time have crushed it had I been so minded. But that would not have answered my purpose. And I shall now use it as a pretext to crush the whole Catholic party, except those on whom, like yourself, I can confidently rely.' "Your lordship must admit that I have well seconded your efforts," observed Mounteagle. "I do so,” replied Salisbury, "and you will not find me ungrateful. Farewell! I hope soon to hear of our further suc cess." Mounteagle then took his departure, and Salisbury immediately caused all such members of the Privy Counsel as lodged in the palace to be aroused, desiring they might be informed that a terrible plot had been discovered, and a conspirator arrested. In a short time, the Duke of Lennox, the Earl of Marr, Lord Hume, the Earl of Southampton, Lord Henry Howard, Lord Mountjoy, Sir George Hume, and others, were assembled; and all eagerly inquired into the occasion of the sudden alarm. Meanwhile, the Earl of Salisbury had himself repaired to the King's bedchamber, and acquainted him with what had happened. James immediately roused himself, and desired the chamberlain, who accompanied the Earl, to quit the presence. "Will it be safe to interrogate the prisoner here?” he asked. "I will take care your Majesty shall receive no injury," replied Salisbury, "and it is absolutely necessary you should examine him before he is committed to the Tower." “Let him be brought before me, then, directly," said the King. "I am impatient to behold a wretch who has conceived so atrocious-so infernal a design against me, and against my children. Harke'e, Salisbury, one caution I wish to observe. Let a captain of the guard, with his drawn sword in hand place himself between me and the prisoner, and let two halberdiers stand beside him, and if the villain moves a step, bid them strike him dead. You understand?" "Perfectly," replied Salisbury, bowing. "In that case, you may take off his bonds, that is, if you think it prudent to do so not otherwise," continued James. "I would not have the knave suppose he can awe me." "Your Majesty's commands shall be fulfilled to the letter," returned the Earl. "Lose no time, Salisbury," cried James, springing out of bed, and beginning to dress himself without the assistance of his chamberlain. The Earl hastily retired, and ordered the attendants to repair to their royal master. He next proceeded to the chamber where Guy Fawkes was detained, and ordered him to be unbound, and brought before the King. When the prisoner heard this mandate, a slight smile crossed his countenance, but he instantly resumed is former stern composure. The smile, however, did not escape the notice of Salisbury, and he commanded the halberdiers to keep near to the prisoner, and if he made the slightest movement in the King's presence, instantly to despatch him. Giving some further directions, the Earl then led the way across a court, and entering another wing of the palace, ascended a flight of steps, and traversed a magnificent corridor. Guy Fawkes followed, attended by the guard. They had now reached the antichamber leading to the royal sleeping apartment, and Salisbury ascertained from the officers in attendance that all was in readiness. Motioning the guard to remain where they were, he entered the inner room alone, and found James seated on a chair of state near the bed, surrounded by his council;-the Earl of Mar standing on his right hand, and the Duke of Lennox on his left, all anxiously awaiting his arrival. Behind the King were stationed half a dozen halberdiers. "The prisoner is without," said Salisbury. "Is it your Majesty's pleasure that he be admitted?" "Ay, let him come in forthwith,” replied James. "Stand by me, my lords. And do you, varlets, keep a wary eye upon him. There is no saying what he may attempt." Salisbury then waved his hand. The door was thrown open, and an officer entered the room, followed by Guy Fawkes, who marched between two halberdiers. When within a couple of yards of the King, the officer halted, and withdrew a little on the right, so as to allow full view of the prisoner, while he extended his sword between him and the King. Nothing could be more undaunted than the looks and demeanour of Fawkes. He strode firmly into the room, and without making any reverence, folded his arms upon his breast, and looked sternly at James. "A bold villain!" cried the King, as he regarded him with curiosity not unmixed with alarm. "Who, and what are you, traitor ?" "A conspirator,” replied Fawkes. "That I know," rejoined James, sharply "But, how are you called?" "John Johnson," answered Fawkes. "I am servant to Mr. Thomas Percy." "That is false," cried Salisbury. "Take heed that you speak the truth, traitor, or the rack shall force it from you." "The rack will force nothing from me," replied Fawkes, sternly; "neither will I answer any question asked by your lordship." "Leave him to me, Salisbury,-leave him to me," interposed James. "And it was your hellish design to blow us all up with gunpowder?" he demanded. "It was," replied Fawkes. "And how could you resolve to destroy so many persons, none of whom have injured you?" pursued James. "Dangerous diseases require desperate remedies,” replied Fawkes. "Milder means have been tried, but without effect. It was God's pleasure that this scheme, which was for the benefit of his holy religion, should not prosper, and therefore I do not repine at the result." "And are you so blinded as to suppose that heaven can approve the actions of him who raises his hand against the King -against the Lord's anointed?" cried James. "He is no king who is excommunicated by the apostolic see," replied Fawkes. “This to our face!" cried James, angrily. "Have you no remorse-no compunction for what you have done?" "My sole regret is that I have failed," replied Fawkes. "You will not speak thus confidently on the rack," said James. "Try me," replied Fawkes. "What purpose did you hope to accomplish by this atrocious design?" demanded the Earl of Marr. "My main purpose was to blow back the beggarly Scots to their native mountains," returned Fawkes. "This audacity surpasses belief," said James. "Mutius Scævola, when in the presence of Porsenna, was not more resolute. Harke'e, villain, if I give you your life, will you disclose the names of your associates?" "No," replied Fawkes. "They shall be wrung from you,” cried Salisbury. Fawkes smiled contemptuously. " You know me not," he said. "It is idle to interrogate him further," said James. "Let him be removed to the Tower." "Be it so," returned Salisbury; "and when next your Majesty questions him, I trust it will be in the presence of his confederates." "Despite the villain's horrible intent, I cannot help admiring his courage," observed James, in a low tone; "and were he as loyal as he is brave, he should always be near our person." With this, he waved his hand, and Guy Fawkes was led forth. He was detained by the Earl of Salisbury's orders till the morning, it being anticipated that before that time the other conspirators would be arrested. But as this was not the case, he was placed in a wherry, and conveyed, as before related, to the Tower. END OF THE SECOND BOOK. LINES OCCASIONED BY THE SUCCESSFUL GETTING-UP OF A NEW COMEDY. How, as through town we roam from place to place, London Assurance stares us in the face! Though this assurance is but brass, we're told March 24, 1841. J. S. 345 RUMFUSKIN, KING OF THE NORTH POLE; A TRAGEDY FOR THE FIRST OF APRIL. BY JOHN POOLE, ESQ. AUTHOR OF "PAUL PRY," ETC. April 1, 1841. A Tragedy written for private performance in the Christmas holidays may not inappropriately be published on the day sacred to Foolery. RUMFUSKIN was composed-yes, composed is the word-so long ago as the year 1813, when, according to Cocker, the author was about seven-and-twenty years younger than now. To this circumstance, perhaps, it is indebted for many of its most exquisite beauties; for works of this kind are best perpetrated when the imagination is luxuriantly wild, and the judgment contemptuously immature. It has been acted (and, may we add in the modesty of a parenthesis, with great success) on a public stage, but may not be again without the author's permission: this to whomsoever it may concern. But we strongly recommend it to the notice of families who sometimes convert the back drawing-room into a theatre; for they may rely upon it that things of this kind afford even better fun for such occasions than Othello, or Isabella, or, Ion, or, in short, any tragedy intended to draw tears more copiously than Rumfuskin. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. RUMFUSKIN, King of the North Pole. |JEM FLOGGEM, a loyal Hackney Coachman. SENTENTIOSUS, Lord High Chancellor. GRISKINDA, Wife of Conscienzo. CONSCIENZO, a Conscientious Rascal. SCRUBINDA, her confidential Maid of all RASCALLO, a Rascally Rascal. Work. SCENE I. A chamber in RASCALLO's house. Enter RASCALLO, musing. RASC. Up!-rise, Ambition! 'Tis a glorious thing! I've got mine own consent, and will be king. But how to be so? By rebellion, plot, Treason, sedition, and-I know not what ;- Temptation, hence !-But, then,—to wear a crown, Nay, greater than a minister of state; To see e'en generals tremble when I nod:-I But how goes time? (Looks at his watch.) So, so; near ten o'clock. Down, busy devil!-for I hear a knock. Enter CONSCIENZO. CONS. My friend, Rascallo! [A loud knock at the door. RASC. The matter? (Confusedly.) CONS. Ay;-thou 'rt pale-confused-teeth chatterThou shakest-one knee against the other knocks— RASC. (aside.) I must dissemble. (With affected carelessness.) What's the price of stocks? CONS. The price of stocks! -psha!-what are stocks to thee,RASC. (aside, musing.) A coach-and-six ! CONS. CONS. VOL. IX. He! he ! No motive sinister. 2 A RASC. My Conscienzo (mysteriously), would'st thou-be-prime minister? CONS. What means Rascallo? RASC. I'd make thee one. CONS. That if I were king, That's quite another thing. RASC. Now, might I trust thee-But I know thy conscience Is of the ticklish order. CONS. Thou mean'st no harm. RASC. Pooh, pooh! nonsense! That's neither here nor there. CONS. Thou know'st my nature: what I dare—I dare. RASC. I'll trust thee. (Aside.) But I'll play upon his feelings, To make him sure. Coxs. (aside.) I doubt some evil dealings. RASC. (with tender concern.) Is not my Conscienzo in distress? Thou hast a wife (insidiously) CONS. Thou shalt have redress. She's starving (with emotion). CONS. (in agony.) Oh! do not drive me wild. CONS. RASC. Any fool knows that. Not so certain that, CONS. And we shall swing for't. If skilfully we execute our plot. Coxs. (after some reflection.) I'll not make one-indeed I'd rather not. RASC. Think on thy wife, my Conscienzo; think That she hath neither money, meat, nor drink. CONS. That thought has roused me from my waking slumber. I could kill kings and ministers out of number. For thee, beloved Griskinda, I turn traitor! RASC. Look down, ye gods! in me behold a greater! (To CONS.) But, oh! remember, he that kingdoms rifles Must make his mind up not to stick at trifles. CONS. Fear not. When once this happy dagger knows The way to kill, 'twill spare nor friends nor foes. (draws a dagger) RASC. Think, when we strike, 'tis for our bread-and-butter. But, on thy life, be dumb. |