 | Fortune by Land and Sea |  |
Scen. 1.
Enter Philip and Clown.Clow:
Come good fellow Phil, what nothing but mourning and
mowing, thy melancholy makes our teems to vaile their foretops,
and all our Jades crest faln, and to see thee wail in woe in the deep
cart roots up to the bellies plunge in pain: my Mistris Susan shee's in
the same pittiful pickle too.
Phil.
Oh if this hand could execute for her all that my cruel father
hath imposed, my toyl would seem a pleasure, labour ease.
Clow.
Ease, what's that? there's little to be found in our house, now
we have loosed the plough in the fields, they'l find work enough about
home to keep us from the scurvey. Your hat Phil, see here comes our
Mistris.
Enter Mrs. Anne with Bread and a Bottle.
Anne:
The place is clear, none sees me, now's the time to bear my
sorrowful charge bread, meat, and wine: these six daies I have kept him
undiscovered, neither my husbands, nor my servants eyes have any way
discovered him. How now fellows, whither so fast this way?
Clow:
Nay we do not use to go too fast for falling: our businesse at
this present is about a little houshold service.
What businesse have you this way?
Clow.
We are going, as they say, to remove, or according to the vulgar,
to make clean, where Chanticleer and Damepartlet the henne
have had some doings.
Anne
What doest thou mean by that?
Phil.
By my Masters appoyntment, I must not say my Fathers, he
hath commanded us first to make clean this hen-roost, and after to remove
the hay out of that hay-loft.
Anne
Oh me, I fear the Gentleman's betray'd, what shift shall I devise.
Clow.
By your leave Mistress, pray let's come by you.
Anne.
Wel double dilegence your labour's saved, 'tis done already,
go and take your pleasure. Son Philip, when I hear my Husband speak
of such a base employment, I streight hired a labourer to prevent it,
and 'tis done.
Phil.
You are kinder Mother then my Father cruel, and save me many
a toyle and teadious travail imposed on me by your husband.
Anne
O'r this place, Ile bear a jealous and a watchful eye to prevent
this discovery; and wil you be gone?
Clow.
Yes sweet Mistress, if you would but give a wink, a word to
the dayry maid for a mess of cream betwixt my fellow Philip and I, It's
good to be doing something, for you know my Master does not love
we should be idle.
Anne
Wel Sir, perhaps I shal remember you.
Clow.
Come Phil let's be gone, and if you chance to blush at what my
Mistress hath promis'd, Ile tel you who cast milk in your face.
Exeunt.
Anne
Shal I compare his present misery with the
Enter Susan with
something in her
Apron.
misfortunes of this Gentleman, which might I reckon
greater, but leave them;
He casts us down that best can raise our state.
Sus.
Oh through what greater plunges can I pass then I have done
already; A fathers penury, the good old man dejected and cast down,
my Husband even swept from the family where he was born, quite forsook
by him, by whom he should be fostered, made a servant
These mischiefs make me wish my self unborn.
Anne.
Agen prevented.
Sus.
How hath this meditation drawn my thoughts from my intended
Wheat and Barley 'mongst the hens, and I will soon dispatch it.
An.
What makes thee so neer the place that I so strictly guard, what
business have you there?
Sus.
Forsooth my Master bade me go serve the poultry.
Anne
Come you shall not, for this time Ile doe't for you.
Sus.
Mother and Mistress too, 'tis courtesie in you to profer it,
but should I suffer, you might hold it justly in me small manners.
Anne
I say it shall be so.
Sus.
Shall any servant stand stil and see her Mistresse do her work,
pray pardon me, I should condemn my self beyond imagination: I shal
I stand idely and see the work done by your hand?
Anne
I say I will.
Sus.
My words dare not say nay,
But my more forward action brooks no stay.
Anne
Then doubtlesse hee's betray'd.
Sus.
Oh me what's here? why here's one that's come to steale your
hens, a thief who'l filch your poultry.
Anne
'Tis not so.
Sus.
Shall I cry thieves aloud
[Forrest leaps down.]
Anne
For Heavens sake no.
young Forr.
Betray then hapless Forrest, once more I lie
Ordayn'd for pity, or prepar'd to die.
What none but women and betray me? then
I see your hearts are flintier far then men.
Anne
Think not that Ile betray you, nor shall she, if she respect my
love or her own life.
Sus.
Betray my brother? it shall nere be said I stopt his flight when he
had means to scape.
young Forr.
Oh fortune beyond hope amaz'd I stand
To see my life laid in my sisters hand.
Sus.
Dear brother.
young Forr.
My sweet sister.
Anne
A strange greeting,
And 'twixt two hapless creatures happy meeting.
young Forr.
What change hath brought you to this downcast state?
Sus.
Nay what mishap hath ruinated you?
Anne
You both forget your dangers, then leave off these passive fits,
and study for the safety of this distressed Gentleman your brother, now
in the ratheless mercy of the Law.
young Forr.
Sister you have heard my fortunes.
With sad cheer, little surmising you had layed so neer, deare.
Mother let us crave your farther assistance in furthering his escape.
Anne
I am all yours.
young Forr.
My safety lies in suddain expedition, debar me I am dead.
Anne
I ha' a brother lives at Gravesend an Owner and a Merchant,
and could we but convey you safe to him; he soon would ship you over
into France.
young Forr.
All ways are loud, and hue and cry sent forth through every
hundred, how shall I reach thither withont discovery?
Sus.
Here stands an empty trunk in the next room, which should be
sent by water to Gravesend to your brother, what if we should lock
him fast in that?
Anne
I like it wel, but whom shal we employ to bear it safe?
Sus.
Give it my husband and your man in charge, they two wil see it
carefully delivered.
Anne
By them Ile write unto him earnestly in your behalfe, and doubt
not of your usage.
young Forr.
The trunck, the trunk, Oh quickly, if you love me.
Anne
Come Ile to write.
Sus.
Ile finde those that shal bear it.
young Forr.
The plot is likely, but heaven knows I fear it.
Exeunt.
Enter Mr. Harding, John, and William.
old Hard.
Now boys no question but you think it long to have my
state made over to your use.
John
Oh Lord Sir.
old Hard.
To have your eldest brother quite disabled of any challenge
ot inheritance.
Will.
We think it not long Sir, but if you should use all expedition
possible, I should say beshrew their hearts that would hinder it, we do
not wish our brother disinherited, but if it be your pleasure, Heaven
forbid that we being your sonnes should any way contradict it,
John
We should not shew our selves obedient sons to perswad you to
infringe your former vow; For, Father if you remember you swore
long since to do it; And heaven forbid you should break your oath.
Old Hard.
Boyes of mine own free spirit, mine one heart, and will
you see him pine, beg, starve, nay perish ere you will once relieve
him.
Will.
I'ft be your will, wee'le swear to do it.
Old Hard.
And though the beggars brat, his Wife I mean, should for
the want of lodging sleep on stalls or lodg in stocks or cages, would
your charities take her to better harbor?
Unlesse too cold harbor where of twenty chimneys standing,
you shal scarce in a whole winter see two smoaking; we harbor her?
Bridewel shal first.
Old Hard.
Lads of my own condition, my own humour, cal me a
Scrivner, reach me pen and ink Ile doe't imediately.
Will.
Run for a Scrivener Jack.
Enter Mr. Anne meeting them.
John.
Mean time post thou for Pen and Inck.
Anne
Stay no such haste, sweet husband there be fitter times then
these made choice for such affairs, there's no enforcement to make your
Will, being in such perfect health; pray if you love me do not talke
of death, nor to your safety give such ill presage, besides this expedition
in your sons, shews that they covet more your Lands then life; defer't
then somewhat longer for my sake.
Old Hard.
Then for thy sake I will, but my kinde boys 'tis rather to
sooth her, then your least wrong, I will delay a little though not long.
Will.
It hath been long a doing, I would it were once done, if he
should peak over the pearch now, and all fall to our elder Brother,
we have used him so doggedly, the least he can do is to thrust us out of
doors by head and shoulders.
John.
Let him alone now, wee'l urge him too't at more convenient
leisure.
Old Hard.
When heard you from your brother at Gravesend, or
how falls out his voyage, can you tell.
Anne
I had a letter from him two days since, in which he writes me
all his goods are Shipt, his wares in hold well stowed, and nothing
wants save a fair gale to bring him to the Straits.
Old Hard.
Heaven make his voyage prosperous, for thou knowest I
have a venture of five hundred pound enterred with him, my fortune
joyns with his; If he succeed it falls out well with me, if not, I am likely
to impart his losse.
Enter Old Mr. Forrest.
Old Forr.
You are well found Sir.
Old Hard.
I what art thou fellow.
Old Forr.
You knew me in my pride and flourishing state, have you
forgot me now, as I remember we two were bred together, Schoole
fellows, boorded together in one Masters house, both of one forme and
like degree in School.
Old Hard.
Oh thy name's Forrest.
Old Forr.
Then in those days your Father Mr. Harding was a good
far be upbraiding from me, came from us as your first raiser; and
you called me then your Landlord and young Master: then was then,
but now the course of fortunes wheele is turned; you climbed, we fell,
and that inconstant fate that hurled us down, hath lift you where we
sate.
Old Hard.
Well, we are Lord of all those Mannors now, you then
possest. Have we not bought them deerly? Are they not ours?
Old Forr.
I no way can deny't, I rather come as a poor suitor to you,
ro entreat you for heavens sake and charities, to pity my ost daughter,
your cast sonne. Sir, I in all had but three Children left me, Crutches
to bear up my penurious age; one of these three was butchered cruelly,
his body piteously, alass pierc't through. Then had I but two left,
my eldest Son, and hee's or dead, or fled to save his life; If he still live,
I have wasted, sold and spent even all that little that my fortunes left;
and now I have but one, one onely daughter, and her I am not able to
relieve with ought save tears and pity, to these helps oh lend your
fair assistance; shee's yours as well as mine.
Old Hard.
All my part I disclaim, both in my son and her; they crost
my pleasure, and they shall tast the smart, I was derided,
They that love me, shal by my wil be guided.
Will.
And that am I.
John.
And I too Father.
Anne.
Base Parasites.
Old Hard.
You even pleased me wel,
And you shal mount the height from which they fel.
Enter Philip and Susan.
Old Forr.
See, see, alass, those that seven Somers since saw thy estate
and look upon thee now, would at lest pity, if not help thy wants; how
happy was thy Mother and my Wife, that slept their last sleep long before
these sorrows take their birth.
Sus.
Dear Father succour us, help to redeem us from this cruel man
that thus insults upon our misseries.
Old Forr.
Fair daughter adde not to my tedious woes, thou bidst a
blind man guide thee on thy way, and takest a broken staffe to be thy
stay.
Phil.
Good Sir release us.
Old For.
It must be then with tears, for other help I have none, and
they heaven knows can little ease, but never help your woes. Sir, if
your heart be not of Adamant, or some hard mettal that's impenitrable,
pity your blood and mine, so soon grown deaf. Kinde Gentlemen,
turn aside. Fair Mistress what say you, I see your eyes in all things
with our passions sympathize, and you are doubtlesse sprung from Gentle
blood:
Gentry and baseness in all ages jar,
And poverty and wealth are still at war.
Old Hard,
Thou growest too tedious, prithee friend be gone.
Old For.
I hope you do not scorn me.
Old Hard.
The truth is, I feign would have thee leave me.
Old Forr.
'Tis no disparagement unto your birth, that you converse
with me, if I mistake not, sure, sure I am as wel born.
Old Hard.
And yet sure, sure, 'tis ten to one I shall be better buried.
Old For.
I am as honest.
Old Hard.
Nay there you are a ground.
I am honester by twenty thousand pound.
Old For.
Are all such honest then that riches have.
Old Hard.
Yes rich and good, a poor man and a knave.
Away about thy business, loyter not about my gates, I shal compel thee
else, for thy request my will is peremptory, thy softness makes me much
more violent, whom thou the more commisseratest I contemn, they
are in my deepest hate: Wife, Sons, let's go.
Old For.
With eyes in tears sunk, heart circumvolved in woe.
Sus.
What shal we now do?
Phil.
What? but endure the worst, when comfort's banish'd, welcome
all extreams, yet I have sent my fellow, or my man to prove some
friends to help to stock a Farm, I have not yet their answer, 'tis the
last of all our hopes, that failing we have run our latest course, outcast,
end quite undone.
Exeunt.
Enter the Merchant reading a Letter, and after him young Mr. Forrest.
Merch.
My Sister writes how your occasions stand, and how you
are to use my secresie in a strange business that concerns your life. She
hath left nothing unremembred here, or slightly urged to make me
provident and careful of your safety: gentle Sir, though I am a stranger
to your fortunes, yet for her sake whose love I tender deerly, I am
all yours, my house to entertain you, my purse to furnish you in any
course, my Ship if you'l to Sea, is at your service, make choice in
which of these, in all, or any you will employ my faithful industry.
Young Forr.
Oh Sir your unexpected courtesie to a poor stranger,
challenges the name of brother to the kindest Gentlewoman that ever
breathed this air, you cannot chuse but be of one strain that such kindness
and my necessity do both of them in my extreams concerve to make
me think the meanest of any meanes that can unplunge me from this
gulf of trouble, to be much better then I can deserve, to be much greater
then I dare desire, being too poor to merit, too dejected to aim at
any hopes.
Merch.
You wrong your worth, you have desert sufficient, that she
writes in your behalf, and I commend her for't, me thinks I see such
honest parts in you, that upon weaker urgence then these lines, I would
build much affection, on these gifts that I see nature hath endowed you
with; Indeed I flatter not, none flatter those they do not mean to
gain by, 'tis the guise of siccophants, such great men to adore by whom
they mean to rise disdain the poor; my object is much otherwise intended,
I fain would lose by him whom I commended.
Young Forr.
If ever this my weak ability grow strong agen, I will employ
it solely to shun the base sin of ingratitude towards you and your
fair sister.
Merch.
Will you use me?
Young Forr.
But what shall I return you in exchange of those great
favours.
Merch.
Come your love, your love, 'tis more then all I can attempt
for you amounts unto, pray let me know the most of my employment.
Young Forr.
Then will you but provide me a safe waftage over to
France, to Flanders, or to Spain or any forraign coast; I dare not trust
my native country with my forfeit life. Sir, this is all I would entreat
of you.
Merch.
Y'are modest in your suit, the more you use me, the more I
think you love me, therefore this night ile get you waftage ore for
France, such Sea apparrel as I use my self, you shall accept part, here's
ten pounds in gold, and wheresoever you shall live hereafter, pray let
me once a year receive from you some brief or noat, Ile not return
your love idle, or empty handed.
Young Forr.
My life's yours, and lesser satisfaction then my life is
much too little.
Merch.
Much too much, no more, no more I do entreat you, I am
now upon a voyage to the Straits my selfe, but 'twill be two days hence.
Young For.
Heaven be your guide, as I find you, so find friends in
your need, blushing I run into your conntless detbts, more sums of love
then all my hord can pay, but if these black adventures I survive,
Merch.
Onely your love, come wee'l provide this night
For you safe waftage, and your secret flight.
Exeunt
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