Bar.  You are too weak ith’ hams, Sir.

Or.  Who raisd these new religious forces, Sir,
And by what warrant? what assignement had ye
From the States generall? who blew new fires? 
Even fires of fowle rebellion, I must tell ye;
The bellowes to it, Religion.  You were lov’d yet
But for your ends,—­through all the Townes, the Garrisons,
To fright the union of the State, to shake it. 
What syns are theis?  You may smile with much comfort,
And they that see ye and not looke closely to ye
May crye too er’t be long.

Bar.  Your Grace has leave, Sir,
And tis right good it be soe.—­Follow me home,
And there Ile give ye new directions
How to proceed, and sodainely.

Leid.  |  We are yours, Sir.
Mod.   |
[Exeunt Bar., Leid., Mod.

Or.  My lords, to what a monster this man’s grown You may (if not abusd with dull securitie) See plaine as day.

Bre.  We doe not like his carriage.

Van.  He do’s all, speakes all, all disposes.

Or.  Spoiles all. 
He that dare live to see him work his ends out
Uncrossd and unprevented, that wretched man
Dare live to see his Cuntry shrinck before him. 
Consider my best lords, my noblest masters,
How most, most fitt, how just and necessary
A sodaine and a strong prevention.

Bre.  We all conceave your Grace and all look through him
And find him what we feare not yet but grieve at. 
You shall have new Commission from us all
To take in all those Townes he has thrust his men in: 
When you have that, proceed as likes your Excellence.

Or.  Your lordships true friend and most obedient Servant.

Van.  Come to the present busines then.

Or.  We attend you.

[Exeunt.

Actus Secundus.

SCAENA PRIMA.

    Enter Barnavelt, Leidenberch, Modesbargen.

Bar.  I have with danger venturd thus far to you
That you might know by me our plot’s discoverd. 
But let not that discourage you:  though Van Dort
And Bredero, with others, have assented
To force this Towne, stand you still on your Guard,
And on my reputation rest assured
With violence they never dare attempt you;
For that would give the world to understand
Th’united Provinces, that by their concord
So long have held out ’gainst th’opposition
Of all Spaines Governours, their plotts and armyes,
Make way to their most certaine ruyn by
A Civill warre.

Leid.  This cannot be denide.

Bar.  And so at any time we may make our peace,
Returning to our first obedience
Upon what termes we please.

Mod.  That is not certaine;
For, should we tempt them once to bring their forces
Against the Towne and find we give it up
For want of strength to keepe it, the Conditions
To which we must subscribe are in their will
And not our choice or pleasure.