 | The Blind-Beggar of Bednal-Green |  |
Act I.
Enter Bedford, Sir Robert Westford, Captain Westford and Souldiers.Bed.
You Peers of England that with awfull dread
Drum.
Have pac'd on the green Garments of fair France,
Here cease a while, and give the French-men rest,
That they may know whose Soveraignty is best,
Either the Dolphins, or our Royal Lords.
But what avails our Conquests far from home,
When civil Discords stir uncivil arms
In the Kings Chamber, London, nay, his Court?
See Lords, read what is written there.
By blest St. Peter, Gloster is to blame,
And Winchester hath neither grace nor shame.
Sir Rob.
Yes my Lord, he is Lord Cardinals grace.
Bed.
Lord Cardinal! marry fie, he was proud before,
But now his Hat exalts his proud heart more:
But when I come among them, Ile make them know
The benefit of Peace; fall out for women,
Wrangle at a word? the one's Protector
Of a sacred Prince, the other made a Prince
Drum afar off.
Amongst the Prelates; though Bewford basely born
Ile write to them: if with regardless eves our lines they read,
VVe'll over and cut off their factious head
Sir Rob.
About old Playnseys son what says your Excellency?
Bed.
Sir Walters son, marry Sir Rob. Westford;
March afar off.
It should be he, I sent him for the Prisoners.
Enter young Plainsey with Drum and Souldiers, and a Switzar.
Y. Playn.
Health to your Excellence most gracious Regent,
Playnsey long Prisoner in Amiens,
Releast by Momfords bounty and your care,
Requests before these Prisoners be dismist
This Switzar may be searcht, for last night late
I heard a Gentleman tell him in Dutch,
If he would bear a Letter to a Lord,
VVith whom Veleires had intelligence,
He should receive in hand ten Crowns in gold,
And 30 more when 'twas deliver'd him.
Bed.
Who was it promis'd you so large reward?
Switz.
On frolick yonker,
Dat is de Scryven Ick Doeniit for-stow
De secretarie to Van Here Velieres
Bed.
He was the Secretary to the Governour?
Swiz.
Yaw, yaw, mine Here.
Bed.
Who were they sent unto?
Swiz.
To van Heren Montford dat is de grave van Callis ant van Guynes,
Dar is deen script deen Letters watt you see then.
Bed.
To Momford! what should Veleires write to Momford.
Read.
Sr. Rob.
Playnsey is this the plot for Momfords fall?
Y. Playn.
It is, and be assured that down he shall.
Sr. Rob.
Oh let me hugg thee! thou hast won my heart!
Y. Playn.
Forbear, lest the sharp eye of Jealousie,
See by this suddain Joy our Injury.
Sir Rob.
When it breaks forth wee'l seem to weep for grief.
Bed.
Lords take your places, and Mr. Playnsey take your seat,
For in this business your desert is great.
See here's a Letter sent from Amiens unto Momford.
Omnes.
How, unto Momford!
Bed.
Yes, and if this speak right,
Momford betray'd Guynes on Friday night,
And means to morrow ere the Sun be set
To yield up Callis to the enemy.
Cap. West.
High Heaven for-send it, gracious General.
I think there breaths not a more noble Spirit
Y. Playn.
I'le gage my life Lord Momford will be loyal.
Bed.
We would be loath to find him otherwise:
Enter Momford.
But here he comes himself, his eyes bewray
Sorrow, as clowds fore-shew a stormy day.
Monf.
Better success betide my Noble Lords,
Than hath befaln the miserable Momford.
Bed.
What hath befaln thee?
Momf.
Guynes, Guynes, is betray'd.
Bed.
And when must Callis be surrendered?
Momf.
Never while Momford hath the charge of it.
Bed.
Yes, if thou have the charge of it this night
It must be yielded unto false Veleires.
Here's a large promise of ten thousand Marks,
Your raise for Fridays work in yielding Guynes.
Know you this hand? Oh that on silver hairs,
After much honour won in flowring Youth,
Should sit so huge a shame as on thine doth.
Momf.
My Lord! Lords all! this is conspiracy.
Bed.
True, conspiracy in thee, for there he stands
That should have brought that Letter to thy hands.
Momf.
This fellow fled from Hance Beamart the Traitor,
The Walloon Captain that betray'd the Lanthorn,
And so by consequence the Fort of Guynes.
Bed.
Momford no more, his free confession
Hath purchased his pardon, fellow stay
Amongst our English, and expect good pay.
Swiz.
Thank hab mine Here, lets Jacob gilt habben,
And Ick fall fight wid ten hunderd towsand Divels.
Exit Switz.
Momf.
Shall such a one touch Momfords reputation?
Bed.
These Letters and the accidents succeeding
Condemn thee, and thou know'st by Law of Arms
Thou merit'st death with more than common torture:
But thy exceeding vallour of en tride,
Sets open Mercies gate, whose gentle hand
Leads thee from death, but leaves thee banished
From England, and the Realms and Provinces
Under protection of the English King,
Only thy Lands and Goods thou shalt enjoy,
And wheresoere from them be still maintain'd.
Monf.
My gracious Lord!
Thou find'st but too much grace.
Momf.
Here me but speak.
Bed.
No more; we must away,
To win by force the Town thou didst betray.
Exeunt.
Momf.
Oh miserable! miserable man!
Falls.
West.
Why do you faint? why fall you on the ground?
Sir Rob.
Cosen arise.
Manet Momford Sir Rob. Y. Playnsey, and Cap. Westford.
Y. Playn.
Father, you are my Father!
The Lady Elizabeth your noble Daughter
Is my affied wife, for her sake rise,
And stop this tide of woe that drowns your eyes.
Momf.
Oh miserable, miserable Man!
Dishonours-abject, base reproaches scorn,
Why was mine age to this disaster born?
Cap. West.
Comfort your self, let not condemn'd despair
Add to your sorrow, more than common care.
If you be just, as I suppose you be,
Know Innocence ends not in misery;
Kings have had falls, great Souldiers overthrown,
No riches in this earth is a mans own,
He strives, he toyls, with many pains he takes it,
In an age gets it, in one hour forsakes it.
Enter Luce the Landeresse and 3 others.
Vitler.
Hee's yonder yet, hee's digrac'd, and can do us no more good,
Therefore let every man ask his own. Follow me Sirs,
Ile speak to the purpose and stand too't.
Luce.
Nay Sutler by your leave I'll stand to the best man in the Army,
And have my due before the proudest of ye, if I do not,
Say Luce the Landress is your Shee-asse to bear for others,
I'll venture upon him, let him take it as he will.
Enter Souldier
All.
Do Luce, wee'l be rul'd by thee.
Luce.
My Lord, my Noble Lord, I am sorry for your weak estate,
I hope for all this to see you up again, here's 4 poor Creatures of us;
amongst the rest I am Luce your poor Landress, that have
washt you, and trim'd you, and starch't you, and as I have done
for you, I have done my part with all your company, heres my Bill,
I pray see me crost.
Momf.
VVhat do I owe thee woman?
Luce.
Nine pound, nine shillings, and nine pence my Lord.
There's 10 pound for thee.
Luce,
Oh good Noble man! that ever, that ever I should see thee
thus down, adown!
Vitler.
Your poor Vitler Sir, where your Lordships men went
o'th' ticket.
Armor.
Your Armorer an't please your Honor.
Carter.
Your Carter Sir for carriages.
Momf.
VVhat owe I thee?
Vitler.
Some (7 marks) an't like ye.
Monf.
VVhat thee?
Armor.
Twelve pound.
Momf.
VVhat thee?
Carter.
About some 20 Nobles.
Momf.
Ther's 30 pound amongst ye, all I have,
The Treasurer owes me some two thousand Marks.
All 4.
God blesse ye Sir, and send it ye.
Exeunt Luce and the rest.
Momf.
VVherefore stayest thou my Friend? Oh I know thee
now!
Thou art a Souldier, and thy wound-plow'd face
Hath every furrow fill'd with falling tears,
That arms and honour should be thus disdain'd.
I have no gold to give thee, but this chain,
I pray thee take it friend, thou griev'd at me,
And I am griev'd thy want and wounds to see.
Sould.
My silent prayer my hearts love shall express.
Heaven succour you, as you help my distress.
Momf.
Brother Sir Robert, if you do not scorn
Momfords disgraced name, and Mr. Playnsey,
Son I should call ye if all vows be kept,
VVill you vouchsafe to tarry here a while
Till I go down unto the Treasurers tent?
It may be he will pay me all my due.
Y. Playn.
Father I'll wait for you, and weep for woe,
That I have liv'd to see your overthrow.
Sir Rob.
VVell, I'll stay too, or bear ye company,
For your distress doth make my woes abound.
Momf.
Come Cosen Captain Westford walk with me.
Cap. West.
To do you good I'd go though't be to death.
Sir Rob.
Ha, ha, ha, gill, gill, gill, I have been ready to burst.
Son pray thee tell me how thou laid'st this plot?
Y. Playn.
Marry Sir Robert thus, when I perceiv'd
Your great desire for Momfords overthrow,
I got intelligence at Amiens,
How one Beaumart a Captain in Guynes Fort
Offer'd to sell it to the Governor,
Having this light, about a two months since,
I wilfully was taken Prisoner,
Born into Amiens, where I was confirm'd
And knew the very time of taking Guynes,
On Thursday evening I attir'd my self
Like Veleires Secretary Lanclot,
Came to the Prison where the Switzer lay,
For I had liberty to walk the Town,
Had all my Ramsome ready sent by Momford,
And only tarryed for our English Drum,
That should exchange French Prisoners for the English,
The Switzar being one that stay'd with us.
Sir Rob.
So, I understand ye; but in the end
How dealt ye with the Switzar for the Letter?
Y. Playn.
I brought it home in secret, gave him charge
To give it Momford with all able speed,
Promising 30 Crowns, besides those ten
I gave him first, of noble Momfords bounty:
He took me for Veleires Secretarie;
But now you see the end, Momford's disgrac'd,
And I am unsuspected in this case.
Sir Rob.
Excellent good! I hugg thee gentle Playnsey.
Y. Playn.
But tell me pray, How goes all in England?
Sir Rob.
Marry I'll tell thee Gill, thy Fathers Ward
The Lady Ellenor, shall be his Wife.
Y. Playn.
The Duke of Gloster will not suffer that.
Sir Rob.
Tut, tut, it's all but talk, it's all but lyes;
So does the Cardinal make show of Love,
But tittle tittle tattle, all's but talk,
He shall have Lady Ellenor no doubt,
Say she die childless, there is land for you,
You marry with my daughter, shee's my heir,
I'll turn out Momfords daughter forth of doors,
Seise all her goods and lands by a device;
Still Mr. Playnsey there is Land for you.
Y. Playn.
But how I pray? What colour have you for it?
Sir Rob.
Marry Son thus, About a twelve month since
Momford in trust made me a Deed of Gift
Of all he had, excepting certain land
Morgag'd unto a Norfolk man, one Strowd of Harling,
Now Sir I am acquainted with an odd Consort,
One Canbee, that doth serve the Cardinal.
Y. Playn.
Oh he can cheat, take purses, forge mens hands.
Sir Rob.
The same, the same, he rac'd out that Exception,
And put in other matter to my liking:
So I'll defeat old Strowd, turn out Besse Momford,
All shall be mine, and after mine all thine.
Y. Playn.
No more, Momford returns.
Enter Momford, and Captain Westford.
Momf.
Captain, Ye see
That men dejected bust bear injury.
He knowes I am exil'd, and cannot stay,
And yet he drives me to a longer day.
Cap. Westford,
There is a hundred pound, ye shall not chuse.
Sir Rob.
Ifaith my Noble Cozen, I and Playnsey
Are without mony, but send into England,
Ye shall not want for 20 thousand pound.
Momf.
Brother Sir Robert I put trust in you,
This Ring shall come within a day or two.
Sir Rob.
I cannot speak for grief!
Momf.
No more can I,
This wind ere the Sun set will let you see
London, that nere must be beheld of me.
Commend me to my Daughter, love her Playnsey;
Part silent, let your sighs serve for reply.
They embrace.
Captain think on Strowds morgage, and farewell.
Exeunt, manet Momf.
They shall see London, they shall see my Child,
But Momford must nor, for he is exil'd.
I am exil'd, Yet I will England see,
And live in England 'spight of infamy.
In some disguise I'll live, perhaps I'll turn
A Beggar, for a Beggars life is best,
But first I'll like an aged Souldier
Carry mine own Ring to Sir Robert Westford,
They say 'tis good to try Friends, him I'll try,
Though I believe he love me stedfastly.
Ex. Momf.
Enter old Playnsey, and Lady Ellenor.
Lady.
Sir Walter Playnsey.
Old Playn.
Lady Ellenor,
You are too strong in this opinion,
I yield you are my wardship, and that desire
To your Revenews, more than true hearts love,
Enforc'd me beg your wardship of the King.
Lady.
I do believe you Sir, for did you look
Into my State with an indifferent eye,
Or love me half so well as you make shew,
You would—
Old Playn.
Come, come, I know what you would say,
You think I am your Foe, because I keep you
From private conference with the Duke of Gloster,
And his proud Uncle the Lord Cardinal,
That divers times have practis'd sundry plots
To steal you from my house.
Lady.
Your love's but feign'd,
Because you say you love me for my living.
Old Playn.
I say my first love took first life from thence,
But since more dear familiarity
Hath brought forth perfect and true shapen love.
I love you Lady, and you are mine own,
Mine in possession, and I do intend
To make you mine by lawfull marriage,
Then blame me not if being all my joy,
And the high-prized Jewel of my heart,
I over-look you with a wary eye,
Lest Gloster, or the Bastard Cardinal
Should with their swelling Protestations,
Knock.
Cheat my fair meaning of thy hopefull love.
Enter a Serv.
Serv.
Sir here's a Servant from the Duke of Gloster
Hath brought you Letters.
Old Playn.
How! Letters to me!
No thou mistak'd, they come to Ellenor,
Glost.
My Lord and Master greets Sir Walter Playnsey,
Old Playn.
I do accept his honourable love
With more than mean or ordinary care.
Reads
He doth intreat me to come and speak with him
About some certain Letters come from France,
Touching the present fortunes of my Son
Lately tane Prisoner by the bloodie French.
He shall command far more than he intreats.
Knocks.
How now? whose that which knocks?
Enter Serv.
Serv.
One of the Cardinals men.
Old Playn.
Bid him to come in.
Enter the Cardinal disguised with Letters.
Card.
Sir Walter Playnsey,
From my Lord Cardinals grace of Winchester
I greet thee well, and charge thee without stay
To come, and answer such objections
As may by him be laid unto thy charge
Glost.
Oh you should be his Sumner by your message.
Card.
And if I do not take my marks amiss
Thou shouldest be Glosters Skullion.
Glost.
How ye Groom?
I am as good a man, and better born
Than up-start Bewford the base Cardinal.
Card.
Sirrah! wert not thou in presence of this Lady
Whose love my Lord doth prize above his life,
I'd scorn to take these braves at Glosters hands,
Much less at thine. Madam know I am Bewford,
And for your love do undergo this scorn.
Lady.
Then for my love let all these quarrels cease,
For fear Sir Walter do discover you.
Glost.
Hadst thou been Servant to the meanest man
That breaths in England, being legitimate,
I would have born with thee: but thou to brave me,
Whose Master I esteem as basely on,
As on thy words, I cannot put it up,
For Madam know, that howsoere diguis'd
My name is Gloster, who holds scorn—
Lady.
No more,
If ever I had interest in your love,
Who comes diguis'd, arm'd with some base resolve
To get me hence by forein violence.
Glost.
Is't possible that this disguise should meet,
So just with mine?
Lady.
'Tis true, he told me all.
Glost.
Wo'd we were well rid of his company.
Lady.
Do you but send away Sir Walter Playnsey,
Let me alone to pack the Cardinal.
Both.
What do you say Sir Walter?
Old Playn.
There is some hidden secret in this message
Which Playnsey founds not, but I'll go to them both.
Glost.
But Sir I hope you'l go to Gloster first.
Card.
And why to Gloster first?
Glost.
'Cause hee's the better man.
Card.
He lyes that sayes it.
Glost.
Were the Cardinal
Bewford himself apparell'd in thy cloaths,
Draw.
I'd cross his pate for giving me the lye.
Old Playn.
Keep the Kings peace Sir.
Glost.
Sir Walter, so I will,
Yet the worst boy that feeds on Glosters beef,
Holds it high scorn to pocket up the lye
At ere a Sumners hand that follows Bewford.
Card.
Thou durst not speak this in another place?
Glost.
Yes here, or any where to Bewfords face,
Even to his teeth, and I would thou wert he.
Card.
Shall I be brav'd! oh I could tear my flesh,
And eat his heart for this disparagement,
I fear he knows me, and to work my shame
He braves me thus before my Mrs. face,
But Bewford with a shower of patience,
Lay the rough wind of thy distemper'd thoughts
For my vext Soul hath tane a solemn oath
Nere to kiss comfort till I be reveng'd.
Old Playn.
Nay Gentlemen, howsoever private brawls
Have set your Lords and Masters at debate,
Let my intreats so much prevail with you,
As in my house to use no violence,
And so I pray rest pleas'd, for ere I sleep
Will't please you to walk along for company?
Card.
I would, but I must stay an hour or two
About some other business in the Town.
Glost.
About my Love you mean, but Cardinal
Heres one will do that business to your hand.
Old Playn.
Why then farewell to you both.
Exit old Playn.
Both.
Adue Sir Walter Playnsey.
Lady.
A word with you my good Lord Cardinal,
Your Brothers man seems very quarrelsome,
And should you both stay, there might grow some jars,
Which to prevent, I would intreat your grace
To walk before into the Spittle fields.
Whilst with good words I send away this Fellow,
Which done, I'll chuse my opportunity,
And in the absence of Sir Walter Playnsey
Get out, and meet you at the Orchard-gate,
And there conclude about some stratageme
To make you Master of your own desires.
Card.
Enough sweet Lady: Sirrah Horse-courser,
I'll course you one day for your Jadish tricks.
Glo.
Jades a fit Title for an Alle like thee,
That canst not kick, but bear all injury.
Manet Glo. & Elle.
Come Madam now let's go, the Cardinals mad
To lose thee thus, then banish hence all fear,
Gloster is on thy side.
Exeunt.
Enter Canbee and Hadland, and Cardinal.
Can.
Sirrah Jack.
Had.
What sayest thou Franck.
Can.
How you base Rogue, nere an (M.) under your Gidle,
have I preferr'd thee to my good Lord Cardinal here, and am I no
better than your homesome Franck.
Had.
Canbee, let me nere take purse again, and I think not, but
thou and this Tom Tawny coat here gulls me, make me your cheat,
your gull, your strowd, your Norfolk Dumpling, whom when you
cheated him of his sattin-suite, left naked bed to the mercy of his
hostess.
Can.
And I damb thee not for thy unbelief.
Call Canbie Coward (think'st thou) I wo'd have lost this evenings
work, but for my Noble, my Princely Lord Cardinal? no.
That's some reason indeed, but Prince and Cardinal if
thou be, Jack-Hadland swears by the bawl'd Crown of King Carnifax
the meeting thy greatness this evening has dampnified our receipts
at least six purles.
Card.
Be what you will be both, only be resolute
In any quarrel against Glosters men,
And on mine honour I'll reward ye well.
Can.
My Lord, and ye were able to give him as much Land as
would lie between Winchester and Walsingham, he wo'd be your
prigger, your prancer, your high-lawyer, your—
Had.
Your nipper, your foyst, your rogue, your cheat, your pander,
your any vild thing that may be, sblud the worst that any man
can say of me is, that I am a tall Theef, and the best that any man
can say of thee is, that thou art a base Rogue and a Cheater.
Can.
I'll jerk ye for this ye slave.
Card.
Nay Sirs be Friends, hold ye, here's gold,
Do but assist me against Glosters life
And I'll reward you better.
Had.
Cardinal, wert thou Cardinal King of the Infernals, were
thou Prince of Grim-tarter-tarmagant and Erebus, I wo'd not shed
one drop of the worst Dogs blood my Duke of Gloster keeps, for thy
miter, thy million, thy metropolis, shall I betray his life that sav'd
me from the death of a Dog? no. Yet for my honest friend Franck
Canbees sake, I am content to stand by, and give aym at this
time.
See where he comes two of ye are enough to deal with one, I'll
not meddle with him.
Card.
Let's set upon him all, and kill the slave.
Glost.
Hast thou betray'd me Coward? Bewford know
Though I am over-matcht I am not kill'd.
Enter old Playnsey, young Playnsey, Captain West. and Oficers.
Old Playn.
Keep the Kings peace for shame my Lords.
Card.
Come Canbee follow me, Playnsey be sure
I'll fit upon your skirts for parting us.
Glost.
Bewford Thou maist befriend him with thy power,
Had not he been, thou hadst not breath'd this aire.
Card.
Gloster thou wrongst me, with-hold'st St. Johnses,
Look too't, for fear when I get enterie
Glost.
Cardinal to spite thee I'll keep Ellenor,
And wed her in St. Johnses make her my Dutches.
Card.
Thou wilt abuse her with lascivious lust,
As once thou didst the Earl of Flanders wife,
And make her wretched, hoping in thy love.
Glost.
Oh! your holiness would have her turn a Nun,
Your cloyster-lemmon but she minds thee not;
Fellow what ere thou art that tak'st my part
There's 20 Crowns, go prove an honest man
Card.
There's 40 for thee, Canbee, kill that slave
As ever thou intend'st my Love to have.
Can.
I will take my time my Lord.
Had.
Canbee come not near me, thou knowest my antient order.
They die that dare me: but if thou dare meet me, heark in thine ear,
disturb not these honourable personages.
Can.
Be brief, appoint the place of meeting, subito, subito.
Had.
At our old Hostises mad rogue to make merry, lay a fresh
plot to meet the Norfolk gull, and be blithe.
Can.
Agreed, and I meet thee not, bafle my good name, & chronicle
Canbee for a Coward, my Lord I will have a limbe of that Rogue.
Can.
I shall be mindfull of thee Canbee: if thou kill him
Base slave, had not he been Gloster had dyed?
Glost.
I am sorry Gentlemen for Momfords fall,
And for our Brother the Lord Regents anger,
Let him pull down the pride of Winchester,
And Gloster easily will be appeas'd.
Card.
Humphry nor Bedford, nor thy self hath power
To make Lord Bewford stoop; dost thou forget,
I am a Prince, and a Plantaginet?
Glost.
Bastards were never Princes in their state.
Card.
I am a Prince elected by the Pope.
Glost.
I'll make ye gladly flye to your Elector.
Card.
First will I see thy death Witless Protector.
Draw again.
Old Playn.
Keep the Kings peace my Lords.
Card.
Look to't, I'll rowse you and your minions,
Out of St. Johnses ere a week be spent.
Can.
Sir we'll rowse ye, we—
Ex. Card. and Canbee.
Glost.
VVould never greater care came near my heart;
Could I have had my will in my Loves sight.
But to the purpose, now Sir Walter Playnsey
Take no exceptions as you love our favour,
That Lady Ellenor's escap'd away.
Old Playn.
Is she escap'd away my Lord?
Glost.
She is, nay storm not,
For if you do your anger is in vain,
I'll answer any Duty for her wardship.
So rest your self content; if ye rest quiet
And will confirm your ward to be my wife,
I'll send ye within six daies six thousand pound,
Being more than you can get by course of Law.
Old Playn.
I but my Lord her sudden taking hence—
Glost.
Nay, nay, stand not on tearms, take this or chuse,
Send word ye love us, or our Loves refuse.
Come Captain Westford bring us to St. Johnses.
Ex. Glost. & Cap. West.
Y. Playn.
Here's a good world when ev'ry Duke is King;
Thus I see power can master any thing.
Old Playn.
I son, else durst not you and old Sir Robert
Being but new come from the dejected Father,
Offer such open wrong to Momfords Daughter.
Y. Playn.
Father I'll answer that upon the way
Please ye to walk but to Sir Robert Westfords.
Enter Momford like a Souldier.
Momf.
Save ye Gentlemen, pray can ye tell me
Whether Sir Robert Westford ly in London
Or at his Summer-house?
Old Playn.
He lyes at Stepny fellow.
Follow us we'll bring thee thither presently.
Ex. Playnseys.
Momf.
That's Playnsey and his son, I'll follow hem,
And try my Brother Westford ere I need,
Already have I took a little Cottage
On Bednall-Green, pretending my self blind,
Thither perhaps my gentle Child will come,
For she's full of charitable alms.
But howsoere now I shall surely see her
Bringing my own seal as a Messenger,
I'll follow after kind Sir Walter Playnsey,
And his Heroick son my Daughters Joy.
Ex. Momf.
| The Blind-Beggar of Bednal-Green | |