University of Virginia Library

Actus Primus.

The Argument of the first Act.

Hind's wilie Couzenage of a Merchant at Bristol, leaving him prisoner in a Port-Mantle.
Enter Hind, Furbo, Latro, Spolario, Grammario, as in a Tavern, Wine and Bags of Money before them.
Hind.
Drink deep my brave boyes of the Bastinado
Of Stramazons, Tinctures, and Slie-passata's,
Of the Carricado, and brave Enb ocada,
Of Blades and Rapier-Hilts: of surest guard
Of the Vincentio, and Eurgonian Ward:
Have we not bravely toss'd this bumbast-foil-button.
Win gold, and wear gold Boyes, 'tis we that merit it,

Furbo.
Come, let's share.

Latro.
I, I, each man as he deserves.

Spol.
If each man claim no more then he deserves.
There will be a precedency for pelf

Gram.
Monstrum horrendum: 'twere incongruous.

Hind.
No fractions my dear Myrmidons,
Stand firm to your old form of Discipline.

Latro.
But Sir, must all our judgments mump and set,
And rest upon this kickshaw Marmoset:
This Athens Ape 'cause he can simpringly
Yaul Auditores humanissimi.

Fur.
True (Latro)

Spol.
He's the meer Spunge that sucks up all our gain;
A very Tumbrel stuff'd with ---
Whom we preserve, as Witches their Familiars,
With prodigal expence of our own blood.

Gram.
Non ladere
sed ludere,
Non Lanea
sed linea,
Non ictus
Sed nictus
potius.

Latro.
Pox of your cunning canting tongue
That beastly language merits more then halter.
The Ax or stigmatizing—

Hind.
No more my Stern Co-partners in ill,
Skilful Surveyers of High-wayes and Hedges,

Graumaro must not thus be cudgeld (Sirs) his orisons must make way
for our soules, when by sinister chance we leave the earth. Learnings
that general Soule which Plato saith,

Fixeth the world; we must make much of him.

Gram.
Sol latet in herbis.
My anger goes down with the Sun (Sir,)

Hind.
Come; all shake hands,—my habit
A Merchants suit produc'd, Hind puts it on.
Dear Spolario, Are all our Horses, and our Arms in safety.

Spolario;
They feed like Pluto's Palfrayes under ground,
Our Pistolls, Swords, and other furniture
Are safely locked up at our Randevouz.

Hind.
He lingers strangely—
Did he assure you confidently hee'd come.

Spola.
Should death (Sir) meet him or his Fathers Ghost,
They'd hardly th'wart his Journey; I perceiv'd him
Wrapt in so mirthful an Astonishment,
He scarce could frame an Answer to my Message;
The Ape did chatter to himself
Like to some bill-patcht door, whose entrails have
Spew'd out their Tennant, oh I ravish'd him,
Hee's come.

Hind;
Are the Gaggs fix'd, and all the Gives in readiness.

Spola.
They are.

Hind.
Be gone.

All go off save Hind.
Enter Avaritio with two Servants, bearing baggs of Money.
Avaritio.
Peace here be multiplyed.

Hind.
You are most welcome (Sir)
I see you'l make the

Hind called his ship (by his servant to the Merchant) the Strange-Adventure.

STRANGE ADVENTURE yours.

Avaritio.

Sir, I have ever held it plety
to gratifie my friends on good conditions,
here is five thousand pounds; five thousand
more shalbe your own when I have view'd
the goods.

Hind.
You are most nobly honest;
Drink (Sir) a hearty glass.

Avar.
What's this a Masque?

Hind stamps with his foot; then enters Turbo, Latro, &c. in vizards: gag Avaritio and his men.
Hind.
A Matachin, you'l find it.

Avar.
Aw, Aw, Aw.

Hind.
Bear his two servants
Amongst their fellow beasts i'th Ostrey:
Take that Westphalia-Gammon-Clove stuck-face,
And box him up within that Leather Engine.

Avar.
Aw, Aw, Aw.

Hind.
This bag belongs to Capt. Martius,
They thrust him into a Port-mantle.
who with his Dagger often hacks his sword,
And with whole Culverin raging oathes doth tear
The Vault of Heaven, spetting in the eyes
Of Nature, natures loathsome blasphemies:
Five hundred pounds in gold it lately boasted,
This old Extortioner shall return the sum,
And think he cheaply is a Libertine:
Transport him hence into that Captains Chamber;
This Key will give you entrance.
They carry him off.
There place this putrid piece of parcemonie.
Anon wee'l share our Coin, and suck our Sack.
Still be propitious jugling

Mercury.

god, thy shrine
I'le lade with Hecatombs of spotted Kine:
For roguing Virtue brings a man defame,
A pack-staff Epethite, and scorned name.