University of Virginia Library

[SCENE I.]

Enter Seawit, Topsaile, Cable.
Seawit.
The Wind still Southerly? here we are like
To stay till grass grow on our Decks; and all
Our Masts take root, bud forth too and beare Akornes,
Which (as I take't) my Salt-Sea friends, is like
To be our food when all our victual's spent.
How thrives your treasure Cable? when your looks
Are heavy, we shall need small Magick to
Divine your Pockets light.

Cable.
A few Mild-Sixpences, with which
My Purser casts accompt, is all I've left.

Topsaile.
There are ith'Harbour Sir, those of the faithfull
That will trust, upon a good pawne, you must
Ingage your Plate.

Sea.
His Plate! alass! poor Soule,
What Plate hath he more then his Boatswaines Whistle.
As for the Silver Seale, that hung at's wrist,
Whereon was carv'd the Lovers Scutchions Sir,
(The bleeding Heart) that's gone long since t'adorne
His Mistress Court Cubboard, which on a cloth
Of Network edg'd with a Ten-penny-Lace,
Stands now between her Thimble and her Bodkin;
Objects of State (believ't) and Ornament.

Cable.
This Town is dearer then Jerusalem,
After a years Siege; they would make us pay
For day-light, if they know to measure
The Sun-beames by the Yard. Nay sell the very
Aire too if they could serve it out in fine
China-Bottels. If you walk but three turnes
In the High-street, they will ask you Mony
For wearing out the Pebles.

Seawit.
This is your Region Topsaile, for you Seamen
Love to converse of plenty, where you may
Be cous'ned for your ware, and meat, and think
Such negligence becomes a noble spirit,
As well as Thrift a leane Atturney, or
Fat Alderman, untill your Mercer and
Your Man that squeezes your lusty Wine of Greece,
Or brisk Vin-Dy, remove from's smoky habitation
In the Towne, unto your Mannour House?
There ride in triumph o're your conquer'd Land,
As if he did bestride my Lord Mayors horse,
As if your Meadows were Cheap-side, and all
Your Woods the just precincts of his own Ward.

Cable.
And these two Disciples to St. Tantlin,
That rise to long exercise before day,
And cousen'd soundly before noon; these shall
Grow old within your Mannor house, and die
There too, and be buried in your own Chappel;
And have their sinfull Seacole dust, mingled
With th'ashes of your Warlike Ancestors.

Topsaile.
'Tis true, to these unpleasant hazards
Riot and Youth must bring us to:
The gallant humour of the Age, no remedy.
Whilst yet the Mothers blessing quarrels and chimes
Ith' pocket thus: the thrift of Thirty years
Sav'd out of Mince Pies, Butter, and dry'd Hopps.
It must away; but where? In the Metropolis,
London, the Spheare of Light and harmony?
Where still your Taverne Bush is green, and flourishing;
Your Punke dancing in Purple,
With Musick that would make a Hermit frisk
Like a young Dancer on a Rope. But alass!
There's no such pure materials for delight
In this dull Harbor, I will sooner draw
My Sword, then my purse here, 'Tis a place fit
Only for midnight Battels with the watch.

Cable.
And vildly destitute of Women, here
Are none but a few Matrons of Biscay,
That the Spaniards left here
In Eighty Eight.

Seawit.
Cable, Your Hostesses Daughter at the Hoop,
Desir'd me last night I would speak to you,
For an old Sprit-sail to make her a Smock.

Cable.
You have Mony, Sir, you may be merry.

Seawit.
In sober truth, thou art.

Cable.
Why what am I?

Seawit.
As great a Sinner,
As ere eate Bisket and Salt Beef.
But Gentlemen, it lies much now within
My power, although here windebound and distrest,
To make your sad hearts light.

Cable.
Proceed any news of a late Shipwrack,
Of two strangers seen floating on a plank,
Each with a bag of Porteguez under
His left arme.

Seawit.
No Sir, but since our Navy anchor'd in
This Port, Our fame hath prosper'd so,
That to behold our pride, and strength, there is
This day arriv'd a Lady.

Totsaile.
How, a Lady?

Seawit.
The very flower and pleasure of the Spring,
And hath a Wit so prosperous, one houre
Of her converse would make a Courtier of
A Carman: so rich, that the Turks vast Army
Cannot starve upon her Land:
Are prime Gamesters the very housewives of
Her Dayrie play at sent: and her Ploughboys
Double their wages at Cribidy and Picket.

Cable.
Well, I'm the Luckiliest Rogue that ever seckt.
By this hand, Gentlemen,
I think if my braines were knockt out o'renight,
I should find them in my skull agen next morning.
O my good Starrs, I do thank your bright Worships!
Send such a purchase hither just in the nick
And period of distress.

Topsaile.
Seawit, a little more intelligence!
VVhere doth this Lady lie?

Seawit.
At widow Carracks house.
VVhere there are wells new digg'd to lay her botled wine;
Grotto's to keep her Person coole, and Kitchins
That would serve Marck Anthony.

Cable.
But will she eate and drink?

Seawit.
How! Doe you think I bring you tidings of
The Maid of Brabant, that liv'd by her smell,
That din'd on a Rose, and supt on a Tulip.

Cable.
I meane will she feed high, and drink deep, like
A Saxon-Bride, untill her Lover sleep
Upon her lapp.

Seawit.
She entertaines, What will
You more gentlemen? I heare not of her Vices.

Cable.
Oh were she but a Whore now, I were made.
For if she be honest, she is not worth
A hollow Tooth.

Seawit.
VVhy Cable? VVhy?

Cable.
Your honest VVomen are still unfortunate
To me, they talke of Marriage, which I am prone too,
Come, call in quickly her dull Deacon! or small
Tyth taker—in his dimmity—Cassack;
And let him squeeze, and joyne our hands, untill
They ake; then there's a pawse; whilst her Parent
VVith a soure brow, and Trencher Beard, strait blasts
My Eare, with an odd heathen word, call'd Joynture:
Well Sir, I as in duty bound towards.
My self promise largely: then Spys are sent
T'inquire for one Captaine Cable of the South,
What Lands, what Farmes he hath; and word is brought,
That all the Purchase he 'ere made, was but
A Noble, for a Mapp, which hangs in his
Great Cabbin.

Topsaile.
Seawit, Your self and I must move alone.
In visitation to this Lady.

Seawit.
Your must excuse me, Sir, he shall along,
The interview will be too calme else. Come, lets prepare,
Guard well your eyes, I'le bring you to a Beauty
Shall put you both unto the wink.

Cable.
Thou art my Admiral, I will fight under
Thy Lee, and celebrate thy mornings draught
VVith a broad-Side.

[Exeunt.