es, I have something
to tell thee about him and his brother Basil, and
one Wyckoff, that hath left his score unpaid; but I
cannot remember it just now.
[_He takes him by the arm and leads him out, L._]
_Enter BASIL, WALTON, and FLORENCE, R._
_Basil._ He is my half-brother, it is true; but shall
he betray the true cause for that? Shall our
consanguinity make me so weak?
_Flor._ Oh, Basil! you have said that you can save him--
Save him that lov'd you well, that gave you all
That was his own--
_Bas._ May curses light on him!
Why should his sneaking face thus cross my love?
_Flor._ In Heaven alone I put my trust to save him;
Profane my sight no longer, sir. Away!
_Bas._ You are right--Let him die--Tis I am wrong
To save a traitor thus, a damned traitor--
_Flor._ Blasphemer, silence!
_Bas._ Oh, a traitor's death!
'Tis none so envious--but as I'm his brother,
I thought to save our name from this foul blot.
_Flor._ Oh, agony!
_Bas._ 'Tis true his life
Is nothing, and 'tis forfeit--but his name
Dishonour'd, tainted--
_Flor._ Hold, hold! Let me think.
Have mercy! No?
[_Aside._] Then let me die for him,
For thus I could not live. [_Aloud._] I will be yours,
But not yet--
_Bas._ O, I'll give a month. I am
A courteous wooer--then, perchance your love
May date, ere we are married--'Tis well so--
[_Attempts to take her by the hand._]
_Flor._ I pray you, leave me now--
_Bas._ You swear then--
_Flor._ Yes!
_Bas._ By all that's holy?
_Flor._ Sir! it is enough,
I have said that if you claim me in a month,
I will be yours, if living--go! now, go!
_Bas._ Remember that his life alone I promise--
_Flor._ His life, his life! O God! Quick, save his life--
[_He takes her hand, which he kisses; she withdraws
it with an expression of pain. Exeunt, FLORENCE, L.,
BASIL, R._]
SCENE III.
[_Last Cut._] [_3rd Grooves._]
_View of Westminster Abbey. Sunset._
_Enter three or four Citizens, meeting severally._
_1st Cit._ The skies weep not, there is no shock to the earth.
Art thou not Peter Ingram? Yet the king
Hath been beheaded, lost his head!
The king
Of England murther'd, slain in open day!
_2nd Cit._ I did not think they would do it--
Who'll be king
Now he is dead?
_3rd Cit._ Why some say none.
_4th Cit._ Indeed,
The Parliament is king.
_2nd Cit._ They say that Cromwell
Had much to do in this.
Were you
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