University of Virginia Library

Scœn. I.

Enter Ward, Gismund, Albert, Ferd. Sailers rise from a Table.
Ward.

Il'e play no more.

Ferd.

Set but my hand out, heer's 400. Crowns
vnlost yet, Fortune may make them yours.

Gism.

Fortun's a Bitch, a meere strumpet, she
hath turn'd vp the Ace so long, I haue ne'r an eye
to see with, she hath sok't me.

Alb.
We came aboard to venture with you,
Deale Merchant-like, put it vpon one maine,
And throw at all.

Ferd.
One cast, and we will leaue you.

Gis.
Leaue vs yet? we haue a cast worth two of the rest.

Alb.
'Tis set, throw at it gentle Sir.

Ward.
We shall haue time enough hereafter,
You are too violent.

Gism.

I feare you'l not be halfe so forward anon when we
should vse you.

Sail.

A saile, a saile, a saile.

Omn.

Shoute.

Ward.

Why stand you so amaz'd? conceiue you not the language
of the Sea?

Gism.
Now you may shew your selues gamesters,
You shall haue your bellies full of hazard.

Ferd.
We are betraid.

Alb.
Are you not Merchant-men?

Gism.

How else? and deale by whole-sale, take vp much at
a long day. Do you know this honourable shape? Heroicke
Captaine Ward, Lord of the Ocean, terror of Kings, Landlord
to Merchants, rewarder of Man-hood, conqueror of the
Westerne world, to whose followers the Lands and Seas pay
tribute, and they to none, but once in their liues to the manor
of Wapping, and then are free euer after. This is he my noble
mummers.

Alb.

We are for euer lost.

Ferd.

If't be our moneyes that you covet, willingly wee
giue it vp, onely depriue vs not of our faire home, our Country:
do but land vs.

Ward.
Know we haue other vse for you,
Haue not intic'd you hither for your gold,
It is the man we want. Is't not a shame,
Men of your qualities and personage,
Should liue as cankers, eating vp the soile
That gaue you being, like beasts that ne're looke further
Then where they first tooke food, that men call home,
Which giues them meanes equall vnto their minds,
Puts them in action.

Gism.
True, who is't would not smile
To heare a Souldier, that hath nothing left
But misery to speake him man, can shew
More markes then pence, vpon whose backe contempt
Heapes on the weight of poverty. Who would not smile
To heare this peece of wretchednesse boast his wounds?
How farre he went to purchase them? with what honour
He put them on? and now for sustenance,
Want of a little bread, being giving vp
His empty soule, should ioy yet that his Country
Shall see him breath his last: when that aire he termes his
Vngratefully doth stifle him.

Ferd.
You tell vs of a gulfe, which to eschew,
You dash vs gainst a rocke more full of feare,
Of danger: for we should call that action,
Which giues vnto posterity our name
Writ in the golden lines of honour, where this brands
Our fore-heads with the hatefull name of theues, of robbers.
Piracy, it's theft, most hatefull, swallowes vp
The estates of Orphanes, Widowes, who borne free,
Are thus made slaues, inthral'd to misery,
By those that should defend them, at the best.
You rob the venting Merchants, whose manly breast
Scorning base gaine at home, puts to the maine
With hazard of his life and state, from other lands
To enrich his owne, whilst with vngratefull sands
He thus is ouerwhelm'd.

Gism.
These children haue bin at S. Antlins,
They'l perswad's out of our profession.
A plague vpon this Schollership,
One man that savours of an Vniversity,
Is able to infect a whole Navy with cowardize.

Ferd.

Cowardize? thou lyest: ther's not a man here dares
lesse then thy selfe.

Gism.
Zounds Il'e try that.

Ward.
Hold, or by all my hopes, who makes next proffer
Falles on my sword. If you will try your valours
The enemy is at hand. As for your vertuous lectures,
We are Mariners, and Souldiers, not tatter'd yet
Inough to heare them, though in time we might
Be apt for such tongue-comfort, being sway'd
By your directions.


Within.
A saile, a saile, a saile.

Enter Sailer.
Ward.
How? more sailes yet?

Sail.
The first that we descri'd, doth beare a head,
And as it seemes, pursued by a man of warre,
They make with vs for succour.

Gism.

Yes, wee'l succour her, and sucke her too, as drye as
a Vsurers palme.

Al.
Nay, then we are put from shore.

Gis.
Without ken boyes, more sails, the least delay.
O lets turne Serving-men, the trencher hold
Whilst others eate the meate.

Ward.
Away, make ready for the fight.

Gis.
Courage braue sparks, now to gain wealth, or graues:
To dye in peace fits beasts, and abiect slaues.

Fer.
Thou needst not feare the curse, bloud-thirsty monster.
Oh that our better part should thus be captiu'd
By sence and will! who like a ship vnman'd,
That's borne by motion of the violent waues
And giddy winds, doth seeme to make a course
Direct and punctiue, till we see it dash
Against some prouder Sylla, and display
How much she inward wanted to her sway.

Al.
You haue well describ'd him: but to our owne fortunes.

Fer.
We must obey necessitie, since 'tis our fates
To be surpriz'd thus, by this monster beast.
We must as did that Captaine, so much famed,
Lick the fierce Lyons feet, till happier times
Do giue vs freedome in his punish't crimes.

Al.
You haue well aduis'd. Fortune in spight of thee,
How ea'r my body's thrald, my minde rests free.

Fer.
This stand our comfort: we may happen be
The Chorus onely to their Tragedy.

Exit.