University of Virginia Library

Actus secundus.

Scena prima.

Enter Spencer, Besse, and Clem.
Spencer.
The King was wondrous pleasant: Oh my Besse,
How much am I indebted to his highnesse,
Onely for gracing thee.

Besse.
Could my Spencer
Think that a barbarous Moor could be so train'd
In humain vertues?

Clem.

Fie upon't: I am so tir'd with dancing with
these same black shee-chimney-sweepers, that I can scarce
set the best leg forward, they have so tir'd me with their
Moriscoes, and I have so tickled them with our Countrey
dances, Sellengers round, and Tom Tiler: we have so fidled
it.

Spenc.

Sirrah, what news will you tell to your friends
when you return into England.

Clem.

Brave news, which though I can neither write
nor read, yet I have committed them to my tables and
the rest of my memory.

Spenc.

Let's heare some of your novelties.

Clem.

First and foremost I have observed the wisdome
of these Moors, for some two dayes since being invited
to one of the chief Bashaws to dinner, after meat, sitting
by a huge fire, and feeling his shins to burn, I requested
him to pull back his chaire, but he very understandingly
sent for three or four Masons and removed the chimney:

the same Morian intreated me to lie with him, and I according
to the state of my travells, willing to have a candle
burning by, but he by no meanes would grant it; I
ask't him why? No, sayes he, wee'll put out the light
that the fleas may not know where to finde us.

Enter Goodlack and Ruffman.
Spenc.
No storm at sea could be so tyranous,
Nor half th'affright beare in his forehead bare,
As I spie in that look.

Besse.
Let not your looks presage more terrours then
Your tongues can speak; out with't at once Lieutenant.

Spenc.
Captain speak.

Goodl.
W'are all lost.

Ruff.
All shipwrak't.

Clem.
Are we ashore, and shall wee be cast away?

Spenc.
Great Mullisheg is royall.

Goodl.
False to you.

Besse.
Gratious and kinde.

Ruff.
Disloyall to us all.

Spenc.
Wrap me not in these wonders worthy friend,
The very doubt of what the danger is,
Is more then danger can be.

Bess.
Be it death,
So we may dye together: heer's a heart
Fear never could affright.

Goodl.
The king still loves your Besse.

Spenc.
Ha?

Ruff.
The Queen your Spencer.

Bess.
How?

Goodl.
This night he must enjoy her.

Ruff.
And she him.

Spenc.
A thousand deaths are in that word contriv'd.
Ile make my passage through the blood of kings,
Rather then suffer this.

Bess.
I through hell,
Or were there place more dangerous.

Goodl.
Else all die.

Clem.

Die, 'sfoot this is worse then being made an
Eunuch as I was.

Spenc.
We have yet life, and therefore cherish hope.

Goodl.
All hopes are banisht in the deep abysse
Of our perplexed thoughts.

Ruff.
All things run retrograde.

Bess.
Why Captain? why Lieutenant? had you the skill
To bring my ship thus far, to wrack her here?
Past you the Ocean, to perish in the harbour?
Thou, Tom Goodlack
Wert ever true and just to my designes,
And canst thou fail me now?

Goodl.
I studie for you.

Bess.
Hast thou brought me but to see my Spencers shadow,
And not enjoy the substance: for what more
Have I yet had from him, then from his picture,
That once hung in my Chamber. Gentlemen, amongst you all
Rescue an innocent maid from violence:
Or do but say it cannot be prevented.
I begin, he that best loves me follow.

Spenc.
What means Besse?

Goodl.
If it could be fashion'd to my thoughts,
And have successe, 'twere brave.

Spenc.
What, noble friend?

Goodl.
To thrive but as we purpose.

Spenc.
Have you way?

Goodl.
'Tis but a desperate course; and if it fail
The worst can be but death: and I, even I,
That laid the plot, will teach them how to dye.
Ile lead them on.

Spenc.
If thou hast any project.

Bess.
Ioy or comfort.

Ruff.
And if not comfort, counsell.

Goodl.
Say it thrive?

Spenc.
What Captain? what?

Goodl.
You'l rip it from the wombe
Ere it be fully hatch't now:
If it prosper but to my desire
And wishes, 'twere admirable.

Spenc.
No longer hold us in suspence, good Captain.
But free us from these fears.

Goodl.
You noble friend,
This night cast gracious eyes upon the Queen:

Bess.
And prove to me disloyall?

Goodl.
Still you crosse me,
And make the birth abortive. You fair Besse,
With amourous favours entertain the King.

Spenc.
And yeeld her self to his intemperate lust?

Goodl.
You still prevent me; either give me way
To shew you light unto your liberties,
Or still remain in darknesse.

Ruff.
Heare him out.

Goodl.
You sooth the Queen,
Ile flatter with the King,
Let's promise fayre on both sides; say, 'tis done
All to their own desires.

Spenc.
The event of this?

Goodl.
A happy freedome, with a safe escape
Vnto our ship this night.

Bess.
Oh, could this be.

Goodl.
Fortune assists the valiant and the bold,
Wee'll bid fare for't. I had forgot my self,
Wher's Clem?

Clem.
Noble Captain.

Goodl.
Post to the ship, bid Forset man the long Boat
With ten good Musketiers, and at a watchword,
If we can free our passage, take us in.
Nay, make haste, one minuts stay is death.

Clem.
I am gone in a twinkling.

Goodl.
To compasse the Kings signet; then to command
Our passage, scape the gates and watches too:
For that I have brain. The King's upon his entrance;
Howers wast, revells come on, a thousand projects
Of death, hopes, and fears, are warring
In my bosome, and at once.
Eye you the Queen, and humour you the King;
Let no distast nor discontented brow
Appeare in you: their lust Ile make the ground,
To set all free, or keep your honour sound.
Disperse, the King's on comming.

Flourish.
Enter Mullisheg, Tota, Ioffer, and Alcade.
Mull.
We consecrate this evening, beautious Bride,
To'th honour of your nuptialls.—Is all done?

Goodl.
Done.

Tot.
Is he ours?

Ruff.
Yours.

Tot.
And wee ever thine.

Goodl.
I, and so cast, that she shall grasp you freely;
And think she hugs her Spencer.

Ruff.
And when he bosoms you, thinkes he infolds
His lovely Besse.

Tot.
Thou mak'st a Queen thy servant.

Goodl.

Your highnesse Signet to command our passage
from chamber to chamber.

Mull.
'Tis there.

Goodl.
The word.

Mull.
'Tis Mullisheg.

Goodl.
This must bring us safe aboard.

Mull.
We keep the Bride
Too long from rest now, she is free for bed.

Tot.
Please her to accept it,
In honour of her beauty, this night Ile do her any service.

Besse.
Mighty princesse,
Excuse my breeding from such arrogance,
And overbold presumption, you nor yours
Can owe me any duty: 'tis besides
The fashion of our countrey, not to trust
The secrets of a nuptiall night like this,
To the eyes of any stranger.

Tot.
At your pleasure,

Bess.
With our first nights unlacing, mighty Queen,
We dare not trust our husbands, 'tis a modestie
Our English maids professe.

Mull.
Keep your own customes as you shall think best,
So for this night we leave you to your rest.

Tot.
Remember.

Ruff.
'Tis writ here.

Mull.
Captain,

Exeunt. Manet Goodlack.
Goodl.
I am fast,
Now is my task in labour, and is plung'd
In thousand throes of childebirth, dangerous it is
To deal where kings affaires are questiond,
Or may be parled. But what's he so base,
That would not all his utmost powers extend,
For freedome of his countrey and his friend.
When all the Court is silent, sunk in dreams,
Then must my spirits awake. By this the King
H'as tane his leave of bride and bridegrome too:
And th'amorous Queen longs for some happy news
From Ruffman, as great Fesse expects from us.
My friend and Besse wrapt in a thousand fears,
To finde my plot in action: and it now
Must take new life: auspitious fate thy aide,
To guard the honour of this English maid.

Exit.
Enter Ruffman ushuring the Queen.
Ruff.
Tread soft, good Madam.

Tot.
Is this the Chamber.

Ruff.
Ile bring him instantly.
He thinks this bed provided for his Besse,
And that she lodges here, while she poore soul
Embraceth nought but ayre.

Tot.
Thou mak'st a Queen thy servant.

Ruff.
Beware, be not too loud lest that your tongue
Betraies you.

Tot.
Mute as night,
As silent and as secret. Wrongs should be
Paid with wrongs, for so indeed 'tis meet,
My just revenge, though secret yet 'tis sweet.
Haste time, and hast our bounty.

Ruff.
Queen I shall.
So now were we all safe and in our Negro shipt,
Might'st thou lie there till dooms day, lustfull Queen.

Exit.
Enter Goodlack and the King.
Goodl.
My lord the custome is in England still
For maids to go to bed before their husbands,
It saves their cheek from many a modest blush.

King.
And in the dark.

Goodl.
We use it for the most part.

King.
Soft may their bones lie in their beds of ashes
That brought this custome into England first.

Goodl.
This the place where Besse expects her Spencer.

King.
Thou Viceroy of Argiers, for Captain, that
Is now thy title: thou hast won a King,
To be thy breast companion.

Goodl.
Not too loud.
Why enters not your highnesse? you are safe.

King.
With as much joy as to our prophets rest.
But what thinks Spencer of this?

Goodl.
I have shifted in her place
A certain Moor, whom I have hir'd for money,
Which (poore soul) he entertains for Besse.

King.
My excellent friend.

Goodl.
Beware of conference, lest your tongue reveals
What this safe darknesse hides.

King.
I am all silent.
Oh, thou contentfull night, into thy arms,
Of all that ere I tasted, sweetest and best,
I throw me, more for pleasure then for rest.
Exit King.

Goodl.
One fury claspe another, and there beget
Young devills between you: so fair Besse be safe.
I have here the kings signet, this will yeeld us
Way through the court and city, Besse being mask't,
How can she be discride, when none suspect,
Our flight this day not dream't on: now to execute
What was before purpos'd, which if it speed,
Ile say the heavens have in our fates agreed.

Exit.
Enter Besse, Spencer, and Ruffman.
Spenc.
How goes the night?

Ruff.
Tis some two howers from day.

Besse.
Yet no news from the Captain.

Ruff.

I have done a Midwives part, I have brought the
Queen to bed, I could do no more.

Enter Goodlack.
Spenc.

The Captain is come.

Besse.

Thy news.

Goodl.

All safe, faith wench, I have put them to it for
a single combate, I have left them at it.

Besse.
King and Queen.

Goodl.
The same.

Ruff.
Now for us.

Goodl.
I, ther's all the danger, ther's one Bashaw
Whose eyes is fixt on Spencer, and he now
Walks e'ne before our lodging.

Besse.
Then what's past,
Is all yet to no purpose.

Goodl.
He and I
May freely passe the Court: and you fair Besse,
I would disguise: but then for Spencer?

Besse
Why that's the main of all: all without his freedome
That we can aime at's, nothing.

Spenc.
It shall be thus, which alter none that loves me.
With this signet you three shall passe to'th ship
Whil'st I'me in sight she will not be suspected:
My escape, leaue to my own fair fortunes.

Besse.
How that?

Spenc.
Through twenty Bashaws I will hew my way,
But I will see thee e're morning.

Besse.
Think'st thou Spencer
That I will leave thee? thinkst thou that I can?
Thou maist as well part body from the soul,
As part us now: It is our wedding night,
Would'st now divide us?

Spenc.
Yeeld to times necessities, and to our strict disasters.

Goodl.
Words are vain,
We now must cleave to action: our stay's death,
And if we be not quick in expedition,
We all perish.

Spenc.
Besse, be swaid.

Besse.
To go to sea without thee,
And leave thee subject unto a tyrants cruelty?
Ile dye a thousand deaths first.

Spenc.
First save one,
And by degrees the rest. When thou hast past
The perills of this night, I am half safe,
But whilst thou art still invirond, more then better
Half of my part's indanger'd.

Goodl.
Talk your selves
To your deaths, do: will you venter forth?
Leave me to the Bashaw.

Ruff.
Or me, Ile buffet with him for my passage.

Spenc.
Neither, in what I purpose I am constant.
Conduct her safe; th'advantage of the night
Ile take for my escape: and my sweet Besse,
If in the morning I behold thee not
Safe within my Negro, be assur'd
I am dead. Nay, now delaies are vain.

Besse.
Sir, did you love
Me, you would not stay behinde me.

Spenc.
Ile ha't so.
Gentlemen, be charie of this jewell
That throws her self into the armes of night,
Vnder your conduct. If I live, my Besse,
To morrow Ile not fail thee.

Besse.
And if thou diest to morrow, be assur'd
To morrow Ile be with thee.

Spenc.
Shall thy love
Betray us all to death.

Besse.
Well, I will go,
But if thou dost miscary, think the Ocean
To be my Bride-bed.

Spenc.
Heaven for us,
That power that hath preserv'd us hitherto,
Will not let's sink now. And, brave gentlemen,
Of the Moors bounty beare not any thing
Vnto our ship, lest they report of us,
We fled by night and rob'd them.

Goodl.
Nobly resolv'd.

Spenc.
Now embrace and part; and my sweet Besse,
This be thy comfort gainst all future fears,
To meet in mirth that now divide in tears:
Farewell Besse, Ile back into my chamber.

Besse.
Can I part with life
In more distracted horrour?

Goodl.
You spoil all.
That we before have plotted.
Will you mask your self, and to the Porter first.
Ho, Porter.

Enter Porter.
Porter.
Who calls?

Goodl.
One from the King.

Porter.
How shall I know that?

Goodl.
This token be your warrnt, behold his signet.
That's not enough, the Word.

Goodl.
Mullisheg.

Port.
Passe freely: some weighty buisinesse is in hand
That the kings signet is abroad so late;
But no matter, this is my discharge, Ile to my rest.
Exit Porter.

Enter Alcade.
Alcad.
I much suspect,
These English 'mongst themselves are treacherous:

I have observ'd, the king had conference with the Captain:
many whisperings and passages I have observed,
but that which makes me most suspect is, because the king
hath removed his lodging, and it may be to prostitude the
English Maid: Ha, suspect said I; nay, examine things
exactly, and 'tmust needs be so, the king is wondrous
bountifull, and what i'st gold cannot. Troth I could even
pitty the poore forlorn Englishman, who this night must
be forc't lie alone, and have the king taste to him.

Enter Spencer.
Spenc.

Sure this Moore hath been made private to the
Kings intents, which if I finde, Ile make him the instrument
for me to passe the Court gates. This man, whose
office was to keep me, shall be the onely means to free me.

Alcad.

On his marriage night, and up at this hower?
nay, if I once suspect, 'tis as firme as if it were confirmed
by Alkaron, or Mahomet himself had sworn it: Ile sport
my self with his distast and sorrow.

Spenc.
Thus abus'd.

Alcad.
What up so late and on your bridall night
When you should lie lul'd in the fast imbrace
Of your fair Mistrisse. I hope I have given't him soundly.

Spenc.
s'possible,
To lodge my bride in one place, and dispose me
To a wrong chamber: she not once send to me,
That I might know to finde her.

Alcad.
Excellent.
Nay, if I once suspect, it never fails.

Spenc.
Ile not tak't
At th'hands of an Empresse, much lesse at hers.

Alcad.

Why, what's the businesse, Sir? Oh, I guesse
the cause of your griefe.

Spenc.
And Sir, you may, but Ile be reveng'd.

Alcad.
Troth and I would.

Spenc.
Ile bosome some body,
Be it the common'st Curtezan in Fesse,
If not for love, to vex her.

Alcad.
Can you do lesse?

Spenc.
To leave me the first night.

Alcad.
Oh, 'twas a signe she never dearly lov'd you.

Spenc.
I perceive Bashaw Alcade you understand my wrongs.

Alcad.
In part, though not in whol.

Spenc.
Your word is warrant, passe me the court gate,
Ile to some loose Burdello, and tell her when I have done.

Alcad.
Were it my cause, Ide do this, and more.

Spenc.
Make me wait thus!

Alcad.
Oh Sir, 'tis insufferable.

Spenc.
Troth I dally my revenge too long, what ho,

Port.
How now, who calls?

Porter.
Alcad.
Her's Bashaw Alcade, turn the key.

Port.
His name commands my gate, passe freely.

Spenc.
Sir, I am bound to you,
To take this wrong I should be held no man.
Now to the watch, scape there as I can.

Exit.
Alcad.

Ha, ha, so long as she sleeps in the arms of Fesse,
let him pack where he pleases: Porter, now hee's without,
let him command his entrance no more, neither for reward
nor intreaty, till day breaks.

Port.

Sir, he shall not.

Alcad.

'Tis well we are so rid of him: Mullisheg will
give me great thanks for this.

Ile to his chamber, there attend without,
Till he shall waken from his drowsie rest,
And then acquaint him with this fortunate jest.

Alarum.
Enter Ioffer, Lieutenant, Spencer prisoner and wounded.
Ioff.
Sir, though we wonder at your noble deeds,
Yet I must do the office of a subject,
And take you prisoner: by that noble blood
That runs in these my veins, when I behold
The slaughter you have made, which wonders me,
I wish you had escapt, and not been made captive
To him, who though he may admire and love you,
Yet cannot help you.

Spenc.
Your stile is like your birth, for you are Ioffer,
Chief Bashaw to the king, and him I know
Lord of most noble thoughts. Speak, what's my danger?

Ioff.
Know Sir, a double forfeit of your life:
Your outrage first is death, being in the night,
And gainst the watch; but those that you have slain
In this fierce conflict, brings 'em without all bounds
Of pardon.

Spenc.
I was born too't, and I embrace my fortune.

Ioff.
Sir, now I know you
To be that brave and worthy Englishman,
So highly grac't in court, which more amazeth me
That you should thus requite him with the slaughter
Of his lou'd subjects.

Spenc.
I intreat you Sir,
As you are noble question me no further,
I have many private thoughts that trouble me,
And not the fear of death.

Ioff.
We know your name, and now have prov'd your courage,
Both these moves us to give you as easie bondage as our loyalty
To the king can suffer, you are free
From irons.

Spenc.
When this news shall come to her,

Ioff.
Lieutenant, lead the watch some distance of,
Bid them remove these bodies lately slain,
I must have private conference with this prisoner,
Leave him to my charge.
Sir think me though a Moore,
A nation strange unto you Christians,
Yet that I can be noble: but in you
I have observ'd strange contrarieties,
Which I would be resolv'd in.

Spenc.
Speak your thoughts.

Ioff.
When I confer'd the noblenesse of your blood,
With this your present passion, I much muse,
Why either such a small effuse of blood,
These your sleight wounds, or the pale fear of death,
Should have the power to force a teare from such
A noble eye.

Spenc.
Why thinkst thou Bashaw
That wounds, blood, or death
Could force a teare from me, thou noblest of thy nation,
Do not so farre misprise me: I tell thee Bashaw,
The rack, strapado, or the scalding oyl,
The burning pincers, or the boyling lead,
The stakes, the pikes, the caldron, or the wheel,
Were all these tortures to be felt an once,
Could not draw water hence.

Ioff.
Whence comes it then?

Spenc.
From that whose pains as far surmounts all those
As whips of furies do the Ladies fans,
Made of the plumes o'th Estridge: this like the Sunne,
Extracts the dew from my declining soul,
And swims mine eyes in moist effeminacie.
O Besse, Besse, Besse, Besse.

Ioff.
Dead pitty you have wakened in my bosome,
And made me with you like compassionate.
Freely relate your sorrows.

Spenc.
Sir, I shall:
If you have ever loved, or such a maid,
So fair, so constant, and so chast as mine,
And should fortune to lamentable fortune,
Betray her to a black abortive fate,
How would it wring you? Or if you had a heart,
Made of that mettall that we white men have,
How would it melt in you?

Ioff.
Sir, you confound me.

Spenc.
I will be brief; the travells of my Besse,
To finde me out, you have pertook at full,
In presence of the King, these I omit.
Now when we came to summe up all our joy,
And this night were entring to our hoped blisse,
The king, Oh most unworthy of that name,
He quite fell off from goodnesse.

Ioff.
Who Mullisheg?

Spenc.
His lust out-waid his honour: and as if his soul
Were blacker then his face, he laid plots
To take this sweet night from me: but prevented,
I have convai'd my beautious bride aboard,
My Captain and Lieutenant.

Ioff.
Are they escapt?

Spenc.
Safe to my Negro. Thus farre fortune led me
Through many dangers till I past this bridge,
The last of all your watches. And muse not
Bashaw, that I thus single durst oppose my self,
I wore my Mistris here, and she, not I,
Made me midway a conquerour.

Ioff.
She being at sea,
And safe, why should your own fates trouble you?

Spenc.
Renowned Moor, there is your greatest errour;
When, we parted, I swore by the honour of a Gentleman,
And as I ever was her constant friend,
If I surviv'd, to visit her aboard
By such an houre: but if I fail, that she
Should think me dead: now, if I break one minute,
She leaps into the sea: 'tis this, great Bashaw,
That from a souldiers eyes draws pearly tears:
For my own person I despise all fears.

Ioff.
You have deeply touch't me: and to let you know
All morrall vertues are not solely grounded
In th'hearts of Christians, go and passe free;
Keep your appointed houre, preserve her life:
I will conduct you past all danger: but withall
Remember my head's left to answer it.

Spenc.
Is honour fled from Christians unto Moors,
That I may say in Barbarie I found
This rare black Swan.

Ioff.
And when you are at sea,
The winde no question may blow fair, your ankors
They are soon waid, and you have sea-roome free
To passe unto your countrey: 'tis but my life,
And I shall think it nobly spent to save you,
Her, and your train from many sad disasters.

Spenc.
Sir, I thank you,
Appoint me a fixt hower, if I return not,
May I be held a scorn to Christendome,
And recreant to my countrey.

Ioff.
By three to morrow.

Spenc.
Binde me by some oath.

Ioff.
Onely your hand and word.

Spenc.
Which if I break.
What my heart thinks, my tongue forbears to speak.

Ioff.
Ile bear you past all watches.

Exeunt.