THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 KING 
 
 AND THE 
 
 MILLER. 
 
 [Price One-Shilling.]

 
 THE 
 
 KING 
 
 AND THE 
 
 MILLER 
 
 O F 
 
 MANSFIELD. 
 
 A 
 
 DRAMATICK TALE. 
 
 By R. DODSLET, 
 
 AUTHOR of the TOY-SHOP 
 **' e 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for the AUTHOR, zt Taffy's H:ad, f all-Mail', 
 and Sold by T. C o o p E R , at the Globe in fater- 
 Noer-Row. M. DCC, XXXVII.
 
 
 
 Dramatis Perfonae. 
 MEN. 
 
 The KING, Mr. Gibber. 
 
 The MILLER, Mr. Miller. 
 
 RICHARD the M/fer'sSon, Mr. Berry. 
 Lord LURE WELL, Mr. Efte. 
 COURTIERS and 
 KEEPERS of the Foreft. 
 
 W O MEN. 
 
 PEGGY, Mrs. Pritclard. 
 
 MARGERY, Mrs.' Sennet. 
 
 KATE, Mrs. Crofs. 
 
 SCENE, Sherwood For eft,
 
 PR 
 THE 
 
 ' 
 
 .KING 
 
 AND THE 
 
 MILLER 
 
 SCENE, Sherwood Fore/?. 
 Enter feveral COURTIERS as loft* 
 
 i Courtier. ' 
 IS horrid dark* and ^'o 
 Wood I believe has nei- 
 ther End nor Si'de". 
 
 4 C. You meari to get 
 out at, for we have found 
 one in you fee. 
 2 C. I wifh our good King Harry 
 had kept nearer home to hunt $ in my 
 B Mind
 
 Mind the pretty, tame Deer In London 
 make much better Sport than the wild 
 ones in Sherwood For eft. 
 
 3 (7. I can't tell which Way his 
 Majefty went, nor whether any-body 
 is with him or not, but let us keep 
 together pray. 
 
 4 C. Ay, ay, like true Courtiers, 
 take Care of ourfelves whatever be- 
 comes of Mafter. 
 
 2 C. Well, it's a terrible Thing to 
 be lofi in the Dark. 
 
 4 C. It is. And yet it's fo common a 
 Cafe, that one would not think it 
 fhould be at all fo. Why we are all 
 of us loft in the Dark every Day of 
 our Lives. Knaves keep us in the 
 Dark by their Cunning, and Fools 
 by their Ignorance. Divines lofe us in 
 dark Myfteries ; Lawyers in dark 
 Cafes; and Statefmen in dark Intrigues : 
 Hay the Light of Reafon, which we 
 fo much boaft of, what is it but a 
 Dark-Lanthorn, which juft ferves to 
 prevent us from running our Nofe a- 
 gainft a Poft, perhaps ; but is no more 
 able to lead us out of the dark Mifts 
 of Error and Ignorance, in which we 
 
 are
 
 ( II) 
 
 are loft, than an Ignis fatuus would be 
 to conduft us out of this Wood. 
 
 i C. But, my Lord, this is no time 
 for Preaching methinks. And for all 
 your Morals, Day-light would be 
 much preferable to this Darknefs, I 
 believe. 
 
 3(7. Indeed wou'd it. But come, 
 let us go on, we fhall find fome Houfe 
 or other by and by. 
 
 4 C. Come along. [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter the K i N G alone. 
 
 No, no, this can be no publick 
 Road that's certain : I am loft, quite 
 loft indeed. Of what Advantage is 
 it now to be a King ? Night mews 
 . me no Refpel : I cannot lee better, 
 nor walk fo well, as another Man. 
 What is a King ? Is he npt wifer 
 than another Man ? Not without his 
 Counfellors I plainly find. Is he not 
 more powerful ? I oft have been tol 
 fo, indeed, but what now can my 
 Power command? Is he not greater 
 and more magnificent ? When feated 
 on his Throne, and furrounded with 
 Nobles and Flatterers , perhaps he 
 B a may
 
 ( I*) 
 
 may think fo, but when loft in a 
 Wood, alas ! what is he but a common 
 Man ? His Wifdom knows not which 
 is North and- which is South ; his 
 Power a Beggar's Dog would bark at ; 
 and his Greatnefs the Beggar would 
 not bow to. And yet ho,w oft are we 
 pufPd up with thefe falfe Attributes ? 
 Well, in lofingthe Monarch, I have 
 found the Man. 
 
 [The Report of a Gun is heard. 
 Hark ! Some Villain fure is near ! 
 What were it beft to do? Will my 
 Majefty proteft me ? No. Throw 
 Majefty afide then, arid let Manhood 
 do it. 
 
 Enter the MILLER. 
 
 Mil. I believe I hear the Rogue. 
 Who's there ? 
 
 Xing. No Rogue, I affaire you. 
 
 Mil. Little better, Friend, i believe. 
 Who fir'd that Gun? 
 
 King. Not I, indeed. 
 
 Mil. You lie, I believe. 
 
 King. Lie ! lie ! How ftrange it 
 feems to me to be talk'd to in this 
 Stile, [jtfde.] Upon my Word I 
 don't. Mil
 
 Mil. Come, come, Sirrah, confefs ; 
 you have fhot one of the King's Deer, 
 fcave not you ? 
 
 King. No indeed, I owe the Kins; 
 more Refpeft. I heard a Gun gt> off, 
 indeed, and was afraid fome Robbers 
 might have been near. 
 
 Mil. I am not bound to believe thrs, 
 Friend. Pray who are you ? What's 
 your Name ? 
 
 King. Name J 
 
 Mil. Name ! yes Name. Why you 
 have a Name, have not you ? Where 
 do you come from ? What is your Bu- 
 finefs here ? 
 
 King. Thefe are Queftions I have 
 not been us'd to, honeft Man. 
 
 Mil. May be fo ; but they are Quef- 
 tions no honeft Man would be afraid 
 to anfwer, I think : So if you can give 
 no better Account of your fell, I 
 fhall make bold to take you along 
 with me, if you pleafe. 
 
 King. With you ! What Autho- 
 rity have you to 
 
 Mil. The King's Authority, if I 
 mull give yoii an Account, Sir. I 
 am John Cockle > the Miller of Manf- 
 fcld, one of his Majefty's Keepers in 
 
 this
 
 ( M- ) 
 
 this Foreft of Sherwood", and I will 
 let no fufpefted Fellow pafs this 
 Way that cannot give a better Ac- 
 count of himfelf than you have done, 
 I promife you. 
 
 King. I muft fubmit to my own 
 Authority. [^4/tde.] Very well, Sir, 
 I am glad to hear the King has fo 
 
 food an Officer : And fince I find you 
 ave his Authority, I will give you a 
 better Account of myfelf, if you will 
 do me the Favour to hear it. 
 
 Mil. It's more than you deferve, 
 I believe ; but let's hear what you can 
 fay for yourfelf. 
 
 King. I have the Honour to belong 
 to the King as well as you, and, per- 
 haps, fhould be as unwilling to fee 
 any Wrong done him. I came down 
 with him to hunt in this Foreft, and the 
 Chace leading us to Day a great Way 
 from Home, I am benighted in this 
 Wood, and have loft my Way. 
 
 Mil. This does not found well ; if 
 you have been a hunting, pray where 
 is your Horfe ? 
 
 'King. I have tired my Horfe fo that 
 he lay down under me, and I was ob- 
 lig'd to leave him* 
 
 Mil.
 
 ( 15 ) 
 
 Mil. If I thought I might believe 
 this now. 
 
 King. I am not ufed to lie, honeft 
 Man. 
 
 Mil. What ! do you live at Court, 
 and not lie I that's a likely Story in- 
 deed. 
 
 King. Be that as it will. I fpeak 
 Truth now I allure you 5 and, to con- 
 vince you of it, if you will attend me 
 to Nottingham, if I am near it j or give 
 me a Night's Lodging in your own 
 Houfe, here is fomething to pay you 
 for your Trouble, and if that is not 
 fufficient, I will fatisfy you in the 
 Morning to your utmoft Defire. 
 
 Mil. Ay, now I am convinced you 
 are a Courtier ; here is a little Bribe 
 for to Day, and a large Promife for 
 To-morrow, both in a Breath: Here, 
 take it again, and take this along 
 with it John Cockle is no Cour- 
 tier, he can do what he ought 
 without a Bribe. 
 
 King. Thou art a very extraordina- 
 ry Man I muft own ; and I fhould be 
 glad, methinks, to be further acquaint- 
 ed with thee.
 
 [ '6] 
 
 Mil Thee! and Thou! Prythee 
 don't thee and thou me ; I believe I am 
 as good a Man as yourfelf at leaft. 
 
 King. Sir, I beg your Pardon. 
 i MIL Nay, I am not angry, Friend, 
 only I don't love to be tod familiar 
 with any-body, before I know whether 
 they deferve it or not. 
 
 King. You are in the Right. But 
 what am I to do ? 
 
 MIL You' may do what you pleafe. 
 You are [ twelve Miles "from Not- 
 tingham > and all the Way- through 
 this thick Wood ; but if you are re- 
 folv'd upon going thither to Night, I 
 will put you in the Road, and direft 
 you the beft I can ; or if you will ac- 
 cept of fueh poor Entertainment as a 
 Miller can give, you fhall be welcome 
 to ftay all Night, and in the Morning 
 I will go with you myfelf. 
 
 King. And cannot you go with me 
 to Night f 
 
 MiL I would not go with you to 
 Night if you was the King. 
 
 King. Then I muft go with you, I 
 think. [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene
 
 Sc'ene changes to the Town of Mansfield* 
 
 DICK alone. 
 
 Well, dear Mansfield, I am glad to 
 fee thy Face again. But my Heart 
 aches, methinks, for fear this fhould 
 be only a Trick of theirs to get me 
 into their Power. Yet the Letter 
 feems to be wrote with an Air of Sin- 
 cerity,, I confefs ; and the Girl was 
 never us'd to lie till fhe kept a Lord 
 Company. Let me fee, I'll read it 
 once more. 
 
 Dear Richard; 
 
 / am at lafl (tho* much too late for 
 me) convinced of the Injury done to us both 
 by that bafe Man, who made me think yoii 
 falfe ; he contrived thsfe Letters, which 
 I fend you, to make me think you jufl 
 upon the Point of being married to ano- 
 ther, a Thought I could not bear with 
 Patience, fo aiming at Revenge on you* 
 C conj'entcd
 
 confented to my own Undoing. But for 
 your own fake I beg you to return hither, 
 for I have fome Hopes of being able 
 to do you Juftice, which is the only Com- 
 fort of your moft dlftreft, but ever a/e- 
 tfionate, 
 
 PEGGY. 
 
 There can be no Cheat in this fure ! 
 The Letters Ihe has fent are, I think, 
 a Proof of her Sincerity. Well, I will 
 go to her however : I cannot think ihe 
 will again betray me : If fhe has as 
 much Tendernefs left for me, as, in 
 fpite of her Ill-ufage, I ftilLfeel for 
 her, I'm fure fhe won't. Let me fee, 
 I am not far from the Houfe, I believe. 
 
 Scent
 
 [.'9] 
 
 Scene changes to a Room. 
 
 PEGGY and P H OE B E. 
 
 Pbcs. Pray, Madam, make your- 
 felfeafy. 
 
 Peg. Ah ! Phoebe, flie that has loft 
 her Virtue, has with it loft her Eafe, 
 and all her Happinefs. Believing, 
 cheated Fool I to think him falfe. 
 
 Phce. Be patient, Madam, I hope 
 you will fhortly be reveng'd on that 
 deceitful Lord. 
 
 Peg. I hope I fhall, for that were 
 juft Revenge. But will Revenge make 
 me happy ? Will it excufe my Falf- 
 hood ? Will it reftore me to the Heart 
 -of my much-injur'd Love ? Ah ! no. 
 That blooming Innocence he us'd to 
 praife, and call the greateft Beauty of 
 our Sex, is gone. I have no Charm 
 left that might renew that Flame I 
 took fuch Pains to quench. 
 
 [Knocking at the Dior. 
 See who's there. O Heavens 'tis he \ 
 Alas ! that ever I fhould be afham'd to 
 fee the Man I love ! 
 
 C 2 Enter
 
 Enter RICHARD, wlo ftands locking 
 on he? at a Diftance, Jhe weeping. 
 
 Dick. Well, Peggy (but I fuppofe 
 you're Madam now in that fine Drefs) 
 you fee you have brought me back ; 
 is it to triumph in your Falfhood ? or 
 ^m I to receive the flighted Leavings 
 of your fine Lord ? 
 
 Peg. O Richard ! after the Injury I 
 have done you, I cannot look on you 
 without Confufion : But do rot think 
 fo hardly of me ; I ftay'd not to be 
 flighted by him, for the Moment I 
 difcover'd his vile Plot on you, I fled 
 his Sight,, nor could he e'er prevail 
 to fee me fince. 
 
 Dick. Ah, Peggy you were toq 
 hafty in believing, and much I fear, 
 the Vengeance aim'd at me, had a-r 
 ther Charms to reccommend it to 
 you : Such Bravery as that [Pointing to 
 cer Cloaths] I had not to beftow ; but 
 if a tender, honeft Heart could pleafe, 
 you had it all ; and if I wilh'd for 
 'twas for your fake.
 
 Peg, O Richard I when you confider 
 the wicked Stratagem he contriv'd to 
 make me think you bafe and. deceit- 
 ful , I hope you will, at leaft, pity my 
 Folly, and, in fome Meafure, excufe 
 my Falfhood ; that you will forgive 
 me, I dare not hope. 
 
 Dick. To be forc'd to fly from my 
 Friends and Country, for a Crime that 
 J was innocent of, is an Injury that 
 I cannot eafily forgive to be lure : But 
 if you are lefs guilty of it than I 
 thought, I fhall be very glad ; and if 
 your Defign be really as you fay, to 
 clear me, and to expofe the Bafenefs of 
 him that betray'd and ruin'd you, I 
 will join with you with all my Heart. 
 But how do you propofe to do this ? .- 
 
 Peg. The King is now in this Foreft 
 a hunting, and our young Lord is every 
 Day with him : Now, I think, if we 
 could take fome Opportunity of throw- 
 ing ourfelves at his Majefty's Feet, 
 and complaining of the Injuftice of 
 one of his Courtiers, it might, per- 
 have fame Effeft upon him.
 
 Dick. If we were fuffer'd to make 
 him fenfible of it, perhaps it might; 
 but the. Complaints of fuch little Folks 
 as we teldom reach the Ears of Ma- 
 
 eg. We can but try. 
 
 Dick. Well, If you will go with 
 me to my Father's, and ftay there till 
 fuch an Opportunity happens, I fhall 
 believe you in earneft, and will join 
 with. you in your Defign. 
 
 Peg. I will do any thing to con- 
 vince you of my Sincerity, and to 
 make Satisfaftion for the Injuries which 
 have been done you. 
 
 Dick. Will you go now ? 
 
 P^. I will be with you in lefs than 
 jm Hour. [Exeunf. 
 
 Scent
 
 Scene changes to the MUL 
 
 MARGERY and KATE Knitting. 
 
 Kate. O dear, I would not fee a 
 Spirit for all the World ; but I love 
 dearly to hear Stories of them. Well, 
 and what then ? 
 
 Mar. And fo, at laft, in a difmal, 
 
 hollow Tone it cry'd : 
 
 [A Knocking at the Door frights them 
 both 5 they fcr earn out, and throw 
 down their Knitting. 
 Mar.j 
 
 and VLordblefs us I What's that? 
 Kate. 3 
 
 Kate. O dear, Mother, it's fome 
 
 Judgment upon us I'm afraid. They 
 
 fay, talk of the Devil and he'll appear. 
 
 Mar. Kate, go and fee who's at the 
 
 Door. 
 
 Kate. I durft not go. Mother; dd 
 you go. 
 
 Mar. Come, let's both go. 
 Kate. Now don't fpeak as if you 
 was afraid. 
 
 Mar.
 
 CM] 
 
 Mar. No, I won't, if I can help it 
 Who's there? 
 
 Dick without. What, won't you let 
 me in ? 
 
 Kate. O Gemini ! it's like our Dick* 
 I think : He's certainly dead, and it's 
 his Spirit. 
 
 Mar. Heaven forbid ! I think in my 
 Heart it's he himfelf. Open the Door; 
 Kate. 
 
 Kate. Nay, do you. 
 
 Mar. Come, we'll both open it. 
 
 [They open the Door & 
 
 Enter PICK. 
 ?*"*rfT 
 
 jfrick. Dear Mother, how do ye do ? 
 I thought you would not have let me 
 In. 
 
 Mar. Dear Child, I'm over-joy'd to 
 fee thee ; but I was fo frighted, I did 
 not know what to do. 
 
 Kate* Dear Brother, I am glad to 
 fee you ; how have you done this long 
 while ? 
 
 Dick. Very well, Kate. But where's 
 my Father ? 
 
 Man
 
 . 
 
 He heard a Gun go off juft 
 and he's gone to, fee who 'tis. 
 , -Dick. What, they love Veniibn a.t 
 'Mansfield as well as ever* .1 fuppofe ? 
 
 Kate. Ay, arid they will have it 
 too. 
 
 Miller, without. Hoa ! Madge ! Kate! 
 bring a Light here. 
 
 Mar. Yonder he is. 
 
 Kate. Has he catch'd the Rogue, I 
 wonder ? 
 
 Etiter YbekiNG and the MiLLEK. 
 
 Mar. Who have you got ? 
 
 Mil. I havfe brought thee a Stranger, 
 Madge ; th'ou muft give him a Supper, 
 and a Lodging if thou can'ft. . 
 
 Mar. Y6u have got a better Straji- 
 ger of your own, I can tell you: Dick's 
 Come. 
 
 Mil. Dirt ! Where is he ? Why 
 Dick I HQW is't my Lad ? 
 
 Dick. Very well, I thank you, Fa- 
 ther; 
 
 King. A little more and you had 
 pufti'd me down.
 
 il. Faith, Sir, you muft excufe 
 me ; I was over-joy'd to fee my Boy. 
 He has been at London, and I have not 
 feen him thefe four Years. 
 
 King. Well, I fhall once in my Life 
 have the Happinefs of being treated as 
 a common Man ; and of feeing human 
 Nature without Difguife. [dftde, 
 
 Mil. What has brought thee Home 
 fo unexpected ? 
 
 Dick. You will know that prefently. 
 
 Mil. Of that by-and-by then. We 
 have got the King down in the Foreft 
 a hunting this Seafon, and this honeft 
 Gentleman, who came down with his 
 Majefty from London, has been with 
 'em to Day it feems, and has loft his 
 Way. Come, Madge, fee what thou 
 can'ft get for Supper. Kill a Couple 
 of the beft Fowls ; and go you, Kate, 
 and draw a Pitcher of Ale. We are 
 'famous, Sir, at Mansfield, for good 
 Ale, and for honeft Fellows that know 
 tow to. drink it. 
 
 King. Good Ale will be acceptable 
 at prefent, for I am very dry. But 
 pray, how came your Son to leave 
 you, and go to London ? 
 
 Mil
 
 MIL Why, that's a Story which 
 Dick, perhaps, won't like to have 
 told. 
 
 King. Then I don't defire to hear 
 it. 
 
 Enter K AT E with an Earthen Pitcher 
 of j4le, and a Horn. 
 
 MIL So, now do you go help your 
 Mother. Sir, my hearty Service to 
 you. 
 
 King. Thank ye, Sir. This plain 
 
 ' Sincerity and Freedom, is a Happinefs 
 
 unknown to Kings. [_^4Jide. 
 
 Mil. Come, Sir. 
 
 King. Richard, my Service to you. 
 
 Dick. Thank you, Sir. 
 
 Mil. Well, Dick, and how do'ft 
 thou like London? Come, tell us what- 
 thou haft feen. 
 
 Dick. Seen ! I have feen the Land 
 of Promife. 
 
 Mil. The Land of Promife ! What 
 doft thou mean ? 
 
 Dick. The Court, Father. 
 
 Mil. Thou wilt never leave joking. 
 
 Ds, Dick.
 
 Dkk. To be ferious then, I have 
 feen the Difappointment of all my 
 Hopes and Expectations; and that's 
 pore than one would wifh to fee. 
 
 Mil. Whafi would the great Man, 
 thou waft recommended to, do nothing 
 at allforthee at laft ?' 
 
 JD(ick. Why, yes j he would promife 
 me to the lath 
 
 Mil. Zoons ! do the Courtiers think 
 their Dependants can eat Bromifcs ! 
 
 Dick. No, no, they never trouble 
 their Heads to think, whether we eat 
 at all or not. I have now dangled af- 
 ter his Lordfhip feveral Years, tan- 
 taliz'd with Hopes ' ajid Expecta- 
 tions ; this Year prbmifed one Place, 
 the next another, and the thitd, in 
 fufe and certain Hope of a Pjf- 
 appointment. One falls, and it was 
 promised before ; another, and I am 
 jiift Half an Hour too late. ; a. third, 
 and it ftops the Mouth of a Creditor ; 
 a fourth, and it pays the Hire of a 
 Flatterer; a fifth, and it bribes a Vote ; 
 and the iixth, I am promis'd ftill. But 
 haying thus flept away fome Years, I 
 awoke from my Dream : My Lord, 
 1 found, was f<y far from having it iri 
 
 his
 
 [ *9 3 
 
 his Power to get a Place for me, that 
 he had been all this while feeking af- 
 ter one for himfelf. 
 
 Mil. Poor Djck ! And is plain Ho- 
 petty then a Recommendation to no 
 Place at Court ? 
 
 i)/V. If may recomrnend you to be 
 a Footman, perhaps, tut nothing fur- 
 ther, nothing further, indeed. If you 
 look higher, you mull furnifh your- 
 felf with o.ther Qualifications : You 
 muft learn to fay Ay, or No ; to run, 
 or ftand ; to fetch, or carry, or leap 
 over a Stick at the Word of Command. 
 You muft be Mafter of the Arts of 
 Flattery, Infinuation, Diflimulation, 
 Application, and {Pointing to bis Palm} 
 right Application too, if you hope to 
 fucceed. 
 
 King. You don't confider I am a 
 Courtier, methinks. 
 
 Dick. Not I, indeed; 'tis no Con- 
 cern of mine what you are. if, in ge- 
 rjeral, my Character of the Court is 
 true, 'tis not my Fault if it's difagrea- 
 ble to your.Worlhip. There are par- 
 ticular Exceptions I own, and I hope, 
 you may be one. -
 
 [30] 
 
 ., King. Nay, I don't want to be flat- 
 ter'd, fo let that pafs. Here's better 
 Succefs to you the next Time you come 
 to London. 
 
 Dick. I thank ye ; but I don't de- 
 fign to fee It again in hafte. 
 
 Mil. No, no, Dick ; inftead of de- 
 pending upon Lords Promifes, depend 
 upon the Labour of thine own Hands ; 
 expet nothing but what thou can'ft 
 earn, and then thou wilt not be dif- 
 appointed. But come, I want a Def- 
 cription of London ; thou haft told us 
 nothing thou haft feen yet. 
 
 Dick. O J 'tis a fine Place ! I have 
 feen large Houfes with fmall Hofpita- 
 lity j great Men do little Actions ; and 
 
 fine Ladies do nothing at all. I 
 
 have feen the honeft Lawyers of Weft - 
 minfter-Hall y and the virtuous Inhabi- 
 tants of ^Change-Alley. The politick 
 Mad-men of Coffee-Houfes, and the 
 wife Statefmen of Bedlam. I have feen 
 merry Tragedies, and fad Comedies ; 
 Devotion at an Opera, and Mirth at a 
 Sermon ; I have feen fine Cloaths at 
 St. James's, and long Bills at Ludgate- 
 fJill. I have feen poor Grandeur, and 
 rich Poverty 5 high Honours, and low 
 
 Flattery j
 
 Flattery, great Pride, and no Menk 
 In fhort, I have feen a Fool with a 
 Title, a Knave with a Penfion, and an 
 honeft Man with a Thread-bare Coat. 
 Pray how do you like London ? 
 
 MIL And is this the beft Defcription 
 thou can'ft give of it ? 
 
 Dick. Yes. 
 
 King. Why, Richard, you are a Sa- 
 .,. -tirift, I find. 
 
 Dick. I love to fpeak Truth, Sir; 
 if that happens. to be Satire, 1 caft't 
 help it. 
 
 'Mil. Well, if this is London, give 
 me my Country Cottage ; which, tho' 
 it is not a great Houfe, nor a fine 
 Houfe, is my own Houfe, and I can 
 fhew a Receipt for the Building on't; 
 
 King. I wifh all the great Builders 
 in the Kingdom could fay as much. 
 
 Mil. Come, Sir, our Supper, I be- 
 lieve, is ready for us, by this time ; 
 and to fuch as I have, you're as wel- 
 come as a Prince. 
 
 King. I thank you. [Exeunt. 
 

 
 Scene 'changes to the Wood: 
 
 Enter fiver al KEEPERS. 
 
 i K. The Report of the Gun was 1 
 fomewhere this Way I'm fure. 
 
 a K. Yes, but I can never belifeve 
 that any-body would come a Deer- 
 ftealing fo dark a Night as this. 
 
 3 JIT. Where did the Deer harbour 
 to Day? 
 
 4 K. There was a Herd l^y upon 
 Hamilton- Hitt> another juft by Robin 
 flood's Ckair and a third here in 
 Mansfield Wood. 
 
 1 A; Ay, thofe they have been a- 
 hiohgft. 
 
 2 K. But we fhall never be able to 
 . nd 'em to Night, 'tis fo dark. 
 
 3 Jt. No, no ; let's go back again. 
 
 i K. Zoons ! you're afraid of a bro- 
 ken Head, I fuppofe, if we fhould find
 
 53 
 
 5 eni j and fo had rather flink back 
 again. Hark ! Stand clofe. I hear 
 'em coming this Way* 
 
 Enter the C O U R T I E R S. 
 
 1 C. Bid not you hear fome-body 
 juft now ? Faith I begin ta be afraid 
 we fhall meet with-fome Misfortune 
 to Night. 
 
 2 C. Why, if any-body fhould take 
 whvtt. we have got, we have made a 
 fine Bufinefs of it. 
 
 3 C. Let 'em take it if they will ; 
 I am fo tir'd I fhall make but fmall 
 Refinance. 
 
 The Keepers nijh upon, them- 
 
 2 K. Ay, Rogues, Rafcals, arid 
 Villains, you have got it, have you? 
 
 2 C. Indeed we have got but very 
 little, but what we have you're wel- 
 come tOj if you will but ufe us ci- 
 villy. 
 
 . i K. O, yes ! very civilly; you de- 
 fer ve to be us'd civilly, to be furc, 
 
 4 (7* Why, what have we done that 
 we may not be civilly us'd ? 
 
 ii iK.
 
 [34] 
 
 i K. Come, come, don't trifle, fur- 
 render.' 
 
 1 C. I have but 'three Half-Crowns 
 about me. 
 
 2 C. Here is Three and Six-pence 
 for you, Gentlemen. 
 
 3" C. Here's my Watch ; I have no 
 Money at all. 
 
 4 C. Indeed I have nothing in my 
 Pocket but a SnufF-box. 
 
 4 K. What, the Dogs want to bribe 
 us, -do they? No, -Rafcals ; you ihall 
 go before the Juftice To-morrow, 
 depend on't. 
 
 4(7. Before the Jirfrice ! What, for 
 being robb'd ? 
 
 i K. For being robb'd ! What do 
 you mean ? Who has robb'd you-? 
 
 4 C. Why, did not you juft now de- 
 mand our Money, Gentlemen ? 
 
 l -2 ' K. O, the' Rafcals ! They will 
 fwear a Robbery againft us, I war- 
 rant. 
 
 4 C. A Robbery ! Ay, to befure. 
 
 i K. No, .no j VSTe did not demand 
 your Money, we demanded the Deer 
 you have kill'd.
 
 [35] 
 
 4 C. The Devil take the Deer, I fa j j 
 he led us a Chace of fix Hours, arid 
 got away from us at I aft. 
 
 i K. oons ! ye Dogs., do ye think 
 to banter us ? I tell ye you have this 
 Night fhot one of the King's Deer ; did 
 not we hear the Gun go off? Did not 
 we hear you fay, you wcs afraid it 
 fhould be taken "from you ? 
 
 2 C. We were afraid pur Money 
 fhould be taken from us. 
 
 i K. Come, come, no more fhufc 
 fling: I tell ye, you're all Rogues, 
 and we'll have you hanged, you may 
 depend on't. Come, let's take 'em to 
 old Cockle's, we're not far off, we'll 
 keep 'em there all Night, and To-mor- 
 row-morning we'll away with 'em be- 
 fore the Juftice. 
 
 4 C. A very pretty Adventure. 
 
 ' S-cene
 
 Scene changes to the Mil!, 
 
 KING, MILLER, MARGERY, and DICK, 
 at 
 
 MIL Come, Sir, you muft mend a 
 bad Supper with a Glafs of good Ale : 
 Here's King Harris Health. 
 
 King. With all my Heart. Come, 
 Richard, here's King Harry's Health ; 
 I hope you are Courtier enough to 
 pledge me, are not you ? 
 
 Dick. Yes, yes, Sir, I'll drink the 
 King's Health' with all my Heart. 
 
 JMar. Come, Sir, my humble Ser- 
 vice to you, and much good may do 
 ye with your poor Supper ; I wi'th it 
 had been better. 
 
 King. You need make no Apologies. 
 
 Majg. We are oblig'd to yourQood- 
 r.efs in excufing our Rudenefs. 
 
 Mil. Prithee, Margery, don't trou- 
 :1~ the Gentleman with Compliments. 
 
 .Mar. Lord, Husband, if one had no 
 more Manners than you, the Gentle- 
 man would take us all for Hogs. 
 
 Dick.
 
 [73] 
 
 Dick. Now I think the more Com* 
 pliments the lefs Manners. 
 
 King. I think fo too. Compliments 
 in Difcourfe, I believe, are like Cere- 
 monies in Religion ; the one has de- 
 ftroy'd all true Piety, and the other 
 all Sincerity and Plain-dealing. 
 
 Mil. Then a Fig for all Ceremony 
 and Compliments too: Give us tjiy 
 Hand ; and let us drink and be merry. 
 King. Right, honeft Miller, let 119 
 drink and be merry. Come, have you 
 got e'er a good Song ? 
 
 Mil. Ah J my finging Days are o- 
 ver, but my Man Joe has got an ex- 
 cellent one ; and if you have a Mind 
 to hear it, I'll call him in, 
 
 King. With all my Heart, 
 ! Mil. Joe! 
 
 Enter JOE. 
 
 MIL Come, Joe, drink Boy j I have 
 promised this Gentleman that you 
 inall fing him your laft new Song. 
 
 Joe. Well, Mafter, if you have pro- 
 rnis'd it him, he fhall have it. 
 
 SONG
 
 [38] 
 
 SONG. 
 
 I. 
 
 How happy a Stats does the Milkr 
 
 pojjefs? 
 WTw woifd be no greater, nor fears to 
 
 be lift ; 
 On his Mill and bimfetf he depends for 
 
 Support, 
 Which is better .than fervilely cringing 
 
 at Court. 
 -:'u rrn kv^-sp,^ 
 
 ir. 
 
 What tho* he all dujly and whit en* d 
 
 does go, 
 yhe more he's be-powdefd, the more 
 
 like a Beau ; 
 'iA Clown in this Drefs may be honejter 
 
 far 
 
 Than a Courtier who ft ruts in his 
 Garter and Star. 
 
 HL
 
 [39] 
 
 III. 
 
 2V bis Hands are fo dawfrd thefr* 
 
 not fit to be feen, 
 The Hands of bis Betters are not 
 
 very dean ; 
 A Palm more polite may as dirtily 
 
 deal ; 
 
 Go-Id, in handling, will Jlick to the 
 Fingers like Meal. 
 
 IV. 
 
 What if, tvben a Pudding for Dinntr 
 
 he lacks, 
 He cribs,, without Sc ruple> front o$hr 
 
 Metfs Sacks j 
 In this of right nobk Examples be 
 
 brags. 
 
 Who borrow as freely from etfar 
 Men's Bags, 

 
 [40] 
 
 V. 
 
 Of Jhould he endeavour to heap an 
 
 Eftate, 
 
 In this be woifd mimick the Too/s of 
 theState-j 
 -dim is. alone their Coffers to 
 
 fit', 
 
 all his Concern's to bring Grii 
 to his Milt. 
 
 VL 
 
 He eafs when he's hungry, he drinks when 
 he's dry, 
 
 down when he's weary contented 
 does lie ; 
 -rifes up chearful to work and to 
 
 Jing : 
 
 .If fo happy a Mi Her, th&n who'd be 
 a King. 
 
 MIL There's a Song for you. 
 ]ing. He fhould go iing this at 
 Court, I think. 
 
 Dick.
 
 f 4i ] 
 
 &ick. I believe, if he's wife, he'll 
 Cnufe to ftay at home tho'. 
 
 Enter PEGGY. 
 
 MIL What Wind blew you hither 
 f>ray ! You have a good Share of Im- 
 pudence, or you would be afham'd to 
 fet your Foot within my Houfe, me- 
 thinks. 
 
 Peg. Afham'd I am,, indeed, but do 
 not call me impudent. \W~eeps* 
 
 Dick. Dear Father, fufpend your 
 Anger for the. prefent; thatfhe is 
 here now is by my Direction, and to 
 do me Juftice. 
 
 Peg. To do that is all that is now 
 in my Power ; for as to myfelf, I arri 
 ruin'd paft Redemption : My Charac- 
 ter, my Virtue, my Peace, .are gone : 
 I am abandoned by my Friends, de- 
 fpis'd by the World, and exposed to 
 Mifery and Want. 
 
 King. Pray let me know the Story 
 of your Misfortunes ; perhaps it may 
 be in my Power to do fomething to- 
 wards redreffing them. 
 
 Peg. That you may learn froirthirri 
 
 that J have wrong'dj but as for me,, 
 
 ~F 3hame
 
 [4* 1 
 
 Shame will not let me fpeak, or heat* 
 it told. [Exit* 
 
 King. She's very pretty* 
 
 Dick. O Sir, I once thought her an 
 Angel; I lov'd her dearer than my 
 Life, and did believe her Paflion was 
 the fame for me : But a young Noble- 
 man of this Neighbourhood happen- 
 ing to fee her, her Youth and bloom- 
 ing Beauty prefently ftruck his Fancy ; 
 a thoufand Artifices were immedi- 
 ately employ'd to debauch and ruin 
 her. But all his Arts were vain ; not 
 even the Promife of making her his 
 Wife, could prevail upon her : In a lit- 
 tle Time he found out her Love to 
 me, and imagining this to be the Caufe 
 of her Refulal, he, by forg'd Letters, 
 and feign 'd Stories, contriv'd to make 
 her believe I was upon the Point of 
 Marriage with another Woman. Pof- 
 fefs'd with this Opinion, fhe, in a 
 Rage, writes me Word, never to 
 fee her more ; and, in Revenge, con- 
 fented to her own Undoing. Not 
 contented with this, nor eafy while I 
 was fo near her, he brib'd one of his 
 caft-oiF MiftrelTes to fwear a Child to 
 me, which fhe did : This was the Oc- 
 
 cafion 

 
 [43 ] 
 
 cafion of my leaving my Friends, and 
 flying to London. 
 
 King. And how does (he propofe to 
 do you Juftice ? 
 
 Dick. Why, the King being now 
 in this Forelt a hunting, we deiign to 
 take fome Opportunity of throwing 
 ourfelves at his Majefty's Feet, and 
 complaining ot the Injufb'ce done us 
 by this Noble Villain. 
 
 Mil. Ah, Dick ! I expeft but little 
 Redrefs from- fuch an Application. 
 Things of this Nature are fo common 
 amongft the Great, that I am afraid it 
 will only be made a Jeft of. 
 
 King. Thofe that can make a Jeft 
 of what ought to be fhocking to Hu- 
 manity, furely deferve not the Name 
 of Great or Noble Men. 
 
 Dick. What do you think of it, 
 Sir ? If you belong to the Court, you, 
 perhaps, may know fomething of the 
 King's Temper. 
 
 King. Why, if I can judge of his 
 Temper at all, I think he would not 
 fuffer the greateft Nobleman in his 
 Court, to do an Jnjuftice to the mean- 
 ^ft Subject in his Kingdom. But pray, 
 F 3 who
 
 [44] 
 
 who is the Nobleman that is capa- 
 ble of fuch Aftions as thefe * 
 
 Dick. Do you know my Lord Lure- 
 well ? 
 
 King. Yes. 
 
 Dick. That's the Man. 
 
 King. Well, 'I would have you 
 put your Defign in Execution. . 'Tis 
 my Opinion the King will not only 
 hear your Complaint, but redrefs 
 your Injuries. 
 
 Mil. I wiih it may prove fo. 
 
 Enter the KEEPERS leading in the 
 COURTIERS. 
 
 i K. Hola !- Cockle ! Where are ye ? 
 Why, Man, we have nabb'd a Pack 
 of Rogues here juft in the Faft. 
 
 King. Ha," ha, ha ! What, turn'd 
 Highwaymen, my Lords ? or Deer- 
 ftealers ? 
 
 1 C. I am very glad to find your 
 Majefty in Health and Safety. 
 
 2 C. We have run thro' a great 
 many Perils and Dangers to Night, 
 but the Joy of finding your Majefty fo 
 unexpectedly, will make us forget all 
 we have fuffer'd. 
 
 Mil.
 
 [45 ] 
 
 Mil. ) 
 and CWhat ! is this the King ? 
 
 King. I am very glad to fee you, 
 my Lords, I confeis ; and particularly 
 you, my Lord Lurewdl. 
 
 Lure. Your Majefty does me. Ho- 
 nour. 
 
 King. Yes, my Lord, and I will do 
 you Juftice too ; your Honour has 
 been highly wrong'd by this young 
 Man. 
 
 Lure. Wrong'd, my Liege \ 
 
 King. I hope fo, my Lord ; for I 
 wou'd fain believe you can't be guil- 
 ty of Bafenefs and Treachery. 
 
 Lure. I hope your Majefty will never 
 find me fo. What dares this Villain 
 fay? 
 
 Dick. I am not to be frighted, my 
 Lord. ' I dare fpeak Truth at any 
 Time. 
 
 Lure. Whatever ftains my Honour 
 muft be falfe. 
 
 King. I know it muft, my Lord; 
 yet has this Man, not knowing who 
 I was, prefum'd to charge your Lord- 
 fhip, not only with great Injuftice to 
 Jiimfelf, but alfo with ruining gn in- 
 
 nocent
 
 [46 ] 
 
 nocent Virgin whom helov'd, and who 
 was to have been his Wife ; which, 
 if true, were bafe and treacherous 5 
 but I know 'tis falfe, and therefore 
 leave it to your Lordfhip to fay what 
 Punifhment I fhall inflict upon him, 
 for the Injury done to your Honour. 
 
 Lure. I thank your Majefty. I will 
 not be fevere; he fhall only ask my 
 Pardon, and To-morrow Morning be 
 oblig'd to marry the Creature he has 
 traduc'd me with. 
 
 King. This is mild. Well, you. 
 hear your Sentence. 
 
 Dick. May I not have leave to fpeak 
 before your Majefty ? 
 
 King. What oan'ft thou fay ? 
 
 Dick. If I had your Majelty's Per- 
 miflion, I believe I have certain Wit-, 
 nefles, which will undeniably prove 
 the Truth of all I have accused his 
 Lordfhip of. 
 
 King. Produce them. 
 
 Dick. Peggy! 
 
 Enter PEGGY. 
 
 King. Do you know this Woman, 
 my Lord ?
 
 [4?] 
 
 Lnre. I know her, pleafe your 
 Majefty, by Sight, fhe is a Tenant's 
 Daughter. 
 
 Peg. [Jt/tde.'] Majefty! What, is 
 this the King ? 
 
 Dick. Yes. 
 
 King. Have you no particular Ac- 
 quaintance with her ? 
 
 Lure. Hum 'I have not feen 
 
 her thefe feveral Months. 
 
 Dick. True, my Lord ; and that is 
 Part of' your Accufation ; for, I be- 
 lieve, I have fome Letters which will 
 prove your Lordfhip once had a more 
 particular Acquaintance with her. 
 Here is one of the firft his Lordfhip 
 wrote to her, full of the tenderelt and 
 moft folemn Proteftations of Love and 
 Conftancy j here is another which will 
 inform your Majefty of the Pains he 
 took to ruin her ; there is an abfolute 
 Promife of Marriage before he could 
 accomplifh it. 
 
 King. What fay you, my Lord, are 
 thefe your Hand ? 
 
 Lure- I believe, pleafe your Majef- 
 ty, I might have a little Affair of Gal- 
 lantry with the Girl fome Time ago. 
 
 King.
 
 . 
 
 King. It was a //#/* Affair, my 
 Lord ; a mean Affair ; and what you 
 call Gallantry, I call Infamy. Do you 
 think, my Lord, that Greatnefs gives 
 a Sanftion to Wickednefs? Or that it 
 is the Prerogative of Lords to be un- 
 juft and inhumane? You remember 
 the Sentence which yourfelf pronounc'd 
 upon this innocent Man ; you cannot 
 think it hard that it fhould pafs on you 
 who are guilty. ":'*: 
 
 Lure. I hope your Majefty will con- 
 fider my Rank, and not oblige me to 
 marry her. 
 
 King. Your Rank ! my Lord. Great- 
 nefs that ftoops to Aclions bafe and 
 low, deferts its Rank, and pulls its 
 Honours down. What makes your 
 Lordfhip Great ? Is it your gilded 
 Equipage and Drefs ? Then put it on 
 your meaneft Slave, and he's as great 
 as you. Is it your Riches or Eftate ? 
 The Villain that fhould plunder you 
 of all, would- then be great as you. 
 No, -my Lord, he that Ads greatly, is 
 the true Great Man. I therefore think 
 you ought, in Juftice, to marry her 
 you thus have wrong'd.
 
 [49] 
 
 Peg. Let rny Tears thank your 
 jefty. But, alas ! I am afraid to mar- 
 ry this young Lord j that would only 
 give him Power to ufe me worfe, and 
 ilill encreafe rny Milery : i therefore 
 beg your Majefty will not command 
 him to do it. 
 
 King. Rife then, and hear me. My 
 Lord, you fee how low the greateit 
 Nobleman may be reduced by unge- 
 nerous Actions. Here is, under your 
 own hand, an abfolute Promife of 
 Marriage to this young Woman, which, 
 from a thorough Knowledge of your 
 Unworthinefs, me has prudently de- 
 clin'd to make you fulfil. I mail there- 
 fore not infift upon it ; but I command 
 you, upon Pain of my DJfpleafure, im- 
 mediately to fettle on herThree hundred , 
 Pounds a Year. 
 
 Peg. May Heaven reward your Ma- 
 jetty's Goodnefs. 'Tis too much for 
 jne, but if your Majefty thinks fit, let 
 it be fettled upon this much-injured 
 Man, to make fome Satisfaftkm for 
 the Wrongs which have been done 
 him. As to myfelf, I only fougty: to 
 clear the Innocence of him I lov'$ and 
 G
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 wrong'd, then hide me from the World* 
 and die forgiven. 
 
 Dick. This Aft of generous Virtue 
 cancels all paft Failings ; come to my 
 Arms, and be as dear as ever. 
 
 Peg. You cannot fare forgive me ! 
 
 Dick. I can, I do, and ftill will 
 make you mine. 
 
 Peg. O ! why did I ever wrong fuch 
 generous Love ! 
 
 Dick. Talk no more of it. Here 
 let us kneel, and thank the Goodnefs 
 which has made us bleft. 
 
 King. May you be happy. 
 
 Mil. [Kneels] After I have feen fo 
 much of your Majefty's Goodnefs, I 
 cannot defpair of Pardon, even for the 
 rough Ufage your Majefty recciv'd 
 from me. 
 
 [The King draws his Sword, the Mil- 
 ler is frighted, and rifcs up> think- 
 ing he was going to kill him. 
 What have I done that I Aould lofe 
 my Life ? 
 
 King. Kneel without Fear. No, 
 my good Hoft, fo far are you from 
 having any thing to pardon, that I am 
 much your Debtor. I cannot think 
 but fe good and honeft a Man will 
 
 make
 
 make a worthy and honourable Knight, 
 fo rife up, Sir John Cockle : And, to 
 fupport your State, and in fome fort 
 requite the Pleafure you have done us, 
 a Thoufand Marks a Year ftiall be 
 your Revenue. 
 
 Mil. Your Majefty's Bounty I receive 
 with Thankfulnefs j I have been guilty 
 of no Meannefs to obtain it, and 
 hope I fhall not be obliged to keep it 
 upon bafe Conditions ; for tho* I am 
 willing to be a faithful Subject, I am 
 refolv'd to be a free and an honeft Man. 
 
 King. I rely upon your being fo: 
 And to gain the Friendfhip of fuch a 
 one, I lhall always think an Addition 
 to my Happinefs, tho' a King. 
 
 Worth, in whatever State, is fure a Prize 
 Which Kings, of all Men, ought not todefpilej 
 By felfilh Sycophants fo clofe befieg'd, 
 5 Tis by meer Chance a worthy Man's oblig'd : 
 But hence, ro every Courtier be it known, 
 Virtue fhali find Protection from the Throne. 
 
 FINIS.
 
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