FOR USE IN
LIBRARY
ONLY
HE DRAMATIC WORKS OF
THOMAS HEYWOODNOW
FIRST COLLECTED WITH
ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES AND
A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR
IN SIX VOLUMES
Aut prodejfe foknt aut dele flare
VOLUME THE SECOND
LONDON
JOHN PEARSON YORK STREET COVENT GARDEN
18/4
PR
2,570
V. 2,
THE
Fayre Mayde of the
Exchange :
With
the pleafaunt Humours of the
Cripple of Fanchurch.
Very dele&able, and full of mirth.
LONDON
Printed for HENRY ROCKIT, and are to be folde
at the {hop in the Poultrey vnder the
Dyall. 1607.
Eleaven may eafily a&e this
Comedy.
Berry an old man
Bobbington
Gardiner
Officers
> for one.
Mai Berry
> for one.
Flower an humorous old
Bennet (man
Scarlet
Ralph
> for one.
Cripple
> for one.
Barnard
Flowers wife
Vrfula
Boy-
> for one.
Anthony Golding
Gentleman
> for one.
Ferdin. Gold, %ent.
and Wood.
> for one.
Franke Golding.
Gentleman.
I for one.
Bowdler an humorous
gallant.
I for one.
Phillis thefaire
Maide.
j- for one.
Fiddle the Clowne.
I for one.
B 2
Prologus.
XHe humble Socke that true Comedians weare,
Our Mufe hath don'd, and to your fav'ring eyes,
weft Plaine-fong doth her felfe appeare,
Borrowing no colours from a quaint difguife :
If your faire favours caufe her fpirit to rife,
Shee to the higheft pitch her wings mail reare,
And prowd quothurnicke aclion (hall devife,
To win your fweet applaufe me deemes fo deare.
Meane while more up your tender pamping twig,
That yet on humble ground doth lowly lie :
Your favours funnefhine guilding once this fprig,
It may yeeld Neftar for the gods on hie :
Though our Invention lame, imperfect be,
Yet give the Cripple almes for charity.
m
THE
Faire Maid of the Exchange.
llacke
Seme. I.
Enter Starlet and Bobbin%ton~
SVEN now the welcome twillight doth
falute
Th' approaching night, clad in black fable
weeds.
as my thoughts, that harbour nought but
death,
Thefts murthers, rapes and fuch like damned a<5les,
The infant babes to whom my foule is nurfe :
Come Bobbington^ this flarre befpangled skie
Bodeth fome good, the wether's faire and dry.
Bob. My fcarlet-hearted Scarlet, gallant blood,
Whofe bloody deeds are worthy memory
Of after ages, let me imbrace thee : fo
So now me thinkes I fold a richer gemme,
Than wealthy India can afford to Spaine :
There lies my treafure, and within thy armes
Security that never breedeth harmes.
Scarlet. Brave refolution, I am proud to fee
So fweet a graft upon a worme-wood tree,
Whofe juyce is gall, but yet the fruite moft rare ;
Who wreakes the tree, if that the fruit be faire ?
6 The faire Maide
Therefore refolve, if we a booty get,
It bootes not whence, from whom, when, where, or
what.
Bob. Well (God forgive us) here lets take our
flands,
We mutt have gold although we have no lands.
Enter Phillis and Vrfula.
Phil. Stay Vrfula, have you thofe futes of Ruffes,
Thofe flomachers, and that fine peece of Lawne,
Marck'd with the Letters C.C. and S.
Vrfula. I have.
Phil. If your forgetfulneffe eaufe any defec~l,
You'r like to pay for't, therefore looke unto it.
Vrfu. I would our iourney had as fafe an end,
As I am fure my Ladies ruffes are here,
And other wares which me befpoke of you.
Phil. Tis good ; but flay, give me thy hand my
girle,
Tis fomewhat darke, come, let us helpe each other :
She pall her word one of her gentlemen
Should meet us at the bridge, and that's not farre,
I mufe they are not come, I doe affure thee,
Were I not much beholding to her Ladifhip
For many kindneffes : Mile-end, mould Hand
This gloomy night unvifited for us.
But come, me thinks I may difcerne the bridge,
And fee a man or two, in very deed,
Her word, her love and all is very honorable.
Bob. A prize young Scarlet, Oh, a gallant prize,
And we the Pirats that will feaze the fame
To our owne ufes.
Scar. But hold man, not too faft;
As farre as I can gather by their words,
They take us for my Ladies Gentlemen,
Who, as it feemes, mould meet them on their way,
Then if thou fai'ft the word weele feeme thofe men,
And by thofe meanes withdraw them from their way,
of the Exchange. 7
Where we may rifle them of what they carry,
I meane, both goods, and their virginity.
Bob. Tit well advis'd, but Scarlet, give me leave
To play the Gentleman and welcome -them.
Scar. Inioy thy wifh.
Bob. Welcome you facred ftarres,
That adde bright glory to the fable night.
Scar. Excellent, by heaven.
Bob. I am forry your beautie's fo difcomfited,
Treading fo many tedious weary fteps,
And we not prefent to aflociate you.
Scar. Oh, blefied Bobbington.
Phil. Sir, I doe thanke you for this taken paines,
That as your worthy Ladie promifde me,
We now inioy your wifhed company.
Scar. Shee's thine owne boy, I warrant thee.
Bob. And I am proud, too proud of this imploy-
ment,
Come M. Scarlet take you that prety fweet,
You fee my Ladies care ; (he promifde one
But hath fent two.
Phil Tis honourably done.
Bob. This is your way.
Phil. That way, alas fir no.
Bob. Come, it is : nay then it mail be fo.
Phil. What meane you Gentlemen 1
Vrfu. O he will rob me.
Phil Looke to the box Vrfula.
Phil. 6 Vrfu. Helpe, helpe, murther, murther.
Enter the Cripple.
Crip. Now you fupporters of decrepit youth,
That mount this fubftance twixt faire heaven and
earth,
Be flrong to beare that huge deformity,
And be my hands as nimble to direct them,
As your defires to waft me hence to London.
8 The faire Maide
Phil. d- Vrfu. Helpe, helpe, heele ravifli me.
Crep. My thinks I heare the found of ravifh-
ment
Phil. 6- Vrfu. Helpe, helpe.
Crip. Marry and will, knew I but where, and
how.
What do I fee ?
Theeves full of luft befet virginity !
Now ftirre thee Cripple, and of thy foure legs
Make ufe of one, to doe a virgin good :
Hence ravening curres : what, are you at a prey ?
Will nothing fatisfie your greedy chaps
But virgins flefh ? He teach you prey on carrion,
Fight 6 beate them away.
Packe damned ravifhers, hence villaines.
Phil. Thankes, honeft friend, who from the gates
of death
Hath fet our virgin foules at liberty.
Crip. Give God the glory that gave me the
power.
Phil. I do, kind Sir, and thinke my felfe much
bound
To him above, to thee that treads this ground :
And for this aid, He ever honour thee ;
My honour you haue fau'd, redeem'd it home :
Which wer't not done, by this time had beene gone.
Crip. Hereafter more of this ; but tell me now
The caufe of thefe events, th'effecl, and how.
Phil. He tell you fir ; but let us leave this place.
And onward on our way.
Enter Scarlet and Bobbington.
^ Bob. It mail be fo, fee where they walke along,
He croffe the other way and meet them full,
Keepe thou this way and when thou heard us chat,
Come thou behinde him fnatch away his crutches,
And then thou knowft he needs muft fall to ground,
of the Exchange. 9
And what fliall follow leave the reft to me. Exit. Bob.
Scar. About it then.
Crip. Yfaith fhe is an honourable Lady,
And I much wonder that her Ladimip
Gives intertaine to fuch bad men as thefe.
Enter Bobbington.
Bob. Stand thou that haft more legs than nature
gave thee.
Crip. Mongrell, He choofe.
Scar. Then go to fir, you mall.
All, All. Murder, murder.
Enter Frank Goulding.
Frank. Stay there my horfe :
Whence comes this eccho of extremity ?
All. Helpe, helpe.
Frank. What doe I heare, a virgin call for helpe ?
Hands off dam'nd villianes, or by heaven I fweare,
He fend you all to hell. Fight and drive them away.
Crip. Hold, forbeare.
I came in refcue of Virginity.
Phil. He did, he did, and freed us once from
thrall,
But now the fecond time they wrought his fall.
Frank. Now you diflreffed obiecls, do you tell
Vpon what mount of woe your forrowes dwell.
Phil. Firft get we hence away, and as we goe,
Kinde gentleman, our fortunes you mall know.
Crip. Thanks worthy fir, may but the Cripple be,
Of power to gratifie this courtefie,
I then mall thinke the heavens doe favour me.
Phil. No more now for Gods fake, let us goe
hence.
Crip. If I doe live, your love He recompence.
Exeunt.
io The fair e Maide
Enter Mall Berry.
Mall. "V T Ow for my true-loves hand-kercher ;
J_ > thefe flowers
Are pretty toyes, are very pretty toyes :
but me thinks the Peafcod would doe better,
The Peafcod and the Bloffome, wonderfull !
Now as I live, ile furely have it fo.
Some maides will choofe the Gilliflower, fome the
Rofe,
Becaufe their fweet cents doe delight the nofe,
But very fooles they are in my opinion,
The very worft being drawne by cunning art,
Seemes in the eye as pleafant to the heart.
But heer's the queftion, whether my love or no
Will feeme content 1 I, there the game doth goe :
And yet ile pawne my head he will applaude
The Peafcod and the flower, my pretty choice.
For what is he loving a thing in heart,
Loves not the counterfeit, though made by art ?
1 cannot tell how others fancy (land,
But I reioyce fometime to take in hand,
The flmile of that I love ; and I proteft,
That pretty peafcod likes my humour befl,
But ile unto the Drawers, heele counfell me,
Heere is his mop : alas, what ihall I doe 1
Hee's not within, now all my labour's loft,
See, fee, how forward love is ever croft,
But flay, what Gallant's this 1
Enter M. Bowdler.
Bowd. A plague on this Drawer, hee's never at
at home :
Good morrow fweet-heart, tell me, how thou doft 1
Mail. Vpon what acquaiutance 1
Bowd. That's all one, once I love thee, give me
thy hand and fay, Amen.
of the Exchange. 1 1
Mall. Hands off, fir Knave, and weare it for a
favour.
Bowd. What ? dofl thou meane thy love pretty
foole 1
Mail. No foole, the knave, O groffe ;
A gentleman and of fo fhallow wit !
Bowd. I know thou camft to the Drawer.
Mall. How then 1
Bowd. Am not I the properer man ?
Mall. Yes, to make an affe on.
Bowd. Will you get up and ride ?
Mail. No, ile lackey by his fide, and whip the
Affe.
Bowd. Come, come, leave your iefting, I mail put
you down.
Mall. With that face ! away, you want wit.
Bowd. By this hand, I mail.
Mall. By the Affe-head you mail not.
Bowd. Go to, you are a woman.
Mall. Come, come, y'are a man.
Bowd. I have feene as faire.
Mall. I have heard as wife.
Bowd. As faire as Mall Berry.
Mall. As wife as young Bawdier.
Bowd. As M. Bowdler,
Mall. Hoida ; come up.
Bowd. Go thou downe then.
Mall. No good affe, bate an Affe of that.
Enter Barnard.
Bar. What M. Bowdler, will it neere be other-
wife 1
Still, ftill a hunting, every day wenching ?
Bowd. Faith fir, the modeft behaviour of this gen
tlewoman,
Hath infmuated my company.
Mall. Lord how eloquence flowes in this gentle
man !
12 The fair e Maide
Bowd. Faith, I lhall put you downe in talke, you
were beil to yeeld.
Mall. Nor fir, I will hold out as long as I may,
Though in the end you beare the foole away.
Bowd. Meane you by me 1 you gull me not ?
Mall. No by this night, not I.
Bowd. For if you did, I would intoxicate my
head.
Mall. Yea, I dare fweare youle goe a foole to bed.
Bowd. Meane you by mee ? you gull me not ?
Bar. No, I dare fweare the Gentlewoman meanes
well.
Matt. And fo I doe indeed, himfelfe can tell :
But this it is, fpeake Maidens what they will,
Men are fo captious the'il ever confter ill.
Barn. To her fir, to her, I dare fware (he loves
you :
Bowd. Well then faire Mall, you love me as you
fay.
Mai. I never made you promife, did I, I pray ?
Bowd. All in good time you will doe, elfe you lie,
Will you not 1
Mail. No forfooth not I.
Bowd. Barnard, me guiles me ftill.
Barn. Tis but your mif-conceit, try her againe :
You know by courfe all women mud be coy ;
To her againe, then me may happly yeeld.
Bowd. Not I, in faith.
Mall. Then mine (hall be the field :
Wifdome, adue, once more faint heart farewell ;
Yet if thou feeft the Drawer, I prethee tell him,
Mall Berry hath more worke for him to doe :
And for your felfe, learne this when you doe woe,
Arme you with courage, and with good take heed,
For he that fpares to fpeake mufl fpare to fpeed,
And fo farewell. Exit.
Bowd. Call her againe, Barnard.
Barn. Shee's too fwift for me :
Why this is the right courfe of gullery,
of the Exchange. 1 3
What did you meane having fo faire an aime
So fondly to let flip fo faire a game ?
Bawdier, become a man for maides will ftand,
And then flrike home, art thou not young and lufty,
The minion of delight, faire from thy birth,
Adonis play-pheere, and the pride of earth ?
Bowd. I know it, but a kind of honefl blood,
Tilts in my loynes, with wanton appetites,
She bade me doe a meffage to the Drawer,
And I will doe it ; there will come a day,
When Humfrey Boivdler, will keepe holiday,
Then Mall looke to your felfe, fee you be fped,
Or by this light He have your maiden head.
Barn. Spoke like a gallant, fpoke like a gentle
man, fpoke like your felfe :
Now doe I fee fome fparkes of manhood in you,
Keepe in that key, keepe in the felfe fame fong,
He gage my head youle have her love ere long.
Exeunt.
Enter Ferdinand and Franke.
Frank. Wilt thou not tell me (brother Ferdinand)
Now by this light He haunt thee like a fprite,
Vntil I know whence fprings this melancholy.
Ferd. O brother !
Thou art too young to reach the depth of griefe,
That is immur'd within my hearts deepe clofet,
A thoufand fighes keepe daily centinell,
That beate like whirle-winds all my comfort back,
As many fobbes guard my diftreffed heart,
That no releife comes neere to aid my foule,
Millions of woes like bands of armed men,
Stop up the paffage of my fweet reliefe :
And art thou then perfwaded that thy words,
Can any comfort to my foule afford ?
No, no, good Franke. deere brother then forbeare,
Vnleffe with griefe in me youle take a mare.
Fran. Griefe me no griefes, but tell me what it is
14 The fair e Maide
Makes my fweet Ferdinand thus paffionate :
He conjure griefe, if griefe be fuch an evill,
In fpite of Fortune, Fates, or any Devill.
Ferd. Wilt thou not leave me to my felfe alone ?
Fran. Brother, you know my minde,
If you will leave your dumpifh melancholy,
And like my felfe banim that puling humour,
Or fatisfie my expectation,
By telling whence your forrow doth proceed,
I will not onely ceafe to trouble you :
But like a true skilfull Phyfition,
Seeke all good meanes for your recovery.
Per. Well brother, you have much importun'd
me.
And for the confidence I have in you,
That youle prove fecret, I will now unfold,
The load of care that preffeth downe my foule :
Know then good Franke, love is the caufe hereof.
Frank. How, love ! why what's that love 1
Ferd. A childe, a little little boy that's blinde.
Frank. And be overcome by him ! plagu'd by
him !
Driven into dumps by him ! put downe by a boy !
Mafler'd by love ! O, I am mad for anger :
By a Boy ! is there no rofemary and bayes in Eng
land
To whip the Ape ? by a boy !
Ferd. I, fuch a boy as thou canft never fee,
And yet ere long mayft feele his tyranny :
Hee's not vifible, yet aimes at the heart,
Woe be to thofe that feele his wounding dart ;
And one of them I am : wounded fo deepe,
That in my paffion, I no meane can keepe :
Vnhappy time, woe to that difmall houre,
When love did wound me with faire Phillis flowre :
O PhilliS) Phillis, of flowers fweetefl flower,
That ever garnifh'd any princely bower :
Farewell, farewell, my woes will ne're remove,
Till I inioy faire Phillis for my love. Exit.
of the Exchange. 15
Frank. What's here ? Phillis and love : and love
and Phillis :
I have feene Phillis, and have heard of love ;
I will fee Phillis, and will heare of love :
But neither Phzllis, nor the power of love,
Shall make me bond-Have to a womans becke.
Enter Anthony.
Who's here, my fecond brother male-content ?
He fland afide and note his paffions.
Anth. O love, that I had never knowne thy
power.
Frank. More lovers yet ! what the devil is this
love 1
Antho. That thefe my wandring eyes had kept their
flay;
That I my felfe had fl.il! beene like my felfe ;
That my poore heart had never felt the wound,
Whofe anguiih keepes me in a deadly found :
Oh how deluding dreames this night ore-pafl,
Drench'd my fad foule in pleafures floting fea !
Me thought I clafp'd my love within my armes,
And circling her, fav'd her from threatning harmes ;
Me thought there came an hundred in an houre
That fought to rob me of my fweetefl flowre :
But like a champion I did keepe her ilill
Within this circle, free from every ill :
But when I wak'd and mifs'd my Phillis there,
All my fweet ioyes converted into feare.
Frank. What brother Anthony, at prayers fo hard ?
Tell me what faint it is thou invocateft ?
Is it a male, or female 1 howfoever,
God bleffe thee brother th'art in a good mind,
But now I remember me, thy faint is blind.
Antho. How, blind ?
Frank. I brother, blind, I heard thee talke of
love,
And love is blind they fay.
1 6 The faire Maide
Anth. I would it were as blind as Ebon night.
That love had never hit my heart fo right ;
But what is love in your opinion ?
Frank. A voluntary motion of delight,
Touching the fuperncies of the foule ;
A fubflance leffe divine than is the foule,
Yet more than any other power in man,
Is that which loves, yet neither is inforc'd,
Nor doth inforce the heart of man to love :
Which motion as it unbefeemes a man,
So by the foule and reafon which adorne,
The life of man it is extinguifhed,
Even at his pleafure that it doth pofleffe.
Anth. Thus may the free-man ieft at manacles,
The furr'd-clad citizen laugh at a ftorme,
The fwarty Moore diving to gather pearle,
Challenge the fcalding ardour of the Sunne ;
And aged Neftor fitting in his tent,
May tearme wounds fport, and warre but merriment.
Frank. Tis true, fore God it is, and now me
thinks,
My heart begins to pitty hearts in love :
Say once more, Anthony, tell me thy griefes,
Let me have feeling of thy paffion,
Poffeffe me deeply of thy melting (late,
And thou (halt fee.
Anth. That thou wilt pitty me ?
Frank. No by my troth, if every tale of love,
Or love it felfe, or foole-bewitching beauty,
Make me croffe-arme my felfe ; iludy ay-mees ;
Dene my hat-band ; tread beneath my feet
Shoo-llrings and garters ; praclife in my glaffe
Diftreffed lookes, and dry my liver up,
With fighes enough to win an argofie.
If ever I turne thus fantafticall,
Love plague me, never pitty me at all.
Enter Phillis.
Anth. Yonder (he comes that holds me prifoner.
of the Exchange. 1 7
Frank. What 1 Phillis, the faire Maide of the Ex
change 1
Is me god Cupids iudge over mens hearts 1
Brother, lie have one venny with her tongue,
To breathe my wit, and iefl at paffion :
By your leave Miflreffe Flower.
Phil. Your rude behaviour fcarce offers you wel
come.
Frank. I prethee tell me Phillis, I heare fay,
Thou keepfl love captive in thy maiden thoughts.
Phil. That is a thought beyond your reach to
know.
Frank. But mail I know it ?
Phil. On what acquaintance? then might you
deeme mee fond.
If (as you fay) love be at my command,
Frank. May not your friend command as great a
matter ?
Phil. He know ^im well firft, for that friend may
flatter.
Frank. Why, I hope you know me.
Phil. That's a queftion.
Frank. Well, if you doe not, you mail before I
flirre.
Know you yonder lumpe of melancholy,
Yonder bundle of fighes, yonder wad of groanes ?
The fame and I were chickens of one brood,
And if you know him, as I am fure you doe,
Being his brother, you needs muft know me too.
Phil. I partly have a gueffe of yonder Gentleman,
His name is Matter Golding, as I take it.
Antho. Golding I am, and thine fweet faire I am,
And yet not thine, but a moft wretched man ;
Thou knowft my caufe of griefe, my wound of
woe :
And knowing it, why wilt thou ufe me fo ?
Put falves of comfort to my griefes unreft,
So mayft thou heale my fore of heavinefle.
1 8 The fair e Maide
Frank. Harke you faire maide, are you a Sur
geon ?
I prethee give my brother Anthony
Somewhat to heale the love-fore of his mind,
And yet tis pitty that he mould have helpe ;
A man as free as aire, or the Sunnes raies,
As boundleffe in his function as the heavens,
The male and better part of flefh and bloud,
In whom was pour'd the quinteffence of reafon,
To wrong the adoration of his Maker,
By worshipping a wanton female skirt,
And making Love his Idol, fie dotard, fie :
I am afhamde of this apoflacie :
He talke with her to hinder his complaints.
Phillis, a word in private ere you goe,
I love yee fweet.
Phil. Sowre, it may be fo.
Frank. Sowre and fweet j faith that doth fcarce
agree.
Phil. Two contraries, and fo be we.
Frank. A plague on this courting, come, weele
make an end.
Phil. I am forry for it fmce you feeme my friend.
Frank. I, but thou canft not weepe.
Phil. Then had I a hard hart.
Frank. How fay you 1 come brother, now to your
part.
Antho. At your direction : no, this merry glee,
(Good brother) fortes not with my melancholy ;
Love covets private conference ; fo my forrow,
Craveth your abfence which I faine would borrow.
Frank. No marvell then we fay that love is
blinde,
If it (till revell in obfcurity :
I will depart, I will not hinder love,
He warn my hands, farewell fweet turtle dove. Exit.
Phil. Ifaith your brother is a proper man.
Frank. Whats your will with me.
Phil. Even what you pleafe.
of the Exchange. 19
Frank. Did you not call me backe ^
Phil. Not, to my knowledge.
Frank. No, sbloud, fomewhat did, farewell, fare
well.
Phil. He is a very proper man.
Frank. I am in hafle, pray urge me not to ftay.
Phil. The man doth dote, pray God he hits his
way.
Frank. Fore God trier's not a maide in all this
towne,
Should fooner winne me ; but my bufmeffe calls
me :
Give me thy hand, next time I meet with thee,
Leffer intreaty mall woe my company.
Phil. Yfaith, yfaith?
Frank. Yfaith, this was the hand, what meanes
my bloud ?
Doe I not blufh, nor looke extreamely pale 1
Is not my head a fire, my eyes nor heart ?
Ha, art thou here ? I feele thee love 1 faith :
By this light, well Fz^-farewell, farewell. Exit.
Antho. Now he is gone, and we in private talke.
Say, wilt thou grant me love, wilt thou be mine ?
For all the interefl in my love is thine.
Phil. Your brother Ferdinand hath vowd as
much :
Nay more, he fweares what man fo ere he be,
Prefumes to be corrivall in his love,
He will revenge it as an injury,
And clothe the thiefe in bafeft obloquie.
Antho. I, is my brother my competitor ?
He court my love and will folicite thee,
Were Ferdinand himfelfe in company.
What faift thou to my fute 1
Phil. Time may doe much, what I intend to doe
I meane to paufe upon.
Ant. Let it be io ;
If that my brothers hinderance be all,
He have thy love though by my brothers fall. Exit.
C 2
2o The faire Maide
Phil. Two brothers drown'd in love, I and the
third
For all his outward habit of neglect,
If I iudge rightly, if I did not dreame,
Hath dipt his foot too in Loves fcalding ftreame.
Well, let them plead and perifh if they will ;
Cripple mine heart is thine and mall be ftill. Exit.
Frank. I am not well, and yet I am not ill,
I am, what am 1 1 not in love I hope ?
In love 1 let me examine my felfe, who mould I love ?
who did I lad converfe with, with Phillis: why mould
I love Phillis ? is me faire ? faith fo fo : her forehead
is pretty, fomewhat refembling the forehead of the
figne of the maidenhead in, &c. What's her haire ?
faith two Bandora wiars, ther's not the fimile : is it
likely yet that I am in love 1 Whats next ? her cheekes
they have a reafonable fcarlet, never a Diars daugh
ter in the townes goes beyond her. Well, yet I am
not in love. Nay, me hath a mole in her cheeke too :
Venus mole was not more naturall ; but what of that 1
I am Adonis, and will not love. Good Venus pardon
me, Let us defcend : her chinne, O Hellen, Hellen,
where's your dimple Hellen 1 it was your dimple that
bewitcht Parts, and without your dimple I will not
love you Hellen, No, yet I am fafe. Her hand,
lets handle that, I faw her hand, and it was lilly white,
I toucht her palme, and it was foft and fmooth : and
then, what then ? her hand did then bewitch me, I
mall bee in love now out of hand. In love 1 mail I
that ever yet have prophan'd love, now fall to worfhip
him ] Shall I that have ieafled at lovers fighes now
raife whirle-windes 1 Shall I that have flowted ay-
mees once a quarter, now prac~life ay-mees every
minute? mail I dene hat-bands, and tread garters
and moo-firings under my feet? mall I fall to fall
ing bands fand bee a ruffin no longer ? I muft ;
I am now liege man to Cupid, and have read all
thefe informations in his booke of ftatutes, the nrft
chapter, page miUefimo nono, therefore, hat-band
of the Exchange. 2 1
avaunt, ruffe regard your felfe, garters adue, fhoo-
ftrings fo and fo; I am a poor enamorate, and en-
forc'd with the Poet to fay, Love orecomes all, and
I that love obey. Exit.
Enter M. Flower.
Flow. Now afore God a very good conceit,
But too much fleepe hath overtaken me,
The night hath plaid the fwift-foot runne-away :
A good conceit, a very good conceit,
What Fiddle, arife Fiddle, Fiddle I fay :
Enter Fiddle.
Fid. Here's a fidling indeed, I thinke your tongue
be made of nothing but fiddle firings, I hope the fid
dle mud have fome reft as well as the fiddle-fticke :
well Crowde, what fay you to Fiddle now ?
Flower. Fiddle, it is a very good conceit
Fid. It is indeed, Mafter.
Flow. What doft thou meane 1
Fid. To goe to bed againe Sir.
Flow. No, Fiddle, that were no good conceit
Fiddle.
Fid. What a fiddling doe you keepe, are not you
amamde to make fuch muficke 1 I hope fir, you will
chriften me anew fhortly, for you have fo worne this
name, that ne're a wench in all the towne but will
fcorne to dance after my fiddle.
Flow. Well Fiddle, thou art an honeft fellow,
Fid. Thats more than you know Mafter.
Flow. He fweare for thee Fiddle.
Fid. Youle be damn'd then, Mafter.
Flow. I love thee Fiddle.
Fid. I had rather your daughter lov'd me.
Flow. Tis a rare conceit yfaith.
Fid. I hold with you Mafter, if my young mif-
treffe would like fo well of my muficke, that me would
22 The faire Maide
dance after no bodies inftrument but mine.
Flow. No Fiddle^ that were no good conceit.
Fid. A fhame on you, I thought you would not
heare on that fide.
Flow. Fiddle, thou toldft me, M. Golding was in
love with my daughter.
Fid. True, Mafler : therein you fay well.
Flow. And hee intreates me to meet him at the
ftarre in cheapfide to talke concerning the match.
Fid. True flill matter.
Flow. And I have fent for my neighbour M. Berry
to beare me company.
Fiddle. True, all this is moft naturall truth.
Flow. And now Fiddle, I am going on my way.
Fid. Nay, thats a lie, that hath marr'd all, was
your conceit fo tyred you could tell troth no longer ?
Flow. Why Fiddle, are we not going ?
Fid. No indeed fir, we are not, we Hand flill, your
conceit faild in that.
Flow. Fore God tis true, I am not ready yet :
what's he ?
Enter Bobbington.
Bob. By your leave fir, I would crave a word in
fecret fir.
Flow. At your pleafure, heres none but my man
Fiddle.
Fid. I fir, mafter Fiddle is my name, fir Laurence
Syro was my Father.
Bob. Sir, this is my bufmeffe, my name is Racket ;
I have a fhip of my owne upon the river.
Flow. By your leave fir, cap tain e Racket is your
name.
Bob. Some call me fo indeed fir.
Flow. It is a good conceit, I pray proceede.
Bob. Sir, I am now bound to fea, and wanting fome
mony for the better furnifhing of my wants.
Flow. 0, you would borrow mony of me.
of the Exchange. 23
Bob. Thats my fuite indeed.
Flow. Thats no good conceit.
Bob. Na, heare me fir : if you will fupply me
with ten pound till my returne from Barbary, I will
leave in your hands a diamond of greater value then
the mony.
Flow. A Diamond, is it a Diamond or but a couu-
terfet 1 fiddle, my fpeclacles.
Bob. Tis right, I amire you fir.
Flow. Then it is a good conceit : my fpec"lacles.
Fid. Here fir.
Flow. Where fir 1
fid. You cannot fee matter, but I can.
Fow. O tis good, it is a good conceit : well
fir, ten pound \
You are content if at three monthes end,
You bring me not ten pound in Englifh coine,
This diamond mail be my proper owne.
Bob. I am fir, mail I receive the money now ?
Flow. I, here it is, and 'tis a good conceit.
Will you come neere fir ? Fiddle, make him drinke.
Fiddle. Will you appoach cavaliero, if I fpeake
not in feafon, 'tis becaufe I was never in the fait coun
try, where you Sea Captaines ufe to march.
Bob. You are very eloquent fir, ile follow you.
Fiddle. Let me alone then for leading my men.
Exeunt Bobbington and Fiddle.
Flow. A diamond worth forty for ten pound,
If he returne not fafe from Barbary,
9 Tis good, a very good conceit.
Enter M. Berry.
Berry. By your leave Matter Flower.
Flow. Welcome good Matter Berry, I was bold to
intreate your company to fpeake with a friend of
mine,
It is fome trouble, but the conceit is good.
Berry. No trouble at all fir, mall we be going 1
24 The faire Maide
Flow. With all my heart fir, and as we goe,
He tell you my conceit, come Matter Berry. Exeunt.
Enter at one dore Cripple, at the other Bowdler.
Bowd. Well met my deere bundle of rew, well
met.
Crip. As much to thee my humorous bloffome.
Bowd. A plague on thee for a dog, have I found
thee ? I hate thee not, and yet by this hand I could
finde in my heart : but firra Crutch, I was encountred.
Crip. Who became your baile ?
Flow. Ye filthy dog, I was encountred by a
wench I fay.
Crip. In a wenches counter ! I thought no
lefle : what firra didft thou lie in the Knights ward,
or on the Matters fide ?
Bow. Neither, neither yfaith.
Crip. Where then, in the Hole ?
Bow. By this hand Cripple ile bombatte thee !
Crip. My crutch you meane for wearing out my
clothes.
Bow. Thy nofe dogge, thy nofe, a plague on thee,
I care not for thee, and yet I cannot choofe but love
thee.
Sirra, Matt Berry was heere about worke thou haft
of hers, hadtt thou been here to have heard, how I
fpurred the wench with incantations, thou wouldtt have
given me the praife for a jeafter.
Crip. True, Matter Bowdler, I yeeld it you, I hold
you for the abfolut'tt jetter; O mittake me not, I
meane, to jeft upon a jugling gull, a profound feeing
man of mallow wit, that Europe, nay the world I
thinke affords.
Bow. Well, thou art a Jew firra, Ile cut out that
venomous tongue of thine, one of thefe dayes.
Crip. Doe it in time, or ile crulh the heart of thy
wit till I have ftrain'd forth thy infectious humour to
a drop yfaith.
of the Exchange. 25
Enter Mall Berry.
Bow. Heere comes my amorous veffell, ile boord
her yfaith : Well encountred Mall, how doft thou
wench, how doft thou ]
Mall. What's that to you Sir 1
Bow. Why I aske thee in kindnefle.
Mall. Why then, in kindneffe, you are a foole for
asking.
Bow. Is the foole your livery ?
Mall. Not fo, for then you wearing that livery,
would terme your felfe my foole.
Bow. Meaning me 1 you gull me not, if you doe.
Mall. What then?
Bow. O vile ! I would take you downe.
Mall. Alas ! it wants wit, thy wit is too narrow.
Bow. Ile flretch my wit, but I will take you
downe.
Mall. How, upon the tenters ? indeed if the whole
peece were fo flretcht, and very well beaten with a
yard of reformation, no doubt it would grow to a
goodly breadth.
Bow. By this hand.
Mall. Away you affe, hinder not my bufmeffe.
Crip. Finely put off wench yfaith.
Mail. By your leave Mailer Drawer.
Crip. Welcome Miftris Berry, I have beene mind-
full of your worke.
Mall. Is it done ?
Crip. Yes, and heere it is.
Mall. Heere is your money.
Cripple, ere long ile vifit thee againe,
I have fome ruffes and ftomachers to draw.
Crip. At your pleafure.
Bow. By thy leave Mall, a word.
Mai. Away you bundle of nothing, away.
Exit Mall.
Crip. Shee hath a wit as fharpe as her needle.
26 The faire Maide
Bow. Alas, my felfe have beene her whetftone
with my conference in th' Exchange any time thefe
many yeeres.
Crip. In th' Exchange ! I have walk'd with thee
there, before the vifitation of my legs, and my ex-
pence in timber, at the lead a hundred times, and
never heard thae fpeak to a wench.
Bow. That's a lie, thou wert by, when I bought
thefe gloves of a wench.
Crip. That's true, they coft thee an Englifh mil
ling at a word, marry it followes in the text, that
your milling prov'd but a harper, and thou wert
mamefully arraign'd for it.
Bow. Good, but I excuf 'd my felfe.
Crip. True, that thou thoughtfl it had bin a
milling, marry thou hadil never an other, nor fo much
as a milling more to change it. Thou talke in th'
Exchange \
Bow. Indeed my beft gift is in the morning when
the maids vifit my chamber, with fuch neceffaries as I
ufually buy of them.
Crip. O thou art one of thofe, that if an honefl
Maid be fent to thy chamber with her Miftris goods,
and returne as honefl and chaft as the Moone :
Sirra, you are one of thofe that will flaunder the
poore wenches, by fpeaking liberally of their prone-
neffe to love; and withall, bragge how cheape you
have bought their ware metaphorically, when indeed
they depart as honefl as they came thither, and
leave you all the day after to figh at the fight of
an ill bargaine.
Bow. When wilt thou call off this ferpents tonge
of thine?
Crip* When wilt thou fpit out this anticke garment
of oflentation % doe it, doe it, or by the Lord I will
impreffe thy vanities, and fo anotomize the very bowels
of thy abfurdities, that all the world mall take notice
of thee for a foole, and fhunne thee as the pox or the
peflilence.
of the Exchange. 27
Enter Barnard.
Barn. Newes, newes, newes.
f>owd. Sweet rogue, what's the matter ?
Barn. By Jefu the rareil daunting in Chriften-
dome.
Bowd. Sweet rafcall, where 1 O doe not kill my
foule
With fuch delaies, tell me kind rogue, O tell me where
it is.
Bar. At a wedding in Gracious ftreet
Bowd. Come, come away, I long to fee the man
In daunting art that does more than I can.
Bar. Than you fir ! he lives not.
Bowd. Why I underftand thee fo.
Bar, You onely excepted, the world befides
Cannot afford more exquifite dauncers,
Than are now capring in the bridale houfe.
Bow. I will behold them, come crutch, thou malt
with us.
Crip. Not I.
Bow. Downe dogge, ile have thy company.
Crip. I have bufmeffe.
Bow. By this hand thou malt goe with us.
Crip. By this legge I will not,
Bow. A lame oathe, never Hand to that.
Crip. By this crutch but I will.
Bar. Come, you loofe time, fupper is done long
fmce,
And they are now a dauncing.
Enter Mafter Berry and Fiddle.
Ber. Stay Fiddle with thy torch, Gentlemen, good
eeven.
Barn. Mafter Berry \
Bow. Mafter Berry, I wifti you well fir : Mafter
Fiddle I am yours for a congee.
30 The faire Maide
doe this tricke of multiplication, I fhall fpeake the
better.
Ber. O, ther's another milling for thee, now let
me heare what villanies thou canfl charge the Cripple
with.
Fid. So, fir, this is multiplication, now fir, if you
know the Rule of addition you are an excellent
Scholler : can you not adde 1
Ber. What doft thou meane ?
Fid. An other milling fir.
Ber. There is another milling, now Fiddle fpeake.
Fid. Why then attend you Hilles and Dales, and
ftones fo quicke of hearing, this Cripple is.
All. What is he villaine ?
Fid. An honeft man, as any is in all the towne.
Ber. An honeft man !
Fid. I by this filver, and as good a fellow as ever
went upon foure legges, if you would multiply till
midnight, I would never fpeake otherwife.
Ber. Fiddle, thou art a knave, and fo is he :
Come let us home ; Barnard, looke to thy bond,
If thou breake thy day, I doe proteft,
By yon chafte Moone.
Fid. The chafte Moone, why? the Moone is not
chafte.
Ber. How prou'ft thou that ^
Fid. Why fir, ther's a man in the middle of her,
how can me be chafte then ?
Ber. Then by my life I fweare, ile clap him up
Where he fhall fee neither Sunne nor Moone,
Till 1 be fatisfied the utmoft penny,
And fo fare-well. Exit.
Fid. Gallants good-night ; if time and place were
in prosperity, I were yours for an houres fociety, I
muft after yon mulberry with my torch : adue deare
hearts, adue. Exit.
Bowd. Come Barnard, lets to the dancing, lets
tickle it to night
For to morrow thy heeles may be too heavie.
of the Exchange. 3 \
Bar. All's one ; my heart fhall be as light as fire.
Come, mail we goe ?
Bowd. Cripple will you along 1
Crip. My bufmeffe ftaies me heere.
Bowd. Farewell then dogge of Ifrael, farewell.
Exeunt.
Crip. Al's one, my heart (hall be as light as
fire :
Sblood, were I indebted a hundred pound,
My fortune faild, and fled as Barnards are,
Not worth a hundred pence as Barnards is :
I mould be now devifing fentences
And Caveats, for pofteritie to carve
Vpon the infide of the Counter wall :
Therefore ile now turne provident ; ile to my (hop
And fall to worke.
Enter Phillis.
Phil. Yonder's his mop, O now you gods above
Pittie poore Phillis heart, that melts in love ;
Inflrudl the Cripple to finde out my love,
Which I will fhadow under the conceit
Of my invention for this piece of worke ;
O teach him how to yeeld me love againe,
A little little love> a dramme of kind affection,
His many vertues are my true direction :
By your leave M. Drawer.
Crip. Welcome Miftrefle Flower, what's your
pleafure 1
Phil. My caufe of comming is not unknowne to
you,
Here is befpoken worke which muft needs be
wrought
With expedition, I pray have care of it ;
The refidue I referre to your direction :
Onely this handkercher, a young Gentlewoman,
Wifh'd me acquaint you with her mind herein :
In one corner of the fame, place wanton love,
32 The fair e Maide
Drawing his bow fhooting an amorous dart,
Oppofite againft him an arrow in a heart,
In a third corner, picture forth difdaine,
A cruell fate unto a loving vaine :
In the fourth draw a fpringing Laurell-tree,
Circled about with a ring of poefie : and thus it is :
Love wounds the heart, and conquers fell difdaine,
Love pitties love, feeing true love in paine :
Love feeing Love, how faithfull Love did breath,
At length impald Love with a Laurell wrtath.
Thus you have heard the Gentle-woman's mind,
I pray be carefull that it be well done :
And fo I leave you, more I faine would fay,
But fhame forbids, and cals me hence away. Exit.
Crip. Sweet faire, I pitty, yet no reliefe
Harbors within the clofet of my foule.
This Phillis beares me true affection,
But I detefl the humour of fond love :
Yet am I hourely folicited,
As now you fee, and faine me would make knowne
The true perplexion of her wounded heart :
But modefly checking her forwardneffe
Bids her be Hill j yet me in fimilies
And love-comparifons, like a good Scholler
By figures make a demonftration
Of the true love enclofed in her heart.
I know it well, yet will not tell her fo,
Fancie mail never marry me to woe j
Take this of me, a yong man's never mard,
Till he by marriage from all joy be bar'd. Exit.
Enter Franke finging.
Frank. Ye gods of Love that fit above, and pitty Lovers
paine,
Lookefrom your thrones upon the mones, that
I do nowfuftaine.
of the Exchange. 3 3
Was ever man thus tormented with love ?
Song. Ye little birds that fit andfing
Amidjl thejhady valley 'es,
And fee how Phillis fweet/y walkes
Within her Garden alley es ;
Goe pretty birds about her bowre,
Sing pretty birds Jhe may not lowre,
Ah me, me thinkes I fee her frowne,
Ye pretty wantons warble.
Goe tell her through your chirping bils,
As you by me are bidden,
To her is onely knowne my love.
Which from the world is hidden :
Goe pretty birds and tell her fo,
See that your notes Jlraine not too low,
Forjlill me thinkes I fee her frowne,
Ye pretty wantons warble.
Goe tune your voices harmony,
Andfing I am her Lover ;
Straine lowde andfweet, that every note,
Withfweet content may move her :
And Jhe that hath thefwteteft voyce,
Tell her I will not change my choyce,
Yetjlill me thinkes I fee her frowne,
Ye pretty wantons warble.
Ofly, make hafte, fee, fee, fhefalles
Into a pretty fiumber,
Sing round about her rofie bed
That waking Jhe may wonder,
Say to her, tis her lover true,
Thatfendeth love to you, to you :
And when you heare her kind reply,
Returne with pleafant warblings.
Avaunt delufion, thoughts cannot winne my love ;
Love, though divine, cannot divine my thoughts :
32 The faire Maide
Drawing his bow fhooting an amorous dart,
Oppofite againft him an arrow in a heart,
In a third corner, picture forth difdaine,
A cruell fate unto a loving vaine :
In the fourth draw a fpringing Laurell-tree,
Circled about with a ring of poefie : and thus it is :
Love wounds the heart, and conquers fell difdaine,
Love pitties love, feeing true love in paine :
Love feeing Love, how faithfull Love did breath,
At length impald Love with a Laurell wnath.
Thus you have heard the Gentle-woman's mind,
I pray be carefull that it be well done :
And fo I leave you, more I faine would fay,
But fhame forbids, and cals me hence away. Exit.
Crip. Sweet faire, I pitty, yet no reliefe
Harbors within the clofet of my foule.
This Phillis beares me true affection,
But I deteft the humour of fond love :
Yet am I hourely folicited,
As now you fee, and faine me would make knowne
The true perplexion of her wounded heart :
But modefly checking her forwardneffe
Bids her be flill ; yet me in fimilies
And love-comparifons, like a good Scholler
By figures make a demonflration
Of the true love enclofed in her heart.
I know it well, yet will not tell her fo,
Fancie mail never marry me to woe ;
Take this of me, a yong man's never mard,
Till he by marriage from all joy be bar\i. Exit.
Enter Franke fingi?ig.
Frank. Ye gods of Love that fit above, and pitty Lovers
paine,
Lookefrom your thrones upon the mones, that
I do nowfuflaine.
of the Exchange. 3 3
Was ever man thus tormented with love ?
Song. Ye little birds that fit andfing
Amid/I thejhady valley 'es,
And fee how Phillis fweetly walkes
Within her Garden alley es ;
Goe pretty birds about her bowre,
Sing pretty birds Jhe may not lowre,
Ah me, me thinkes I fee her frowne,
Ye pretty wantons warble.
Goe tell her through your chirping bils,
As you by me are bidden.
To her is onely knowne my love,
Which from the world is hidden :
Goe pretty birds and tell her fo,
See that your notes Jlraine not too low,
Forjlill me thinkes I fee her frowne,
Ye pretty wantons warble.
Goe tune your voices harmony,
Andfing I am her Lover \
Straine lowde andfweet, that every note,
Withfweet content may move her :
Andfhe that hath thefwtetejl voyce,
Tell her I will not change my choyce,
Yetftill me thinkes I fee her frowne,
Ye pretty wantons warble.
Ofly, make hajle, fee, fee, fhefalles
Into a pretty flumber,
Sing round about her rofie bed
That waking Jhe may wonder,
Say to her, tis her lover true,
That fendeth love to you, to you :
And when you heare her kind reply,
Returne with pleafant warblings.
Avaunt delufion, thoughts cannot winne my love ;
Love, though divine, cannot divine my thoughts :
34 The fair e Maide
Why to the aire then doe I idle here
Such heedleffe words farre off, and ne're the neere ;
Hie thee yong Franke, to her that keepes thy heart,
There let fweet words, thy fweeter thoughts impart.
But flay ; here comes my melancholly brothers both
He flep afide, and heare their conference. Exit aftde.
Anth. What ? is my brother Ferdinand fo neere ?
He is my elder, I muft needes give place ;
Anthony, Hand by, and lift what he doth fay,
Halle calles me hence, yet I will brooke delay.
Ferd. Shall I exclaime 'gainfl fortune and mifhap,
Or raile on Nature who firft framed me ?
Is it hard chance that keepes me from my love ?
Or is this heape of loath'd deformity,
The caufe that breeds a blemim in her eye 1
I know not what to thinke, or what to fay,
Onely one comfort yet I have in flore,
Which I will practife, though I ne're try more.
Anth. Oh, for to heare that comfort I doe long,
lie turne it to a ftraine to right my wrong.
Ferd. I have a brother rivall in my love ;
I have a brother hates me for my love ;
I have a brother vowes to winne my love \
That brother too, he hath incen'ft my love
To gaine the beauty of my deareil love ;
What hope remaines then to enjoy my love ?
Anth. I am that brother rivall in his love,
I am that brother hates him for his love ;
Not his but mine, and I will have that love,
Or never live to fee him kiffe my love ;
What thou er'fl faid, I am that man alone,
That will depofe your brother from loves throne ;
I am that man, though you my elder be,
That will afpire beyond you one degree.
Ferd. I have no meanes of private conference,
So narrowly purfues my hinderer,
No fooner am I entred the fweet court
Of lovely refl, my loves rich manfion,
But rivall love to my affection
of the Exchange. 35
Followes me, as a foone enforced flraw,
The drawing vertue of a fable jeat :
This therefore's my determination,
Within the clofe wombe of a fealed paper,
Will I write downe in bloody Characters,
The burning zeale of my affection :
And by fome trufly meffenger or other,
Convey the fame into my loves owne hand ;
So (hall I know her refolution,
And how fhe fancies my affecflion.
Anth. Yet fubtill Fox, I may perchance to croffe
you:
Brother, well met : whither away fo fafl ?
Ferd. About affaires that doe require fome hade.
Anth. 'Tis well done brother, you feeke flill for
gaine.
Ferd. But you would reape the harveft of my
paine :
Farewell good brother, I mufl needs be gone,
I have ferious bufmeffe now to thinke upon :
Yet for I feare my brother Anthony,
He ftep afide, and fland a while unfeene,
I may perchance difcry which way he goes ;
Thus policie mull worke twixt friends and foes. Afide.
Anth. So, he is gone, I fcarcely truft him neither ;
For 'tis his cuftome, like a fneaking foole,
To fetch a compaffe of a mile about,
And creepe where he would be ; well, let him paffe,
I heard him fay, that fmce by word of mouth
He could not purchafe his fweet Miftreffe favour,
He would endeavour what his wit might doe
By writing, and by tokens ; O 'tis good
Writing with inke ; O no, but with his blood.
Well, fo much for that, now I know his minde
I doe intend not to be farre behind :
Hee'l fend a letter, I will write another,
Doe what you can, ile be before you brother ;
He intercept his letter by the way,
And as lime ferves, the fame I will bewray :
D 2
36 The faire Maide
Mine being made, a porter ile procure,
That (hall convey that heart-inticing lure ;
About it then, my letter (hall be writ,
Though not with blood, yet with a reaching wit.
Ferd. And (hall it fo, good brother Anthony ?
Were you fo neere when we in fecret talk'd 1
Wilt ne're be otherwife ? will you dog me (lill ?
Enter Franke.
Welcome fweet Franke ; fuch newes I have to tell,
As cannot chufe but like thee paffmg well :
Thou knowft my love to Phillis ?
Frank. Brother, fay on.
Ferd. Thou likewife art acquainted with my rival!,
And I doe build upon your fecrecy.
Frank. Sblood, and I thought you did not, Ide
retire :
Brother you know, I love you as my life.
Ferd. I dare profeffe as much, and thereupon
Make bold to crave thy furtherance, in a thing
Concernes me much.
Frank. Out with it brother ;
If I fhrinke backe, repofe truft in fome other.
Ferd. Then thus it is ; my brother all in hade
Is gone, to write a letter to my love,
And thinkes thereby to croffe me in my fuite,
Sending it by a porter to her hand ;
If ever therefore thou wilt aid thy brother,
Helpe me in this, who feekes helpe from no other.
Frank. By the red lippe of that dainty faint, ile
aid thee all I may.
Ferd. It is enough ; then brother ile provide
A porters habit, alike in every point,
Will you but fo much humble your eftate,
To put your felfe in that fo bafe attire,
And like fo meane a perfon waite his comming,
About his doore which will not be o're long,
Thou (halt for ever bind me to thy love.
Frank. Brother, 'tis a bafe taske, by this light,
of the Exchange. 37
But to procure a further force of love,
He doo't, yfaith I will fweet Ferdinand,
About it then, provide thee fome difguife,
But fee you flay not long in any wife,
Heere mall you finde me, goe, difpatch.
Ferd. For this ile love thee everlaflingly.
Frank. Meane time ile croffe your love and if I
can
Heer's no villany twixt us three brothers :
My brother Ferdinand, he would have the wench,
And Anthony he hopes to have her too :
Then what may 1 1 Faith hope well, as they doe.
Neither of them know that I love the Maide ;
Yet by this hand I am halfe mad for love.
I know not well what love is, but 'tis fure,
Ile die if I have her not, therefore
Good brothers mine beguile you one another,
Till you be both gul'd by your younger brother.
Enter Ferdinand.
Here is a porters habite, on with it brother.
Frank. Your hand then brother, for to put it on.
So now 'tis well, come brother what's my taske ?
Ferd. This firft, that thou make haft to Anthonies,
Aske for a burden and thou malt be fure
To have his letter to my deare love Phillis,
Deliver it not, but keepe it to thy felfe,
Till thou haft given this paper to her hands.
Whofe lines doe intimate my chafte defires :
This is the fumme of all, good Franke, make hafte,
Love burnes in me, and I in love doe wafte. Exit.
Frank. Wafte ftill, but let me in my love increafe.
Now would not all the world take me for a porter ?
How ftrangely am I metamorphofed ?
And yet I need not be afhamed neither,
love when his love-fcapes he attempted ever
Transform' d himfelfe, yet ever fped in love,
Why may not I then in this ftrange difguife ?
38 The faire Maide
This habit may prove mighty in loves power,
As beail, or bird, bull, fwarme, or golden fhowre.
Enter Anthony.
Anth. Within the centre of this paper fquare ?
Have I wrote downe in bloudy characters,
A pretty poefie of a wounded heart,
Such is loves force once burft into a flame,
Doe what we can, we cannot quench the fame,
Vnleffe the teares of pitty move companion,
And fo quench out the fire of affection,
Whole burning force heates me in every vaine,
That I to Love for fafety muft complaine :
This is my Orator whofe dulcet tongue
Muft plead my love to beautious Phillis..
Now for a trufty meffenger to be
Imploy'd herein betwixt my love and me,
And in good time I fee a porter nie,
Come hither fellow, dwel'ft thou here about ?
Frank. Sir, my abiding is not far from hence
And trufty John men call me for my Name.
Anth. Canft thou be trufty then, and fecret too,
Being imploy'd in weighty bufmeffe ?
Frank. Sir, I was never yet difprov'd in either.
Anth. Then marke me well, in Cbrnhill by th*
Exchange,
Dwells an old Marchant, Flower they call his name,
He hath one onely daughter, to whofe hands,
If thou conveniently can' ft give this letter,
He pay thee well, make thee the happieft porter
That ever undertooke fuch bufmeffe.
Frank. Sir, give me your letter, if I doe it not r
Then let your promis'd favour be forgot.
Anth. Anthony Golding is my name, my friend,.
About it then, thy meffage being done,
Make hafte to me againe, till when, I leave thee.
Frank. And fo fare thee well loving brother,
It had beene better you had fent fonie other.
of the Exchange. 39
Let me confider what is beft be done,
Shall I deliver his letter ? No :
Shall I convey it to my rivall brother 1 Not fo :
Shall I teare the fame ? No not for a million :
What mall I then doe ? marry like a kind brother,
Open the booke, fee what is written there,
If nought but love, in love have thou a mare.
Brother, by your leave I hope you'l not deny,
But that I love you : God bleffe my eye-fight,
A Sonnet 'tis in verfe, now on my life
He hath perus'd all the impreffions
Of Sonnets fince the fall of Lucifer,
And made fome fcurvy quaint collection
Of fuflian phrafes, and uplandifh words.
A Letter.
FA ire glory of vertue, thy enamorate
Pleades loyally in pure affection,
Whofe paffionate Love doe thou exonerate,
And he (hall live by thy protection ;
Nor from thy love mail he once derogate,
For any foule under this horizon,
Yeeld thou to love, and I will faile in neither,
So love and truth mail alwayes live together.
Yours devoted, Anthony Golding.
Before God, excellent good Poetry,
Sbloud what meanes he by this line ?
For any foule under this horizon 2
No matter for this meaning, meane what he will,
I meane his meaning mall not be delivered,
But for my other truft my other letter,
That mall come fhort too of faire Phillis hands,
There is a Cripple dwelling here at hand,
That's very well acquainted with the Maide,
And for I once did refcue them from thieves,
Swore, if he liu'd,, he would requite that kindneffe,
4O The faire Maide
To him I will for counfell ; he fhall be,
My tutor by his wit and policie. Exit.
Enter Boy in a Shop, cutting up Jquare parchments,
to him enter Phillis.
PhiL Why, how now firra, can you finde nought to
doe,
But wafte the parchment in this idle fort ?
Boy. I doe but what my Miflris gave in charge.
PhiL Your Miflris ! in good time : then fir, it
feemes
Your duty cannot ftoope but to her lewre :
Sir, I will make you know, that in her abfence
You mall account to my demand, your Miftris
And your Miftris will is thus, and thus you'l doe :
But anfwer to the motion I have made,
Or you mall feele you have another Miftris now :
Speake, why then I fay 1
Boy. Indeed I know your glory,
Your pride's at full in this authority :
But, were it not for modeft bafhfulneffe,
And that I dread a bafe contentious name,
I would not be a by-word to th' Exchange,
For every one to fay (my felfe going by)
Yon goes a vaffall to authority.
Phil. You would not fir : had I the yeard in
hand,
Ide meafure your pate for this delufion,
And by my maiden chaftity I fweare,
Vnleffe She reaches for the yeard, and the boy flay es
her hand.
Boy. What unleffe ? I know your wilfulneffe,
Thefe words are but to mew the world your humour :
I often ufe to fquare thefe parchment pieces
Without occafion : I'm fure you are not writing,
The Lawnes you late bought of Mafter Brookes,
Are new come home, brought by the Merchants fer-
vant:
of the Exchange. 41
I know you are fhort membred, but not fo fhort
Of your remembrance, that this is newes to you.
Phil. Y'are befl to , brave me in a taunting
humour.
Wilt pleafe you ope the doore ? where's Vrfula ?
Oh here's good fluffe, my backe's no fooner turn'd
But me muft needs be gadding, and where I pray ?
Boy. Shees gone to M. Palmers on th' other fide.
Phil. On great occafions, fir, I doubt it not.
Sit and worke in thejhop.
Enter M. Richard Gardiner booted, and M. Wil
liam Bennet, two Gentlemen, at one end of the
Jlage.
Ben. Kinde Dicke, thou wilt not be unmindfull of
my duty
To that fame worthy Arts-mafler, Lyonell Barnes.
Gard. Thy love, fweet Will, hath chain'd it to my
memory.
Ben. Then with this kinde imbrace I take my
leave,
Wifhing thou wert as fafe arriv'd at Cambridge,
As thou art at thisprefent neere the Exchange,
Gard. And well remembred, kind Will Bennet,
Others affaires made me oblivious
Of mine owne ; I pray thee goe to the Exchange,
I have certaine bands, and other linnen to buy,
Prethee accompany me.
Ben. With all my heart.
Gard. Sure, this is a beauteous gallant walke ;
Were my continuall refidence in London,
I mould make much ufe of fuch a pleafure t
Me thinkes the glorious virgins of this fquare
Gives life to dead ftrucke youth Oh heavens !
Ben. Why, how now Dicke*\
Gard. By my fweet hopes of an hereafter blifle,
I never faw a fairer face than this :
42 The faire Maide
for acquaintance with fo rich a beauty.
Ben. Take thy occafion, never hadft thou better.
Gard. Have at her then.
Phil. What lacke you Gentlemen ]
Gard. Fayth nothing, had I thee.
For in thine eyes, all my defires I fee.
Phil. My mop you meane fir, there you may have
choice
Of Lawnes or Cambricks, Ruffes well wrought,
Shirts,
Fine falling bands, of the Italian cut-worke,
Ruffes for your hands, wafl-cotes wrought with filke,
Night-caps of gold, or fuch like wearing linnen,
Fit for the Chap-man of what e're degree.
Gard. Faith virgin, in my dayes, I have wome and
out-worn much,
Yea, many of thefe golden neceflaries j
But fuch a gallant beauty, or fuch forme
1 never faw, nor never wore the like :
Faith be not then unkinde, but let me weare
This fhape of thine, although I buy it deare.
Phil. What, hath the Tailor plaid his part fo well,
That with my gowne you are fo farre in love 1
Gard. Miflake not fweet, your garment is the
cover,
That vailes the fhape and pleafures of a lover.
Phil. That argues then, you doe not fee my
fliape,
How comes it then you are in love with it ?
Gard. A Garment made by cunning Artf-mens
skill,
Hides all defects that Natures fwarving hand
Hath done amiffe, and makes the fhape feeme pure ;
If then it grace fuch lame deformity,
It addes a greater grace to purity.
Phil. Oh fhort liv'd praife ! even now I was as
faire
As any thing ; now fouler nothing.
of the Exchange. 43,
Diflembling men, what maide will credit them 1
Gard. How, mif-conftru(5lion leades your thoughts
awry.
Ben. I prethee Dicke adone : thinke on thy jour
ney.
Phil. You counfell well fir, I thinke the Gentle
man
Comes but to whet his wit, and 'tis but need ;
'Tis blunt enough, he may ride farre upon't.
Gard. Mary gip Minx.
Phil. A fine word in a Gentlemans mouth ;
'Twere good your backe were towards me,
There can I reade better content, then in the face of
toft.
Gard. Now you difplay your vertues, as they are.
Phil. What am I, you Cipher, parenthefis of
words,
Stall-troubler, prater, what fit I here for nought 1
Bellow your luftfull court-mi ps on your minions,
This place holds none ; you and your companion,
Get you downe the flaires, or I proteil
He make this fquared walke to hot for you.
Had you beene as you feem'd in out-ward mew,
Honefl Gentlemen, fuch termes of vilde abufe
Had not beene proffred to virginity \
But Swaines will quickly mew their bafe defcent.
Gard. This is no place for brawles, but if it
were,
Your impofitions are more than I would beare.
Ben. Come, (hee's a woman, I prethee leave
her. Exeunt Gard. and Ben.
Phil. Nay, fure a maid, unleffe her thoughts de-
ceive her.
God fpeed you well : firra boy.
Boy. Anon.
Phil. Goe to the Starchers for the fuite of ruffes,
For M. Bowdlers bands, and M. Goldings fhirts,
Lets have a care to pleafe our proved friends :
As for our ftrangers, if they ufe us well,
44 The faire Maide
For love and money, love and ware wee'le fell.
Exeunt*
Enter Franke. The Cripple at worke.
Frank. Now fortune be my guide, this is the
mop :
And in good time the Cripple is at worke :
God fpeed you fir.
Crip. Welcome honefl friend j what's thy will with
me 7
Frank. I would entreat you read a letter for me.
Crip. With all my heart :
I know the maide to whom it is direcfted.
Frank. I know you doe Cripple, better then you
thinke.
Crip. I pray you, what Gentleman writ the
fame 1
Frank. Sir, a Gentleman of good learning, and my
friend,
To fay the truth, 'twas written for my felfe,
Being fomewhat overtaken with fond love,
As many men be fir.
Crip. Why art thou perfwaded, or haft thou any
hope,
So beautifull a virgin as me is,
Of fuch faire parentage, fo vertuous,
So gentle, kinde, and wife as Phillis is,
That me will take remorfe of fuch bafe fturfe,
I thinke not fo : but let me fee, what's thy name.
Frank. Trudy lohn men call me fir.
Crip. How comes it then your blinded Secretary,
Hath writ another name unto the letter?
Yours devoted Anthony Golding.
But fure this letter is no right of thine,
Either thou foundft the fame by happy chance,
Or being employed as a Meffenger,
Plaid'ft legerdemaine with him that fent the fame :
Wherefore the mayd (well knowne unto my felfe)
of the Exchange. 45
I will referve the letter to her life,
That fhe, if by the name herein fet downe,
She know the Gentleman that doth wifh her well,
She may be gratefull for his courtefie.
Frank. Nay then I fee I muft difclofe rny felfe :
Sir, might 1 build upon your fecrecy,
I would difclofe a fecret of import.
Crip. Affure thy felfe I will not injure thee.
Frank. Then Cripple know, I am not what I
feeme,
But tooke this habit to deceive my friend :
My friend indeed, but yet my cruell foe ;
Foe to my good, my friend in outward mow :
I am no porter, as I feeme to be,
But yonger brother to that Anthony ;
And to be briefe, I am in love with Phillis,
Which my two elder brothers doe affect ;
The one of them feekes to defeat the other :
Now if that I, being their younger brother
Could gull them both by getting of the wench,
I would requite it with loves recompence.
Cripple, thou once didft promife me thy love,
When I did refcue thee in Mile-end Greene,
Now is the time, now let me have thy ayd,
To gull my brothers of that beautious maide.
Crip. Sir, what I promis'd I will now performe ;
My love is yours, my life to doe you good,
Which to approve, follow me but in all,
Wee'l gull your brothers in the wench, and all.
Frank. Saifl thou me fo friend, for that very
word
My life is thine, command my hand and fword.
Crip. Then let me fee this letter ; it mould feeme
You under-tooke to carry it from your brother
To the maide.
Frank. I did, and from my brother Ferdinand,
This other letter to the fame effea.
Crip. Well, lift to me, and follow my advife,
You mail deliver neither of them both ;
4 6 The faire Maide
But frame two letters of your owne invention,
Letters of flat deniall to their fuites,
Give them to both your brothers as from Phillis,
And let each line in either letter tend
To the difpraife of both their features ;
And the conclufion I would have fet downe,
A flat refolve bound with fome zealous oath,
Never to yeeld to eyhter of their futes ;
And if this fort not well to your content,
Condemne the Cripple.
Frank. But this will aske much time,
And they by this time looke for my returne.
Crip. Why then my felfe will fit you prefently,
I have the coppies in my cuflody,
Of fundry Letters to the fame effect.
Frank. Of thy owne writing ?
Crip. My owne, I affure you, fir.
Frank. Faith thou haft rob'd fome Sonnet booke
or other,
And now wouldfl make me thinke they are thine
owne.
Crip. What think'fl thou that I cannot write a
letter,
Ditty, or Sonnet with judiciall phrafe,
As pretty, pleafmg, and patheticall,
As the beft (9w#-imitating dunce
In all the towne?
Frank. I think thou canft not.
Crip. Yes, ile fweare I cannot.
Yet firra, I could conny-catch the world,
Make my felfe famous for a fodaine wit,
And be admir'd for my dexterity,
Were I difpos'd.
Frank. I prethee how ?
Crip. Why thus, there liv'd a Poet in this towne,
(If we may terme our moderne Writers Poets)
Sharp-witted, bitter-tongu'd, his penne of fteele,
His inke was temper'd with the biting juyce,
And extracts of the bittrefl weeds that grew,
of the Exchange. 47
He never wrought but when the elements
Of Fire and Water tilted in his braine :
This fellow ready to give up his Gh oft
To Luciaes bofome, did bequeathe to me
His Library, which was jufl nothing,
But rolles, and fcrolles, and bundles of caft wit,
Such as durft never vifit Pauls Church-yard :
Amongft them all, I happened on a quire
Or two of paper fill'd with Songs and Ditties,
And here and there a hungry Epigram,
Thefe I referve to my owne proper ufe,
And Pater-nofler-like have kon'd them all.
I could now when I am in company,
At alehoufe, taverne, or an ordinary,
Vpon a theame make an extemporall Ditty,
(Or one at leaft mould feeme extemporall)
Out of th'aboundance of this Legacy,
That all would judge it, and report it too,
To be the infant of a fudaine wit,
And then were I an admirable fellow.
Frank. This were a piece of cunning.
Crip. I could doe more, for I could make en
quiry
Where the beft-witted gallants ufe to dine,
Follow them to the taverne, and there fit
In the next roome with a calves head and brim-
ftone,
And over-heare their talke, obferve their humours,
Collect their jeafts, put them into play,
And tire them too with payment to behold
What I have filcht from them. This I could doe :
But O for fhame that men mould fo arraigne
Their owne feefimple wits, for verball theft !
Yet men there be that have done this and that,
And more by much more than the mofl of them.
Frank. But to our purpofe Cripple, to thefe letters.
Crip. I have them ready for you, heere they be,
Give thefe to your two brothers, fay that Phillis
Delivered them with frownes, and though her name
48 The faire Maide
Be not fubfcrib'd (which may not well be done)
It may perhaps give them occafion
To thinke me fcorn'd them fo much grace and favour.
This done, returne to me, and let me know
Th' occurrants of this prac~life as they grow,
And fo farewell, I can no longer ftand
To talke with you, I have fome worke in hand. Exit.
Frank. Farewell mad Cripple, now Franke Golding
flie,
To put in practife this new pollicy :
But foft, here comes the Maide, I will aflay
Enter Phillis and Fiddle.
To plead my owne love by a flranger way,
By your leave fir.
Fid. Porter, I am not for you, you fee I am per
ambulating before a female.
Frank. I would crave but a word with you.
Fid. Speake in time then porter, for otherwife
I doe not love to anfwer you, and be as briefe as you
can, good porter.
Frank. I pray you fir, what Gentlewoman is this ?
Fiddle. Certes Porter, I ferve a Gentleman, that
Gentleman is father to this Gentlewoman, this Gentle
woman is a maide, this maide is faire, and this faire
maide belongeth to the Exchange, and the Exchange
hath not the like faire maide : now porter, put all this
together, and tell me what it fpels.
Frank. I promife you fir, you have pos'd me.
Fid. Then you are an affe porter, 'tis t/ie faire
M ay d of the Exchange.
Frank. Her name I pray you fir.
Fiddle. Her name porter requires much poeticality
in the fubfcription, and no leffe judgement in the
underflanding ; her name is Phillis,
Not Phillis that fame dainty laffe
That was beloved of Amintas ;
Nor Phillis, me that doated on
of the Exchange. 49
The comely youth Demophoon '>
But this is Phillis, that mofl ftrange
Phillis, the flower of the Exchange.
Phil. What, would that porter any thing with
me 1
Frank. Yes Miflris, fmce by chance I meete you
heere,
He tell you, though it not concernes my felfe,
What I this morning faw ; there is a Gentleman
One Mailer Golding, the youngefl of three brothers,
They call him Franke ; O this man lies very ficke,
I being at his houfe perchance enquired
What his difeafe was of a fervant there,
Who faid, the Doctors cannot tell themfelves,
But in his fittes he ever calles on Love,
And prayes to Love for pitty, and then names
you,
And then names Love againe, and then calles
Phillis,
And fometimes ftarts, and would forfake his bed,
And being ask'd whither, he fayes he would goe to
Phittis,
My bufmeffe call'd me hence, but I heard fay
His friends doe meane to intreate you to take the
paines
To vifit him, becaufe they doe fuppofe,
The ficke man loves you, and thence his fickneffe
growes.
Phil. Porter is this true ?
Or art thou hired to this, I prethee tell me.
Frank. Miflris, not hired, my name is trufty
John,
If I delude you never truft me more.
Phil. I thanke thee porter, and thanke Love
withall,
That thus hath wrought the tyrant Goldings fall,
He once fcorn'd Love, jeafled at wounded hearts,
Challeng'd almighty beauty, rail'd at paffion,
And is he now caught by the eyes and heart ?
50 The fair e Maide
Now by Dianaes milke-white vaile I fweare,
The goddeffe of my maiden chafte defires,
I am as glad of it as glad may be,
And I will fee him, if but to laugh at him,
And torture him with jeafts ; Fiddle, along,
When we returne, if they do fend for me,
He arm my felfe with flouts and cruelty.
Fiddle. Porter, we commit you, if you be a crafty
knave, and lay in the winde for a vantage, you have
your anfwere : marke her laft words, He arme my felfe
with floutes and cruelty. Exeunt.
Frank. He arme my felfe with floutes and cruelty.
Will you fo Phillis, what a ilate am I in ?
Why, I of all am furthefl from her love :
Sbloud, if I now mould take conceit at this,
Fall ficke with love indeed, were not my ftate
Moil lamentable ? I by this hand were it :
Well heart, if thou wilt yeeld, looke to thy felfe,
Thou wilt be tortur'd, well what remedy.
Enter Anthonie.
Here comes my brother Anthony, I am for him.
Anth. Porter, what newes ? fpake you with
Phillis 1.
Frank. I, too late, to my griefe,
Spoke with her fir, yfaith I thinke I have ;
Heer's a letter for you, and by that
You mail be judge if I did fpeake with her ;
Now cripple, mail we prove your learned wit ?
Anth. Zounds am I mad, or is fhe mad that writ
this?
He read it or'e againe.
A Letter.
Sir, I did never like you, I doe not now thinke wdl
of you, and I will never love you : I choofe my
husband with my eyes, and I have feene fome efpeciail
fault in you ; as the colour of your haire, the elevating
of the Exchange. 5 1
of your head, to an affetted proportion, as ifyoufaintea
for want of air e, and flood in that manner to fucke it
into your nofe, your necke is too long : and to bejhort,
I like no part in or about you : and the fhort and the
long boy, is, that / will never love you, and I will never
marry but one I love. *
Not yours, but her owne.
Anth. Blanck, I am ftruck blank, and blind, and
mad withall,
Heere is a flat denyall to my fuite,
A refolution never to be wonne :
What mall I doe ? affift me god of love,
Inftrucl me in thy fchoole-trickes ; be my guide
Out of this labyrinth of love and feare,
Vnto the pallace of faire Phillis favour :
I have it ; I will intimate her mother
In my behalfe, with letters and with gifts,
To her ile write to be my advocate :
Porter farewell, ther's for thy paines,
Thy profit by this toyle paffeth my gaines. Exit.
Frank. You have your anfwer, and a kind one
too ;
Cripple ile make thee crutches of pure filver
For this devife, thou haft a golden wit :
Now if my brother Ferdinand were here
To read his abfolution, here he comes.
Enter Ferdinand*
Brother.
Ferd. Franke.
What haft thou given the letter to her hand,
And ftai'd my brother Anthonies withall 1
Frank. I have done both, and more then that,
behold
Here is an anfwere to your letter brother.
Ferd. Franke, I will love thee, whiles I live for this.
Frank. Scarce, when you read what there con
tained is.
E 2
5 2 The faire Maide
A Letter.
GAllant, that write for love, if you had come your
felfe you might perchance have fped \ I doe
not counfell you neither, to come your jelfe, unleffe
you leave your head at home, or weare a vizard,
or come back-wards, for 1 never looke you in the face but
lamficke : and fo praying God to continue my health ,
by keeping you from me, 1 leave you.
Ferd. O unkind anfwere to a Lovers letter ;
Let me furvay the end once more :
For I never looke you in the face but lamficke : and
fo praying God to continue me in health, by keeping you
from me.
Is fhee fo farre from yeelding ? is this fort
Of her chafte love yet fo impregnable ?
What (hall I doe ? this is the furthefl way,
A labour of impoffibilities,
This way to winne her : I will once againe,
Challenge the promife that her father made me ;
To him ile write, and he I know will pleade
My love to Phillis, and fo winne the maide. Exit.
Frank. Farewell poore tortur'd heart; was ever
knowne
Two loving brothers in fuch mifery ?
Let me confider of my owne eftate :
What profit doe I reape by this delufion ?
Why none ; I am as farre from Phillis heart
As when me firft did wound me with her eyes :
Cripple, to thee I come, 'tis thou mud be
My counfellor in this extreamity. Exit.
Enter Cripple, Bowdler, a?id Barnard.
Crip. Sirra Bowdler, what makes thee in this
merry vaine 1
Bow. O Lord fir, it is your mofl elevated humour
of the Exchange. 53
to be merry, to be concife, fet up the coller, and
looke thus with a double chin, like Diogenes peering
over his Tub, is too cynicall, the figne of Melan-
cholly, and indeed, the meere effect of a fait
rheume.
Crip. Who would thinke this Gentleman yefter-
daies diflemperature fhould breed fuch motions ? I
thinke it be reftorative to activity, I never faw a
Gentleman caper fo excellent, as he did lafl night.
Bow. Meane you me fir 1
Crip. Your owne felfe, by this hand.
Bow. You gull me not ?
Crip. How, gull you !
Me thinkes a man fo well reputed of,
So well commended for your qualities
In Schooles of nimble acliveneffe,
And places where divinefl Quirrifters
Warble inchanting harmony, to fuch
As thinke there is no heauen on earth but theirs ;
And knowing your felfe to be the Genius
Of the fpectators, and the audience hearts
You wrong your worthy felfe intolerably,
To thinke our words favour of flattery.
Bowd. Sirra dogge, how didfl thou like my lafl
caper, and turne a the toe $
Crip. Before God paffing well
Barn. I know his worfhip mad it, 'tis fo ex
cellent.
Bowd. It was my yeflerdayes exercife.
Crip. After the working of your purgation, was it
not?
Bow. What purgation, you filthy curre ?
Crip. After the purging of your braine Sir.
Bow. Be flill dog, barke not, though by mif-
fortune
I was lafl night fomewhat diflempered :
I will not be upbraided ; 'twas no more
But to refine my wit ; but tell me truly,
How dofl thou like my caper 2
54
The fair e Maide
Crip. Farre better than I can commend it.
Bow. Now as I am a Gentleman
My Tutor was not witting of the fame ;
And in my opinion 'twill doe excellent :
this aire ! heer's a mofl eloquious aire for the
memory,
1 could fpend the third part of my Armes in filver,
To be encountred by fome good wit or other.
Crip. What fay you to your fweet heart, Mall
Berry 1
Bow. Peace Cripple, filence, name her not, I
could not indure the carreir of her wit for a million,
me is the onely foe-Mercury under the heavens ; her
wit is all fpirit, that fpirit fire, that fire flies from her
tongue, able to burne the radix of the befl invention \
in this element ihe is theabftrac~l and briefe of all the
eloquence fince the incarnation of Tully : I tell thee
Cripple, I had rather encounter Hercules with blowes,
than Mall Berry with words : And yet by this light
I am horribly in love with her.
Crip.
Bow.
rufli.
Barn.
Crip.
Bow.
Enter Mall Berry.
See where ihe commes, O excellent !
Now have I no more bloud than a
bul-
Hotv now, what aile you fir 1
What's the matter man ?
See, fee, that glorious angell doth approach,
What mail I doe ?
Crip* She is a faint indeed ; Zounds to her, court
her, win her, weare her, wed her, and bed her too.
Bow. I would it were come to that : I win her !
by heaven, I am not furnifh'd of a courting phrafe, to
throw at a dogge.
Crip. Why no, but at a woman you have ; O fir,
feeme not fo doultifh now, can you make no fuflian ^
aske her if lhee'1 take a pipe of Tobacco.
of the Exchange. 5 5
Bow. It will offend her judgement, pardon me.
Crip. But heare you fir \ reading fo much as you
have done,
Doe you not remember one pretty phrafe,
To fcale the walls of a fair wenches love ?
Bow. I never read any thing but Venus and
Adonis.
Crip. Why that's the very quinteffence of love,
If you remember but a verfe or two,
He pawne my head, goods, lands, and all 'twill doe.
Bow. Why then have at her.
Fondling I fay, fince I have hem'd thee heere,
Within the circle of this ivory pale,
He be a parke.
Mall. Hands off, fond fir.
Bow. And thou malt be my deere ;
Feed thou on me, and I will feed on thee,
And love mail feed us both.
Mall. Feed you on woodcocks, I can fafl awhile.
Bow. Vouchfafe thou wonder to alight thy fleed.
Crip. Take heed, fhees not on horfebacke.
Bow. Why then me is alighted,
Come fit thee downe where never ferpent hiffes,
And being fet ile fmother thee with kiffes.
Mall. Why is your breath fo hot ? now God
forbid
I mould buy kiffes to be fmothered.
Bow. Meane you me ? you gull me not 1
Mall. No, no, poore Bowdler> thou dofl gull thy
felfe :
Thus mufl I doe to fhadow the hid fire,
That in my heart doth burne with hot defire :
I doe love him well what e're I fay,
Yet will I not my felfe felfe-love bewray,
If he be wife hee'l fue with good take heed :
Bowdler, doe fo, and thou art fure to fpeed ;
1 will flie hence to make his love the ftronger,
Though my affeclion mufl lie hid the longer.
5 6 The faire Maide
What Matter Bowdler, not a word to fay? Exit.
Bow. No by my troth, if you flay here all day.
Mall. Why then ile beare the bucklers hence
away.
Crip. What Matter Bawdier, have you let her
pafie unconquer'd 1
Bow. Why what could I doe more ? I look'd upon
her with judgement, the firings of my tongue were
well in tune, my embraces were in good meaiure, my
palme of a good conttitution, onely the phrafe was not
moving ; as for example, Venus her felfe with all her
skill could not winne Adonis, with the fame words ;
O heavens ! was I fo fond then to think that I could
conquer Mall Berry 1 O the naturall fluence of my
owne wit had beene farre better !
Good e'ne good fellow.
Enter Fiddle.
Fid. God give you the time of the day, pardon
gallants, I was fo neere the middle that I knew not
which hand to take.
Bow. A very good conceit.
Fid. And yet becaufe I will be fure to give you a
true falutation, Cripple, quomodo vales 1 Good mor
row Cripple, good e'ne good Matter Barnard, Matter
Bowdler, Bonos noches, as they fay, good night ; and
thus you have heard my manner of falutation.
Crip* You are very eloquent, fir ; but Fiddle,
what's the bett newes abroad 1
Fid. The beft newes I know not fir, but the new-
ett newes is mott excellent yfaith.
Bar. Prethee lets heare it.
Fid. Why this it is, the Serjeants are watching to
arrett you at Matter Berries fute.
Barn. Wounds, where 1
Fid. Nay, I know not where ; alas fir, there is no
fuch matter, I did but fay fo much, to make you warme
of the Exchange. 57
the handle of your rapier : But M. Bawdier, I have
good newes for you.
Bow. Let me heare it, my fweet ruffeting.
Fid. How, ruffeting 1
Bow. I my little apple-John.
Fid. You are a
Bow. A what ?
Fid. You are a, O that I could fpeake for in
dignation !
Bow. Nay, what am I ?
Fid. You are a pippinmonger to call me Ruffetting
or apple-John.
Bowd. Sirra Ruffetting, ile pare your head off.
Fid. You pippinmonger, lie cut off your legs,
and make you travell fo neere the mother earth, that
every boy mall be high enough to fteale apples out
of thy basket, call me ruffetting 1
Crip. Nay, be friends, be friends.
Fid. As I am a gentleman Cripple, I meant him
noharme, but the name of Ruffetting to Wafts* Fiddle,
that many times travels under the arme in Velvet, but
for the mofl part in leather trufs'd with calve-skinne
points, 'tis mofl tolerable, and not to be endured,
flefh and bloud cannot beare it.
Crip. Come, come, all fhall be well.
Bowd. Fiddle, give me thy hand, a plague on thee,
thou knowft I love thee.
Fid. Say you fo 1 why then anger avoid the roome,
melancholy march away, choler to the next chamber,
and heer's my hand I am yours to command from this
time forth, your very mortall friend, and loving enemy,
mafter iddle.
Bow. Now tell us, what is the newes you had for
me?
Fid. O, the fweet newes, faith fir, this it is, that I
was fent to the Cripple from my young Miftris. Mafter
Cripple you. know I have fpent fome time in idle words,
therefore be you compendious, and tell me if my
Miftris handkercher be done or no.
58 The fair e Maide
Crip. Fiddle 'tis done, and peace it is, commend
me to thy Miflris.
Fid. After the moft humble manner I will ; and
fo gentlemen I commit you all : you Cripple to your
mop ; you fir, to a turn-up and dim of capers ; and
laftly you M. Barnard, to the tuition of the Counter-
keeper : there's an item for you, and fo farewell.
Exit.
Crip. M. Bawdier, how do you like his humour ?
Bow. By this light, I had not thought the clod
had had fo nimble a fpirit : but Cripple farewell, He
to Mall Berry, come Barnard along with me.
Crip. Farewell fweet Signiors both, farewell, fare
well. Exeunt.
Enter M. Flower at one do ore reading a letter
from Ferdinand, at the other Miftris Flower,
with a letter from Anthony.
Ma. Flow. The conceit is good, Ferdinand in-
treats a marriage with my daughter : good, very good :
for he is a Gentleman of good carriage, a wife man,
a rich man, a carefull man, and therefore worthy of
my daughters love : it (hall be fo.
Mif. Flow. Mary and mall, kind Gentleman, my
furtherance faifl thou ? Yes Anthony, affure thy
felfe, for by the motherly care that I beare to my
daughter, it hath beene a defire that long hath lodg'd
within my carefull breaft, to match her with thy
well-deferving felfe ; and to this end have I fent for
my daughter, and charg'd my fervants, that prefently
upon her repaire hither from her Miflriffes, that me en
ter this private walke ; where, and with whom, I
will fo worke, that doubt it not, dear fonne, but me
(hall be thine.
Ma. Flow. And I will make her joyndlure of a
hundred pounds by yeare : it is a very good conceit,
and why? becaufe the worthy portion betters my
conceit, which being good in conceiving well of the
of the Exchange. 59
Gentlemans good parts, the proffered joyndlure addes
to my conceit, and betters it ; very good.
Mi. Flow. A thoufand crownes for you to make
the match pretty heart, how love can worke ! by Gods
bleft mother, I vow me mail be thine, if I have inte-
refl in my daughter ; but flay, whom have I efpied 1
Slower f miles reading the Letter, they
f natch the Letter from each other.
my husband likewife reading of a Letter ; and in fo
good an humour, ile lay my life, good Gentleman he
hath alfo wrought with him for his good will ; and for
I long to know the truth thereof, my fodaine purpofe
fhall experience it. What's here husband *{
She reads privately and frownes :
a Letter from Matter Ferdinand, to intreate a mar
riage with your daughter.
Ma. Flow. And here the like to you from Anthony
to that effecl, this is no good conceit, if me be mine,
fhee mail bee Ferdinands.
Mi. Flow. If me refpec~t her mothers favour,
'Tis Anthony fhall be her love.
Ma. Flow. How wife 1
Mi. Flow. Even fo husband.
Maf. Flo. You will not crofle my purpofe, will
you?
Mif. Flo. In this you fhall not bridle me I
fweare.
Maf. Flo. Is fhee not my daughter %
Mif. Flo. You teach me husband, what your wife
mould fay.
I thinke her life is dearefL unto me,
Though you forget the long extreamity,
And paine which I indur'd, when forth this wombe
With much a doe me did enjoy the life me now doth
breathe,
And mail I now fuffer her deftruaion 1
Maf. Flo. Yea, but conceit me wife.
Mif. Flo. A figge for your conceits, in this I know
there can be none that :
60 The faire Maide
Say he be his fathers eldeft fonne, and a Merchant of
good wealth,
Yet my deare Anthonids as rich as he :
What though his portion was but fmall at firft,
His induftry hath now increas'd his talent ;
And he that knoweth the getting of a penny.
Will feare to fpend, fhe fhall have him, if any.
Maf. Flo. By the Mary God wife, you vex me.
Mif. Flo, 'Tis you owne impatience, you may
chufe.
Maf. Flo. I will not wed my daughter to that An
thony.
Mif. Flo. By this.
Mif. Flo. Hold wife, hold, I advife thee fweare
not,
For by him that made me, firfl I vow,
Shee mail not touch the bed of Anthony,
Mif. Flow. And may I never live (fo God me
help)
If ever fhe be wed to Ferdinand.
Maf. Flo. The divel's in this woman , how fhe
thwarts me ftill !
Mif. Flo. Fret on, good husband, I will have my
will.
Maf. Flo. Bat conceit me wife, fuppofe we mould
confent our daughter mould wed either of them
both, and me diflike the match, were that a good
conceit ?
Mif. Flo. All's one for that, I know my daughters
minde, if I but fay the word,
Maf. Flo. I would be loath to wed her againil her
will,
Content thee wife, wee'l heare her refolution,
And as I finde her, to her owne content
To either of them fhe fhall have my confent.
Mif. Flow. Why now old Flower fpeaketh like
himfelfe.
Ma. Flow. Agreed, and faith wife 'tis a good
conceit.
of the Exchange. 6 1
Enter Phittis.
And fee where my daughter comes : welcome girle,
How doth your Miflris Phillis '{ God bleffe thee Phillis,
rife.
Phil. God have the glory, in perfect health me is.
Maf. Flow. 'Tis good, I am glad me doth fo
well :
But lift my daughter, I have golden newes
To impart unto thee :
A golden Golding, wench, mull be thy hushand,
Is't not a good conceit ?
Phil. Father, I underfland you not.
Maf. Flow. Then, my Girle, thy conceit is very
mallow,
Mailer Ferdinand Golding is in love with thee.
Mif. Flow. No daughter, 'tis thine Anhony.
Maf. Flow. Ferdinand is rich, for he hath ftore of
gold,
Mif' Flow. Anthony is rich, yet is he not fo old.
Maf. Flow. Ferdinand is vertuous, full of mo-
defly.
Mif. Flow. Anthony's more gracious, if more may
be.
Maf. Flow. Ferdinand is wife (being wife) who
would not love him.
Mif. Flo. Anthony more wife, then girle defire to
prove him.
Maf. Flo. In Ferdinand is all the beauty that may
be.
Mif. Flo. He is deceived, 'tis in thine Anthony.
Phil Deare parents, you confound me with your
words,
I pray what meane thefe hot perfwafions 1
Maf. Flow. Thy good, my daughter.
Mif. Flo. If but rulde by me.
Maf. Flo. But for thy ill-fare.
Mif. Flo. If me tend to thee.
62 The faire Maide
Maf. Flo. The truth is this, that each of us hath
tane
A folemne vow, that thou my loving daughter
Shalt wed with one of thofe two gentlemen :
But yet referre the choice unto thy felfe,
One thou malt love, love Ferdinand, if me.
Mif. Flo. If love thy mother, love thine An
thony.
Phil. In thefe extreames what mall become of
me?
I pray you give me refpite to confider
How to digefl thefe impofitions,
You have impos'd a bufmeffe of fuch weight,
Pray God your daughter may difcharge her felfe.
Maf. Flo. Thinke on't, my girle, we will withdraw
awhile.
Phil. A little refpite fits my refolution,
They walke.
Thofe Gentles fue too late, there is another,
Of better worth, though not of halfe their wealth,
What though deform'd, his vertue mends that
miffe :
What though not rich, his wit doth better gold,
And my eftate doth adde unto his wants,
I am refolv'd (good father, and deare mother,)
Phillis doth choofe a Cripple, and none other;
But yet I muft diffemble.
Ma. Flo. How now my foules beft hope ! tell me,
my girle,
Shall Ferdinand be he ?
Phil. I pray a word in private.
Ma. Flow. Marry with all my heart.
Phil. In all the duty that a childe can mow,
The love that to a father it doth owe ;
I yeeld my felfe to be at your command,
And vow to wed no man but Ferdinand,
But if you pleafe, at your departure hence,
You may enforce diflike to cloud your brow,
To avoide my mothers anger and fufpition.
of the Exchange. 63
M. Flo. Before God a very good conceit,
Hence baggage, out of my fight,
Come not within my doores, thou hadft been
better,
Runne millions of miles bare-footed, then
Thus by your coy difdaine to have deluded me.
Oh mine owne flefh and blood, the mirror ot
wit !
Now will I hence, and with all fpeed I may
Send for my fonne, ile have it done this day.
Exit old Flow.
Mif. Flow. What, is he gone ? and in fo hot a
chafe 1
Well let him goe, I need not queftion why,
For well I wot, his fute is cold, 't mufl die.
Daughter, I gather by thy pleafant fmiles,
Thy mother hath more interefl in thy love,
Than difcontented Flower thy aged father.
Phil. Mother, you have, for when I well con-
fider
A mothers care unto her deare bought childe,
How tenderly you nurs'd and brought me up,
I could not be fo much unnaturall
As to refufe the love you proffer me,
Efpecially being for my chiefeft good ;
Therefore when married I intend to be,
My loyall husband mail be Anthony.
Mif. Flo. Live ever then my deere deere daughter
Phillis,
Let me imbrace thee in a mothers armes ;
Thus, thus, and thus ile ever hugge my daughter,
Him hence thou fend'fl with frownes, me hence with
laughter,
Come PMllis, let us in.
Exit Mi/Iris Flower.
Phil. Forfooth ile follow you.
Am not I a good childe thinke you,
To play with both hands thus againft my parents ?
64 The faire Maide
Well, 'tis but a tricke of youth : fay what they
will,
He love the Cripple, and will hate them frill. Exit.
Enter Cripple in hisfliop, and to him enters Franke.
Frank. Mirrour of kindneffe, extremities befr
friend,
While I breathe, fweet blood, I am thine,
Intreate me, nay command thy Frances heart,
That wilt not fuffer my enfuing fmart!
Crip. Sweet Signior, my advife in the refervation
of thofe Letters,
Which I will have you hide from eye of day,
Never to feele the warmth of Phoebus beames,
Till my felfes care, moft carefull of your weale,
Summon thofe lines unto the barre of joy.
Frank. I will not erre, deare friend, in this com
mand.
Crip. So much for that, now liften further
Franke j
Not yet two houres expiration,
Have taken finall end, fmce Beauties pride,
And Natures better part of workemanmip,
Beauteous PhUlis was with me conforted ;
Where me 'mongft other pleafing conference,
Burfl into termes of fweet affection,
And faid, e're long me would converfe with me
In private at my mop, whofe wounded foule
Strucke with loves golden arrow lives in dread,
Till me doe heare the fentence of my love.
Or be condemn'd by judgment of fell hate.
Now fmce that gracious opportunity
Thus fmiles on me, I will refigne the fame
To you my friend, knowing my unworthy felfe
Too foule for fuch a beauty, and too bafe
To match in brightneffe with that facred comet,
That mines like Phoebus in Londons Element ;
1
of the Exchange. 65
From whence inferior flarres derive their light :
Wherefore I will immediately you take
My crooked habite, and in that difguife
Court her, yea win her, for me will be wonne.
This will I doe, to pleafure you my friend.
Frank. For which my love to thee mall never end.
Crip. About it then, afiume .this fhape of mine,
Take what I have, for all I have is thine ?
Supply my place to gaine thy hearts defire,
So may you quench two hearts that burne like fire :
Shee's kmde to me, be me as kinde to you,
What admiration will there then infue ?
Franke, I will leave thee, now be thou fortunate,
That we with joy your loves may confummate,
Farewell, farewell, when I returne againe,
I hope to finde thee in a pleafmg vaine. Exit.
Fran. Farewell deare friend ;
Was ever known a finer policy 1
Now brothers, have amongfl you for a third' part,
Nay, for the whole, or by my foule, ile loofe all ;
What though my father did bequeath his lands
To you my elder brethren, the moveables I fue for
Were none of his : and you mail run through fire,
Before you touch one part of my defire :
Am I not like my felfe in this difguife,
Crooked in fhape, and crooked in my thoughts %
Then am I a Cripple right, come wench, away,
Thy abfence^breeds a terror to my flay.
Enter Phillis.
Yonder me comes, now frame thy hands to draw,
A worfer workeman never any faw.
Phil. Yea, yonder fits the wonder of mine eye ;
I have not beene the firfl whom defliny
Hath thwarted thus ; imperious Love,
Either withdraw the fhaft that wounds my heart,
Or grant me patience to endure my fmart :
Remorceleffe love, had any but thy felfe
2 F
66 The faire Maide
Beene privie to my direfull paflion,
How I confume and wafle my felfe in love,
They would have beene, yea, much more pittifull :
But all availes not ; demanding for my worke
Shall be a meanes to have fome conference.
Shefpeakes to Franke.
Good morrow to you, is my handkercher done 1
Frank. Yes, Miftris Flower, it is fmimed.
Phil. How fweetly tunes the accent of his voice !
Oh, doe not blame me, deareft love alive,
Though thus I dote in my affedlion :
I toyle, I labour, and I faine would thrive,
And thrive I may if thou wouldft give direction :
Thou art the ftarre whereby my courfe is led,
Be gracious then bright funne, or I am dead.
Frank. Faire Miftris Phillis, fuch wanton toyes as
thefe,
Are for young Novices that will foone be pleas'd,
The carefull thoughts that hammer in my braine,
Bid me abandon wanton love, 'tis vaine.
Phil. For me it is.
Frank. Is my ungarnifhed, darke, and obfcure
Cell,
A manfion fit for all-commanding love ?
No, if thou wilt fport with love,
And dally with that wanton amorous boy ;
Hie thee unto the odoriferous groves,
Phil. There is no groves more pleafant unto me,
Then to be flill in thy fociety.
Frank. There of the choifeft fragrant flowers that
grow
Thou maifl devife fweet rofeat Coronets,
And with the Nymphs that haunt the filver ftreames,
Learne to entice the affable young wagge,
There malt thou finde him wandring up and downe,
Till fome faire faint impale him with a crowne :
Be gone I fay, and doe not trouble me,
For to be fhort I cannot fancy thee.
Phil. For to be mort you cannot fancy me :
of the Exchange. 67
Oh cruell word, more hatefull then pale death,
Oh, would to God it would conclude my breath.
Frank. Forbeare, forbeare, admit that I mould
yeeld :
Thinke you, your father would applaud your choice.
Phil. Doubt not thereof, or if he doe not, all's
one,
So you but grant to my affeclion.
Crip. I am too bafe.
Phil. My wealth mall raife thee up.
Crip. I am deformed.
Phil. Tut, I will beare with that.
Crip. Your friends diflike brings all this out of
frame.
Phil. By humble fuit I will redreffe the fame.
Frank. Now to employ the vertue of my fhape :
Faire miftreffe,
If heretofore I have remorfeleffe beene,
And not efleem'd your undeferved love,
Whereby in the glaffe of your affection
I fee my great unkindneffe ; forgive what's pail,
And heere I proffer all the humble fervice
Your high priz'd love doth merit at my hands,
Which I confeffe is more then I unable
Can gratifie : therefore command my toile,
My travell, yea my life to pleafure you.
Phil. I take thee at thy word, proud of thy
fervice,
But yet no fervant malt thou be of mine,
I will ferve thee, command, and ile obey :
This doth my foule more good, yea, ten times more,
Then did thy harm deniall harme before,
Let us embrace like two united friends,
Heere love begins, and former hatred ends.
Enter Ferdinand, and Anthony walking together.
Ferd. Brother Anthony >, what newes from Venice ?
Are your mips return' d ? I had rather aftde.
F 2
68 The faire Maide
Heare newes from Phillis : Oh, brother Franke,
Thy abfence makes me burne in paffion.
Anth. Sir, I had letters from my factors there
Some three daies fmce : but the returne of one, afide.
Of one poore letter, yet not anfwered,
Makes me ftarke mad : a plague upon that porter,
Damn'd may he be for thus deluding me.
Ferdinand f pies Phillis, and turnes backe.
How now brother, why retire you fo 1
Ferd. Yonders a friend of mine acquaintance,
With whom I would gladly have fome conference,
I pray thee flay I will returne immediately.
Goe to Phillis and court her to themf elves.
Anth. Of your acquaintance; is me fo good
brother 1
Onely with you acquainted, and no other ?
Faith ile try that, take heed fir what you doe,
If you begin to court, I needs muft woe,
Goe to her too.
Brother have you done ?
Ferd. But two words more at mofl :
You have not then receiv'd any fuch letter ?
A vengeance take the lazie meffenger ;
Brother if I live, ile quittance thee for this.
Frank. Good words deere brother, threatned men
live long.
Anth. You have done.
Ferd. Yes.
Anth. Then by your leave brother,
You had one word, I muft have another.
Talke in private.
Ferd. I know our bufmefle tends to one effect.
that villaine Franke, it mads my foule
1 am fo wrong'd by fuch a foolifh boy.
Frank. That foolifh boy may chance prove to be
witty :
What and the elder brothers fooles '\ Oh 'tis pitty !
Anth. That villaine Porter hath deluded me,
Confufion guerdon his bafe villainie.
of the Exchange. 69
Frank. What are you curfmg too ? then we catch
no fifh :
Comes there any more, here's two Snights to a dim.
Ferd. Well, fmce I have fuch opportunity,
He trufl no longer to uncertainety.
He courts her againe in private.
Anth. At it fo hard brother ? well, woe apace,
A while I am content to give you place.
Frank. Well, to her both, both doe the beft you
can ;
I feare young Franke will prove the happier man,
Phil. You have your anfwere, trouble me no
more.
Ferd. Yet this is worfe then my fufpenfe before,
For then I liv'd in hope, now hope is fled.
Anth. What, male-content 1 is Ferdinand flrooke
dead,
Fortune be blithe, and aide the fecond brother.
Talke in private.
Frank. Thinke you to have more favour then an
other ?
To her a Gods name, live not in fufpence,
While you two flrive, I needs rnufl get the wench.
Phil. I am refolv'd, and fir you know my mind.
Frank. What, you repulft too ? Phillis is too
unkind.
Phil. Here fits my love, within whofe lovely bred
Lives my content, and all my pleafures reft,
And for a further confirmation,
Which to approve, even in fight of both you here
prefent,
I give my hand, and with my hand, my heart,
My felfe, and all to him ; and with this ring
He wed my felfe.
Frank. I take thy offering,
And for the gift you gave to me, take this,
And let us feale affection with a kiffe.
Ferd. .Oh fight intolerable !
Anth. ' A fpedlacle worfe then death.
7o 7 he faire Maide
Frank. Now gentlemen, pleafe you draw neere
and liften to the Cripple.
Give them the letters and they Jlampe andftorme.
Know you that letter 1 fir, what fay you to this 1
Both. How came they to your hands ?
Frank. Sirs, a porter even of late left them with
me,
To be delivered to this Gentlewoman.
Anth. A plague upon that porter ; if e're I meete
him,
My rapiers point with a deaths wound mall greet him.
Exit.
Ferd. Franke thou art a villaine, thou malt know't
ere long,
For proffring me fuch undeferved wrong. Exit.
Frank. So vomit forth the rheume of all your
fpight,
Thefe threats of yours procure me more delight.
Phil. Now gentle love, all that I have to fay,
Is to entreat you feeke without delay,
My fathers kinde confent, for thou haft mine,
And though he ftorme yet will I ftill be thine ;
Make triall then, 'tis but thy labour loft,
Though he denie thee, it requires no coft.
Frank. I will affaile with expedition.
Phil. God, and good fortune goe with thee, fare
well. Exit.
Frank. Well, I will go, but not in this difguife ;
Arme thee with policy Franke, Franke muft be wife :
Now would the lubftance of this borrowed fhape
Were here in prefence, and fee where he comes.
Enter the Cripple.
Poore in the well fram'd limbes of nature, but
Rich in kindnefle beyond comparifon.
Welcome deare friend, the kindeft foule alive,
Here I refigne thy habit backe again e,
Whereby I prove the happieft man that breathes.
of the Exchange. 7 1
Crip. Haft thou then, fweet blood, beene fortu
nate ?
Frank. Hearke, I will tell thee all :
Whifper in private.
Enter Bowdler, Mall Berry, and Ralfe, Bowdler capers
andfings.
Ralf. Faith fir, me thinkes of late you are very
light.
Bow. As a feather, fweet Rogue, as a feather :
Have I not good caufe 1 fweet Mall, fweet Mall,
Hath me not caus'd the fame ? well, if I live, fweet
wench,
Either by night or day I will requite your kindneffe.
Frank. Now I will take my leave, to put the fame
in pradlife. Exit Franke.
Crip. Good fortune waite on thee.
Bow. Mall, thou art mine, by thine owne
confent ;
How fayft thou Main
Mall. Yes forfooth.
Ralf. I am witneffe fir.
Bow. But that is not fufficient Mall, if thou art
content Mall, heer's a rogue hard by, a friend of mine,
whom I will acquaint with our loves, and he mail be
partaker of the match.
Ralfe. Nay fir, if you meane to ' have partners in
the match, I hope Ralfe can helpe to ferve your wives
turne as well as another, what e're he be. How fay
you Miftreffe?
Mall. All's one to me, whom he pleafe.
Bow. Come then fweet Mall, wee'l to the Drawer,
There to difpatch what I further intend.
Mall. And well remembred husband.
Ralf. A forward maiden by this light j husband
before the Clarke hath faid Amen.
Mall. He hath worke of mine, I pray forget it
not.
72 The faire Maide
Bow. I will not Mail. Now you lame rogue, where
is this maidens worke 1 my wiues worke you rafcall ?
quicke, give it her.
Crip. Sweet Sigriior, the fweet Nymphes worke is
almofl finimed, but fweet blood, you drive me into
admiration with your latter words , your fweet wiues
worke, I admire it !
Bow. I you halting rafcall, my wiues worke ; ihee's
my wife before God and Ralfe, how faift thou Mall,
art thou not ?
Mall. Yes forfooth, and to confirme the fame,
Here in this prefence, I plight my faith againe ;
And fpeake againe, what erfl before was faid,
That none but you mail have my maiden-head.
Bow. A good wench Mall, yfaith, now will I to
thy father for his good will, Cripple, fee you remember
what is pafl, for I will call thee in queftion for a wit-
nefle if need require, farewell curre, farewell dogge.
Exit Bawdier and Ralfe.
Crip. Adue fond humorift, Parenthefis of j efts,
Whofe humour like a needleffe Cipher fils a roome :
But now Mall Berry, a word or two with you :
Haft thou forgotten Barnard ? thy thoughts were bent
on him.
Mall. On him Cripple ! for what ? was it for
marriage 1
Crip. It was for love, why not for marriage ? O
monftrous !
Were I a maide and mould be fo bewitch'd,
I'de pull my eyes out that did lend me light,
Exclaime againft my fortune, banne my ftarres,
And teare my heart, fo yeelding her confent
To Bowdlers love, that froth of complement.
Mall. Cripple, you lofe your time, with your faire
teares
To circumvent my heart : Bawdier I love thee,
Barnard I hate, and thou malt never move me.
Crip. I will : thou doft love Barnard, and I can
prove it.
of the Exchange. 73
MalL That I love Barnard ! by heavens I abhorre
him.
Crip. Thou lov'fl him, once againe I fay, thou
lov'fl him,
For all thou haft borne Bowdler ftill in hand.
MalL What wilt thou make me mad 1 I fay, I
hate him.
Crip. I fay thou lou'fl him ; have not I been at
home,
And heard thee in thy chamber praife his perfon,
And fay he is a proper little man,
And pray that he would be a futer to thee ?
Have I not feene thee in the Bay-window
To fit croffe-arm'd, take counfell of thy glaffe,
And prune thy felfe to pleafe young Barnards
eye ?
Sometimes curling thy haire, then praclifing fmiles,
Sometimes rubbing thy filthy butter teeth,
Then pull the haires from off thy beetle-browes,
Painting the veines upon thy breafts with blew,
An hundred other trickes I faw thee ufe,
And all for Barnard.
Mall. For Barnard ! 'twas for Bowdler.
Crip. I fay, for Barnard.
Nay more, thou knowft I lay one night at home,
And in thy fleepe I heard thee call on Barnard
Twenty times over.
Mall. Will you be fworne I did ?
Crip. I, I will fweare it :
And art thou not afham'd thus to be chang'd,
To leave the love of a kinde Gentleman
To dote on Bowdler ? Fie fie, reclaime thy felfe :
Imbrace thy Barnard, take him for thy husband,
And fave his credit, who is elfe undone,
By thy hard fathers hatefull cruelty.
Mall. Cripple, If thou canft prove that ever I
Did fancy Barnard, I will love him ftill.
Crip. Why ile be fworne thou didft.
74 The faire Maide
Mall. And that I doted on him in my fleepe 1
Crip. He be fworne I could not fleepe all
night
In the next roome, thou didft fo rave on him.
Mail. I cannot tell, I may well be deceiv'd,
I thinke I might affe<5l him in my fleepe,
And yet not know it ; let me looke on him,
Yfaith he is a pretty handfome fellow,
'Tis pitty he fhould wafte himfelfe in prifon ;
Hey ho.
Crip. What's the matter wench ?
Mall. Cripple, I will love him.
Crip. Wilt thou yfaith 1
Mail. Yfaith I will.
Enter two Serjeants.
Crip. Give me thy hand, a bargaine, 'tis enough.
Mall. But how lhall he know I love him ?
Crip. Why thus : I will intreate the Serjeants
To goe with him along unto thy father,
And by the way ile fend yong Bowdler from us,
And then acquaint my Barnard with thy love,
He fhall accept it and avouch the fame
Vnto thy father, wench doe thou the like,
And then I hope his bonds are cancelled.
Barn. Cripple, fhall we have your company 1
Crip. My friends, hold here, there's mony for your
paines,
Walke with your prifon er but to mafler Berry,
And ye fhall either finde fufficient baile,
Or elfe difcharge the debt, or I affure you
Wee'l be your ayd to guard him fafe to prifon.
i. Serjeant. Well, we are willing fir, we are
content
To (hew the Gentleman any kinde of favour.
Crip. Along then ; hearke mafler Bowdler.
Exeunt.
of the Exchange. 75
Enter Mafter Flower, Miftris Flower, Mafter Berry,
and Fiddle.
Maf. Flow. Welcome good matter Berry, is your
ilomach up fir ? it is a good conceit yfaith.
Fid. It is indeed fir.
Maf. Wo. What, Fiddle !
Fid. If his ftomacke be up to goe to dinner.
Maf. Flo. Fiddle, bid Matter Berry welcome.
Fid. What elfe Matter ? with the bett belly in my
heart, the fweetett ttraine in my muficke, and the worft
entertainement that may be, Fiddle bids your worfhip
adefdum,
Ber. Thankes Fiddle, and Matter Flower, I am
much beholding to your curtefie.
Mif. Flo. Fiddle, I wonder that he ttaies fo long,
Thou toldft me Anthony would follow thee.
Fid. I, and heele be here I warrant you.
Maf. Flo. lie tell you fir, it is a rare conceit,
My wife would have her marry Anthony,
The younger brother, but againft her minde,
I will contract her unto Ferdinand,
And I have fent for you and other friends,
To witneffe it ; and 'tis a good conceit.
Maf. Flo. Fiddle, are all things ordred well
within ?
Fid. All's well, all's well, but there wants fome
fafiron,
To colour the cuttards withall.
Mif. Flo. Here take my keyes, bid Sufan take
enough.
Maf. Flo. Fiddle, are all our guetts come yet 1
Fid. I fir, and here comes one more than you
look'd for. Exit.
Enter Franke.
Frank. God fave you Matter Flower, as much to
you Matter Berry.
7 6 The faire Maide
Maf. Flo. Welcome M. Golding, y'are very wel
come fir.
Frank. My brother Ferdinand commends him to
you,
And here's a letter to you from himfelfe.
Maf. Flo. A letter fir ? it is a good conceit,
He read it ftrait.
Gives the other Letter to Miftris Flower.
Mafter Flower, I am beholding to you for your kindneffe,
and your furtherance in my love-fuit, but my mind is
changed, and I will not marry your daughter, and fo
farewell.
This is no good conceit : what 1 Ferdinand
Delude old Flower, make me deceive my friends,
Make my wife laugh, and triumph in her will,
What thinke you Fiddle ?
Fid. Why fir, I thinke it is no good conceit.
Maf. Flo. Thou faidft true Fiddle, 'tis a bad con
ceit,
But heare you fir. Miftris Flower reades her Letter.
I underftand by Fiddle your forwardneffe in my fute
to your daughter : but never theleffe I am determined to
draw backe, and commit your daughter to her beft for
tunes, and your f elf e to God; Farewell.
Why this is like my husbands bad conceit,
Have you ore-reach'd me Flower, you crafty fox ?
This is your doing, but for all your Height
He croffe you if my purpofe hit aright.
Frank. Tut, tell not me fir, for my credit and
reputation is as it is, and there's an end : if I mail
have her, why fo.
Maf. Flo. Sir, the conceit is doubtfull, give me
leave but to confider of it by my felfe.
Frank. With all my heart.
Mif. Flo. Mafter Golding, a word I pray fir,
You know my daughter Phillis, doe you not ?
Frank. Miftris, I doe.
of the Exchange. 77
Mif. Flo. Shee is a flarre, I tell you.
Frank. She is no leffe indeed.
Mif. Flo. I tell you fir, upon the fodaine now,
There came an odde conceit into my head,
Are you a batchellor ?
Frank. I am indeed.
Mif. Flo. And are you not promifed 1
Frank. Not yet believe me.
Maf. Flo. Matter Golding.
Mif. Flo. Well, do you heare fir? if you will be
pleas'd
To wed my daughter Phillis, you mall have her.
Frank. To wed your daughter ? why me loves me
not.
Mif. Flow. All's one for that, me will be rul'd by
me:
Difdaine her not becaufe I proffer her,
I tell you fir, Merchants of great account
Have fought her love, and Gentlemen of worth
Have humbly fued to me in that behalfe :
To fay the truth, I promis'd her to one,
But I am crofs'd and thwarted by my husband,
Who meanes to marry her unto another :
Now fir, to cry but quittance for this guile,
I offer her to you ; if you accept her,
He make her dowry richer by a paire
Of hundred pounds than elfe it mould have beene.
Frank. Why this is excellent, paft all compare,
Sued to, to have her ; gentle mittris Flower,
Let me confider of it.
Mif. Flow. Nay, nay, deferre no time if you will
have her ;
He fearch my coffers for another hundred.
Frank. Say I mould yeeld, your husband will
withftand it.
Mif. Flow. He have it clofely done without his
knowledge ;
Is it a match 1
Frank. Well, well, I am content.
78 The faire Maide
Mif. Flo. Why then old Flower, ile croffe your
clofe content.
Ma. Flow. It (hall be fo j and 'tis a good conceit,
It (hall be fo if but to croffe my wife,
Hearke matter Golding, the conceit doth like me.
You love my daughter ; fo yoa thought you faid ;
You faid moreover, that fhe loves you well,
This loves on both fides is a good conceit.
But are you fure fir, that my daughter loves you 1
Frank. For proofe thereof (hew her this ring.
Maf. Flow. A ring of hers ! 'tis well.
Frank. I, but conceit me,
If I had wood her in my proper fhape,
I do beleeve fhe never would have lik'd me,
Therefore fmce I fhall have her, give me leave
To come and court her in my borrowed fhape.
Maf. Flow. With all my heart, and 'tis a good
conceit,
And heer's my hand, fonne Golding thou ihalt have
her.
Frank. Then father Flower, I reft upon your
promife,
Ile leave you for a while, till I put on
My counterfeited fhape, and then returne. Exit.
Maf. Flo. Welcome good fonne, 'tis well, by this
conceit
My wife will be prevented of her will :
I would not for the halfe of all my wealth,
My croffe-word wife had compafs'd her intent :
Now wife.
Mif. Flo. Now husband.
Maf. Flo. You flill maintaine the fute for Anthony,
You'l have your will, and I mufl breake my word.
Mif. Flo. leaft on old Flower, be crofle, and doe
thy worft,
Worke the bed meanes thou canft, yet whilft I live
I fweare fhe never (hall wed Ferdinand.
Maf. Flo. What (hall (he not '\
Mif. Flo. No that (he (hall not.
of the Exchange. 79
Maf. Flo. I fay, flie fliall.
Mif. Flo. Yfaith flie fliall not.
Maf. Flo. No ?
Mif. Flo. No.
Maf. Flo. Well wife, I am vext, and by Gods
precious.
Maf. Berry. O fir, be patient, gentle Miftris
Flower,
Croffe not your husband, let him have his will.
Mif. Flow. His will 1
Maf. Flo. Heard thou wife, be quiet, thou knowefl
my humour,
Thus to be crofs'd, it is no good conceit.
Mif. Flow. A fig for your conceit; yet for
becaufe,
I know I mall prevent him of the match,
That he intends, henceforth I will diffemble.
Well Matter Flower, becaufe it fhall be fayd,
And for kind Matter Berry may report
The humble loyalty I beare to you,
Such as a wife fhould doe unto her husband,
I am content to yeeld to your defires,
Protetting, whiles I live, I never more
Will fpeake that Anthony may marry her.
Maf. Flow. Wife fpeaktt thou with thy heart ?
Mif. Flow. Husband, I doe.
Maf. Flow. Dott thou indeed ?
Mif. Flow. Indeed forfooth I doe.
Maf. Flo. Then 'tis a good conceit : ha, ha j
I fee 'tis fometimes good to looke aloft,
Come hither wife, becaufe thou art fo humble,
He tell thee all, I have receiv'd a letter
From Ferdinand, wherein he fends me word,
He will not marry with my daughter Phillis,
And therefore I was full determined
To croffe thy purpofe that his brother Franke
Should marry her, and fo I ttill intend :
What faitt thou wife, doft thou afient thereto 1
8o The faire Maide
Mif. Flo. That Franke mall marry her, I have
fworne he fhall,
And fmce this falles fo right, ile not difclofe;
That I did meane fo much ; but now ile yeeld,
That it may feeme my true humility :
Husband, becaufe hereafter you may fay,
And thinke me loyall, loving, and fubmiffe,
- I am content, Franke fhall have my confent.
Maf. Flo. Why now thou fhew'ft thy felfe
obedient,
And thou dott pleafe me with thy good conceit.
Enter Barnard, Mall, and two Serieants.
Bar. By your leave Matter Flower,
Berry I am arrefted at your fuite.
Ber. And I am glad of it with all my heart :
Hold friends, there's fomewhat more for you to
drinke,
Away with him to prifon.
Bar. Stay Matter Berry, I have brought you
baile.
Ber. What baile ? where is your baile 1 here's none
I know
Will be thy baile, away with him to prifon.
Mall. Yes, I forfooth father, ile be his baile,
Body for body ; thinke you ile flay at home,
And fee my husband carried to the Jaile ?
Ber. How, thy husband ?
Mall. My husband I affure you,
Father, thefe Serjeants both can witneffe it.
i. Ser. We faw them both contracted man and
wife,
And therefore thought it fit -to give you knowledge,
Before we carried him unto the prifon.
Ber. But ile undoe this contract, on my bleffmg
Daughter, come from him, hee's a reprobate.
Mall. He is my husband.
Ber. But thou malt not have him.
of the Exchange.
81
Mall. Faith but I will, Barnard, fpeake for thy
felfe.
Bar. Why M. Berry, 'tis well knowne to you,
I am a gentleman, though by misfortune,
My ventures in the world have fomewhat fail'd me :
Say that my wealth difables my defert,
The difference of our bloud fupplies that want.
What though my lands be morgag'd 1 if you pleafe,
The dowry you intend to give your daughter,
May well redeeme them. You perhaps imagine
I will be wild, but I intend it not.
What mail I fay 1 if you will give confent,
As you redeeme my lands, fo I my time ill fpent
Meane to redeeme with frugall induftry,
He be your councells pupill, and fubmit
My follies to your will, mine to your wit.
Ber. What thinke you Mailer Flower ?
Mif. Flo. Faith Mafter Berry,
Barnard fpeakes well, and with a good conceit.
Ber. Dofl thou love him Mall ?
Mall. Yes fir, and here proteft,
Of all in London I love Barnard beft.
Maf. Flo. Then Mafter Berry, follow my conceit.
Cancell his bond, and let him have your daughter.
Ber. Well Barnard, fmce I fee my daughter loves
thee,
And for I hope thou wilt be kind and loving,
Regard thy ftate, and turne an h on eft man,
Here, take my daughter, ile give thee in thy bond,
Redeeme thy lands, and if thou pleafe me well,
Thou malt not want, all that I have is thine.
Bar. I am love-bound to her, to you in duty,
You conquer me with kindneffe, me with beauty.
i. Ser. Then Mafter Berry I thinke we may
depart.
Ber. J, when you pleafe, you fee the matter ended,
The debt's difcharg'd, and I can aske no more.
i. Ser. Why then we take our leaves.
Exeunt Serjeants.
G
82 The faire Maide
Maf. Flo. Now wife, if yong Franke Golding were
come back,
To fumme our wifh, it were a good conceit :
Enter Phil.
Why how now Phillis, fad ? come tell me wench,
Art thou refolv'd yet for to have thy husband ?
Phil. A golden Golding, 'tis a good conceit.
That golden Golding is but loathfome drofle,
Nor is it gold that I fo much efleeme ;
Dufl is the richefl treafure that we have,
Nor is the beauty of the fairefl one,
Of higher price or valew unto me,
Than is a lumpe of poore deformity.
Father, you know my minde, and what I faid,
Which if you grant not, I will reft a maide.
Enter Fid.
Maf. Flo. To die a maide, that is no good
conceit.
Fid. Mafter, where's my mafter 1 here's one would
couple a brace of words with you.
Ma. Flow. With me fir ?
Fid. No fir, with my young Miftris. .
Mif. Flow. What is he knave 1
Fid. A crooked knave fir, 'tis the Cripple.
Ma. Flo. What would he have ? he hath no good
conceit,
'Tis he that hath bewitch'd my daughters heart,
He is a knave, goe fend him packing hence.
Phil. As you refpecl; the welfare of your child,
Deere father, let me fpeake with him.
Ma. Flo. Speake with him ? no, it is no good
conceit,
I know he comes to runne away with thee.
Fid. Runne away with her ? welt may fhe carry
him, but if he runne away with her, ile never truft
crutch more.
of the Exchange. 83
Maf. Flo. Thou faifl true Fiddle, 'tis a good
conceit ; Exit Fid.
Goe call him in, Franke Golding, it is he
In the lame knaves difguife ; a good conceit.
Enter Franke.
Now fir, what's the newes with you, you come to
fpeake with my daughter '?
Frank. Yea fir, about a little worke I have of
hers.
Maf. Flow. What worke, you knave ? no, thou
haft fome conceit,
To i;ob me of my daughter ; but away :
I like not that conceit, out of my doores.
Phil. Unhappy PhilUs, and Unfortunate.
Frank. Sir, I am content, ile not move your
patience.
Phil. Life of my living body, if thou goe.
Though not alive take me hence dead with woe.
Jhefwotmds,
Berry. In troth fir, you are too blarne.
Ma. Flow. What, is me dead ? it is no good con
ceit.
Speake to me Phillis, O vnhappy time,
Sweete Girle, deere daughter, O my onely joy,
Speake to thy father wench, in fome conceit,
What, not a word ?
Berry. Now may you fee, what fell impatience
Begets upon fuch tender plants as thefe.
Mif. Flow. Now may we fee the folly of old
age,
Govern'd by fpleene, and overweening rage.
Maf. Flow. Speake to me, daughter,
And thou malt have, what not ? covet'ft thou gold ?
Thou malt not want for crownes, thou malt have all ;
O was my fury author of thy trance ?
Did I deny thy loves acceffe to thee ?
Speake but one word and thou fhalt be his wife,
G 2
84 The fair e Maide
By heaven thou (halt.
Phil. I take you at your word ; it is no paine
To die for love, and then revive againe.
Berry. Now M. Flower, how like you this con
ceit 1
Hath me not overreach'd you 1
Maf. Flo. My word is paft, and yet for all my
rage,
I rather choofe to faile in my conceit,
And wed thee Phillis to thine owne content.
Heere, take my daughter, Cripple, love her well,
Be kind to her, and ile be kind to thee,
Thou art but poore, well I will make thee rich,
And fo God bleffe you, with a good conceit.
Frank. I thanke you, when I leave to love my
wife,
Heaven haflen death, and take away my life.
Maf. Flo. 'Tis well done Franke, I applaud thy
wit,
And I know I faile not in conceit.
4
Enter Cripple, Ferdinand, Anthony, Bowdler.
Crip. Gentlemen, fweet bloods, or brethren of a
family,
I would fpeake with Phillis, mail I have audience 1
Phil. Helpe me deare father, O helpe me Gentle
men,
This is fome fpirit, drive him from my fight.
Frank. Were he the devill, thou fhouldfl not
budge a foote.
Bow. Zounds two Cripples, two dogs, two
curres, 'tis wonderfull !
Frank. Feare not deare heart.
Phil. ' Hence foule deformitie.
Nor thou, nor he, mail my companion be,
If Cripples dead, the living feeme to haunt,
lie neither of either, therefore I fay avaunt ;
Helpe me, father.
of the Exchange. 85
Frank. Deere heart, revoke thefe words,
Here are no fpirits, nor deformities,
1 am a counterfeit, Cripple now no more,
But young Franke Golding as I was before :
Amaze not love, nor feeme not difcontent,
Nor thee, nor him mail ever this repent.
Ferd. M. Flower, I come to claime your promife.
Anth. I come for yours, your daughter I doe
meane.
Maf. Flo. My promife ? why fir, you refus'd my
promife,
And fent me word fo in your letter.
Mif. Flo. And fo did you Ho me, and now 'tis pad,
Your brother Franke hath both our free confents.
Ferd. Sir, fir, I wrote no letter.
Anth. By heaven, nor L
Frank. But I did for you both ; I was your Scribe,
The whilft you went to fee your houfe a fire :
And you (as I remember) I did fend,
To fee your fifler drown' d at London-bridge.
Ferd. Yfaith, good brother, have you ore-reach'd
us fo?
Anth. So cunningly, that none of us could know.
Ferd. For all this cunning, I will breake the match.
Anth. And fo will I.
Frank. Why brothers, fhe's mine by her fathers gift.
Ferd, Brother you lie, you got her with a mift.
Frank. I was the firft that lov'd her.
Ferd. That's not fo, 'twas I.
Anth* Catch that catch can, then brothers both
you lie.
M. Flow. Yea, but conceit me Gentlemen, what
doe you meane to fpoile my daughter? you claim
her, and I have given her your younger brother;
this is no good conceit : why how now Phillis, ftill
drooping? cheare thee my girle, fee a company of
Gentlemen are at ftrife for thy love ; looke up, and
in this faire aflembly make thine owne choice ;
choofe where thou wilt, and ufe thine owne conceit.
86 The fair e Maide
Phil. But will my father then applaud my choice ?
Maf. Flo. I will.
Phil. And will thefe worthy Gentlemen be pleas' d,
How ever my diflike or liking prove 1
All. We will.
Phil. I mud confeffe you all have taken paines,
And I can give but all for that paines taken,
And all my all, is but a little love,
And of a little who can make divifion ?
I would I knew what would content you all.
Ferd. Thy love.
Anth. Thy life and love.
Frank. Thy life, thy love, thy felfe, and all for me,
For if I want but one, I then want thee.
Phil. If then I give what either of you crave,
Though not what you defire, will it fuffice ?
Ferd. I wifh but love.
Phil. And as a friend you have it.
Anth. I life, and love.
Phil. And as your friend, I vow,
To love you whild I live, as I doe now.
Frank. I aske but all, for I deferve no more.
Phil. And thou malt have thy wifh, take all my
ftore,
My love, my felfe.
Frank. By heaven, I aske no more :
Brothers, have done, and Dad, to end all flrife,
Come take her hand,, and give her for my wife.
Maf. Flo. With all my heart, and 'tis a good
conceit.
Bow. Gentlemen, patience is your faired play.
Ferd. Impatience puls me hence, for this difdaine,
I am refolv'd never to love again e. Exit.
Anth. Stay brother Ferdinand, ile follow thee,
Farewell all love, 'tis full of treachery. Exit.
Bow. By heavens Franke I do commend thy
wit,
Come Mall, mail thou and I aske tlefling too for
company ?
of the Exchange. 87
Mall. You and I fir, alas, we are not play-fellowes,
though we be turtles : I am provided.
Bow. Provided 1 why am not I thy Menelaus ?
Mall. I fir, but this my Paris, I am refolv'd,
\nd what I doe is by authority.
Bow. Is it even fo, is Hellen flolne by Paris ?
Then thus in armes will Me?ielaus mourne,
Till Troy be fack'd, and Hellena returne. Exit.
Enter M. Wood, and Officers.
Wood. This is the man, officers attach him upon
fellony.
Office. M. Flower, I arrefl you upon fellony, and
charge you to obey.
Maf. Flo. Arrefl me upon fellony 1 at whofe fuit ?
Wood. Sir, at mine ; where had you that Diamond
on your ringer ; it was flole from me, and many other
Jewels, to the value of a hundred pound.
Maf. Flo. This is no good conceit ; hath Captaine
Racket
Banded old Flower to fuch an exigent ?
I hope my credit ibmewhat will affift me ;
Well, whither muft I goe ?
Woods. Straight to the bench, where now the
Judges are
To give you fpeedy tryall.
Maf. Flo. Words here are little worth, wife and
friends all
Goe with me to my tryall, you mail fee
A good conceit now brought to infamy. Exeunt.
FINIS.
WOMAN
KILDE
with Kindneffe.
Written by Tho : Hey wood.
LONDON
Printed by William Jaggard dwelling in Barbican,
and are to be fold in Paules Church-yard,
by lohn Hodgets. 1607.
[The text has been carefully collated with that of
" the third Edition, London, Printed by Ifaac Jag-
gard, 1617." Of the fecond Edition no copy appears
to be known.]
The Prologue.
T Come but like a Harbenger being fent,
To tell you what thefe preparations meane :
Looke for no glorious ftate, our mufe is bent
Vpon a bar rein fubieft : a barefceane.
We could afford this twig a Timber tree,
Whofe Jlrength might boldly on your fauours build,
Our Ruffet, Tiffew : Drone, a Hony-Bee,
Our barrein plot, a large and fpacious fielde.
Our courfefare, banquets : our thin Water, Wine :
Our Brooke, a Sea : our Bats eyes, Eagles fight \
Our Poets dull and earthy mufe, Diuine :
Our Raiiens, Doues : our Crowes blackef ethers, white.
But gentle thoughts when they may giue thefoyle,
Sauethem thatyeeld, and f pare where they may fpoyle.
Enter maifter lohn Frankeford, Sir Francis Aflon,
Mi/Iris AcJon, Sir Charles Mount/Orel, Maifter
Malbie, Maifter Wendoll, and Maifter Cranwell.
Francis. O Ome muficke there, none lead the Bride
^^ a dance 1
Charles. Yes, would fhe dance the fhaking of the
iheetes ?
But thats the dance her Husband meanes to lead her ?
Wen. Thats not the dance that euery man mufl
dance
According to the Ballad.
Francis. Mufick ho,
By your leaue Sifter, by your Husbands leaue
I fhould haue faid, the hand that but this day
Was giuen you in the Church, lie borrow ,: Sound,
This marriage muficke hoifts me from the ground.
Frank. I, you may caper, you are light and free,
Marriage hath yoakt my heeles, pray then pardon me.
Francis. He haue you dance to, Brother.
Charles. Maifter Frankford,
You are a happy man fir, and much ioy
Succeede your marriage mirth, you haue a wife
So qualified, and with fuch ornaments
Both of the mind and body. Firft her Birth
Is Noble, and her education fuch
As might become the Daughter of a Prince,
Her owne tongue fpeakes all tongues, and her owne
hand
Can teach all firings to fpeake in their beft grace
From the ihrill treble, to the hoarfeft bafe.
94 A Woman
To end her many praifes in one word,
Shes beauty, and perfections eldefl Daughter,
Onely found by yours, though many a hart hath
fought her.
Frank. But that I know your vertues and chaft
thoughts,
I mould be iealous of your praife Sir Charles.
Cran. He fpeakes no more then you approue.
Malby* Nor flatters he that giues to her her due.
Anne. I would your praife could find a fitter
theame
Then my imperfect beauty to fpeake on ;
Such as they be, if they my Husband pleafe,
They fuffice me now I am married :
His fweet content is like a flattering glaffe,
To make my face feeme fairer to mine eye :
But the leall wrinkle from his flormy brow,
Will blaft the Rofes in my cheekes that grow.
Francis. A perfect wife already, meeke and
patient ;
How ftrangely the word husband fits your mouth :
Not married three hours fince Sifter, 'tis good ;
You that begin betimes thus, muft needs proue
Pliant and dutious in your Husbands loue ;
Gramercies brother, wrought her to it already :
Sweete Husband, and a curt'fie the firft day :
Marke this, marke this, you that are Batchellers,
And neuer tooke the grace of honeft man,
Marke this again ft you marry, this one phrafe :
In a good time that man both wins and wooes,
That takes his wife downe in her wedding mooes.
Frank. Your fifter takes not after you Sir Francis ^
All his wilde blood your Father fpent on you :
He got her in his age, when he grew ciuill ;
All his mad trickes were to his land intailed,
And you are heyre to all : your Sifter, me
Hath to her Dowre, her Mothers modeflie.
Char. Lord fir, in what a happy ftate Hue you ;
This morning which (to many) feemes a burthen, too
kild with Kindnes. 95
Heauy to beare, is vnto you a pleafure.
This Lady is no clog, as many are ;
She doth become you like a well-made fuite,
In which the Tailor hath vf'd all his art :
Not like a thicke Coate of vnfeafon'd frieze
Forc'd on your backe in fummer; fhee's no chaine
To tie your necke, and curbe you to the yoake ;
But fhee's a chaine of gold to adorne your necke :
You both adorne each other, and your hands
Me thinkes are matches ; there's equality
In this faire combination ; you are both Schollers,
Both young, both being defcended nobly :
There's muficke in this fympathy, it carries
Confort, and expectation of much ioy,
Which God beflow on you, from this firft day,
Vntill your diffolution, that's for aye.
Fran. We keep you here too long good brother
Frankford.
Into the Hall : away, go cheere your guefts.
What, Bride & Bride-groome both withdrawn at once 1
If you be mift, the guefls will doubt their welcome,
And charge you with vnkindneffe.
Frank. To preuent it,
He leaue you heere, to fee the dance within.
Anne. And fo will I. Exit.
Fran. To part you it were fin.
Now gallants, while the Towne Mufitians
Finger their frets within ; and the mad lads
And countrey laffes, euery mothers childe,
With Nofe-gaies and Bridelaces in their hats,
Dance all their country meafures, rounds, and ligges,
What mall we do ? Harke, they are all on the hoigh,
They toile like Mill-horfes, and turne as round ;
Marry not on the toe : I, and they caper,
But without cutting : you fhall fee tomorrow
The hall floure peckt and dinted like a Mill-Hone,
Made with their high mooes ; though their skill be
fmall,
Yet they treade heauy where their Hob-nailes fall
96 A Woman
Char. Well, leaue them to their fports : Sir Franc
Atton
lie make a match with you, meete me to morrow
At Cheuy-chafe, lie flye my Hawke with yours.
Fran. For what ? for what ( \
Char. Why for a hundred pound.
Fran. Pawne me fome gold of that.
Char. Heere are ten Angels,
He make them good a hundred pound to morrow
Vpon my Hawks wing.
Fran. 'Tis a match, 'tis done :
Another hundred pound vpon your dogs,
Dare ye Sir Charles ?
Char. I dare : were I fure to loofe
I durfl do more then that : heere's my hand,
The firfl courfe for a hundred pound.
Fran. A match.
Wend. Ten Angels on Sir Francis Aftons Hawke :
As much vpon his Dogs.
Cran. I am for fir Charles Mountford t T haue
feene
His Hawke and Doggeboth tride : what clap you hands?
Or ift no bargaine ?
Wend. Yes, and flake them downe :
Were they fiue hundred they were all my owne.
Fran. .Be ilirring early w r ith the Larke to morrow,
He rife into my faddle ere the Sun
Rife from his bed.
Char. If there you miffe me, fay
I am no Gentleman : He hold my day.
Fran. It holds on all fides ; come, to night let's
dance,
Earely to morrow let's prepare to ride,
We had need be three houres vp before the bride.
Exit.
Enter Nicke and lenkin, lacke Slime, Roger Brickbat,
with Countrey wenches, and two or three Mufitians.
lenk. Come Nick, take you loane Miniuer to trace
kild with Kindnes. 97
withall : lacke Slime trauerfe you with Sifly Milk-pale,
I will take lane Trubkin, and Roger Brickbat fhall
haue Ifbel Motley, and now that they are bufie in the
Parlour, come flrike vp, wee'l haue a crafh heere in
the yard.
Nick. My humor is not compendious : dancing I
poffeffe not, though I can foot it; yet fmce I am
fame into the hands of Sifly Milk-pale, I confent
lack. Truly Nicke, though we were neuer brought
vp like feruing Courtiers, yet we haue beene brought
vp with feruing creatures, I and Gods creatures too ;
for we haue beene brought vp to feme Sheepe,
Oxen, Horfes, Hogges, and fuch like ; and though we
be but countrey fellowes, it may be in the way of
dancing we can doe the Horfe-tricke as well as
Seruing-men.
Roger. I, and the croffe -point toa
Ten. O Slime, O Brickbat, do not you know that
companions are odious ; now we are odious our
felues too, therefore there are no comparifons to be
made betwixt vs.
Nic. I am fodaine, and not fuperfluous :
I am quarrelfome, and not feditious :
I am peaceable, and not contentious :
I am breefe, and not compendious.
Slime. Foote it quickly, if the Muficke ouercome
not my melancholly, I fhall quarrell ; and if they
fodainly do not flrike vp, I fhall prefently flrike thee
downe.
Jen. No quarrelling for Gods fake : truly if you
doe, I fhall fet a knaue betweene ye.
Slime. I come to dance, not to quarrell : come,
what fhall it be 1 Roger o ?
I en. Rogero, no ; we will dance the beginning ot
the world.
Sifly. 1 loue no Dance fo well, as lohn come
kiffe mee now.
Nic. I that haue ere now deferu'd a cufhion, call
for the cufhion dance.
9 8 A Woman
Roger. For my part I like nothing fo wel as
Tom Tyler.
lenk. No wee'l haue the hunting of the Fox.
Slime. The Hay, the hay, there's nothing like the
hay.
Nick. I haue faide, I do fay, and I will fay
againe.
fen, Euery man agree to haue it as Nicke fayes,
All. Content.
Nlc. It hath bene, it now is, and it (hall be..
Sif/y. What Matter Nichlas, what 1
Nic. Put on your fmocke a Monday.
Ten. So the dance will come cleanly off: come,,
for Gods fake agree of fomething ; if you like not
that, put it to the Mufitians, or let me fpeake for
all, and wee'l haue Sellengers round.
All. That, that, that.
Nlc. No I am refolu'd thus it (hall be,
Firfl take hands, then take ye to your heeles.
len. Why, would you haue vs run away 1
Nic. No, but I would haue you (hake your heeles.
Muficke ftrike vp.
They dance, Nick dancing f peaks Jlately and
fcurvily, the rejl after the Countrey fajhion.
lenk. Hey liuely my Lades, here's a turne for thee.
Exit.
Wind homes. Enter Sir Charles, Sir Francis, Malby,
Cranwel, Wendoll, Faulconer, and Huntfmen.
Char. So, well cafl off; aloft, aloft, well flowne :
O now (he takes her at the fowfe, and ttrikes her
Downe to the earth, like a fwift thunder-clap.
Wend. She hath ttroke ten Angels out of my way.
Fran. A hundred pound from me.
Char. What Faulc'ner 1
Faul. At hand Sir.
Char. Now (he hath feif 'd the Fowle, & gins to
plume her,
kild with Kindnes. 99
Rebecke her not ; rather Hand flill and checke her.
So : feife her Gets, her leffes, and her Bels :
Away.
Fran. My Hawke kill'd too.
Char. I, but 'twas at the querre,
Not at the mount, like mine.
Fran. Judgement my Mafters.
Cran. Yours mift her at the Ferre.
Wend. I but our Merlin firfl had plutn'd the
Fowle,
And twice renewed her from the Riuer too ;
Her Bels Sir Francis had not both one waight,
Nor was one femi-tune aboue the other :
Mee thinkes thefe Millaine bels do found too full,
And fpoile the mounting of your Hawke.
Char. Tis loft.
Fran. I grant it not. Mine likewife feifd a Fowle
Within her talents ; and you faw her pawes
Full of the Feathers : both her petty fmgles,
And her long fmgles, grip'd her more then other ;
The Terrials of her legges were ftain'd with blood :
Not of the Fowle onely me did difcomfite
Some of her Feathers, but me brake away.
Come, come, your Hawke is but a Rifler.
Char. How 1
Fran. I, and your Dogges are trindle-tailes and
curs.
Char. You ftirre my blood.
You keepe not one good Hound in all your Kennell ;
Nor one good Hawke vpon your Perch.
Fran. How Knight 1 ?
Char. So Knight : you will not fwagger Sir ?
Fran. Why fay I did ?
Char. Why Sir, I fay you would gaine as much by
fwagg'ring
As you haue got by wagers on your Dogges,
You will come fhort in all things.
Fran. Not in this,
Now ile ftrike home.
H 2
ioo A Woman
Char. Thou fhalt to thy long home,
Or I will want my will.
Fran. All they that loue Sir Francis follow mee.
Char. All that affect Sir Charles draw on my
part.
Cran. On this fide heaues my hand.
Wend. Here goes my hart.
They diuide themfelues.
Sir Charles,- Cranwel, Fauconer, and Huntfman, fight
again/I Sir Francis, Wendell, his Faulconer, and
Huntfman, and Sir Charles hath the better, and
beats them away, killing both of Sir Francis his
men.
Char. My God : what haue I done ? what haue I
done?
My rage hath plung'd into a Sea of blood,
In which my foule lies drown'd, poore innocents,
For whom we are to anfwer : well 'tis done,
And I remaine the Victor : A great conqueft,
When I would giue this right hand, nay this head,
To breath in them new life whom I haue flaine.
Forgiue me God, 'twas in the heat of blood,
And anger quite remooues me from my felfe :
It was not I, but rage, did this vile murther ;
Yet I, and not my rage, muft anfwer it.
Sir Francis Atlon he is fled the field ;
With him, all thofe that did partake his quarrell,
And I am left alone, with forrow dumbe,
And in my heigh th of conqueft, ouercome.
Enter Sufan.
Sufan. Oh God, my Brother wounded mong the
dead;
Vnhappy ieft that in fuch earnefl ends ;
The rumor of this feare ftretcht to my eares,
And I am come to know if you be wounded.
Char. O Siller, fifter, wounded at the heart
kild with Kindnes. 101
Sufan. My God forbid.
Char. In doing that thing which he forbad,
I am wounded fifler.
Suf. I hope not at the heart.
Char. Yes, at the heart.
Suf. O God : a Surgeon there.
Char. Call me a Surgeon fifler for my foule,
The fmne of murther it hath pierc'd my heart,
And made a wide wound there : But for thefe
f cratches,
They are nothing, nothing.
Suf. Charles, what haue you done ?
Sir Fraiuis hath great friends, and will purfue you
Vnto the vtmoft danger of the Law.
Char, My confcience is become my enemy,
And will purfue me more then Afton can.
Suf. O flye fweet Brother.
Char. Shall I flie from thee I
Why Sue, art wearie of my company I
Suf. Fly from your foe.
Char. You fifler are my frend,
And flying you, I mail purfue my end.
Suf. Your companie is as my eie-ball deere,
Being farre from you. no comfort can be neere :
Yet flye to faue your life ; what would I care
To fpend my future age in black defpaire,
So you were fafe : and yet to Hue one weeke
Without my Brother Charles, through euery cheeke
My flreaming teares would downewards run fo ranke,
Till they could fet on either fide a banke,
And in the midft a channell ; fo my face
For two fait water brookes, mall Hill finde place.
Char. Thou malt not weepe fo much, for I will
flay
In fpight of dangers teeth : ile liue with thee,
Or ile not liue at all ; I will not fell
My countrey, and my Fathers patrimony,
Nor thy fweet fight, for a vaine hope of life.
IO2 A Woman
Enter Sheriffe with Officers.
Sher. Sir Charles, I am made the vnwilling inttru-
ment
Of your attach and apprehenfion :
I am forry that the blood of innocent men
Should be of you exacted. It was told mee
That you were guarded with a troope of Friends,
And therefore I come thus arm'd.
Char. O matter Sheriffe,
I came into the field with many friends,
But fee they all haue left me ; onely one
Clings to my fad misfortune, my deere Sitter :
I know you for an honett Gentleman,
I yeeld my weapons, and fubmit to you ;
Conuey me where you pleafe.
Sher. To prifon then,
To anfwer for the Hues of thefe dead men.
Sufan. Oh God, oh God.
Char. Sweete Sifter, euery ttraine
Of forrow from your heart augments my paine,
Your griefe abounds, and hits againtt my breft.
Sher. Sir will you go 1
Char. Euen where it likes you befL
Enter Mafter Frankeford in aftudy.
Frank. How happy am I arnongtt other men,
That in my meane ettate imbrace content.
I am a Gentleman, and by my birth
Companion with a King, a Kings no more.
I am poffett of many faire reuennewes,
Sufficient to maintaine a Gentleman.
Touching my minde, I am ftudied in all Arts ;
The riches of my thoughts, and of my time,
Haue beene a good proficient : but the cheefe
Of all the fweete felicities on earth,
kild with Kindnes. 103.
I haue a faire, a chafte, and louing wife ;
Perfection all, all truth, all ornament ;
If man on earth may truely happy be,
Of thefe at once poflefl, fure I am he.
Enter Nicholas.
Nick. Sir, there's a Gentleman attends without
To fpeake with you.
Frank. On horfe-backe.
Nick. Yes, on horfebacke.
Fran. Intreate him to alight, 1 will attend him :
Know'ft thou him Nickel
Nick. Know him, yes ; his name's Wendoll-.
It feemes he comes in haft, his horfe is booted
Vp to the flanke in mire ; himfelfe all fpotted
And ftain'd with plafhing : fure hee rid in feare,
Or for a wager : Horfe and man both fweate,
I neere faw two in fuch a fmoaking heate.
Frank. Entreat him in, about it inftantly :
This Wendoll I haue noted, and his carriage
Hath pleafd me much ; by Obferuation
I haue noted many good deferts in him :
Hee's affable, and feene in many thinges,
Difcourfes well, a good companion ;
And though of fmall meanes, yet a Gentleman
Of a good houfe, though fomewhat preft by want :
I haue preferr'd him to a fecond place
In my Opinion, and my befl regard.
Enter Wendoll) Mi/Iris Frankford, and Nicke.
Anne. O M. Frankford, Mafter Wendoll heere
Brings you the ftrangeft newes that ere you heard.
Fran. What newes fweet wife 1 what newes good
M. Wendoll.
Wend. You knew the match made twixt Sir Francis
ARon,
And Sir Charles Mountford.
Frail. True, with their Hounds and Hawkes.
IO4 A Woman
Wend. The matches were both plaid.
Fran. Ha : And which won 1
Wend. Sir Francis your wiues Brother had the
word,
And loft the wager.
Fran. Why the worfe his chance ;
Perhaps the fortune of fome other day
Will change his lucke.
Anne. Oh, but you heare not all.
Sir Francis loft, and yet was loath to yeeld :
At length the two Knights grew to difference,
From words to blowes, and fo to banding fides ;
Where valorous Sir Charles flew in his fpleene
Two of your Brothers men : his Faulc'ner,
And his good Huntsman whom he lou'd fo well ;
More men were wounded, no more flaine outright.
Fran. Now trufl me I am forne for the Knight ;
But is my brother fafe 1
Wend. All whole and found.
His bodie not being blemifht with one wound :
But poore Sir Charles is to the prifon led,
To anfwere at th' affize for them that's dead.
Fran. I thank your paines Sir ; had the newes bin
better
Your will was to haue brought it M. Wendell.
Sir Charles will finde hard friends : his cafe is hey-
nous,
And will be moil feuerely cenfur'd on ;
I am forry for him. Sir, a word with you :
I know you Sir to be a Gentleman
In all things ; your poflibilities but meane :
Pleafe you to vfe my Table, and my purfe,
They are yours.
Wend. O Lord fir, I mail neuer deferue it.
Frank. O fir difparage not your worth too much,
You are full of quality, and faire defert ;
Choofe of my men which mail attend on you,
And he is yours. I will allow you fir
Your man,, your gelding,, and your table all
kild with Kindnes. 105
At my owne charge, be my companion.
Wend. M. Frankford, I haue oft bin bound to
you
By many fauours : this exceeds them all,
That I mail neuer merit your lead fauour.
But when your laft remembrance I forget,
Heauen at my foule exa<5l that weighty debt.
Frank. There needs no proteflation : for I know
you
Vertuous, and therefore gratefull. Prethee Nan
Vfe him with all thy louingfl curtefie.
An. As farre as modefty may well extend,
It is my duty to receiue your friend.
Frank. To dinner : come fir, from this prefent
day
Welcome to me for euer : come away. Exit.
Nick. I do not like this fellow by no meanes :
I neuer fee him but my heart ftill ernes ;
Zounds I could fight with him, yet know not why :
The Deuill and he are all one in my eye. Exit.
Enter lenkin.
Ten. O Nicke, what Gentleman is that comes to
lie at our houfe ; my mailer allowes him one to wayte
on him, and I beleeue it will fall to thy lot.
Nick. I loue my mafler, by thefe Hilts I do :
But rather then He euer come to ferue him,
He turne away my mailer.
Enter Sifly.
Sifly. Nichlas, where are you Nichlas, you muft
come in Nichlas, and helpe the young Gentleman off
with his bootes.
Ntck. If I plucke off his boots, He eate the fpurs,
And they mail ilicke fail in my throat like burs.
Sifly. Then lenkin come you.
len. Nay 'tis no boote for me to deny it. My
1 06 A Woman
Matter hath giuen me a coate here, but he takes
paines himfelfe to brufh it once or twice a day with
a holly-wand.
Sifly. Come, come, make haft that you may wafli
your hands againe, and helpe to ferue in dinner.
fen. You may fee my mailers, though it be after-
noone with you, 'tis but early dayes with vs, for wee
haue not din'd yet : flay but a little, He but go in and
helpe to beare vp the firfl courfe, and come to you
againe prefently. Exit.
Enter Malby and CranweL
Mai. This is the Seffions day, pray can you tell
me
How yong Sir Charles hath fped : Is he acquit,
Or muft he try the Lawes Uriel penalty ?
Cran. Hee's cleer'd of all fpight of his enemies,
Whofe earnefl labour was to take his life :
But in this fute of pardon, he hath fpent
All the reuennewes that his Father left him ;
And he is now turn'd a plaine Countrey man,
Reform'd in all things : See fir, here he comes.
Enter Sir Charles and his Keeper.
Keeper. Difcharge your fees, and you are then at
freedome.
Char. Here M. Keeper, take the poore re
mainder
Of all the wealth I haue : my heauy foes
Haue made my purfe light j but alas to me
Tis wealth enough that you haue fet me free.
Mai. God giue you ioy of your deliuery,
I am glad to fee you abroad Sir Charles.
Char. The poorefl Knight in England M. Malby ;
My life hath cod me all the patrimony
My Father left his fonne : well. God forgiue them
That are the Authors of my penury.
kild with Kindnes. 1 07
Enter Shafton.
Shaf. Sir Charles, a hand, a hand, at liberty :
Now by the faith I owe I am glad to fee it.
What want you ? wherein may I pleafure you 1
Char. Oh me : O moft vnhappy Gentleman :
I am not worthy to haue friends ftirr'd vp,
Whofe hands may helpe me in this plunge of want :
I would I were in heauen, to inherit there
Th' immortall birth-right which my Sauiour keepes,
And by no vnthrift can be bought and fold ;
For here on earth what pleafures mould we truft ?
Shaf. To rid you from thefe contemplations,
Three hundred pounds you mail receiue of me :
Nay fiue for faile : Come fir, the fight of Golde
Is the mofl fweet receit for melancholy,
And will reuiue your fpirits. You mall hold Law
With your proud aduerfaries. Turn, let Franke
A<lon
Wage with his Knight-hood like expence with me,
And he will fmke, he will : Nay, good Sir Charles
Applaud your Fortune, and your faire efcape
From all thefe perils.
Char. Oh fir, they haue vndone me :
Two thoufand and fiue hundred pound a yeare
My Father at his death poffeft me of;
All which the enuious A6lon made me fpend.
And notwithftanding all this large expence,
I had much ado to gaine my liberty :
And I haue onely now a houfe of pleafure,
With fome fiue hundred pounds, referued
Both to maintaine me and my louing Sifter.
Shaf. That muft I haue, it lies conuenient for
me :
If I can faften but one ringer on him,
With my full hand He gripe him to the heart.
'Tis not for loue I proffer'd him this coine,
But for my gaine and pleafure. Come Sir Charles,
io8 A Woman
I know you haue neede of money, take my offer.
Char. Sir I accept it, and remaine indebted
Euen to the befl of my vnable power.
Come Gentlemen, and fee it tendred downe.
Enter Wendoll melancholy.
I am a Villen if I apprehend
But fuch a thought : then to attempt the deede,
Slaue thou art damn'd without redemption.
He driue away this paffion with a fong :
A fong, ha, ha : A fong, as if fond man
Thy eyes could fwim in laughter, when thy foule
Lies drencht and drowned in red teares of blood.
He pray, and fee if God within my heart
Plant better thoughts : why prayers are meditations ;
And when I meditate (Oh God forgiue me)
It is on her diuine perfections.
I will forget her ; 1 will arme my felfe
Not t'entertaine a thought of loue to her :
And when I come by chance into her prefence,
He hale thefe bals vntill my eye firings cracke,
From being pull'd and drawne to looke that way.
Enter ouer thejlage^ Frankford, his wife, and
Nicke.
God, O God ! with what a violence
1 am hurried to my owne definition.
There goefl thou the moft perfeclfl man
That euer England bred a Gentleman,
And mail I wrong his bed ? Thou God of Thunder
Stay in thy thoughts of vengeance and of wrath,
Thy great almighty, and all-iudging hand
From fpeedy execution on a Villen,
A villen and a Traitor to his friend.
kild with Kindnes. 109
Enter lenkin.
lenk. Did your worfhip call ?
Wend. He doth maintaine me, he allowes mee
largely
Money to fpend.
len. By my faith fo do not you me, I cannot get a
croffe of you.
Wend. My Gelding, and my man.
len. That's Sorrell and I.
Wen. This kindneffe growes of no alliance 'twixt
vs.
len. Nor is my feruice of any great acquaintance.
Wen. I neuer bound him to me by defert :
Of a meere ftranger, a poore Gentleman ;
A man by whom in no kinde he could gaine :
He hath plact me in the height of al his thoughts,
Made me companion with the beft and cheefefl
In Yorke-fhire. He cannot eate without me,
Nor laugh without me : I am to his body
As neceffary as his digeflion ;
And equally do make him whole or ficke :
And mail I wrong this man? Bafe man, ingrate ;
Hail thou the power ftraight with thy goary hands,
To rip thy Image from his bleeding heart ?
To fcratch thy name from out the holy booke
Of his remembrance ; and to wound his name
That holds thy name fo deere 1 Or rend his heart
To whom thy heart was knit and ioyn'd together?
And yet I muft : Then Wendoll be content ;
Thus villaines when they would, cannot repent.
len. What a ilrange humor is my new matter in,
pray God he be not mad : if he mould bee fo, I mould
neuer haue any minde to ferue him in Bedlam. It
may bee hee's mad for miffing of me.
Wen. What lenkin, where's your Miflris ?
len. Is your worfhip married ?
Wen. Why dofl thou aske ?
no A Woman
Ten. Becaufe you are my Matter, and if I haue a
miftris I would be glad like a good feruant to do ray
duty to hir.
Wen. I meane wheres Miflris Frankford.
len. Marry fir her husband is riding out of towne,
and flie went very louingly to bring him on his way to
horfe : Do you fee fir, here me comes, and here
I go.
Wen. Vanifli.
Enter Miftris Frankeford.
Anne. You are well met Sir ; now introth my hus
band
Before he tooke horfe had a great defire
To fpeake with you : we fought about the houfe,
Hallow'd into the fields, fent euerie way,
But could not meete you : therefore he inioyn'd me
To do vnto you his moft kinde commends.
Nay more, he wils you as you prize his loue,
Or hold in eflimation his kinde friendfhip,,
To make bold in his abfence, and command
Euen as himfelfe were prefent in the houfe :
For you mutt keepe his Table, vfe his feruants,
And be a prefent Frankford in his abfence.
Wend. I thanke him for his loue.
Giue me a name you whofe infectious tongues
Are tipt with gall and poifon, as you would
Thinke on a man that had your Father flaine ;
Murdred your children, made your wiues bafe ftrum-
pets
So call me, call me fo : Print in my face
The mott ttigmaticke title of a villaine,
For hatching treafon to fo true a friend.
Anne. Sir you are much beholding to my hus
band ;
You are a man mott deere in his regard.
Wend. I am bound vnto your husband, and you
to.
kild with Kindnes. in
I will not fpeake to wrong a Gentleman
Of that good eftimation, my kinde friend :
I will not, zounds I will not. I may choofe,
And I will choofe. Shall I be fo milled ?
Or mail I purchafe to my Fathers crefl
The Motto of a villen ? If I fay
I will not do it, what thing can inforce me ?
What can compel! me 1 What fad defliny
Hath fuch command vpon my yeelding thoughts ?
I will not. Ha': fome fury prickes me on,
The fwift Fates drag me at their Chariot wheele,
And hurry me to mifchiefe. Speake I muft ;
Iniure my felfe, wrong her, deceiue his truft.
Anne. Are you not well fir that you feeme thus
trobled ?
There is {edition in your countenance ?
Wend. And in my heart faire Angell, chafte and
wife :
I loue you : ftart not, fpeake not, anfwer not
I loue you : Nay let me fpeake the reft :
Bid me to fweare, and I will call to record
The hoaft of heauen.
Anne. The hoaft of heauen forbid
Wendoll mould hatch fuch a difloyall thought!
Wend. Such is my fate, to this fuite I was borne r
To weare rich pleafures crowne, or fortunes fcorne.
Anne. My husband loues you.
Wend. I know it.
Anne. He efteemes you
Euen as his braine, his eye-ball, or his heart.
Wend. I haue tried it
Anne. His purfe is your Exchequer, and his table^
Doth freely ferue you.
Wend. So I haue found it.
Anne. O with what face of braffe ? what brow or
fteele
Can you vnblufhing fpeake this to the face
Of the efpouf 'd wife of fo deere a friend ?
It is my husband that maintaines your ftate,
H2 A Woman
Will you difhonor him that in your power
Hath left his whole affaires ? I am his wife,
It is to me you fpeake ?
Wend. O fpeake no more,
For more then this I know, and haue recorded
Within the red-leau'd Table of my heart ;
Faire, and of all belou'd, I was not fearefull
Bluntly to giue my life into your hand ;
And at one hazard all my earthly meanes.
Go, tell your husband ; he will turne me off,
And I am then vndone : I care not I,
'Twas for your fake. Perchance in rage hee'l kill me
I care not, 'twas for you. Say I incurre
The generall name of Villaine through the world ;
Of Traitor to my friend : I care not I.
Beggery, fhame, death, fcandall, and reproch,
For you He hazard all, why what care I :
For you He liue, and in your loue He dye.
Anne. You moue me fir to paffion and to pitty :
The loue I beare my husband, is as precious
As my foules health.
Wen. I loue your husband too,
And for his loue I will ingage my life ;
Miflake me not, the augmentation
Of my fin cere affection borne to you
Doth no whit leffen my regard of him.
I will be fecret Lady, clofe as night :
And not the light of one fmall glorious Starre
Shall fhine heere in my forehead, to bewray
That aa of night.
Anne. What mall I fay ?
My foule is wandring, and hath lofl her way.
Oh mafter Wendol, oh.
Wend. Sigh not fweet Saint ;
For euery fighe you breath, drawes from my heart
A drop of blood.
Anne. I ne're offended yet :
My fault (I feare) will in my brow be writ.
Women that fall not quite bereft of grace,
kild with Kindnes. 1 1 3
Haue their offences noted in their face ;
I blufh and am afham'd. Oh mailer Wendoll,
Pray God I be not borne to curfe your tongue
That hath inchanted me. This Maze I am in,
I feare will proue the labyrinth of fin,
Enter Nicke.
Wend. The path of pleafure, and the gate to
bliffe,
Which on your lips I knock at with a kiffe.
Nic. He kill the Rogue.
Wen. Your husband is from home, your bed's no
blab:
Nay looke not downe and blufh.
Nic. Zounds He flab.
I Nick, was it thy chance to come iufl in the nicke :
I loue my mafler, and I hate that flaue ;
I loue my miflris, but thefe trickes I like not :
My mafler mall not pocket vp this wrong,
He eate my fingers firfl. What fayft thou mettle 1
Do's not the rafcall Wendoll go on legs
That thou muft cut off ? Hath he not ham-firings
That thou muft hogh ] Nay mettle, thou mail fland
To all I fay. He henceforth turne a fpy,
And watch them in their clofe conueyances :
I neuer look'd for better of that rafcall
Since he came miching firfl into our houfe :
It is that Sathan hath corrupted her ;
For me was faire and chafl. He haue an eye
In all their geflures. Thus I think of them,
(If they proceede as they haue done before)
WendoFs a Knaue, my Miflris is a Exit.
Enter Charles and Sufan.
Char. Sifter you fee we are driuen to hard fhift,
To keepe this poore houfe we haue left vnfold ;
I am now inforc'd to follow husbandry,
2 I
H4 A Woman
And you to milke, and do we not Hue well ?
Well I thanke God.
Sufan. O Brother, heeres a change
Since old Sir Charles dyed in our Fathers houfe.
Ch. All things on earth thus change, fome vp,
fome down,
Contents a kingdome, and I weare that crowne.
Enter Shafton with a Sergeant.
Shaf. God morrow, god morrow, fir Charles, what
with your fifter,
Plying your husbandry 1 Sergeant, (land off ;
You haue a pretty houfe heere, and a Garden,
And goodly ground about it. Since it lyes
So neere a Lordfhip that I lately bought,
I would faine buy it of you. I will giue you
Char. O pardon me : This houfe fuccefsiuely
Hath long'd to me and my progenitors
Three hundred yeeres. My great great Grandfather;
He in whom firft our gentle ftile began
Dwelt heere ; and in this ground, increaft this Mole
hill
Vnto that Mountaine which my Father left me.
Where he the firft of all our houfe begun,
I now the laft will end and keepe this houfe :
This virgin Title neuer yet deflour'd
By any vn thrift of the Mountfords line ;
In breefe, I will not fell it for more Go-Id
Then you could hide or paue the ground withall.
Shaf. Ha, ha, a proud minde and a Beggeis
purfe :
Where's my three hundred pounds, befides the vfe ?
I haue brought it to an execution
By courfe of Law ; what, is my money ready?
Char. An execution fir, and neuer tell me
You put my bond in fuite, you deale extreamly.
Shaf. Sell me the Land and He acquit you
ftraight
kild with Kindnes. 1 1 5
Char. Alas, alas : Tis all trouble hath left me
To cherifh me and my poore Sifters life.
If this were fold, our names mould then be quite
Rac'd from the bed-roll of Gentility.
You fee what hard fhift we haue made to keepe it
Allyed dill to our owne name : this palme you fee
Labour hath glow'd within her filuer brow,
That neuer tailed a rough winters blafl
Without a Maske or Fan, doth with a grace
Dene cold winter, and his ftormes outface.
Sufan. Sir, we feed fparing, and we labour hard,
We lie vneafie, to referue to vs
And our fucceffion this fmall plot of ground.
Char. I haue fo bent my thoughts to husbandry,
That I proteft I fcarfely can remember
What a new fafhion is ; how filke or fatten
Feeles in my hand : why pride is growne to vs
A meere meere flranger. I haue quite forgot
The names of all that euer waited on me.
I cannot name ye any of my Hounds ;
Once from whofe ecchoing mouths I heard all
muficke
That ere my heart defired. What mould I fay ?
To keepe this place I haue chang'd my felfe away.
Shaf. Arreft him at my fuite ; Aclions and
adlions
Shall keepe thee in continuall bondage* fail.
Nay more, He fue thee by a late appeale,
And call thy former life in queflion.
The Keeper is my friend, thou (halt haue Irons,
And vfage fuch as He deny to dogs :
Away with him.
Char. You are too timorous ; but Trouble is my
mafler,
And I will feme him truly : my kinde filler
Thy teares are of no force to molline
This flinty man. Go to my Fathers Brother,
* perpetuall bondage. 1607.
1 1 6 A Woman
My Kinfmen and Allies ; intreat them for me
To ranfome me from this iniurious man
That feekes my mine.
Shaf. Come, irons, irons ; away,
He fee thee lodg'd farre from the fight of day.
Exeunt.
Suf. My heart's fo hardned with the frofl of
greefe,
Death cannot pierce it through ; Tyrant too fell :
So leade the fiends condemned foules to hell.
Emter Afton and Malby.
Fran. Agen to prifon ; Malby haft thou feene
A poore flaue better tortur'd ? Shall we heare
The Muficke of his voice cry from the grate,
Meatefor the Lords fake : No, no, yet I am not
Throughly reueng'd. They fay he hath a pretty
wench
Unto his Sifter : Shal I in mercy fake
To him and to his Kindred, bribe the foole
To fhame her felfe by lewd dilhoneft lull :
He proffer largely, but the deede being done,
He fmile to fee her bafe confufion.
Mai. Methinkes Sir Francis you are full reueng'd
For greater wrongs then he can proffer you :
See where the poore fad Gentlewoman ftands.
Fran. Ha, ha, now will I flout her pouerty,
Deride her fortunes, fcoffe her bafe eflate ;
My very foule the name of Mountford hates.
But flay ; my heart, or what a looke did flye
To flrike my foule through with thy piercing eye.
I am inchanted, all my fpirits are fled ;
And with one glance my enuious fpleene ftrooke
dead.
Suf an. Acton that feekes our blood. Runs away.
Fran. O chafle and faire.
Mai. Sir Francis, why Sir Francis, zounds, in a
trance 1
kild with Kindnes. 1 1 7
Sir Francis, what cheere man ? Come, come,
how ifl '{
Fran. Was me not faire l \ Ore elfe this iudging
eye
Cannot diftinguish beauty.
Mai. She was faire.
Fran. She was an Angell in a mortals fhape,
And ne're defcended from old Mountfords line.
But foft, foft, let me call my wits together.
A poore, poore wench ; to my great Aduerfary
Sifter : whofe very foules denounce fterne warre
One againft other. How now Franke, turn'd Foole
Or madman whether 1 But no mailer of
My perfect fenfes and direcleft wits.
Then why mould I be in this violent humor
Of paffion, and of loue ? And with a perfon
So different euery way : and fo oppofd
In all contractions, and ftill-warring actions ?
Fie, fie, how I difpute againft my foule.
Come, come, He gaine her ; or in her faire
queft
Purchafe my foule free and immortall reft.
Enter 3. or 4. feruingmen, one with a Voyder and a
woodden Knife to take away all, another the fait
and bread, another the Table-cloth and Napkins,
another the Carpet, lenkin with two Lights after
them.
lenk. So, march in order and retire in battell
array. My mafter and the guefts haue fupp'd
already, all's taken away : heere now fpread for the
Seruingmen in the Hall. Butler, it belongs to your
Office.
But. I know it lenkin.
What de'ye cal the Gentleman that fupt there to
night ?
Ten. Who my mafter ?
But. No no, mafter Wendell hee's a daily Gueft j
n8 A Woman
I meane the Gentleman that came but this after-
noone.
Ten. His name's M. Cranwel. Gods light ; harke
within there, my matter cals to lay more Billets vppon
the fire. Come, come, Lord how wee that are in
Office heere in the houfe are troubled. One fpred the
Carpet in the Parlour, and ftand ready to fnuffe the
lights, the reft be ready to prepare their ftomackes.
More lights in the Hall there. Come Nicklas.
Exit.
Nic. I cannot eate, but had I Wendols heart
I would eate that ; the Rogue growes impudent.
Oh I haue feene fuch vil'de notorious trickes,
Ready to make my eyes dart from my head.
He tell my mafter, by this ayre I will ;
Fall what may fall, He tell him. Here he comes.
Enter Mafter Frankeford, as it were brujhing the
Crummes from his clothes with a Napkin, as
newly rif en from f upper.
Fran. Nichlas what make you heere? why are
not you
At fupper in the Hall among your fellowes ?
Nic. Mafter I ftaide your rifing from the boord
To fpeake with you.
Fran. Be breefe then gentle Nicklas,
My wife and guefts attend me in the Parlour ;
Why doft thou paufe? Now Nichlas you want
money ;
And vnthrift-like would eate into your wages
Ere you haue earn'd it : heere firs half a crowne ;
Play the good husband, and away to fupper.
Nick. By this hand an honourable Gentleman ; I
will not fee him wrong'd. Sir, I haue feru'd you
long : you entertain'd me feuen yeeres before your
beard. You knew me fir before you knew my
miftris.
Frank. What of this good Nicklas ?
kild with Kiiidnes. 1 1 9
Nick. I neuer was a make-bate, or a Knaue ;
I haue no fault but one, I'me giuen to quarrell,
But not with women. I will tell you Matter
That which will make your heart leape from your
brett;
Your hair to flartle from your head, your eares to
tingle.
Frank. What preparation's this to difmall newes ?
Nick. Sblood fir I loue you better then your wife ;
He make it good.
Fran. Thou art a knaue, and I haue much adoe
With wonted patience to containe my rage,
And not to breake thy pate. Thou art a knaue ;
He turne you with your bafe comparifons
Out of my doores.
Nick. Do, do.
There is not roome for Wendell and me too
Both in one houfe. Oh mailer, mailer,
That Wendoll is a villaine.
Fran. I, faucy.
Nick. Strike, flrike, do, flrike ; yet heare mee, I
am no Foole,
I know a villaine when I fee him act
Deeds of a villaine : matter, matter, that bafe flaue
Enioyes my miftris, and difhonors you.
Fr. Thou hatt kild me with a weapon whofe fharp
point
Hath prick'd quite through & through my fhiu'ring
hart.
Drops of cold fweate fit dangling on my haires,
Like mornings dew upon the golden flowers j
And I am plung'd into ftrange agonies.
What didft thou fay ? If any word that toucht
His credit, or her reputation ;
It is as hard to enter my beleefe,
As Diues into heauen.
Nicke. I can gaine nothing ;
They are two that neuer wrong'd me. I knew
before
I2O A Woman
Twas but a thankleffe office ; and perhaps
As much as is my feruice, or my life
Is worth. All this I know : But this and more,
More by a thoufand dangers could not hire me
To fmother fuch a heinous wrong from you ;
I faw, and I haue fayd.
Fran. Tis probable ; though blunt, yet he Is
honeft :
Though I durft pawne my life, and on their faith
Hazard the deere faluation of my foule :
Yet in my truft I may be too fecure.
May this be true ? O may it ? Can it be ?
Is it by any wonder poffible ?
Man, woman, what thing mortall may we truft,
When friends and bofome wiues proue fo vniufl ?
What inftance haft thou of this ftrange report ?
Nic. Eyes, eyes.
Frank. Thy eyes may be deceiu'd I tell thee :
For mould an Angell from the heauens drop downe,
And preach this to me that thy felfe haft told,
He mould haue much ado to win beleefe,
In both their loues I am fo confident.
Nic. Shall I difcourfe the fame by circumftance 1
Fran. No more; to fupper, & command your
fellowes
To attend vs and the ftrangers. Not a word
I charge thee on thy life, be fecret then,
For I know nothing.
Nich. I am dumbe ; and now that I haue eafd my
ftomacke, I will go fill my ftomacke.
Fran. Away, be gone.
She is well borne, defcended Nobly ;
Vertuous her education, her repute
Is in the generall voice of all the Countrey
Honeft and faire ; her carriage, her demeanor
In all her actions that concerne the loue
To me her husband ; modeft, chafte, and godly.
Is all this feeming Gold plaine Copper 1
But he, that ludas that hath borne my purfe,
kild with Kindnes. 121
And fold me for a fm : Oh God, oh God, '
Shall I put vp thefe wrongs ? No, fhall I trufl
The bare report of this fufpitious groome,
Before the double guilt, the well-hatch Ore
Of their two hearts ? No, I will loofe thefe thoughts :
Diflrac~lion I will banifh from my brow,
And from my lookes exile fad difcontent,
Their wonted fauours in my tongue mail flow ;
Till I know all, lie nothing feeme to know.
Lights and a Table there. Wife, M. Wendol,
And gentle Matter CranwelL
Enter Miftris Frankford, Majler Wendoll, mafler
Cranwell, Nicke and lenkin, with Cards, Carpet,
Jlooles, and other neceffaries.
Fran. O mafler Cranwel, you are a ftranger heere,
And often balke my houfe : faith y'are a Churle :
Now we haue fupp'd, a Table and to Cards.
len. A paire of Cards Nichlas, and a Carpet to
couer the Table : where's Sifly with her Counters and
her box : Candles and Candleftickes there. Fie wee
haue fuch a houfhold of feruing creatures, vnleffe it
bee Nicke and I, there's not one amongfl them all can
fay bo to a Goofe. Wei-fed Nicke.
They fpred a Carpet, fet downe lights and Cards.
Anne. Come M. Frankford, who fhall take my
part?
Frank. Marry that will I fweet wife.
Wend. No by my Faith fir, when you are togither
I fitte out ; it mufl be miflris Frankford & I, or els it
is no match.
Fran. I do not like that match.
Nicke. You haue no reafon marry knowing all.
Frank. Tis no great matter neither. Come Mafler
Cranwell, fhall you and I take them vp,
122 A Woman
Cran. At your pleafure fir.
Fran. I muft looke to you matter Wendell, for you
will be playing falfe : nay fo will my wife too.
Nicke. I, I will be fworne flie will.
Anne. Let them that are taken playing falfe forfet
the Set.
Frank. Content, it mall go hard but He take you.
Cran. Gentlemen what mail our game be ?
Wend. Matter Frank/ ord you play bett at Noddy.
Fran. You mail not finde it fo, indeed you
mall not.
Anne. I can play at nothing fo well as double
ruffe.
Fran. If matter Wendoll and my wife be together,
ther's no playing againtt them at double hand.
Nic. I can tell you fir the game that matter
Wendoll is bett at.
Wend. What game is that Nicke ?
Nicke. Marry fir, Knaue out of doores.
Wend. She and I will take you at Lodam.
Anfie. Husband mall we play at Saint.
Fran. My Saints turn'd deuill. No wee'l none of
Saint ;
You are bett at New-cut wife : you'l play at that.
Wend. If you play at new-cut, I am foonett hitter
of any heere for a wager.
Frank. Tis me they play on. Well you may draw
out
For all your cunning : 'twill be to your fhame,
He teach you at your New-cut a new game.
Come, come.
Cran. If you cannot agree vpon the game, to pott
and paire.
Wend. We mall be foonett paires, and my good
hod
When he comes late home he mutt kiffe the pott.
Fran. Who euer wins it mall be to thy cott.
Cran. Faith let it be Vide-ruffe, and let's make
honors.
kild with Kindnes. 123
Fran. If you make honors, one thing let me
craue ',
Honor the King and Queene : except the Knaue.
Wend. Well as you pleafe for that. Lift who mall
deal.
Anne. The leaft in fight : what are you Matter
Wendoll
Wend. I am a Knaue.
Nicke. He fweare it.
Anne. I a Queene.
Fr. A quean thou fhouldft fay : wel the cards are
mine,
They are the grofefl paire that ere I felt.
Anne. Shuffle, He cut ; would I had neuer dealt ?
Fran. I haue loft my dealing.
Wen. Sir the faults in me ;
This Queene I haue more then my owne you fee.
Giue me the ftocke.
Fran. My minds not on my game ;
Many a deale I haue loft, the more's your mame.
You haue feru'd me a bad tricke mafter Wendol.
Wen. Sir you muft take your lot. To end this
llrife,
I know I haue dealt better with your wife.
Fran. Thou haft dealt falfely then.
Anne. What's Trumpes 1
Wend. Harts : Partner I rub.
Fran. Thou robft me of my foule, of her chaft
loue,
In thy falfe dealing thou haft rob'd my heart.
Booty you play, I like a loofer ftand,
Hauing no heart, or heere, or in my hand.
I will giue o're the Set, I am not well :
Come who will hold my Cards 1
Anne. Not well fweet M. Frankford ;
Alas what ayle you ? Tis fome fodaine qualme.
Wend. How long haue you been fo mafter Frank-
f&rd\
Fran. Sir I was lufly, and I had my health,
124 A Woman
But I grew ill when you began to deale.
Take hence this table. Gentle matter Cranwell
You are welcome ; fee your chamber at your plea-
fure,
I am forry that this Megrim takes me fo,
I cannot fit and beare you company.
lenkin fome lights, and mew him to his chamber.
Anne. A night-gowne for my husband, quickly
there:
It is fome rheume or cold.
Wen. Now in good faith this ilneffe you haue
got
By fitting late without your gowne.
Fran. I know it M. Wendol.
Go, go to bed, left you complaine like me :
Wife, prethee wife into my bed-chamber.
The night is raw and cold, and rheumaticke ;
Leaue me my gowne and light, He walke away
my fit.
Wend. Sweet fir goodnight.
Fran. My felfe good night.
Anne. Shall I attend you husband ?
Fran. No gentle wife, thou't catch cold in thy
head ;
Prethee begone fweete, He make haft to bed.
Anne. No fleepe will faften on mine eyes you
know
Vntill you come. Exit.
Frank. Sweet Nan I prethee go.
I haue bethought me, get me by degrees
The Keyes of all my doores, which I will mould
In wax, and take their faire impreffion,
To haue by them new keyes. This being compaft,
At a fet houre a Letter fhall be brought me :
And when they thinke they may fecurely play,
They are neareft to danger. Wick) I muft rely
Vpon thy truft and faithfull fecrecie.
Nic. Builde on my faith.
Fran. To bed then, not to reft ;
kild with Kindnes. 125
Care lodges in my braine, greefe in my brefl.
Enter Sir Charles his Sifter, old Mountford, Sandy,
Roder, and Tydy.
Mount. You fay my Nephew is in great dif-
trefie :
Who brought it to him but his owne lewd life ?
I cannot fpare a crofie. I mufl confeffe
He was my Brothers fonne : why Neece, what then ?
This is no world in which to pitty men.
Suf. I was not borne a Begger, though his ex
tremes
Enforce this language from me : I protefl
No fortune of mine owne could leade my tongue
To this bafe Key. I do befeech you Vncle,
For the names fake, for Chriftianity,
Nay for Gods fake to pitty his diftreffe :
He is deni'de the freedome of the prifon,
And in the hole is laide with men condemn'd ;
Plenty he hath of nothing but of irons,
And it remaines in you to free him thence.
Mount Mony I cannot fpare : men mould take
heede,
He loft my kindred when he fell to neede. Exit.
Suf. Gold is but earth, thou earth enough malt
haue,
When thou haft once tooke meafure of thy graue.
You know me mafter Sandy, and my fute.
Sandy. I knew you Lady when the olde man
liu'd,
I knew you ere your Brother folde his land ;
Then you were Miftris Sue, trick'd vp in Jewels :
Than you fung well, plaide fweetly on the Lute,
But now I neither know you nor your fute.
Su. You mafter jRoderwas my brothers Tenant,
Rent-free he plac'd you in that wealthy farme
Of which you are poffeft.
Roder. True he did ;
126 A Woman
And haue I not there dwelt flill for his fake 1
I haue fome bufmeffe now, but without doubt
They that haue hurl'd him in, will helpe him out.
Exit.
Suf. Cold comfort flill : what fay you cozen
Tydy?
Tydy. I fay this comes of royfling, fwagg'ring ;
Call me not cozen. Each man for himfelfe ;
Some men are borne to mirth, and fome to forrow,
I am no cofen vnto them that borrow. Exit.
Suf. Oh Charity, why art thou fled to heauen,
And left all things on this earth vneuen 1
Their fcoffing anfwers I will nere returne ;
But to myfelfe his greefe in filence mourne.
Enter Sir Francis and Malby.
Fran. She is poore, lie therefore tempt her with
this gold.
Go Malby in my name deliuer it,
And I will flay thy anfwer.
Mai. Faire Miftris, as I vnderfland your greefe
Doth grow from want, fo I haue heere in ftore
A meanes to furnifh you, a bag of Gold,
Which to your hands I freely tender you.
Suf an. I thanke you heauens ; I thanke you gen
tle fir :
God make me able to requite this fauour.
Mai. This Gold Sir Francis AcJon fends by me,
And prayes you
Suf an. Afton. O God, that name I am borne to
curfe :
Hence Bawd, hence Broker : fee, I fpurne his Gold,
My honour neuer mall for gaine be fold.
Fran. Stay, Lady flay.
Suf an. From you He polling hie ;
Euen as the Doues from featherd Eagles flie. Exit.
Iran. She hates my name, my face, how mould 1
wo?
kild with Kindnes. 1 27
I am difgrac'd in euery thing I do.
The more me hates me, and difdaines my loue,
The more I am wrapt in admiration
Of her diuine and chafte perfedlions.
Woe her with gifts I cannot : for all gifts
Sent in my name me fpurnes. With lookes I cannot,
For (he abhorres my fight. Nor yet with Letters,
For none me will receiue. How then, how then ?
Well, I will faften inch a kindnefle on her,
As mail orecome her hate and conquer it.
Sir Charles her brother lies in execution
For a great fumme of money : and befides
The appeale is fued ftill for my Huntfmens death,
Which onely I haue power to reuerfe :
In her He bury all my hate of him.
Go feeke the Keeper Malby, bring him to me :
To faue his body I his debts will pay ;
To faue his life, I his appeale will (lay.
Enter Sir Charles in prifon, with Irons, his feete bare,
his garments all ragged and torne.
Char. Of all on the earths face moil miferable,.
Breath in this hellifh dungeon thy laments :
Thus like a flaue ragg'd, like a fellon gyu'd,
That hurles thee headlong to this bafe eftate.
Oh vnkinde Vncle ! Oh my friends ingrate.
Vnthankfull Kinfmen : Mountfords all too bafe,
To let thy name lie fetter'd in difgrace.
A thoufand deaths heere in this graue I dye ;
Feare, hunger, forrow, cold, all threat my death,
And ioyne together to depriue my breath.
But that which mofl torments me, my deere Sifler
Hath left to vifit me, and from my friends
Hath brought no hopefull anfwere : therefore I
Diuine they will not helpe my mifery.
If it be fo, fhame, fcandall, and contempt
Attend their couetous thoughts. Need make their
128 A Woman
Vfurers they Hue, and may they dye like flaues.
Enter Keeper.
Keep. Knight, be of comfort, for I bring thee free
dom
From all thy troubles.
Char. Then I am doom'd to die ;
Death is the end of all calamity.
Keep. Liue, your appeale is ftaide ; the execution
Of all your debts difcharg'd : your Creditors
Euen to the vtmoft peny fatisfied.
In figne whereof, your lhackles I knocke off;
You are not left fo much indebted to vs
As for your fees ; all is difcharg'd, all paide :
Go freely to your houfe, or where you pleafe,
After long miferies, embrace your eafe.
Char. Thou grumblefl out the fweeteft muficke to
me
That euer Organ playd. Is this a dreame ?
Or do my waking fenfes apprehend
The pleafmg tafle of theie applaufme newes ?
Slaue that I was to wrong fuch honeft friends ;
My louing Kinfmen, and my neere Allies :
Tongue I will bite thee for the fcandall breath'd
Againfl fuch faithfull Kinfmen : they are all
Compofd of pitty and compaffion ;
Of melting charity, and of mouing ruth.
That which I fpake before was in my rage,
They are my fr.ends, the mirrours of this age :
Bounteous and free. The Noble Mountfords race,
Nere bred a couetous thought, or humor bafe.
Enter Sufan.
Sufan. I can no longer flay from vifiting
My wofull Brother : while I could I kept
My hapleffe tidings from his hopefull eare.
Char. Sifter, how much am I indebted to thee
e-
kild with Kindnes. 1 29
And to thy trauell ?
Sufan. What, at liberty 1
Char. Thou feeft I am thankes to thy induftry :
Oh vnto which of all my curteous friends
Am I thus bound : My vncle Mountford he
Euen of an infant lou'd me, was it he ?
So did my cozen Tydy : was it he *l
So matter Roder, matter Sandy too,
Which of all thefe did this hie kindneffe doe.
Sufan. Charles can you mocke me in your
pouerty,
Knowing your friends deride your mifery ;
Now I protett I ftand fo much amaz'd
To fee your bonds free, and your Irons knock'd off,
That I am wrap'd into a maze of wonder.
The rather for I know not by what meanes
This happineffe hath chanc'd.
Char. Why by my Vncle,
My cozens, and my friends ; who elfe I pray
Would take vpon them all my debts to pay ?
Sufan. O Brother, they are men ail of Flint,
Pictures of Marble, and as voide of pitty
As chaced Beares : I begg'd, I fued, I kneel' d,
Laide open all your greefes and miferies,
Which thy derided. More then that, denide vs
A part in their alliance ; but in pride
Said that our Kindred with our plenty dyde.
Char. Drudges too much, what did they : oh
known euil ;
Rich flye the poore, as good men fhun the deuill :
Whence fhould my freedome come 1 Of whom
aliue,
Sailing of thofe haue I deferued fo well 1
Geffe Sitter, call to minde, remember me :
Thefe I haue raifd, they follow the worlds guife ;
Whom rich in honor, they in woe defpife.
Sufan. My wits haue loft themfelues, lets aske the
keeper.
1 30 A Woman
Charles. laylor.
Keeper. At hand fir.
Charles. Of curtefie refolue me one demand.
What was he tooke the burthen of my debts
From off my backe, ftaide my appeale to death,
Difcharg'd my fees, and brought me liberty ?
Keeper. A curteous knight, one call'd fir Francis
Atton.
Sufan. Afton.
Charles. Ha, Afton. Oh me, more diftreft In
this
Then all my troubles : hale me backe,
Double my Irons : and my fparing Meales
Put into halues, and lodge mee in a dungeon
More deepe, more darke, more cold, more comfort-
leffe :
By Afton freed ; not all thy manacles
Could fetter fo my heeles, as this one word
Hath thrall'd my heart, and it mufl now lye bound
In more Uriel prifon then thy ftony layle.
I am not free, I go but vnder baile.
Keeper. My charge is done fir, now I haue my
fees ;
As we get little, we will nothing leefe. Eocit.
Char. By Afton freed, my dangerous oppofite,
Why to what end 1 On what occaiion ? Ha.
Let me forget the name of enemy,
And with indifference ballance this hie fauour :
Ha.
Sufan. His loue to me, vpon my foule 'tis fo ;
That is the root from whence thefe flrange things
grow.
Char. Had this proceeded from my Father, he
That by the law of Nature is moft bound
In offices of loue, it had deferu'd
My befl employment to requite that grace.
Had it proceeded from my friends, or him,
From them this action had deferu'd my life ;
kild with Kindnes. 131
And from a flranger more, becaufe from fuch
There is leffe execution of good deeds.
But he, nor Father, nor Ally, nor Friend,
More then a flranger, both remote in blood,
And in his heart oppofd my enemy,
That this hye bounty mould proceede from him.
there I loofe my felfe : What mould I fay?
What thinke ? what do ? his bounty to repay ?
Suf. You wonder I am fure whence this ftrange
kindneffe
Proceeds in AElon. I will tell you Brother :
He dotes on me, and oft hath fent me gifts,
Letters, and Tokens, I refufd them all.
Char. I haue enough; though poore, my heart
is fet,
In one rich gift to pay backe all my debt. Exeunt.
Enter Frankford and Nicke with Keyes, and a letter in
his han'd.
Fran. This is the night, that I muft play my
part
To try two feeming Angels : where's my keyes ?
Nick. They are made according to your mold in
wax
1 bad the fmith be fecret, gaue him money,
And heere they are. The Letter fir.
Fran. True take it, there it is ;
And when thou feeft me in my pleafantfl vaine
Ready to fit to fupper, bring it me.
Nic. He do't, make no more queftion but He do't.
Exit.
Enter Miftris Frankford, Cranwell, Wendell, and
lenkin.
Anne. Sirra, tis fixe a clocke already flroke,
Go bid them fpred the cloth and ferue in fupper.
len. It mall be done forfooth. Miftris wheres
K 2
132 A Woman
Spiggot the Butler to giue vs out fait and Tren
chers.
Wen. We that haue bene a hunting all the day,
Come with prepared ftomackes matter Frankford',
We wilh'd you at our fport.
Fran. My hart was with you, and my mind was 01
you.
Fie matter Cranwell you are ftill thus fad :
A ftoole, a ftoole ; where's lenkin, and where'*
Nickel
Tis fupper time at leaft an houre ago :
What's the beft newes abroad ?
Wend. I know none good.
Fran. But I know too much bad.
Enter Butler and lenkin with a Table-cloth, Bread,
Trenchers and fait.
Cran. Methinkes fir, you might haue that interefl
In your wiues Brother, to be more remiffe
In his hard dealing againfl poore Sir Charles,
Who (as I heare) lies in Yorke Caflle, needy,
And in great want.
Fran. Did not more weighty bufmeffe of my
owne
Hold me away, I would haue labour'd peace
Betwixt them with all care, indeede I would fir.
Anne. He write vnto my brother earneftly
In that behalfe.
Wendol. A charitable deede,
And will beget the good opinion
Of all your friends that loue you Miftris Frankford.
Fran. That's you for one, I know you loue fir
Charles,
And my wife too well.
Wendol. He deferues the loue
Of all true Gentlemen j be your felues iudge.
Fran. But fupper ho : Now as thou lou'fl me
Wendoll
kild with Kindnes. 133
Which I am fure thou doefl ; be merry, pleafant,
And frolicke it to night : Sweet matter Cranwell
Do you the like. Wife, I proteft my heart
Was nere more bent on fweet alacrity :
Where be thofe lazy knaues to feme in Supper ?
Enter Nuke.
Nicke. Here's a Letter fir.
Fran. Whence come's it ? and who brought it 1
Nicke. A ftripling that below attends your an-
iwer,
And as he tels me it is fent from Yorke.
Fran. Haue him into the feller, let him tafte a
cuppe of our March Beere : Go, make him drinke.
Nick. lie make him drunke if he be a Troian.
Fran. My Boots and fpurs : where's lenkin ? God
forgiue me,
How I neglect my bufmefle : wife looke here ;
I haue a matter to be tride to morrow
By eight a clocke ; and my Atturney writes me
I muft be there betimes with euidence,
Or it will go againfl me : where's my bootes ?
Enter lenkin with boots and fpurs.
Anne. I hope your bufmeffe craues no fuch dif-
patch
That you muft ride to night.
Wend. I hope it doth.
Fran. Gods me, no fuch difpatch :
lenkin my boots : where's Nicke ? Saddle my Roan,
And the gray dapple for himfelfe : Content ye,
It much concernes me. Gentle Mafter Cranwell,
And Mafter Wendoll, in my abfence vfe
The very ripeft pleafures of my houfe.
Wendol. Lord, mafter Frankford will you ride to
night ?
The wayes are dangerous.
134 A Woman
Fran. Therefore will I ride
Appointed well ; and fo mall Nicke my man.
Anne. He call you vp by fiue a clocke to morrow.
Fran. No by my faith wife, He not trufl to that,
Tis not fuch eafie rifing in a morning
From one I loue fo deerely : No by my faith-,
I mail not leaue fo fweet a bed-fellow
But with much paine : you haue made me a fluggard
Since I firft knew you.
Anne. Then if you needs will goe
This dangerous euening : Matter Wendell
Let me intreate you beare him company.
Wen. With all my heart fweet miftris : My boots
there ?
Fran. Fie, fie, that for my priuate bufmeffe
I mould difeafe my friend, and be a trouble
To the whole houfe : Nicke ?
Nicke. Anon fir.
Fran. Bring forth my Gelding, as you loue me
fir
Vfe no more words : a hand good matter Cranwdl.
Cran. Sir God be your good fpeede.
Fran. Goodnight fweet Nan ; nay, nay, a kiffe
and part :
Diflembling lips you fute not with my hart. Exit.
Wen. How bufines, time, and houres all gracious
proue
And are the furtherers to my new borne loue.
I am husband now in matter Frankfords place,
And mutt command the houfe. My pleafure is
We will not fup abroad fo publikely,
But in your priuate chamber mittris Frankeford.
Anne. Oh fir, you are too publicke in your Loue,
And matter Frankfords wife.
Cran. Might I craue fauour,
I would intreate you I might fee my chamber,
I am on the fodaine growne exceeding ill,
And would be fpar'd from fupper.
Wen. Light there ho.
kild with Kindnes. 135
See you want nothing fir ; for if you do,
You miure that good man, and wrong me to.
Cran. I will make bold : good night.
Wen. How all confpire
To make our bofome fweet, and full intire.
Come JVan, I prethee let vs fup within.
Anne. O what a clog vnto the foule is fin?
We pale offenders are dill full of feare ;
Euery fufpitious eye brings danger neare :
When they whofe cleere hearts from offence are free,
Difpife report ; bafe fcandals do outface,
And ftand at meere defiance with difgrace.
Wend. Fie, fie, you talke too like a Puritan.
Anne. You haue tempted me to mifchiefe M.
Wendoll :
I haue done I know not what. Well, you plead cuf-
tome ;
That which for want of wit I granted erfl,
I now muft yeelde through feare. Come, come, lets
in,
Once ore mooes, we are flraight ore head in finne.
Wend. My iocond foule is ioyfull aboue meafure,
He be profufe in Frankfords richefl treafure. Exeunt.
Enter Sifly, lenkin, Butler, and other Seruingmen.
len. My miftris, and matter Wendoll my matter,
fup in her chamber to night ; Sifly you are preferr'd
from beeing the Cooke to be chamber-maid, of all the
loues betwixt thee and me, tell me what thou thinktt
of this.
Sifly. Mum, there's an old prouerbe, when the
Cats away, the Moufe may play.
len. Now you talke of a Cat, Sifly ^ I fmell a
Rat
Sif. Good words lenkin, left you be call'd to
anfwere them.
len. Why God make my miftris an honeft woman,
are not thefe good wordes? Pray God my new
136 A Woman
maifter play not the Knaue with my old matter, is
there any hurt in this ? God fend no villany intended ;
and if they doe fup together, pray God they doe not
lye together. God make my miftris chad, and make
vs all his feruants : what harme is there in all this 1
Nay more, heere is my hand thou malt neuer haue my
heart vnleffe thou fay Amen.
Sitfy. Amen I pray God I fay.
Enter Seruingman.
Ser. My miflris fends that you mold make leffe
noife, to locke vp the doores, and fee the houfholde
all got to bed : you lenkin for this night are made
the Porter to fee the gates fhut in.
len. Thus by little and little I creepe into office.
Come to kennell my matters to kennell, tis eleuen a
clocke already.
Ser. When you haue lockd the gates in, you muft
fend vp the keyes to my mittris.
Sifly. Quickely for Gods fake lenkin, for I muft
carrie them : I am neither pillow nor boulfler, but I
know more then both.
len. To bed good Spiggot, to bed good honeft
feruing creatures, and let vs fleepe as mug as pigs in
peafe ftraw. Exeunt.
Enter Frankford and Nicke.
Fran. Soft, foft ; wee haue tied our geldings to a
tree two flight moot off, left by their thundering hoofes
they blab our comming back. Hearft thou no noife ?
Nic. Heare, I heare nothing but the Owle and
you.
Fran. So : now my watches hand points vpon
twelue,
And it is dead midnight : where are my keyes 1
Nic. Heere fir.
Fran. This is the key that opes my outward gate ;
kild with Kindnes. 137
This the Hall doore ; this the withdrawing cham
ber :
But this, that doore that's bawd vnto my fhame :
Fountaine and fpring of all my bleeding thoughts,
Where the mofl hallowed order and true knot
Of Nuptiall fanc~lity hath bene prophan'd ;
It leads to my polluted bed-chamber,
Once my Terreftriall heauen, now my earths hell,
The place where fins in all their ripeneffe dwell.
But I forget my felfe, now to my gate.
Nic. It muft ope with far leffe noife then Cripple-
gate, or your plot's dafh'd.
Fran. So reach me my darke Lanthorne to the
reft;
Tread foftly, foftly.
Nic. I will walke on Egges this pace.
Fran. A generall filence hath furpriz'd the houfe,
And this is the laft doore. Aftonifhment,
Feare, and amazement beate vpon my heart, (i)
Euen as a madman beats vpon a drum :
keepe my eyes you heauens before I enter,
From any fight that may transfix my foule :
Or if there be fo blacke a fpeclacle,
Oh flrike mine eyes ftarke blind. Or if not fo,
Lend me fuch patience to digeft my greefe,
That I may keepe this white and virgin hand,
From any violent outrage, or red murther,
And with that prayer I enter.
Nic. Heres a circumftance,
A man may be made Cuckold in the time
That hees about it, and the cafe were mine
As tis my Mailers, sblood that he makes me fwere,
1 would haue plac'd his action, enter'd there ;
I would, 1 would.
Fran. Oh, oh.
Nic. Mafter, sblood mafter, mafler.
(i) play againft my heart. Ed. 1607.
138 A Woman
Fran. Oh me vnhappy, I haue found them lying
Clofe in each others arines, and fall aileepe.
But that I would not damne two precious foules
Bought with my Sauiours blood, and fend them laden
With all their fcarlet fmnes vpon their backes,
Vnto a fearfull iudgement, their two Hues
Had met vpon my rapier.
Nic. Sblood Matter, haue you left them fleeping
ftffl!
Let me go wake them.
Fran. Stay, let me paufe awhile.
O God, O God, that it were pofsible
To vndo things done \ to call backe yeflerday :
That time could turne vp his fwift fandy glaffe,
To vntell the dayes, and to redeeme thefe houres.
Or that the Sunne
Could rifmg from the weft draw his coach backward ;
Take from th' account of time fo many minutes,
Til he had all thefe feafons call'd againe.
Thofe minutes, and thofe actions done in them,
Euen from her firft offence ; that I might take her
As fpotleffe as an Angell in my armes.
But oh, I talke of things impofsible,
And caft beyond the moone. God giue me patience
For I will in and wake them. Exit.
Nick. Here's patience perforce,
He needs muft trot afoot that tires his horfe.
Enter Wendol running ouer the ftage in a Night-gowne,
hee after him with his f word drawne, the maide in
her fmocke Jlayes his hand> and clafpes hold on him.
Hee panfes for a while.
Fran. I thanke thee maide, thou like the Angelles
hand,
Haft ftayd me from a bloody facrifice.
Go villen, and my wrongs fit on thy foule
As heauy as this greefe doth vpon mine.
When thou recordft my many curtefies,
3
kild with Kindnes. 139
And flialt compare them with thy treacherous heart,
Lay them together, weigh them equally,
'Twill be reuenge enough. Go, to thy friend
A ludas ; pray, pray, left I Hue to fee
Thee ludas-like hang'd on an Elder-tree.
Enter Miflris Frankford in her fmocke, Night-gowne,
and night attire.
Anne. O by what word ? what title ? or what
name
Shall I intreate your pardon 1 Pardon : Oh
I am as farre from hoping fuch fweete grace
As Lucifer from heauen. To call you Husband ;
(O me mod wretched) I haue loft that name,
I am no more your wife.
Nick. Sblood fir me founds.
Fran. Spare thou thy teares, for I will weepe for
thee ;
And keepe thy count'nance, for He bluih for thee :
Now I protefl I thinke tis I am tainted,
For I am moft afham'd ; and tis more hard
For me to looke vpon thy guilty face,
Then on the funs cleere brow : What wouldfl thou
fpeake ^
Anne. I would I had no tongue, no eares, no
eyes,
No apprehenfion, no capacity.
When do you fpurne me like a dog ? when tread me
Vnder your feete ? when drag me by the haire ?
Though I deferue a thoufand thoufand folde
More then you can inflict : yet once my husband,
For woman-hood to which I am a Ihame,
Though once an ornament : Euen for his fake
That hath redeem'd our foules, marke not my face,
Nor hacke me with your fword : but let me go
Perfect and vndeformed to my Tombe.
I am not worthy that I mould preuaile
140 A Woman
In the leaft fuite ; no, not to fpeake to you,
Nor looke on you ; nor to be in your prefence.
Yet as an abiect this one fute I craue,
This granted I am ready for my graue.
Fran. My God with patience arme me : rife, nay
rife,
And He debate with thee : Was it for want
Thou plaidft the ftrumpet 1 Waft thou not fupplide
With euery pleafure, fafhion, and new toy ;
Nay euen beyond my calling ?
Anne. I was.
Fran. Was it then difability in me ?
Or in thine eye feem'd he a properer man 1
Anne. O no.
Fran. Did not I lodge thee in my bofome ? weare
thee
Here in my heart ?
Anne. You did.
Fran. I did indeede ;
Witneffe my teares I did.
Go bring my infants hither. O Nan, O Nan,
If neither feare of fhame, regard of honor,
The blemifh of my houfe, nor my deere loue
Could haue with-held thee from fo lewd a fac~t :
Yet for thefe infants, thefe yong harmleffe foules,
On whofe white browes thy fhame is charracter'd,
And growes in greatneffe as they wax in yeeres ;
Looke but on them, and melt away in teares.
Away with them ; left as her fpotted body
Hath ftain'd their names with ftripe of baftardy,
So her adulterous breath may blaft their fpirits
With her infectious thoughts. Away with them.
Anne. In this one life I dye ten thoufand
deaths.
Fran. Stand vp, ftand vp, I will do nothing
rafhly :
I wil retire awhile into my ftudy,
And thou malt heare thy fentence prefently. Exit.
kild with Kindnes. 141
Anne. Tis welcome be it death. O mee bafe
flrumpet,
That hairing fuch a husband, fuch fweete children,
Muft inioy neither : oh to redeeme my honor,
I would haue this hand cut off, thefe my brefts
fear'd,
Be rack'd, ftrappado'd, put to any torment :
Nay, to whip but this fcandall out, I would hazard
The rich and deere redemption of my foule.
He cannot be fo bafe as to forgiue me ;
Nor I fo fhameleffe to accept his pardon.
O women, women, you that yet haue kept
Your holy Matrimoniall Vow vnflain'd,
Make me your inflance, when you tred awry,
Your finnes like mine will on your confcience ly.
Enter Sifly, Spiggot, all the Seruingmen, and lenkin, as
newly come out of Bed.
AIL O Miftris, Miftris, what haue you done Mif
tris ?
Nic. Sbloud what a Catterwauling keepe you
heere.
len. O Lord Miftris, how comes this to paffe, my
Mafler is run away in his fhirt, & neuer fo much as
calld me to bring his clothes after him.
Anne. See what guilt is, here ftand I in this place,
Afham'd to looke my feruants in the face.
Enter M. Frankford and Cranwell ; whom feeing Jhe
fals on her knees.
Fran. My words are regiftred in heauen already,
With patience heare me. lie not martyr thee,
Nor marke thee for a ftrumpet ; but with vfage
Of more humility torment thy foule,
And kill thee euen with kindneffe.
Cran. M. Frankford.
142 A Woman
Fran. Good M. Cranwel. Woman hear thy iudg-
ment
Go make thee ready in thy beft Attire ;
Take with thee all thy gownes, all thy Apparrell,
Leaue nothing that did euer call thee Miflris,
Or by whofe fight being left heere in the houfe
I may remember fuch a woman by.
Choofe thee a bed & hangings for thy chamber ;
Take with thee euery thing that hath thy marke ;
And get thee to my Manner feuen mile off :
Where Hue, 'tis thine, I freely giue it thee.
My Tennants by mail furnim thee with waines
To carry all thy fluffe within two houres ;
No longer wil I limit thee my fight.
Choofe which of all my feruants thou lik'ft beft,
And they are thine to attend thee.
Anne. A milde fentence.
Fran. But as thou hop'fl for heauen, as thou be-
leeu'ft
Thy name's recorded in the booke of life,
I charge thee neuer after this fad day
To fee me, or to meete me ; or to fend
By word, or writing, guift, or otherwife
To moue me, by thy felfe, or by thy friends ;
Nor challenge any part in my two children.
So farwell Nan ; for we will henceforth be
As we had neuer feene, nere more mail fee.
Anne. How full my heart is, in mine eies ap-
peares ;
What wants in words, I will fupply in teares.
Fra. Come take your coach, your fluffe j al mufl
along :
Seruants and all make readie, all be gone,
It was thy hand cut two hearts out of one.
Enter Sir Charles Gentleman-like, and his Sifter Gentle
woman-like.
Sufan. Brother why haue you trick'd me like a
Bride?
kild with Kindnes. 143
Bought me this gay attire, thefe ornaments ?
Forget you our eflate, our pouertie ?
Char. Call me not brother ; but imagine mee
Some barbarous Out-law, or vnciuill Kerne ;
For if thou fhutft thy eie, and onely heard
The words that I (hall vtter, thou fhalt iudge me
Some flaring Ruffian, not thy Brother Charles.
Siller :
Sufan. O Brother, what doth this ftrange Language
meane 3
Char. Doll loue me Siller ? wouldll thou fee mee
Hue
A Bankrupt begger in the worlds difgrace,
And die indebted to my enemies 1
Wouldll thou behold me Hand like a huge beame
In the worlds eie, a by-word and a fcorne 1
It lies in thee of thefe to acquit me free,
And all my debt I may out-ftrip by thee.
Sufan. By me : why I haue nothing, nothing
left,
1 owe euen for the clothes vpon my backe :
I am not worth
Char. O Siller fay not fo,
It lies in you my downe-caft Hate to raife ;
To make me Hand on euen points with the world.
Come Siller, you are rich j indeede you are :
And in your powre you haue without delay,
AElons fiue hundred pound backe to repay.
Suf. Til now I had thought you lou'd me. By my
honor
(Which I haue kept as fpotleffe as the Moone)
I ne're was miftris of that fmgle doite
Which I referu'd not to fupply your wants :
And do you thinke that I would hoord from you 1
Now by my hopes in heauen, knew I the meanes
To buy you from the flauery of your debts
(Efpecially from Atton whom I hate)
I would redeeme it with my life or blood.
Char. I challenge it, and kindred fet apart ;
144 A Woman
Thus (Ruffian-like) I lay fiege to your hart.
What do I owe to Atton 1
Suf. Why fome fiue hundred pounds, towards
which I fweare,
In all the world I haue not one deneare.
Cha. It will not proue fo. Sifter now refolue
me,
What do you thinke (and fpeake your confcience)
Would Atton giue might he inioy your bed ?
Suf an. He would not fhrinke to fpend a thoufand
pound,
To giue the Mountfords name fo deepe a wound.
Char. A thoufand pound : I but fiue hundred
owe,
Grant him your bed, hee's payd with intrefl fo.
Suf. O Brother.
Char. O Sifter, onely this one way,
With that rich lewell you my debts may pay :
In fpeaking this my cold heart makes with fhame,
Nor do I woe you in a Brothers name,
But in a flrangers. Shall I dye in debt
To Atton my grand foe ; and you ftill weare
The precious lewell that he holds fo deare 1
Suf. My honor I efleeme as deere and precious
As my redemption.
Char. I efleeme you fitter
As deare, for fo deare prizing it.
Suf. Will Charles
Haue me cut off my hands and fend them Atton :
Rip vp my brett, and with my bleeding heart
Prefent him, as a token.
Char. Neither Sitter :
But heare me in my ftrange affertion.
Thy honor and my foule are equall in my regard ;
Nor will thy brother Charles furuiue thy fhame.
His kindneffe (like a burthen) hath furcharged me,
And vnder his good deeds, I ftooping, go
Not with an vpright foule. Had I remain'd
In pnfon flill, there doubtleffe I had dyed :
kild with Kindnes. 1 4 5
Then vnto him that freed me from that prifon,
Still do I owe this life. What moou'd my foe
To infranchife me ? 'Twas fitter for your loue.
With full flue hundred pounds he bought your
loue,
And mail he not inioy it ? Shall the weight
Of all this heauy burthen leane on me,
And wil not you beare part 1 You did partake
The ioy of my releafe, will you not ftand
In ioynt-bond bound to fatisfie the debt 1
Shall I be onely charg'd ?
Suf. But that I know
Thefe arguments come from an honour'd minde,
As in your mofl extremity of neede
Scorning to ftand in debt to one you hate ;
Nay rather would ingage your vnflain'd honor
Then to be held ingrate, I mould condemne you.
I fee your refolution and affent ;
So Charles wil haue me, and I am content.
Ch&r. For this I trick'd you v,p.
Suf. But heere's a knife
To fane mine honor, fhal flice out my life.
Char. I know thou pleafeft me a thoufand times
More in that refolution, then thy grant.
Obferue her loue ; to footh it to my fute,
Her honor me wil hazard (though not loofe.:)
To bring me out of debt her rigorous hand
Will pierce her heart. Oh wonder ? that wil choofe
Rather then ftaine her blood, her life to loofe.
Come you fad Sifter to a wofull Brother,
This is the gate;: I'le beare him fuch a prefent,
Such an Acquittance for the Knight to feale,
As wil amaze his fenfes ; and furprize
With admiration all his fantafies.
Enter AElon and Malby.
Suf. Before his .vnchafte thoughts mall feize
on mee,:
-2 T
146 A Woman
'lis heere, fliall my imprifon'd foule fet free.
Afton. How 1 Mountford with his filler hand ii
hand.
What myracle's afoot ?
Mai. It is a fight
Begets in me much admiration.
Char. Stand not amaz'd to fee me thus attended
AElon, I owe thee money, and being vnable
To bring thee the full fumme in ready coine,
Loe for thy more affurance here's a pawne :
My Siller, my deere fifter, whofe chaft honor
I prize aboue a Million : heere, nay take her,
Shee's worth your mony man, do not forfake her.
Francis. I would he were in earnefl.
Suf, Impute it not to my immodefly,
My Brother beeing rich in nothing elfe
But in his interefl that he hath in me ;
According to his pouerty hath brought you
Me, all his flore ; whom howfoere you prize
As forfeit to your hand, he valewes highly,
And would not fell but to acquit your debt,
For any Emperors ranfome.
Fran. Sterne heart, relent,
Thy former cruelty at length repent.
Was euer knowne in any former age
Such honourable wrefled curtefie ?
Lands, honors, life, and all the world forgoe,
Rather then ftand ingag'd to fuch a foe.
Char. ARm, me is too poore to be thy Bride,
And I too much oppofd to be thy Brother.
There, take her to thee, if thou haft the heart
To ceize her as a rape or luftfull prey,
To blur our houfe that neuer yet was ftain'd ;
To murther her that neuer meant thee harme ;
To kill me now whom once thou fau'dft from death,
Do them at once on her ; all thefe rely
And perifh with her fpotted chaftity.
Fran, You ouercome me in your loue fir Charles.
I cannot be fo cruell to a Lady
kild with Kindnes. 147
I loue fo deerely. Since you haue not fpar'd
To ingage your reputation to the world,
Your fillers honor which you prize fo deere,
Nay all the comforts which you hold on earth
To grow out of my debt being your foe,
Your honor'd thoughts loe thus I recompence.
Your metamorphifd foe receiues your gift
In fatisfaclion of all former wrongs.
This lewell I will weare heere in my heart :
And where before I thought her for her wants
Too bafe to be my Bride : to end all ftrife,
I feale you my deere Brother, her my wife.
Sufan. You Hill exceede vs, I will yeeld to
fate,
And learne to loue, where I till now did hate.
Char. With that enchantment you haue charm'd
my foule,
And made me rich euen in thofe very words,
I pay no debt but am indebted more,
Rich in your loue I neuer can be poore.
Fran. APs mine is yours, we are alike in flate,
Let's knit in loue what was oppofd in hate.
Come, for our Nuptials we will flraight prouide,
Bleft onely in our Brother and faire Bride.
Enter Cranwel, Frankford, and Nicke.
Cra. Why do you fearch each room about your
houfe
Now that you haue difpatch'd your wife away 1
Fran. O fir, to fee that nothing may be left
That euer was my wiues : I lou'd her deerely,
And when I do but thinke of her vnkindneffe,
My thoughts are all in Hell, to auoide which torment,
I would not haue a Bodkin or a Cuffe,
A Bracelet, Necklace, or Rebato wier ;
Nor any thing that euer was call'd hers,
Left me ; by which I might remember her,
Seeke round about.
L 2
148 A Woman
Nicke. Sblood matter, here's her Lute flung in a
corner.
Fran. Her Lute : Oh God, vpon this inflrument
Her fingers haue run quicke diuifion,
Sweeter then that which now diuides our hearts.
Thefe frets haue made me pleafant, that haue
now
Frets of my heart-firings made. O matter Cranwtl,
Oft hath me made this melancholly wood
(Now mute and dumbe for her difattrous chance)
Speake fweetly many a note ; found many a ftraine
To her owne rauiming voice, which being well
ftrung,
What pleafant ttrange aires haue they ioyntly fung ?
Pott with it after her : now nothing's left ;
Of her and her's I am at once bereft.
Nic. He ride and ouer-take her do my meffage
And come backe agen.
Cran. Meane time fir, if you pleafe
He to fir Francis Afton, and informe him
Of what hath patt betwixt you and his fitter.
Fran. Do as you pleafe : how ill am I betted,
To be a wid dower ere my wife be dead.
Enter miftris Frankford, with lenkin, her maide Sifly,
her Coach-man, and three Carters.
Anne. Bid my Coach ttay : why mould I ride in
ttate,
Being hurl'd fo low downe by the hand of fate ?
A feat like to my fortunes let me haue ;
Earth for my chaire, and for my bed a graue.
Ienk~ Comfort good mittris j you haue watered
your Coach with teares already : you haue but two
mile now to goe to your Mannor. A man cannot faie
by my olde matter Frankeford as he may fay by me,
that hee wantes Manners, for he hath three or foure ;
of which this is one that we are going to now.
Sifly. Good mittds be of good cheere j forrow you
kild with Kindnes. 1 49
fee hurts you, but helpes you not : we all mourne to
fee you fo fad.
Carter. Miflris I fpy one of my Landlords men
Come riding poft, 'tis like he brings fome newes.
Anne. Comes he from M. Frankford he is wel-
. come,
So are his newes becaufe they come from him.
Enter Nicke.
Nick. There.
Anne. I know the Lute ; oft haue I fung to thee :
We both are out of tune, both out of time.
Nick. Would that had beene the worfl inftrument
that ere you played on. My matter commends him
to ye ; there's all he can finde that was euer yours :
he hath nothing left that euer you could lay claime to
but his ovvne heart, and he could afford you that. All
that I haue to deliuer you is this ; He prayes you to
forget him, and fo he bids you farewell.
Anne. I thanke him ; he is kinde, and euer was.
All you that haue true feeling of my greefe,
That know my loffe, and haue relenting hearts,
Gird me about ; and helpe me with your teares
To warn my fpotted fmnes : my Lute mail grone j
It cannot weepe, but mall lament my mone.
Enter Wendoll.
Wend. Purfu'd with horror of a guilty foule,
And with the fharpe fcourge of repentance lafh'd,
I flye from my owne fhadow. O my flarres !
What haue my Parents in their Hues deferu'd,
That you fliould lay this pennance on their fonne ?
When I but thinke of matter Frankfords loue,
And lay it to my treafon, or compare
My murthering him for his releeuing me,
It ftrikes a terror like a Lightnings flam
To fcorch my blood vp. Thus I like the Owle
150 A Woman
Afham'd of day, Hue in thefe fhadowy woods,
Affraid of euery leafe or murmuring blafl,
Yet longing to receiue fome perfect knowledge
How he hath dealt with her. Oh my fad fate,
Heere, and fo farre from home, and thus attended.
Oh God, I haue diuorc'd the truefl Turtles
That euer liu'd together, and being diuided
In feuerall places, make their feuerall mone ;
She in the fields laments, and he at home.
So Poets write that Orpheus made the Trees
And ftones to dance, to his melodious Harpe,
Meaning the Ruflicke and the barbarous Hinds,
That had no vnderflanding part in them :
So me from thefe rude Carters teares extracts,
Making their flinty hearts with greefe to rife,
And draw downe Riuers from their Rocky eyes.
Anne. If you return e vnto your matter fay,
(Though not from me ; for I am all vnworthy
To blafl his name fo with a ftrumpets tongue)
That you haue feene me weepe, wifh my felfe dead.
Nay, you may fay to (for my vow is paft)
Lafl night you faw me eate and drinke my lafl.
This to your mafler you may fay and fweare ;
For it is writ in heauen, and decreed heere.
Nic. He fay you wept ; He fweare you made me
fad.
Why how now eyes ? what now ? what's heere to
do?
I'me gone, or I mall flraite turne baby to.
Wen. I cannot weepe, my heart is all on fire ;
Curfl be the fruites of my vnchafle defire.
Anne. Go breake this Lute vpon my coaches
wheele,
As the laft Muficke that I ere mail make ;
Not as my husbands gift, but my farwell
To all earths ioy ; and fo your mafler tell,
Nick. If I can for crying,
Wend. Greefe haue done,
Or like a mad-man I mall franticke ronne.
kild with Kindnes. 1 5 1
Anne. You haue beheld the wofull'fl wretch on
earth ;
A woman made of teares : would you had words
To exprefle but what you fee. My inward greefe
No tongue can vtter : yet vnto your power
You may defcribe my forrow, and difclofe
To thy fad mailer my abundant woes.
Nit* He do your commendations.
Anne. O no :
I dare not fo prefume ; nor to my children ;
I am difclaim'd in both, alas I am :
neuer teach them when they come to fpeake,
To name the name of Mother : chide their tongue
If they by chance light on that hated word ;
Tell them 'tis nought : For when that word they
name,
(Poore pretty foules) they harpe on their owne fhame.
Wen. To recompence her wrongs, what canft thou
do?
Thou had made her husbandleffe, and childleffe to.
Anne. I haue no more to fay. Speake not for
me,
Yet you may tell your mafler what you fee.
Nic. He doo't. , Exit.
Wend. He fpeake to her, and comfort her in
greefe.
Oh but her wound cannot be cur'd with words :
No matter though, He do my beft good will
To worke a cure on her whom I did kill.
Anne. So, now vnto my Coach, then to my home,
So to my death-bed ; for from this fad houre,
1 neuer will nor eate, nor drinke, nor tafte
Of any Gates that may preferue my life :
I neuer will nor fmile, nor fleepe, nor reft.
But when my teares haue wafh'd my blacke foule
white,
Sweet Sauiour to thy hands I yeeld my fprite.
Wend. O miftris Frankford.
Anne. O for Gods fake flye ;
152 A Woman
The deuill doth come to tempt me ere I dye.
My coach : This finne that with an Angels face
Coniur'd mine honor, till he fought my wracke,
In my repentant eyes feemes vgly blacke.
Exeunt all, the Carters ivhiftling.
len. What my yong mailer that fled in his fhirt,
how come you by your clothes againe ? You haue
made our houfe in a fweet pickle, ha' ye not thinke
you?. What mall I ferue you flill, or cleaue to
the old houfe?
Wend. Hence flaue, away with thy vnfeafon'd
mirth ;
Vnleffe thou canft fhed teares, and figh, and howle,
Curfe thy fad fortunes, and exclaime on fate,
Thou art not for my turne.
len. Marry and you will not, another will : farwell
and be hang'd, would you had neuer come to haue
kept this quoile within our doores, we mall ha you
run away like a fpright againe.
Wend. Shee's gone to death, I liue to want and
woe ;
Her life, her finnes, and all vpon my head.
And I mufl now go wander like a Caine
In forraigne Countries and remoted climes,
Where the report of my ingratitude
Cannot be heard. He ouer firft to France
And fo to Germany and Italy ;
Where when I haue recouered, and by trauell
Gotten thofe perfect tongues, and that thefe rumors
May in their height abate, I will returne :
And I diuine (how euer now deiecled)
My worth and parts being by feme great man praifd,
At my returne I may in Court be raifd. Exit.
Enter fir Francis, fir Charles, Cranwel, and Sufan.
Fran. Brother and now my wife, I thinke thefe
troubles
Fall on my head by iuflice of the heauens,
kild with Kindnes. 153
For being fo ftricl to you in your extremities :
But we are now atton'd. I would my lifter
Could with like happineffe orecome her greefes
As we haue ours.
Sufan. You tell us mafter Cranwel wondrous
things,
Touching the patience of that Gentleman,
With what ftrange vertue he demeanes his greefe.
Cran. I told you what I was a witneffe of,
It was my fortune to lodge there that night.
Fran. O that fame villen Wendoll^ t'was his
tongue
That did corrupt her, me was of her felfe
Chaft and deuoted well. Is this the houfe 1
Cran. Yes fir, I take it heere your fifter lies.
Fran. My Brother Frankford fhew'd too milde a
fpirit
In the reuenge of fuch a loathed crime ;
Leffe then he did, no man of fpirit could do :
I am fo farre from blaming his reuenge
That I commend it. Had it bin my cafe
Their foules at once had from their brefts bene
freed,
Deaths to fuch deeds of fhame is the due meed.
Enter lenkin and Sifly.
len. O my miftris, my miftris, my poore miftris.
Sifly. Alas that euer I was fcorne, what fhal I do
for my poore miftris.
Char. Why, what of her ?
len. O Lord fir, me no fooner heard that her Bro
ther and his friends were come to fee how fhee did, but
mee for very fhame of her guilty confcience, fell into
fuch a iwoune, that we had much ado to get life
into her.
Suf. Alas that me mould beare fo hard a fate,
Pitty it is repentance comes too late.
Afton. Is me fo weake in body 1
154 <d. Woman
len. O fir, I can affure you ther's no hope of life
in her, for fhe will take no fuft'nance : fhe hath plainly
flaru'd her felfe, and now fhee is as leane as a Lath.
She euer lookes for the good honre : many Gentle
men and Gentle-women of the countrey are come to
comfort her.
Enter Miftris Frankeford in her bed.
Mai. How fare you miflris Frankford ?
Anne. Sicke, ficke, oh ficke : Giue me fome aire I
pray you.
Tell me, oh tell me, where's mafter Frankfordl
Will not he deigne to fee me ere I die ?
Mai. Yes miflris Frankford : diuers Gentlemen
Your louing neighbors, with that iuft requefl
Haue moou'd and told him of your weake eftate :
Who though with much ado to get beleefe,
Examining of the generall circumflance,
Seeing your forrow and your penitence,
And hearing therewithall the great defire
You haue to fee him ere you left the world,
He gaue to vs his faith to follow vs,
And fure he will be heere immediately.
An. You haue half reuiu'd me with thofe pleafmg
newes ;
Raife me a little higher in my bed.
Blum I not Brother Atton ? Blum I not fir Charles 1
Can you not reade my fault writ in my cheeke ?
Is not my crime there, tell me Gentlemen ?
Char. Alas good miflris, fickneffe hath not left
you
Bloud in your face enough to make you blufh.
Anne. Then fickneffe like a friend my fault wold
hide.
Is my husband come ? My foule but tarries
His arriue, then I am fit for heauen.
AElon. I came to chide you, but my words of
hate
Iro T
kild with Kindnes. 155
Are turn'd to pitty and compafsionate greefe.
I came to rate you, but my braules you fee
Melt into teares, and I muft weepe by thee.
Heres M. Frankford now.
Enter Frankford.
Fran. Good morrow Brother; morrow Gentle
men :
God that hath laid this crofle vpon our heads,
Might (had he pleafd) haue made our caufe of meet
ing
On a more faire and more contented ground :
But he that made vs, made vs to this woe.
Anne. And is he come ? Me thinkes that voice I
know.
Fran. How do you woman 1
Anne. Well M. Frankford well ; but mall be
better
I hope within this houre. Will you vouchfafe
(Out of your grace, and your humanity)
To take a fpotted ftrumpet by the hand < \
Fran. This hand once held my heart in fafter
bonds
Then now 'tis grip'd by me. God pardon them
That made vs firft breake hold.
Anne. Amen ; amen.
Out of my zeale to heauen, whether I'me now
bound,
I was fo impudent to wifh you heere ;
And once more begge your pardon. Oh (good man)
And father to my children, pardon me.
Pardon, O pardon me : my fault fo heynous is,
That if you in this world forgiue it not,
Heauen will not cleere it in the world to come.
Faintn*ffe hath fo vfurp'd vpon my knees
That kneele I cannot : But on my hearts knees
My proftrate foule lies throwne downe at your feet
To beg your gracious pardon : Pardon, O pardon me.
156 A Woman
Frank. As freely from the low depth of my foule
As my Redeemer hath forgiuen his death.
I pardon thee j I will med teares for thee, pray with
thee;
And in meere pitty of thy weake eftate,
lie wifh to dye with thee.
All. So do we all.
Nick. So will not I,
He figh and fob, but by my faith not dye.
Atton. O mailer Frankford, all the neere
liance
I loofe by her, (hall be fupply'd in thee ;
You are my Brother by the neerefl way,
Her kindred hath fallen off, but yours doth flay.
Frank. Euen as I hope for pardon at that day,
When the great ludge of heauen in fcarlet fits,
So be thou pardon'd. Though thy rafh offence
Diuorc'd our bodies, thy repentant teares
Vnite our foules.
Char. Then comfort miflris Frankford,
You fee your husband hath forgiuen your fall ;
Then rouze your fpirits, and cheere your fainting
foule 1
Sufan. How is it with you ?
Affon. How do you feele your felfe ?
Anne. Not of this world.
Frank. I fee you are not, and I weepe to fee it.
My wife, the Mother to my pretty babes ;
Both thofe loft names I do reflore thee backe,
And with this kiffe I wed thee once againe :
Though thou art wounded in thy honoured name,
And with that greefe vpon thy death-bed lyefl,
Honefl in heart, vpon my foule thou dyefl.
Anne. Pardon'd on earth, foule thou in heauen art
free,
Once more thy wife, dies thus embracing thee.
Fran. New married, and new widdow'd ; oh fhe's
dead,
And a cold graue mufl be her Nuptiall bed.
kild with Kindnes. 1 5 J
Char. Sir be of good comfort ; and your heauy
forrow
Part equally amongft vs : flormes diuided
Abate their force, and with leffe rage are guided.
Cran. Do mafter Frankford; he that hath leafl
part,
Will finde enough to drowne one troubled hart.
Aflon. Peace with thee Nan. Brothers and Gen
tlemen,
(All we that can plead interefl in her greefe)
Beftow vpon her body funerall teares.
Brother, had you with threats and vfage bad
Punifh'd her fmne ; the greefe of her offence
Had not with fuch true forrow touch' d her heart.
Fran. I fee it had not : therefore on her graue
Will I beftow this funerall Epitaph,
Which on her Marble toombe lhall be ingrau'd.
In golden Letters mall thefe words be fill'd ;
JHeere lyesjlie whom her Husbands kindneffe kilfd.
T I N I S.
The Epilogue.
AN honejl Crew, difpofed to be merry,
Came to a Tauerne by, and call' d for wine :
The Drawer brought it (fmiling like a Cherry)
A nd told them it was pleafant, neate, and fine.
Tafte it quoth one : He didfo ; Fie (quoth hee)
This wine was good\ now fruns too neere
the Lee.
Another ftpp'd to gine the wine his due,
And f aide vnto the reft it drunke too flat ;
The third f aid, it was olde ; The fourth, too new ;
Nay qtwth the fift, the Jharpnefje likes me not.
Thus Gentlemen you fee, how in one houre
The wine was new, old, flat, Jharpe,fweete, and
foure.
Vnto this wine we do allude our play ;
Which fome will iudge too triuiall ; fome too
g raue :
You as our Guefts we entertaine this day,
And bid you welcome to the beft we haue :
Excufe vs then ; Good wine may be dif graft,
When euery feuerall mouth hathfundry taft.
To the READER.
Vrteous Reader, my Plaies have not beene
expofed to the publike view of the world in
numerous Jheets, and a large volume ; but
fmgly (as thoufeefi) with great modejly, and
fmall noife. Thefe Comedies, bearing the title of, The
fair Maid of the Weft : if they prove but as gratious in
thy private reading, as they were plaufible in the publick
afting, IJhall not much doubt of their fucceffe. Nor
neede they (I hope] much fear a rugged and cenforious
brow from thee, on whom the greatejl and beft in the
kingdome, have vouchfafed to fmile. I hold it no
neceffity to trouble thee with the Argument of the ftory,
the matter itjelfe lying fo plainly before thee in At~ls
and Scenes, without any deviations, or winding in
dents.
Perufe it through, and thou maift finde in it,
Some mirth, fome matter, &, perhaps, fome wit.
He that would ftudie thy content,
T. H.
S 2
Dramatis P erf once.
TWo Sea Captaines.
Mr. Caroll, a Gen
tleman.
Mr. Spencer. By Mr.
Michael Bowyer.
Captain Goodlack, Spen
cers friend-, hy Mr.
Rich. Perkins.
Two Vintners boyes.
Beffe Bridges, The fair
Maid of the Weft', by
Hugh Clark.
Mr. Forfet, a Gentleman;
by Chriftoph. Goad.
Mr. Ruffman, a fwagger-
ing Gentleman ; by Wil
liam Shearlock.
Clem, a drawer of wine
under Beffe Bridges ;
by Mr. William Robin-
fon.
Three Saylers. A Sur
geon.
A hitching Maid\ by Mr.
Anthony Furner.
The Maior of Foy, an
Alderman, and a fer-
vant.
A Spani/h Cap. by C.
Goad.
An Englijh Merchant', by
Rob. Axell.
Mulli/heg, K. of Feffe, by
Mr. Will. Allen.
Bajhaw Alcade ; by Mr.
Wilbraham.
BaJJiaw Joffer.
Two Spani/ti Captains.
A French Merchant.
An Italian Merchant.
A Chorus.
The Earl of EJjex going
to Cales : the Maior
of Plimoth, with Peti
tioners, Mutes, perfo-
nated.
Prologue.
Spoken to their two Majefties at Hampton Court
A Mongst the Grecians there were an-
T * nuallfeajls.
To which none were invited as chief guejls,
Save Princes and their Wives. Amongst
the men,
No argument could be difputed then
But who beft goverri d ; and (as't did appear e)
He was proclaimed fole Soveraigne for that
yeare.
The Queenes and Ladies argued at that time
For beauty and for vertue, who was prime,
And Jhe had the like honour. Two here be,
For Beauty one, the other Majefty,
Mojl worthy, did that cujlome Jlill per fever ,
Not for one yeare, but to be Soveraignes ever.
THE FAIRE MAID
of the Weft :
OR,
A Girle worth Gold.
Enter two Captaines, and Mr. Carrol.
i. Copt.
] Hen puts my Lord to Sea ?
2. Copt. When the winde's faire.
Car. Refolve me I intreat, can you not
gueffe
purpofe of this voyage 1
i. Capt. Moft men thinke
The Fleet's bound for the Hands.
Carr. Nay, 'tis like.
The great fucceffe at Coles under the conduct
Of fuch a Noble Generall, hath put heart
Into the Englifh :, They are all on fire
To purchafe from the Spaniard. If their Carracks
Come deeply laden, wee mail tugge with them
For golden fpoile.
lie
264 The fair e Maid of the Weft:
2. Copt. O, were it come to that !
1. Capt. How Plimouth fwells'with Gallants ! how
the dreets
Glifler with gold ! You cannot meet a man
But trickt in skarffe and feather, that it feemes
As if the pride of Englands Gallantry
Were harbourd here. It doth appeare (me thinkes)
A very Court of Souldiers.
Carr. It doth fo.
Where mall we dine to day ?
2. Capt. At the next Taverne by; there's the beft
wine.
1. Cap. And the befl wench, Beffe Bridges, (he's
the flowre
Of Plimouth held : the Caflle needes no bum,
Her beauty drawes to them more gallant Cuftomers
Then all the fignes ith' towne elfe.
2. Capt. A fweet Laffe,
If I have any judgement.
1. Capt Now in troth
I thinke fhee's honed.
Carr. Honed, and live there ?
What, in a publike Taverne, where's fuch confluence
Of ludy and brave Gallants ? Honed faid you ?
2. Capt I vow me is for me.
1. Capt For all I think.
I'm fure (he's wondrous moded.
Carr. But withall
Exceeding affable.
2. Capt An argument
That fhee's not proud.
Carr. No, were (he proud, {he'd fall.
1. Capt Well, fhee's a mod attractive Adamant,
Her very beauty hath upheld that houfe,
And gain'd her mader much.
Carr. That Adamant
Shall for this time draw me to, wee'll dine there.
2. Capt No better motion : Come to the Cadle
then.
or, a Girle worth gold. 265
Enter M. Spencer, and Capt. Goodlack.
Goodl. What, to the old houfe flill *l
Spenc. Canft blame me, Captaine,
Beleeve me, I was never mrprisde till now,
Or catcht upon the fudden.
Goodl. Pray refolve me,
Why being a Gentleman of fortunes, meanes,
And well revenude, will you adventure thus
A doubtfull voyage, when onely fuch as I
Borne to no other fortunes then my fword
Should leeke abroad for pillage.
Spen. Pillage, Captaine ?
No, tis for honor ; And the brave focietie
Of all thefe mining Gallants that attend
The great L. Generall, drew me hither firft :
No hope of gaine or fpoyle.
Goodl. I, but what drawes you to this houfe fo
oft?
Spenc. As if thou knewft it not.
Goodl. What, Beffet
Spenc. Euen me.
Goodl. Come, 1 muft tell you, you forget your
felfe,
One of your birth and breeding, thus to dote
Upon a Tanners daughter : why, her father
Sold hydes in Somerfetihire, and being trade-falne,
Sent her to fervice.
Spenc. Prethee fpeake no more,
Thou telfl me that which I would faine forget,
Or wifh I had not knowne. If thou wilt humor me
Tell me fhee's faire and honefl.
Goodl. Yes, and loves you.
Spenc. To forget that, were to exclude the reft :
All faving that, were nothing. Come let's enter.
Enter 2. Drawers.
i. Draw. You are welcome Gentlemen. Shew
them into the next roome there.
266 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
2. Draw. Looke out a Towell, and fome Rolls, a
Salt and Trenchers.
Spenc. No fir, we will not dine.
2. Draw. I am fure ye would if ye had my
ftomacke.
What wine drinke yee, Sacke or Claret 1
Spenc. Wheres Bejfe ?
2. Draw. Marry above with three or foure Gentle
men.
Spenc. Goe call her.
2. D. He draw you a cup of the neateft wine in
Plimouth,
Spen. He tail none of your drawing. Goe call
Beffe.
2. Draw. Theres nothing in the mouthes of thefe
Gallants, but Beffe, Beffe.
Spenc. What ia'y Sir ?
2. Draw. Nothing fir, but He goe call her pre-
fently.
Spenc. Tell her who's here.
2. Draw. The devill rid her out of the houfe for
me.
Spenc. Sa'y fir 1
2. Draw. Nothing but anon anon fir.
Enter Bef/e Bridges.
Spenc. See fhe's come,
Beff. Sweet Mr. Spencer, y'are a ftranger growne.
Where have you beene thefe three dayes 1
Spenc. The laft night
I fate up late, at game : here take this bagge,
And lay 't up till I call for 't.
Bejf. Sir I mall.
Spenc. Bring me fome wine.
Beff. I know your tafle,
And I mail pleafe your palate.
Goodl. Troth tis a pretty foule.
Spenc. To thee I will unbofome all my thoughts,
or, a Girle worth gold. 267
Were her low birth but equall with her beauty,
Here would I fixe my thoughts.
Goodl. You are not mad fir 1
You fay you loue her.
Spenc. Never queftion that
Goodl. Then put her to 't, win Oportunit'y,
Shees the beft bawd : If (as you fay) fhe loves you,
She can deny you nothing.
Spenc. I have proved her
Vnto the utmoft teft. Examin'd her,
Even to a modeft force, but all in vaine :
Shee'll laugh, conferre, keepe company, difcourfe,
And fomething more, kiffe : but beyond that com-
paffe
She no way can be drawne.
Goodl. Tis a vertue,
But feldome found in tavernes.
Enter Beffe with wine.
Beffe. Tis of the beft Graves wine fir.
Spenc. Gramarcie Girle, come fit.
Bejje. Pray pardon fir, I dare not.
Spenc. He ha' it fo.
Beffe. My fellowes love me not, and will com-
plaine
Of fuch a fawcy boldneffe.
Spenc. Pox on your fellowes,
He try whether their pottle pots or heads
Be harder, if I doe but heare them grumble.
Sit : now Beffe drinke to me.
Beffe. To your good voyage.
Enter the fecond Drawer.
2 Draw. Did you call fir ?
Sp. Yes fir, to have your abfence. Captaine, this
health.
Goodl. Let it come fir.
268 The Faire Maid of the Weft :
2 Draw. Muft you be fet, and we wait, with a
Spenc. What fay you fir ?
2 Draw. Anon, anon, I come there. Exit.
Spenc. What will you venture Beffe to fea with
me 1
Beffe. What I loue beft, my heart : for I could
wifh
I had beene borne to equall you in fortune,
Or you fo low, to have beene rankt with me,
I could have then prefum'd boldly to fay,
I love none but my Spencer.
Spenc. Beffe, I thanke thee.
Keepe ftill that hundred pound till my return e
From th' Iflands with my Lord : if never, wench
Take it, it is thine owne.
Beffe. You binde me to you.
Enter thefirft Drawer.
i Draw. Beffe, you muft fill fome wine into the
Portcullis, the Gentlemen there will drinke none but
of your drawing.
Spenc. She mail not rife fir, goe, let your Matter
fnick-up.
1 D. And that mould be coufm-german to the
hick-up.
Enter thefecond Drawer.
2 Draw. Beffe, you mufl needs come, the gentle
men fling pots, pottles, drawers, and all downe ftaires.
The whole houfe is in an uprore.
Beffe. Pray pardon fir, I needs mufl be gone.
2 D. The Gentlemen fweare if me come not up to
them, they will come downe to her.
Spenc. If they come in peace,
Like ciuill Gentlemen, they may be welcome :
If otherwife, let them ufurpe their pleafures.
We fland prepar'd for both.
or, a Girle worth gold. 269
Enter Caroll and two Captaines,
Car. Save you gallants, we are fomwhat bold to
preffe
Into your company. It may be held fcarce manners,
Therefore fit that we mould crave your pardon.
Spenc. Sir, you are welcome, fo are your friends.
1 Capt. Some wine.
Beffe. Pray give me leave to fill it.
Sp. You mall not flir. So pleafe you wee'l joyne
company.
Drawer, more flooles.
Car. I tak't that's a me drawer. Are you of the
houfe ?
Beffe. I am fir.
Caroll. In what place \
JSeffe. I draw.
Caroll. Beere, doe you not 1 You are fome
tapflreffe.
Spenc. Sir, the worfl character you can beflow
Vpon the maide is to draw wine.
Caroll. She would draw none to us,
Perhaps me keepes a Rundlet for your tafle,
Which none but you mull pierce.
2 Capt. I pray be civill.
Spenc. I know not, Gentlemen, what your in
tents be,
Nor doe I feare or care. This is my roome,
And if you beare you, as you feeme in mew,
Like Gentlemen, fit and be fociable.
Car. We will. Minx, by your leave : Remove
I fay.
Spenc. She mall not flir.
Car. How fir ?
Spen. No fir : could you out-face the devill,
We doe not feare your roaring.
Car. Though you may be companion with a
drudge,
It is not fit fhee mould have place by us.
2 70 The Faire Maid of the We/I :
About your bufmeffe, hufwife.
Spenc. She is worthy
The place as the beft here, and fhe fhall keep't.
Car. You lie. They bujlle. Caroll flaine.
Goodl. The Gentleman's flaine, away.
Beffe. Oh heaven, what have you done ?
Goodl. Vndone thy felfe and me too : Come
away !
Beffe. Oh fad miffortune, I fhall lofe him ever.
What, are you men or milk-fops ? Stand you ftill
Senflefle as ftones, and fee your friend in danger
To expire his lafl ?
1 Copt. Turn, all our help's in vaine.
2 Copt. This is the fruit of whoores.
This mifchiefe came through thee.
Beffe. It grew firfl from your incivilitie.
i Cap. Lend me a hand to lift his body hence.
It was a fatall bufmeffe. Exeunt Captaines.
Enter the two Drawers.
1 Dr. One call my Matter, another fetch the
conflable,
Here's a man kild in the roome.
2 Dr. How, a man kill'd faift thou. Is all
paid?
1 Dr. How fell they out, canfl thou tell 1
2 Dr. Sure about this bold Betrice : tis not fo
much for the death of the man, but how mall we come
by our reckoning 1
Exeunt Drawers.
Beffe. What mail become of me ! Of all loft
creatures
The moft infortunate. My innocence
Hath beene the caufe of blood, and I am now,
Purpled with murder, though not within compaffe
Of the Lawes fevere cenfure : but which moft
Addes unto my affliction, I by this
Have loft fo worthy and approv'd a friend,
or, a Girle worth gold. 2 7 1
Whom to redeeme from exile, I would give
All that's without and in me.
Enter Forfet.
JFbrf. Your name's Beffe Bridges ?
Beffe. An unfortunate Maid.
Knowne by that name too well in Plimouth here.
Your bufmeffe, fir, with me 1
Forf. Know you this Ring 1
Beffe. I doe : it is my Spencers.
I know withall you are his truily friend,
To whom he would commit it. Speake, how fares he ?
Is hee in freedome, know yee ?
Forf. Hee's in health
Of body, though in minde fomwhat perplext
For this late mifchiefe happened.
Beffe. Is he fled,
And freed from danger 1
Forf. Neither. By this token
He lovingly commends him to you Bejfe,
And prayes you when tis darke meet him o'th
Hoe
Neere to the new-made Fort, where hee'll attend
you,
Before he flyes, to take a kinde farewell.
Theres only Goodlack in his company,
He intreats you not to faile him.
Bef. Tell him from me, He come, He runne, He
flye,
Stand Death before me : were I fure to die. Exit.
Enter Spencer and Goodlacke.
Goodl. You are too full of paffion.
Spenc. Canft thou blame me,
To have the guilt of murder burden me,
And next, my life in hazard to a death
So ignominious : laft, to lofe a Love
272 The Faire Maid of the Weft :
So fweet, fo faire, fo am'rous, and fo chafte,
And all thefe at an inflant ? Art thou fure
Carol is dead 1
Goodl. I can beleeve no leffe.
You hit him in the very (peeding place.
Spenc. Oh but the lad of thefe fits neer'd my
heart.
Goodl. Sir be advis'd by mee.
Try her before you trufl her. She perchance
May take th' advantage of your hopefull fortunes ;
But when (he findes you fubjedl to diflreffe
And cafualty, her flattering love may die :
With your deceafed hopes.
Spenc. Thou counfeld well.
He put her to the ted and utmofl tryall
Before I trufl her further. Here (he comes.
Enter Forfet^ and Bejfe with a bagge.
JFbrf. I have done my meffage fir.
Bef. Feare not fweet Spencer, we are now alone,
And thou art fanctuar'd in thefe mine armes.
Goodl. While thefe conferre wee'll centinel their
fafety.
This place He guard.
Forf. I this.
Bef. Are you not hurt ?
Or your skinne rac'd with his offenfive fleele 1
How is it with you 1
Spenc. Bejfe, all my afflictions
Are that I mud leaue thee : thou knowd withall
My extreame neceffity, and that the feare
Of a mofl fcandalous death doth force me hence.
I am not neare my Country, and to (lay
For new fupply from thence, might deeply ingage
mee
To defperate hazard.
Beffe. Is it coyne you want ?
Here is the hundred pound you gave me late,
or, a Girle worth gold. 273
Vfe that, befide what I have ftor'd and fav'de
Which makes it fifty more : were it ten thoufand
Nay, a whole million, Spencer, all were thine.
Spenc. No, what thou hall keepe ftill, tis all thine
owne.
Here be my keyes, my trunkes take to thy charge :
Such gold fit for tranfportage as I have,
He beare along : the reft are freely thine,
Money, apparell, and what elfe thou findft,
Perhaps worth my bequeft and thy receiving,
I make thee miftreffe of.
Bejfje. Before I doted,
But now you ftrive to have me extafide.
What would you have me doe, in which t'expreffe
My zeale to you ?
Spenc. Which in my chamber hangs,
My piclure, I injoyne thee to keepe ever,
For when thou partft with that, thou lofeft me.
Beffe. My foule may from my body be divorc'd,
But never that from me.
Spenc. I have a houfe in Foy, a taverne calld
The Winde-mill, that I freely give thee too,
And thither if I live He fend to thee.
Bejfe. So foone as I have caft my reckonings up,
And made even with my Mafter, He not faile
To vifit Foy in Cornwall. Is there elie
Ought that you will injoyne me?
Spenc. Thou art faire,
loyne to thy beauty vertue. Many fuiters
I know will tempt thee : beauty's a fhrewd baite,
But unto that if thou add'fl chaftitie,
Thou (halt ore-come all fcandall. Time cals hence,
We now mufl part.
Beffe. Oh that I had the power to make Time
lame,
To flay the ftarres, or make the Moone ftand ftill,
That future day might never hafte thy flight.
I could dwell here for ever in thine armes,
2 T
2 74 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
And wifh it alwayes night.
Spenc. We trifle howers. Farewell.
Beffe. Firft take this Ring :
Twas the firfl token of my conflant love
That paft betwixt us. When I fee this next,
And not my Spencer, I mall thinke thee dead :
For till death part thy body from thy foule
I know thou wilt not part with it.
Spence. Sweare for me Beffe : for thou maifl fafely
doe't.
Once more farewell : at Foy thou malt heare from
me.
Beffe. Theres not a word that hath a parting
found
Which through mine eares ihrills not immediate
death.
I fhall not live to lofe thee.
Forf. Bed be gone,
For harke I heare fome tread.
Spenc. A thoufand farewels are in one contracted.
Captaine away.
Exit Spencer ; c5> Goodlacke.
Beffe. Oh, I mail dye.
Forf. What mean you Befle, wil you betray your
friend,
Or call my name in queflion 1 Sweet, 'looke up.
JBej/e. Hah, is my Spencer gone ?
Forf. With fpeed towards Foy^
There to take fhip for Fiall.
Beffe. Let me recollect my felfe,
And what he left in charge. Vertue and Chaftitie.
Next, with all fudden expedition
Prepare for Foy : all thefe will I conferve,
And keepe them ftric"lly, as I would my life.
Plimouth farewell : in Cornwall I will prove
A fecond fortune, and for ever mourne,
Vntill I fee my Spencers fafe returne. Hoboys.
0r, a Girle worth gold. 275
A dumbe Show. Enter Generall, Captaines, the Mayor :
Petitioners the other way with papers : amongtt
thefe the Drawers. The Generall skives them bagges
of money. All goe off faving the two Drawers.
1. Draw. Tis well yet we have gotten all the
money due to my Mailer. It is the commoneft thing
that can bee for thefe Captaines to fcore and to fcore :
but when the fcores are to be paid, Non eft inventns.
2. Draw. Tis ordinary amongfl Gallants now a
dayes, who had rather fweare forty oaths, then onely
this one oath, God let me never be trufted.
1. Draw. But if the Captaines would follow the
noble minde of the Generall, before night there would
not bee one fcore owing in Plimouth.
2. Draw. Little knowes Beffe that my Mailer hath
got in thefe defperate debts : but me hath cail up her
account, and is gone.
1. Draw. Whither canil thou tell ?
2. Draw. They fay to keepe a Taverne in Foy,
and that M. Spencer hath given her a flocke to fet up for
her felfe. Well, howfoever, I am glad, though he kild
the man wee have got our money.
Explicit AElus primus.
AElus fec^lndus. Scena prima.
Enter Forfet and Roughman.
Forfet.
i
N your time have you feene a fweeter creature 1
Roitghm. Some weeke or thereabouts.
Forf. And in that fmall time ihee hath almoft im-
T 2
2 76 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
done all the other Taverns. The Gallants make no
rendezvous now but at the Wind-mill.
Roughm. Spight of them He have her. It mall
coll me the letting on but He have her.
Forf. Why, doe you thinke me is fo eafily won 1
Roughm. Eafily or not, He bid as fayre and farre
as any man within twenty miles of my head, but I will
put her to the fqueake.
Forf. They fay there are Knights fonnes already
come as fuiters to her.
Roughm. Tis like enough, fome younger brothers,
and fo I intend to make them.
Forf. If thefe doings hold, fhee will grow rich in
fhort time.
Roughm. There mall bee doings that mall make
this Wind-mill my grand feate, my manfion, my pal-
lace, and my Conftantinople.
Enter Beffe Bridges like a Miftreffe, and Clem.
Forf. Here me comes : obferve how modeftly me
beares her felfe.
Roughm. I mufl know of what burden this veflell
is, I mall not beare with her till fhee beare with mee,
and till then, I cannot report her for a woman of good
carriage.
Bejfe. Your olde Matter that dwelt here before my
comming, hath turn'd over your yeares to me.
Clem. Right forfooth : before he was a Vintner,
hee was a moo-maker, and left two or three turne-
overs more befides my felfe.
Beffe. How long haft thou to ferve.
Clem. But eleven yeares next graffe, and then I
am in hope of my freedom. For by that time I fhall
be at ful age.
Beffe. How old art thou now 1
Clem. Forfooth newly come into my Teenes. I
have fcrap'd trenchers this two yeares, and the next
Vintage I hope to be Barre-boy.
or, a Girle worth gold. 277
Beffe . What's thy name ?
Clem. My name is Clem, my father was a Baker,
and by the report of his neighbors, as honefl a man
as ever lived by bread.
Bef. And where dwelt he ?
Clem. Below here in the next crooked flreet, at
the figne of the Leg. Hee was nothing fo tall as I ;
but a little wee-man, and fomewhat huckt-backt.
Beffe. He was once Conflable 1
Clem. Hee was indeede, and in that one yeare of
his raigne, I have heard them fay, hee bolted and fifted
out more bufmefle, then others in that office in many
yeares before him.
Beffe. How long ift fmce he dyed 1
Clem. Marry the lafl deare yeare. For when corne
grew to be at an high rate, my father never dowed
after.
Beffe. I thinke I have heard of him.
Clem. Then I am fure you have heard he was an
honefl neighbor, and one that never lov'd to be meale-
mouth'd,
Beffe. Well firrah, prove an honefl fervant, and
you mall finde me your good Miflreffe. What com
pany is in the Marmaid ?
Clem. There be foure Sea-captain e^. I believe
they be little better then fpirats, they are fo flufh of
their rudocks.
Bcfs. No matter, wee will take no note of them.
Here they vent many brave commodities,
By which fome gain accrews. Th'are my good cuf-
tomers,
And dill returne me profit.
Clem. Wot you what Miftrefle, how the two Say-
lers would have ferved me, that calld for the pound
and halfe of Cheefe ?
Befs. How was it Clem ?
Clem. When I brought them a reckoning, they
would have had me to have fcor'd it up. They tooke
278 The f aire Maid of the Weft :
me for a fimple gull indeed, that would have had me
to have taken Chalke for Cheefe.
Beffe. Well, goe waite upon the Captaines, fee
them want no wine.
Clem. Nor reckoning neyther, take my word
Miflrefs.
Roughm. Shee's now at leafure, He to her.
Lady, what Gentlemen are thofe above ?
Befle. Sir they are fuch as pleafe to be my guefls,
And they are kindly welcome.
Roughm. Give me their names.
Beffe. You may goe fearch the Church-booke
where they were chriftned.
There you perhaps may learne them.
Roughm. Minion, how ^
Forf. Fie, fie, you are too rude with this faire
creature,
That no way feekes t' offend you.
Befs. Pray hands off.
Roughm. I tell thee maid, wife, or what e'er thou
beefl,
No man mail enter here but by my leave.
Come, let's be more familiar.
Befs. 'Las good-man.
R. Why knowft thou whom thou fleightft. I am
Roughman,
The onely approved gallant of thefe parts,
A man of whom the Roarers ftand in awe,
And mufl not be put off.
Befs. I never yet heard man fo praife himfelfe,
But prov'd in th' end a coward.
Roughm. Coward, Befs ?
You will offend me, raife in me that fury
Your beauty cannot calme. Goe to, no more,
Your language is too harm and peremptory.
Pray let me heare no more on't. I tell thee
That quiet day fcarce paft me thefe feven yeares
I have not crackt a weapon in fome fray,
or, a Girle worth gold. 279
And will you move my fpleene ?
Forf. What, threat a woman 1
Bef. Sir, if you thus perfift to wrong my houfe,
Difturbe my guefts, and nightly domineire,
To put my friends from patience, He complaine,
And right my felfe before the Magiflrate.
Can we not live in compaffe of the Law,
But muft be fwaggerd out on't 1
Roughm. Goe too, wench,
I Xvifh thee well, thinke on't, theres good for thee
Stor'd in my breft, and when I come in place
I muft have no man to offend mine eye :
My love can brooke no rivals. For this time
I am content your Captaines mall have peace,
But muft not be us'd to't. .
Bef. Sir if you come
Like other free and ciuill Gentlemen
Y'are welcome, otherwife my doores are barr'd you.
Roughm. That's my good Girle,
I have fortunes laid up for thee : what I have
Command it as thine owne. Goe too, be wife.
Befs. Well, I (hall ftudy for't.
Roughm. Confider on't. Farewell. Exit.
Bef. My minde fuggefts me that this prating
fellow
Is fome notorious Coward. If he perfift
I have a tricke, to try what metall's in him.
Enter Clem.
What newes with you ?
Cle. I am now going to carry the Captaines a
reckning.
Bejje. And what's the fumme ?
Clem. Let me fee, eight millings and fix pence.
Bef. How can you make that good 1 write them a
bill.
Clem. lie watch them for that, tis no time of
night to ufe our bils, the Gentlemen are no dwarfes,
280 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
and with one word of my mouth, I can tell them
what is to be-tall.
Beffe. How comes it to fo much ?
Clem. Imprimis, fix quarts of wine at feven pence
the quart, feven fixpences.
Beffe. Why doft thou reckon it fo ?
Clem. Becaufe as they came in by hab nab, fo I
will bring them in a reckning at fix and at fevens.
Bef. Well, wine 3.?, 6d.
Clem. And what wants that of ten groats ?
Beffe. Tis two pence over.
Clem. Then put fix pence more to it, and make it
4^, wine, though you bate it them in their meate.
Beffe. Why fo I prethee ?
Clem. Becaufe of the old proverbe, What they
want in meate, let them take out in drinke. Then
for twelve penyworth of Anchoves, i&/.
Beffe. How can that be ?
Clem. Marry very well Miftreffe, \2.d. Anchoves,
and 6d. oyle and vineger. Nay they mall have a
fawcy reckoning.
Bef. And what for the other halfe crowne ?
Clem. Bread, beere, fait, napkins, trenchers, one
thing with another, fo the fumma totalis is
8j, 6d.
Bef. Well, take the reckoning from the bar.
Clem. What needs that forfooth 1 The Gentle
men feem to he high-flowne already, fend them in but
another pottle of Sacke, and they will caft up the
reckoning of themfelves. Yes, He about it.
Bef. Were I not with fo many futors pefterd,
And might I inioy my Spencer, what a fweet
Contented life were this ? For money flowes
And my gaine's great. But to my Roughman next :
I have a tricke to try what fpirit's in him,
It mail be my next bufmefle : in this paflion
For my deare Spencer, I propofe me this,
Mongft many forrowes fome mirth's not amifle. Eocit.
or, a Girle worth gold. 281
Enter Spencer, and Goodlacke.
Goodl. What were you thinking fir ]
Spen. Troth of the world, what any man fhould
fee in't to be in love with it.
Goodl. The reafon of your meditation.
Spenc. To imagine that in the fame inftant that
one forfets all his eftate, another enters upon a rich
poffeffion : as one goes to the Church to be marryed,
another is hurried to the gallowes to be hang'd, the
laft having no feeling of the firft mans joy, nor the
firft of the lafl mans mifery. At the fame time that
one lyes tortured upon the Racke, another lyes
tumbling with his Miftreffe over head and eares in
downe and feathers. This when I truly confider, I
cannot but wonder why any fortune mould make a
man extafy'd.
Goodl. You give your felfe too much to melan
choly.
Spenc. Thefe are my Maximes, and were they as
faithfully praclifed by others, as truly apprehended
by me, we mould haue lefs oppreffion, and more
charitie.
Enter the two Captaines that were before.
1 Capt. Make good thy words.
2 Capt. I fay thou haft injur'd me.
1 Capt. Tell me wherein.
2 Capt. When we affaulted Fiall,
And I had by the Generals command
The onfet, and with danger of my perfon
Enforc'd the Spaniard to a fwift retreat,
And beat them from their Fort, thou when thou fawft
All feare and danger paft, mad'ft up with me
To (hare that honour which was fole mine owne,
And never ventur'd .fhot for't, or ere came
Where bullet graz'd.
282 The fair e Maid of the Weft:
Spenc. See Captain e a fray towards,
Let's if we can attone this difference.
Goodl. Content.
1 Copt. He prove it with my fword,
That though thou hadfl the formoft place in field.
And I the fecond, yet my Company
Was equall in the entry of the Fort.
My fword was that day drawne as foone as thine,
And that poore honour which I won that day
Was but my merit.
2 Copt. Wrong me palpably
And juflifie the fame?
Spenc. You mail not fight.
1 Capt. Why fir, who made you firft a lufticer,
And taught you that word/W/ ? you are no Generall,
Or if you be, pray mew us your Commiffion.
Spenc. Sir you have no commiflion but my coun-
fell,
And that He mew you freely.
2 Capt. Tis fome Chaplaine.
i Capt. I doe not like his text.
Goodl. Let's beate their weapons downe.
1 Cap. He aime at him that offers to divide us.
2 Cap. Pox of thefe part-frayes, fee I am wounded
By beating downe my weapon.
Goodl. How fares my friend ?
Sp. You fought for blood, and Gentlemen you
have it,
Let mine appeafe you, I am hurt to death.
i Capt. My rage converts to pitie, that this Gen
tleman
Shall fuffer for his goodnes.
Goodl. Noble friend,
I will revenge thy death.
Spen. He is no friend
That murmurs fuch a thought. Oh Gentlemen.
I kill'd a man in Plimouth, and by you
Am flaine in Fiall. Caroll fell by me,
or, a Girle worth gold. 283
And I fall by a Spencer. Heav'n is juft,
And will not fuffer murder unreveng'd,
Heaven pardon me, as I forgive you both,
Shift for your felves : away.
2 Capt. We faw him die,
But grieve you mould fo perim.
Spen. Note Heavens juftice,
And henceforth make that ufe on't. I mall faint.
i Capt. Short Farewels now mufl ferve. If thou
furviv'ft
Live to thine honour : but if thou expir'fl
Heaven take thy foule to mercy. Exeunt.
Spenc. I bleed much,
I mufl goe feeke a Surgeon.
GoodL Sir how cheare you 1
Spenc. Like one thats bound upon a new adventure
To th' other world : yet thus much worthy friend
Let me intreat you, fince I underfland
The Fleet is bound for England, take your occafion
To fhip your felfe, and when you come to Foy
Kindly commend me to my deareft Beffe,
Thou malt receive a Will, in which I have
Poffeft her of five hundred pounds a yeare.
GoodL A noble Legacy.
Spenc. The reft I have beftow'd amongfl my
friends,
Onely referving a bare hundred pounds
To fee me honeftly and well interr'd.
GoodL I mall performe your truft as carefully
As to my father, breath'd he.
Spenc. Marke me Captaine :
Her Legacie I give with this/ratf/0,
If at thy arrivall where my Beffe remaines,
Thou findft her well reported, free from fcandall,
My Will ftands firme : but if thou hear'ft her branded
For loofe behaviour, or immodeft life,
What me mould have, I here beftow on thee,
It is thine owne : but as thou lov'ft thy foule,
Deale faithfully betwixt my Beffe and me.
284 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Goodl. Elfe let me dye a prodigie.
Spenc. This Ring was hers, that, be fhe loofe or
chafte,
Being her owne, reftore her, (he will know it,
And doubtleffe (he deferves it. Oh my memory,
What had I quite forgot ? She hath my picture.
Goodl. And what of that 1
Sp. If me be ranckt among the loofe and lewd,
Take it away, I hold it much indecent,
A whore mould ha't in keeping : but if conftant
Let her injoy it : this my Will perform e
As thou art juft and honed.
Goodl. Senfe elfe forfake me.
Spenc. Now lead me to my Chamber, all's made
even,
My peace with earth, and my atone with heaven.
Enter Beffe Bridges like a Page with a fword,
and Clem.
Befs. But that I know my mother to be chafte,
I'de fweare fome Souldier got me.
Clem. It may be many a Souldiers Buffe lerkin
came out of your fathers Tanne-fat.
Beffe. Me thinkes I have a manly fpirit in me
In this mans habit.
Clem. Now am not I of many mens mindes, for
if you mould doe me wrong, I mould not kill you,
though I tooke you piffmg againft a wall.
Befs. Me thinkes I could be valiant on the
fudden :
And meet a man i'th field.
I could doe all that I have heard difcourft
Of Mary Ambree or Weftminfters Long-Meg.
Clem. What Mary Ambree was I cannot tell, but
unleffe you were taller you will come (hort of Long
Meg.
Beff. Of all thy fellowes thee I onely truft,
And charge thee to be fecret.
0r, a Girle worth gold. 285
Clem. I am bound in my Indentures to keepe my
Matters fecrets, and mould I finde a man in bed with
you, I would not tell.
Bef. Be gone fir, but no words as you etteeme my
favor.
Clem. But Mittreffe, I could wifh you to looke to
your long feames, fights are dangerous. But am
not I in a fweet taking thinke you 1
Bejfje. I prethee why ?
Clem. Why, if you mould fwagger and kill any
body, I being a Vintner mould be calld to the
Barre.
JBeffe. Let none condemne me of immodetty,
Becaufe I trie the courage of a man
Who on my foule's a Coward : beates my fervants,
Cuffes them, and as they paffe by him kickes my
maids,
Nay domineirs over mee, making himfelfe
Lord ore my houfe and houfhold. Yetternight
I heard him make appointment on fome bufinelfe
To paffe alone this way. lie venture faire,
But I will try what's in him.
Enter Ronghman and Forfet.
Forf. Sir, I can now no further, weighty bufmeffe
Calls me away.
Rough. Why at your pleafure then,
Yet I could wifh that ere I paft this field,
That I could meet fome Heftor, fo your eyes
Might witneffe what my felfe have oft repeated,
Namely that I am valiant.
Forf. Sir no doubt. But now I am in hafte.
Farewell.
Roug. How many times brave words beare out a
man ?
For if he can but make a noife, hee's fear'd.
To talke of fraies, although he ne'er had heart
To face a man in field, that's a brave fellow.
286 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
I have beene valiant I muft needs confeffe,
In ftreet and Taverne, where there have beene
men
Ready to part the fray : but for the fields
They are too cold to fight in.
Beffe. You are a villaine, a Coward, and you lie.
R. You wrong me, I proteft. Sweet courteous
Gentleman
I never did you wrong.
Beffe. Wilt tell me that ?
Draw forth thy coward fword, and fuddenly,
Or as I am a man lie runne thee through.
And leave thee dead ith field.
Roug. Hold as you are a Gentleman. I have tane
an oath I will not fight to day.
Beffe. Th'afl tooke a blow already and the lie,
Will not both thefe inrage thee ?
Rough. No, would you give the baflinado too,
I will not breake mine oath.
Beffe. Oh, your name's Roughman.
No day doth paffe you but you hurt or kill.
Is this out of your calender ?
Rough. I, you are deceiv'd.
I ne'er drew fword in anger I protefl,
Vnleffe it were upon fome poore weake fellow
That ne'er wore fteele about him.
BeJ/e. Throw your Sword.
Roug. Here fweet young fir, but as you are a
gentleman,
Doe not impaire mine honor.
Beffe. Tye that fhooe.
Rough. I ihall fir.
Beffe. Vntruffe that point.
Rough. Any thing this day to fave mine oath.
Sejffe. Enough : yet not enough, lie downe
Till I ftride ore thee.
Rough. Sweet fir any thing.
Beffe. Rife, thou haft leave. Now Roughman thou
art bleft
or, a Girle worth gold. 287
This day thy life is fav'd, looke to the reft.
Take backe thy fword.
Rough. Oh you are generous : honour me fo
much
As let me know to whom I owe my life.
Befje. I am Bef/e Bridges brother.
Roug. Still me thought
That you were fomthing like her.
Beffe. And I have heard,
You domineir and revell in her houfe,
Controle her fervants, and abufe her guefts,
Which if I ever mail hereafter heare,
Thou art but a dead man.
Roughm. She never told me of a brother living,
But you have power to fway me.
Befs. But for I fee you are a Gentleman,
I am content this once to let you pafle,
But if I finde you fall into relapfe,
The fecond's farre more dangerous.
Roiighm. I mail feare it.
Sir will you take the wine 1
Befs. I am for London.
And for thefe two termes cannot make returne :
But if you fee my fifler, you may fay
I was in health.
Roughm. Too well, the devill take you.
Befs. Pray ufe her well, and at my comming
backe
He aske for your acquaintance. Now farewell.
Rough. None faw't : hee's gone for London : I am
unhurt,
Then who mall publilh this difgrace abroad ?
One man's no flander, mould he fpeake his worft :
My tongue's as loud as his, but in this country
Both of more fame and credit. Should we conteft
I can out-face the proudeft. This is then
My comfort : Roughman, thou art flill the fame,
For a difgrace not feene, is held no Ihame.
288 The faire Maid of the Wejl :
Enter two Sailors.
1. Sa. Aboard, aboard, the wind flands faire for
England,
The (hips have all weigh'd anchor.
2, Sail. A fliffe gale blowes from the fhore.
Enter Captaine Goodlacke.
Goodl. The Sailors call aboard, and I am forc'd
To leave my friend now at the point of death,
And cannot clofe his eyes. Here is the Will,
Now may I finde yon Tanners daughter turn'd
Vnchafle or wanton, I mall gaine by it
Five hundred pounds a yeare : here is good evidence.
i. Sailor. Sir will you take the long boat and
aboard ?
Enter a third Sailor.
Goodl. With all my heart,
3. Sail. What are you ready Mates ?
i. Sailor. We ftaid for you. Thou canfl not tel
who's dead ?
The great bell rung out now.
3. Sailor. They fay twas for one Spencer, who this
night
Dyde of a mortall wound.
Goodl. My worthy friend
Vnhappy man that cannot flay behinde
To doe him his laft rights. Was his name Spencer ?
3. Sail. Yes fir, a Gentleman of good account
And well knowne in the navy.
Goodl. This is the end of all mortalitie ;
It will be newes unpleafing to his Bejfe.
I cannot faire amiffe, but long to fee
Whether thefe Lands belong to her or mee.
or, a Girle worth gold. 289
Enter Spencer, and his Surgeon.
Surg. Nay feare not fir, now you have fcap'd this
drafting
My life for yours.
Spenc. I thanke thee honed Friend,
Surg. Sir I can tell you newes.
Spenc. What id I prethee ?
Surg. There is a Gentleman one of your name,
That dide within this hower.
Spenc. My name ? what was he, of what ficknes
dide he?
Surg. No fickneffe, but a fleight hurt in the body,
Which (hewed at firft no danger, but being fearcht,
He dyde at the third dreffing.
Spenc. At my third fearch I am in hope of life.
The heavens are mercifull.
Surg. Sir doubt not your recovery.
Spenc. That hundred pound I had prepar'd t' ex
pend
Vpon mine owne expected Funerall
I for name fake will now beflow on his.
Surg. A noble refolution.
Spenc. What mips are bound for England, I would
gladly
Venture to fea, though weake.
Surg. All bound that way are vnder faile already.
Spenc. Here's no fecuritie,
For when the beaten Spaniards mail returne,
They'le fpoile whom they can finde.
Surg. We have a fhip,
Of which I am Surgeon, that belongs unto
A London merchant, now bound for Mamorah
A towne in Barbary, pleafe you to ufe that,
You (hall command free paffage : ten months hence
We hope to vifit England.
Spenc. Friend I thanke thee.
Surg. He bring you to the Matter, who I know
Will entertaine you gladly.
2 u
290 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Spm. When I have feene the funerall rights per-
form'd,
To the dead body of my Country-man
And kinfman, I will take your courteous offer.
England no doubt will heare newes of death,
How Beffe will take it is to me unknowne :
On her behaviour I will build my fate,
There raife my love, or thence erect my hate.
Explicit ARus fecundus .
(29O
AElus tertius. Scena prima.
Enter Roughman and Forfet.
Roughman.
OH y'are well met, juft as I prophefide
So it fell out.
Forf. As how I pray ?
Rough. Had you but flaid the croffmg of one
field,
You had beheld a Heftor, the boldefl Trojan
That ever Roughman met with.
Forf. Pray what was he ?
Rough. You talke of Little Davy, Cutting Dick,
And divers fuch, but turn, this hath no fellow,
Forf, Of what flature and yeares was he ?
Rough. Indeed I mull confeffe he was no giant,
Nor above fifty, but he did beftirre him,
Was here and there, and every where at once,
That I was ne'er fo put to't fince the Midwife
Firil wrapt my head in linnen. Let's to Beffe.
He tell her the whole projecl.
Forf. Heres the houfe, wee'll enter if you
pleafe.
Rough. Where be thefe Drawers, Rafcals I mould
fay?
That will give no attendance.
U 2
292 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Enter Clem.
Clem. Anon, anon fir, pleafe you fee a roome.
What you here againe ? Now we mall have fuch roar
ing.
Rough. You firrah call your Miflreffe.
Clem. Yes fir, I know it is my duty to call her
Miflreffe.
Rough. See and the flave will ftir.
Clem. Yes I doe ftir.
Rough. Shal we have humors, fauce-box, you have
eares
He teach you prick-fong.
Clem. But you have now a wrong Sow by the
eare. I will call her.
Roughm. Doe fir, you had beft.
Clem. If you were twenty Roughmans, if you lug
me by the eares againe, He draw.
Roughm. Ha, what will you draw?
Clem. The beft wine in the houfe for your wor-
fhip : and I would call her, but I can afiure you
flie is eyther not flirring, or elfe not in cafe.
Roughm. How not in cafe ^
Clem. I thinke me hath not her fmocke on, for I
thinke I faw it lye at her beds head.
Rough. What, Drawers grow capritious I
Clem. Help, help.
Enter Beffe Bridges.
Befie* What uprore's this ? mall we be never rid
From thefe difturbances 1
Rough. Why how now Bejje ?
Is this your hufwifry ? When you are mine
He have you rife as early as the Larke,
Looke to the Bar your felfe : thefe lazy rafcalls
Wi 1 bring your flate behinde hand.
Clem. You lye fir \
or y a Girle worth gold. 293
Roughm. How? lye?
Clem. Yes fir at the Raven in the high-ftreet, I was
at your lodging this morning for a pottle pot.
Roughm. You will about your bufmefle, mufl you
heare
Stand gaping and idle ?
BeJ). You wrong me fir,
And tyrannize too much over my fervants.
I will have no man touch them but my felfe.
Clem. If I doe not put Rats-bane into his wine
in {lead of Suger, fay I am no true Baker.
Roughm. What, rife at noone ?
A man may fight a tall fray in a morning,
And one of your beft friends too be hackt and man-
gled,
And almoft cut to peeces, and you faft
Clofe in your bed, ne'er dreame on't.
Beffe. Fought you this day 1
Roughm. And ne'er was better put too 't in my
daies.
Beffe. I pray, how was't ?
Roughm. Thus : as I pad yon fields :
Enter the Kitchin-maicL
Maid. I pray forfooth, what mail I reckon for the
lolle of Ling in the Port-cullis.
Roughm. A pox upon your lolles, you kitchin-
fluffe,
Goe fcowre your skillets, pots, and dripping-pans,
And interrupt not us.
Maid* The Devill take your Oxe-heeles, you foule
Cods-head, mufl you be kicking ?
Roughm. Minion dare you fcould ?
Maid. Yes fir, and lay my ladle over your cox-
combe.
Beffe. I doe not thinke that thou darft ilrike a
man,
294 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
That fwaggerft thus ore women.
Roughm. How now Beffe ?
Befje. Shall we be never quiet ?
jFbrf. You are too rude.
Roughm. Now I profeffe all patience.
Beff. Then proceede.
Roughm. Riling up early, Minion whilfl you ilept,
To croffe yon field, I had but newly parted
With this my friend, but that I foone efpide
A gallant fellow, and moil flrongly arm'd.
In the mid-field we met, and both being refolute,
We juflled for the wall.
Beffe. Why, did there fland a wall in the mid-
field?
Roughm. I meant ftrove for the way.
Two fuch brave fpirits meeting, flraight both drew.
Enter Clem.
Clem. The Maid forfooth fent me to know whe
ther you would have the moulder of mutton roafted
or fod.
Roughm. A mifchiefe on your moulders.
Cl. That's the way to make me never prove good
porter.
Beffe. You Rill heape wrongs on wrongs.
Rough. I was in fury
To thinke upon the violence of that fight,
And could not flay my rage.
Forf. Once more proceed.
Roughm. Oh had you feene two tilting meteors
juflle
In the mid Region, with like feare and fury
We two encounter'd. Not Briarius
Could with his hundred hands have ftrucke more
thicke.
Blowes came about my head, I tooke them dill.
Thrufls by my fides twixt body and my armes,
or, a Girte worth gold. 295
Yet dill I put them by.
Beffe. When they were paft he put them by.
Goe on.
But in this fury what became of him ?
Ro. I thinke I paid him home, hee's foundly
maul'd,
I bofom'd him at every fecond thruft.
Beffe. Sap'd he with life ?
Rough. I, that's my feare : if he recover this,
He never truft my fword more.
Beffe. Why fly you not if he be in fuch danger ?
Rough. Becaufe a witch once told me
I ne'er mould dye for murder.
Beffe. I beleeve thee,
But tell me pray, was not this gallant fellow,
A pretty faire young youth about my yeares 1
Rough. Even thereabout.
Clem. He was not fiftie then.
Beffe. Much of my flature ?
Rough. Much about your pitch.
Clem. He was no giant then.
Beffe. And wore a fuit like this %
Rough. I halfe fufpedl.
Beffe. That gallant fellow,
So wounded and fo mangled, was my felfe,
You bafe white-lyver'd flave, it was this Ihooe
That thou ftoopt to untie : untruft thofe points :
And like a beaflly coward lay along,
Till I flridd over thee. Speake, was't not fo ?
Rough. It cannot be deny'd.
Beffe. Hare-hearted fellow, Milk-fop, dofl not
bluflil
Give me that Rapier : I will make thee fweare,
Thou malt redeeme this fcorne thou haft incurred,
Or in this woman mape He cudgell thee,
And beate thee through the ftreets. As I am Beffe^
I'll do't.
Rough. Hold, hold ; I fweare.
296 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Bef. Dare not to enter at my doore till then.
Rough. Shame confounds me quite.
Beff. That fhame redeem ; perhaps wee'l doe thee
grace
I love the valiant, but defpife the bafe. Exit.
Clem. Will you be kickt fir ?
Rough. She hath wakend me,
And kindled that dead fire of courage in me,
Which all this while hath flept : To fpare my flefli
And wound my fame, what is't ? I will not reft
Till by fome valiant deed I have made good
All my difgraces paft. He croffe the ftreete,
And ftrike the next brave fellow that I meet.
Forf. I am bound to fee the end on't.
Rough. Are you fir 1
Beates off Forfet.
Enter Mayor of Foy^ an Alderman^ and Servant.
Mayor. Beleeve me fir, me beares her felfe fo
well,
No man can juftly blame her : and I wonder
Being a fmgle woman as me is,
And living in an houfe of fuch refort,
She is no more diflafled.
Alder. The beft Gentlemen
The Country yeelds, become her daily guefts.
Sure fir I thinke fhee's rich.
Mayor. Thus much I know, would I could buy
her ftate
Were't for a brace of thoufands. AJhot.
Aid. Twas faid a fhip is now put into harbour,
Know whence (he is.
Serv. He bring newes from the key.
Mayor. To tell you true fir, I could wifh a match
Betwixt her and mine owne and onely fonne,
And ftretch my purfe too upon that condition.
Aid. Pleafe you He motion it.
or, a Girle worth gold. 297
Enter the Servant.
Serv. One of the fhips is new come from the
Iflands,
The greateft man of note's one Captaine Goodlack.
It is but a fmall Veffell.
Enter Goodlack and Sailors.
Goodl. He meet you ftraight at th' Wind-mill.
Not one word of my name.
i Sail. We underftand you.
Mayor. Sir tis told us you came late from th'
Iflands.
Goodl. I did fo.
Mayor. Pray fir the newes from thence.
Goodl. The beft is, that the Generall is in health,
And Fiall won from th' Spaniards : but the Fleet
By reafon of fo many dangerous tempefts
Extremely wether-beaten. You fir I take it,
Are Mayor o'th towne.
Mayor. I am the Kings Lieftenant.
Goodl. I have fome Letters of import from one
A Gentleman of very good account,
That dide late in the Iflands, to a Maide
That keepes a Taverne here.
Mayor. Her name Beffe Bridges 1
Goodl. The fame. I was defir'd to make in*
quirie
What fame (he beares, and what report fhee's of.
Now you fir being here chiefe Magiftrate,
Can beft refolve me.
Mayor. To our underftanding,
Shee's without ftaine or blemifh well reputed,
And by her modefly and faire demeanour,
Hath won the love of all.
Goodl. The worfe for me.
Alder. I can affure you many narrow eyes
Have lookt on her and her condition,
But thofe that with moft envy have endevour'd
298 The fair e Maid of the We/I :
T entrap her, have return'd won by her verities.
Goodl, So all that I inquire of make report.
I am glad to heare't. Sir I have now fome bufmeffe,
And I of force mufl leave you.
Mayor. I intreat you
To fup with me to night.
Goodl. Sir I may trouble you.
Five hundred pound a yeare out of my way.
Is there no flaw that I can tax her with,
To forfeit this revenew ? Is me fuch a Saint
None can miffay her ? why then I my felfe
Will undertake it. If in her demeanor
I can but finde one blemim, flaine or fpot,
It is five hundred pound a yeare well got. Exit.
Enter Clem and the Sailors on the one fide, at the other
Roughman y who drawes upon them, and beates
them off.
Enter Beffe, Clem, and the Sailors.
' Bef. But did he fight it bravely ?
Clem, I affure you miftreffe moft diflblutely : hee
hath runne this Sailer three times through the body,
and yet never toucht his skinne.
Befje. How can that be ?
Clem. Through the body of his doublet I meant.
Beffe. How fhame, bafe imputation, and difgrace
Can make a coward valiant : Sirrah you
Looke to Ihe barre.
Clem. lie hold up my hand there prefently.
Bef. I underftand, you came now from the
Iflands.
i Sail. We did fo.
Bef. If you can tell me tydings of one Gentleman
I mall requite you largely.
i Sailor. Of what name ?
Befi. One Spencer.
i Sailor. We both faw and knew the man.
or, a Girle worth gold. 299
Bej). Onely for that call for what wine you pleafe.
Pray tell me where you left him.
2 Sailor. In Fiall.
Bef. Was he in health ? how did he fare ]
2 Sail. Why well,
Befs. For that good newes, fpend, re veil, and
caroufe,
Your reckning's paid before-hand. I'me extafide,
And my delights unbounded.
i Sail. Did you love him ?
Befs. Next to my hopes in heaven.
i Sail. Then change your mirth.
Beffe. Why, as I take it, you told me he was well,
And mail I not rejoyce 1
1 Sail. Hee's well in heaven, For Miftrifle, he is
dead.
Beff. Hah, dead! was't fo you faid ? Th' aft
given me, friend
But one wound yet, fpeake but that word againe,
And kill me out-right.
2 Sail. He lives not.
Befs. And mall I ? Wilt thou not breake heart ?
Are thefe my ribs wrought out of brafle or fteele,
Thou canft not craze their barres 1
1 Sail. Miflris ufe patience, which conquers all
defpaire.
Beffe. You advife well :
I did but jeafl with forrow : you may fee
I am now in gentle temper.
2 Sail. True, we fee't.
Bef. Pray take the beft roome in the houfe, and
there
Call for what wine beft tafts you : at my leafure
He vifit you my felfe.
i Sail. He ufe your kindnefie. Exeunt.
Bejfje. That it mould be my fate. Poore poore
fweet-hart
I doe but thinke how thou becomft thy grave,
In which would I lay by thee : what's my wealth
300 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
To injoy't without my Spencer. I will now
Study to die, that I may live with him.
Enter Goodlack.
Goodl. The further I inquire, the more I heare
To my difcomfort. If my difcontinuance
And change at Sea difguife me from her knowledge
I (hall have fcope enough to prove her fully.
This fadneffe argues me hath heard fome newes
Of my Friends death.
Beffe. It cannot fure be true
That he is dead, Death could not be fo envious
To fnatch him in his prime. I fludy to forget
That ere was fuch a man.
Goodl. If not impeach her,
My purpofe is to feeke to marry her.
If me deny me, He conceale the Will,
Or at the lead make her compound for halfe.
Save you faire Gentlewoman.
Befs. You are welcome fir.
Goodl. I heare fay there's a whore here that draws
wine,
I am fharp fet, and newly come from fea,
And I would fee the tram.
Befs. Sure you miftake fir.
If you defire attendance and fome wine
I can command you both. Where be thefe boyes 1
Goodl. Are you the Miftreffe 1
Bejjje. I command the houfe.
Goodl. Of what birth are you, pra'y ?
Befs. A Tanners daughter.
Goodl. Where borne ?
Beffe. In Somerfetfhire.
Goodl. A trade-falne Tanners daughter goe fo
brave :
Oh you have trickes to compaffe thefe gay cloaths.
Beffe. None fir, but what are honeft.
Goodl. What's your name 1
or, a Girle worth gold. 301
Beffe. Beffe Bridges moll men call me.
Goodl. Y'are a whore.
Beffe. Sir, I will fetch you wine to warn your
mouth,
It is fo foule, I feare't may fefter elfe.
There may be danger in't.
Goodl. Not all this move her patience.
Beffe. Good fir, at this time I am fcarce my felfe
By reafon of a great and weighty loffe
That troubles me : but I mould know that Ring.
Goodl. How, this, you baggage ? It was never
made
To grace a flrumpets finger.
Beffe. Pardon fir,
I both mufl and will leave you. Exit.
Goodl. Did not this well ? This will flicke in my
ftomack.
I could repent my wrongs done to this maid :
But lie not leave her thus : if me flill love him,
He breake her heart-firings with fome falfe report
Of his unkindneffe.
Enter Clem.
Clem. You are welcome Gentleman : what wine
will you drinke? Claret, Metheglin, or Muskadine,
Cyder or Pyrrey, to make you merry, Aragoofa, or
Peter-fee-mee, Canary or Charnico ? But by your
nofe fir you fhould love a cup of Malmfey : you fhall
have a cup of the befl in Cornwaile.
Goodl. Here's a brave drawer will quarrell with his
wine.
Clem. But if you preferre the Frenchman before
the Spaniard, you fhall have either here of the deepe
red grape or the pallid white. You are a pretty tall
Gentleman, you mould love High-Country wine : none
but Clarkes and Sextons love Graves wine. Or are
you a maried man, He furnifh you with baflard, white
3O2 The fair e Maid of the We/I:
or browne, according to the complexion of your b
fellow.
GoodL You rogue, how many yeares of your pren-
tifhip have you fpent in fludying this fet fpeech ?
Clem. The firft line of my part was, Anon anon,
fir : and the firfl queftion I anfwerd to, was logger
head, or block-head, I know not whether.
GoodL Speake, where's your Miflreffe 1
Clem. Gone up to her chamber.
GoodL Set a pottle of Sacke in th' fire, and carry
it into the next roome. Exit.
Clem. Score a pottle of Sacke in the Crowne, and
fee at the barre for fome rotten egges to burne it : we
muft have one tricke or other to vent away our bad
commodities. Exit.
Enter Beffe with Spencers Pifture.
Beffe. To dye, and not vouchfafe fome few com
mends
Before his death, was moft unkindly done.
This Picture is more courteous : "twill not fhrinke
For twenty thoufand kifles : no nor blufh :
Then thou malt be my husband, and I vow
Never to marry other.
Enter Goodlacke.
GoodL Wheres this harlot 1
Beffe. You are immodefl fir to prefle thus rudely
Into my private chamber.
GoodL Pox of modefty
When punks muft have it mincing in their mouthes.
And have I found thee ? thou (halt hence with me.
Beffe. Rob me not of the chiefeft wealth I have :
Search all my trunks, take the beft Jewels there :
Deprive me not that treafure, lie redeeme it
With plate, and all the little coyne I have,
or, a Girle worth gold. 303
So I may keepe that ftill.
Goodl. Thinkft thou that bribes
Can make me leave my friends Wfll unperform'd 1
Beffe. What was that Friend ?
Goodl. One Spencer, dead i'th Iflands,
Whofe very lad words uttered at his death
Were thefe, If ever thou malt come to Foy,
Take hence my picture, and deface it quite :
For let it not be faid, my pourtrature
Shall grace a flrumpets chamber.
Beff. Twas not fo :
You lye, you are a villaine : twas not fo.
Tis more then fmne thus to bely the dead :
Hee knew if ever I would have tranfgreft,
'T had beene with him : he durft have fworne me
chafte,
And dyde in that beliefe.
Good. Are you fo briefe 1
Nay, He not trouble you : God b'oy you.
Beffe. Yet leave me ftill that Picture, and He
fweare
You are a Gentleman, and cannot lie.
Goodl. I am inexorable.
Beffe. Are you a Chriftian, have you any name
That ever good man gave you ?
'Twas no Saint you were call'd after. Whats thy
name ?
Goodl. My name is Captaine Thomas Good
Beff. I can fee no good in thee. Race that fyl-
Table
Out of thy name.
Goodl. Goodlackes my name.
Beffe. I cry you mercy fir : I now remember you,
You were my Spencers friend, and I am fory,
Becaufe he lov'd you, I have beene fo harm :
For whofe fake, I intreat ere you take't kence,
I may but take my leave on't.
Goodl. You'l returne it 1
Beffe. As I am chafte I will.
-;
304 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Goodl For once He truft you.
Beffe. Oh thou the perfect femblance of my Love,
And all that's left of him, take one fweet kiffe,
As my laft farewell. Thou refembleft him
For whofe fweet fafety I was every morning
Downe on my knees, and with the Larkes fweet
tunes
I did begin my prayers : and when fad fleepe
Had charm'd all eyes, when none fave the bright
flarres
Were up and waking, I remembred thee,
But all, all to no purpofe.
Goodl. Sure, moft fure,
This cannot be diffembled.
Beffe. To thee I have beene conftant in thine
ab fence,
And when I look'd upon this painted peece
Remembred thy laft rules and principles :
For thee I have given almes, vifited prifons,
To Gentlemen and paffengers lent coyne,
That if they ever had abilitie
They might repay't to Spencer : yet for this,
All this, and more, I cannot have fo much
As this poore table.
G. I mould queftion truth,
If I mould wrong this creature.
Beffe. I am refolv'd.
See fir, this Picture I reftore you backe,
Which fince it was his will you mould take hence,
I will not wrong the dead.
Goodl. God be w' you.
Beffe. One word more.
Spencer you fay was fo unkinde in death.
Goodl. I tell you true.
Beffe. I doe intreat you even for goodneffe fake
Since you were one that he intirely lov'd,
If you fome few dayes hence here me expir'd
You will monga other good men, and poore people
That haply may mifle Eefle, grace me fo much
THE
Foure Prentifes of London
With the Conqueft of lerufalem.
As it hath bene diuerfe times A6led, at the
Red Bull, by the Queenes Maiefties Seruants.
Written by THOMAS HEY WOOD.
[Carefully collated with the later edition of 1632,
" written and newly revifed by Thomas Heywood."]
To the Honeft and
High-fpirited Prentifes, the
Readers.
\One but to you (as whom this
Play mojl efpecially concernes) I
thought good to Dedicate this La
bour, which though written many yeares
fence, in my Infancy of ludgment in this
kinde of Poetry, and my fir/1 pracJife : Yet
vnderftanding (by what meanes I know not)
it was in thefe more exquifete and refined
Times to come to the Preffe, in fuch a for-
wardneffe ere it came to my knowledge, that
M
-
1 62 The Epiftle.
it was pajt preuention^and then knowing with-
all, that it comes Jhort of that accuratenejfe
both in Plot and Stile, that thefe more Cen-
forious dayes with greater curiojity acquire,
I muft thus excufe. That as Playes were
then fome Jifteene or Jixteene yeares agoe it
was in the Fajhion. Nor could it haue
found a more feafonable and Jit publication
then at this Time, when, to the glory of our
Nation, the fecurity of the Kingdome, and
the Honor of this Renowned Citty, they haue
begunne againe the commendable practice of
long forgotten Armes, the continuance of
which I wifli, the Difcipline approue, and
the encouragement thereof euen with my
foule applaude. In which great and hoped
good they deferue not the leajl attribute of
Approbation : who, in the dull and fleepy
time of Peace, firft waken* d the Remem
brance of thefe armes in the Artillery Gar
den, which begun out of their voluntary affec-
The Epiftle. 163
tions, profecuted by their priuate Induftries,
and continued at their own proper coft and
charge, defer ws in my opinion not onely Re-
fpel and Regard^ but recompence and re
ward. But to returne agayne to you> my
braue fpirited Prentifes, vpon whom I haue
freely be/lowed thefe Foure, / wifh you all y
that haue their Courages and Forwardneffe,
their noble Fates and Fortunes,
Yours,
Thomas Hey wood.
Drammatis Perfonae.
The olde Earle oiJBulloigne.
Godfrey.
His foure Guy.
fonnes Charle-s.
. Eustace.
Bella Franca his daughter.
An Englifh Captaine.
Robert of Normandy.
TheFrench Kings daughter.
Tancred a Prince of Italy.
The Soldane of Babylon.
The Sophy of Perfta.
Turnus.
Moretes.
A Chorus, or Prefentor.
Mutes.
The French King.
The Bullenois.
Bandetti.
Irilhmen.
Ambufhes of Pagans.
The Clowne.
The Prologue.
Enter three in blacke clokes, at three doores.
i \ T THat meane you, my maiflers, to appeare thus
\ \ before your times 1 doe you not know that 1
im the Prologue ? Do you not fee this long blacke vel-
^iet cloake vpon my backe ? Haue you not founded thrice 1
'Do I not looke pale, as fearing to be out in my fpeech 1
'Way, haue 1 not all the fignes of a Prologue about me ?
Then, to what end come you to interrupt met
2 I haue a Prologue to fpeake too.
3 And 1 another.
1 O fuperftuous, and more then euer I heard of!
iree Prologues to one play f
2 Haue you not feene three ropes to tole one bell,
ree doores to one houfe, three wayes to one Towne ?
i I grant you : But 1 neuer heard of any that had
:ee heads to one body, but Cerberus. But what doth
l ir Prologue meane ?
y c 2 I come to excufe the name of the Play.
3 / the errours in the Play.
i And I the Author that made the Play. Touching
name why is it called, True and Strange, or The
. re Prentifes of London 1 A Gentleman that heard
fubiefl difcourjl, fayd it was not pojfible to be true ;
none here are bound to beleeue it.
ar> Tis true, that Alexander at thirty-two yeares of
conquered the whole world; butflrange he Jhould do
a ^ If weJJ'iould not beleeue things recorded in former
J' wee were not worthy that fiicceeding times Jhould
a f e W things done in thefe our ages.
'
>.f race with f am e Wori
re .
1 6 8 The foure Prentifes of L ondon.
In foule deiect, and banimt from your land 1
Earle. He tell thee Girle. The French King, and
my felfe,
Vpon fome termes grew in a flrange debate,
And taking carefull vantage of the time,
Whilfl I with all my powers, in aide of William
The Norman Duke, now Englifh Conquerour,
Was bufily emploi'd ; hee feiz'd my right,
Planting another, and fupplanting mee.
This is the ground of my extremitie.
Bel. If for King Williams fake now Conquerour,
You loft your birth-right and inheritance :
How comes, it that hee fees you in this flate,
And lifts not vp your fortunes ruinate ?
Earle. A conquered Kingdome is not eafily kept,
Hee hath fo much adoe to guard his owne,
That mine is buried in obliuion ;
And I am forc't to loofe the name of Earle,
And Hue in London like a Cittizen.
foure fonnes are bound prentice to foure Trades.
Godfrey my eldefl boy I haue made a Mep&r ;
Guy my next fonne, enrol'd in Gol^fmitjies Trade ;
My third fonne Charles bound to an Haberdajhfr ; i
Yong Euftace is a Grocer : all high borne,
Yet of the Citty-tradesThey haue no fcorne.
Thus bare neceflity hath made me feeke
Some refuge, to fuflaine our pouerty.
And hauing plac't my fonnes in fuch a fort,
The little wealth I haue left, I leaue to thee.
My felfe will trauaile to the holy Land ;
And ere I lie within the earths cold womb, 2
Pay my deuoute vowes at my Sauiours Tombe,
Bell. Was that the caufe you fent for my four' ;
brothers ? h ies
Earle. Their wifhed fight will cheere my age as
heart :
. And I will bleffe them all before I part.
(2) the earths vafte wombe. 1615.
The four e Prentifes of London. 1 69
Enter Godfrey, Guy, Charles, and Eujlace, like
Apprentices.
Godf. I wonder, brothers, why my father hath fent
for vs thus earely : that, all bufmeffe fet apart, wee
muft meete together this morning.
Guy. I know not the reafon, I had much adoe to
get leaue of my Maifter to be fpared from my
attendance in the Shop, and feruing of Cuftomers.
Cha. 'Faith as foone as I heard but the meffenger
fay, my father mufl fpeake with mee : I left my Tan
kard to guard the Conduit ; and away came I.
Euft. I beihrew him. I mould haue beene at
breake-faft with two or three good boyes this
morning : but that match is difappointed by this
meeting.
Bell. See where my brothers are already come.
Earle. Godfrey, Guy, Charles, yong Euftace all at
once,
Diuide a fathers bleffing in foure parts,
And mare my prayers amongft you equally.
Firft Godfrey, tell mee how thou lik'fl thy Trade 1
And knowing in thy thoughts what thou haft been,
How canft thou brooke to bee as thou art now ?
Godf. Bound mufl obey : Since I haue vnder-
tooke
o ferue my Maifter truely for feuen yeares,
y duty mall both anfwer that defire,
nd my old Maifters profite euery way.
prayfe that Citty which made Princes Tradef-men :
[Vhere that man, noble or ignoble borne,
That would not pradlife fome mechanicke skill,
Vhich might fupport his ftate in penury,
Should die the death ; not fufferd like a drone,
"o fucke the honey from the publicke Hiue.
hold it no difparage to my birth,
"hough I be borne an Earle, to haue the skill
nd the full knowledge of the Mercers Trade,
nd were I now to be create a new,
1 70 The four e Prentifes of London.
It fhould not grieue me to haue fpent my time
The fecrets of fo rich a Trade to know,
By which aduantage and great profits grow. 3
Ear. Well haft thou done to ouercome thy fate.
Making thy minde conformed to thy ftate.
How likes my Guy, the Gold-fmiths faculty.
Guy. As a good refuge in extremity.
Say I be borne a Prince, and be call downe
By fome finiiler chance, or fortunes frowne :
Say I be banifht : when I haue a Trade,
And in my felfe a meanes to purchafe wealth,
Though my ftate wafte, and towring honours fall,
That Hill flayes with me in the extream'ft of all.
Earle. What fays my third fonne Charles 1
Char. If I mould lay I would not brooke thofe
bonds,
Which Heauen and fate, 4 and you haue tied me in ;
You would be preaching difobedience.
Or mould I fay the Citty -trades are bafe
For fuch a great mans fonnes to take on them :
Your fatherly regard would ftraight aduife mee
To chaftife my rebellious thoughts ; and fay,
Sonne, you by this may Hue another day.
Therefore, as my two brothers, I reply ;
You aske mee if I like it ; I fay I.
Earle. What fayes my yongeft boy ?
Euft. Father, I fay, Hawking is a pretty fport,
And Hunting is a Princely exercife ;
To ride a great horfe, oh 'tis admirable !
Earle. Euftace I know it is : but to my queftion.
How canft thou brooke to be a Prentife, boy ?
Euft. Mee thinkes I could endure it for feu
yeares, oo
Did not my Maifter keepe me in too much. tes
I cannot goe to breake-faft in a morning as
With my kinde mates and fellow-Prentiies, \{ s
But he cries Euftace, one bid Euftace come :
(3) much profiles grow. 1615. (4) God, and fate, II
The foiire Prentifes of London. 171
And my name Euftace is in euery roome.
If I might once a weeke but fee a Tilting,
Sixe dayes I would fall vnto my bufmeffe clofe,
And ere the weekes end winne that idle day.
Hee will not let mee fee a muttering,
Nor on a May-day morning fetch in May :
I am no fooner got into the Fencing-fchoole,
To play a venew with fome friend I bring ;
But Euftace, Euftace, all the flreete muft ring.
Hee will allow me not one howre for fport :
I muft not ftrike a foote-ball in the ftreete,
But hee will frowne : not view the dancing-fchoole,
But hee will miffe me ftraight : not fuffer mee
So much as take vp cudgels in the ftreete,
But hee will chide : I muft not go to buffets ;
No, though I bee prouoked ; that's the hell,
Were't not for this, I could endure it well.
Earle. Sonnes, yee muft all forget your birth and
honours,
And looke into the times neceflity.
I know yee are perfwaded : Thinke not, fonnes,
The names of Prentice can difparage you.
For howfoeuer of you efteem'd they bee,
Euen Kings themfelues haue of thefe Trades beene
free.
I made a vow to fee the holy Land,
And in the fame my Sauiours Sepulchre.
Hauing fo well difpos'd you ; I will now
Firft bleffe you Boyes, and then performe my vow.
\ Godf. With much ado, do I containe my fpirit
Within thefe bands, that haue inclos'd me round.
Though now this cafe the noble Sunne doth fhroud ;
Time fhall behold that Sunne breake through this
clowd.
Guy. My Genius bids my foule haue patience,
And fayes I mall not be a Prentife long.
I fcorne it not : but yet my fpirits aime,
To haue this hand catch at the Crowne of Fame.
Char. An Haberdajher is the Trade I vfe :
172 The four e Prentifes of London.
But the foft wool feeles in my hand like fteele :
And I could wifh each hat comes through my hand
Were turn'd into an Helmet, and each Helmet
Vpon a Souldiers head, for me to lead.
Warre is the walke which I defire to tread.
Euft. I am a -Grocer : Yet had rather fee
A faire guilt fword hung in a veluet fheath,
Then the bed Barbary^ fugar in the world j
Were it a freight of price ineflimable.
I haue a kinde of prompting in my braine,
That fayes ; Though I be bound to a fweete Trade,
I mud forgoe it, I keepe too much in.
I would fafl from meate and drinke a Summers day,
To fee fwords clalh, or view a defperate fray.
Earle. Bridle thefe humours fonnes, expell them
clean e,
And your high Spirits within your breads containe :
Whilfl I my tedious Pilgrimage prepare,
To fpend my age in pouerty and prayer.
My firft-borne, firft fare-well : my fecond next :
Charles, Euftace, Daughter : Heere my bleffings flay,
Your wifhes beare me on my facred way. Exit.
Godf. Euen to the place you trauaile, there to
afcend
With thofe deuoute prayers you to heauen commend.
Brothers, iince wee are now as ftrangers here, .
Yet by our fathers prouident care fo plac'd,
That we may Hue fecure from penury :
So let vs pleafe our Maiflers by our care,
That we our ruin'd fortunes may repaire.
Guy. Brother, if I knew where to go to warre,
I would not flay in London one houre longer.
Char. An houre ! By heauen I would not flay a
minute.
Eufl. A minute, not a moment. Would you put 2
moment
Into a thoufand parts, the thoufandth part
Would not I linger, might I goe to warre.
Why, I would prefently runne from my Maifter,
The four e Prentifes of London. 1 73
Did I but heare where were a Drumme to follow.
Bell. Would ypu fo brother 1
Eujl. I good faith, fweete Sifter,
I would mew him as fine a paire of heeles, as light
and nimble, as any the neateft cork fhoe in all the
Towne turnes vp : I would i' faith.
Bell. And leaue me here alone ?
Guy. Alone ? why fifter,
Can you be left alone 'mongft multitudes ?
London is full of people euery where.
God. Well, leaue this iefting : wee forget our felues.
Sifter, weele haue you to our fathers houfe,
T enioy the fmall poffeffions left you there :
Returne we to our Maifters and our charge,
Left feeking this our loytering to excufe,
With forg'd inuentions wee their eares abufe.
Sound a Drumme within foftly,
I heare a Drumme. I haue as much power to fit,
Sort out my wares, and fcribble on a Shop-board,
When I but heare the muficke of a drumme,
As to abftaine from meate when I am hungry.
Tie know what newes before I ftirre a foote.
Char. By heauen I am enamoured of this tune,
'Tie the beft Muficke in the world to mee.
Eujl. My legs are marching ftreight when I but
heare it.
Ran, fan, tan : Oh I could lead a Drumme
With a good grace, if I but faw behind mee
An hundred fouldiers follow in euen rankes.
Flad I but here a band of men to lead,
jVtethinkes I could do wonders : Oh 'tis braue
f o be a Captaine, and command to haue.
Enter after a Drumme, a Captaine with a
Proclamation.
"' Cap. All Commanders, Captaines, Liefetenants,
Gentlemen of Companies, Sergeants, Corporals, or
)mmon Souldiers whatfoeuer, that will accompany to
^e holy warres at Hierufalem, Robert Duke of Nor-
\
1
5 as*
hauei
For wee are tern,
-7 Farewell.
Farewell.
God!
Heauen.
Fate.
7
The foure Prentifes of London. 1 75
Guy. Weare.
Char. Vanquifh.
/?. Ouercome.
Haue you all left mee midft a world of flrangers,
Here onely to ray felfe : not to proteft me,
Or to defend me from apparant wrong I
Since it is fo, He follow after you :
In fome difguife I will purfue their fteps,
And vnto Heauen and fortune .yeeld my ielie.
Toward fea they are gone, and vnto fea muft I,
A Virgines vnexpefted fate to try.
Enter marching Robert of Normandy, the Captaine, the
foure brethren, Drumme, and Souldiers.
Enter the Pref enter.
Pre. Thus haue you feene thefe brothers fhipt to
Sea
Bound on their voyage to the holy Land,
All bent to try their fortunes in one Barke.
Now to auoide all dilatory newes,
Which mieb f -i^old you from thwTypur eare.
A . Ai ciumbe Ihews, which were they writ at large
would aske a long and tedious circumflance :
Their infant fortunes I will foone expreffe,
,,A.nd from the truth in no one point digreffe.
^l^ee haue feene the father of thefe foure faire fons,
;"\\lready gone his weary pilgrimage :
'.1 Godfrey, Guy, Charles, and Euftace, preft to fea
^\ o follow Robert Duke of Normandy.
- magine now yee fee the aire made thicke
\ T ith flormy tempefts, that diflurb^ the Maine, 6
nd the foure windes at warre among themfelues :
^ 'id the weake Barkes wherein the brothers faile,
1 (6) difturbe the fea : 1615.
All Farewell.
Bell Farewell.
Godf. G dl
Guy. Heauen.
Char. Fate.
The four e Prentifes of London. 177
Enter the King of France, and his daughter walking :
to them Guy all wet. The Lady entreateth her
father for his entertainment : which is granted ; 6
rich cloathes are put about him : &* fie Exeunt.
As the French King did with his daughter walke
By the Sea-fide : from farre they might efpy
One on a rafter floate vpon the waues,
Who as he drew more neere vnto the more,
They might difcerne a man, though bafely clad,
Yet fparkes of honour kindled in his eyes.
Him at firft fight the beauteous Lady loues ;
And prayes her father to receiue him home :
To which the King accords ; and in his Court
Makes him a great and fpeciall Officer.
There leaue we Guy a gallant Courtier prou'd,
And of the beauteous Lady well belou'd.
Enter Bandettds, with the Earle pr if oner : Exeunt
fome of them with him to prifon : Enter CHARLES
all wet with his fword ; fights with the reft -
kils their Captaine : They yeeld antf . "' . ,
i; , fc ,.. . , .. ZM -^ ^ones pith,
Ana fubftance of the matter wee entend :
I muft entreate your patience to forbeare,
Whilft we do feaft your eye, and flarue your eare.
For in dumbe (hews, which were they writ at large
Would aske a long and tedious circumflance :
Their infant fortunes I will foone expreffe,
,A.nd from the truth in no one point digreffe.
]Yee haue feene the father of thefe foure faire fons,
Already gone his weary pilgrimage :
r ^odfrey, Guy, Charles, and Euftace, preft to fea
, \ICo follow Robert Duke of Normandy.
. Imagine now yee fee the aire made thicke
]Vith ftormy tempefts, that difturbe the Maine, 6
Uid the foure windes at warre among themfelues :
\vnd the weake Barkes wherein the brothers faile,
n
(6) difturbe the fea : 1615.
178 The four e Prentifes of London.
Enter a Coarfe, after it Iri/hmen mourning, in a dead
March : To them enters Euftace, and talkes with
with the chief e Mourner, who makes fignes of con-
fent, after buriall of the Coarfe, and fo Exeunt.
Etiftace, the yongeft of the foure, was caft
Vpon the coafl of Ireland-, and from thence
Hee comes to trauaile to Hiemtfalem,
Suppofmg his three brethren drown'd by fea.
Thus haue you feene thefe foure, that were but now
All in one Fleete^ a many thoufand leagues
Seuer'd from one another : Guy in France,
Godfrey in Bulloigne, Charles in Italy,
Eujlace in Ireland 'mongft the Irijh kernes.
Yet Gentlemen, the felfe fame winde and fortune
That parted them, may bring them altogether.
Their fifter followes them with zealous feete :
p5 e patient, yee will wonder when they meete.
I Foure London Prentifes will ere they die,
\ Aduance their towring fame aboue the skye ;
And winne fuch glorious praife as neuer fades,
Vnto themfelues and honour of their trades :
Grant them your wonted patience to proceed,
And their keene fwords mall make the Pagans bleed.
Exit.
Enter Guy, and the Lady of France.
Lady. Fie ftranger, can a skinne fo white and
foft
Couer an heart obdurate, hard as flint ?
Since I firft faw thee floating on the waues,
The fire of loue'flew from your radiant eye,
Which like a Sunne-beame pierc'd vnto my heart.
Guy. Sweete Lady, all my powers I owe to you :
For by your fauour I afcend this height,
Which feates mee in the fauour of a Prince.
Theatre Prentifes of London. 1 79
A Prince, that did he know me, in the ftead
Of doing me honour, would cut off my head :
priuate to him f elf e.
Hee did exile my father : caft mee downe ;
And fpurd with enuious hate, diflreft vs all.
Since fortune then, and the devouring Seas,
Haue rob'd me of my brothers, and none left
Of all my fathers fonnes aliue but I :
Take this aduantage, and be fecret, Guy :
Meete this occafion, and conclude with fate,
To raife againe thy fathers ruin'd flate.
Lady. Fie niggard, can you fpend fuch precious
breath,
Speake to your felfe fo many words apart ;
And keepe their found from my attentiue eare,
Which faue your words no muficke loues to heare ?
Guy. What would you haue mee fay ?
Lady. Would I might teach thee !
Oh that I had the guidance of thy tongue ! friuate.
But what would that auaile thee foolilh Girle 1
Small hope in thofe inftm&ions I mould finde,
To rule your tongue, if not to guide your minde.
Guy. My tongue, my thoughts, my heart, my
hand, my fword,
Are all your feruants, who hath done you wrong ?
Lady. I doubt not of your valour. But refolue
mee
And tell me one thing truely I mail aske you.
Guy. Bee't not my birth, no queftion Tie dteny :
Doubt not my truth for honour fcornes to lye.
Lady. I do beleeue you : faire Knight do you
loue?
Guy. To ride a horfe as well as any man :
To make him mount, curuet, to leape, and fpring ;
To chide the bit, to gallop, trot the ring.
Lady. I did not aske you if you loue to ride.
Something I meane ; which though my tongue deny,
Looke on m, you may reade it in mine eye.
But do you loue ?
N 2
180 The four e Prentifes of London.
Guy. To march, to plant a battle, lead an Hoaft,
To bee a fouldier and to goe to Warre,
To talke of Flankes, of Wings, of skonces, holds,
To fee a fally, or to giue a Charge,
To leade a Vaward, Rereward, or maine Hoaft :
By heauen I loue it as mine owne deere life.
Lady. I know all this; your words are but de-
laies :
Could you not loue a Lady that loues you ?
Tis hard when women are enforc'd to wooe.
Private.
Guy. Where is my man to bring me certaine
newes,
The Kings Commiffion fends me to the warres :
The villaine loyters in my bufmeffe.
Lady. All this is from the matter gentle Knight :
The Kings Commiffion may be fign'd at leafure.
What fay you to my queftion ?
Guy. You would haue me tell you true.
Lady. Either fpeake true, or do not fpeake at all.
Guy. Then as I am true Knight I honour you,
And to your feruice will efpoufe my fword.
I wifh you as I wifh the glorious Sunne,
That it may euer mine ; without whofe luftre
Perpetuall darkneffe mould o're-fhade the earth.
But tell me Lady, what you meane by loue.
Lady. To loue a Lady, is with heart entire,
To make her Miftreffe of his whole defire :
To figh for her, and for her loue to weepe ;
As his owne heart her precious fauours keepe :
Neuer be from her, in her bofome dwell ;
To make her prefence heauen, her abfence hell :
Write Sonnets in her prayfe, admire her beauty :
Attend her, feme her, count his feruice duty.
Make her the fole commandreffe of his powers,
And in the fearch of Loue, loofe all his howres.
Guy. Tis pretty for fome foole that could en
dure it :
How neere am I vnto this loue, fweete Lady 1
The four e Prentifes of London. 1 8 1
I loue to mount a Steed, whofe heauy trot
Crackes all my fmewes, makes my Armour crafh :
I loue to march vp to the necke in fnow :
To make my pillow of a cake of ice,
That in the morning, when I ftretch my limbes,
My haire hangs thicke with dropping ificles,
And my bright armes be frozen to the earth.
I loue to fee my face befmear'd in blood :
To haue a gaping wound vpon my flefh,
Whofe very mouth would make a Lady found :
I loue no chamber-muficke, but a Drumme,
To giue mee hunts-vp. Could your Grace endure
To lye all night within a fheete of maile,
By a drawne fword that parts not from my fide,
Embrace a body full of wounds and skarres,
And heare no language but of blood and warres $
Such is my life, fuch may my honour proue :
Make warre a Lady, I that Lady loue.
Lady. Fie, fie, you run quite from the byas
cleane,
To loue that deerely, which wee hate fo deadly :
If loue and I be one, you hate vs both.
Guy. Then can I loue no Lady by my troth :
Madame fare-well : for vnder my command
The King your father fends ten thoufand men,
To winne the holy Towne Hierufahm.
Thither mufl I, efleerning your high honour
Like a bright Comet and vnmatched Starre,
But loue no woman in the world, faue war. Exit.
Lady. Go flint, ftrike fire vpon thy enemies fteele,
Whilft I defcend one Hep from fortunes wheele :
Thou goeft before, loue bids me follow after :
By thee, the King thy Lord muft loofe his Daughter.
Exit,
Enter Charles like an Out-law, with Bandettoes and
Theeues, and with the Clowne.
Char. Theeues, and good fellows, fpeak what
fliould I call you ?
1 8 2 The foure Prentifes of L ondon.
There's not a rogue among you that feares God,
Nor one that hath a touch of honefly.
Robbers, and knaues and rafcals all together,
Sweet confort of vild villaines, lift to me.
Am not I well preferrd to become Captain e
Vnto a crew of fuch pernicious flaues ?
I mall haue fuch a coyle to make you Chriftians,
And bring you to fome fhape of honefly,
That ere I do it, I mall make your bodies
Nothing but fcarre-crowes, to hang round thefe
Trees,
Clowne. Braue Captaine couragious whom death
cannot daunt ; wee haue beene all Gentlemen and
Houfe-holders ; But I was banifht for nothing but
getting of BafLards ; but this fellow fled from Venice, for
killing a man cowardly on the Rialto ; fome for one
villany, and fome for another. Our Captaine that r
you killed, and now fupply his place, poifoned a wor-J
thy Marchant in the Citty with ratef-bane ; and fly ing v
hither, for his valour we made him our Generall.
But now braue Cauallero, to thee alone wee fing Hono-
nonero.
Char. Well, I mufl haue you now turne honefl
Theeues.
Hee that commits a rape, (hall fure be hang'd :
Hee that commits a murder, mall be murdered
With the fame weapon that did ac~l the deed.
Hee that robbes pilgrims, or poore Trauellours,
That for deuotions fake do paffe thefe Mountaines,
Hee mail bee naked tyed to armes of Trees,
And in the dayes heate flung with Wafpes and
Bees.
Yee flaues, Fie teach you fome ciuility.
Clowne. Captaine, what mail hee be done withall,
that lies with a wench with her will, if hee be hung
that lies with one againft her will.
Char. I'le haue him whipt.
Clowne. See, fee, I thinke the Captaine hath beene
a Cooke in his time, he can fit fweete meate with
The foure Prentifes of London. 183
fowre fauce. But what a foole is our Captaine, to
prefcribe Lawes to Out-lawes ? If we would haue
kept the Lawes before in the City, wee needed not
to haue beene driuen now to leade our Hues in the
Country. But Captaine, fmce you are our Captaine,
we will refigne vnto you all our treafures and prifon-
ers, and our fpoiles. Take poffeflion of them in Gods
name, that came to vs in the deuils name.
Cha. Your prifoners, fpoiles, and treafure all bring
forth,
That I may feize them as mine owne by right j
As heire to him whom I haue flaine in fight.
Enter the Thceues bringing in the old Earle bound.
Earle. Villaines I know you drag me to my
death :
And yee mall do me an exceeding grace.
Char. I am deceiu'd but I haue feene that face.
Vill. Come, come you old gray-beard, you muft
before our Captaine : if hee fay Vine then Hue ; if not,
thou dieft if thou wert his father.
Char. Villaine, thou Heft if thou wert my bro
ther :
He mall not die, Vpon your low knees fall,
And aske him pardon, or I'le hang you all.
Ear. Tweene ioy and feare amaz'd in heart I
ftand:
Doth my fonne Charles lead this vnruly band.
Char. Your onely fonne, and all the fonnes you
haue,
And borne his fathers defperate life to faue.
Ear. How camft thou here ? why doft thou call
thy felfe
My onely fonne 1 hauing three brothers more,
Which vnto me thy beauteous mother bore.
Char. Once we were foure, all fellow-prentifes ;
And after fellow-fouldiers, preft to ferue
The good Duke Robert in his holy warres.
1 8 4 The foure Prentifes of L ondon .
But in a florme, our (hips fo brauely man'd,
Were wrackt; and faue myfelfe none iwamme to
land.
They perifht there : I by the waues and winds
Was driuen vpon this Coaft of Italy,
Where landing naked, faue my trufty fword,
This crue of old Bandetto's fet vpon me :
But in the dangerous fight, by chance I flue
The luckleffe Captaine of this damned crue :
Who fmce haue made me Captaine, here to flay,
Till fortune grant me a more profperous way.
Earle. Mine eies haue vow'd to die the felfe fame
death
My fonnes haue done : fonne let me weepe a while,
To bring the like deftruc~lion to my eyne ;
Thefe in fait teares ; they in a fea of brine.
Clowne. Is this our Captaines father 1 ? what vil-
laines were we to vfe him fo roughly ?
Vill. If the old fornicator had but told vs fo
uch, wee mould haue had the grace, either to
haue fet him free, or fortune to haue vfde him more
gently.
Char. Since father we haue met this happy day,
Secure with me amongft thefe Out-lawes flay.
Earle. Not for the 'world, fmce I haue loft my
fons,
All outward ioyes are from my heart remou'd :
Vaine pleafures I abhorre, all things dene,
That teach not to defpaire, or how to dye,
Yet ere I leaue the world, I vow to fee,
His holy bleffed Tombe that died for mee.
Cha. Then take along with you this bag of
gold,
To beare your charge in euery Inne you come :
Deny it not, reliefe is comfortable.
Earle. Thanks my deere fon, expence it will
defray,
And ferue to deale to poore men by the way :
And now fare-well fweet Charles, thou all my fonnes,
The foure Prentifes of L ondon. 185
For now the laft fand in my houre-glaffe runnes.
Cha. Yee two conduct him fafe beyond the
mountains.
Vill. Shall I be one ?
Clo. And I another ?
Cha. Yee know the paffages, bee it your charge.
Vill. I am glad the filly man is weake and old :
By heauen my ringers tickle at his gold.
Clo. Old man is your purfe afloate 1
I haue vow'd to cut his throate,
But to haue it euery groate. Exeunt.
Cha. And now returne wee to furuey our Caue,
Perufe our treafure got by rape and fpoyle,
Though wonne by others, yet poffefl by vs :
Yet hencefoorth mail bee vfde no violence.
Tie make thefe villaines worke in feuerall trades,
And in thefe Forrefts make a Common-wealth.
When them to ciuil nurture I can bring,
They fhal proclaim me of thefe mountains King.
Exeunt.
Enter Euftace and his Irijhman.
Euft. I thinke thefe vpright craggy mountaine
tops,
Are (if the truth were knowne) high way to heauen :
For it is ftreight and narrow, and fome places
Are for the fleepneffe, inacceffible.
Faire fall a rafter, and a gale of winde,
Or I had gone to heauen a way by water
Neerer then this by land ; that way they found,
Who in the fait remorfeleffe feas were drown'd,
My brothers, whom I dreame on when I fleepe,
And my eyes waking at their fortunes weepe.
Forgetting them, the friendly Iri/h coaft
Gaue me fafe harbor ; thence I haue trauail'd hither
Euen to thefe lofty hils of Italy,
After Prince Robert Duke of Normandy.
'Tis fafer fitting in my maifters mop,
1 86 The four e Prentifes of London.
Crying what lacke you, then 'tis here to flay,
To Wolues and wilde beafts to be made a prey.
Iri/h. Maifler, fo Crift me faue, I fhal waite on
thee, wake for thee when thou fleepeft, runne for thee
when thou biddefl, and flye a thy errands, like an
arrow from a bow, when thou wantefl wine, or
meate, to drinke or eate, or any other neceffary pro-
uifion :
Now I haue left my bell friend in the graue,
My friendmip and my feruice you mall haue.
Eust. Well, fortune hath preferu'd me to fome
end :
It is for fome thing, that I did not finke,
When the fait waues my mouth and eares did drinke :
I might haue fed the Haddockes ; but fome power,
Is my good Maifler, and preferues me flil :
Wei, fword in all my troubles fland me by,
Thou art bound to winne me fomewhat ere I die.
Enter the Clowne and the Villaine, dragging the old
Earle violently ', and rising him.
Clowne. Giue vs the gold my Captaine gaue you,
you olde Anatomy.
Vill. Gray-beard deliuer, or you are but dead.
Ear. Take it my friends, full little needes this
flrife,
Firft take the gold, and after take my life.
Clo. Nay you old lack a lent, fixe weeks and vp-
wards : though you be our Captaines father, you can
not flay there, and for furety that you mail not go
back, and tell him what we haue done to you, we'le
kill you, and fling you into fome cole-pit.
Vill. Content, and when wee haue done, wee will
returne him word we haue conduced thee paft all
danger of the mountaines : And now prepare thee for
the fatal flroke.
Earle. Thou dofl mee a great kindneffe, let it
come :
Thefoure Prentifes of London. 187
.'God take my foule, now when thou wilt ftrike
home.
Eust. He flrikes his owne foule downe to Erebus,
That lifts a fword that fhall but touch his haire.
Iri/h. And by Saint Patricke i'le make him garter
his hofe with his guts, that flrikes any flroke heere.
Clow. Whom haue wee heere ? a Gentleman and
his Water-fpaniel ? Lets rob them too, and after kill
the gray-beard.
Vill. Content, content. Sirra fland.
Euft. Yes, I will fland, bafe wretch, when thou
(halt fall,
And ftrike thee dead, and trampling on thy bulke
By flamping with my foote crufh out thy foule :
Take that you flaue, for bidding Eustace ftand.
He beates them both away.
\ Now father go in peace.
Ear. Thankes my faire fon,
By whofe flout valour I haue freedome wonne :
I can beflow vpon you nought but thankes,
Vnleffe you will diuide this gold with me.
Euft. No, father, keepe it; thou art old and
poore :
But when I want, my fword fhall purchafe more.
Ear. By vewing him my former griefes abound,
apart to himfelfe.
Euen fuch a one was Euflace that was drown'd :
Which had he liu'd, his flature, yeares, and all,
Would haue refembled his, fo flreight, fo tall,
So faire, fo flrong, of fuch a worthy fpirit ;
I But his blefl foule, by this, doth Heauen inherit :
Griefe for his death fo neere my heart doth dwell,
That for my life I cannot fay fare-well. Exit.
Eust. The Captains father, whom the flaues had
kil'd
Had not our comming interuented them,
Refembles mine in geflure, face, and looke :
But the olde Earle my father is by this
Within the wals of faire lerufalem :
1 88 The four e Prentijes of London.
Elfe had I furely tooke this aged man
T' haue askt him bleffing. But what next enfues ?
I finde- thefe Mountaines will be full of riewes.
Enter Charles, Clown e, Villaine, and the crew.
Clow. Captaine, a prize ! we two were affailed
by two hundred, and of them two hundred, we kild
all but thefe two : thefe are the remainder of them
that are left aliue.
Char. Go two or three of you, and fetch them
in :
If they refift you, take their weapons from them.
Clo. I had rather fome body elfe mould attempt
them then I now : But fince there is no other remedy,
giue me three or foure of the ftoutefl of our crew, and
then God and St. Anthony.
Euft. More theeues and villaines haue begirt vs
round :
Now Eustace, for the honour of thy name,
Returne them to their Captaine backe with fhame.
Hefets vpon them all, and beates them.
Char. Now by mine honour, the befl peece of
flefh
That euer in thefe woods held Out-law play :
Euen fuch a fpirit had Eustace when he liu'd :
We mufl not loofe this Gallant, if we can,
Wee'le ftriue to make him our companion.
Eujl. Yee flaues, ile beate you all into a moufe-
hole:
And like a baited Lyon at a flake,
Kill all the curres that come but neere to barke :
Yee Guls, haue yee no better men amongfl you 1 I
Dene your Captaine from me : here I fland,
To dare him to a combat hand to hand.
Char. I were a Baftard, not my fathers fonne
Should I refufe it.
Eufl. By all the Land I haue left me in the
world,
The four e Prentifes of London. 189
That's but my graue : Captaine thou honoreft me.
Char. By all the wealth I brought into thefe
woods,
That's but my fword, thou doft the like to me :
Thou malt haue faire play, Gallant, by mine honour.
Eust. Falfe was my mother to my fathers bed,
If I mould aske more oddes of Hercules.
Char. He dies vpon my fword, difturbes our
fray,
Or in the fight dares difaduantage thee.
Eu. Were I the world-commanding Alexander,
I would make thee my Ephestion for that Word :
I loue thee for thy valour, Captaine thiefe.
Char. Tis that preferues thee from our violence,
An honour'd minde lies in this Out-lawes fhape.
So much I reckon of thy chiualry,
That wert thou maifter of an Indian Mine,
Thou fhould'fl not be diminifht one denier.
Securely fight, thy purfe is fancluary'd,
And in this place mail beard the proudeft thiefe.
Eust. An honor'd minded villaine, by my fword,
A right good fellow, and an honefl thiefe.
If I mould h ..:.: thee proftrate at my mercy,
I will not kill thee for thy liberal offer :
Yet winne it lad, and take it without faile,
I fcorne to haue my purfe go vnder baile.
Cha. He goes beyond me in heroicke thoughts ;
To thine I Hake downe this : fland all apart.
He that fteps in, be fubiecl to our curfes,
And now the better man take both the purfes,
Eust. It is a match, He feize them to thy griefe :
Now True -man try, if thou canft rob a Thiefe.
They fight, as they are fighting enter Bella Franca,
purfued by an Out-law, Jhe runs betwixt thtm and
parts them.
Bell. If yee were borne of women, aid a woman.
Char. Why what's the matter 1
i go The four e Prentifes of London.
Bel. Oh turne the edges of your fwords 'gainfi
him,
That in the Forreft would haue rauifht me,
Cha. Ceafe thy purfuite, and ftranger paufe a
while,
To heare the tenour of this Ladies plaint.
Eust. Why then Kings truce. But let the purf<
lie:
They'le fall to my aduantage by and by.
Cha. Now tell me Lady, what's your fuite to me
Bell. To faue my life from foule inchaflity :
For palling by thefe Countries on my way,
To pay my zealous vowes in Golgotha,
Attended onely by a little page :
This villaine with a crew of ruffian thieues,
Seiz'd what we had firft, haled my page from me :
And after would haue wrack t my chaflity :
But being fwift of foote, feare lent me wings,
Hither (I hope in happy time) to flye,
Eyther to faue mine honour, or to die.
Char. Thy honour and thy life are both fecur'd :
And for a Ladies fake you much refemble,
Command my fword, my fubiecls, and my caue :
Where fuccour, all offenceleffe, you mail haue :
Sirra go you, and fcoure about the hill.
Clowne. I goe.
Bell. How like is he to Charles by fhipwracke
dead!
And he to Euftace perilht in the waues !
But they are both immortal Saints in Heauen :
Yet I am glad becaufe thefe fhapes are theirs :
My happy comming hath tane vp their flrife,
Preferuing mine owne honour and my life.
Eust. So blufht my fitter : and this Out-law thiefe
Hath a refemblance to my brother Charles :
But me in London Hues a Virgine pure :
He's in fome huge Whales belly too too fure.
Char. A pretty Wench yfaith, I'le marry her,
And make her Queene of all this Out-law crew.
The four e Prentifes of London. 191
Eust. I am halfe in loue already, at firft fight :
How will this raging flame increafe by night ?
Ch. Faire beauteous maide, refigne your loue to
me :
Miflreffe of all thefe Forrefts you (hall be.
Eust. Loue me, I'le kiffe away thefe teares of
griefe :
Sweet Wench embrace a True-man, fcorne a Thiefe.
Char. How now fir fauce ! You are as bold me
thinks,
As if you were a free-man of our Trade :
None but my felfe plead interefl in this maide.
Eust. My interefl is as much ; in this 'tis
greater,
Becaufe that of the two, I loue her better.
Char. Proud paffenger* I'le make thee eate that
word.
Eust. If I eate aire, thou malt digeft my fword.
Cha. Reuiue this quarrel, let the former die :
Fight we for her, and let the purfes lie.
Eust. Out- law, I rather loue to fight, then brail :
I'le win from thee thy Wench, thy purfe, and all.
Bell. Stay Gentlemen. She steps betweene them.
Eust. By Heauen, I fcorne to flay,
Till both the purfes I haue tane away.
Char. My fword for me, my miftreffe, and my
gold : $
My refolution mall my claime vphold.
Enter the Clowne running betwixt them.
Clowne. What doe you meane Gentlemen to fight
among your felues, that mould be friends, and had
more need to take one anothers part, to fight againfl
your enemies. We fhall all be flaine, kil'd, murdered,
Maffacred. For my owne part, if I had nine Hues
like a Cat ; they were all fure to dye one Dogges
death.
Char. Why ? What's the matter fellow ?
192 The foure Prentifes of L ondon.
Clowne. Oh noble Captaine, we fhal all be flaine.
Tankard a Prince of Italy, with an Army hath befet
the foote of the Mountaines, and hath vow'd to make
Venifon of all vs poore Out-Lawes, and kill vs like
Deere. Fare-wel, I'le go fhift for one.
Char. Deere we will be too him, before he do it,
And deerely fell our defperate karcaffes.
Kind ftranger wilt thou take a Truce with me,
Thou malt diuide with me my dignity :
We two will ioyntly ore thefe mountaines raigne,
And by our valours^ our eilates maintain.
Eust. Becaufe I hear thy life in jeopardy,
And thou haft dealt with me fo honourably,
Receive my hand ; now I am wholly thine.
And, ye mad rogues, I am half your Captain now,
Look when ye fee me nod, ye crouch and kneel,
Make legs, and curt'fies, and keep bare your crowns.
Clo. 'Tis hard to teach them manners that are
Clown es.
But for my owne part, here's a legge, here's a cap,
here's a knee,
All thefe fweete halfe Captaine, I referue for thee.
Euft. Speake, doe you all accept me ?
Omnes. We do, we do.
Euft. Then brother thiefe, I am turn'd Out-law
too,
But to do no man wrong, I make that Law,
Onely to paffe this tedious Summer heere,
Till wee our downe-caft fortunes may vp-reare.
Cha. You mare with me in loue, in minde, in all.
fqft march
But hearke, 1 heare our enemies Drummes dcj>
brawle.
Euft. Their voice is Welcome : oh that I hadt
with mee
As many good lads, h on eft Prentifes, Apart.
From Eastcheape, Canwicke-ftreete, and London-flone,
To ende this Battle, as could wifh themfelues
Vnder my conduct if they knew mee heere :
Th& foure Prentifes of L ondon. 193
The doubtfull dayes fucceffe wee neede not feare.
Apart.
Char, Oh for fome Cheape-fide boyes for Charles
to lead :
They would fticke to it, when thefe Out-lawes
faile.
Wifhes are winde, lets thinke our felues well man'd,
Weele fooner die, then flye, fo make a fland.
Enter Tancred with Drumme and Souldiers.
Tanc. Are thefe the Out-lawes that diflurbe our
peace ?
Thinke they thefe Mountaine toppes can fhelter
them
From our reuenge, aud iuft affembled Armes 1
Char. Come, come, let vs prepare to anfwere
them.
Tanc. Which be the chiefe of thefe confounded
troupes ?
Char. Prince, I am one of them.
Euft. And I another.
Char. I am his friend.
Euft. And I his Out-law-brother.
Tanc. How dare you Hand contemptuous 'gain ft
your liege 1
Captains, ye are our men.
Char. That we deny :
I am a ftranger, Tancred.
Euft. So am I.
Tanc. Such valour is reported to appear apart to his
In the brave deeds of thefe rude forefters, owne people.
That wee could rather wilh they were our friends,
To dwell in Cities, then keepe out in Caues.
Considering now what warres we haue in hand,
Their martiall fpirits might much aduantage vs,
Would they but keepe within fome honored bounds.
Wee'le worke them if we can to our alliance,
And rather motion loue, then proud defiance.
2 o
194 The four e Prentifes of Lmdon.
Char. Why comes the County Palatine in Armes,
To fight againt vnarmed Forrefters 1
If thou wilt winne renowne, bend thy braue forces ,
Gainfl Pagans that befiege Hierufalem.
Small fame and honour canfl thou winne thee here,
Befides our cheape Hues thou malt purchafe deere.
Eu. We haue reform'd thefe villaines fmce we
came,
And taught them manners and ciuility :
All rape and murder we repay with death :
Amongfl vs doth not liue a rauifher.
Tan. I haue heard no Jeffe, but that you weed out
fuch
As paffe the bounds of Chriflian honefty :
Which make me rather offer peace then warre.
But what bright virgine Hands fo difcontent 1
Char. My life.
Euft. My loue.
Tan. The word had bene well fpent,
If I had faid mine too : for I protefl,
Of all this number I affecl her beft.
Char. Beleeue me fellow-partner in my rule,
You offer wrong to impart in this my loue.
Euft. Halfe of al's mine, I claime it as my 7
due :
In which bright Virgin, I except not you.
Tan. I do containe my loue with much ado :
For her (me thinkes) I could turne Out-law too.
Euft. What, do you thinke to haue a double
mare?
Halfe of her's mine \ I will not bate an haire. i
Char. By thine owne words thou gau'fl me halfe !
at lead. ii
Euft. But I'le haue all, my Title is encreaft. |
Tone. Stay Captaines, for our annall Crownes
reuenues,
We would not loofe the weakefl of you both,
So much do we affect your Chiualries.
Let me take vp this mutuall enmity :
The four e Prentifes of London. 195
Your quarrell is for her ; both would enioy her.
You claime her as your right. To Charles.
Char. Tis true I do.
Tanc. And Captaine, you fay (he belongs to you ?
Euft. True (valiant Prince) my hopes mall his
deflroy :
Thou art mine owne, fweet wench, Heauen giu
vs ioy.
Tanc. Then till this flric"l contention ended be,
Deliuer this bright Virgin vnto me.
Here mail our former hate and difcord ceafe :
This Lady fhall be Hoftage of your peace.
Vnto thy charge we giue ten thoufand men.
To Charles.
As many fouldiers we refigne to thee. To Euftace.
Make me her keeper till thefe warres be done :
Ye haue the price, I my content haue wonne.
Cha. Honour hath taught the Palatine to fpeake.
Euft. Since what we both defire, one can but
haue,
Take charge of her. Let me receiue the charge
Of a great Army, and commanding power ;
Before I marry, I mufl winne my Dower.
Char. So fay I too, and Out-law life adiew.
Tan. And welcome loue, which I mull keepe
for you.
Their Drummes fhall fcold, mine fhall haue time to
ceafe,
And whilft they warre, with her Tie make my peace.
Are you content, fweete Lady ?
Bell. I mufl do
That which amongfl you all befl pleafeth you.
I am a prifoner ; prifoners mufl obey.
You fay I fhall, and I mufl not fay nay.
Char. Do fo, fweete loue.
Euft. Till thefe warres ended be
I prethee fweete loue, keepe thy heart to me.
Tan. Come Captaine, we bequeath you to your
charge,
O 2
196 Thefowre Pr en fifes of London.
To march with fpeed towards the holy warres.
This Lady, as our life we will efteeme,
And place her in the honour of a Queene. Ex
Enter Robert of Normandy, Godfrey of Bulloigne,
and Guy of Leffingham, with Drumms and Soul-
diers.
Godf. What art thou with thy browe confronteft
me?
Guy. One that thinkes fcorne to giue leaft place to
thee.
Godfr. Thou know'ft mee not to fet my name fo
light.
Guy. I reck thee not, nay frowne thou canft not
fright.
Wee are no babe : or if wee were, yet know
Thy proud face cannot like a Bug-beare (how.
Godf. Thou haft flrucke fire vpon a flinty fpirit.
Think' ft thou becaufe thou lead'fl the French Kings
troupes,
And art Commander of a few bold French,
That we will yeeld the vpper hand to thee ?
I let thee know thou haft difhonoured mee.
Guy. I let thee, know thou hafl done as much
by me :
Think'ft thou, thou canft outface me ? proud man,
no :
Know I efteeme thee as too weake a foe.
Godf. Now by my Knight-hood I'le reuenge this
wrong ;
And for that word, thy heart mall curfe thy tongue.
Rob. What meane thefe hafty Princes thus to
iarre,
And bend their fwords againft their mutuall breafts,
Whofe edge were fharpned for their enemies crefts ?
Godfr. He mail not march before me.
Guy. But I will.
The four e Prentifes of London. 197
Godf. Zounds but thou malt not, by this bleffed day,
I'le pitch thee like a barre out of my way.
Guy. Thy armes want flrength, thou canfl not
toffe me fo.
Godf. No, can they not? by heauen I'le try a
throw.
Rob. Prince, I charge you by the honoured zeale,
And loue to him for whom ye come to fight,
To ceafe this enuy and abortiue iarre.
The fields are broad enough for both to march,
And neither haue the vantage of the ground.
Guy. Robert, mine arme lhall act a wondrous
thing,
I'le hurle him like a (lone out of a fling.
Not haue the way 1 I'le fling thee on the earth,
And then march ouer thee with all my Troupes.
Godf. Robert of Normandy, by all the honour
Thou hop'fl t'atchiue thee in thefe holy warres,
Stand from betwixt vs, let's but try one fall
I'le cald his corke-like trunke by wondrous skill,
As Hercules threw Lycas from an Hill.
Rob. For Gods fake and our Sauiours, in whofe
booke
Yee now are entred as his fouldiers prefl,
In whofe Campe Royall if yee mutiny,
Yee are found guilty by his martiall Law,
And worthy death : I charge you Princes both,
T'abandon this iniunous enmity.
Stand you betwixt them Souldiers, left this fling
' Of blind e fedition, raigne in this our Army
And feed vpon our bodies like a plague.
Princes I charge you by your Sauiours bloud
Shed for your finnes, yee fhed none at this time.
Godf. Well let him march before, I will refigne .
Robert preuailes ; French-man the right is thine.
Guy. I will not march firfl ; but in courtefie
1 will refigne that honoured place to thee ;
But what a King mould fay, I fhould not do
With violent rage that would I run into.
198 The foure Prentifes of London.
Go on, by heauen you fhall, I yeeld it to you ;
By heauen you fhal, the place I freely grant.
Friendfhip can more with me, then rude conftraint.
God. Thy honoured loue with honour I returne,
What thou would'ft giue me, I refigne thee backe
This kind reply to me ftands like a charme,
Then royally let's march on arme in arme.
Rob. Such iuft proportion Princes ftill fh
keepe.
Braue Lord of Bulloigne ioyne your Troupes with
ours,
That are by birth approued Englijkmen :
And Lord of France that vnder your conduct
Haue ready arm'd ten thoufand fighting men,
To fight with vs for faire lerufalem,
Diftreft by mif-beleeuing Infidels,
Let vs vnite a friendly Chriftian league.
We haue entred, valiant Lords, vpon our way
Euen to the midft of fertile Lombardy,
By writers term'd the Garden of the world.
Halfe of our way we haue ouercome already :
Then let vs here incampe vpon thefe Downes.
But flay, what threatning voyce of warfare founds.
Enter after a Trumpet Euflace.
Godf. Had not yong Eustace in the feas beene
drown'd,
I mould haue faid, he treads vpon this ground.
And but none fcap'd the dangerous feas faue I,
This French-man I mould thinke my brother Guy*
Eust. Princes, my Maifler County Palatine,
Wondring what bold foote durft prefume to tread
Vpon his Confines without asking leaue,
Sends me to know the caufe of your arriue :
Or why the arm'd hoofes of your fiery fteeds
Dare wound the fore-head of his peacefull Land.
Godfr. Dare 1 fends thy Lord in that ambitious
key!
The fonre Prentifes of London. 199
Guy. Or hath the pride of thy refined tongue
Guilded thy meffage with thefe words of fcorne ?
Rob. Add'ft thou vnto thy meffage, Knight, or
no 1
Eujl. The naked tenour of my Maiflers minde
Thus I infold ; rafh faucy infolent,
That by audacious boldneffe haue not fear'd
To breake into my Soueraignes royall pale ;
I charge you to returne the way you came,
And flep by flep tell euery tedious flride,
That you haue meafured rafhly in his Land :
Or by the honour of his name he fweares,
To chace you from the margent of his Coaft,
With an vnnumbred Army and huge Hoaft.
God. March backe againe % Oh fcandall to our
names !
Haue we deferu'd to be fo cenfur'd on,
Though not one man vpon my part would fland,
Alone I'le pierce the bowels of his Land.
Guy. Bafely retire, and thirty thoufand ftrong ?
Were the whole worlds power ambufht in our way,
Yet would we on. Returne difhonourably 1
Forward I'le march, though euery Hep I tread
Plunge me in bloud, thus high aboue my head.
Rob* Princes, haue patience, let me anfwere him*
Knight, I condemne not thee for fpeaking boldly
The proud defiance that thy Maifler fends :
But mildly we returne our pleafures thus.
We do confeffe it was fome ouer-fight
To march fo farre, without fome notice giuen
Vnto the Lord and Prince that owes the Land ;
And we could wifh that we had crau'd his leaue.
But fince 'tis thus, that we haue march'd thus farre,
And bafely to retire is infamous.
(If not with leaue) we forward meane to go :
Defpight of King or Emp'rour mail fay no.
Eust. 1 will informe the Prince my Soueraigne fo.
Exit.
2OO The four e Prentifes of London.
Guy. That yong Knights face, me thinks, I well
mould know.
Godfr. I fee the fwords were fharpt 'gainft In
fidels,
Mu-fl be employ'd to lauifh Chriftian bloud.
Vpon his foule lye all the heynous guilt,
Who being a Chriftian Prince, forbids and barres
Our quiet paffage to thefe Pagan warres.
Guy. This bickering will but keepe our armes in-
vre,
The holy battailes better to endure.
Rob. Well, Heauen for vs, for our intent is good :
Charg'd be their foules with all this Chriftian bloud.
Enter Tancred, Charles, Euftace, Drumme, Colours
and Souldiers, marching.
Tanc. What art thou brau'ft the County Pala
tine ?
Rob. My name is Robert Duke of Normandy.
Tanc. Speake, will yee all retire the way ye
came 1
Rob. God keepe Duke Robert from fo foule a
fhame-
Godf. Bafely retire when we haue march'd thus
farre 1
Firft we'le vnpeople this thy Land by warre.
Char. Then will we driue you backe by our maine
force,
And feize vpon your Troupes of Foote and Horfe.
Guy. So fay you : but mould you attempt to do't.
We ftraight mould ouerthrow you Horfe and Foote.
Eust. So faid, fo done, braue Lord, were gallant
play.
But you would at the firft pufh mrinke away.
Rob. No proud Italians all our fpirits are fire,
Which burnes not down-ward, but is made t'afpire.
Prince we confeffe wee did forget our felues,
i
The four e Prentifes of London. 201
Prefuming on that ancient priuiledge
Which euery Chriftian brother Prince mould claime
One in the interefl of anothers name.
An errour we confefie, though not a fault.
But bafely with difhonour backe to flye,
And to be held as cowards we deny.
Tan. And nothing elfe can fatisfie mine ire,
But whence ye came the fame way to retire.
Rob. And that Fie neuer do.
Godf. Nor I.
Guy. Nor I.
Char. Then fhall yee on thefe Lumbar d Cham-
paines die.
To Armes braue Souldiers.
Euft. Strike vp warlike Drumme.
Prepare you, Chriftian Princes, now we come.
Godf. Stay braue Prince Tancred, flay great Nor
man Duke.
Out of my zeale to God and Chriftendome,
To flanch the bloud which mould be broacht this
day,
Vnto the griefe of all that honour CHRIST,
And ioy to fuch as loue Idolatry :
I make this challenge generall through the Hoaft
Of him that interrupts vs on our way.
If any proud Italian dare take vp
The honour' d gage which I haue here throwne down,
And fight a fmgle combate for our paffage \
Thefe mall be made our Uriel conditions.
~ I conquer, all our Hoafl fhall march
.Without leaft let and contradiction :
IPixbe vanquifht by thy Champions hand,
Our Attny fhall march backe out of thy land.
Char. A Princely motion to faue Chriftian bloud.
Great Prince of Italy, vpon my knee
I humbly beg I may that Champion be.
Tan. Thou haft thy fuite ; thy valour hath bene
tride :
With a rough brow fee thou confront his pride.
2O2 The four e Prentifes of London.
Rob. Then what ten thoufand Chriftian Hues fhoulo
right,
Thefe two braue Lords will end in fingle fight.
Tan. It is agreed.
Eufl. Stand to't, braue Out law-brother
Would I were one of them.
Guy. And I the other.
Char. What weapon wilt thou vfe 1
Godf. That which next comes.
Giue me this Partizan : now ftrike vp Drummes.
Char. Giue me this fouldiers ; Trumpet, found a
charge :
I'le flop the paffage which he feekes t' enlarge.
Godf. Princes fland off, my warlike arme this
day
For all your Troupes (hall winne a profperous way.
Char. Thou canft not enter though the way flood
ope :
My heart, and this, thy paffage vowes to flop.
Godf. Yet will I through.
Char. Thou malt not, this fayes nay.
Godfr. Oh but behold ! I haue this to hew my
way.
They fight, and are parted by Robert and Tancred.
Tan. I would not loofe my Champion for the
world.
Rob. Nor I this Prince : For were thefe fpirits
fpent,
All Chriflendome their fortunes might lament.
Part them on equall oddes, and equall termes :
Both a like valiant, both haue honour wonne,
More valorous Hue not vnderneath the Sunne.
Tan. We will referue their haughty Chiualries,
To exercife again ft Gods enemies.
Eust. They haue wonne honour, I haue idly
flood:
By my good flarres I'le haue a challenge too,
If any in their Campe dares anfwere mee.
Giue me thy Pike, a Pike a Prince may traile,
Thefoure Prentifes of London. 203
And at that weapon will I challenge all.
Great Prince, thefe fiery Princes that came hither
To braue our forces, had a Champion
To challenge vs : Are we as valiant,
And mail we faile to do the like to them ?
Giue me but leaue, my Lord, to fend one boaft
T'arTright them, like a Diuel, through their Hoaft.
Tan. It pleafeth vs ; then when thou wilt begin.
Rob. What Champion mall we haue to anfwer
him ?
Guy. I mould efteeme him my immortal foe,
That mould attempt to take away the honour
Of fuch a ftrong encounter from my hand :
Champion appeare betwixt our Royal Hoafls,
Let's fee thy flrength make good thy haughty boafts.
Eust. I am here j ftand thou forth on the aduerfe
part :
Suruey me well, braue Heftor I referable,
Whofe very brow did make the Greekes to tremble.
Guy. But I Achilles, proud ambitious boy,
Will drag thy coarfe about the Wals of Troy :
Giue me thy Pike, He toffe it like a reed,
And with this bul-rufh make mine enemy bleed :
Rapier and Pike, is that thy honoured play 1
Looke downe yee gods, this combat to furuey.
Euft. Rapier and Pike, this combat mall decide :
Gods, Angels, Men, fhal fee me tame thy pride.
Guy. Thou do'fl thy felf wrong to ore-charge thine
arme
With fuch a weapon as thou canft not wield :
He teach thee ; thou malt like my Zany be :
And feigne to do my cunning after me.
Euft. Thou wouldfl inftruc~l thy matter at this
_ play:
Think'fl thou this Rye-ftrew can ore-rule my arme ?
Thus do I beare him when I vfe to march :
Thus can I fling him vp, and catch him thus :
Then thus, to try the fmewes of my arme.
They toffe their pikes.
204 The four e Prentifes of London.
Guy. But thou mould' ft charge him thus, aduance
him thus,
Thus mould'ft thou take him, when thou feefl from
farre
The violent horfes runne to breake our rankes.
Eust. All that is nothing, I can toffe hi
thus.
Guy. I thus : tis eafier fport then the Baloone.
Eust. We trifle time, this mall thy rage with-
fland.
Guy. With this, our Hoafl mall peirce thy Soue-
raignes Land.
They fight. Robert and the Palatine cajl their
Warders betweene them, and part them.
Rob. That hoaft mould loofe ten thoufand Pagans
Hues
With the rich honour of their ouerthrow,
That mould but loofe his Champion in this com
bat
If both mould perifh, our braue Chriftian Army
Should be more weake by thoufands then it was.
Tan. Their matchleffe valour hath preuail'd
with vs,
Freely enioy the pleafures of our Land,
Our Army here we do conioyne with yours,
To lead them to the faire Hierufalem.
Rob. We pawne our faith to this perpetual
League.
And now we (hew our felues that Chriflian Hoafl,
In which true peace mould flourim and abound :
Vnto this peace let drums and trumpets found.
flori/h.
Champions embrace, and all your fterne debate
Poure in abundance on the Pagans heads :
Princes and Lords, let our vnited bands
Winne backe ludea from the Pagans hands.
Exeunt all marching.
.
The foure Prentifes of London. 205
Manet the French Lady.
Lady, Thus haue I maskt my bafliful modefty
Vnder the habite of a trufty Page,
And now my feruants feruant am I made :
Loue, that transform'd the gods to fundry fhapes,
Hath wrought in me this Metamorphofis :
My loue and Lord, that honoured me a woman,
Loues me a youth ; employes me euery where ;
I feme him, waite vpon him, and he fweares
He fauours both my truth and dilligence :
And now I haue learnt to be a perfect Page,
He will haue none to truffe his poynts but me,
At boord to waite vpon his cup but me :
To beare his Target in the field, but me :
Nay, many a thing, which makes me blufh to
fpeake,
He will haue none to lie with him but me,
I dreame and dreame, and things come in my
mind :
Onely I hide my eyes ; but my poore heart
Is bard and kept from loues fatiety :
Like Tantalus, fuch is my poore repaft,
I fee the Apples that I cannot tafle :
lie flay my time, and hope yet, ere I die,
My heart mall feaft as richly as my eye.
Exit. flourifh.
Enter the old Soldan, the yong Sophy, tables and
formes, and Moretes, Turnus, with Drumme ana
fouldiers.
Sol. Counfel braue Lords, the Chriftian army
marches
Euen to our gates with paces vndifturb'd :
The hollow earth refounds with weight of armes,
And fhrinkes to beare fo huge a multitude :
They make a valley as they march along,
And rayfing hils encompaffe either fide :
206 The four e Prentifes of London.
Counfell, braue Lords, thefe terrours to decide.
Sop. loues great Vice-gerent ouer all the world :
Let vs confront their pride, and with our powers
Difperfe the ftrength of their aflembled Troupes.
Sol. Sion is ours by conquefl : All ludea
Is the rich honour of our conquering fwords :
Shall we not guard it then, and make our breads
The Wals that (hall defend lerufalem 1
Sop. They (hall march ouer vs, that march this
way :
Before the Chriilians (hall attayne thefe wals
With dead mens faces we will paue the earth.
Sol. I cannot iudge the Chriftians are fo mad
To come in way of battle, but of peace.
Sop. They rather trauayle in deuotion,
To pay their vowes at their Meffiah's Tombe,
And fo, as Pilgrimes, not as fouldiers come.
Sol. Your own power blinds you and hath
skreen'd your eies ;
My haires do weare experience liuery :
But yours, the badge of youth and idleneffe :
Their Army (lands vpon a mountaine top,
Like a huge Forreft : ther tall Pikes, like Pines,
In height do ouer-peere the lower Trees ;
Their Horfemen ride like Centaurs in the meads,
And fcout abroad for pillage and for prey :
Courage is their good Captaine.
Sop. Courage : no,
Pale feare, and blacke deflrudlion, leads the foe.
Sol. I fay againe, the Chriflian Princes leade
An Army, for their power, inuincible :
Victorious hope fits houering on their plumes :
Their guflded Armour mines againft the Sunne,
Dazeling our eyes from top of yonder Hill,
Like the bright (Ireakes that flow from Paradife.
Sop. O conqueft worthy the braue Perftan fwords :
Let vs defcend from forth the Towne and meete
them.
S0f. No.
Tke ^cre Prentifes of London. 207
Sop. Yes.
Sol. Should Tone himfelfe in thunder anfwer I
When we fay no ; wee'd pull him from the skye.
Sop. Should Soldan, Sophy, Prieft or Presbyter,
Or gods, or Diuels, or men, gaine-fay our will ;
Him, them, or thee, would the braue Perfian kill.
Mor. Quench your hot fpleens with drops of
fweete aduice,
Temper your rage with counfel mighty Kings.
Sol. I fay we will make peace with Chriftendome.
Sop. I fay the Perfian fcornes to be colleague,
Or to haue part with them of Chriftendome.
Sol. Yet heare my age.
Sop. Yet hearken to my youth.
Mor. My tongue giue place vnto the Soldans age.
Tur. But I applaud the Perfians youthfull rage.
Sol. Stay Lords, our graue experience doth forefee
The mifchiefes that attend on this debate :
We tread the path of our deftrucTion,
By our diffentions grow the Chriftians ftrong,
Whom our vnited hearts may eafily quell :
Braue Perfian Sophy, we commend your hate
To them that haue abhorr'd our Pagan gods :
Yet temper it with wifedome, valiant Prince :
Tis our fecurity I would increafe,
When with my words I mention gentle peace.
Mor. Experience doth inftrucl the Soldans tongue,
Hearken to him, he fpeakes iudicially.
Sop. My tongue a while giues licence to mine
eare :
The depth of your graue wifdomes let vs heare.
Sol. Then thus, let's fend vnto the Chriflian's
Hoafl
To know what caufe hath brought them thus far
arm'd :
If peaceably they come to vifite here
The ancient Reliques of their Sauiours Tombe ;
Peace mail conduct them in, and guard them out :
But if they come to conquer Syons Hill,
2oS The four e Prentifes of London.
And make irruption through our triple Wals ;
Death and defpaire fhall ambufli in their way,
And we will feize the Enfignes they difplay.
Sop. My youth yeelds willingly to your gn
yeares,
Let it be fo. But whom fhall we eleft
To be created Lords Embaffadours ?
Sol. Moretes mail be one, for I am fure
He will employ his tongue, peace to procure.
Sop. Turnus another, he that all things dares,
Will with defiance ftirre them vp to warres.
Sol. Moretes and braue Turnus, fpeed you
flraight
Vnto the Chriftian Hoafl : Say, if they come
Like Pilgrimes, to behold the Sepulchre,
Our gates Hand open to receiue them in :
And be you paineful to perfwade a peace.
But if they ftand vpon their hoflile ground,
Say that our brefls are arm'd, our iwords are keene,
Bold are our hearts, and fiery is our fpleene,
And fo be gone.
Mor. I to perfwade a peace. Exit.
Tur. I go the furious rage of war t' encreafe.
Exit.
Sol. We will meane time conduct, our royall
hoafts :
(One halfe is mine, the other you mail lead,)
To intercept them ere they winne the fight
Of thefe inuincible and Ijigh-built Wals :
Braue Perfians, we will both in ambulh lie :
Sure now the Chriflians are all come to die.
Exeunt.
Enter Tancred with Belfe, Franca, richly attired, Jhe
fomewhat off effing him, though Jhe makes no fliew
of it, Robert of Normandy, the foure brethren,
and the French Lady like a Page.
Tone. Behold, braue Chriftian Princes, all the
glory
The four e Prentifes of London. 209
That Tancred can inherite in this World.
Eust. Part of it is mine.
Char. And part belongs to me.
Godf. An heauenly mixture, now belhrew my
heart,
But Godfrey with the reft could cry halfe part.
Guy. I am all hers.
Rob. That Lady fe ernes to me
The faireft creature euer eye did fee.
Bell. Tancred, of all, thy face beft pleafeth me :
in priuatc.
Tan. Faire Lady.
Eufl. Madame.
Cha. Miftrefle.
Godf. Beauteous loue.
Guy. Bright Goddeffe.
Rob. Nymph.
Fren. Lady. Loue whom ye will fay I :
So yee affect not my beloued Guy.
Tan. Lords, me is mine.
Euft. When did my intreft ceafe ?
Char. When I am here, you brother Out-law
peace.
Godf. Why mould not I inioy her ?
Rob. Why not I?
Guy. She can haue none but me.
Eufl. 6- Cha. That we deny.
Bell. Princes, what means this frenzy in your
harts ?
Or hath fome Negromanticke Coniurer
Rais'd by his Art fome fury in my fhape,
To worke fedition in the Chriflian campe 1
You haue confirm'd by generall Parliament
A Statute that mufl ftand inuiolate :
Namely, that mutiny in Prince or Pefant
Is death, a Kingdome cannot faue his life :
Then whence proceed thefe ftrange contentions ?
Cha. I feiz'd her firft.
Eust. I firft her thoughts did proue.
2 io The ^tre Prentijes of London.
Tan, I plead the competition for my loue.
Rob. If wealth wil win the thoughts of that chafte
Lady,
I'le bid as faire as any for her loue.
Godf. If valour may atchieue her, I'mon
many
Will bid more warlike blowes for her then any.
Gay. Nay, if you go to fcrambling, this for me.
Draws.
French Lady. Speed they that lift, fo you repulf<
be.
Bell. Yet heare me Princes.
Euft. Hence with friuolous words.
Godf. Stand we to prate, when others draw thei
fwords.
Char. Speake thou my caufe. Draw.
Tan. This mail my pleader be. Draw.
Guy. Thou art for vs. Draw.
Rob. And fword fpeake thou lor me.
Bel. He that bell loues me, pierce me with his.
fword,
Left I become your generall ouerthrow :
I do coniure you by the loue you beare me,
Eyther to banifh this hoftility,
Or all at once to acl my Tragedy :
A blow is death proclaim'd by Parliament :
Can ye make lawes, and be the firft to break them ?
Knew I that this my beauty bred this ftrife,
With fome black poyfon I would ftaine my cheeks,
Till I lookt fouler then an dEthiop :
Still do ye brandifh your contentious fwords 1
This night mall end my beauty, and to morrow
Looke to behold my Chriftall eyes fcratcht out,
'My vifage martyr'd, and my haire torne off;
j Hee that beft loues it, ranfome it with peace ;
' I will preferue it, if your fury ceafe ;
But if ye ftill perfift, the Heauens I call
As my vowes witneffe> I will hate ye all.
Bf.
"
eir
The foure Prentifes of London. 2 1 1
Tan. To fhew my loue, ray fword fhall fleep in
reft.
Godf. I'le keepe mine (harpe for the braue Soldans
creft.
Guy. Peace fword.
Rob* The Norman Robert keeps his keen,
T'abate the fury of the Perfians fpleene :
Ch. My fword cries truce.
u. Blade when thou next art feen,
Thou mak'ft thy Lord a King, his loue a Queene.
Bell. You haue redeem'd my beauty, your laft
iarre
Had made perfection with my face at Warre.
Euft. Lady, the vertuous motions of your heart
Adde to the abundant graces of your fame,
It was your beauty that did blinde our foules,
And in our clofe brefts plac'd obliuion :
Tis true, we haue ordain'd a ftric"l Decree,
That whofoeuer in our Chriftian Hod
Strikes with a fword in hoftile enmity,
Forfeits his life, then breake off this debate,
And keepe our owne decrees inuiolate.
Enter with a Tucket before them Turnus,
and Morates.
Mor. Health to the Chriftians from the mighty
Soldan.
Tu. Death and deftrudlion from the Perfian
Sophy.
Rob. That tongue brings peace, to thee will I
attend.
Godf. That tongue brings war, thy motions we
commend.
Tan. Speake peace, thy lookes are fmooth, we'le
lift to thee.
Char. Speake warre, bring war, and we to war
agree.
Mor. Th Babylonian Soldan, mighty Princes,
P 2
2 1 2 Thefoure Prentifes of London.
Sends me to know the caufe of this your March
Into a Land fo farre remote from yee :
If yee intend to fee your Prophets Tombe,
As holy Pilgrimes, Peace fhal guard your way.
Eust. Peace we dene : let's heare what thou cani
fay.
Rob. Proceede, proceed.
Guy. Do : and He found my Drumme
To drowne his voyce, that doth for parleance come.
Eust. Why, 1 am borne to nothing in this world
But what my fword can conquer. Should we yeeld
Our fortunes to bafe compofition,
I haue no hopes mine honour to encreafe :
Curft be his bafe eare that attends to peace.
Mor. Let me conclude my meffage.
Godf. Pagan, no :
Warres friend fpeake thou, I am to Peace a foe.
Tur. Tke Perfian Sophy thus inftrucls my tongue,
That Prince amongft you whofe heroicke breft
Dares mew it felfe to his triumphant fpeare,
(Excepting but the name of Chriftian)
Like to the Perfian gods he honours him.
But mould he know a heart in thefe proud Troupes,
And know that heart to be addidl to peace,
Hee'd hate him like a man that mould blafpheme.
In Sion Towers hangs his victorious flagge,
Blowing defiance this way : and it fhowes
Like a red meteor in the troubled aire ;
Or like a blazing comet, that fore-tels
The fall of Princes.
Char. Thine owne Princes fall.
Tur. Then in one word, deflrudlion to you all.
Godf. I had not thought fuch fpirits had re-
main'd
Within the warlike breafls of Infidels.
Eust. Dares the Maiefticke fpirit of thy King
/Anfwer a challenge 1 dares he pawne his Crowne
/Againft the hazard of ten thoufand hues 1
Guy. And who mould fight againft him 1
The foure Prentifes of London. 2 1 3
Euft. I.
Guy. Thou !
Bust. I, 'gainfl him, and thee, and all the world
That interdicts my honour.
Guy. Me !
Eujl. Thee. A blow is changed.
Guy. Fire, rage, and fury, all my veines do fvvell.
Be mute my tongue, bright fword my fury tell.
Eust. Fire mount 'gainfl his mad fury, check his
rage.
Burne out then flame, his bloud thy heate mall fwage.
They fight, and are parted.
Godf. What haue ye done ? iniuflice (laines our
crefts
If for this act yee haue not loft your Hues.
Rob. I will not beare the badge of Chriftendome
In fuch a Bedlam mad fociety.
Char. Ceafe to determine of their haire-braine
rage,
Till yee haue fent the Pagans from our Tents.
Tan. 'Tis well aduif 'd. Souldiers take charge of
them
Till we determine of our Embaffie.
Mor. I feare me Turnus, had you known before
The fpirits of thefe haughty Chriftians,
T' haue bene fo full of enuious chiualry,
You would haue temper'd fome part of your rage.
You fee they ftriue, and fight amongft themfelues,
To praclife hate againft they meete with vs.
Tur. Morates, no, we fcorne all abiec~i feares,
And they mail know our hearts as great as theirs.
Godf. It mail be fo. Attend me, Pagan Lords ;
We come not with gray gownes, and Pilgrimes
flaues,
Beads at our fides, and fandals on our feete,
Feare in our hearts, entreaty in our tongues,
To begge a paffage to our Prophets graue.
But our foft Beauer Felts, we haue turn'd to iron,
Our gownes to armour, and our fhels to plumes,
.
214 The foure Prentifes of London.
Our walking ftaues we haue chang'd to Cemytars,
And fo with Pilgrim es hearts, not Pilgrims habits,
We come to hew our way through your maine Ar
mies,
And offer at the Tombe our contrite hearts
Made purple with as many Pagans blouds,
As we haue in our breafls religious thoughts.
And fo be gone, no words in trifling waft,
Death followes after you with wings of haft.
Tur. That Prince fpeaks Mufick, which do
cheere my heart.
Mor. Princes adew, with terrour I depart.
Exeunt.
Cha. Now to thefe other Captaine-mutiners,
What mail be done with them ?
Eust. Euen what you pleafe.
We haue liu'd with paine, and we can die with
eafe.
GVy.What God hath made, a Gods name do you
marre,
Death is the leaft I feare, now to the barre.
Rob. Lords giue me leaue to temper our decree,
The Law is death, but fuch is our regard
Of Chriflian bloud, we moderate it thus.
Becaufe we know your worths, your Hues are fau'd,
Yet that the world mail fee we prife our Lawes,
And are not partiall mould we fit on Kings ;
We doome you euerlafling banifhment
From out the Chriflian Army.
Eust. Banifhment ?
This was your doing ; well, Tie be reueng'd :
By all the hopes that I haue loft, I will.
Princes, your doomes are vpright, I obey them,
And voluntarily exile my felfe.
(Againfl my furious fpirit) I could weepe
To leaue this royall Army, and to loofe
The honour promift in the Pagans deaths. ,
Farewell to all, with teares of griefe I go ;
Yee are all my friends, thou onely art my foe.
The four e Prentifes of London. 2 1 5
Guy. Hold me fo ftill; where ere I next fhall
meete thee,
This fword, like thunder, on thy crefl (hall greet thee,
Banifht the Gampe I go, but not fo farre,
But I will make one in this Chriftian warre,
Like an vnknowne Knight I will beare a fhield,
In it engrauen the Trade I did profefle,
When once I was a Gold-fmith in Cheape-fide :
And if I profper, to thefe armes 1'le adde
Some honour, and the fcutcheon I fhall beare,
Shall to the Pagans bring pale death, and feare.
Adiew braue Chriftian Lords ; for I muft flray,
A banifht man can neuer miffe his way,
Godf. Why do you looke fo fad vpon their
griefes ?
Char. Ah pardon me. My heart begot a thought
At their departure, which had bene of force
T' haue ftrayn'd a teare or two from my moifte eye.
How like was he to Euftacel he to Guy !
Godf. A leaden weight of griefe lies at my heart,
And I could wifh my felfe were banifht too,
To beare them in their forrowes company.
Rob. Thefe, for examples fake, muft be remou'd,
And though their abfence will much weaken vs,
Yet we had rather put vs in Gods guard,
Leffening our owne ftrength, then to beare with that
Which might in time lead to our ouerthrow.
March forward Lords ; our loue we will deferre.
Prince Tancred, till our warres chiefe heat be fpent,
Keepe ftill this beauteous Lady in your Tent.
Exeunt. flouriJJi.
Manent two Ladies.
Frm- Lad. My Lord is banifht, what fhall poore I
do?
There is no way, but I muft after too.
But ere I go, fome cunning I muft vfe,
To make this Lady my Lords loue refufe.
2 1 6 The foure Prentifes of London.
Bell. Faire youth, why haue you fmgled me
alone ?
Is it to mare ioy, or partake my mone ?
Fren. Lady. Whether you pleafe. Inuention
helpe me now (apart)
To bring her out of loue with my fweete Lord,
For mould me loue him I were quite vndone.
Madame, in faith, how many fuiters haue you ?
Bell. More then I wifh I had : Firft, the French
Generall.
Fren. Lad. Oh God, I feare, I think e I am
accurft.
Shee loues him bell, becaufe me names him firft.
Bell. The Englifh Robert, County Palatine ;
Two Gentlemen that tooke me in the woods ;
One is now banifht, but the other flill
Stayes in the Army ; then the Bulloigne Duke.
Fren. Lad. And which of all thefe is the propereft
man ?
Bell. 'Faith let me heare thy Judgement.
Fren. Lad. Prince Robert is a gallant Gentleman,
But the French Lord vncomely, and vnfhap'd.
Tancred's a proper man, but the French Lord,
He hath no making, no good fhape at all.
I could not loue a man of his complexion :
I would not haue him if I were a Lady,
Had he more Crownes then Ccefar conquered.
Bell. I fee no fuch defects in that Fre?ich Lord.
Fren. Lad. I, I, 'tis fo. Vpon my life me loues
him.
I muft deuife fome plot, or they will vfe
Some meanes to meete, and marry out of hand.
Lady, he was my Maifter, but beleeue me,
He is the mofl infatiate man for women,
That euer breath'd ; nay, Madame, which is more,
He loues variety, and delights in change.
And I heard him fay, mould he be married,
Hee'd make his wife a Cucke-queane.
Bell. Why though he do, 'tis vertue in a woman,
The foure Prentifes of London. 2 1 7
If me can beare his imperfections.
Fren. Lad. Vpon my life they are made fure
already,
Shee's pleas'd with any imperfections.
What mould I do ?
Bell. Now faire youth, lift to me,
I will acquaint thee with a fecrecy.
Thefe Lords fo trouble me with their vaine fuites,
That I am tir'd and wearied, and refolue
To fleale away in fecret from the Campe.
Fren. Lad. My Guy is gone, and fhe would follow
him :
I mud preuent it, or elfe loofe my loue.
Bell. Wilt thou confort me, beare me company,
And (hare with me in ioy and mifery ?
Fren. Lad. Madam I will. She loues him, and no
wonder.
I'le go, be't but to keepe them ftill affunder.
Bell. Then from their Tents this night wee'le fleale
away,
And through the wide woods and the Forrefts ftray.
Exeunt. Flourifh.
Enter Soldan, Sophie, Turnus, Moretes, Drummes,
Enftgnes, and Souldiers.
Sol. Then your reports found nought but death
and warre.
Mor. The Chriflians would not lend an eare to
peace.
Sop. Since they demeane themfelues fo honour-
_ ably,
This earth mail giue them honourable graues.
Tur. By pride her felfe are their proud Enfignes
borne :
Warre in their tongues fits, in their faces fcorne.
Sol. Our refolutions mail controule bafe feares.
Wee are proud as they ; our fwords mail anfwere
theirs.
1JL4.J.11* \Jl
2 1 8 The four e Prentijes of London.
Sop. Didft thou deliuer our Uriel Embaffie ?
Tur. I did, my Lord.
Sol. Did they not quake to heare it ?
Tur. No more then Rockes fhake with a puffe of
breath.
They come refolu'd, and not in feare of death.
Sop. Lookt they not pale ?
Tur. With fury not with feare.
The' were mad, becaufe your forces were not there.
Sol. Did you not dam their fpirits 1 fell not their
eyes
Downe to the earth, when thou didft fpeake of vs ?
Went not a fearefull murmurre through their Hoaft,
When thou did'ft number our vnnumbred power ?
Did not their faint fwords tremble in their hands,
At that name Soldan 1
Sop. Or when thou namd'fl mee,
My power, my flrength, my matchlefle chiualry :
Fell they not flat vpon the earth with feare 1
Tur. No, but their proud hearts bounded in their
breafls,
Their plumes flew brauely on their golden crefls :
And they were ready to haue fallen at iarre,
Which of them firft mould with the Perfian warre.
Mor. There was no tongue bat breath'd defiance
forth :
I could not fee a face but menac'd death :
No hand, but brandifht a victorious fword.
They all cry Battaile, Battaile, peace defie,
And not a heart but promifl viclory.
Sol. There's not an heart mall fcape our tyranny.
Since they prouoke our indignation,
Like the vafle Ocean mail our courage rife,
To drowne their pride, and all their powers furprife.
Sop. My Cemytar is like the bolt of Joue,
That neuer toucheth but it ftrikes with death.
Oh how I long, till we with fpeares in reds,
Strike out the lightning from their high-plum'd crefls.
The four e Prentifes of London. 219
Sol. I would burne off this beard in fuch a
flame,
As I could kindle with my puiflant blowes :
Yet the leaft haire I value at more worth
Then all the Chriftian Empire.
Sop. Speake, braue Soldan,
Shall our bar'd horfes clime yond Mountaine tops,
And bid them battell where they pitch their Tents.
Sol. Courage cries, on ; but good aduice faith,
flay.
Experience bids fight another way.
Why mould we tire our Troupes in fearch of them,
That with audacious boldneffe feeke out vs ?
Let vs fland to receiue them when they come,
And with a groue of Pikes growing on this earth
Where now no tree appeares, toffe vp their bodies,
Whofe coarfes by your flrong armes kept aloofe,
May hang like bloudy pendants on your flaues.
Sop. Oh fight befl pleafmg to the Perfian gods !
Tur. In the skies fore-head mail the bright Sunne
fland
Amaz'd to view that glorious fpecflacle,
And with the pleafmg fight forget his way,
To grace our Trophee with perpetuall day.
Mor. But how fhall we receiue their armed
Troopes ?
What fpeciall honour will your grace affigne
To them that fhall command your Companies ?
Sol. It fhall be thus. This way the Chriflians
march,
The body of our Hoafl fhall flay behind,
To be a flrength to faire Hierufalem.
But we with certaine fouldiers fecretly,
Will lie in ambufh : The great Perfian Sophy,
With Turnus, and a chiefe command of men,
Shall guard that way : my felfe, and thou Morates
Will keepe this paffage with a troupe feledl,
To feize on their fore-runners, fcouts, and fpies.
Aflifl vs fate, ere-long the world fhall know
22O The foure Prentifes of London.
Our glories by the Chriflians ouerthrow.
This is my Quarter : thefe my men mail be.
Sop. Morates, thou and thefe (hall follow me.
Exeunt.
Enter Robert of Normandy.
Rob. Oh whether will blind loue conduct rrr
fteps?
Prince Tancreds Deere, and Englifh Roberts Toy,
Is fled in fecret, and hath left our Tents.
Thus like an Errant and Aduenturous Knight,
I haue left the Hoaft to follow her faire fearch,
And durfl not truft the aire with my intent :
This way, they fay, (he went ; the Campe's fecure.
This way vnknowne, in fecret I purfue her.
Enter Charles.
Char. This way went my loue like a mooting
ftarre,
Whofe blazing traine doth guilde the firmament.
Such glorious beauty addes me to the way,
Making the darke night-pathes, mine bright as day.
Ye honoured Armes farewell, and Campe adiew,
I do forfake my felfe her to purfue.
Rob. Behold a traueller ! I will enquire
If chance hath call his eye vpon my loue.
Char. I was about to aske of yonder man,
Whether her beauty had enricht his fight :
But 'tis my riuall Robert ; Charles obfcure thee.
For mould he fee thee, he would quickely iudge
What Adamant had drawne me to thefe woods.
One cafe I fee hath made vs errants both.
To be found wandring thus I mould be loth.
Rob. Loue that drew me, hath drawne that knight
along.
Being but a childe, a Gyant's not fo flrong.
The four e Prentifes of London. 12 1
Enter Soldan, Moretes, and Souldiers.
Sol. Stand Chriftians, by your Croffes on your
brefls
Yee're markt for death, and bafe deftrudlion.
Rob. What are ye, that like cowards, with fuch
oddes
Affault vs thus vnfurnifht for the warres.
Sol. I am the Soldan : thefe my men at armes,
That lie to intercept you, and prepare
For your accurfed Hues this fatall fnare.
Cha. The Soldan, the grand enemy to CHRIST,
The deuils Lieutenant, Vice-roy vnder him !
Braue Engli/h Robert, fince our frowning flarres
Haue brought vs to this narrow exigent,
And train'd vs hither with a chaine of loue
To perifh by the fwords of Infidels :
Stand foote to foote.
Rob. Turn, I am Pagans fwords proofe, and my
flarres,
Haue markt me for a Conqueror in thefe warres.
Sol. Vpon them, fouldiers ; pitty they defpife,
Scarce can the world affoord a richer prize. Alarum.
They fight, and are both taken.
Cha. Thou glorious eye of heauen, be euer
blind :
Maske thy bright face in clouds eternally :
Darke vapours and thicke myfls my front embrace
And neuer mine to looke on my difgrace.
Rob. A prifoner, Robert ! this my comfort bee :
He makes me bound that bed can fet me free.
Sol. Take them to guard, this entrance to our
warres
Is full of fpirit, and begets much hope :
We will not yet examine what ye are,
Till tortures wring it from your flauifh tongues :
That done, your bloods thefe champaines mail
embrue
Meane time we'le waite for more of your loofe crue.
222 The foure Prentifes of London.
Enter Guy with his Jhield, and a Page brings hisfword
and Target : in tach of his hands a Poleaxe.
Guy. I am turn'd wilde man fmce I vfde thefe
forrefls :
And I haue wonne more weapons in thefe woods,
From Out-lawes, whom my fword hath vanquifhed,
Then I can carry on my backe with eafe.
I haue fwords, Targets, Pikes, and Partifans,
Pollaxes, Maces, Clubs, and Horfe-mens ftaues,
Darts, Halberds, Long-fwords, Piflols, Petronels,
All which I haue conquered. At this mountaine
ridge
Two villaines with thefe weapons fet vpon me :
But with my fword I made them turne their heeles,
And leaue thefe Trophees which I thus fupport,
And beare vpon my moulders Conquerour-like.
What $ do I fee an Ambufh ? by their Armes
They Should be Pagans : Robert prifoner !
With him a Chriftian Leader ! O my God,
Thou haft, either brought me to reuiue my name
By refcuing thefe, or here to die with fhame.
Come life, come death ; a banifht man will try,
To Hue with honour, or with honour die :
Robert breake from thy guard, make them difmayd,
Receiue thefe weapons, Heauen hath fent thee ayde.
Rob. God, and Saint George.
Cha. Now by the Soldans Crowne,
If I can weild this weapon, he mail downe.
Guy. The Chriftians God for vs.
Sol. What, are they free?
Alarum Drummes, the heathen powers for me.
They fight \ the Pagans are beaten off, Guy departs
fuddenly.
Rob. Some Angell in the habite of a Knight,
Hath reskued vs : fuch heauy downe- right blowes
Could neuer come from any mortall arme.
The foure Prentifes of London. 223
For euery blow he reach t, was certaine death.
Cha. What is that power, if heauenly power
he be,
That we may laude and praife his Deity ?
Rob. Departed on a fuddaine ere we know,
To whom our freedomes, and our Hues we owe \
Char. By that infcription grauen on his fhield,
We may perhaps defcry him in the campe,
Ceafe admiration then ; let thefe euents,
Haflen our fteps backe to furuey our Tents.
Enter feuerally Godfrey, and Tancred.
Tan. Godfrey !
Godf. Tancred !
Tan. Well met my Lord in thefe vnpeopled
paths,
What hath your loue made you to leaue the field.
Godf. Godfrey ne're dreamt to haue met with
Tancred here,
The Lady that hath fled from our chafl loue,
(Whom Tancred I do more affectionate,
Becaufe me much refembles my faire fifter)
Hath caufed me fo much to forget my felfe,
And play the wanderer in thefe vnknowne woods.
foft march.
But foft, that Drumme mould fpeake the Pagans
tongue :
I feare we are betrai'd, I, I , 'tis fo :
Tancred, we are round compaft by the foe.
Soldan, Sophie, and Souldiers, encompaffe the Chriftian
Princes : Enter Euftace, and fet them free.
Eust. Thanke me for this ; for, next th' Almighty
Powers,
I haue bene the meanes to faue your defperate
Hues.
Now, Chriftian Princes, I am quit with you
224 Thefoure Prentifes of London.
For all the grace you haue done me in the Campe ;
And now you owe me for my banifhment.
And though you haue exil'd me from your Tents,
You haue not power to keepe me from the warres.
Vpon this fhield I beare the Grocers Armes,
Vnto which Trade I was enrold and bound :
And like a flrange Knight, I will aid the Chriflians,
Thou Trade which didft fullaine my pouerty,
Didft helpeleffe, helpe me; though I left thee
then,
Yet that the world (hall fee I am not ingrate,
Or fcorning that, which gaue my fortunes breath,
I will enlarge thefe Armes, and make their name
The originall and life of all my fame.
But I am tir'd with trauaile, Shield lie there,
Oh that I could but fee that lufly fpirit,
My arch-foe, riuall in my banifhment,
To be reueng'd, and end my hoftile hate !
I'le dreame I fight with him to eafe my fpleene,
And in that thought I lay me on this Greene. Sleep
Enter Guy with a paper and his Shield.
Guy. Armes ye are full of hope and fweete
fucceffe,
The famous Art, whofe honoured badge ye are,
Firft, when I liu'd 'mongft London-prentifes,
Gaue me an honeft and a pleafant life,
Now in thefe woods haue won me fame & honour :
And I haue refcued Princes with this fhield :
And Princes are indebted to thefe Armes.
And if I Hue, in memory of this
Within their faire Hall mall this Scutchion hang,
Till fome fmooth pen Hiftorifie my name,
What obi eft's that ? A Knight a fleepe or dead ?
Oh, 'tis the Baffe, and ground of all my hate ;
I'le kill the villaine : O difhonoured thought !
Art thou not fonne vnto the Bullen Duke,
And canft thou hatch difhonour ? Arch-foe Hue.
The four e Prentifes of London. 225
I fcorne aduantage, fhould I fight with Mars.
He beares this fhield I will exchange with his,
And leatie a Motto written in mine owne
Shall make him quake to reade. Be fwift my pen,
T affright his fence when he mail wake againe.
"Tis done. Then go with me and mine flay here,
Which in defpight of thee, bafe Knight, I weare.
Exit.
Euft. The houres haue ouer-runne me with fwift
pace,
And time hath faftned to him fwallowes wings.
Come fword, come Shield ; but foft, thou art a
flranger,
And pardon me good fhield, I know thee not.
What haue we here ?
A ske not who that Shield doth owe.
For he is thy mortall foe :
And where ere heefees that fhield,
Citty, Borrough, Groue or Field,
Hee that beares it, beares his bane,
By his hand he muft beflaine.
Thine infpight of thee, hee'le beare,
(If thou dar'st) his Scutchion weare.
Hee writ this, that thy Jhield will keepe,
And might hauejlaine thee being afleepe.
'Tis a fine fellow ; by this light, he is
An honefl Rogue, and hath a good conceite,
Weare it ? I'le weare it. If I do not ! well,
He needed not to haue put in the word (Dare)
For I dare : dare, I ? he mail fee I dare.
Belike he feares I dare not challenge mine.
Were't faflned to the arme of Beelzebub,
I would fight with him with firebrands for my fhield.
But dares he weare mine ? On my life he dares :
I loue hime like my brother for this ac~l :
And I will beare this fhield with as much pride,
226 Thefoure Prentifes of London.
As fate I in a Chariot by Tones fide.
Shine bright my Stars, to do me fome faire grace,
Bring vs to meet in fome aufpicious place.
Enter the Ladies flying, purfued by the Clowne.
Clow. Nay you cowardly Lady, that runne away
from the Campe, and dare not fland to it, I am glad
I haue light on you ; choofe your weapon, choofe
your weapon ; I am a Souldier, and a martiall man,
and I will offer you the right of Armes: If you van-
quifh me, Tie be your captiue, if you be caft downe
Tie carry you backe prifoner.
Fren. Lad. I weare a weapon that I dare not
draw :
Fie on this womanifh feare, what mall I do.
Bel. Some of my fathers fpirit reuiues in me,
Giue me thy weapon, boy, and thou malt fee,
I for vs both will winne fweete liberty.
Clow. I was neuer fo ouer-reacht ; and, but for
fhame, and that I am a man at armes, I would runne
away, and take me to my legs. Haue at thee fweete
Lady.
As they fight, Euftace comes in :
Eu. Bafe villaine, dar'fl thou offer violence
Vnto a Lady ; flay, maintaine thy challenge.
Clow. You thinke you haue a foole in hand j no
by my faith, not I. If you haue any bufmeffe to the
Campe, farewell, I am running thither as fafl as I
can.
Euft. Mount vp my foule, vnto the heighth of
ioy !
Sauing my foe, whofe honoured mield I beare,
None liuing did I more defire to meete.
Bell. Sauing thofe Chriflian Lords that feeke my
loue
None lining did I more defire to fhunne.
The four e Prentifes of London. 227
Eufl. Well met, braue Saint, in thefe vnpeopled
paths,
Feare no rude force, for I am ciuill borne,
Defcended from a Princely parentage,
And though an exile from the Chriftians Campe,
Yet in my heart I weare the Croffe of CHRIST,
Euen in as deepe a crimfon as the beft.
Loue me, though I am Landleffe, and remote
From the faire clime where firfl I breath'd this aire,
Yet know I beare a Kingdome in this fword,
And ere I die, looke to behold this Front
EmpaFd and circled with a royall Crowne.
Bell. I neuer markt this Gallant halfe fo much :
He hath my brothers eye, my fathers brow,
And he is Eustace all from top to toe.
Eust, I had a fitter, Lady, with that red,
That giues a crimfon tinflure to your cheeke,
With fuch a hand hid in a gloue of fnow,
That fpake all muficke, like your heauenly tongue ;
And for her fake, faire Saint, I honour you.
Bell. I had a brother, had not the rude feas
Depriu'd me of him, with that manly looke,
That grace, that courage, I behold in you.
A Prince, whom had the rude feas neuer feene,
Euen fuch another had yong Eustace beene.
Eujl. Eustace \ euen fuch an accent gaue her
tongue,
So did my name found in my fitters mouth,
Oh Bella Franca, were't thou not obfcru'd
Within a cloud and maske of pouerty,
Such fame ere this had thy rare vertues wonne,
Thus had thy beauty checkt th' all-feeing Sunne.
Bell. It is my brother Eustace.
Euft. View her well,
Imagine her but thus attir'd, and fhee
Would Bella Franca, and my fitter be.
BelL But ftrip my brother from his Prentice cote,
His cap, his common fouldiers bafe difguife :
Euen fuch a Gallant as this feemes to me,
Q 2
228 Tkefoure Prentijes of London,
Such would my brother, my fweete Eustace be.
Eufl. Sifter !
Bell. Brother !
Eufl. Make me immortall then, by heauen I vow,
I am richer then the Perfian Sophy^ now.
Bell. All Afia flowes not with more plenteous
treafure,
Then I, to embrace my brother, my hearts pleafure.
How did you fcape the waues 1
Eufl. How haue you paft
The perillous Land, and croft the Seas fo vafte 1
Bell. Where are my brothers, Euftacel
Eust. Oh, thofe words,
Pierce to my heart like Darts, and pointed fwords,
Omit thefe paffions, fifter, they are dead.
But to forget thefe griefes, what youth is this ?
Fren. Lad. Page to the Prince of France.
Eust. 'Tis he I hate,
As chiefe occafion of my banifhment.
Bell. Yet my fweete brother, do not blame the
youth,
Full well he hath demean'd himfelfe with me.
He neuer, fince we entred in thefe woods,
Left me in my diftreffe; when we alone
Sit in thefe defarts neuer by rude force
Did do me the leaft fhame, or violence.
Fren. Lad. A good caufe why I leade fo chafte a
life,
A iealous man may truft me with his wife.
Eust. Well, firra, for your truth and honefty
I pardon thee, though I deteft thy Lord.
Fren. Lad. Then let me change my habite, gentle
fir,
Leaft in this fhape I chance to meete my Maifter.
Then, if you pleafe, Tie cloath me like a Lady,
And waite vpon your fifter in your Tent.
Eufl. Nay, if it pleafe thee, I am well content.
Fren. Lad. My plot is good ; well howfoere it
proue,
The foure Prentifes of London. 229
'Twill either end my life, or winne my loue.
Euft. Come, befl part of my felfe, we now will
goe
To wayle our fortunes, and difcourfe our woe.
I will difguis'd vnto the famous fiege,
And in thefe Armes make knowne my valours proofe :
You (hall in fecret in my Tent abide.
I to atchieue fame will my fpirits employ,
After this griefe my heart diuines much ioy. Exit.
Enter Robert, ^/Tancred, Godfrey, and Charles, witk
their Shields and Scutchions, Drumme and Soul-
dierSy Godfreyes Shield, hauing a Maidenhead
with a Crowne in it. Charles his Shield the
Haberdajhers Armes.
Rob. Behold the high wals of Hierufalem,
Which Titus and Vefpafian once brake downe :
From off thefe Turrets haue the ancient lewes
Scene worlds of people muflring on thefe Plaines.
Oh Princes, which of all your eyes are dry,
To looke vpon this Temple, now deflroy'd.
Yonder did fland the great lehouahs Houfe,
In midfl of all his people, there he dwelt :
Veffels of gold did ferue his Sacrifice,
And with him for the people fpake the Priefts.
There was the Arke, the Show-bread, Aarons Rod,
Sanftum, SanRorum, and the Cherubines.
Now in that holy place, where GOD himfelfe
Was perfonally prefent, Pagans dwell.
Falfe Gods are reard, each Temple Idols beares.
Oh who can fee this, and abftaine from teares 1
Godf. This way, this facred path our Sauiour trode.
When he came riding to Hierufalem,
Whilfl the religious people fpred his way
With flowers, and garments, and Hofanna cry'd.
Yonder did fland the great Church, where he taught,
Confuting all the Scribes and Pharifees.
This place did witneffe all his miracles :
230 The four e Prentifes of London.
Within this place did ftand the Judgement feate,
Where Pontius Pilate with the Elders fate,
Where they condemn'd him to be whipt and crown'd,
To be derided, mockt, and crucified,
His hands bor'd through with nailes, his fide with
Speares.
Oh, who can fee this place and keepe his teares ?
Cha. On yond fide of the Towne he died for vs :
At whofe departure all thefe wals did (hake,
And the deflroyed Temples vaile did rend :
The graues are to be feene, from which Ghofts rofe,
There flood the Crofle, there Hands the Sepulchre :
The place ftill beares the name of Dead mens bones.
And ftill the Tombe our Sauiours Liuery weares.
What eye can fee it, and not melt in teares ?
Tan. No fouldier but mail looke with reuerence
Vpon thefe faire and glorious Monuments.
To fweare, or fpeake prophanely, fhall be death.
I caft my heart as low as to this earth,
And wifh that I could march vpon my knees
In true fubmiffion, and right holy zeale.
Oh fince our warres are Gods, abandon feares,
But in contrition weepe repentant teares.
Rob. Sound a Parlee ; I fee your hearts are fir'd,
Your foules with victory from heauen infpir'd.
Sound a Parlee. Enter vpon the walles, Soldan, Sophy,
Turnus, Morates. Souldiers. flourijh.
Sol. Why fwarme thefe Chriftians to our Citty
walls ?
Looke (forreiners) do not the lofty Spires,
And thefe cloud-kiffmg Turrets that you fee,
Strike deadly terrour in your wounded foules ?
Go Perfian, flourifh my vermillion flag,
Aduance my Standerd high, the fight whereof
Will driue thefe ftragglers in difordered rankes,
And in a hurly burly throng them hence.
Per. Sop. See how they quake, to view our mar-
tiall lookes !
The foure Prentifes of London. 231
As when a fturdy Ciclops reares aloft
A boiflerous Truncheon 'mongft a troupe of Dwarfes.
Godf. Soldan and Sophy, ye damn'd hel-hounds
both,
So quakes the Eagle to behold a gnat,
The Lyon to behold a Marmofat.
I'le beard and braue you in your owne beliefe,
As when the heathen God, whom you call loue,
Warr'd with the Gyant, great Enceladus,
And flung him from Olympus two-topt Mount
The fwaynes flood trembling to behold his fall,
That with his weight did make the earth to groane.
So, Soldan, looke, when I haue skal'd thefe wals,
And won the place where now thou fland'ft fecure,
To be hurl'd head-long from the proudeft Tower,
In fcorne of thee, thy falfe gods, and their power.
Cha. We will affaile you like rebounding Rocks,
Banded againft the battlements of heauen :
Wee'le turne thy Citty into defart plaines :
And thy proud Spires that feeme to kiffe the
Cloudes,
Shall with their guilt-tops paue the miry ftreetes,
As all to bafe for us to march vpon.
Seeft thou this fhield, how euer this deuice
Seemes not to ranke with Emperours ; Soldan, know
This fhield mail giue thy fatall ouerthrow.
Sol. Such peales of Thunder did I neuer heare,
I thinke that very words thefe wals will teare.
Godf. This fhield you fee, includes two myfleries ;
A Virgine crown'd it is the Mercers Armes,
Withall the piclure of my loue that's fled.
Both thefe I'le grace, and adde to them thy head.
Sop. Me thinkes I fee pale death flie from their
words :
Their fpeech fo flrong ; how powerful are their
fwords !
Cha. Since firft I bore this fhield I quartered it
With this red Lyon, whom I fmgly once
Slew in the Forrefl ; thus much haue I already
232 Tkefoure Prentifes of London.
Added vnto the Haberda/hers Armes.
But ere I leaue thefe faire ludczan Bounds,
Ynto this Lyon Tie adde all your Crownes.
Tur. Send for fome prifoners, martyre, torture
them
Euen in the face of all the Chriftian Hoaft.
Sol. Shall it be fo Moretes, bring them forth.
Rob. No drop of bloud fals from a Chriftian
heart,
But thy hearts bloud (hall ranfome.
Enter fome bringing forth old Sullen, and other
prifoners bound.
Sol. Bring them forth,
Deuife new tortures : Oh for fome rare Artifl,
That could inuent a death more terrible
Then are the euerlafting paines of hell.
Old Bull. Oh brethren, let not me -moue you to
ruth:
Happy is he that fuffers for the truth.
The ioyes to come exceed the prefent griefe ;
Secure your felues, for CHRIST is my reliefe.
Godf. Why fhrinks the warme blood from my
troubled heart ?
Char. Why flarts my haire vp at this heauy fight 1
Godf. Say father, are not you the Bull en Earle ?
Old BuL Faire fonne, I was the happy Bullen
Earle :
But now my fonne^
Char. Call no man fonne but me.
Father, my fword mall winne you liberty.
Godf. Peace forged Baftard whatfoere thou be :
My reuerend father, call none fonne but me,
For in this fword doth reft thy liberty.
Char. Such mercy, as my fword affoords to
Pagans,
He findes that cals me baftard ; I am Charles y
Thefoiwe Prentifes of London. 233
Father you know me fmce I reskued you,
I am your onely fonne, the reft are dead.
Old Bui. I know thee Charles.
Godf. But father, I am Godfrey ;
That by my valour haue regain'd your right :
Haue got your Dukedome from th' infulting French,
And am my felfe inuefted Bullens Duke.
Old Bui. I know thee Godfrey.
Char. Godfrey \
Godf. Brother Charles \
The confident affurance of thy death,
Made me to giue the lie to my owne thoughts.
Char. The felfe-fame ftrong opinion blinded mee,,
Elfe for my brother I had challeng'd thee.
Brother, you might haue knowne me by my Armes
Which I haue borne in honour of my Trade.
Godf. Ah, but the refolution of thy death
Made me to loofe fuch thought.
Rob. Let vs reioyce,
And to your plaufiue fortunes giue our voyce.
Godf. Prince Robert, did the time afToord vs
leaue,
We would difcourfe the fumme of our efcapes :
But to our fathers reskue.
Char. Yeeld him flaues.
Sol. Turn, we will keepe him fpight of all your
braues.
Godf. Be that our quarrell.
Char. With courage, courage ftriues,
We fight for C H R i s T, our father, and our liues.
Sop. Here ftands my Enfigne, and by it a
Crowne,
That you mail know the Perfian honourable,
Sets vp his, Standard 6 Crowne.
He that can fetch this Enfigne from the wals,
(Which I my felfe will guard) and leaue fome token
Behind him, that his fword hath conquered it,
He (hall enioy them both.
234 The four e Prentifes of London.
Sol. And here (lands mine,
Set vp his Standard and Crowne.
The Babylonian Emperours royall Standard.
By it I plant the rich Cicilian Crowne,
Guarded by me and my all-conquering troupes.
He that but leaues a note he hath beene here,
And fcapes vnflaine, although he winne them not,
That Chriftian will I honour.
Rob. Drummes, alarum.
Sol. As loud and proud defiance our Drumme
founds.
Godf. For CHRIST, my father, conqueft, and
two Crownes. Exeunt. Alarum.
The Chrijlians are repulft. Enter at two feuerall
dores, Guy and Euflace climbe vp the wals, beate
the Pagans, take away the Crownes on their heads,
and in the ftead hang vp the contrary Shields,
and bring away the Enfignes, flouri/hing them,
feuerall wayes.
Enter Soldan, Sophy, Moretes, Turnus, with
Souldiers.
Sol. Now the firfl wall is wonne, the Enfignes
feiz'd,
The Crownes furpriz'd, the Chriflians haue the day :
What mail wee leaue the Towne ?
AIL I, leaue the Towne.
Sop. 'Tis beft, 'tis befl to take vs to the field.
Tur. I thinke 'tis beft that wee make good the
breach,
And haue no thought of marching towards the field :
We leaue a place of much fecurity.
All. Why then make good the breach.
Sol. It mall be fo.
Gather our forces to make good the breach.
The foure Prentifes of London. 235
Sop. Tufh, why fhould we be pent vp in a
Towne 1
Let's ope the gates and boldly iffue out,
Leauing fome few Pikes to make good the breach.
What fay you Lords ?
Lords. Then let vs iffue out.
AIL Set ope the gates, and let vs iffue out.
Sol. And fo expofe vs to the generall fpoyle.
Keepe the gates fhut, defend them manfully.
Thefe Chriftians fight like deuils ; keepe faft the
gates,
And once againe let vs make good the wall.
All. Make good the walls, make good the wals.
Enter at one doore Robert and Charles, they meete
Euflace with his Trophee : Enter at another
doore Godfrey, Tancred, they meete Guy with his
Trophee.
Rob. Triumphant honour houers ore our Armes
What gallant fpirit brauely hath borne hence
The Emperours Standard, flaughtered his proud
Guard,
And in the Heed thereof hung vp his Shield.
Euft. Witneffe this royall Crowne vpon my head,
I feiz'd the Enfigne, I hung vp that Shield.
Godf. What puiffant arme fnatcht hence the
Sophies Standard *?
Guy. This Crowne vpon my head, fayes it was I.
Char. Forgetfull Charles, braue Robert fee the
Knight,
Whofe valour freed vs from the Soldans hands.
Rob. Renowned Chriftian, euer honoured be,
It was thy fword procur'd vs liberty.
Euft. By heauen not I, I neuer came in place,
Where Robert or that Gallant were diftreft :
But there are others thankleffe, whom I freed,
And now too proud forget that honoured deed.
236 The four e Pr en fifes of London.
Godf. 'Twas he releaft vs ; honoured flranger
thankes,
But they are idle offrings from true hearts.
Prince Tancred and my felfe, owe thee our Hues.
Guy. You mock me Princes, neuer did my fword
Drinke drop of Pagans blood to fet you free :
But Robert and that Prince vnthankefull be.
Cha. Whofe fliield is that ?
Eust. Mine.
Cha. Then to you we owe
Thankes for our Hues, the Pagans ouerthrow.
Eust. The fhield 1 challenge, but the ac~l deny,
I neuer gaue you life or liberty.
Godf. Whofe fliield is that 1
Guy. Mine.
Godf. Then by thee we live,
Thou didfl our defperate Hues and freedome giue.
Guy. What meane you Princes to deride a
flranger ?
Thefe eyes did neuer fee you two in danger.
Eust. Who owes that fhield ?
Guy. I : and who owes that ?
Eust. I.
Guy. Thou know'fl me then.
Euft. Thankes fortune, that I do.
Guy. Haue at the flaue.
Euft. Braue foe haue at thee too.
Fight, and are parted by the Princes.
Godf. What ere your quarrell be, contend no
more
He drawes his fword 'gainfl me that fights againe :
For I am foe to all diffention.
Cha. So are we all, then end thefe warres in
words,
The Pagans haue employment for your fwords.
Euft. For one blow more, take here my Crowne
amongft you,
The Jour e Prentifes of London. 237
Now that my fpleene is vp, it will not downe,
I'le giue you all I haue for one bout more.
Guy. Lords, take mine too ; by heauen I'le pawne
my life
Againft the Soldans head, to bring it you,
So you will let vs try this maiftry.
Rob. Kingdomes nor Crownes can hire it at our
hands,
It mail not be, we fay it (hall not be.
What are you Lords ? we charge you by his honour
Whom in your outward habite you profeffe,
To tell vs both what and from whence ye are.
Guy. You charge vs deepely. I a banimt man,
Whom you for mutiny expulft the Camp,
Yet was I leader of ten thoufand French,
But thought by you vnworthy of thefe warres.
Since my exile (Prince Robert view me well)
I freed you two from bafe captiuity.
'Twas I that brought you weapons in the woods,
And then you term'd me fome Celefliall power,
But being now in fafety, you forget
Your dangers pall, and cancell that great debt.
Euft. Nay I am fure you long to know me too.
I am your Out-law brother, one of your Leaders,
Banimt with him : that from the Perftans rage
Freed Tancred, and that valiant man at Armes ;
How euer now they can forget my proweffe.
What need you more, I am he that wonne this
Crowne,
And from thefe high wals pluckt that Enfigne downe.
Rob. You haue redeem'd all your offences pafl,
Deferuing beft in this fociety :
But when you freed me, you did beare that fhield.
Guy. I did, but fmce exchang'd it with my foe.
Godf. And you did beare that fhield.
Euft. True, I did fo.
Ah had I beene awake, thou know'ft my minde,
Thou hadfl writ thy Ryme in bloud.
Guy. Thy words are mine.
23 8 The four e Prentifes of London.
Char. Leaue brother Godfrey, & the Bullen
Duke.
Eust. How !
Guy. What !
Char. Do you not know thefe faces 1
Godf. Brother Charles.
Eust. Brother !
Guy. Charles !
Godf. I'le queflion with them, for may it not be
They might efcape the feas as well as we ?
I had a brother, fir, refembled you.
Euft. I had a brother too refembled you.
Cha. The Bullen Duke, if euer you haue heard
Of men a man, had once a fonne like you.
Guy. I, and another fonne as much like you.
Godf. My brothers name was Eujlace.
Euft. Godfrey mine.
Guy. That Duke cal'd his fonne Charles.
Char. Mine cal'd his Guy.
Godf. My brother Euftace \
Eust. Godfrey \
Char. Guy \
Guy. And Charles \
All. Brothers !
Rob. This accident breeds wonders in my thoughts.
Godf. Oh let me curfe that head that enuied
thee.
Guy. Nay curfe my heart that emulated thee.
Eust. My brother Out-law, and my owne true
brother !
Cha. For euer thus let vs embrace each other.
Godf. When I was caft vpon the Bullen Strand,
I thought none had efcapt the feas but I.
Guy. When I was throwne vpon the French Kings
Coaft,
I thought none had efcapt the. Seas but I.
Char. I thought the feas had fauor'd none but
me,
When I attain'd the mores of Italy.
The foiire Prentifes of L ondon. 239
1 Euft. Ireland tooke me, and there I firft toucht
/ ground,
Prefummg that my brothers all were drown'd.
Rob. Were ye the foure yong London Prentifes,
That in the mips were wrackt on Goodwins fands 1
Were faid to haue perifht then of no repute ?
Now come the leafl of you to leade an Hoafl,
And to be found the fonnes to a great Duke 1
Godf. Witnefle my fhield the Trade I haue
profefl.
Guy. Witneffe my fhield I am one amongfl the
reft.
Cha. Witnefle thou mine.
Eust. And witneffe thou for me.
Rob. We witnefle all your martiall chiualry.
v Eust. And now my foe-turn'd brother, end our
hate,
'And praife that Power Diuine who guides our Hate.
Guy. Diuide we hands and hearts, what hatred
reds,
Powre out in Thunder on the Pagans crefls.
Eust. Our ioyes are not at full, they mail not yet
Know where my fifter and their loue remaines,
Vntill thefe warres haue end. Oh had our God
Not laid our fortunes open, but a brother
Bene brought in triumph to a fillers bed,
Cloudes of defpaire had maskt our Sunne of ioy.
Yet will I keepe her fecret, and the rather,
To crowne our haps when we haue freed our father.
Enter Turnus.
Tur. Chriflians once more defiance in my tongue,
Sounds difmall terrour in your fearefull eares.
The Princes whom I ferue, grieue they haue mur'd
Such an huge Army in a wall of flone,
And they are thus refolu'd ;
To leaue all place of fcorn'd aduantages,
And in a pitcht field end this glorious warre.
240 The four e Prentifesof London.
Say will ye meete them 1
Rob. Though hee trufl his drength,
Yet will we meete his forces face to face,
When the dry earth mall quaffe your bloods apace.
Guy. And tell the Soldan from a Chridian Prince,
That won from him thefe colours, and this Crowne,
In that pitcht field my head this Crowne mall beare,
And skarfe-like thefe athwart my breads I'le weare.
Eust This for the Perftans fake I'le weare infight,
And vnder his owne Enfigne this day fight.
Cha. Goe tell the Soldan that he weares my
crowne.
Fortune hath giuen it me, it is mine owne.
Godf. If thou had more to fay concerning warre,
Omit thy braues and trifling circumdance :
Wee'le meete you fooner then you can defire :
Begone, begone, our hearts are all on fire.
Tur. Braue Lords, our conqueds will be ho
norable,
Becaufe we haue to deale with honoured foes :
Our pikes dand to receiue you like a wood,
Wee'le flake our white deeds in your Chridian blood.
Tan. Prepare to meet them, and appoynt our
powres,
This day the Citty and themfelues are ours.
Rob. Thou vnder whom we fight, this day de
fend vs,
For vnto thy protection we commend vs. Exeunt.
Bullen
be
,rd
ights.
nuied
true
Enter at one doore with Drumme and colours , Soldan, er<
Sophy, Moretes, Turnus, andfouldiers. an( 'j
Sol Great Monarchs, Kings, and Princes of the
Eaft,
Yee come t'encounter with a valiant Foe ;
Such as haue fwomme hugeRiuers, climb'd the Alpes j
That can endure fharpe hunger ; fuch as fhrinke not
To haue their bloods fod with the dog-dayes heate,
Nor to be crudled with cold Saturnes Rod.
Kings
but
The four e Prentifes of London. 241
What honour were it for an hoaft of Gyants,
To corn bate with a Pigmee Nation 1
No, Lords, the foe we mud encounter with,
Is full of fpirit and maiefticke fpeene,
Strong, hardy, and their hearts inuincible.
Deflroy thefe, and you winne your felues a name,
And all the nations of the earth mall feare you.
Sop. The more renown'd the foe is, the more
famous
Shall be our conqueft, the more great their fall.
Come Lords, diuide we our battalions.
Sol. Be yours the Vaward.
Sop. I will giue the charge.
Sol. Turnus t haue you the Rere-ward, I the
battell,
Moretes, thou this day malt leade the horfe.
Take thou the Cornet, Turnus thou the Archers,
Be thine the Guidon, I the men at Armes
Be mine this Enfigne.
Sop. Then mount our Canons, let our flanking
peeces
Raile on the ChrifLian Army with wide mouthes,
For I this day will lead the forlorne hope,
The Camifado mall be giuen by me.
Tur. Already they haue plac't their battery,
Their Ordinance ftand fit to beate the Flankes.
Sol. My Cannoniers need no inflruclion.
Come let vs line our Pikes with Musketiers,
And fo attend the Chriflians fatall charge.
Enter marching, Robert, Tancred, Godfrey, Guy,
Charles, Euftace, Drumme and Souldiers.
Rob. Princes, this day we are efpould to death :
A better place to die in, then this vale,
In which our Sauiours Sepulchre remaines,
What man in all our Army could defire ?
Speake, how haue you difpol'd our Officers.
Godf. Your Grace is Captaine Generall of the
Army.
n.
242 The foiire Prentifes of London.
Guy. And Godfrey you high Marfhall, and Maifter
of the Campe,
And as afftftants you haue vnder you
The Serieant Maior, Quarter-maifter, Prouofl,
And Captaine of the Spyons.
Godf. My brother Guy chiefe Generall of th
Horfe
To ferue him his Lieutenant Colonell
Captaines and Skour-maifters.
Eust. My brother Charles Generall of the Artil
lery,
Vnder him his Lieutenant commhTaries of Munitions,
Gentlemen of the Artilery, Colonel of Py oners,
Trench Maiflers, and carriage Maiflers.
Cha. My brother Eustace Treafurer of the Campe,
And vnder him the Auditors, Mufter-maiflers, & Com-
miffaries.
Eust. Prince Tancred is our Royall Secretary,
Without whom nothing is concluded on.
Thus are the fpecial Offices difpos'd.
Tan. Princes, what order take you for the aflault.
Rob. One halfe maintaine the battery beate the
wals,
Whilft the other keepes them play in the open
fields.
Godf. We mall not need to blocke the breach
with Forts,
Victuals and forage are at pleafure ours.
Stockadoes, Palizadoes, flop their waters.
Bulwarkes and Curtaines all are batterd downe
And we are fafe entrencht by Pyoners.
Our Cafe-mates, Caualiers, and Counterfcarfes,
Are well furuei'd by all our Enginers.
Fortifications, Ramparts, Parapets ;
That we at pleafure may affault the way,
Which leads vnto the gate Antipchia.
Gu. Whilft you intend the wals, mail my bard
horfe
Giue a braue onfet, ihiuering all their Pikes,
The four e Prentifes of London. 243
Arm'd with their Greeues and Maces, and broad
Swords,
Proofe Cuiraces, and open Burganets.
Char. Yet let vs looke our battell be well man'd,
With fhot, Bils, Halberds, and proofe Targettiers.
Eust. No man but knowes his charge. Brothers
and friends,
See where they ftand for vs ; this night fhall hide
All their bright glory which now fwels with pride.
Sol. Chriflians ?
Eust. Pagans ?
Sol. Behold our Campe.
Rob. Soldan, furuey ours too.
Sol. From Ganges to the Bay of Calecut,
From Turkey and the three-fold Araby :
From Sauxin Eaflward vnto Nubia's bounds,
From Lybia and the Land of Mauritans,
And from the Red Sea to the Wilderneffe,
Haue we vnpeopled Kingdomes for thefe wars,
To be reueng'd on you bafe Chriftians.
Rob. From England, the beft brood of martial
fpirits,
Whofe wals the Ocean wameth white as snow,
For which you flrangers call it Albion :
From France, a Nation both renown'd and fear'd,
From Scotland, Wales, euen to the Irijh Coaft,
Beyond the^pillars great Alcides rear'd,
At Gades in Spaine vnto the Pyrene hils,
Haue we affembled men of dauntlefle fpirits,
To fcourge you hence ye damned Infidels.
Sop. Within our troupes are fturdy bands of
Moores,
Of Babylonians, Perfians, Baflrians,
Of Grecians, Ruffians, of Tartarians, Turkes,
Euen from the floods that grow from Paradife,
Vnto this place where the Brooke Kedron runnes.
Guy. Within our Troupes are EngliJJi, French,
Scotch, Dutch,
Italians of Prince Tancred's Regiment :
R 2
244 The four e Prentifes of London.
Euen from the Seas that wall in Albion,
As far as any Riuer or Brooke runnes,
That Chriflian drinkes on, haue we people here.
Tur. To make our ftreetes red with your Chriflian
blood.
Cha. To drowne you ilaues in a vermillion flood.
Mor. To burne your bodies o're your Prophets
graue.
Eust. To lead your Ernperour captiue like a flaue.
Sol. To make your guide trot by my chariot
wheele.
Tan. To lafh your armour with thefe rods of
ileele.
Sop. Then to extirpe you all, yee Perfian powers,
Affift our courage, make the conquefl ours.
Rob. Heauen match thy might with theirs, protecl.
vs to,
To let this people know what thou canft do.
Sol. A charge, a charge, rayle drummes, and Can
nons rore,
Chriftians, at home your friends abroad deplore.
Godf. Chriftians at home abroad our conquefls
fame ;
Thou God of Hods this day make knowne thy name.
Alarum. loyne Battle : The Chriftians are beaten off.
The *Soldan viftorioitfly leades off his Souldiers
marching.
Enter Charles and Godfrey with Ptflols.
Cha. O God, that multitude mould more then
manhood,
That we mould thus be borne downe with a preffe,
Be throng'd and mouldered from the place we keepe !
Godf. For euery man we leade, the foe hath ten,
Their weapons tops appeare aboue their heads,
In as thicke number as the fpikes of graine
Vpon a well-til'd land : they haue more Hues
Thefoure Prentifts of London. 245
Then all our tired armes could fend to death,
If they Ihould yeeld their bare brefls to our fwords.
Char. What Ihould we do? we are encompaft round,
Girded with thoufand thoufands in a ring :
And like a man left on a dangerous rocke,
That waites the climbing tide rife to deftroy him :
What way fo ere he lookes, fees nought but death :
So we ; the bloody tide grows vp apace,
Whofe waues will fwallow vs and all our race.
Where's Guy and Eustact ?
Godf. Gone to fcale a Tower
In which our father lies : Oh I did fee them
Cut downe a wood of men upon the fuddayne :
Their fwords cut lances, as a Sythe cuts Grafie :
Their valour feemes to me miraculous.
Thou Sauiour of the world, whofe Crofle we beare,
Infufe our hearts with courage, theirs with feare.
Exeunt.
Enter Soldan, Sophy, andfouldUrs. Alarum.
Enter Guy and Euftace with their father.
'::JL ASyon, aSyon.
Guy. A lerufalem.
EusL A father, and in him a Crowne of ioy.
Guy. A Syto^ a lerufalem^ a father.
EusL Through their Decurians, Centurions and
Captaines of thoufands, and ten thoufands guards,
We haue ventured euen vpon the Cannons mouth,
And fcal'd the bulwarkes where their Ordnance plaid.
The ftrength of Armies triumphes in thofe Armes,
We haue furpriz'd the Fortrefle and the Hold :
My fhkld I haue had cat peece-meale from mine
arme.
But now you would haue taken me for an Archer,
So many arrowes were ftueke heere and here,
The Pagans thought to make a Quiuer of mee.
246 Thefoure Prentifes of London.
Alarum enter Pagans.
See brother, how the foe frefh forces gather !
A Syon, a lerufalem, a father.
Euery me by turne takes vp their father, and carries him.
Enter the two brothers, they aide andfecond them.
And with ajfiout carry him away.
Alarum : Enter Soldan, Sophie.
Sol. An Enginer, call forth an Enginer.
Sop. Why, what to do, my Lord ?
Sol. I'le make thefe Turrets dance among th
Clouds,
Before the Chriftians mail inhabite them.
Sop. Yet there is hope of conqueft, fight braue
Soldan.
Sol. Thefe Chriftians rage, like fpirits coniur'd vp,
Their thundring Ordinance fpit huge clouds of fire,
They runne againfl the wals like iron rammes,
And beate them downe afore them with their brefts.
Sop. Fortune thou art too enuious of our glory,
Behold the two great'fl Emperours of the earth,
The Babylonian Soldan, and great Sophy ;
Vnueile thine eyes, and looke vpon our fals.
Sol. Fortune and fate, and death, the diuell and
all,
Enter Moretes and Turnus.
Oppofe themfelues againfl vs. Now what newes 1
Mor. Death.
Sop. What newes bring'ft thou ?
Tur. Confufion.
Sol. That death was once my flaue, but now my
Lord.
Sop. Confufion was once page vnto my fword.
Is the day loft 1
Tur. Loft.
Sol. Muft we needs defpaire ?
Mor. Defpaire.
n.
.
The foure Prentifes of London. 247
Sol. We will not, we will die refoluedly,
The Palace we will make a flaughter-houfe,
The flreets a Shambles, Kennels mall runne bloud,
Downe from Mount Syon, with fuch hideous noife,
As when great fhowres of water fals from Hils.
Sop. Through which way did they make irruption
firfU
Tur. Through the gate, cal'd Antiochia,
The felfe-fame breach that Romane Titus made,
When he deflroy'd this Citty, they burft ope.
Sol. There is fome vertue in the Crofle they
weare,
It makes them ftrong as Lyons, fwift as Roes.
Their refolutions make them Conquerours.
They haue tane our Royall Standerd from the wals,
In place whereof they haue aduanc'd their CrofTe.
Sop. I will not I furuiue fo foule a fhame,
Once more vnite our powers, (I meane our felues)
For all powers elfe haue fail'd vs ; brauely fight,
That our declining funne may make there night !
Enter the foure brethren.
Sol. Chriftians, bafe Chriftians, heare vs when we
call,
Eternall darkneffe mail confound you all.
Alarum. The foure brethren each of them kill a Pagan
King, take off their Crownes, and exeunt : two one
way, and two another way. Retrait.
Enter Robert, Tancred, Godfrey, Guy, Charles,
Euftace,. Old Duke, Drumme, Colours, and Soul-
diers.
Rob. Now fmoth againe the wrinkles of your
browes,
And warn the blood from off your hands in milke :
With penitentiall prayfes laude our God,
248 The four e Prentifes of London.
Afcribe all glory to the heauenly Powers,
Since Syon and lerufalem are ours.
Tancr. We do abhorre a heart puft vp wi
pride,
That attributes thefe conquefts to our ftrength :
'Twas God that ftrengthned vs and weakned them,
And gaue vs Syon and lerufalem.
Godf. Thou that doft mufter Angels in the sky,
That in thy felfe haft power of Victory,
Make thy name mine, bright as the noone-tid
Sunne,
Since Syon and lerufalem are wonne.
Old D,. My former want hath now fufficie
flore,
For hauing feene this, I defire no more.
How faire and fmooth my ftreame of pleafure runnes,
To looke at once on Syon and my fonnes !
Guy. Showers of abundance raine into our laps,
To make repentance grow within our hearts :
What greater earthly bliffe could Heauen powre
down,
Then Syon, our deare father, and this Towne?
Cha. Then to confirme thefe conquefls Heauen
hath giuen vs
Seal'd with the blood of Kings and Emperours ;
Let vs elect a King, that may maintayne
Our honours with the deaths of Monarches flayne.
Bust. Call forth the Patriarch of lerufalem,
His right hand mud bequeath that dignity.
Godf. With teares I fpeake it, lagging in the
traine
Of the diflreffed Soldan he was flaine.
Rob. Prais'd be our God, we haue reueng'd his
death :
Great Potentates confort him to his graue.
Char. What man, for grauity and fanclity,
May we thinke worthy of this honoured place 1
Rob. Whofe yeares, deuotion, and mod facred life,
Better can fit that holy place, then his
:
The four e Prentifes of London. 249
Whofe worthy fonnes haue brought to end thefe
wars'?
Princes, ioyne hands, inueft him all at once. Flourifli.
Old D. My feruent zeale, bids I mould not
deny :
It brings my foule to Heauen before I dye.
En. But Princes, whom will ye elect the King,
To guard this Citty from fucceeding perill.
Godf. Robert of Normandy.
Rob. Oh chofe Prince Tancred rather.
Tan. Too weake is my defert, and I refufe it.
Euft. Then put it to mod voyces.
All. Robert of Normandy.
Rob. Princes, we thanke you for your loues :
But letters from England tell me William's dead,
And by fucceffion left the Crowne to me :
I fay Prince Godfrey hath deferu'd it beft.
Tan. So Tattered* i&yes.
All. And fo fay all the reft.
Godf. Princes, ye preffe me downe with too much
honors,
And load a foule that cannot beare them vp :
Diflwade me not, no counfell I will heare :
Behold a Crowne which Godfrey meanes to weare !
A crowne of thornes.
This made the blood run from our Sauiours brow
No Crowne but this can Godfreyes heart allow.
Prayers are my pride, deuotion drawes my fword,
No pompe but this can Bullens foule affoord.
My vow's irreuocable, ftate I refufe ;
No other Crowne but this will Godfrey chufe.
Tan. If he refufe the place, elect Prince Guy \
Mofl voices ; mail he haue the Scepter ?
All. I.
Rob. Then crowne him ftraight, and henceforth let
his name
Be through the World cal'd Guy of Leffingham :
All thefe defire it, I confent with them ;
Long Hue Prince Guy, King of Hierufalem. flourifa.
250 The four e Prentifes of London.
Guy. The crowne is burft, and parted from
head ;
I feare the heauens are angry with your choice.
Old D. Son Guy they are not. By Diuine ii
ftincl
The heauens haue lent me a Propheticke fpirit :
This fliewes thy troublous Raigne, mutines from far,
Shall fright thy Townes and Prouinces with War.
Guy. If it be nothing elfe, crowne me agayne,
We haue a heart our Kingdome to maintayne :
What honours do my brothers heads awaite ?
Ro. Prince Euftace, you mall weare this crown of
Hate
Be King of Sicil and command that Ifle :
Lord Charles, the crowne of Cyprus longs to you,
That in the fight the King of Cyprus flue : flourifli.
One general voyce at once proclaime them Kings.
Char. In memory of this folemnity,
Here will I leaue this Scutchion borne by me :
That in what coaft fo e're my bones be laid,
This Ihield may be an honour to my Trade.
Euft. Mine mall hang there, a trophic of my
fame,
My Trade is famous by King Eustace name.
Guy. In memory a King hath borne this fhield,
I adde thefe Challices to this Argent Field.
God. In honour of my firft profeffion,
That fhield in all thefe wars by Godfrey borne,
I crowne this Maids head with a wreath of Thorne.
Old D. Oh were my daughter here this ioy
to fee ;
How light her foule ! how glad would my heart bee !
Tan. Would I had now my loue.
Guy. Or I that Dame,
That addes to beauties funne a brighter flame.
Rob. Were the faire Virgin here, I would re-
nowne
Her glorious beauty with the Englifh Crowne.
Eust. Princes, lie fit you all, Lady come forth.
The fo^tre Prentifes of London. 251
Enter Bella Franca.
Bell The louely Princes.
Tan. Faire Miflreffe !
Char. Lady !
Goaf. Madame !
Guy. Honoured Saint !
Bell Nay pardon me, loue comes not by con-
flraint ;
But Princes, will you grant me patience,
Before I part, I meane to pleafe you all.
Firil holy Patriarch, tell me of all others,
Whom in the World you mofl defire to fee.
Old D. My daughter.
Bell Prince Godfrey, Charles, Eustace, whom fay
you?
All Next your felfe our fitter.
Bell And whom you ?
Tan. My loue.
'Bell Who's that ?
Tan. Your honoured felfe faire maide.
Bel Nay, He make good the words that I haue
faid:
Father, I giue a daughter to your hand ;
Brothers, behold, here doeth your lifter Hand :
Tancred behold the Lady you once ceas'd,
Onely I leaue Prince Robert heere difpleas'd.
Old D. My daughter Bella Franca I
Brothers. Sifter!
Tan. Loue !
Old D. I am too happy, and too full of ioy ;
Heauen powers on me more good then I can
beare ;'
I that before was ftaru'd, now furfet heere.
Rob. Princes, and Lady, nothing can difpleafe vs,
For we pertake in all this glad content,
And with applaufe reioyce this accident.
Tancred reioyce, your loue, and you your friends,
Where you beginne with marriage, our loue ends.
252 The four e Prentifes of London.
Kings, and Kings peeres, to Heauen afcribe the
glory,
Whilft we to Chronicles report this ftory.
Guy. Make loue vnto my lifter ! tis moft ftrange,
Now Guy I would thou hadft thy French loue here ;
My heart would grant her what I then refus'd ;
Now hauing got this ftate of dignity,
I grieue that I haue fo obdurate beene,
But for amends would make her Syons Queene.
Eust. And well remembred brother, I muft now
Entreate you for a pretty boy your page,
That hath on fome occafion ftray'd from you.
Guy. Oh brother, where' s the villain e ?
Eust. Pardon him, and I will tell you.
Guy. Great were th' offence, I would not cleare
for you.
Eust. The poore boy, brother, Hayes within my
Tent,
But fo difguis'd you cannot know him now,
For hee's turn'd wench ; and but I know the wagge,
To be a boy, to fee him thus transform'd,
I^fhould haue fworn he had beene a wench indeed.
Guy. Pray, let me fee him, brother in that habite.
I would not loofe the villaine for more gold
Then Syon would be fold for ; he will blufh
To be tane tardy in his Maides attire.
Eust. You haue pardoned him 1
Guy. I haue.
Eust. Then lacke appeare.
Enter the French Lady.
Nay blufli not to be in your Womans geere.
Guy. Leape heart, dance fpirit, be merry iocund
foule,
Tis me vndoubtedly.
Lady. You know me then !
Guy. I do, 'twas that difguife,
That all this while hath blinded my cleere eyes.
Euft. Fye, are you not afham'd to kiffe a boy,
The f (jure Prentifes of London. 253
And in your armes to grafpe him with fuch ioy?
Guy. She is no boy, you do miftake her quite.
Eujl. A boy, a Page, a wagtaile by this light :
What fay you filler ?
Bel. Sure he told me fo,
For if he be a maide, I made him one.
Eust. Do not miflake the fex, man, for he's
none.
Jt is a rogue, a wag, his name is lacke,
A notable diffembling lad, a Cracke.
Guy. Brother, 'tis you that are deceiu'd in her.
Befhrew her, me hath beene my bedfellow
A yeare and more, yet I had not the grace
Brothers receiue a fifter ; reuerent Father
Accept a daughter, whilft I take a Wife,
And of a great Kings daughter make a Queene :
This is the beauteous Virgin, the French Lady,
To whom my fortune ftill remaines in debt.
Eust. A Lady, then I cry you mercy brother,
A gallant Bride, would I had fuch another.
Lady. A wondrous change ! me that your Page
hath beene
Is now at length transform'd to be your Queene :
Pardon me Guy, my loue drew me along,
No ftiameleffe luft.
Guy. Faire Saint, I did you wrong :
If Fortune had not beene your friend in this,,
You had not laine thus long without a kiffe :
Father, embrace her ; brothers ; fifter, all.
Old D. This fortune makes our ioyes meere
comical :
The fame of our fucceffe all Europe rings :
The Father, Patriarch, fees his fonnes all Kings.
Rob. The heauens are full of bounty ; then braue
Princes
Firft in the Temple hang thefe Trophies vp,
As a remembrance of your fortunes paft :
You good old Father, weare your Patriarchs Roabes,
Prince Godfrey, walk you with your Crown of thorns ;
254 Thefoure Prentifes of London.
Guy with his Lady ; Tancred with his Wife :
Charles with his Crown of Cyprus, and yong Eustace
Crown'd with the rich Sicilian Diadem :
I with the honour of the Pagans deaths.
So in ProcefTion walke we to CHRISTS Tombe,
With humble hearts to pay our Pilgrimes vowes :
Repayre we to our Countries, that once done,
For Syon and lerufalem are wonne.
Exeunt omnes.
FINIS.
THE
FAIR MAID
OF THE WEST.
OR,
A Girle worth gold.
The firft part.
As it was lately aded before the King and
Queen, with approved liking.
By the Queens Majefties Comedians.
Written by T. H.
LONDON,
Printed for Richard Royflon, and are to be fold
at his Shop in Jvie Lane. 1631.
To the much worthy, and my moft refpecled,
IOHN OXHOW, Efquire, Counfellour at Law,
in the noble Societie of
Graies Inne.
SIR,
jjXcufe this my boldneffe, (I intreat
you) and let it paffe under the title of
my love and refpe6t, long devoted
unto you ; of which, if I endeavour to prefent
the world with a due acknowledgement without
the fordid expectation of reward, or fervile im
putation of flatterie, I hope it will be the rather
accepted. I muft ingenuoufly acknowledge, a
weightier argument would have better fuited
with your grave imployment ; but there are re-
2 S
s
258 The Eplflle Dedicatory.
tirements neceffarily belonging to all the labours
of the body and brain : If in any fuch ceffa-
tion, you will daigne to caft an eye upon this
weak and unpollifh't Poem, I fhall receive it as
a courtefie from you, much exceeding any merit
in mee, (my good meaning onely accepted)
Thus wifhing you healthfull abilitie in body, un
troubled content in minde : with the happie
fruition of both the temporall felicities of the
world prefent, and the eternall bleffedneffe of
the life future ; I ftill remain as ever,
Yours, moft affectionately
devoted,
THOMAS HEYWOOD.
or, a Girle worth gold. 305
As follow me to th' grave. This if you promife,
You fhall not be the leaft of all my friends
Remembred in my will. Now fare you well.
GoodL Had I a heart of flint or adamant
It would relent at this. My Miftris Beffe,
I have better .tydings for you.
Beffe. You will reftore my Piclure ? will you ?
GoodL Yes, and more then that,
This Ring from my friends ringer fent to you,
With infinite commends.
Bef/e. You change my blood.
GoodL Thefe writings are the evidence of Lands,
Five hundred pound a yeare's bequeath'd to you,
Of which J ^~-e poffeffe you : all is yours.
B^ r "urpluffage of love, hath made my
That Wo,_ before : now infinite.
It may be com^. there's in this my purpofe
No impoffibilitie.
GoodL What fludy you ?
Beffe. Foure thoufand pound befides this Legacie,
In lewels, gold, and filver I can make,
And every man difcharg'd. I am refolv'd
To be a patterne to all Maides hereafter
Of conftancy in love.
G. Sweet Miftris Beffe, will you command my fer-
vice,
If to fucceed your Spencer in his Love,
I would expole me wholly to your wifhes.
Beffe. Alas my love fleepes with him in his
grave,
And cannot thence be wakend : yet for his fake
I will impart a fecret to your truft,
Which, faving you, no mortall mould partake.
GoodL Both for his love and yours, command my
fervice.
Beffe. There's a prife
Brought into Famouth Road, a good tight Veffell,
The Bottome will but coll eight hundred pound,
2 x
306 The f air e Maid of the We/I
You mall have money : buy it.
GoodL To what end ?
Befje. That you fhall know hereafter. Furnifh
her
With all provifion needfull : fpare no cofl :
And joyne with you a ginge of lufty ladds,
Such as will bravely man her : all the charge
I will commit to you : and when fhee's fitted,
Captaine me is thine owne.
GoodL I found it not.
Beffe. Spare me the reft. This voyage I Intend,
Though fome may blame, all Lovers will commend.
Exeunt.
Explicit Aftus tertius.
AElus quartus. Scena prima.
After an Alarume, Enter a Spanifh Captaine, with
Saylors, bringing in a Merchant, Spencer, and the
Surgion prif oners.
Spaniard.
"T7 Or Fialls loffe, and fpoile by th' Englifh done,
J/ . We are in part reveng'd. There's not a Veffell
That beare's upon her top S. Georges Croffe,
But for that act (hall fuffer.
Merchant. Infult not Spaniard,
Nor be too proud, that thou by oddes of Ships,
Provifion, men, and powder mad'ft us yeeld.
Had you come one to one, or made affault
or, a 'Girle worth gold. 307
With reafonable advantage, wee by this
Had made the carkaffe of your fhip your graves,
Low funcke to the Seas bottome.
Span. Englifhman, thy fhip (hall yeeld us pillage,
Thefe prifoners we will keepe in ftrongeft Hold,
To pay no other ranfome then their lives.
Spenc. Degenerate Spaniard, there's no nobleffe in
thee
To threaten men unarm'd and miferable,
Thou mightfl as well tread ore a field of Slaughter,
And kill them ore, that are already flaine,
And brag thy manhood.
Span. Sirrah, what are you ?
Spen. Thy equall as I am a prifoner,
But once to ftay a better man then thou,
A Gentleman in my Country.
Span. Wert thou not fo, we have ftrappadoes,
bolts,
And engines to the Mame-maft faftened,
Can make you gentle.
Spenc. Spaniard doe thy worft,
Thou canft not a6l more tortures then my courage
Is able to endure.
Span. Thefe Englifhmen
Nothing can daunt them : Even in mifefy
They'l not regard their maflers.
Spence. Maflers ! Infulting bragging Thrafoes.
Span. His fawcineffe wee'l punifh 'bove the reft.
About their cenfures we will next devife, Flour i/h.
And now towards Spaine with our brave Englilh prife.
Exeunt.
Enter Befje, Mayor , Alderman, Clem. A table fet out,
and ftooles.
Beffe. A Table and fome ftooles.
Cl. I fhal give you occafion to eafe your tailes
prefently.
x 2
e El-
308 Thefaire Maid of the We/I :
Bef. Will't pleafe you fit 1
Mayor. With all our hearts, and thanke you.
Beffe. Fetch me that parchment in my Clofet wi
dow.
Cl. The three fheep-skins with the wrong fide out
ward.
Bejje. That with the feale.
Clem. I hope it is my Indenture, and now fhee
meanes to give me my time.
Alder. And now you are alone, faire Miflreffe El-
zabeth
I thinke it good to tafte you with a motion,
That no way can difpleafe you.
Beffe. Pray fpeake on.
Alder. 'T hath pleas'd here Mailer Mayor fo far to
look
Into your faire demeanour, that he thinkes you
A fit match for his Sonne.
Enter Clem with the parchment.
Clem. Here's the parchment, but if it bee the
leafe of your houfe, I can affure you 'tis out.
Beffe. The yeares are not expired.
Clem. No, but it is out of your Clofet.
Beffe. About your bufmeffe.
Cl. Here's even Sufanna betwixt the two wicked
elders.
Aid. What thinke you Miflreffe Elzabeth ?
Beffe. Sir I thanke you.
And how much I efteeme this goodneffe from you
The truft I mail commit unto your charge
Will truly witnes. Marry, gentle Sir !
'Las I have fadder bufmeffe now in hand,
Then fprightly marriage, witneffe thefe my teares.
Pray reade there.
Maior. The lafl Will and Teftament of Elzabeth
Bridges to be committed to the truft of the Mayor and
Aldermen of Foy, and their Succeffors for ever.
or, a Girle worth gold. 309
To fet up yong beginners in their trade, a thoufand
pound
To relieve fuch as have had loffe by Sea, 500
pound.
To every Maid that's married out of Foy,
Whofe name's Elzabeth ten pound.
To relieve maimed Souldiers, by the yeare ten
pound.
To Captaine Goodlacke, if hee mall performe
The bufmeffe hee's imployed in, five hundred pound.
The Legacies for Spencer thus to (land,
To number all the pooreft of. his kin,
And to beftow on them. Item to
BeJJe. Enough : you fee fir I am now too poore
To bring a dowry with me fit for your fonne.
Mayor. You want a prefident, you fo abound
In charitie and goodneffe.
Beffe. All my fervants
I leave at your difcretions to difpofe
Not one but I have left fome Legacie.
What mail become of me, or what I purpofe
Spare further to enquire.
Mayor. Wee'll take our leaves,
And prove to you faithfull Executors,
In this bequeft.
Alder. Let never fuch defpaire,
As dying rich, (hall make the poore their heyre.
Exit.
Beffe. Why what is all the wealth the world con-
taines,
Without my Spencer 1
Enter Roughman and Forfet.
Roughm. Where's my fweet Beffe ?
Shall I become a welcome fuiter now ?
That I have chang'd my Copie ?
Beffe. I joy to heare it.
He finde imployment for you.
3 1 o The faire Maid of the We/I :
Enter Goodlacke, Sailors, and Clem.
Goodl. A gallant flrip, and wondrous proudly
trim'd,
Well calkt, well tackled, every way prepar'd.
Beffe. Here then our mourning for a feafon end.
Rough. Beffe, ftiall I ftrike that Captaine ? fay the
word,
He have him by the eares.
Beffe. Not for the world.
Goodl. What faith that fellow ?
Beffe. He defires your love,
Good Captain let him ha'it.
Goodl. Then change a hand.
Beffe. Refolve me all, I am bound upon a voyage,
Will you in this adventure take fuch part,
As I my felfe mall doe ?
Rough. With my fayre Beffe, to the worlds end.
Beffe. Then Captaine and Lieftenant both, joine
hands,
Such are your places now.
Goodl. Wee two are friends.
Bej). I next mull fweare you two, with all your
ginge
True to fome articles you mufl obferve,
Referving to my felfe a prime command,
Whilfl I inioyne nothing unreafonable.
Goodl. All this is granted.
Bef. Then firft, you faid your fhip was trim and
gay,
He have her pitcht all ore, no fpot of white,
No colour to be feene, no Saile but blacke,
No Flag but fable.
Goodl. Twill be ominous,
And bode difafter fortune.
Beffe. He ha' it fo.
Goodl. Why then me mall be pitcht blacke as the
devil.
or, a Girle worth gold. 3 1 1
Beffe. She (hall be call'd The Negro, when you
know
My conceit, Captaine, you will thanke me for't.
Roug. But whither are we bound ?
Beffe. Pardon me that.
When wee are out at fea He tell you all.
For mine owne wearing I have rich apparell,
For man or woman as occafion ferves.
Clem. But Miftreffe, if you be going to fea, what
mall become of me aland.
Beffe. He give thee thy full time.
Clem.- And mail I take time, when time is, and let
my Miftrefie flip away. No, it mall be feene that my
teeth are as ftrong to grinde bisket as the befl failor
of them all, and my ftomacke as able to digeft pou-
derd beefe and Poore-john. Shall I flay here to
'icoare a pudding in the Halfe-moone, and fee my
Miflreffe at the Maine-yard with her failes up, and
fpread. No it mall be feene that I who have beene
brought up to draw wine, will fee what water the fhip
drawes, or He beray the Voyage.
Beh.e. If thou haft fo much courage, the Captaine
fhall accept thee.
Clem. If I have fo much courage ? When did you
fee a blacke beard with a white lyvor, or a little
fellow without a tall ftomacke. I doubt not but to
prove an honour to all the Drawers in Cornwall.
Good. What now remain es 1
Forf. To make my felfe affotiate
In this bold enterprife.
Goodl. Moft gladly fir.
And now our number's full, what's to be done.
Beffe. Firft, at my charge He feaft the towne of
Foy,
Then fet the Cellers ope, that thefe my Mates
May quaffe unto the health of our boone voyage,
Our needfull things being once convay'd aboard,
Then cafting up our caps in figne of joy,
3 1 2 The fair e Maid of the We/I :
Our purpofe is to bid farewell to Foy.
Hoboyes long
Enter Mullijheg, Bo/haw, Alcade, and J offer : with
other Attendants.
Mullijk. Out of thefe bloody and intefline broiles
Wee have at length attained a fort'nate peace,
And now at laft eflablifht in the Throne
Of our great Anceftors, and raigne King
Of Feffe and great Morocco.
Alcade. Mighty Mullijheg,
Pride of our age, and glory of the Moores,
By whofe victorious hand all Barbary
Is conquer'd, aw'd, and fwai'd : behold thy vaffalls
With loud applaufes greet thy victory.
Jhout. flourijk.
Mull. Vpon the flaughtered bodies of our foes,
We mount our high Tribunall, and being fole
Without competitor, we now have leafure
To ftablim lawes firft for our Kingdomes fafetie,
The inriching of our publique Treafury,
And lad our Hate and pleafure : then give order
That all fuch Chriflian Merchants as have traffique
And freedome in our Country, that conceale
The lead part of our Cuftome due to us,
Shall forfeit fhip and goods.
loff. There are appointed
Vnto that purpofe carefull officers.
Mull. Thofe forfeitures muft help to furnifh up
Th' exhaufted treafure that our wars conmm'd,
Part of fuch profits as accrue that way
We have already tafled.
Ale. Tis mofl fit,
Thofe Chriftians that reape profit by our Land
Should contribute unto fo great a loffe.
Mull. Alcade, They mail. But what's the flyle of
King
or, a Girle worth gold. 313
Without his pleafure 1 Finde us concubines,
The fayrefl Chriflian Damfells you can hire,
Or buy for gold : the louelieft of the Moores
We can command, and Negroes every where :
Italians, French, and Dutch, choife Turkifh Girles
Muft fill our Alkedavy, the great Pallace,
Where Mullt/heg now daines to keepe his Court.
loffer. Who elfe are worthy to be Libertines,
But fuch as beare the Sword ?
Mull. loffer, Thou pleafeft us.
If Kings on earth be termed Demi-gods,
Why mould we not make here terreflriall heaven
We can, wee will, our God mail be our pleafure,
For fo our Mecan Prophet warrants us,.
And now the muficke of the Drums furceafe,
Wee'll learne to dance to the foft tunes of peace.
Hoboyes.
Enter Beffe like a Sea-captaine, Goodlacke, Roughman,
Forfet, and Clem.
Befs. Good morrow Captaine. Oh this laft Sea-
fight
Was gallantly perform'd. It did me good
To fee the Spanifh Carveile vaile her top
Vnto my Maiden Flag. Where ride we now 1
Goodl. Among the Iflands.
Befs. What coaft is this wee now defcry from
farre.
Goodl. Yon fort's call'd Fiall.
Befs. Is that the place where Spencers body
lies?
Goodl. Yes, in yon Church hee's buried.
Beffe. Then know, to this place was my voyage
bound
To fetch the body of my Spencer thence.
In his owne Country to erec~t a tombe,
And lafting monument, where when I die
Sn the fame bed of earth my bones may lye.
3 1 4 The faire Maid of the We/I :
Then all that love me, arme and make for more.
Yours be the fpoile, he mine, I crave no more.
Rough. May that man dye derided and accurft
That will not follow where a woman leades.
Goodl. Roughman, you are too ram, and coun-
fell ill,
Have not the Spaniards fortifide the towne ?
In all our Ginge wee are but fixty five.
Rough. Gome, He make one.
Goodl. Attend me good Lieutenant,
And fweet Bejfjte, liften what I have devis'd,
With ten tall Fellowes I have man'd our Boat,
To fee what flragling Spaniards they can take.
And fee where Forfet is return'd with prifoners.
Enter Forfet with two Spaniards.
Forf. Thefe Spaniards we by breake "of day fur-
pris'd,
As they were ready to take boat for Fifhing.
Good. Spaniards, upon your lives refolve us
truly
How ftrong's the Towne and Fort.
Span. Since Englifh Rawleigh wan and fpoil'd it
firfl,
The Towne's reedifide, and Fort new bnilt,
And foure Field peeces in the Block-houfe lye
To keepe the Harbours mouth.
Goodl. And what's one fhip to thefe 1
Hefie. Was there not in the time of their aboad
A Gentleman call'd Spencer buryed there
Within the Church, whom iome report was ilaine,
Or perifht by a wound ]
Span. Indeed there was,
And ore him rais'd a goodly monument,
But when the Englifh Navy were fail'd thence,
And that the Spaniards did poffeffe the Towne,
Becaufe they held him for an Heretike,
They ilraight remov'd his body from the Church.
or, a Girle worth gold. 315
Bef. And would the tyrants be fo uncharitable
To wrong the dead ? where did they then bellow
him?
Span. They buryed him ith fields.
Bejfe. Oh flill more cruell.
Span. The man that ought the field, doubtfull his
corne
Would never profper whilft an hereticks body
Lay there, hee made petition to the Church
To ha' it digd up and burnt, and fo it was.
Beffe. What's he that loves me would perfuade me
live,
Not rather leape ore hatches into th' Sea :
Yet ere I die I hope to be reveng'd
Vpon fome Spaniards for my Spencers wrong.
Rough. Let's firft begin with thefe.
Beff. 'Las thefe poore flavea ! befides their par-
dond lives
One give them money. And Spaniards where you
come.
Pray for Beffe Bridges, and fpeake well o'th Englifh.
Span. We mail.
Beff. Our mourning wee will turne into revenge,
And fince the Church hath cenfur'd fo my Spencer,
Beftow upon the Church fome few cafl Peeces,
Command the Gunner do't.
GoodL And if he can to batter it to the earth.
A Peece.
Enter Clem falling for hafle.
Clem. A Saile, A Saile.
Beffe. From whence ?
Clem. A pox upon yon Gunner, could he not giue
warning before he had fhot 1
Rough. Why I prethee 1
Clem. Why 1 I was fent to the top-maft to watch,
and there I fell fafl afleepe. Bounce quoth the guns,
downe tumbles Clem, and if by chance my feet had
1
3 1 6 The f air e Maid of the We/I :
not hung in the tackles, you mufl have fent to Eng
land for a bone-fetter, for my necke had beene in a
pittifull taking.
Rough. Thou toldft us of a Saile.
Enter Sailer above.
Sailor. Arme Gentlemen, a gallant fhip of warre
Makes with her full failes this way : who it feemes
Hath tooke a Barke of England.
Befie. Which wee'll refcue
Or perifli in th' adventure. You have fworne
That howfoere we conquer or mifcary
Not to reveale my fex.
All. Wee have.
JBeff. Then for your Countries honor, my re
venge,
For your owne fame, and hope of golden fpoile,
Stand bravely to't The manage of the fight
We leaue to you.
Go. Then now up with your fights, & let your
enfignes
Bleft with S. Georges Croffe, play with the windes.
Faire Befle, keepe you your cabin.
Beffe. Captaine, you wrong me, I will face the
fight,
And where the bullets fmg loudfl 'bout mine
eares,
There (hall you finde me chearing up my men.
Rough. This wench would of a coward make an
Hercules.
Beffe. Trumpets a charge, and with your whiflles
(brill
Sound boatfwaynes an alarum to your mates.
With muficke cheare up their aftonifht foules,
The whilfl the thundring Ordnance beare the Bafe,
Goodl. To fight againfl the Spaniards we defire,
Alarme Trumpets. Alarme.
Rough. Gunners flraight give fire. Shot.
or, a Girle worth gold. 3 1 7
Enter Goodlacke hurt, Beffe, Roughman,
Forfet, Clem.
Goodl. I am fhot and can no longer man the
Decke,
Yet let not my wound daunt your courage mates.
Be$e. For every drop of blood that thou haft
flied,
lie have a Spaniards life. Advance your Targets,
And now cry all, Boord, boord, amaine for England.
Alarme.
Enter with vittory Beffe, Roughman, Forfet, Clem, &c.
The Spaniards Prif oners.
Befje. How is it with the Captaine ?
Rough. Nothing dangerous,
But being (hot ith' thigh hee keepes his Cabin,
And cannot rife to greet your victory.
Beffe. He flood it bravely out whilft he could
(land.
Clem. But for thefe Spaniards, now you Don
Diegoes,
You that made Paules to ftinke.
Roughm. Before we further cenfure them, let's
know
What Englifh prifoners they have here aboord.
Span. You may command them all. We that
were now
Lords ouer them, Fortune hath made your Haves,
Releafe our prifoners.
Bejje. Had my captaine dide
Not one proud Spaniard had efcap'd with life,
Your fhip is forfeit to us, and your goods.
So live. Give him his long Boate : him and his
Set fafe afhore ; and pray for Englifh ef/e.
S#. I know not whom you meane, but bee't your
Queen e
Famous Elizabeth, I mall report
3 1 8 The faire Maid of the Weft :
She and her fubjects both are mercifull. Exeunt.
Enter Roughman, with the Merchant and Spencer.
Whence are you fir ? and whither were you
bound ?
Merck. I am a London bound for Barbary,
But by this Spanifh Man-of-warre furpris'd,
Pillag'd and captiv'd.
Beffe. We much pitty you,
What loffe you have fuflain'd, this Spanim prey
Shall make good to you to the utmoft farthing.
Merc. Our lives, and all our fortunes whatfoever
Are wholly at your fervice.
Beffe. Thefe Gentlemen have been d ejected long,
Let me perufe them all, and give them money
To drinke our health, and pray forget not Sirs,
To pray for - Hold, fupport me, or I faint.
Roughm. What fudden unexpected extafie
Difturbs your conqueft.
Beffe. Interrupt me not,
But give me way for Heavens fake.
Spencer. I have feene a face ere now like that
yong Gentleman,
But not remember where.
Beffe. But he was flaine,
Lay buried in yon Church, and thence remov'd,
Denyde all Chriflian rights, and like an Infidell
Confmde unto the fields, and thence digd up,
His body after death had martyrdome :
All thefe allure me tis his fhadow dogs me,
For fome mod jufl revenge thus farre to Sea.
Is it becaufe the Spaniards fcap'd with life,
That were to thee fo cruell after death
Thou hauntll me thus 1 Sweet ghoft thy rage for-
beare,
I will revenge thee on the next we feaze.
I am amaz'd, this fight He not endure.
Sleepe, fleepe, faire ghoft, for thy revenge is fure.
or, a Girle worth gold. 319
Roug. Forfet, convey the owner to his cabin.
Spencer. I pray fir what young Gentleman is
that
Rough. Hee's both the owner of the (hip and
goods,
That for fome reafons hath his name conceal'd.
Spencer. Me thinke he lookes like Beffe, for in his
eyes
Lives the firft love that did my heart furprife.
Roughm. Come Gentlemen, firft make your loffes
good
Out of this Spaniih prize. Let's then drvide
Both feverall wayes, and heavens be our guide.
Merc. We towards Mamorrah.
Roughm. We where the Fates doe pleafe,
Till we have tract a wilderneffe of Seas. Flonfh.
Enter Chorus.
Our Stage fo lamely can expreffe a Sea,
That we are forft by Chorus to difcourfe
What mould have beene in action. Now imagine
Her pafiion ore, and Goodlacke well recoverd,
"Who had he not been wounded and feene Spencer,
Had fure defcride him. Much prife they have
tane,
The French and Dutch me fpares, onely makes
fpoile
Of the rich Spaniard, and the barbarous Turke. \
And now her fame growes great in all thefe feas.
Suppofe her rich, and forft for want of water
To put into Mamorrah in Barbary,
Where wearied with the habit of a man,
She was difcoverd by the Moores aboord,
Which told it to the amorous King of Feffe,
That ne'er before had Englifh Lady feene.
He fends for her on more, how he receives her,
How me and Spencer meet, muft next/ucceed.
320 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Sit patient then, when thefe are fully told,
Some may hap fay, I, there's a Girle worth gold.
Exeunt. Aft long.
Explicit Aclus quartus.
Attus quintus. Scenaprima.
Enter Mullijheg, Alcade> Joffer, and Attendants, &c.
Mullifheg.
BVt was (he of fuch prefence ?
Ale. To defcribe her
Were to make eloquence dumb.
Mull. Well habited ?
Ale. I ne'er beheld a beauty more compleat.
Mull. Thou haft inflam'd our fpirits. In England
borne ?
Ale. The Captaine fo reported.
Mull. How her (hip 1
Ale. I never faw a braver Veffell faile,
And me is call'd The Negro.
Mull. Ominous
Perhaps to our good fate. She is a Negro
Hath fail'd thus farre to bofome with a Moore.
But for the motion made-to come afhore,
How did me relifli that 1
Ale. I promiil to the Captaine large reward
To winne him to it, and this day he' hath promifl
To bring me her free anfwer.
or, a Girle worth gold. 32 t
Mull. When he comes
Give him the entertainment of a Prince.
Enter a Moore.
The newes with thee ?
Moore. The Captaine of The Negro craves admit
tance
Vnto your Highneffe prefence.
Mill. A Guard attend him, and our nobleft
Bafhawes
Condudl him fafe where we will parly him. Flowrijh.
Enter Goodlacke, and Roughman.
Goodl. Long live the high and mighty King of
Feffe.
Mull. If thou bringft her then dofl thou bring me
life.
Say, will me come ?
Goodl. She will my Lord, but yet conditionally
She may be free from violence.
Mull. Now by the mighty Prophet we adore,
She mall live Lady of her free defires,
Tis love, not force, mufl quench our amorous fires.
Rough. We will conduct her to your prefence
flraight.
Mull. We will have banquets, revels, and what
not
To entertaine this flranger. Hoboyes.
Enter Bejfe Bridges vail'd, Goodlack, Roughman,
Forfet, and Moores.
A goodly prefence ! why's that beauty vail'd ?
Beffe. Long live the King of Feffe.
Mull. I am amaz'd,
This is no mortall creature I behold.
But fome bright Angell that is dropt from heaven,
Sent by our prophet. Captaine, let me thus
Imbrace thee in my armes. Load him with gold
2 Y
322 The faire Maid of the Weft :
For this great favour.
Befs. Captaine, touch it not
.Know King of Feffe my followers want no gold,
I onely came to fee thee for my pleafure,
And mew thee, what thefe fay thou never faw'ft,
A woman borne in England.
Mull. That Englifh earth may well be term'd a
heaven,
That breedes fuch divine beauties. Make me fure
That thou art mortall, by one friendly touch,
Beffe. Keepe off : for till thou fwearfl to my de
mands
I will have no commerce with MulliJJieg,
But leave thee as I came.
Mull. Were't halfe my Kingdome,
That, beautious Englifh Virgin, thou malt have.
Beffe. Captaine reade.
Goodl. Firft, libertie for her and hers to leave the
Land at her pleafure.
Next, fafe conduct to and from her fhip at her
owne difcretion.
Thirdly, to be free from all violence, eyther by the
King or any of his people.
Fourthly, to allow her mariners frefh victuals
aboord.
Fiftly, to offer no further violence to her perfon,
then what hee feekes by kingly ufage, and free in-
treaty,
Mull. To thefe I vow and feale.
Beffe. Thefe being affur'd
Your courtfhip's free, and henceforth we fecur'd.
'Mull. Say Gentlemen of England, what's your
fafhion
And garbe of entertainment ?
Goodl. Our firfl greeting
Begins flill on the lips.
Mill. Fayre creature, mail I be immortaliz'd
With that high favour ?
Tis no irnr-or1on twiner
or y a Girle worth gold. 323
You aske, nor fhame, for Beffe to kiffe a King.
Mul. This kifie hath all my vitalls extafide.
Ron. Captain this king is mightily in love. Wei
let her doe as me lift, He make ufe of his bounty.
' Goodl. We mould be mad men elfe.
Mullifh. Grace me fb much as take your feat by
me.
Beffe. He be fo farre commanded.
Mull. Sweet, your age ?
Beffe. Not fully yet feaventeene.
Mu. But how your birth \ how came you to this
wealth,
To have fuch Gentlemen at your command ?
And what your caufe of travell ?
Beffe. Mighty Prince,
If you defire to fee me beat my breft,
Poure forth a river of increafmg teares,
Then you may urge me to that fad difcourfe.
Mull. Not for Mamorrahs wealth, nor all the
gold
Coyn'd in rich Barbary. Nay fweet arife,
And aske of me be't halfe this kingdomes treafure,
And thou art Lady on't.
Beffe. If I mail aske, 'tmuft be, you will not give.
Our country breedes no beggers, for our hearts
Are of more noble temper.
Mull. Sweet, your name 1
Beffe. Elizabeth.
Mull. There's vertue in that name.
The Virgin Queene fo famous through the world,
The mighty Empreffe of the maiden-He,
Whofe predeceffors have ore-runne great France,
Whofe powerfull hand doth ftill fupport the Dutch,
And keepes the potent King of Spaine in awe/
Is not me titled fo 1
Beffe. She is.
Mull. Hath me her felfe a face fo faire as yours
When me appeares for wonder.
Beffe. Mighty Feffe,
Y 2
324 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
You caft a blufh upon my maiden cheeke,
To patterne me with her. Why Englands Queene
She is the onely Phoenix of her age,
The pride and glory of the Wefterne Ifles :
Had I a thoufand tongues they all would tyre
And faile me in her true defcription.
Mull. Grant me this,
To morrow we fupply our ludgement-feate,
And fentence caufes, fit with us in ftate,
And let your prefence beautifie our Throne.
Befs. In that I am your fervant
Mul. And we thine.
Set on in ftate, attendants, and full traine :
But fmde to aske, we vow thou malt obtaine.
Enter Clem, manet Goodlacke.
Clem. It is not now as when Andrea liv'd,
Or rather Andrew our elder lourneyman :
What, Drawers become Courtiers? Now may I
fpeake
With the old ghoft in leronimo ;
When this eternall fubftance of my foule
Did live imprifoned in this wanton flefh,
I was a Courtier in the Court of Feffe.
Goodl. Oh well done Clem. It is your Miflris
pleafure
None come a more that's not well habited.
Clem. Nay for mine owne part, I hold my felfe as
good a Chriftian in thefe cloaths, as the proudeft In-
fidell of them all.
Enter Alcade and Jojjer.
Alcade. Sir, by your leave, y'are of the Englim
traine ?
Clem. I am fo thou great Monarch of the Mauri-
tanians.
loff. Then tis the Kings command we give you
al attendance.
or, a Girle worth gold. 325
Clem. Great Seignior of the Sarazens I thanke
thee.
Ale. Will you walke in to banquet ?
Clem. I will make bold to march in towards your
banquet, and there comfit my felfe, and cafl all cara-
wayes downe my throat, the beft way I have to con-
ferve my felfe in health : and for your countries fake
which is called Barbery, I will love all Barbers and
Barberies the better :
And for you Moores, thus much I meane to fay,
He fee if Moore I eate the Moore I may.
Enter two Merchants.
i. Merck. I pray fir are you of the Englifh
traine ?
Clem. Why what art thou my friend ]
1. Mer. Sir, a French merchant runne into re-
lapfe,
And forfeit of the Law : heres for you fir
Forty good Barbery peeces to deliver
Your Lady this petition, who I heare
Can all things with the King.
jl Clem. Your gold doth binde me to you : you may
W fee what it is to be a fudden Courtier. I no fooner
1 put my nofe into the Court, but my hand itches for a
bribe already. What's your bufmeffe my friend 1
' 2. Mer. Some of my men for a little outrage
done
Are fentenc'd to the Gallyes.
Clem. To the Gallowes?
2. Mer. No, to the Gallies : now could your Lady
purchafe
Their pardon from the King, heres twenty angels ?
Clem. What are you fir *\
2. Mer. A Florentine Merchant.
Clem. Then you are, as they fay, a Chriflian ?
a. Mer. Heaven forbid elfe.
o
26 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
Clem. I fhould not have the faith to take your gold
elfe.
Attend on mee, He fpeake in your behalfe.
Where be my Bafhawes ? vlher vs in ftate, Florijh.
And when we fit to banquet fee you waite. Exit.
Enter Spencer folus.
Spenc. This day the king afcends his royall
throne,
The honeft Merchant in whofe fhip I came,
Hath by a cunning quiddit in the Law
Both fhip and goods made forfeit to the king,
To whom I will petition. But no more,
Hee's now upon his entrance. Hoboyes.
Enter the King, Bef/e. Goodlacke, Roughman, Alcade,
loffer, with all other Traine.
Mull. Here feat thee Maid of England like a
Queene,
The ftyle wee'll give thee, wilt thou daigne us love.
Beffe. Bleffe me you holy Angels.
Mull. What ift offends you Sweet ?
Spence. I am amaz'd, and know not what to thinke
on't.
Beffe. Captaine, dofl not fee ? Is not that Spencers
ghofU
Goodl. I fee, and like you I am extafide.
Spenc. If mine eyes miflake not,
That mould be Captaine Goodlacke, and that Bejje.
But oh, I cannot be fo happy.
Goodl. Tis he, and He falute him.
Befle. Captaine Hay,
You mail be fwaide by me.
Spenc. Him I wel know, but how mould me come
hither.
Mull. What ift that troubles you *{
or, a Girle worth gold. 327
Befje. Mofl mighty king,
Spare me no longer time, but to beftow
My Captaine on a meffage.
Mull. Thou malt command my filence, and his
eare.
Beffe. Goe winde about, and when you fee leafl
eyes
Are fixt on you, fmgle him out and fee
If we miftake not. If he be the man,
Give me fome private note.
Goodl. This.
Beff. Enough. What faid you highneffe ?
Mull. Harke what I prefer thee, Continue here,
And grant me full fruition of thy love.
Bff. Good.
Mull. Thou mall have all my Peeres to honour
thee
Next our great prophet.
Beffe. Well.
Mull. And when th' art weary of our Sun-burnt
clime,
Thy Ne%ro mall be ballafl home with gold.
Beff. I am eterniz'd ever.
Now all you fad difaflers dare your worft,
I neither care nor feare : my Spencer lives.
Mull. You minde me not fweet Virgin.
Bejfje. You talke of love.
My Lord, He tell you more of that hereafter.
But now to your State-bufmeffe : bid him doe thus
No more, and not be feene till then.
Goodl. Enough: come fir, you muft along with
me.
Beff. Now flood a thoufand deaths before my
face,
I would not change my cheare, fince Spencer's fafe.
Enter Clem and the Merchants.
Clem. By your leave my Mafters : roome for Gene-
rofity.
328 The faire Maid of the Weft :
1. Merck. Pray fir remember me.
2. J/^r. Good fir, my fuit.
Cl. I am perfedl in both your parts without prompt
ing. Miflreffe, here are two chriften friends of mine
have forfeited mips and men to the black a Morrian
king. Now one fweet word from your lips might
get their releafe. I have had a feeling of the bufineffe
; already.
Mid. For dealing in commodities forbid
Y' are fin'd a thoufand duckats.
Beffe. Cafl off the burden of your heavy doome,
A follower of my traine petitions for him.
Mutt. One of thy traine, fweet Befle \
Clem. And no worfe man then my felfe fir.
Mutt. Well, firrah, for your Ladies fake,
His fhip and goods mail be reftor'd againe.
\J i Mer. Long live the King of Feffe.
Clem. Maift thou never want fweet water to warn
thy blacke face in, mofl mighty Monarke of Morocco.
Miflris, another friend, I, and paid before hand.
Mutt. Sirrah, your men for outrage and contempt
Are doom'd unto the Gallies.
Befs. A cenfure too fevere for Chriftians.
reat King, He pay their ranfome.
Mul. Thou my Beffel
Thy word mall be their ranfome, th'are difcharg'd.
What grave old man is that ?
loff. A Chriftian Preacher, one that would convert
Your Moores, and turne them to a new beliefe.
/ Mutt. Then he mail die, as wee are king of
/ Feffe.
\ / JBef. For thefe I onely fpake, for him I kneele,
\|/ If I have any grace with mighty Feffe.
NI Mul. We can deny thee nothing beautious maid,
i A kiffe mall be his pardon.
Bef. Thus I pay't.
Clem. Muft your black face be fmooching my
i Miftreffes white lips with a moorian. I would you had
I kifl her a
Ale. Ha, how is that fir 1
or, a Girle worth gold. 329
Clem. I know what I fay fir, I would he had kift
her a
Alcade. A what ?
Clem. A thoufand times to have done him a
pleafure.
Enter Spencer and Goodlacke.
Mull. That kiffe was worth the ranfome of a
King.
What's he of that brave prefence 1
Beffe. A Gentleman of England, and my friend,
Doe him fome grace for my fake.
Mull. For thy fake what would not I performe ?
Hee mail have grace and honour. loffer, goe
And fee him gelded to attend on us,
|le mall be our chiefe Eunuch.
I Beffe. Not for ten worlds. Behold great king
Ifland
Betwixt him and all danger. Have I found thee ?
Ceaze what I have, take both my fhip and goods,
Leave nought that's mine unrifled : fpare me him.
And have I found my Spencer !
Clem. Pleafe your Majeflie, I fee all men are not
capable of honour, what he refufeth, may it pleafe you
to beftow on me.
Mull. With all my heart. Goe beare him hence
Alcade,
Into our Alkedavy, honour him,
And let him tafte the razor.
Clem. There's honour for me.
Ale. Come follow.
Clem. No fir, He goe before you for mine honour.
Exit.
Spenc. Oh mew your felfe renowned king the
fame
Fame blazons you : beftow this Maid on me,
Tis fuch a gift as kingdomes cannot buy :
She is a prefident of all true love,
330 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
And fhall be regiflered to after times,
That ne're (hall patterne her.
Goodl. Heard you the ftory of their conflant love,
'Twould move in you companion.
Rough. Let not intemperate love fway you bove
That forraigne nation that ne'er heard your name
May chronicle your vertues.
Mull. You have wakend in me an heroick fpirit ;
Lufl mail not conquer vertue . Till this hower
; We grac'd thee for thy beauty Englifh woman,
But now we wonder at thy conflancy.
Bef Oh were you of our faith, Ide fweare great
Mulli/heg
To be a god on earth. And lives my Spencer 1
In troath I thought thee dead.
Spenc. In hope of thee
I liv'd to gaine both life and libertie.
Enter Clem running.
Clem. No more of your honour if you love me. Is
this your Moorim preferment to rob a man of his bell
jewels ?
Mul. Haft thou feene our Alkedavy ?
Clem. Davy doe you call him 1 he may be call'd
fhavee. I am fure he hath tickled my currant com
modity. No more of your cutting honour if you
love me.
Mul. All your ftrange fortunes we will heare
difcourft
And after that your faire efpoufals grace,
If you can finde a man of your beliefe
To doe that gratefull office.
Spenc. None more fit
Then this religious and grave Gentleman
Late refcewed from deaths fentence.
Preacher. None more proud
To doe you that poore fervice.
or y a Girle worth gold. 332
Mul. Noble Englifhman,
I cannot fallen bounty to my will,
Worthy thy merit, move fome fuite to us.
Spencer. To make you more renown'd great king,
and us
The more indebted, theres an Englimman
Hath forfeited his (hip for goods uncuilom'd.
Mul. Thy fuite is granted ere it be halfe begg'd,
Difpofe them at thy pleafure.
Spenc. Mighty king
We are your Highneffe fervants.
Mul. Come beautious Maid,wee'll fee thee crown'd
a bride,
At ail our pompous banquets thefe mall waite.
Thy followers and thy fervants prefie with gold,
And not the mean'ft that to thy traine belongs,
But (hall approve our bounty. Leade in Hate,
And wherefoe'er thy fame mail be inroll'd,
The world report thou art a Girle worth gold.
Explicit AElus quintus*
F I N J S.
THE
FAIR MAID
OF THE WEST.
OR,
A Girle worth gold.
The fecond part.
As it was lately afted before the King and
Queen, with approved liking.
By the Queens Majejlies Comedians.
Written by T. H.
LONDON,
Printed for Richard Royfton, and are to be fold
at his Shop in Ivie Lam. 163 1.
To the true favourer of the
y and all good Arts, Thomas
Hammon, Efquire, of Grazes
Inne, &c.
[He firft part of this work I beftowed
upon your friend Mr. lohn Othow, the
fecond I have confer'd upon you, both
being incorporated into one Houfe, and noble
Societie. The proximitie in your Chambers,
and much familiar conference, having bred a
mutuall correfpondencie betwixt you. The
prime motive inviting me to this Dedication ;
the much love, and many courtefies reflecting
upon me from you both : Being the rather
incouraged thereunto, that though the fubject
it felf carry no great countenance in the Title,
yet it hath not onely paft the cenfure of the
Plebe and Gentrie ; but of the Patricians and
The Epistle Dedicatorie.
Pratextatcz : as alfo of our royall A uguftus and
Lima. The reafon why I have felected you my
Patrons, was to exclude my felf from the num
ber of thofe whom luvenal fpeaks, Satyre 7.
Scire volunt omnes, mercedem folvere nemo.
Pleafe you at any of your more leafur'd houres
to vouchfafe the perufall of thefe Height papers,
your acceptance fhall be my recompence. Re
ceive my wifhes for your earths happineffe in
millions, for your heavens bliffe in myriads.
Taking my leave of you with that in Adelph.
Nunquam ita magnifice quicquam dicam,
Id virtus quinfuperet tua.
Yours plenally devoted
THOMAS HEY WOOD.
To the READER.
Vrteous Reader* if thou bee/1 tired in thefirft
part, I would not wi/h thee to be travel d in
the fecond ; but I hope much better, and that
thou didjl leave in the lajl, as o?ie that came
late to his Inne to reft himfelf for that night, onely with
purpofe to go on with the fecond, as he that rifeth early
the next morning {having refrejtit himfelf) to proceed on
his journey. By this time you cannot choofe but be
acquainted with the moft of our Acts, but not with all ;
and more particularly for Spencer and his weflerne
Beffe. With thefe Countreymen of ours in their fellow -
JJiip, you have heard the beginning of their troubles, but
are not yet come to the end of their travells ; in which
you may accompany them on land, without the prejudice
of deep wayes, or robbers \ and by Sea, free from the
danger of rocks or Pirates \ as neither uflng horfe or
Jhip, more then this book in thine hand, and thy chaire
in thy chamber. More complement I purpofe not, and
(I hope) thou expetlejl not. Farewell.
One ftudious to be thine
T. H.
Dramatis Perfonte.
'HT^Oota, Queen o ^
J_ and wife of Mulli-
fheg. By Theophilus
Bourne.
Bafhaw loffer.
Huffman.
Clem, the Clown.
Mullilheg, King 0/Feffe.
Ba/haw Alcade. By Mr.
Anthonie Turner.
Mr. Spencer.
Copt. Goodlacke.
Forfet.
Beffe Bridges.
A Porter of the kings gate.
A Lieutenant of the Moors.
A Guard.
A Negro.
A Chorus.
A Captain of the Ban-
detti.
The D. of Florence, with
followers. By Mr. loh.
Somner.
The Duke of Mantua. By
Rob. Axall.
The D. of Farara. By
Chrifloph. Goad.
An Engli/h Merchant.
Two Florentine lords.
Pedro Venturo, Generall
at Sea for the D. of Flo
rence.
THE FAIRE MAID
of the Weft :
OR,
A Girle worth Gold.
The fecond part.
Enter Tota Mullifhegs wife.
Tota.
muft not, may not, mall not be indur'd :
Left we for this our Countrey? to be
made
A meere negle<5led Lady here in Feffe,
lave to others, but a fcorne to all 1
Can womanim ambition, heat of blood,
Or height of birth brooke this, and not revenge ?
Revenge ? on whom 1 on mighty Mullijheg 1
We are not fafe then ; On the Englifti ftranger ?
And why on her, when thers no apprehenfion
Z 2
340 The f air e Maid of the We/I :
That can in thought pollute her innocence 1
Yet fomething I mud doe. What ? nothing yet ?
Nor mull we live neglected ; I mould doubt
I were a perfect woman, but degenerate
From mine owne fex if I mould fuffer this :
I have a thoufand projects in my braine,
But can bring none to purpofe.
Enter Ba/haw loffer.
loff. Cal'd your Majeftie ?
Tota. No, yet 1 thinke I did, be gone, yet flay.
Will not this mifhapt Embrion grow to forme ?
Not yet ? nor yet ?
loff. I attend your highneffe pleafure.
Tota. Tis perfea, and I ha'te,
I am ambitious but to thinke upon't,
And if it prove as I have fafhiond it,
I mail be trophide ever.
loff. I wait (till.
Tota. The King no way in perill, (he fecure,
None harm'd, all pleas'd, I fweetly fatisfied,
And yet reveng'd at full. Braine, I for this
Will wreathe thee in a glorious arch of gold,
Stuck full of Indian gemmes. But Tota, whom
Wilt thou imploy in this ? the Moores are treacherous,
And them we dare not truft.
loff. You neede not mee.
Tot. Say, wher's the King 1
loff. I'th Prefence.
Tot. How 1
loff. Diilempered late, and ftrangely numerous,
The caufe none can conjecture.
Tot. Send in his iweet heart,
And were his owne heart double rib'd with brafle,
Yet fhe would fearch the inmoft of his thoughts.
No, 'tis not her on whom I build my project.
Is the King upon his entrance ?
loff. 'Tis thought he is,
or, a Girle worth gold. 341
If fo, this fudden flrange diilemperature
Hath not his purpofe altered.
Tot. You have now leave
To leave us and attend the King.
loff. I (hall.
Tot. If any of the Englilh Ladies traine
Come in your way, you may requeft them hither,
Say, we would queftion fome things of their countrey.
lofi. Madam, I mail,
Tot. Then on to your attendance, what we mud,
Weele worke by th' Englilh, thefe we dare not truft.
Enter Clem meeting loffer.
loff. Tis the Queenes pleafure you attend her.
Clem. The Queene fpeake with me ? Can you
tell the bufmeffe ? A murren of thefe barbers of Bar-
berie, they have given me a receipt, that fcape the
collicke as well as I can, I (hall be fure never to be
troubled with the flone.
loff. Yonder me walkes. I leave ye.
Tot. Now fir, you are of England 1
Clem. And I thinke you are a witch.
Tot. How firrah !
Clem. A foolifh proverbe we ufe in our countrey,
which to give you in other words, is as much as to
fay, You have hit the naile on the head.
Tot. And fervant to the Englifh Elizabeth^
So great in Court by mighty Mulli/keg,
You follow her ?
Clem. I muft confefle I am not her Gentleman
ufher to goe before her, for that way as the cafe ftands
with mee now, I can doe her but fmall pleafure, I doe
follow her.
Tot. You have feene both nations, England and
our Feffe,
How doe our people differ ?
Clem. Our countreymen eate and drinke as yours
doe for all the world, open their eyes when they would
342 Thefaire Maid of the Weft .
fee, and fhut them againe when they would fleepe :
when they goe they fet one leg before another, and
gape when their mouth es open, as yours eate when
they have flomackes, fcratch when it itcheth : onely
I hold our nation to be the cleanlier.
Tot. Cleanlier, wherein ?
, Clem. Becaufe they never fit downe to meat with
jfi^ch foule hands and faces.
Tot. But how your Ladies and choice Gentle
women ?
Clem. You (hall meete fome of them fometimes as
Frefh as flowers in May, and as faire as my Miftrifle,
f 'and within an hower the fame Gentlewoman as blacke
as your felfe, or any of your Morians.
Tot. Can they change faces fo ? not poffible :
Shew me fome reafon fort.
Clem. When they put on their rnaskes.
Tot. Maskes, what are they ?
Clem. Pleafe you to put off yours, and He tell
you.
Tot. We weare none but that which nature hath
beflowed on us, and our births give us freely.
Clem. And our Ladies weare none but what the
(hops yeeld, and they buy for their money.
Tot. Canfl thou be fecret to me Englimman ?
Clem. Yes, and chafl too, I have tane a medicine
ir't.
Tot. Be fixt to me in what I (hall employ thee,
Conftant and private unto my defignes,
More grace and honour I will do to thee,
Then ere thou didfl receive from MulliOieg.
Clem. Grace and honour 1 his grace and honour was
to take away fome part, and (he would honour me to
take away all : He fee you damn'd as deep as the
black father of your generation the devill firft.
Tot. Miflake me not.
Clem. Nay if you were with childe with a young
princely devill, and had a minde to any thing that's
here, Ide make you lofe your longing.
or, a Girle worth gold. 343
Tot. Sure this fellow is fome fot.
Clem. Grace and honour, quotha.
Enter Ruffman.
Ruff. How now Clem, whither in fuch poft haft 1
Clem. There, if you will have any grace and
honour, you may pay fort as deare as I have done ;
'sfoot I have little enough left, I would faine carry
home fomething into my own countrey.
Ruff. Why, what's the matter ? I prethee flay.
Clem. No, Lieutenant you mail pardon me, not I,
the room is too hot for me : lie be gone, do you ftay
at your own perill : He be no longer a prodigall, He
keep what I have.
Exit Clem.
Tot. This mould have better fenfe, He next prove
him.
Ruff. Excufe me mighty Princeffe, that my bold-
neffe
Hath preft thus far into your privacies.
Tot. You no way have offended ; nay, come
neare,
We love to grace a ftranger.
Ruff. 'Twas my ignorance,
And no pretended boldneffe.
Tot. I have obferved you
To be of fome command amongft the Englifh,
Nor make I queftion but that you may be
Of fair revennues.
Ruff. A poore Gentleman.
Tot. Weel make thee rich \ fpend that.
Ruff. Your graces bounty
Exceeds what merit can make good in me :
I am your highneffe fervant.
Tot. Let that Jewell
Be worne as our high favour.
Ruff. 'Sfoot I think
344 Tkefaire Maid of the Weft:
This Queen's in love with me. Madam, I fhall.
Tot. If any favour I can do in Court
Can make you further gracious, fpeak it freely ;
What power we have is yours.
Ruff. Doubtleffe it is fo, and I am made for
ever.
Tot. Nay wee fhall take it ill
To give our felves fo amply to your knowledge,
And you not ufe us.
Ruff. Vfe us, now upon my life fhee's caught ;
What, courted by a Queene ? a royall Princeffe ;
Where were your eyes JJefle, that you could not fee
Thefe hidden parts and mifteries, which this Queene
Hath in my fhape obferved ? 'tis but a fortune
That I was borne to, and I thanke heaven fort.
Tot. May I trufl you ?
Ruff. With your life, with your honour.
He be as private to you as your heart
Within your bofome, clofe as your owne thoughts.
He bragge of this in England, that I once
Was favourite to a Queene, my royall miftris.
Tot. If what you have already promifed youle
make good,
He prove fo.
Ruff. Madam, let this,
Tot. What?
JRuff. This kiffe.
Tot. This foole, this affe, this infolent gull.
Ruff. Why, did not your grace meane plainely ?
Tot. In what, fir ?
Ruff. Did you not court me 1
Tot. How, that face?
Thinkeft thou I could love a Monkey, a Babone ?
Know, were I mounted in the height of lufl,
And a mere proflitute, rather then thee
Ide imbrace, one, name but that creature
That thou doft thinke mofl odious.
Ruff. Pardon me, Lady,
I humbly take my leave.
or, a Girle worth gold. 345
Tot. Have I given you your defcription I pray,
fir,
Be fecret in 't
Ruff. I (hall be loath to tell it,
Or publifh it to any.
Tot. Yet you are not gone : Know then you have
in cur' d
The Kings wrath firft, our high difpleafure next,
The leaft of which is death ; yet will you grow
More neare to us, and prove loyall unto my prefent
purpofes
I will not onely pardon you what's paft
But multiply my bounties.
Ruff. ' I am your prifoner.
Tot. Be free, ther's nothing can be cal'd offence,
But that in thee we pardon.
Ruff. I am fad.
Tot. And yet a free man : I am injur'd highly,
And thou muft aide me in my jufl revenge.
Ruff. Were it to combate the mofl valiantfl
Moore
That ever Feffe, Morocko, or Argiers bred,
I ior your fake would doe it.
Tot. We feeke nor blood,
Nor to expofe thee to the leaft ot danger :
I am mod eft, and what I dare not truft my owne
tongue with,
Or thoughts, lie bouldly give unto thine eares,
Lift : Do you (hake your head, (ay, Is 't done al
ready ?
Ruff. Wrong my friend ?
Tot. Doe you caft doubts or dangers? Is not
our life,
Our honour all in your hand, and will you lavifli us,
Or fcant that bounty mould crowne you with ex-
ceffe.
Ruff.' He paufe upon 't
Tot. Is not your life ours by your infolence 1
346 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Have not we power to take it ?
Ruff. Say no more, He doe it.
Tot. But may I hope.
Ruff. I have caft all doubts, and know how it may
be compaft.
Tot. Ther's more gold, your iecrefie that's all I
crave.
Ruff. To prove my felfe in this juft caufe I
have,
An honefl man, or a pernicious knave.
Tot. Take the advantage of this night.
Ruff. I mall expea faire end,
All doubts are caft.
Tot. So make a Queen thy friend. Recorders.
Enter Mullijheg, loffer, and Alcade, Spencer, Goodlack,
Beffe, and the reft.
Mul. All mufick's harm, command thefe difcords
ceafe,
For we have war within us.
Beffe. Mighty King,
What is 't offends your highneffe 1
Mul. Nothing Beffe \
Yet all things do : Oh, what did I beftow,
When I gave her away.
Beffe. The Queen attends you.
Mull. Let her attend.
Tot. I, King, negleaed ftill,
My juft revenge mail wound, although not kill.
Mull. I was a traitor to my own defires,
To part with her fo fleightly ; what, no means
To alter thefe proceedings ?
Spence. Strange difturbances.
Goodl. What might the project be 1
Ale. May it pleafe your Highneffe, mail the Mask
go forward,
That was intended to grace this joviall night 1
or> a Girle worth gold. 347
Mull. Wee'll have none, Let it be treafon held
To any man that lhall but name our pleafure,
Or that vain word, delight ; The more I gaze,
The more I furfet ; and the more I flrive
To free me from thefe fires, I am deeper wrapt :
In flames I burne.
Spence. Your difeontent, great Prince, takes from
us all
The edge of mirth : thefe nuptiall ioyes that mould
Have fweld our fouls with all the fweet varieties
Of apprehenfive wifhes, with your fadneffe
Grows dull and leaden : they have loft their tafte
In this your difeontent all pleafures lofe their fweet-
nefle.
Betf. Mighty Feffe,
Hath any ignorant negle6l in us
Bred thefe diflurbances *?
Mull. Offence and you
Are like the warring elements, oppos'd.
And Feffe, why a king, and not command thy plea
fure ?
Is fhe not within our kingdome ? nay, within our
palace,
And therefore in our power : is fhe alone
That happineffe that I defire on earth 1
Which fmce the heavens have given up to mine
hands,
Shall I defpife their bounty ? and not rather
Run through a thoufand dangers to enjoy,
Their prodigall favours ? dangers 1 tufh, ther's none :
We are here amidfl our people, wall'd with fubjec~ls
round,
And danger is our Have : befides, our war
Is with weak woman. Oh, but I have fworn
And feal'd to her fafe conduct ; What of that ?
Can a king fweare againft his own defires,
Whofe welfare is the finews of his Realm ?
I mould commit high treafon gainft my felf,
Not to do that might give my foul content,
348 The f air e Maid of the Well :
And fatisfie my appetite with fulneffe.
Alcade.
Alcad. My lord.
Mull. Rides the Englifh Negro ftill within our
harbour ?
Alcad. Some league from land.
Mull. Left that thefe Englifh fhould attempt
efcape,
Now they are laden fully with our bounties,
Cafl thou a watchfull eye upon thefe two.
Alcad. I mail.
Mull. I know their loves fo fervent and entire,
They will not part afunder, (he leave him,
Or he without her make efcape to fea.
Then while the one's in fight our hopes are fafe.
Be that thy charge.
Alcad. He be an Argus o're them.
Goodl. Vnleffe the King be flill in love with
Beffe,
Repenting him of their late manage,
Tis beyond wonder to calculate thefe flormes.
Mull. How goes the hower ?
Alcad. About fome fower.
Mul. We rofe too foon Bejfe from your nuptiall
feafls,
Something we tafled made us ftomack fick,
But now we finde a more contentfull change.
Beff. Your funfhine is our day.
Mul. Difpofe your felves
All to your free defires ; to dancing fome,
Others to mount our flately Barberie horfe,
So famous through the world for fwift carere
Stomack, and fierie pace. Thofe that love arms,
Mount for the tilt : this day is yours, to you tis confe-
crate.
He commits treafon in the higheft degree,
Whofe cloudy brow dares the leaft tempefl mew
To croffe what we intend : pleafure mail fpring
From us to flow on you.
or, a Girle worth gold. 349
AIL Long live the King.
Exeunt. Manet Goodlack.
MulL To your free paftimes ; leave us. Captain,
flay.
Captain, I read a fortune in thy brow.
More then the flight prefage of augurie,
Which tells me thou, and onely thou art mark't
To make me earthly blefl.
GoodL That I can do't ?
MulL It lies in thee to raife thy ruin'd fortunes
As high as is a Viceroy's, wreathe thy front
Within a circled piramis of gold,
And to command in all our territories,
Next to our perfon.
GoodL Golden promifes.
MulL Our words are acts, our promifes are deeds,
We do not feed with ayre : it lies in thee,
We two may grapple, fouls, be friends and brothers.
GoodL Teach me how.
MulL I do not find thee comming : in thy looks
I cannot fpie that frefh alacritie,
Which with a glad and fprightfull forwardneffe,
Should meet our love half way.
GoodL You wonder me.
MulL No, thou art dull, or fearfull, fare thee well,
Thou hadft a fate lade up to make thee chronicled
In thy own Countrey, but thou wilt bafely lofe it,
Even by thine own neglect.
GoodL Forefpeak me not,
The Sun nere met the fummer with more joy
Then I'd embrace my fortunes ; but to you,
Great king, to whom I am fo greatly bound,
I'de purchas't with a danger mould fright earth,
Aflonifh heaven, and make all hell to tremble ;
I am of no fhrinking temper.
Mull. Proue but s wife as thou art bould and
valiant,
And gain me wholly to thee, half thou hafl already ,
350 The fair e Maid of the We/I:
Purchaft by this bold anfwer ; but perform
The reft, and we are all and onely thine.
Goodl. Shew me the way
To gain this royall purchafe, if I do't not,
Divide me from your prefence, from your grace,
And all thofe glorious hopes you have propos'd
Turne into fcorns and fcandalls.
Mull. I am dull,
And drowfie on the fudden : whilfl I fleep,
Captain, read there.
He counter/ ets fleep, and gives him a letter.
GoodL To make Beffe mine fome fecret means devife^
To thy own height and heart lie make thee
rife.
Is not this ink the blood of Bafililks,
That kills me in the eies, and blindes me fo,
That I can read no further : 'twas compos'd
Of Dragons poyfon, and the gall of Afpes,
Of Serpents venome, or of Vipers flings,
It could not read fo harm elfe : Oh my fate ;
Nothing but this ? this ? Had a parliament
Of fiends and furies in a fynod fat,
And devis'd, plotted, parlied, and contriv'd,
They fcarce could fecond this ; This ] 'tis unparallel'd :
To ftrumpet a chafl Lady, injure him
That rates her honour dearer then his life.
T' imploy a friend in treafons gainfl his friend,
And put that friend to do't : t' impofe on me
The hatefull ftile and blot of pandarifme,
That am a Gentleman : nay, worfe then this,
Make me in this a traytor to my countrey,
In giving up their honours : Who but a Moor,
Of all that beares mans fhape, likeft a devill,
Could have devis'd this horrour ? Poffible
That he mould mark out me ? What does my face
Prognosticate, that he mould finde writ there
An index of fuch treafons ? But beware,
'Twas his own plot, I, and his cunning too :
or> a Girle worth gold. 351
He adde that to his project : but a Viceroy,
And a kings Minion, titles that will fhadow
Ills the moft bafe and branded. Not to do it
May purchafe his difpleafure, which can be
No leffe then death or bondage : heer's proposed
Honour and perill. But what writes he further ;
We are impatient of delay es^ this night
Let it be done.
I am doubtfull of my purpofe,
And can refolve of nothing.
Mulii/heg ftarts out of his chaire as from a dream.
Mull. If he fail,
He have his flefh cut fmall as winters fnow
Or fummers attorns.
GoodL Ha, was that by us ?
Mull. Where was I ? Oh, I dream't upon the
fudden,
How fail was I.
GoodL A faire warning 'twas, have you the cun
ning
To fpeak your thoughts in dreams 1
Mull. Who's i'th next room 1
GoodL My lord.
Muil. My Captain, was it thou 1
Sleep did furprife my fenfes, worthy friend,
And in my dreams I did remember thee.
GoodL How, me my lord 1
Mull. Me thought I had emploid thee in a bufi-
neffe,
In which thou wert or fearfull, or elfe falfe,
At which I was fo overcome with rage,
That from my dreams I ftarted.
GoodL Seamen fay,
When Halcions fing, look for a ftorme that day ;
Ther's death in my deniall.
Mull. Did you read,
The fcrowl we gave you Captain, ther's wrapt up
A thoufand honours for thee, and more gold
Then fhouldft thou live a double Neflors age,
352 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Thou couldft finde waies to lavifh.
Goodl. Add to your work a bufmeffe of more
danger,
That I may think me worthy, otherwife
This Height employment will but prize me low
And of defertleffe merit.
Mull. Think'ft thou Captain
It may be eafily compafl ?
Goodl. Dare you truft me ?
Mull. I dare.
Goodl. Then know, befides to dare and can,
I will, though work beyond the power of man,
He fet my brains in aclion.
Mull. Noble friend,
Above thy thoughts our honours mail extend.
Goodl. I am not to be fhaken.
Mull. Where be our Eunuchs ?
Wee'l crown our hopes and wifhes with more pomp
And fumptuous cofl, then Priam did his fons,
That night he bofom'd Hellen fhee's as fair,
And wee'l command our pomp to be as rare.
Wee will have torches mail exceed the ftars
In number and in brightneffe : we will have
Rare change of mufick ftirill and high,
That mail exceed the fpheres in harmonic.
The jewels of her habit mall reflea,
To daze all eyes that mall behold her (late.
Our treafure mail like to a torrent rum
Streams of rewards, richer than Tagus fands,
To make thefe Englifh flrangers fwim in gold.
In wilde Moriskoes we will lead the bride :
And when with full fatieties of pleafures
We are dull and fatiate, at her radiant eyes
Kindle frefh appetite, fmce they afpire,
T' exceed in brightneffe the high orbs of fire.
Make this Night mine, as we are King of fef/e,
Th' art Viceroy, Captain. Exit Mulli/Jicg.
Goodl. Make my eflate much leffe,
And my attempts more honourable: honour and
vertue,
or, a Girle worth gold. 353
To me feem things in oppofition :
Nor can we with fmall danger catch at one,
But we mufl lofe the other. Oh my brain,
In what a labyrinth art thou ? Say I could
Be falle, as he would make me ; what device 2
What plot ? what train have I to compaffe it ?
Or with what face can I follicite her,
In treafon towards my friend \
Enter Ruffman*
Ruff. I am to follicite Spencer
To lie with the Moors Queen ; a bufmefle, Bejje
Will hardly thank me for : but howfoever
I have undertane it.
Goodl. Impoflibilities all ; the more I wade,
The more I drown in weakneffe.
Ruff. Captain.
GoodL Oh Lieutenant,
Never was man perplext thus.
Ruff. What, as you ?
Had you but my difturbance in your brain,
'Twould tax a Stoicks wit, or Oedipus.
Why Captain, a whole fchool of Sophifters
Could not unriddle me.
GoodL I would we might change bufmeffe.
Ruff. I would give boot fo to be rid of mine.
Goodl. Shall we be free and open breafled ?
Ruff. How ?
Goodl. As thus ;
Tell me thy grievances, and unto thee
I will.unvail my bofome : both difclos'd
He beg in mine thy counfell and afliflance,
Thy caufe mail mine command.
Ruff. A heart, a hand.
Goodl. I am to woo fair JBeffe to lie with Mulli-
Jheg.
Ruff. And I woo Spencer to embrace the Queen.
GoodL Is't poffible %
2 A A
,54 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
"Tis more then poffible, 'tis abfolutely pafl.
Ther's not a hair to chofe, canft counf(
Ruff.
Goodl,
me?
Ruff. Can you advife me ?
Goodl. I am pafl my wits.
Ruff. And I beyond all fenfe.
Goodl. Wouldft thou do't, here lay the way plain
before thee.
Ruff. What, for gold
Betray my friend and countrey, would you Captain 1
Goodl. What and wear a fword
To guard my honour and a Chriftians faith,
I'de flefli it here firfl.
Ruff. Nobly refolued.
Goodl. We are not fafe Lieutenant, Moors are
trecherous.
Nay come, thy counfell, Feffe hath proferd me
The honour of a Viceroy ; and withall,
If I mould fail performance, cunningly
Hath threatned me with death.
Ruff. You flill propofe
The danger, but you mew no way to clear them.
Goodl. Brain, let me waken thee, s'foot had thou
no projecl? doil thou pertake my dulneffe ?
Ruff. The more I drive, the more I am intangled.
Goodl. And I too. Not yet ?
Ruff. Nor yet, nor ever.
Goodl. 'Twas comming here, and now again 'tis
vanifht.
Ruff. Cal't back again for heavens fake.
Goodl. Again.
Ruff. Thanks heaven.
Goodl. And now again 'tis gone.
Ruff. Can you not catch fad hold on't ?
Goodl. Give me way,
Let's walk Lieutenant : Could a man propofe
A dratagem to gull this ludfull Moor,
To fupply him, and then to fatiate her ?
Ruff. Good.
or y a Girle worth gold. 355
GoodL Next, out of all thefe dangers fecure us,
And keep our treafure fafe.
Ruff. 'Twere excellent.
GoodL But how (hall this be done ?
Ruff. Why Captain, know not you ?
GoodL Think'ft thou it in the power of man to
work it ?
Yet come, He try, I owe my fate a death,
Be fwaid by me in all things.
Ruff. Noble Captain,
I do not wifh to outlive thee.
Explicit Aflus primus.
AElus fecundus, Scena prima.
Enter Spencer, Betfe, and Clem.
Spencer.
THe King was wondrous pleafant : Oh my JBe/fc,
How much am I indebted to his highneffe,
Onely for gracing thee.
JBeffe. Could my Spencer
Think that a barbarous Moor could be fo train'd
In humain vertues ?
Clem. Fie upon't : I am fo tir'd with dancing with
thefe fame black fhee-chimney-fweepers, that I can
fcarce fet the beft leg forward, they have fb tir'd me
with their Morifcoes, and I have fo tickled them with
our Countrey dances, Sellengers round, and Tom Tiler :
we have fo riddled it.
Spenc. Sirrah, what news will you tell to your
friends when you return into England.
A A 2
356 The fair e Maid of the Weft:
Clem. Brave news, which though I can neither
write nor read, yet I have committed them to my
tables and the reft of my memory.
Spenc. Let's heare fome of your novelties.
Clem. Firft and foremoft I have obferved the wif-
dome of thefe Moors, for fome two dayes fmce being
invited to one of the chief Bo/haws to dinner, after
meat, fitting by a huge fire, and feeling his fhins to
burn, I requefted him to pull back his chaire, but he
very underftandingly fent for three or four Mafons and
removed the chimney : the fame Morian intreated me
to lie with him, and I according to the ftate of my
travells, willing to have a candle burning by, but he
by no meanes would grant it ; I ask't him why 1 No,
fayes he, wee'll put out the light that the fleas may not
know where to finde us.
Enter Goodlack and Ruffman.
Spenc. No ftorm at fea could be fo tyranous,
Nor half th' affright beare in his forehead bare,
As I fpie in that look.
Beffe. Let not your looks prefage more terrours
then
Your tongues can fpeak; out with't at once Lieu
tenant,
Spenc. Captain fpeak.
Goodl. Ware all loft.
Ruff. All fhipwrak't.
Clem. Are we afhore, and mail wee be caft away ?
Spenc. Great Mullijheg is royall.
Goodl. Falfe to you.
Beffe. Gratious and kinde.
Ruff. Difloyall to us all.
Spenc. Wrap me not in thefe wonders worthy
friend,
The very doubt of what the danger is,
Is more then danger can be.
Beff. Be it death,
or, a Girle worth gold. 357
So we may dye together : heer's a heart
Fear never could affright.
Goodl. The king flill loves your Beffe.
Spenc. Ha ?
Ruff. The Queen your Spencer.
Beff. How ?
Goodl. This night he muft enjoy her.
Ruff. And (he him.
Spenc. A thoufand deaths are in that word con-
triv'd.
He make my paffage through the blood of kings,
Rather then fuffer this.
Beff. I through hell,
Or were there place more dangerous.
Goodl. Elfe all die.
Clem. Die, 'sfoot this is worfe then being made an
Eunuch as I was.
Spenc. We have yet life, and therefore cherim
hope.
Goodl. All hopes are banifht in the deep abyffe
Of our perplexed thoughts.
Ruff. All things run retrograde.
Beff. Why Captain ? why Lieutenant ? had you the
skill
To bring my fhip thus far, to wrack her here "?
Pad you the Ocean, to perifh in the harbour ]
Thou, Tom Goodlack, wert ever true and juft
To my defignes, and canil thou fail me now ?
Goodl. I ftudie for you.
Befi. Haft thou brought me but
To fee my Spencers fhadow, and not enjoy
The fubftance : for what more have I yet had
From him, then from his picture that once hung
In my Chamber. Gentlemen, amongft you all
Refcue an innocent maid from violence :
Or do but fay it cannot be prevented :
I begin, he that beft loves me follow.
Spenc. What means Beffe ?
Goodl. If it could be fafhion'd to my thoughts,
358 Thefalre Maid of the We/I:
And have fuccefle, 'twere brave.
Spenc. What, noble friend ?
Goodl. To thrive but as we purpofe.
Spence. Have you way ?
Goodl. 'Tis but a defperate courfe; and if
fail
The worft can be but death : and I, even I,
That laid the plot, will teach them how to dye.
He lead them on.
Spenc. If thou haft any project.
Beff. loy or comfort.
Ruff. And if not comfort, counfell.
Goodl. Say it thrive 1
Spenc. What Captain ? what 1
Goodl. You'l rip it from the wombe
Ere it be fully hatch't now :
If it profper but to my defire and wifhes,
'Twere admirable.
Spenc. No longer hold us in fufpence, good Cap
tain,
But free us from thefe fears.
Goodl. You noble friend,
This night caft gracious eyes upon the Queen :
Be//. And prove to me difloyall ?
Goodl. Still you croffe me,
And make the birth abortive. You fair Beffe^
With amourous favours entertain the King.
Spenc. And yeeld her felf to his intemperate
luftf
Goodl. You ftill prevent me ; either give me way
To mew you light unto your liberties,
Or ftill remain in darkneffe.
Ruff. Heare him out.
Goodl. You footh the Queen, lie flatter with the
King }>
Let's promife fayre on both fides : fay, 'tis done
All to their own defires.
Spenc. The event of this ?
Geodl* A happy freedome, with a fafe efcape
or, a Girle worth gold. 359
Vnto our fhip this night.
Beff. Oh, could this be.
Goodl. Fortune affifts the valiant and the bold,
Wee'll bid fare for't I had forgot my felf,
Wher's Clem ?
Clem. Noble Captain.
Goodl. Pofl to the Ihip, bid Forfet man the long
Boat
With ten good Musketiers, and at a watchword,
If we can free our paffage, take us in.
Nay make hafle, one minuts flay is death.
Clem. I am gone in a twinkling.
Goodl. To compaffe the Kings fignet; then to
command
Our paffage, fcape the gates and watches too :
For that I have brain. The King's upon his en
trance ;
Howers waft, revells come on,
A thoufand projects of death, hopes, and fears,
Are warring in my boforne, and at once.
Eye you the Queen, and humour you the King ;
Let no diftafl nor difcontented brow
Appeare in you : their lufl He make the ground,
To fet all free, or keep your honour found.
Difperfe, the King's on comming. FlouriJJi.
Enter Mullijheg, Tota, loffer, and Alcade.
Mull. We confecrate this evening, beautious
Bride,
To'th honour of your nuptialls. Is all done ?
Goodl. Done.
Tot. Is he ours ?
Ruff. Yours.
Tot. And wee ever thine.
Goodl. I, and fo call, that me mail grafp you
freely,
And think me hugs her Spencer.
Ruff. And when he bofoms you, thinkes he in
folds
360 The fair e Maid of the We/I :
His lovely Beffe.
Tot. Thou mak'ft a Queen thy fervant.
Goodl. Your highneffe Signet to command our
paffage from chamber to chamber.
Mull. 'Tis there.
Goodl. The word.
Mull. 'Tis Mullijheg^
Goodl. This muft bring us iafe aboard.
Mull. We keep the Bride
Too long from refl now, me is free for bed.
Tot, Pleafe her to accept it,
In 'honour of her beauty, this night He do her any
fervice.
Beffe. Mighty princeffe,
Excufe my breeding from fuch arrogance,
And overbold prefumption, you nor yours
Can owe me any duty : 'tis befides
The faihion of our countrey, not to trufl
The fecrets of a nuptiall night like this,
To the eyes of any flranger.
Tot. At your pleafure.
efl. With our firft nights unlacing, mighty
Queen,
We dare not trufl our husbands, 'tis a modeftie
Our Englifh maids profeffe.
Mull. Keep your own cuftomes as you (hall think
beft,
So for this night we leave you to your refl.
Tot. Remember.
Ruff. 'Tis writ here.
Mull. Captain.
Exeunt. Manet Goodlack.
Goodl. I am faft,
Now is my task in labour, and is plung'd
In thoufand throes of childebirth, dangerous it is
To deal where kings affaires are quefliond,
Or may be parled. But what's he fo bafe,
That would not all his utmofl powers extend,
or, a Girle worth gold. 361
For freedome of his countrey and his friend.
When all the Court is filent, funk in dreams,
Then muft my fpirits awake. By this the King
H'as tane his leave of bride and bridegroome too :
And th' amorous Queen longs for fome happy news
From Ruffman, as great Feffe expects from us.
My friend and Beffe wrapt in a thoufand fears,
To finde my plot in action : and it now
Muft take new life : aufpitious fate thy aide,
To guard the honour of this Englifh maid. Exit.
Enter Ruff man ujhuring the Queen.
Ruff. Tread foft, good Madam.
Tot. Is this the Camber.
Ruff. He bring him inftantly.
He thinks this bed provided for his Beffe,
And that me lodges here, while me poore foul
Embraceth nought but ayre.
Tot. Thou mak'fl a Queen thy fervant.
Ruff. Beware, be not too loud left that your
tongue
Betraies you.
Tot. Mute as night,
As filent and as fecret. Wrongs mould be
Paid with wrongs, for lo indeed 'tis meet,
My juft revenge, though fecret yet 'tis fweet.
Hafle time, and haft our bounty.
Ruff. Queen I mail.
So now were we all fafe and in our Negro fhipt,
Might'ft thou lie there till dooms day, luftfull Queen.
Exit.
Enter Goodlack and the King.
Goodl. My lord the cuftome is in England ftill
For maids to go to bed before their husbands,
It faves their cheek from many a modeft blufh.
King. And in the dark.
362 The faire Maid of the Weft :
Goodl. We life it for the mofl part.
King. Soft may their bones lie in their beds of
afties
That brought this cuftome into England firft.
Goodl. This is the place where Beffe experts her
Spencer.
King. Thou Viceroy of Argiers, for Captain, that
Is now thy title : thou haft won a King,
To be thy breaft companion.
Goodl. Not too loud.
Why enters not your highneffe ? you are fafe.
King. With as much joy as to our prophets reft.
But what thinks Spencer of 'this ?
Goodl. I have fhifted in her place
A certain Moor, whom I have hir'd for money,
Which (poore foul) he entertains for Beffe.
King. My excellent friend.
Goodl. Beware of conference, left your tongue
reveals
What this fafe darkneffe hides.
King. I am all filent.
Oh, thou contentfull night, into thy arms,
Of all that ere I tafted, fweeteft and beft,
I throw me, more for pleafure then for reft.
Exit King.
Goodl. One fury clafpe another, and there beget
Young devills between you : fo fair Beffe be fafe.
I have here the kings fignet, this will yeeld us
Way through the court and city, Beffe being mask't,
How can me be difcride, when none fufpecl,
Our flight this day not dream't on : now to execute
What was before purpos'd, which if it fpeed,
He fay the heavens have in our fates agreed. Exit.
Enter Beffe, Spencer, and Ruffman.
Spenc. How goes the night ?
Ruff. Tis fome two howers from day.
Beffe. Yet no news from the Captain.
or, a Girle worth gold. 363
Ruff. I have done a Midwives part, I have brought
the Queen to bed, I could do no more.
Enter Goodlack.
Spenc. The Captain is come.
Beffe. Thy news.
Goodl. All fafe, faith wench, I have put them to it
for a fmgle combate, I have left them at it.
Beffe. King and Queen.
Goodl. The fame.
Ruff. Now for us.
Goodl. I, ther's all the danger, ther's one Bafhaw
Whofe eye is fixt on Spencer, and he now
Walks e'ne before our lodging.
Beffe. Then what's part,
Is all yet to no purpofe.
Goodl. He and I
May freely pafle the Court : and you fair Beffe,
I would difguife : but then for Spencer ?
Beffe. Why that's the main of all : all without his
freedome
That we can aime at's, nothing.
Spenc. It mail be thus, which alter none that loves
me.
With this fignet you three mall paffe to 'th fhip
Whil'fl I'me in fight me will not be fufpecled :
My efcape, leaue to my own fair fortunes.
Beffe. How that ?
Spenc. Through twenty Balhaws I will hew my
way
But I will fee thee e're morning.
Beffe. Think'ft thou Spencer
That I will leave thee 1 thinkfl thou that I can ?
Thou maifl as well part body from the foul,
As part us now : It is our wedding night,
Would' ft now divide us ?
Spenc. Yeeld to times neceffities,
And to our flricl: difafters.
364 The fair e Maid of the We/I:
GoodL Words are vain,
We now muft cleave to action : our Hay's death,
And if we be not quick in expedition,
We all perifh.
Spenc. Beffe, be fwaid.
Beffe. To go to fea without thee,
And leave thee fubjecl unto a tyrants cruelty 1
He dye a thoufand deaths firft.
Spenc. Firft fave one,
And by degrees the reft. When thou haft paft
The perills of this night, I am half fafe,
But whilft thou art ftill invirond, more then better
Half of my part's indanger'd.
GoodL Talk your felves
To your deaths, do : will you venter forth ?
Leave me to the Bafhaw.
Ruff. Or me, He buffet with him for my paflage.
Spenc. Neither, in what 1 purpofe I am conftant.
Conduct her fafe ; th' advantage of the night
He take for my efcape : and my fweet Beffe^
If in the morning I behold thee not
Safe within my Negro, be affur'd
I am dead. Nay, now delaies are vain.
Beffe. Sir, did you love me,
You would not (lay behinde me.
Spenc. He ha't lo.
Gentlemen, be charie of this Jewell
That throws herfelf into the armes of night,
Vnder your conduct. If I live, my Beffe^
To morrow He not fail thee.
Beffe. And if thou dieft to morrow, be affur'd
To morrow He be with thee.
Spenc. Shall thy love
Betray us all to death.
Beffe. Well, I will go,
But if thou doft mifcary, think the Ocean
To be my Bride-bed.
Spenc. Heaven for us,
That power that hath preferv'd us hitherto,
or, a Girle worth gold. 365
Will not let's fink now. And, brave gentlemen,
Of the Moors bounty beare not any thing
Vnto our (hip, left they report of us,
We fled by night and rob'd them.
Goodl. Nobly refolv'd.
Spenc. Now embrace and part ; and my fweet
Befje,
This be thy comfort gainft all future fears,
To meet in mirth that now divide in tears :
Farewell Beffe, He back into my chamber.
Bejfe. Can I part with life
In more diftracled horrour ?
GoodL You ipoil all
That we before have plotted.
Will you mask your felf, and to the Porter firft,
Ho, Porter.
Enter Porter.
Porter. Who calls ?
GoodL One from the King.
Porter. How (hall I know that ?
Goodl. This token be your warrant, behold his
fignet.
Porter. That's not enough, the Word.
Goodl. Mulli/heg.
Port. Pafie freely: fome weighty bufmeffe is in
hand
That the kings fignet is abroad fo late j
But no matter, this is my difcharge, He to my reft.
Exit Porter.
Enter Alcade.
Alcad. I much fufpect,
Thefe Englifh 'mongft themfelves are treacherous :
I have obferv'd, the king had conference with the
Captain : many whifperings and paffages I have ob-
ferved, but that which makes me moft fufpecl is,
366 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
becaufe the King hath removed his lodging, and it
may be to proftitude the Englilh Maid : Ha, fufpecl
laid I ; nay, examine things exactly, and 'tmufl needs
be fo, the King is wondrous bountifull, and what i'fl
gold cannot. Troth I could even pitty the poore for
lorn Englimman, who this night muft be forc't lie
alone, and have the king tafle to him.
Enter Spencer.
Spenc. Sure this Moore hath been made private to
the Kings intents, which if I finde, He make him the
inflrument for me to paffe the Court gates. This
man, whofe office was to keep me, mall be the onely
means to free me.
Alcad. On his marriage night, and up at this
hower ? nay, if I once fufpect, 'tis as firme as if it
were confirmed by Alkaron, or Mahomet himfelf had
fworn it :
He fport my felf with his diftaft and forrow.
Spenc. Thus abus'd.
Alcad. What up fo late and on your bridall night
When you mould lie lul'd in the faft imbrace
Of your fair Miftriffe. I hope I have given' t him
foundly.
Spenc. s' poflible,
To lodge my bride in one place, and difpofe me
To a wrong chamber : me not once fend to me,
That I might know to finde her.
Alcad. Excellent.
Nay, if I once fufpecl, it never fails.
Spenc. He not tak't
At th' hands of an Empreffe, much lefle at hers.
Alcad. Why what's the bufmeffe, Sir ? Oh, I gueffe
the caufe of your griefe.
Spenc. And Sir, you may, but He be reveng'd.
Alcad. Troth and I would.
Spenc. He bofome fome body,
Be it the common'fl Curtezan in Feffc,
or> a Girle worth gold. 367
If not for love, to vex her.
Alcad. Can you do leffe ?
Spenc. To leave me the firfl night.
Alcad. Oh, 'twas a figne Ihe never dearly lov'd
you
Spenc. I perceive Bafhaw Alcade you underftand
my wrongs.
Alcad. In part, though not in whol.
Spenc. Your word is warrant, paffe me the court
gate,
He to fome loofe Burdello, and tell her when I have
done.
Alcad. Were it my caufe, Ide do this, and more.
Spenc. Make me wait thus !
Alcad. Oh Sir, 'tis infufferable.
Spenc. Troth I dally my revenge too long, what
ho, Porter.
Port. How now, who calls ?
Alcad. Her's Bafhaw Alcade, turn the key.
Port. His name commands my gate, paffe freely.
Spenc. Sir, I am bound to you,
To take this wrong I mould be held no man.
Now to the watch, fcape there as I can. Exit.
Alcad. Ha, ha, fo long as Ihe fleeps in the arms
of Feffe, let him pack where he pleafes : Porter,
now hee's without, let him command his entrance
no more, neither for reward nor intreaty, till day
breaks.
Port. Sir, he mall not.
Alcad. Tis well we are fo rid of him : Mullijheg
will give me great thanks for this.
He to his chamber, there attend without,
Till he (hall waken from his drowfie reft,
And then acquaint him with this fortunate jeft.
Alarum.
Enter loffer, Lieutenant, Spencer prif oner and wounded,
loff. Sir, though we wonder at your noble deeds,
368 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
Yet I mud do the office of a fubjecl,
And take you prifoner : by that noble blood
That runs in thefe my veins, when I behold
The flaughter you have made, which wonders me,
I wifh you had efcapt, and not been made captive
To him, who though he may admire and love you,
Yet cannot help you.
Spenc. Your flile is like your birth, for you are
loffer,
Chief Bafhaw to the king, and him I know
Lord of moft noble thoughts. Speak, what's my
danger ?
loff. Know Sir, a double forfeit of your life :
Your outrage firft is death, being in the night,
And gainfl the watch ; but thofe that you have (lain
In this fierce conflict, brings 'em without all bounds
Of pardon.
Spenc. I was born too't, and I embrace my
fortune.
loff. Sir, now I know you
To be that brave and worthy Englifhman,
So highly grac't in court, which more amazeth me
That you mould thus requite him with the flaughter
Of his lou'd fubjedls.
Spenc. I intreat you Sir,
As you are noble queftion me no further,
I have many private thoughts that trouble me,
And not the fear of death.
Iqff. We know your name,
And now have prov'd your courage, both thefe moves
us
To give you as eafie bondage as our loyalty
To the king can fuffer, you are free from irons.
Spenc. When this news mail come to her,
loff. Lieutenant, lead the watch fome diflance of,
Bid them remove thefe bodies lately flain,
I mufl have private conference with this prifoner,
Leave him to my charge.
Sir think me though a Moore,
or> a Girle worth gold. 369
A nation flrange unto you Chriflians,
Yet that I can be noble : but in you
I have obferv'd flrange contrarieties,
' Which I would be refolv'd in.
Spenc. Speak your thoughts.
loff> When I confer'd the noblenefle of your
blood,
With this your prefent paffion, I much mufe,
Why either fuch a final I effufe of blood,
Thefe your fleight wounds, or the pale fear of death,
Should have the power to force a teare from fuch
A noble eye.
Spenc. Why thinkft thou Bamaw, that wounds,
blood, or death
Could force a teare from me, thou nobleft of thy
nation,
Do not fo farre mifprife me : I tell thee Bafhaw,
The rack, ftrapado, or the fcalding oyl,
The burning pincers, or the boyling lead,
The flakes, the pikes, the caldron, or the wheel,
Were all thefe tortures to be felt at once,
Could not draw water hence.
loff. Whence comes it then 1
Spenc. From that whofe pains as far furmounts all
thofe
As whips of furies do the Ladies fans,
Made of the plumes o'th Eflridge : this like the
Sunne,
Extracts the dew from my declining foul,
And fwims mine eyes in moift erleminacie.
O Beffe, Beffe, Beffe, Beffe.
loff. Dead pitty you have wakened in my bofome,
And made me with you like compaflionate.
Freely relate your forrows.
Spenc. Sir, I mail :
If you have ever loved, or fuch a maid,
So fair, fo conflant, and fo chafl as mine,
And fhould fortune to lamentable fortune,
Betray her to a black abortive fate,
2 B B
3 70 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
How would it wring you ? Or if you had a heart,
Made of that mettall that we white men have, >fe
How would it melt in you ?
loff. Sir, you confound me.
Spenc. I will be brief; the tra veils of my Beffe,
To finde me out, you have pertook at full,
In prefence of the King, thefe I omit.
Now when we came to fumme up all our joy,
And this night were entring to our hoped bliffe,
The king, Oh moft unworthy of that name,
He quite fell off from goodneffe.
loff. Who Mullijheg 1
Spenc. His luft out-waid his honour : and as if his
foul
Were blacker then his face, he laid plots
To take this fweet night from me : but prevented
I have convai'd my beautious bride aboard,
My Captain and Lieutenant.
loff. Are they efcapt ?
Spenc. Safe to my Negro. Thus farre fortune led
me
Through many dangers till I paft this bridge,
The laft of all your watches. And mufe not
Baihaw, that I thus fmgle durft oppofe my felf,
I wore my Miftris here, and (he, not I,
Made me midway a conquerour.
loff. She being at lea,
And fafe, why mould your own fates trouble you ?
Spenc. Renowned Moor, there is your greatefl
errour ;
When we parted, I fvvore by the honour of a Gentle
man,
And as I ever was her conftant friend,
If I furviv'd, to vifit her aboard
By fuch an houre : but if I fail, that me
Should think me dead : now, if I break one minute,
She leaps into the fea : 'tis this, great Bafhaw,
That from a fouldiers eyes draws pearly tears :
For my own perfon I defpife all fears.
or> a Girle worth gold. 371
loff. You have deeply touch't me : and to let you
know
All morrall vertues are not folely grounded
In th' hearts of Chriftians, go and paffe free ;
Keep your appointed houre, preferve her life :
I will condu6l you paft all danger : but withall
Remember my head's left to anfwer it.
Spenc. Is honour fled from Chriftians unto
Moors,
That I may fay in Barbarie I found
This rare black Swan.
loff. And when you are at fea,
The winde no queftion may blow fair, your ankors
They are foon waid, and you have fea-roome free
To paffe unto your countrey : 'tis but my life,
And I mail think it nobly fpent to fave you,
Her, and your train from many fad difafters.
Spenc. Sir, I thank you,
Appoint me a fixt hower, if I return not,
May I be held a fcorn to Chriftendome,
And recreant to my countrey.
loff. By three to morrow.
Spenc. Binde me by fome oath.
loff. Onely your hand and word.
Spenc. Which if I break.
What my heart thinks, my tongue forbears to
fpeak.
loff. He bear you paft all watches. Exeunt.
Explicit Aflus fecundus.
B B 2
372 The fair e Maid of the We/I :
Affius tertius. Scena prima.
Enter Mullifheg.
Midi.
THrough fatiate with the pleafures of this night,
The morning calls me from the fweet embraces
Of the fair Englifh Damfell.
Tot. The Englifh liranger
Is ftoln from forth mine arms. I am at full revenged :
Were I again to match, Ide marry one
Of this brave nation, if a Gentleman,
Before the greateft Monarch of the world,
They are fuch iweet and loving bedfellows.
Now to my chamber, darkneffe guide my way,
Left what none yet fufpecl, the night betray.
Let all like me wrong'd in their nuptiall bed,
Not aim at th' heart, but rather ftrike at th' head.
Mul. Venetian Ladies, nor the Perfian Girles,
The French, the Spanifh, nor the Turkifh Dames,
Ethiope nor Greece can kifie with half that art
Thefe Englifh can, nor entertain their friends
With' tenth part of that ample willingneffe
Within their arms.
Alcad. Your highneffe cal'd ?
Mul. To tell thee that none mall pertake but thou.
Oh. I have had the fweeteft nights content
That ever king enjoy'd.
Alcad. With the fair Englifh bride.
Mull. Nor envy if I raife the Captain for't,
For he mail mount.
Alcad. And he deferves it : but to me you owe
Part of that honour, I had a hand in't too,
Although perhaps you thought me ignorant
In what is pad.
Mul. Hadft thou no more
or, a Girle worth gold. 373
Then half a finger in this nights content,
It fhall not be forgot, but thou as he
Shalt be rais'd one flep higher.
Ale. Obferving what had paft, I fpide the bride
groom
As ftiil mine eies were fixt on him, up and late,
Then by a trick,
A pretty Height, a fine fetch of mine own,
I paft him forth the gates, and gave command,
He mould not have his entrance back again,
Neither for reward nor intreaties, till day broke.
Mull. Your aim in that ?
Ale. For fear left he by fome fufpitious jealoufie
Should have difturb'd your reft.
Mull. Thy providence
Shall not die unrewarded : fhift him hence,
And with his will too, this makes thee of our counfell.
Akad. 'Tis an honour
My wifedome hath long aim'd at, and I hope
Now mail receive his merit
Enter a Negro,
Negr. Pardon great king that I thus rudely
prefle
Into your private bed-chamber.
Mull. Speak, thy news.
Negr. The Englim Captain, with the lovely Bride,
with her Lieutenant hath fecretly this night, with your
highneffe fignet and the word, paft the Court-gates,
paft all the watches, and got aboard their Negro, and
I was fent to know your highneffe pleafure.
Mull. Ha, this night ? Alcade, feek, fearch
I left her fleeping in our royall bed.
Akad. I mail my lord, I half fufpeO.
Mull. But was not Spencer with them ?
Negr. Onely they three : and we, by vertue of
your highneffe fignet, paft them the court-gates without
trouble.
374 The fair e Maid of the Weft :
Enter Alcad.
Mull. We are amazed. Alcade, whom find'fl thou
there 1
Ale. Nothing, my Lord, but empty meets,
A bed new toft, but neither Englilh Lady,
Nor any Lady elfe.
Mull. We fland aftonifh't,
Not knowing what to anfwer.
Enter afecond meffenger.
Mefs. Pardon great king if I relate the news
That will offend you highly.
Mull. That the Englifh Captain, lady, and Lieu
tenant are efcapt.
Me/s. But that's not all.
Mull. Can there be worfe behind e ?
Mefs. Yes ; if the lofs of your dear fubje<5ls lives
Be worfe then their efcape. Spencer, without
The fignet or the word, being left behinde.
Mull. You calFd the porter up,
And let him after.
Ale. Pardon great King.
Mull. Was this your trick, your fleight, your flra-
tagem ?
As we are king of Feffc, thy life (hall pay
The forfet : thine own tongue mail fentence thee.
But to the reft.
Mefs. Then paft he to the bridge,
Where flood armed men, in number fourty.
Maugre all their ftrength, with his good fword
He would have made through all :
And in this fierce conflict, fix, to the maze
Of all the reft, were flain : nor would he yeeld,
Till fuddenly we rais'd a loud alarm,
At which the Captain of the watch came down,
And fo there furpriz'd him.
Mull. Is he prifoner, then ?
or, a Girle worth gold. 375
Mefs. In cuflody of the great Bafhaw loffer,
With whom we left him.
Mull. Command our Bafhaw
To bring him clog'd in irons. Thefe Englifh Pirates
Have rob'd us of much treafure ; and for that
His traiterous life mail anfwer. But for thee,
Traitor, thou hadft a hand in his efcape ;
Thou malt be fure to pay for't.
% Ale. Alas, my lord,
What I did was meerly ignorance.
Mull. Nay bribes,
And I mail find it fo. Bear him to guard.
What dtilolute ftrumpet did that traitrous Captain
Send to our meets-? But all our injuries
Upon that Englifh prifoner wee'll revenge :
As we in ftate and fortune hope to rife,
A never heard of death that traitour dies.
Enter Captain, Beffe, Huffman, Clem.
Befs. No news from Forfet yet that waits for
Spencer,
The long boat's not return'd ?
Goodl. Not yet.
Befs. Clem, to the main-top, Clem, and give us
notice
If thou feefl any (like them) make from the more :
The day is broke already.
Clem. With all my heart, fo you will give me
warning before the Gunner moots, left I tumble down
again, and put my neck a fecond time in danger.
Befs. Prethee, begon : let's have no jelling now.
Clem. Then I'll to the main top in earneft.
Goodl. How fares it withfyou Be$t ?
Befs. Like a hartleffe creature, a body without
motion.
How can I chofe, when I am come to fea,
And left my heart afhore ? What, no news yet ?
Goodl. None.
376 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
Befs. I prithee, Ruffman, ftep into my Cabin,
And bring me here my houre glaffe.
Ruff. That 1 mail.
GoodL To what end would you ufe it ?
Befe. Shall I tell thee Captain,
I would know how long I have to live :
That glaffe once turn'd, the fandy houre quite run,
I know my Spencers dead, and my life's done.
Enter Ruffman with the glaffe.
Ruff. Your glafie.
Befs. Gramercy good Lieutenant :
'Tis better then a gaudy looking-glafs,
To deck our faces in : that mews our pride,
But this our ends thofe glafles feek to hide.
Have you been all at prayers 1
Both. We have.
Befs. I thank you gentlemen.
Never more need : and you would fay as I do,
Did you but know how near our ends fome are.
Dofl.thou not think, Captain, my Spencer's flain 1
Goodl. Yet hope the befl.
Befs. This is the hower he promift : Captain,
look,
For I have not the heart, and truely tell me
How farre 'tis fpent.
Goodl. Some fifteen minutes.
Befs. Alas ! no more 1 I prethee, tak't away ;
Even jufl fo many have I left to pray,
And then to break my heart-firings. None that loves
me
Speake one word to me of him, or any thing.
If in your fecret cabbins you'l beftow
Of him and me fome tears and hearty prayers,
We, if we live mail thank you. Good gentlemen,
Ingage me fo far to you.
Enter Clem.
Clem. News, news, news.
or, a Girle worth gold. 377
Befs. Ha, good or bad ?
Clem. Excellent, mod excellent; nay, fuper ex
cellent. Forfet and all his companions are rowing
hither like madmen; and there is one that fits i'th'
ftern, and does not row at all ; and that is, let me
fee who is it ? I am fare 'tis he, noble Spencer.
Befs. Spencer 1
Heart, t let me keep thee ; thou waft up to heaven
Half way in rapture. Art thou fure ?
Clem. I think you'l make a man fwear his heart
out.
Befs. Teach me but how
I fhall receive him when he comes aboard ;
How mail I beare me, Captain, that my joy
Do not tranfcend my foul out of this earth,
Into the aire with paffionate extafie ?
Enter Spencer.
Goodl. Now farewell Barbarie, king MulHJheg,
We have fea room and winde at will, not ten
Of thy beft Gallies, arm'd with Moors,
Can fetch us back.
Ruff. For England gentlemen.
Befs Oh, where's the gunner :
See all the ordnance be ftraight difcharged,
For joy my Spencer- lives : let's mift ourfelves
In a thick cloud of fmoak, and fpeak our joyes
Vnto the higheft heavens in fire and thunder.
Ruff. To make the Queen vex and torment her-
felf.
Beff. To make the King tear his contorted
locks,
Curl'd like the knots of furies : Oh this mufick
Doth pleafe me better then th r effeminate firings
Tun'd to their wilde Moriskoes : dance my foul,
And caper in my bofome, joyfull heart,
That I have here my Spencer.
Goodl. Come, waigh anchor,
378 Thefaire Maid of the Weft :
Hoift fail : we have a faire and gentle gale
To beare us to our country.
Spenc. Captain, Hay.
Beff. I did not heare my Spencer fpeak till now :
Nor would my fudden joy give me that judge
ment,
To fpy that fadneffe in thee I now fee ;
Good, what's the caufe ? canft thou conceal't from
me?
What, from thy Befje ? Whence came that figh ?
You will not tell me. No, do not :
I am not worthy to partake your thoughts.
Do you repent you that you fee us fafe
Imbark't for England, to enjoy me there :
Is there fome other whom you better love ?
Let me but know her, and for your fweet fake
He ferve her, too. Come, I will know the caufe.
Spenc. Know all in one :
Now I have feen you, I muft leave you, Beffe.
Beff. Leave me 1 Oh, fatal.
Spenc. Speak, my Beffe \ it is thy Spencer tells
thee.
Beff. That he will leave me. If the fame
tongue
That wounded me, gives me no prefent cure,
It will again intrance me.
Spenc. Arm your felf :
It muft be fpoke again, for I muft leave you.
My honour, faith, and country, are ingag'd,
The reputation of a Chriftian's pawn'd ;
And all that weare that facred livery
, Shall in my breach be fcandal'd. Moors will fay,
We boaft of faith, none does good works but
they.
Beff. I am nor fleep nor waking, but my fenfes
All in a confus'd flumber.
Goodl. Sir, refolve us ;
You wrap us in a Labyrinth of doubts,
From which I pray unloofe us.
or> a Girle worth gold. 379
Spenc. I fhall ;
I made my way through flaughter ; but at length
The watch came down and took me prifoner
Unto a noble Balhaw : for my valour,
It pleas'd him to admire me ; but when forrow
To difappoint my Beffe, ftrok me in paffion,
He urg'd me freely to relate my griefs,
Which took in him fuch deep impreffion,
That on my word and promife to return
By fuch an hower, he left himfelf in hoftage,
To give me my defires.
