Macbush

Act III, Scene 2

The White House. Macbush is arguing with the Lord of the CIA, while Iago Rums listens.

CIA: But my liege, thou cannot say it so!
Here, in my report, it is given the lie!

MACBUSH: Who will believe thee?
My place i'the state will so
Your accusation overweigh,
That you shall stifle in your own report!

Colonius enters as CIA leaves.

COLONIUS: Sad tidings bring I to you out of France.

MACBUSH: I warrant they have made peace with Sadama.

COLONIUS: Peace have they made with him indeed.

MACBUSH: O villains, vipers, damn'd without redemption!
By day and night France wrongs me:
He sets us all at odds, I'll not endure it.
Would they make peace? Terrible hell make war
Upon their spotted souls for this offence!
Peace! I hate the word!

IAGO: Is't possible the spells of France should juggle
Men into such strange mysteries?
The pardonnez-mois shake in their fear,
And seek to divert the English purposes,
Abusing better men than they can be,
Out of a foreign wisdom.

MACBUSH: France, thou shalt rue this with thy tears.

IAGO: Is it not a lamentable thing,
That we should be thus afflicted with
These fashion-mongers, these pardonnez-mois,
Who stand so much on form,
They cannot sit at ease on the old bench?

MACBUSH: Meanwhile we shall express our darker purpose.
Give me the map there.

Colonius leaves, and Macbush and Iago pore over the map of Iraq.

Colonius returns.

COLONIUS: The ambassadors from France, my good lord,
Are joyfully returned.

MACBUSH: Thou hast ever been the father of good news.
Go, give them welcome: You can speak the French tongue.
If thou dost find them tractable to us,
Encourage them; If they be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,
Be thou so too.

COLONIUS: Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian;
Speak, look back, and pry on every side.
Ghastly looks are at my service,
Like enforced smiles,
And both are ready at any time,
To grace my stratagems.

Colonius goes out to the French.

COLONIUS: Ambassadors, a general welcome from his Grace!
None here, he hopes, has brought with him
One care abroad: he would have all as merry
As good company, good wine, good welcome
Can make good people.