Aphra Behn

The Roundheads Aphra Behn

Mrs. Behn has (quite legitimately) made considerable departures from strict historical fact and the sequence of events for her dramatic purposes. Lambert and Fleetwood are scheming for the supreme power, and both intrigue with Lord Wariston, the chairman of the Committee of Safety, for his good word and influence....the ladies hold a council to correct and enquire into women's wrongs, but on a sudden, news is brought that Lambert's followers have turned against him and that he is imprisoned in the Tower. The city rises against the Parliament and the Rump is dissolved. Loveless and Freeman rescue Lady Lambert and Lady Desbro', whose old husband has fallen down dead with fright. The parliamentarians endeavour to escape, but Wariston, Goggle, and Hewson- a leading member of the Committee- are detected and maltreated by the mob. As they are haled away to prison the people give themselves up to general merry-making and joy. Cor. Ah, Rogue, the World runs finely round, the business is done.1 Sold. Done! the Town's our own, my fine Rascal.2 Sold. We'll have Harlots by the Belly, Sirrah.1 Sold. Those are Commodities I confess I wou'd fain be trucking for- but no words of that, Boy. Cor. Stand, who goes there?[To them a Joyner and a Felt-maker.1 Sold. Who are you for?- hah!Joy. Are for, Friend? we are for Gad and the Lord Fleetwood.1 Sold. Fleetwood! knock 'em down, Fleetwood, that sniveling Thief?Felt. Why, Friends, who are ye for?Cor. For! who shou'd we be for, but Lambert, Noble Lambert? Is this a time o'th' day to declare for Fleetwood, with a Pox? indeed, i'th' Morning 'twas a Question had like to have been decided with push a Pike.2 Sold. Dry blows wou'd ne'er ha' don't, some must have sweat Blood for't; but- 'tis now decided. Joy. Decided!2 Sold. Yes, decided, Sir, without your Rule for't. Joy. Decided! by whom, Sir? by us the Free-born Subjects of England, by the Honourable Committee of Safety, or the Right Reverend City? without which, Sir, I humbly conceive, your Declaration for Lambert is illegal, and against the Property of the People. 2 Sold. Plain Lambert; here's a saucy Dog of a Joyner; Sirrah, get ye home, and mind your Trade, and save the Hangman a labour. Joy. Look ye, Friend, I fear no Hang-man in Christendom; for Conscience and Publick Good, for Liberty and Property, I dare as far as any Man.2 Sold. Liberty and Property, with a Pox, in the Mouth of a Joyner: you are a pretty Fellow to settle the Nation- what says my Neighbour Felt-maker?Felt. Why, verily, I have a high respect for my honourable Lord Fleetwood, he is my intimate Friend; and till I find his Party the weaker, I hope my Zeal will be strengthned for him.2 Sold. Zeal for Fleetwood! Zeal for a Halter, and that's your due: Why, what has he ever done for you? Can he lead you out to Battle? Can he silence the very Cannon with his Eloquence alone?- Can he talk- or fight- or- Felt. But verily he can pay those that can, and that's as good- and he can pray-2 Sold. Let him pray, and we'll fight, and see whose business is done first; we are for the General who carries Charms in every Syllable; can act both the Soldier and the Courtier, at once expose his Breast to Dangers for our sakes- and tell the rest of the pretended Slaves a fair Tale, but hang 'em sooner than trust 'em.