 | Beggars Bush |  |
Scæna Secunda.
Enter 3. Marchants.1. Mer.
T'is much that you deliver of this Goswin.
2. Mer.
But short of what I could, yet have the Country
Confirmd it true, and by a generall oath,
And not a man hazard his credit in it:
He beares himselfe with such a confidence
As if he were the Master of the Sea,
And not a winde upon the Sailers compasse,
But from one part or other, was his factor,
To bring him in the best commodities,
Merchant e're venturd for:
1.
'Tis strange,
2.
And yet;
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Compared with other his peculiar fashions,
Which all admire: he's young, and rich, at least
Thus far reputed so, that since he liv'd
In Bruges, there was never brought to harbour
So rich a Bottome, but his bill would passe
Unquestion'd for her lading.
3 Mer.
Yet he still
Continues a good man.
2 Mer.
So good, that but
To doubt him, would be held an injury
Or rather malice, with the best that traffique;
But this is nothing, a great stocke, and fortune,
Crowning his judgement in his undertakings
May keep him upright that way: But that wealth
Should want the power to make him dote on it,
Or youth teach him to wrong it, best commends
His constant temper; for his outward habit
'Tis sutable to his present course of life:
His table furnish'd well, but not with dainties
That please the appetite only for their rarenesse,
Or the deare price: nor given to wine or women,
Beyond his health, or warrant of a man,
I meane a good one: and so loves his state
He will not hazard it at play; nor lend
Upon the assurance of a well-pen'd Letter,
Although a challenge second the denyall
From such as make th'opinion of their valour
Their meanes of feeding.
1 Mer.
These are wayes to thrive,
And the meanes not curs'd.
2 Mer.
What follows this,
Makes many Venturers with him, in their wishes,
For his prosperity: for when desert
Or reason leads him to be liberall,
His noble mind and ready hand contend
Which can add most to his free curtesies,
Or in their worth, or speed to make them so.
Is there a Virgin of good fame wants dowre?
He is a father to her; or a Souldier
That in his Countreyes service, from the warre
Hath brought him only scars, and want? his house
Receives him, and relieves him, with that care
As if what he possess'd had been laid up
For such good uses, and he steward of it.
But I should loose my selfe to speake him further
And stale in my relation, the much good
You may be witnesse of, if your remove
From Brugis, be not speedy.
1 Mer.
This report
I do assure you will not hasten it,
Nor would I wish a better man to deale with
For what I am to part with.
3 Mer.
Never doubt it,
He is your man and ours, only I wish
His too much forwardnesse to embrace all bargains
Sucke him not in the end.
2 Mer.
Have better hopes,
For my part I am confident; here he comes.
Enter Florez & the fourth Merchant.
Flor.
I take it at your own rates: your wine of Cyprus,
But for your Candy sugars, they have met
With such foule weather, and are priz'd so high
I cannot save in them.
4 Mer.
I am unwilling
To seeke another Chap-man: make me offer
Of something near my price, that may assure me
You can deale for them.
Flor.
I both can, and will,
But not with too much losse; your bill of lading
Speakes of two hundred chests, valued by you
At thirty thousand gilders. I will have them
At twenty eight; so, in the payment of
Three thousand sterling, you fall only in
Two hundred pound.
4 Mar.
You know, they are so cheape.—
Flo.
Why looke you; I'le deale fairly, ther's in prison,
And at your suite, a Pirat, but unable
To make you satisfaction, and past hope
To live a weeke, if you should prosecute
What you can prove against him: set him free,
And you shall have your money to a Stiver,
And present payment.
4 Mar.
This is above wonder,
A Merchant of your ranke, that have at Sea
So many Bottoms in the danger of
These water-Theeves, should be a meanes to save 'em
It more importing you for your owne safety
To be at charge to scoure the Sea of them
Then stay the sword of Justice, that is ready
To fall on one so conscious of his guilt
That he dares not deny it.
Flo.
You mistake me,
If you thinke I would cherish in this Captaine
The wrong he did to you, or any man;
I was lately with him, (having first, from others
True testimony been assured, a man
Of more desert never put from the shore)
I read his letters of Mart from this State granted
For the recovery of such losses, as
He had receiv'd in Spain, 'twas that he aim'd at,
Not at three tuns of wine, bisket, or beefe,
Which his necessity made him take from you.
If he had pillag'd you neare, or sunke your ship,
Or thrown your men o'r-boord, then he deserv'd
The Lawes extreamest rigour: But since want
Of what he could not live without, compel'd him
To that he did (which yet our State calls death)
I pitty his misfortune; and to worke you
To some compassion of them, I come up
To your own price: save him, the goods are mine;
If not, seeke else-where, I'le not deale for them.
4 Mar.
Well Sir, for your love, I will once be lead
To change my purpose.
Flo.
For your profit rather.
4 Mar.
I'le presently make meanes for his discharge,
Till when, I leave you.
2 Mar.
What do you thinke of this?
1 Mar.
As of a deed of noble pitty: guided
By a strong judgement.
2 Mar.
Save your Master Goswin.
Flo.
Good day to all.
2 Mar.
We bring you the refusall
Of more Commodities.
Flo.
Are you the owners
Of the ship that lastnight put into the Harbour?
1 Mar.
Both of the Ship, and lading.
Flo.
What's the fraught?
1 Mar.
Indico, Quitchineel, choice Chyna stuffs.
3 Mar.
And cloath of Gold brought from Camball.
Flo.
Rich lading,
For which I were your Chapman, but I am
Already out of cash.
1 Mar.
I'le give you day
For the molety of all.
Flo.
How long?
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Sixe moneths.
Flo.
'Tis a faire offer: which (if we agree
About the prizes) I, with thanks accept of,
And will make present payment of the rest;
Some two hours hence I'le come aboord.
1 Mer.
The Gunner shall speake you welcome.
Flo.
I'le not faile,
3 Mer.
Good morrow.
Exit Merch.
Flo.
Heaven grant my Ships a safe returne, before
The day of this great payment: as they are
Expected three moneths sooner: and my credite
Stands good with all the world.
Enter Gerrard.
Ger.
Blesse my good Master,
The prayers of your poor Beads-man ever shall
Be sent up for you.
Flo.
God 'a mercy Clause,
Ther's something to put thee in minde hereafter
To thinke of me.
Ger.
May he that gave it you
Reward you for it, with encrease, good Master.
Flo.
I thrive the better for thy prayers.
Ger.
I hope so.
This three yeares have I fed upon your bounties,
And by the fire of your blest charity warm'd me,
And yet, good Master, pardon me, that must,
Though I have now receiv'd your almes, presume
To make one sute more to you.
Flo.
What is't Clause?
Ger.
Yet do not think me impudent I beseech you,
Since hitherto your charity hath prevented
My begging your reliefe, 'tis not for money
Nor cloaths (good Master) but your good word for me.
Flo.
That thou shalt have, Clause, for I think thee honest.
Ger.
To morrow then (dear Mr.) take the trouble
Of walking early unto Beggars Bush,
And as you see me, among others (Brethren
In my affliction) when you are demanded
Which you like best among us, point out me,
And then passe by, as if you knew me not.
Flo.
But what will that advantage thee?
Ger.
O much Sir,
'Twill give me the preheminence of the rest,
Make me a King among 'em, and protect me,
From all abuse, such as are stronger, might
Offer my age; Sir, at your better leizure
I will informe you further of the good
It may do to me.
Flo.
'Troth thou mak'st me wonder;
Have you a King and Common-wealth among you?
Ger.
We have, & there are States are governd worse.
Flo.
Ambition among Beggars?
Ger.
Many great ones
Wou'd part with halfe their States, to have the place,
And credit to beg in the first file, Master:
But shall be so much bound to your furtherance
In my Petition?
Flo.
That thou shalt not misse of,
Nor any worldly care make me forget it,
I will be early there.
Ger.
Heaven blesse my Master.
Exeunt.
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