ong been forging.

_Har._ Send one to seize him strait. [_Exit a Messenger._] But what
you said, that Towerson was guiltless of my son's death, I easily
believe, and never thought otherwise, though I dissembled.

_Van Her._ Nor I; but it was well done to feign that story.

_1 Dutch._ The true one was too foul.

_2 Dutch._ And afterwards to draw the English off from his
concernment, to their own, I think 'twas rarely managed that.

_Har._ So far, 'twas well; now to proceed, for I would gladly know,
whether the grounds are plausible enough of this pretended plot.

_Fisc._ With favour of this honourable court, give me but leave to
smooth the way before you. Some two or three nights since, (it matters
not,) a Japan soldier, under captain Perez, came to a centinel upon
the guard, and in familiar talk did question him about this castle, of
its strength, and how he thought it might be taken; this discourse the
other told me early the next morning: I thereupon did issue private
orders, to rack the Japanese, myself being present.

_Har._ But what's this to the English?

_Fisc._ You shall hear: I asked him, when his pains were strongest on
him, if Towerson, or the English factory, had never hired him to
betray the fort? he answered, (as it was true) they never had; nor was
his meaning more in that discourse, than as a soldier to inform
himself, and so to pass the time.

_Van Her._ Did he confess no more?

_Fisc._ You interrupt me. I told him, I was certainly informed the
English had designs upon the castle, and if he frankly would confess
their plot, he should not only be released from torment, but
bounteously rewarded: Present pain and future hope, in fine, so
wrought upon him, he yielded to subscribe whatever I pleased; and so
he stands committed.

_Har._ Well contrived; a fair way made, upon this accusation, to put
them all to torture.

_2 Dutch._ By his confession, all of them shall die, even to their
general, Towerson.

_Har._ He stands convicted of another crime, for which he is to
suffer.

_Fisc._ This does well to help it though: For Towerson is here a
person publicly employed from England, and if he should appeal, as
sure he will, you have no power to judge him in Amboyna.

_Van Her._ But in regard of the late league and union betwixt the
nations, how can this be answered?

_1 Dutch._ To torture subjects to so great a king, a pain never heard
of in their happy land, will sound but ill in Europe.

_