 | The Fair Maid of The West. Or, A Girle worth gold. The second part |  |
Actus quartus.
Scena prima.
Enter Besse, Ruffman, and Clem.Besse.
All is lost.
Ruff.
Save these our selves.
Clem.
For my part I have not so much left as a clean
Shirt.
Besse.
And Spencer too, had the seas left me him,
I should have thought them kinde, but in his fate,
All wishes, fortunes, hopes of better daies
Expire.
Ruff.
Spencer may live.
Clem.
I, that he may, if it be but in a sea-water green
suit, as I was, among the haddocks.
Besse.
How many bitter plunges have I past,
Ere I could win my Spencer? who no sooner
Maried, but quite divorst, possest for some few daies,
Then rent asunder, as soon a widow as I was a Bride:
This day the mistris of many thousands,
And a begger now, not worth the clothes I wear.
Ruff.
At the lowest ebbe
The tides still flow, besides, being on the ground,
Lower we cannot fall.
Besse.
Yes, into the ground, the grave.
Ruffman, would I were there; till then I never
VVhat greater misery heaven can inflict, I have not yet
Indur'd: if there be such, I dare it, let it come.
Enter Captain Bandetties, and others.
Band.
Cease, and surprise the prisoners: thou art mine.
Ruff.
Villain, hands off, knowst thou whom thou offendest?
Band.
Binde her fast, and after captive him.
Ruff.
I will rather die
Then suffer her sustein least injury.
Ruffman is beaten off.
Besse.
VVhat's thy purpose?
Band.
In all my travells, and my quest of blood,
I ne're encountred such a beauteous prize:
Heavens, if I thought you would accept his thanks
That trades in deeds of hell, I would acknowledge
My self in debt to you.
Besse.
VVhat's thy intent,
Bold villein, that thou mak'st this preparation?
Band.
I intend to ravish thee.
Besse.
All goodnesse pardon me, and you blest heavens,
VVhom I too boldly challeng'd for a misery
Beyond my Spencers losse. VVhat, rape intended?
I had not thought there had been such a mischief,
Devis'd for wretched woman: ravish me?
'Tis beyond shipwrack, poverty, or death:
It is a word invented first in hell,
And by the devills first spew'd upon earth:
Man could not have invented to have given
Such letters sound.
Band.
I trifle howers too long,
And now to my black purpose. Envious day,
Gaze with thy open eyes on this nights work,
For thus the Prologue to my lust begins.
Besse.
Help, murther, rape, murther.
Ile stop your mouth from bawling.
Enter Duke of Florence, and a train, and Merchant.
Flor.
This way the cry came: rescue for the Lady,
Hold thy desperate fury, and arm thy self
For my encounter.
Band.
Hell prevented.
Flor.
Vnbinde that beautious Lady, and pursue
The Ruffin; he that can bring his head shall have
A thousand crowns propos'd for his reward:
He should be Captain of those bloody theevs,
That haunts our mountains, and of our dear subjects
Hath oft made outrage. Go, see this proclaim'd.
Besse.
E're I, the happy wishes of my soul,
My orizons to heaven, or make free tender
Of a most bounden duty, grace my misery,
To let me know, unto what worthy person,
Of what degree or state, I owe the service
Of a most wretched life, lest in my ignorance,
I prove an heretick to all good manners,
And harshly so offend.
Flor.
Fairest of thy sex, I need not question thine,
Because I read a noblenesse in thy forehead;
But to resolve thee, know, I am stil'd, The Duke
Of Florence, and of this countrey Prince.
Besse.
Then from my knees I fall flat on my face,
In bound obeysance.
Flor.
Rise,
That earth's too base for such pure lips to kisse.
They should rather joyn with a Princes, as at first
Made for such use: nay, we will have it so.
Merch.
That Lady, if my memory be faithfull
Vnto my judgement, I should have seen e're now,
But where, what place, or in what countrey, now
I cannot call to minde.
Where were you bred?
Besse.
In England, royall Sir.
Merch.
In England?
Flor.
By what strange adventure then
Happened you on these coasts?
Besse.
By shipwrack.
Flor.
Then churlish were the waves t'expose you to
Such danger. Whence disimbark't you last?
Besse.
From Barberie.
Flor.
From Barberie? our Merchant, you came lately thence.
Merch.
'Tis she, I now remember her,
She did me a great curtesie, and I am proud,
Fortune, how ever enemy to her,
Has given me opportunity to make
A just requitall.
Flor.
What occasion
Fair Lady, being of such state and beauty,
Drew you from your own countrey, to expose you
To so long travell.
Merch.
Mighty Soveraign,
Pardon my interuption, if I make bold
To put your grace in minde of an English Virgin,
So highly grac't by mighty Mullisheg.
Flor.
A legend, worthy to be writ in gold,
Whose strangenesse seem'd at first to exceed belief;
And had not thy approved honesty
Commanded our attention, we should have doubted
That thou therein hadst much hyperboliz'd.
Merch.
What would your grace give,
To see that miracle of constancie,
Shee who reliev'd so many Christian captives,
Redeem'd so many of the Merchants goods,
Beg'd of the king so many forfetures,
Kept from the Gallies some, and some from slaughter,
She whom the king of Fesse never denied,
But she deni'd him love; whose chastity
Made him admire hir vertues.
Flor.
The report
Strikes us with wonder and amazement too:
But to behold the creature were a project,
Worthy a theatre of Emperours;
Nay, gods themselves to be spectatours.
March.
Behold that wonder. Lady, know you me?
Besse.
Not I, I can assure you, Sir.
March.
Ile give you instance then;
I was that Florentine:
Who being in Fesse; for a strange outrage there,
Six of my men were to the Gallies doom'd:
But at your intercession to the king,
Freely releast: for which, in this dejection,
I pray accept these thousand crowns, to raise
Your ruin'd fortunes.
Besse.
You are gratefull, Sir, beyond my merit
Flor.
I cannot blame great Fesse
To become inamour'd on so fair a creature.
You had a friend much grac'd by that same Moor,
Whom, as our Merchant told us, you were espous'd to
In the Court of Fesse, wher's he?
Besse.
I cannot speak it without tears.
Flor.
Why, is he dead?
Besse.
I cannot say he lives.
Flor.
How were you sever'd?
Besse.
It asks a sad relation.
Flor.
Wee'll finde a fitter time to hear't. But now,
Augment your griefs no further: on what coast
Pray, were you shipwrack't?
Bess.
Vpon these neighbouring shoars; where all the wealth
I had from Barbarie is perish't in the sea.
I that this morn commanded half a million,
Have nothing now but this good merchants bounty.
Flor.
You are richer
Fesse could have crown'd your pearlesse beauty with:
He gave you gold; but we your almost forfeit chastitie.
Bess.
A gift above the wealth of Barbarie.
Flor.
Conduct this Ladie to the City streight,
And bear this our signet to our treasurer,
Command for her ten thousand crowns immediately.
Next to our wardrobe, and what choise of habit
Best likes her, 'tis her own;
Onely for all this grace, daign beauteous Lady,
That I may call you servant.
Besse.
Pardon me, Sir,
You are a Prince, and I am here your vassall.
Flor.
Merchant,
As you respect our favour see this done.
Besse.
What must my next fall be? I that this morning
Was rich in wealth and servants, and e're noon
Commanded neither: and next doom'd to death;
Not death alone, but death with infamy.
But what's all this unto my Spencers losse?
Flor.
You to the City, wee'll pursue the chase.
Madam, be comforted, wee'll send, or see you;
All your fortunes are not extinct in shipwrack,
The land affords you better if you'l be swai'd by us.
As first you finde us, wee'll be still the same:
Oft have I chac't nere found so fair a game.
Exeunt.
Enter Clem solus.
Clem.
Where are my Bashaw's now? Let me see, what
shall I do? I have left my Mistrisse, where shall I have my
wages? shee's peper'd by this: but if the Captain of the
Bandetties had had but that grace and honour that I had
when I was in Barbarie, he would not have been so lusty.
She scapt drowning, which is the way of all fish, and by
this is gone the way of all flesh. My Lieutenant hee's sure
cut to pieces among the Bandetties, and so had I been,
and Spencer, they are either drowned i'th tempest,
or murthered by the Pirates, and none is left alive but I
Clem, poor Clem: but poor Clem, how wilt thou do now?
what trick have you to satisfie Colon, here in a strange
Countrey? It is not now with me as when Andrea liv'd.
Now I bethink me, I have a trade, and that, they say, will
stick by a man when his friends fail him: the City is hard
by, and Ile see and I can be entertained to my old trade of
drawing wine: if't be but an under skinker, I care not,
better do so then like a prodigall feed upon husks and
acorns.
Well, if I chance to lead my life under some happy signe,
To my Countreymen still Ile fill the best wine.
Exit.
Enter Ruffman bleeding.
Ruff.
Wounded, but scapt with life: but Besses losse,
that's it that grieves me inward: ravish't, perhaps, and
murthered. Oh, if Spencer and Goodlack survive, how
would they blame my cowardice? a threed spun, may be
untwined, but things in nature done, undone can never
be. Shee's lost, they are perish't, they are happy in their
deaths, and I surviving left to the earth most miserable. No
means to raise my self? I met a Pursuivant even now, proclaiming
to the man could bring the head of the Bandetties
Captain, for his reward a thousand crowns: If not for
gain of gold, yet for he injur'd Besse, that shall be my next
task: What though I die?
Be this my comfort, that it chanc't me well,
To perish by his hand by whom she fell.
To perish by his hand by whom she fell.
Exit.
Enter Duke of Florence. Merchant.
Flor.
Our Merchant, have you done to'th English Lady
As we commanded, did she take the gold?
Merc.
After many complements, circumstances,
Modest refusalls, sometimes with repulse,
What a bewitching art she striv'd to use,
Betwixt deniall, and disdain; contempt and thankfulnesse,
You would have said, that out of a meer scorn
T'accept your gift, she exprest such gratitude,
As would demand a double donative.
Flor.
And it has don't, it shall be doubl'd straight,
Arising thence unto an infinite,
If shee'll but grant us love. How for her habit?
March.
With an inforst will, wilfull constraint,
And a meer kinde of glad necessity,
She put it on but to lament the death
Of her lost husband.
Flor.
Why, is he lost?
Merch.
By all conjectures never to be found.
Flor.
The lesse her hope is to recover him,
The more our hopes remains to conquer her:
Bear her from us this jewell, and withall
Provide a banquet, bid her leave all mourning,
This night in person we will visit her.
Merch.
I shall.
Flor.
Withall more gold.
And if thou canst by way of conference,
Get from her how she stands affected towards us:
It shall not be the furthest way about
To thy preferment and our speciall favour.
Enter a messenger.
Mess.
The two bold Dukes of Mantua and Farara,
after many bloody garboils have entred league: and within
these two daies mean to visit Florence, to make your
Court a witnesse of their late concluded amity.
Flor.
Wee'll receive them,
As Princes that in this would honour us.
Mess.
These letters will speak further.
Flor.
Bear them streight
That all our Court may shine in gold and pearl,
They never could have come in a happier season,
Then when the great and high magnificence,
Without suspect we would have shown to her,
Will be accounted honour done to them.
In fates despight,
we will not lose the honour of this night.
Exit.
Enter Spencer, Goodlack.
Spenc.
Farara was exceeding bountifull.
Goodl.
So was the Duke of Mantua. Had we staid
Within their confines, we might even till death
Have liv'd in their high favour.
Spenc.
Oh, but Captain,
What would their Dukedomes gain me without Besse,
Or all the world t'injoy it without her:
Each passage of content or pleasing fortune,
VVhen I record she has no part in it,
Seems rather as an augmentation
Of a more great disease.
Goodl.
This be your comfort, that by this
Shee's best part of her way for England, whither
She is richly bound, then where she is most hopelesse
Of this your safety,
VVith your survivall to receive us gladly
VVith an abundant treasure.
Spenc.
But for that,
I had sunk e're this beneath the weight of war.
And chus'd an obscure death, before the glorie
Of a renowned souldier. But we are now
As farre as Florence onward of our way,
VVere it best that we made tender of our service
To the grand Duke?
Goodl.
'Tis the greatest benefits of all our travells, to
see forraigne Courts, and to discourse their fashions: let
Spenc.
Where were we best to lodge?
Goodl.
Hard by is a Tavern, let's first drink there, and
after make inquirie who's the best host for strangers.
Spenc.
Come ho, where be these Drawers?
Enter a Drawer.
Draw.
Gentlemen, I draw none my self, but Ile send
some.
Enter Clem with wine.
Clem.
Welcome Gentlemen. Score a quart.
Spenc.
Ha?
Goodl.
How?
Clem.
No, no, I am an asse, a very animall, it cannot be.
Spenc.
Why dost thou bear the wine back, the slave
thinks belike we have no money?
Goodl.
What dost thou think us to be such casher'd soldiers
that we have no cash. Tush, it cannot be he.
Spenc.
How should he come here, set down the wine.
Clem.
I will, I will, sir. Score a quart of—Tricks,
meer fantasmes. Shall I draw wine to shadows? so I might
runne o'th score, and finde no substance to pay for it.
Spenc.
Left we not him a shipboard on his voyage towards
England with my
Goodl.
With Besse, true, Sirra, set down the wine.
Clem.
Some Italian Mountebanks, upon my life, meer
jugling.
Goodl.
Vpon my life 'tis Clem.
Clem.
Ca, Ca, Cap. Captain? Maister Spencer?
Spenc.
Clem?
Clem.
I am Clem.
Spenc.
And I am Spencer.
Goodl.
And I Goodlack, but cannot think thee Clem.
Clem.
Yes, I am Clem of Foy, the Bashaw of Barbarie,
who from a Courtier of Fesse, am turn'd a Drawer in Florence:
but let me clear my eies better; now I know you
to be the same whose throats the Pirates would have cut,
and have spoiled your drinkings.
Oh, tell us, and be brief in thy relation,
What hapened you, after the sudden tempest
Sever'd our ships? or what's become of Besse?
Goodl.
Where did our Negro touch?
Clem.
Ile give you a touch, take it as you will: The
Negro and all that was in her was wrack't on the coast of
of Florence, her, and all the wealth that was in her, all
drownd i'th bottome of the sea.
Spenc.
No matter for the riches, wher's she, worth
More then ship or goods?
Goodl.
Wher's Ruffman? for thou we see art safe.
Spenc.
Nay speak, wher's Besse?
How my heart quails within me?
Clem.
She, Ruffman, and I were all cast ashore safe,
like so many drowned Rats, where we were no sooner
landed, but we were set upon by the Bandetties; where
she was bound to a tree, and ready to be ravish't by the
Captain of the Out-laws.
Spenc.
Oh, worse then shipwrack could be.
Clem.
I see Ruffman half cut in pieces with rescuing her,
but whether the other half be alive or no, I cannot tell.
For my one part, I made shift for one, my heels doing
me better service then my hands: and comming to the
City, having no other means to live by, got me to my old
trade to draw wine, where I have the best wine in Florence
for you Gentlemen.
Spenc.
Ravish't.
Goodl.
And Ruffman slain.
Spenc.
Oh, hard news:
It frets all my blood, and strikes me stiffe with
Horrour and amazement.
Goodl.
It strikes me
Into a marble statue, for with such
I have like sense and feeling.
Spenc.
Tell me Captain,
Wilt thou give me leave at length to despair
Friendship with thee, if thou perswad'st me live.
Ravish't!
Goodl.
Perhaps attempted but prevented,
Will you before you know the utmost certainty,
Destroy your self?
Spenc.
What is this world? what's man? are we created
Out of flint or iron, that we are made to bear this?
Goodl.
Comfort, Sir.
Clem.
Your onely way is to drink wine if you be in
grief, for that's the onely way, the old proverb saies, to
comfort the heart.
Goodl.
Hark where we lie, and I prethee Clem lets hear
from thee, but now leave us.
Clem.
I will make bould inquire you out, and if you
want mony (as many travellers may) as long as I have either
credit, wages, or any coyne i'th world, you shall not
want, as I am a true Eunuch.
Enter Florence ushuring Besse, Train.
Goodl.
Let's stand aside and suffer these Gallants passe,
that with their state take a whol street before them.
Flor.
Our Coach, stay, wee'll back some half houre hence,
Onely conduct this Lady to her lodging.
Ha, started you, Sweet, whence fetcht
You that sigh. Our train lead on,
W'have other businesse now to think upon.
Exeunt.
Besse casts a jewell.
Goodl.
Sure this was some great Lady.
Spenc.
But observ'd you not this jewell that shee
cast me? 'tis a rich one.
Goodl.
Believe me, worthy your wearing.
Spenc.
What might she be to whom I am thus bound?
I'me here a stranger, never till this day
Beheld I Florence, nor acquaintance, friend:
Especially of Ladies.
By their train,
The man that did support her by the arm
Was of some speciall note; and she a Lady
Nobly descended. Why should she throw you this,
Being a meer stranger?
Spenc.
Ther's some mystery in't,
If we could finde the depth on't, sure there is.
Goodl.
Perhaps some newly faln in love with you,
Now at first sight, and hurl'd that as a favour.
Spencer.
Yet neither of us
had or the wit or sense to enquire her name:
Ile weare it openly and see if any
Will challenge it: the way to know her best.
Goodl.
And I would so.
Spenc.
Ile truce a while with sorrow for my Besse,
Till I finde th'event.
Goodl.
And at best leasure
Tender our service to the Duke,
Whom same reports to be a bounteous prince,
And liberall to all strangers.
Spenc.
'Tis decreed—
But howsoe're his favours he impart,
My Besses losse will still sit near my heart.
Exeunt.
Flourish.
Enter Florence, Mantua, Farara.
Flo.
This honour you have done me, worthy Princes,
In leaving of your Courts to visit me,
We reckon as a trophe of your loves,
And shall remain a future monument,
Of a more firme and perfect amitie.
Mant.
To you, as to the greatest, most honour'd,
And most esteemed Prince of Italy,
After a tedious opposition,
And much effuse of blood, this Prince and I,
Late reconcil'd, make a most happy tender
Of our united league.
Selecting you
A royall witnesse of this union,
Which to expresse, we come to feast with you,
To sport and revell, and in full largesse,
To spread our royall bounty through your Court.
Flor.
What neither letters nor Ambassadours,
Solliciting by factions, or by friends,
Heavens hand hath done by your more calmer temper.
Mant.
All resist alls,
Quarells, and ripping up of injuries,
Are smother'd in the ashes of our wrath,
Whose fire is now extinct.
Ferar.
Which who so kindles,
Let him be held a new Herostratus,
Who was so hated throughout Ephesus,
They held it death to name him.
Flor.
Nobly spoke.
And now confederate Princes, you shall finde,
By our rich entertainment, how w'esteem
Your friendship. Speak, have we no Ladies here
To entertain these princes?
Enter Besse.
Mant.
Me thinks I spie one beauty in this place,
Worth all the sights that I have seen before.
I thinke, survay the spatious world abroad,
You scarce can finde her equall.
Farar.
Had not wonder,
And deep amazement curb'd my speech in,
I had forestall'd this Prince in approbation
Of her comparelesse beauty.
Flor.
Taste her Princes.
This surfets me, and ads unto my love,
That they should thus admire her.
Matua.
Beautious Lady,
It is not my least honour to be first
Besse.
I stand a statue,
And cannot move but by anothers will,
And as I am commanded.
Farar.
I should have wrastled for priority,
But that I hold it as a blessing,
To take off that kisse which he so late laid on.
Flor.
Now tell me Princes,
How do you like my judgement in the choice
Of a fair mistrisse?
Mant.
You shall choose for me.
Farar.
More happy in this beauty, I account you,
Then in your richest treasure.
Flor.
Wer't not clouded o're
With such a melancholly sadnesse, I'de
Not change it for the wealth of Italy.
Sweet, cheer this brow whereon no frown can sit,
But it will ill become you.
Besse.
Sir, I bleed.
Flor.
Ha, bleed?
I would not have a sad and ominous fate
Hang o're thee for a million:
Perhaps 'tis custome with you.
Besse.
I have observed
Even from my childehood, never fell from hence
One crimson drop, but either my greatest enemy,
Or my dearest friend was near.
Flor.
Why, we are here,
First to thy side thy dearest friend on earth.
If that be all, fear nothing.
Besse.
Pardon, Sir,
Both modesty and manners pleads for me
And I must needs retire.
Flor.
Our train attend her,
Let her have all observance. By my royalty,
I would not have her taste the least disaster
Exit:
Ferar.
You have onely shewed us a rich Iewell, Sir,
And put it in a casket.
Mant.
Of what countrey,
Fortune, or birth doth she proclaim her self?
For by her garb and language we may guesse,
She was not bred in Florence.
Flor.
Seat you Princes, Ile tell you a strange project.
Enter Spencer and Goodlack.
Spenc.
I have walk't the streets, but finde not any that
will make challenge of this jewell. Captain, now wee'll
try the Court.
Goodl.
Beware of these Italians,
They are by nature jealous and revengefull,
Not sparing the most basest opportunity,
That may procure your danger.
Spencer.
Innocence
Is bold and cannot fear. But see the Duke,
Wee'll tender him the solemnst reverence
Of travellers and strangers. Peace, prosperitie,
And all good fates attend your royalty.
Goodl.
Behold, w'are two poor English Gentlemen,
Whom travell hath enforc't through your Dukedome,
As next way to our countrey, prostrate you
Our lives and service: 'tis not for reward,
Or hope of gain we make this tender to you,
But our free loves.
Flor.
That which so freely comes,
How can we scorn? what are you Gentlemen?
Mant.
Ile speak for this.
Farar.
And I for him,
Well met renowned Englishman
Here in the Court of Florence: this was he,
Great Duke, whom fame hath for his valour blazon'd;
Not onely through Mantua,
Where 'twas shown.
Ferar.
Hath fame been so injurious to thy merit,
That this great Court is not already fil'd
With rumour of their matchlesse chevalrie.
Flor.
If these be they, as by their outward semblance,
They promise not much lesse: fame hath been harbinger
To speak their praise before hand. Noble Gentlemen,
You have much grac't our Court; we thank you for't:
And though no way according to your merits,
Yet will we strive to cherish such brave spirits.
Spenc.
Th'acceptance of our smallest service, Sir,
Is bounty above gold: w'are poor Gentlemen,
And though we cannot, gladly would deserve.
Goodl.
'Tas pleas'd these princes to bestow on us
Too great a character: and gild our praises
Far above our deserts.
Flor.
That's but your modesty.
English Gentlemen, let fame speak for you.
Farar.
Gentlemen of England, we pardon you all duty,
We accept you as our friends and our companions:
Such you are, and such we do esteem you.
Spencer.
Mighty Prince,
Such boldnesse wants excuse.
Flor.
Come wee'll ha't so.
Amazement, can it be? Sure 'tis the self same jewell
I gave the English Lady: more I view it,
More it confirmes my knowledge: now is no time
To question it, once more renowned Englishmen,
Welcome to us and to these Princes.
Enter Ruffman.
Ruff.
Can any man shew mee the great Duke of
Florence?
March.
Behold the Prince.
Ruff.
Daigne, thou renowned Duke, to cast thy eyes
Vpon a poor dejected Gentleman,
I have nor meat nor money; these rags are all my riches;
Onely necessity compells me claim
A debt owing by you.
Flor.
By us?
Let's know the summe, and how the debt acrues.
Ruff.
You have proclaim'd to him could bring the head
Of the Bandetties Captain, for his reward,
A thousand crowns. Now I being a Gentleman,
A traveller, and in want, made this my way
To raise my ruin'd hope: I singled him,
Fought with him hand to hand, and from his bloody shoulders
Lopt this head.
Flor.
Boldly and bravely done: what e're thou be
Thou shalt receive it from our treasurie.
Ruff.
You shew your self as fame reports you,
A bounteous Prince, and liberall to all strangers.
Flor.
From what countrey
Do you claim your birth?
Ruff.
From England, royall Sir!
Flor.
These bold Englishmen,
I think are all compos'd of spirit and fire,
The element of earth hath no part in them.
Mant.
If, as you say, from England, we retein
Some of your Countreymen; know you these Gentlemen?
Ruff.
Let me no longer live in extasie,
This wonder will confound me: Noble friends,
Bootlesse it were to ask you why, because
I finde you here. Illustrious Duke, you owe
Me nothing now, to shew me these, is reward
Beyond what you proclaim'd: the rest I pardon.
Flor.
What these are we know,
And what thou art we need not question much,
That head though mute can speak it.
Princes, once more receive our royall welcome.
Oh, but the jewell: but of that at leasure
Florish.
Exeunt Dukes.
Spenc.
Oh, that we three so happily should meet,
And want the fourth.
Ruff.
I left her in the hands of rape and murther,
Whence, except some deity,
'Twas not in the power of man to rescue her;
How ever, a good office I have done her,
Which even in death her soul will thank me for,
Reveng'd her on that villain.
Goodl.
It hath exprest the noblenesse of thy Spirit.
For it we still shall owe thee.
Ruff.
But what adventure hath prefer'd you
And brought you thus in grace?
Goodl.
You shall hereafter
Pertake of that at large. But leaving this discourse,
With our joynt perswasions let's strive to comfort him,
That's nothing but discomfort.
Ruff.
Would I had brought him news of that rare vertue.
Yet you have never heard of our late shipwrack.
Goodl.
Clem reported it.
Ruff.
How Clem, wher's he?
Goodl.
He has got a service hard by, and draws wine.
Ruff.
His master may well trust him with his maids,
For since the Beshaws gelded him, he has learn'd
To run exceeding nimbly.
Enter Merchant.
Merch.
Sir, 'tis to you, I take it,
My message is directed.
The Duke would have some conference with you, but
it must be in private.
Spenc.
I am his servant, still at his command.
Where shall's meet anon.
Goodl.
At Clems.
Spencer.
Content.
Where wee'll make a due relation of all our
desperate fortunes.
Ruff.
'Tis concluded.
Exeunt
Explicit Actus quartus.
| The Fair Maid of The West. Or, A Girle worth gold. The second part | |