 | The Fair Maid of The West. Or, A Girle worth gold. The first part |  |
1
[[Actus primus.]]
Enter two Captaines, and Mr. Carrol.1. Capt.
When puts my Lord to Sea?
2. Capt.
When the winde's faire.
Car.
Resolve me I intreat, can you not guesse
The purpose of this voyage?
1. Capt.
Most men thinke
The Fleet's bound for the Ilands.
Carr.
Nay, tis like.
The great successe at Cales under the conduct
Of such a Noble Generall, hath put heart
Into the English: They are all on fire
To purchase from the Spaniard. If their Carracks
Come deeply laden, wee shall tugge with them
For golden spoile.
2. Capt.
O, were it come to that!
1 Capt.
How Plimouth swells with Gallants! how the streets
Glister with gold! You cannot meet a man
But trickt in skarffe and feather, that it seemes
As if the pride of Englands Gallantry
Were harbourd here. It doth appeare (me thinkes)
A very Court of Souldiers.
Carr.
It doth so.
2
2. Capt.
At the next Taverne by; there's the best wine,
1 Cap.
And the best wench, Besse Bridges, she's the flowre
Of Plimouth held: the Castle needes no bush,
Her beauty drawes to them more gallant Customers
Then all the signes ith' towne else.
2. Capt.
A sweet Lasse,
If I have any judgement.
1. Capt.
Now in troth
I thinke shee's honest.
Carr.
Honest, and live there?
What, in a publike Taverne, where's such confluence
Of lusty and brave Gallants? Honest said you?
2. Capt.
I vow she is for me.
1. Capt.
For all, I think. I'm sure she's wondrous modest.
Carr.
But withall
Exceeding affable.
2 Capt.
An argument that shee's not proud.
Carr.
No, were she proud, she'd fall.
1 Capt.
Well, shee's a most attractive Adamant,
Her very beauty hath upheld that house,
And gain'd her master much.
Carr.
That Adamant
Shall for this time draw me to, wee'll dine there.
2. Capt.
No better motion: Come to the Castle then.
Enter M. Spencer, and Capt. Goodlack.
Goodl.
What, to the old house still?
Spenc.
Canst blame me, Captaine,
Beleeve me, I was never surprisde till now,
Or catcht upon the sudden.
Goodl.
Pray resolve me,
Why being a Gentleman of fortunes, meanes,
And well revenude, will you adventure thus
A doubtfull voyage, when onely such as I
Borne to no other fortunes then my sword
3
Spenc.
Pillage, Captaine?
No, tis for honor; And the brave societie
Of all these shining Gallants that attend
The great L. Generall, drew me hither first:
No hope of gaine or spoyle.
Goodl.
I, but what drawes you to this house so oft?
Spenc.
As if thou knewst it not.
Goodl.
What, Besse?
Spenc.
Even she.
Goodl.
Come, I must tell you, you forget your selfe,
One of your birth and breeding, thus to dote
Vpon a Tanners daughter: why, her father
Sold hydes in Somersetshire, and being trade-falne,
Sent her to service.
Spenc.
Prethee speake no more,
Thou telst me that which I would faine forget,
Or wish I had not knowne. If thou wilt humor me
Tell me shee's faire and honest.
Goodl.
Yes, and loves you.
Spenc.
To forget that, were to exclude the rest:
All saving that, were nothing. Come let's enter.
Enter 2. Drawers.
1. Draw.
You are welcome Gentlemen. Shew them into
the next roome there.
2. Draw.
Looke out a Towell, and some Rolls, a Salt and
Trenchers.
Spenc.
No sir, we will not dine.
2. Draw.
I am sure ye would if ye had my stomacke.
What wine drinke yee, Sacke or Claret?
Spenc.
Wheres Besse?
2. Draw.
Marry above with three or foure Gentlemen.
Spenc.
Goe call her.
2. D.
Ile draw you a cup of the neatest wine in Plimouth
Spen.
Ile tast none of your drawing. Goe call Besse.
4
Theres nothing in the mouthes of these Gallants,
but Besse, Besse.
Spenc.
What sa'y Sir?
2. Draw.
Nothing sir, but Ile goe call her presently.
Spenc.
Tell her who's here.
2. Draw.
The devill rid her out of the house for me.
Spenc.
Sa'y sir?
2 Draw.
Nothing but anon anon sir.
Enter Besse Bridges.
Spenc.
See she's come.
Bess.
Sweet Mr Spencer, y'are a stranger growne,
Where have you beene these three dayes?
Spenc.
The last night
Is ate up late, at game: here take this bagge,
And lay't up till I call for't.
Bess.
Sir I shall.
Spenc.
Bring me some wine.
Bess.
I know your taste,
And I shall please your palate.
Goodl.
Troth tis a pretty soule.
Spenc.
To thee I will unbosome all my thoughts,
Were her low birth but equall with her beauty
Here would I fixe my thoughts.
Goodl.
You are not mad sir?
You say you love her.
Spenc.
Never question that.
Goodl.
Then put her to't, win Oportunity,
Shee the best bawd: If (as you say) she loves you,
She can deny you nothing.
Spenc.
I have proved her
Vnto the utmost test. Examin'd her.
Even to a modest force: but all in vaine:
Shee'll laugh, conferre, keepe company, discourse,
And something more, kisse: but beyond that compasse
She no way can be drawne.
5
Tis a vertue,
But seldome found in tavernes.
Enter Besse with wine.
Besse.
Tis of the best Graves wine sir.
Spenc.
Gramarcie Girle, come sit.
Besse.
Pray pardon sir, I dare not.
Spenc.
Ile ha'it so.
Besse.
My fellowes love me not, and will complaine
Of such a sawcy boldnesse.
Spenc.
Pox on your fellowes,
Ile try whether their pottle pots or heads
Be harder, if I doe but heare them grumble.
Sit: now Besse drinke to me.
Besse.
To your good voyage.
Enter the second Drawer.
2 Draw.
Did you call sir?
Sp.
Yes sir, to have your absence. Captaine, this health.
Goodl.
Let it come sir.
2 Draw.
Must you be set, and we wait, with a—
Spenc.
What say you sir?
2 Draw.
Anon, anon, I come there.
Exit.
Spenc.
What will you venture Besse to sea with me?
Besse.
What I love best, my heart: for I could wish
I had beene borne to equall you in fortune,
Or you so low, to have beene rankt with me,
I could have then presum'd boldly to say,
I love none but my Spencer.
Spenc.
Besse I thanke thee.
Keepe still that hundred pound till my returne
From th'Islands with my Lord: if never, wench
Take it, it is thine owne.
Besse.
You binde me to you.
6
1 Draw.
Besse, you must fill some wine into the Portcullis,
the Gentlemen there will drinke none but of your
drawing.
Spenc.
She shall not rise sir, goe let your Master snick-up.
1 D.
And that should be cousin-german to the hick-up.
Enter the second Drawer.
2 Draw.
Besse, you must needs come, the gentlemen
fling pots, pottles, drawers, and all downe staires. The
whole house is in an uprore.
Besse.
Pray pardon sir, I needs must be gone.
2 D.
The Gentlemen sweare if she come not up to thē
They will come downe to her.
Spenc.
If they come in peace,
Like ciuill Gentlemen, they may be welcome:
If otherwise, let them usurpe their pleasures.
We stand prepar'd for both.
Enter Caroll and two Captaines.
Car.
Save you gallants, we are somwhat bold to presse
Into your company. It may be held scarce manners,
Therefore fit that we should crave your pardon.
Spenc.
Sir, you are welcome, so are your friends.
1 Capt.
Some wine.
Besse.
Pray give me leave to fill it.
Sp.
You shall not stir. So please you wee'l joyne cōpany.
Drawer, more stooles.
Car.
I tak't that's a she drawer. Are you of the house?
Besse.
I am sir.
Caroll.
In what place?
Besse.
I draw.
Caroll.
Beere, doe you not? You are some tapstresse.
Spenc.
Sir, the worst character you can bestow
Vpon the maide is to draw wine.
7
She would draw none to us,
Perhaps she keepes a Rundlet for your taste,
Which none but you must pierce.
2 Capt.
I pray be civill.
Spenc.
I know not, Gentlemen, what your intents be,
Nor doe I feare or care. This is my roome,
And if you beare you, as you seeme in shew,
Like Gentlemen, sit and be sociable.
Car.
We will. Minx, by your leave: Remove I say.
Spenc.
She shall not stir.
Car.
How sir?
Spen.
No sir: could you out-face the devill,
We doe not feare your roaring.
Car.
Though you may be companion with a drudge,
It is not fit shee should have place by us.
About your businesse, huswife.
Spenc.
She is worthy
The place as the best here, and she shall keep't.
Car.
You lie.
They bustle. Caroll slaine.
Goodl.
The Gentleman's slaine, away.
Besse.
Oh heaven, what have you done?
Goodl.
Vndone thy selfe and me too: Come away?
Besse.
Oh sad misfortune, I shall lose him ever.
What, are you men or milk sops? Stand you still
Senslesse as stones, and see your friend in danger
To expire his last?
1 Capt.
Tush, all our help's in vaine.
2 Capt.
This is the fruit of whoores.
This mischiefe came through thee.
Besse.
It grew first from your incivilitie.
1 Cap.
Lend me a hand to lift his body hence.
It was a fatall businesse.
Exeunt Captaines.
Enter the two Drawers.
1 Dr.
One call my Master, another fetch the constable,
Here's a man kild in the roome.
8
How, a man kill'd saist thou. Is all paid?
1 Dr.
How fell they out, canst thou tell?
2 Dr.
Sure about this bold Betrice: tis not so much for
the death of the man, but how shall we come by our reckoning?
Exeunt Drawers.
Besse.
What shall become of me! Of all lost creatures
The most infortunate. My innocence
Hath beene the cause of blood, and I am now
Purpled with murder, though not within compasse
Of the Lawes severe censure: but which most
Addes unto my affliction, I by this
Have lost so worthy and approv'd a friend,
Whom to redeeme from exile, I would give
All that's without and in me.
Enter Forset.
Fors.
Your name's Besse Bridges?
Besse.
An unfortunate Maid.
Knowne by that name too well in Plimouth here.
Your businesse, sir, with me?
Fors.
Know you this Ring?
Besse.
I doe: it is my Spencers.
I know withall you are his trusty friend,
To whom he would commit it. Speake, how fares he?
Is hee in freedome, know yee?
Fors.
Hee's in health
Of body, though in minde somwhat perplext
For this late mischiefe happened.
Besse.
Is he fled, and freed from danger?
Fors.
Neither. By this token
He lovingly commends him to you Besse,
And prayes you when tis darke meet him o'th Hoe
Neere to the new-made Fort, where hee'll attend you,
Before he flyes, to take a kinde farewell.
Theres onely Goodlack in his company,
He intreats you not to faile him.
9
Tell him from me, Ile come, Ile runne, Ile flye,
Stand Death before me: were I sure to die.
Exit.
Enter Spencer and Goodlacke.
Goodl.
You are too full of passion.
Spenc.
Canst thou blame me,
To have the guilt of murder burden me,
And next, my life in hazatd to a death
So ignominious: last, to lose a Love
So sweet, so faire, so am'rous, and so chaste,
And all these at an instant? Art thou sure
Carol is dead?
Goodl.
I can beleeve no lesse.
You hit him in the very speeding place.
Spenc.
Oh but the last of these sits neer'st my heart.
Goodl.
Sir be advis'd by mee.
Try her before you trust her. She perchance
May take th'advantage of your hopefull fortunes:
But when she findes you subject to distresse
And casualty, her flattering love may die:
Your deceased hopes.
Spenc.
Thou counselst well.
Ile put her to the test and utmost tryall
Before I trust her further. Here she comes.
Enter Forset, and Besse with a bagge.
Fors.
I have done my message sir.
Bes.
Feare not sweet Spencer, we are now alone,
And thou art sanctuar'd in these mine armes.
Goodl.
While these conferre wee'll centinel their safety.
This place Ile guard.
Fors.
I this.
Bes.
Are you not hurt?
Or your skinne rac'd with his offensive steele?
How is it with you?
10
Besse, all my afflictions
Are that I must leave thee: thou knowst withall
My extreame necessity, and that the feare
Of a most scandalous death doth force me hence.
I am not neare my Country, and to stay
From new supply from thence, might deeply ingage mee
To desperate hazard.
Besse.
Is it coyne you want?
Here is the hundred pound you gave me late,
Vse that, beside what I have stor'd and sav'de
Which makes it fifty more: were it ten thousand
Nay, a whole million, Spencer, all were thine.
Spenc.
No, what thou hast keepe still, tis all thine owne.
Here be my keyes, my trunkes take to thy charge:
Such gold fit for transportage as I have,
Ile beare along: the rest are freely thine,
Money, apparell, and what else thou findst,
Perhaps worth my bequest and thy receiving,
I make thee mistresse of.
Besse.
Before I doted,
But now you strive to have me extaside.
What would you have me doe, in which t'expresse
My zeale to you?
Spenc.
Which in my chamber hangs,
My picture, I injoyne thee to keepe ever,
For when thou partst with that, thou losest me.
Besse.
My soule may from my body be divorc'd,
But never that from me.
Spenc.
I have a house in Foy, a taverne calld
The Winde-mill, that I freely give thee too,
And thither if I live Ile send to thee.
Besse.
So soone as I have cast my reckonings up,
And made even with my Master, Ile not faile
To visit Foy in Cornwall. Is there else
Ought that you will injoyne me?
Spenc.
Thou art faire,
11
I know will tempt thee: beauty's a shrewd baite,
But unto that if thou add'st chastitie,
Thou shalt ore-come all scandall. Time cals hence,
We now must part.
Besse.
Oh that I had the power to make Time lame,
To stay the starres, or make the Moone stand still,
That future day might never haste thy flight.
I could dwell here for ever in thine armes,
And wish it alwayes night.
Spenc.
We trifle howers. Farewell.
Besse.
First take this Ring:
Twas the first token of my constant love
That past betwixt us. When I see this next,
And not my Spencer, I shall thinke thee dead:
For till death part thy body from thy soule
I know thou wilt not part with it.
Spenc.
Sweare for me Besse: for thou maist safely doe't.
Once more farewell: at Foy thou shalt heare from me.
Besse.
Theres not a word that hath a parting sound
Which through mine eares shrills not immediate death.
I shall not live to lose thee.
Fors.
Best be gone, for harke I heare some tread.
Spenc.
A thousand farewels are in one contracted.
Captaine away.
Exit Spencer, & Goodlacke.
Besse.
Oh, I shall dye.
Fors.
What mean you Besse, wil you betray your friend,
Or call my name in question? Sweet, looke up.
Besse.
Hah, is my Spencer gone?
Fors.
With speed towards Foy,
There to take ship for Fiall.
Besse.
Let me recollect my selfe,
And what he left in charge. Vertue and Chastitie.
Next, with all sudden expedition
12
And keepe them strictly, as I would my life.
Plimouth farewell: in Cornwall I will prove
A second fortune, and for ever mourne,
Vntill I see my Spencers safe returne.
Hoboys.
A dumbe Show. Enter Generall, Captaines, the Mayor: Petitioners the other way with papers: amongst these the Drawers. The Generall gives them bagges of money. All goe off saving the two Drawers.
1 Draw.
Tis well yet we have gotten all the money due
to my Master. It is the commonest thing that can bee for
these Captaines to score and to score: but when the scores
are to be paid, Non est inventus.
2 Draw.
Tis ordinary amongst Gallants now a dayes,
who had rather sweare forty oaths, then onely this one
oath, God let me never be trusted.
1 Draw.
But if the Captaines would follow the noble
minde of the Generall, before night there would not bee
one score owing in Plimouth.
2 Draw.
Little knowes Besse that my Master hath got
in these desperate debts: but she hath cast up her accounts
and is gone.
1 Draw.
Whither canst thou tell?
2 Draw.
They say to keepe a Taverne in Foy, and that
M. Spencer hath given her a stocke to set up for her selfe.
Well, howsoever, I am glad, though he kild the man wee
have got our money.
Explicit Actus primus.
| The Fair Maid of The West. Or, A Girle worth gold. The first part | |