sides as many of your city burghers,
All ready on the least alarm, or summons,
To reinforce the others; for ten English,
And merchants they, not soldiers, with the aid
Of ten Japanners, all of them unarmed,
Except five swords, and not so many muskets,--
The attempt had only been for fools or madmen.

_Fisc._ We cannot help your want of wit; proceed.

_Tow._ Grant then we had been desperate enough
To hazard this; we must at least forecast,
How to secure possession when we had it.
We had no ship nor pinnace in the harbour,
Nor could have aid from any factory:
The nearest to us forty leagues from hence,
And they but few in number: You, besides
This fort, have yet three castles in this isle,
Amply provided for, and eight tall ships
Riding at anchor near; consider this,
And think what all the world will judge of it.

_Har._ Nothing but falsehood is to be expected
From such a tongue, whose heart is fouled with treason.
Give him the beverage.

_Fisc._ 'Tis ready, sir.

_Har._ Hold; I have some reluctance to proceed
To that extremity: He was my friend,
And I would have him frankly to confess:
Push open that prison door, and set before him
The image of his pains in other men.

_The_ SCENE _opens, and discovers the English tortured, and the
Dutch tormenting them._

_Fisc._ Now, sir, how does the object like you?

_Tow._ Are you men or devils! D'Alva, whom you
Condemn for cruelty, did ne'er the like;
He knew original villany was in your blood.
Your fathers all are damned for their rebellion;
When they rebelled, they were well used to this.
These tortures ne'er were hatched in human breasts;
But as your country lies confined on hell,
Just on its marches, your black neighbours taught ye;
And just such pains as you invent on earth,
Hell has reserved for you.

_Har._ Are you yet moved?

_Tow._ But not as you would have me.
I could weep tears of blood to view this usage;
But you, as if not made of the same mould,
See, with dry eyes, the miseries of men,
As they were creatures of another kind,
Not Christians, nor allies, nor partners with you,
But as if beasts, transfixed on theatres,
To make you cruel sport.

_Har._ These are but vulgar objects; bring his friend,
Let him behold his tortures; shut that door. [_The Scene closed._

_Enter_ BEAMONT, _led with matches tied to his hands._

_Tow._ [_Embracing him._]
Oh my dear friend, now I am truly wretched!
Even in that part which is most sensible,