To the sort of Montrevile, and he himself In person fled, but where is not discovered, I could tell you wonders, but the time denies me Fit liberty. In a word, let it suffice The power of our great master is contemned, The sacred laws of God and man profaned, And if I fit down with this injury, I am unworthy of my place, and thou Of my acknowledgement: draw up all the troops, As I go, I will instruct you to what purpose. Such as have power to punish, and yet spare From fear, or from continued nivence, others ill Though not in act assist them in their w ll Take you the charge Of the fort Belgarde, your dangers have deserved it. 'Tis in vain to mourn For whats passed help. We will refer bade ma Your sentence to the King: may we make use of This great example, and learn from it, that There cannot be a want of power above To punish murder, and unlawful love. He shall have hearing, his irons too struck off, bring him before us; but seek no further favour. How! a trumpet! Inquire the cause. YOU are not merry Sir. What are these? Who, I?