 | The Fair Maid of The West. Or, A Girle worth gold. The second part |  |
Tota.
It must not, may not, shall not be indur'd:
Left we for this our Countrey? to be made
A meere neglected Lady here in Fesse,
A slave to others, but a scorne to all?
Can womanish ambition, heat of blood,
Or height of birth brooke this, and not revenge?
Revenge? on whom? on mighty Mullisheg?
We are not safe then; On the English stranger?
And why on her, when thers no apprehension
That can in thought pollute her innocence?
Yet something I must doe. What? nothing yet?
Nor must we live neglected; I should doubt
I were a perfect woman, but degenerate
I have a thousand projects in my braine,
But can bring none to purpose.
Enter Bashaw Ioffer.
Ioff.
Cal'd your Majestie?
Tota.
No, yet I thinke I did; be gone, yet stay.
Will not this mishapt Embrion grow to forme?
Not yet? nor yet?
Ioff.
I attend your highnesse pleasure.
Tota.
'Tis perfect, and I ha'te,
I am ambitious but to thinke upon't,
And if it prove as I have fashiond it,
I shall be trophide ever.
Ioff.
I wait still.
Tota.
The King no way in perill, she secure,
None harm'd, all pleas'd, I sweetly satisfied,
And yet reveng'd at full. Braine, I for this
Will wreathe thee in a glorious arch of gold,
stuck full of Indian gemmes. But Tota, whom
Wilt thou imploy in this? the Moores are treacherous,
And them we dare not trust.
Ioff.
You neede not mee.
Tot.
Say, wher's the King?
Ioff.
I'th Presence.
Tot.
How?
Ioff.
Distempered late, and strangely humerous,
The cause none can conjecture.
Tot.
Send in his sweet heart,
And were his owne heart double rib'd with brasse,
Yet she would search the inmost of his thoughts.
No, 'tis not her on whom I build my project.
Is the King upon his entrance?
Ioff.
'Tis thought he is,
If so, this sudden strange distemperature
Hath not his purpose altered.
You have now leave
To leave us and attend the King,
Ioff.
I shall.
Tot.
If any of the English Ladies traine
Come in your way, you may request them hither,
Say, we would question some things of their countrey.
Ioff.
Madam, I shall.
Tot.
Then on to your attendance, what we must,
Weele worke by th'English, these we dare not trust.
Enter Clem meeting Ioffer.
Ioff.
'Tis the Queenes pleasure you attend her.
Clem.
The Queene speake with me? Can you tell the
businesse? A murren of these barbers of Barberie, they
have given me a receipt, that scape the collicke as well as
I can, I shall be sure never to be troubled with the stone.
Ioff.
Yonder she walkes. I leave ye.
Tot.
Now sir, you are of England?
Clem.
And I thinke you are a witch.
Tot.
How sirrah?
Clem.
A foolish proverbe we use in our countrey, which
to give you in other words, is as much as to say, You have
hit the naile on the head.
Tot.
And servant to the English Elizabeth,
So great in Court by mighty Mullisheg,
You follow her?
Clem.
I must confesse I am not her Gentleman usher to
goe before her, for that way as the case stands with mee
now, I can doe her but small pleasure, I doe follow her.
Tot.
You have seene both nations, England and our
Fesse, how doe our people differ?
Clem.
Our countreymen eate and drinke as yours doe
for all the world, open their eyes when they would see,
and shut them againe when they would sleepe: when
they goe they set one leg before another, and gape when
their mouthes open, as yours eate when they have stomacks,
to be the cleanlier.
Tot.
Cleanlier, wherein?
Clem.
Because they never sit downe to meat with such
foule hands and faces.
Tot.
But how your Ladies and choice Gentlewomen?
Clem.
You shall meete some of them sometimes as fresh
as flowers in May, and as faire as my Mistrisse, and within
an hower the same Gentlewoman as blacke as your selfe,
or any of your Morians.
Tot.
Can they change faces so? not possible: shew me
some reason for't.
Clem.
When they put on their maskes.
Tot.
Maskes, what are they?
Clem.
Please you to put off yours, and Ile tell you.
Tot.
We weare none but that which nature hath bestowed
on us, and our births give us freely.
Clem.
And our Ladies weare none but what the shops
yeeld, and they buy for their money.
Tot.
Canst thou be secret to me Englishman?
Clem.
Yes, and chast too, I have tane a medicine
for't.
Tot.
Be fixt to me in what I shall employ thee,
Constant and private unto my designes,
More grace and honour I will do to thee,
Then ere thou didst receive from Mullisheg.
Clem.
Grace and honour? his grace and honour was to
take away some part, and she would honour me to take
away all: Ile see you damn'd as deep as the black father
of your generation the devill first.
Tot.
Mistake me not.
Clem.
Nay if you were with childe with a young
princely devill, and had a minde to any thing that's here,
Ide make you lose your longing.
Tot.
Sure this fellow is some sot.
Clem.
Grace and honour, quotha.
Ruff.
How now Clem, whither in such post hast?
Clem.
There, if you will have any grace and honour,
you may pay fort as deare as I have done; 'sfoot I have
little enough left, I would faine carry home something into
my own countrey.
Ruff.
Why, what's the matter? I prethee stay.
Clem.
No, Lieutenant you shall pardon me, not I, the
room is too hot for me: Ile be gone, do you stay at your
own perill: Ile be no longer a prodigall, Ile keep what
I have.
Tot.
This should have better sense, Ile next prove
him.
Ruff.
Excuse me mighty Princesse, that my boldnesse
Hath prest thus far into your privacies.
Tot.
You no way have offended; nay, come neare,
We love to grace a stranger.
Ruff.
'Twas my ignorance,
And no pretended boldnesse.
Tot.
I have observed you
To be of some command amongst the English,
Nor make I question but that you may be
Of fair revennues.
Ruff.
A poore Gentleman.
Tot.
Weel make thee rich; spend that.
Ruff.
Your graces bounty
Exceeds what merit can make good in me:
I am your highnesse servant.
Tot.
Let that jewell be worne as our high favour.
Ruff.
'Sfoot I think
This Queen's in love with me. Madam, I shall.
Tot.
If any favour I can do in Court
Can make you further gracious, speak it freely;
What power we have is yours.
Ruff.
Doubtlesse it is so, and I am made for ever.
Nay wee shall take it ill
To give our selves so amply to your knowledge,
And you not use us.
Ruff.
Vse us, now upon my life shee's caught:
What, courted by a Queene? a royall Princesse;
Where were your eyes Besse, that you could not see
These hidden parts and misteries, which this Queene
Hath in my shape observed? 'tis but a fortune
That I was borne to, and I thanke heaven fort.
Tot.
May I trust you?
Ruff.
With your life, with your honour.
Ile be as private to you as your heart
Within your bosome, close as your owne thoughts.
Ile bragge of this in England, that I once
Was favourite to a Queene, my royall mistris.
Tot.
If what you have already promised youle make good,
Ile prove so.
Ruff.
Madam, let this,
Tot.
What?
Ruff.
This kisse.
Tot.
This foole, this asse, this insolent gull.
Ruff.
Why, did not your grace meane plainely?
Tot.
In what, sir?
Ruff.
Did you not court me?
Tot.
How, that face?
Thinkest thou I could love a Monkey, a Babone?
Know, were I mounted in the height of lust,
And a mere prostitute, rather then thee
Ide imbrace, one, name but that creature
That thou dost thinke most odious.
Ruff.
Pardon me Lady,
I humbly take my leave.
Tot.
Have I given you your description I pray, sir,
Be secret in't.
Ruff.
I shall be loath to tell it,
Or publish it to any.
Yet you are not gone:
Know then you have incur'd
The Kings wrath first, our high displeasure next,
The least of which is death; yet will you grow
More neare to us, and prove loyall unto my present purposes.
I will not onely pardon you what's past.
But multiply my bounties.
Ruff.
I am your prisoner.
Tot.
Be free, ther's nothing can be cal'd offence,
But that in thee we pardon.
Ruff.
I am fast.
Tot.
And yet a free man: I am injur'd highly,
And thou must aide me in my just revenge.
Ruff.
Were it to combate the most valiantst Moore,
That ever Fesse, Morocko, or Argiers bred,
I for your sake would doe it.
Tot.
We seeke nor blood,
Nor to expose thee to the least of danger:
I am modest, and what I dare not trust my owne tongue with,
Or thoughts, Ile bouldly give unto thine eares,
List: Do you shake your head, say, Is't done already?
Ruff.
Wrong my friend?
Tot.
Doe you cast doubts or dangers? Is not our life,
Our honour all in your hand, and will you lavish us.
Or scant that bounty should crowne you with excesse.
Ruff.
Ile pause upon't.
Tot.
Is not your life ours by your insolence? have not
we power to take it?
Ruff.
Say no more, Ile doe it.
Tot.
But may I hope.
Ruff.
I have cast all doubts, and know how it may be
compast.
Tot.
Ther's more gold, your secresie that's all I crave.
Ruff.
To prove my selfe in this just cause I have,
An honest man, or a pernicious knave.
Tot.
Take the advantage of this night.
I shall expect faire end,
All doubts are cast.
Tot.
So make a Queen thy friend.
Recorders.
Enter Mullisheg, Ioffer, and Alcade, Spencer, Goodlack, Besse, and the rest.
Mul.
All musick's harsh, command these discords cease,
For we have war within us.
Besse.
Mighty King,
What is't offends your highnesse?
Mul.
Nothing Besse:
Yet all things do: Oh, what did I bestow,
When I gave her away.
Besse.
The Queen attends you.
Mull.
Let her attend.
Tot.
I, King, neglected still,
My just revenge shall wound, although not kill.
Mull.
I was a traitor to my own desires,
To part with her so sleightly: what, no means
To alter these proceedings?
Spenc.
Strange disturbances.
Goodl.
What might the project be?
Alc.
May it please your Highnesse, shall the Mask go forward,
That was intended to grace this joviall night?
Mull.
Wee'll have none,
Let it be treason held
To any man that shall but name our pleasure,
Or that vain word, delight: The more I gaze,
The more I surfet; and the more I strive
To free me from these fires, I am deeper wrapt:
In flames I burne.
Spenc.
Your discontent, great Prince, takes from us all
The edge of mirth: these nuptiall joyes that should
Have sweld our souls with all the sweet varieties
Of apprehensive wishes, with your sadnesse
Grows dull and leaden: they have lost their taste
Bess.
Mighty Fesse,
Hath any ignorant neglect in us
Bred these disturbances?
Mull.
Offence and you
Are like the warring elements, oppos'd.
And Fesse, why a king, and not command thy pleasure?
Is she not within our kingdome? nay, within our palace,
And therefore in our power: is she alone
That happinesse that I desire on earth?
Which since the heavens have given up to mine hands,
Shall I despise their bounty? and not rather
Run through a thousand dangers, to enjoy
Their prodigall favours? dangers? tush, ther's none:
We are here amidst our people, wall'd with subjects round,
And danger is our slave: besides, our war
Is with weak woman. Oh, but I have sworn
And seal'd to her safe conduct; What of that?
Can a king sweare against his own desires,
Whose welfare is the sinews of his Realm?
I should commit high treason gainst my self,
Not to do that might give my soul content,
And satisfie my appetite with fulnesse. Alcade.
Alcad.
My lord.
Mull.
Rides the English Negro still within the harbour?
Alcad.
Some league from land.
Mull.
Lest that these English should attempt escape,
Now they are laden fully with our bounties,
Cast thou a watchfull eye upon these two.
Alcad.
I shall.
Mul.
I know their loves so fervent and entire,
They will not part asunder, she leave him,
Or he without her make escape to sea.
Then while the one's in sight our hopes are safe.
Be that thy charge.
Alcad.
Ile be an Argus o're them.
Vnlesse the King be still in love with Besse,
Repenting him of their late mariage,
'Tis beyond wonder to calculate these stormes.
Mull.
How goes the hower?
Alcad.
About some fower.
Mul.
We rose too soon Besse from your nuptiall feasts,
Something we tasted made us stomack-sick,
But now we finde a more contentfull change.
Bess.
Your sunshine is our day.
Mul.
Dispose your selves
All to your free desires; to dancing some,
Others to mount our stately Barberie horse,
So famous through the world for swift carere,
Stomack, and fierie pace.
Those that love arms,
Mount for the tilt: this day is yours, to you tis consecrate.
He commits treason in the highest degree,
Whose cloudy brow dares the least tempest shew
To crosse what we intend: pleasure shall spring
From us to flow on you.
All.
Long live the King:
Exeunt, Manet Goodlack.
Mull.
To your free pastimes; leave us.
Captain, stay Captain, I read a fortune in thy brow,
More then the slight presage of augurie,
Which tells me thou, and onely thou art mark't
To make me earthly blest.
Goodl.
That I can do't?
Mull.
It lies in thee to raise thy ruin'd fortunes
As high as is a Viceroy's, wreathe thy front
Within a circled piramis of gold,
And to command in all our territories,
Next to our person.
Goodl.
Golden promises.
Mull.
Our words are acts, our promises are deeds,
We two may grapple souls, be friends and brothers.
Goodl.
Teach me how.
Mull.
I do not finde thee comming: in thy looks
I cannot spie that fresh alacritie,
Which with a glad and sprightfull forwardnesse,
Should meet our love half way.
Goodl.
You wonder me.
Mull.
No, thou art dull, or fearfull, fare thee well,
Thou hadst a fate lade up to make thee chronicled
In thy own Countrey, but thou wilt basely lose it,
Even by thine own neglect.
Goodl.
Forespeak me not,
The Sun nere met the summer with more joy
Then I'de embrace my fortunes; but to you,
Great king, to whom I am so greatly bound,
I'de purchas't with a danger should fright earth,
Astonish heaven, and make all hell to tremble;
I am of no shrinking temper.
Mull.
Prove but as wise as thou art bould and valiant,
And gain me wholly to thee, half thou hast already
Purchast by this bold answer; but perform
The rest, and we are all and onely thine.
Goodl.
Shew me the way to gain this royall purchase,
If I do't not, divide me from your presence,
From your grace, and all those glorious hopes you have propos'd
Turne into scorns and scandalls.
Mull.
I am dull,
And drowsie on the sudden: whilst I sleep,
Captain, read there.
He countersets sleep, and gives him a letter.
Goodl.
To make Besse mine some secret means devise,
To thy own height and heart Ile make thee rise.
Is not this ink the blood of Basilisks,
That I can read no further: 'twas compos'd
Of Dragons poyson, and the gall of Aspes,
Of Serpents venome, or of Vipers stings,
It could not read so harsh else: Oh my fate;
Nothing but this? this? Had a parliament
Of fiends and furies in a synod sat,
And devis'd, plotted, parlied, and contriv'd,
They scarce could second this; This? 'tis unparallel'd:
To strumpet a chast Lady, injure him
That rates her honour dearer then his life.
T'imploy a friend in treasons gainst his friend,
And put that friend to do't: t'impose on me
The hatefull stile and blot of pandarisme,
That am a Gentleman: nay, worse then this,
Make me in this a traytor to my countrey,
In giving up their honours: Who but a Moor,
Of all that beares mans shape, likest a devill,
Could have devis'd this horrour? Possible
That he should mark out me? What does my face
Prognosticate, that he should finde writ there
An index of such treasons? But beware,
'Twas his own plot, I, and his cunning too:
Ile adde that to his project: but a Viceroy,
And a kings Minion, titles that will shadow
Ills the most base and branded. Not to do it
May purchase his displeasure, which can be
No lesse then death or bondage: heer's propos'd
Honour and perill. But what writes he further;
We are impatient of delayes, this night
Let it be done.
I am doubtfull of my purpose,
And can resolve of nothing.
Mullisheg starts out of his chaire as from a dream.
Mull.
If he fail,
Or summers attoms.
Goodl.
Ha, was that by us?
Mull.
Where was I? Oh, I dream't upon the sudden,
How fast was I.
Goodl.
A fair warning 'twas, have you the cunning
To speak your thoughts in dreams?
Mull.
Who's i'th next room?
Goodl.
My lord.
Mull.
My Captain, was it thou?
Sleep did surprise my senses, worthy friend,
And in my dreams I did remember thee.
Goodl.
How, me my lord?
Mull.
Me thought I had emploid thee in a businesse,
In which thou wert or fearfull, or else false,
At which I was so overcome with rage,
That from my dreams I started.
Goodl.
Seamen say,
When Halcions sing, look for a storme that day,
Ther's death in my deniall.
Mull.
Did you read,
That scrowl we gave you Captain, ther's wrapt up
A thousand honours for thee, and more gold
Then shouldst thou live a double Nestors age,
Thou couldst finde waies to lavish.
Goodl.
Add to your work a businesse of more danger,
That I may think me worthy, otherwise
This sleight employment will but prize me low
And of desertlesse merit.
Mull.
Think'st thou Captain
It may be easily compast?
Goodl.
Dare you trust me?
Mull.
I dare.
Goodl.
Then know, besides to dare and can,
I will, though work beyond the power of man,
Ile set my brains in action.
Noble friend,
Above thy thoughts our honours shall extend.
Goodl.
I am not to be shaken.
Mull.
Where be our Eunuchs?
Wee'l crown our hopes and wishes with more pomp
And sumptuous cost, then Priam did his sons,
That night he bosom'd Hellen; shee's as fair,
And wee'l command our pomp to be as rare.
Wee will have torches shall exceed the stars
In number and in brightnesse: we will have
Rare change of musick shrill and high,
That shall exceed the spheres in harmonie.
The jewels of her habit shall reflect,
To daze all eyes that shall behold her state.
Our treasure shall like to a torrent rush
Streams of rewards, richer then Tagus sands,
To make these English strangers swim in gold.
In wilde Moriskoes we will lead the bride:
And when with full satieties of pleasures
We are dull and satiate, at her radiant eyes
Kindle fresh appetite, since they aspire,
T'exceed in brightnesse the high orbs of fire.
Make this Night mine, as we are King of Fesse,
Th'art Viceroy, Captain.
Exit Mullisheg.
Goodl.
Make my estate much lesse,
And my attempts more honourable: honour and vertue,
To me seem things in opposition:
Nor can we with small danger catch at one,
But we must lose the other. Oh my brain,
In what a labyrinth art thou? Say I could
Be false, as he would make me; what device?
What plot? what train have I to compasse it?
Or with what face can I sollicite her,
In treason towards my friend?
Ruff.
I am to sollicite Spencer
To lie with the Moors Queen; a businesse, Besse
Will hardly thank me for: but howsoever
I have undertane it.
Goodl.
Impossibilities all; the more I wade,
The more I drown in weaknesse.
Ruff.
Captain.
Goodl.
Oh Lieutenant,
Never was man perplext thus.
Ruff.
What, as you?
Had you but my disturbance in your brain,
'Twould tax a Stoicks wit, or Oedipus.
Why Captain, a whole school of Sophisters
Could not unriddle me.
Goodl.
I would we might change businesse.
Ruff.
I would give boot so to be rid of mine.
Goodl.
Shall we be free and open breasted?
Ruff.
How?
Goodl.
As thus;
Tell me thy grievances, and unto thee
I will unvail my bosome: both disclos'd
Ile beg in mine thy counsell and assistance,
Thy cause shall mine command.
Ruff.
A heart, a hand.
Goodl.
I am to woo fair Besse to lie with Mullisheg.
Ruff.
And I woo Spencer to embrace the Queen.
Goodl.
Is't possible?
Ruff.
'Tis more then possible, 'tis absolutely past.
Goodl.
Ther's not a hair to chose, canst counsell me?
Ruff.
Can you advise me?
Goodl.
I am past my wits.
Ruff.
And I beyond all sense.
Goodl.
Wouldst thou do't, here lay the way plain before
thee.
Ruff.
What, for gold
Goodl.
What and wear a sword
To guard my honour and a Christians faith,
I'de flesh it here first.
Ruff.
Nobly resolved.
Goodl.
We are not safe Lieutenant, Moors are trecherous.
Nay come, thy counsell,
Fesse hath proferd me
The honour of a Viceroy; and withall,
If I should fail performance, cunningly
Hath threatned me with death.
Ruff.
You still propose
The danger, but you shew no way to clear them.
Goodl.
Brain, let me waken thee, 'sfoot hast thou no
project? dost thou pertake my dulnesse?
Ruff.
The more I strive, the more I am intangled.
Goodl.
And I too. Not yet?
Ruff.
Nor yet, nor ever.
Goodl.
'Twas comming here, & now again 'tis vanisht.
Ruff.
Cal't back again for heavens sake.
Goodl.
Again.
Ruff.
Thanks heaven.
Goodl.
And now again 'tis gone.
Ruff.
Can you not catch fast hold on't?
Goodl.
Give me way,
Let's walk Lieutenant: Could a man propose
A stratagem to gull this lustfull Moor,
To supply him, and then to satiate her?
Ruff.
Good.
Goodl.
Next, out of all these dangers secure us,
And keep our treasure safe.
Ruff.
'Twere excellent.
Goodl.
But how shall this be done?
Ruff.
Why Captain, know not you?
Goodl.
Think'st thou it in the power of man to work it?
Yet come, Ile try, I owe my fate a death,
Ruff.
Noble Captain, I do not wish to outlive thee.
Explicit Actus primus.
| The Fair Maid of The West. Or, A Girle worth gold. The second part | |