University of Virginia Library

Actus Secundus.

Scæna Prima

Enter Higgen, Ferret, Prig, Clause, Jaculine, Snap, Gynkes, and other Beggars.
Hig.
Come Princes of the ragged regiment,
You o' the blood, Prig my most upright Lord,
And these (what name or title, e're they beare)
Jarkman, or Patrico, Cranke, or Clapperdudgeon.
Frater, or Abram-man; I speake to all
That stand in faire Election for the title
Of King of Beggars, with the command adjoyning,
Higgen, your Orator, in this Inter-regnum,
That whilom was your Dommerer, doth beseech you
All to stand faire, and put your selves in ranke,
That the first Commer, may at his first view
Make a free choise, to say up the question.

Fer., Pr.
'Tis done Lord Higgen.

Hig.
Thankes to Prince Prig, Prince Ferret.

Fer.
Well, pray my Masters all, Ferret be chosen
Ye'ar like to have a mercifull mild Prince of me.

Prig.
A very tyrant, I, an arrant tyrant.
If e're I come to reigne; therefore looke to't,
Except you do provide me hum enough
And Lour to bouze with: I must have my Capons
And Turkeys brought me in, with my green Geese,
And Ducklings i'th season: fine fat chickens,
Or if you chance where an eye of tame Phesants
Or Partridges are kept, see they be mine,
Or straight I seize on all your priviledge,
Places, revenues, offices, as forfeit,
Call in your crutches, wooden legs, false bellyes,
Forc'd eyes and teeth, with your dead arms; not leave you
A durty clout to beg with o' your heads,
Or an old rag with Butter, Frankinsence,
Brimstone and Rozen, birdlime, blood, and creame,
To make you an old sore; not so much sope
As you may fome with i'th Falling-sicknesse;
The very bag you beare, and the brown dish
Shall be escheated. All your daintiest dells too
I will deflowr, and take your dearest Doxyes
From your warme sides; and then some one cold night
I'le watch you what olde barne you goe to roost in,
And there I'le smoother you all i'th musty hay.

Hig.
This is tyrant-like indeed: But what would Ginks
Or Clause be here, if either of them should raigne?

Ger.
Best aske an asse, if he were made a Camell,
What he would be; or a dog, and he were a Lyon.

Ginks.
I care not what you are, Sirs, I shall be
A Begger, still, I am sure, find my selfe there.

Enter Florez.
Snap.
O here a Judge comes.

Hig.
Cry, a Judge, a Judge.

Flo.
What aile you Sirs? what means this out-cry?

Hig.
Master
A sort of poor soules met: Gods fools, good Master,
Have had some little variance amongst our selves
Who should be honestest of us; and which lives
Uprightest in his call: Now, 'cause we thought
We ne're should gree on't our selves, because
Indeed 'tis hard to say: we all dissolv'd, to put it
To whom that should come next, and that's your Mastership,
Who, I hope, will termine it as your mind serves you,
Right, and no otherwise we aske it: which?
Which does your Worship thinke is he? sweet Master
Looke over us all, and tell us; we are seven of us,
Like to the seven wise Masters, or the Planets.

Flo.
I should judge this the man with the grave beard,
And if he be not—

Ger.
Blesse you, good Master, blesse you.

Flo.
I would he were: there's something too, amongst you
To keep you all honest.

Exit
Snap.
King of heaven goe with you.

Omn.
Now good reward him,
May he never want it, to comfort still the poor, in a good houre.

Fer.
What is't? see: Snap ha's got it.

Snap.
A good crown, marry:

Prig.
A crown of gold.

Fer.
For our new King: good luck.

Ginks.
To the common treasury with it; if 't be gold,
Thither it must.

Prig.
Spoke like a Patriot, Ferret—
King Clause. I bid God save thee first, first, Clause,
After this golden token of a crowne;
Wher's Oratour Higgen with his gratuling speech now,
In all our names?

Fer.
Here he is pumping for it.

Gin.
H' has cough'd the second time, 'tis but once more
And then it comes.

Fer.
So, out with all: expect now—

Hig.
That thou art chosen, venerable Clause,
Our King and Soveraign; Monarch o'th Maunders.
Thus we throw up our Nab-cheats, first for joy,
And then our filches; last, we clap our fambles,
Three subject signes, we do it without envy:
For who is he here did not wish thee chosen
Now thou art chosen? aske 'em: all will say so,
Nay swear't: 'tis for the King, but let that passe;
When last in conference at the bouzing ken
This other day we sate about our dead Prince
Of famous memory: (rest, goe with his rags:)
And that I saw thee at the tables end,
Rise mov'd, and gravely leaning on one Crutch,
Lift the other like a Scepter at my head,
I then presag'd thou shortly wouldst be King
And now thou art so: but what need presage,
To us, that might have read it, in thy beard,
As well, as he that chose thee? by that beard
Thou wert found out, and mark'd for Soveraignty.
O happy beard! but happier Prince, whose beard,
Was so remark'd, as marked out our Prince,
Not bating us a haire. Long may it grow,
And thick, and faire, that who lives under it,
May live as safe, as under Beggars Bush,
Of which this is the thing, that but the type.

Om.
Excellent, excellent oratour, forward good Higgen
Give him leave to spit: the fine, well-spoken Higgen.

Hig.
This is the beard, the bush, or bushy-beard,
Under whose gold and silver raigne 'twas said
So many ages since, we all should smile
On impositions, taxes, grievances,
Knots in a State, and whips unto a Subject,
Lye lurking in this Beard, but all hem'd out:
If now, the Beard be such, what is the Prince
That owes the Beard? a Father; no, a Grandfather;
Nay the great Grand-father of you his people.
He will not force away your hens, your bacon,
When you have ventur'd hard for't, nor take from you
The fattest of your puddings: under him
Each man shall eate his own stolne eggs, and butter,
In his owne shade, or sun-shine, and enjoy
His owne deare Dell, Doxy, or Mort, at night
In his own straw, with his owne shirt, or sheet,
That he hath filch'd that day, I, and possesse
What he can purchase, backe, or belly-cheats
To his own prop: he will have no purveyers
For Pigs, and poultry.

Ger.
That we must have, my learned Oratour,
It is our will, and every man to keep
In his own path and circuite.

Hig.
Do you heare?
You must hereafter maund on your own pads he saies.

Ger.
And what they get there, is their owne, besides
To give good words.

Hig.
Do you marke? to cut bene whids,
That is the second Law.

Ger.
And keepe a-foote
The humble, and the common phrase of begging,
Lest men discover us.

Hig.
Yes; and cry sometimes,
To move compassion: Sir, there is a table,
That doth command all these things, and enjoyns 'em;
Be perfect in their crutches: their fain'd planters,
And their true pas-ports, with the ways to stammer,
And to be dumb, and deafe, and blind, and lame,
There, all the halting paces are set downe,
I'th learned language.

Ger.
Thither I refer them,
Those, you at leisure shall interpret to them,
We love no heapes of lawes, where few will serve.

Om.
O gracious Prince, 'save, 'save the good K. Clause.

Hig.
A Song to crowne him.

Fer.
Set a Centinell out first.

Sn.
The word?

Hig.
A Cove comes, and fumbumbis to it.—

Strike.
Enter Snap, Hubert, and Hemskirke.
Snap.
A Cove: Fumbumbis.

Prig.
To your postures; arme:

Hub.
Yonder's the Towne: I see it.

Hemsk.
Ther's our danger
Indeed afore us, if our shadows save not.

Hig.
Blesse your good Worships:

Fer.
One small piece of money.

Prig.
Amongst us all poore wretches:

Ger.
Blinde, and lame,

Ginks.
For his sake that gives all.

Hig.
Pittifull Worships;

Snap.
One little doyt.

Enter Jaculine.
Jac.
King, by your leave, where are you?

Ger.
To buy a litle bread,

Hig.
To feed so many
Mouths, as will ever pray for you.

Prig.
Here be seven of us.

Hig.
Seven, good Master, ô remember seven,
Seven blessings.

Fer.
Remember, gentle Worship.

Hig.
'Gainst seven deadly sins,

Prig.
And seven sleepers.

Hig.
If they be hard of heart, and will give nothing—
Alas, we had not a charity this three dayes.

Hub.
Ther's amongst you all?

Fer.
Heaven reward you.

Prig.
Lord, reward you?

Hig.
The Prince of pitty blesse thee.

Hub.
Do I see? or is't my fancy that would have it so?
Ha? 'tis her face: come hither Maid.

Jac.
What ha', you
Bells for my squirrell? I ha' giv'n Bun meat,
You do not love me, do you? catch me a butter fly,
And I'le love you againe; when? can you tell?
Peace, we go a birding: I shall have a fine thing.

Hub.
Her voyce too sayes the same; but for my head
I would not that her manners, were so chang'd,
Heare me thou honest fellow; what's this Mayden,
That lives amongst you here?

Gincks.
Ao, ao, ao, ao.

Hub.
How? nothing but signes?

Gin.
Ao, ao, ao, ao.

Hub.
This strange,
I would faine have it her, but not her thus.

Hig.
He is de-de-de-de-de-de-deafe, and du-du-dude—dumb Sir.

Hub.
Slid they did all speak plain ev'n now me thought
Do'st thou know this same Maid?

Sn.
Why, why, why, why, which, gu, gu, gu, gu, Gods foole
She was bo-bo-bo-bo-borne at the barne younder,
By-be-be-be-be-Beggars Bush-bo-bo-Bush
Her name is, My-my-my-my-my-match: so was her Mo-mo-mo-Mothers too-too

Hub.
I understand no word she sayes; how long
Has she been here?

Sn.
Lo-lo-long enough to be ni-ni-nigled: and she ha' go-go-go-good luck,

Hub.
I must be better inform'd, then by this way.
Here was another face too, that I mark'd
O the old mans: but they are vanish'd all
Most sodainly: I will come here againe,
O, that I were so happy, as to finde it,
What I yet hope? it is put on.

Hem.
What meane you Sir,
To stay there with that stammerer?

Hub.
Farewell friend,—
It will be worth returne, to search: Come,
Protect us our disguize now, pre'thee Hemskirck
If we be taken, how do'st thou imagine
This Towne will use us, that hath stood so long
Out, against Woolfort?

Hem.
Ev'n to hang us forth
Upon their walls a sunning, to make Crowes meate,
If I were not assur'd 'o the Burgomaster,
And had a pretty skuys, to see a niece there,
I should scarce venture.

Hub.
Come 'tis now too late
To looke back at the ports: good luck, and enter.

Exeunt.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Floriz.
Flo.
Still blow'st thou there? and from all other parts,
Do all my Agents sleepe? that nothing comes?
Ther's a conspiracy of windes, and servants:
If not of Elements, to ha' me breake;
What should I thinke unlesse the Seas, and Sandes
Had swallow'd up my ships? or fire had spoyl'd
My ware-house? or death devour'd my Facto
I must ha' had some returnes;

Enter Merchants.
1. Mer.
'Saue you Sir.

Flo.
'Save you.

1. Mer.
No newes, yet 'o your Ships?

Flo.
Not any yet Sir.

1. Mer.
'Tis strange.

Flo.
'Tis true Sir: what a voyce was here now?
This was one passing bell, a thousand ravens
Sung in that man now, to presage my ruines.

2. Mer.
Goswin, good day, these winds, are very constant.

Flo.
They are so Sir; to hurt—

2. Mer.
Ha? you had no letters,
Lately from England, nor from Denmark?

Flo.
Neither.

2. Mer.
This winde brings them; nor no newes over land,
Through Spaine, from the Straights?

Flo.
Not any.

2. Mer.
I am sorry Sir.

Flo.
They talke me downe: and as 'tis said, of Vultures
They sent a feild fought, and do smell the carkasses
By many hundred miles: So do these, my wracks
At greater distances: why thy will heaven
Come on, and be: yet if thou please, preserve me;
But in my owne adventure, here at home,
Of my chast love, to keep me worthy of her,
It shall be put in scale against all ill fortunes:
I am not broken yet: nor should I fall,
Me thinkes with lesse then that, that ruines all.

Exit

Scæna Tertia.

Enter. Van-dunck. Hubert. Hemskirck. and Margaret. Boores.
Van.
Captaine you are welcome; so is this your friend
Most safely welcome, though our Towne stand out
Against your Master; you shall finde good quarter.
The troth is, we not love him: Meg: some wine,
Let's talke a little treason, If we can
Talk treason, gain' the Traitors; by your leave, Gentlemen
We here in Brugis, thinke he do's usurpe,
And therefore I am bold with him.

Hub.
Sir, your boldnesse,
Happely becomes your mouth, but not our eares,
While we are his servants; And as we come here,
Not to aske questions, walke forth on your walls;
Visit your courtes of guard, view your Munition,
Aske of your corne-provisions, nor enquire
Into the least, as spies upon your strengthes,
So let's entreate, we may receive from you
Nothing in passage or discourse, but what
We may with gladnesse, and our honesties here,
And that shall seale our welcome.

Van.
Good: let's drinke then,
Mage: fill out, I keep mine old pearle still Captaine.

Mar.
I hang fast man.

Hem.
Old Iewels, commend their keeper, Sir.

Van.
Heer's to you with a hart, my Captaines friend,
With a good heart, and if this make us speake
Bold words, anon: 'tis all under the Rose
Forgotten: drowne all memory, when we drinke.

Hub.
'Tis freely spoken noble Burgomaster,
I'le do you right.

Hem.
Nay Sir mine heire Van-dunck,
Is a true Statesmen.

Van.
Fill my Captaines cup there, ô that your Master Woolfort.
Had been an honest man.

Hub.
Sir?

Van.
Under the Rose.

Hem.
Heer's to you Marget.

Mar.
Welcom; welcom Captaine.

Van.
Well said my pearle still,

Van.
Well said, my pearl still,

Hem.
And how does my Niece?
Almost a woman; I thinke? This friend of mine,
I drew along with me, through so much hazard,
Only to see her: she was my errand.

Van.
I, a kinde Uncle you are (fill him his glasse)
That in seven yeares, could not find leizure.—

Hem.
No,
It's not so much.

Van.
I'le bate you nev'r an houre on't,
I was before the Brabander gan his war,
For moone-shine, i'th water there, his daughter
That never was lost: yet you could not finde time
To see a Kinswoman: But shee is worth the seeing Sir.
Now you are come, you aske if she were a woman?
Shee is a woman Sir; fetch her forth Margee.
Exit Marg.
And a fine woman, and has Suitors.

Hem.
How?
What Suitors are they.

Van.
Bachellors: young Burgers:
And one, a gallant, the young Prince of Merchants,
We call him here, in Bruges.

Hem.
How? a Merchant?
I thought Van-doncke, you had understood me better,
And my Niece too, so trusted to you by me:
Then t'admit of such in name of Suitors.

Van.
Such? he is such a such, as were she mine
I'de give him thirty thousand crownes with her.

Hem.
But the same things Sir, fit not you and me.

Exit.
Van.
Why, give's some wine, then; This will fit us all:
Here's to you still, my Captains friend: All out:
And still, would Woolfort were an honest man,
Under the Rose, I speake it: but this Merchant
Is a brave boy: he lives so, i'the towne here,
We know not what to thinke on him: At sometimes
We feare he will be Bankrupt; he do's stretch
Tenter his credite so; embraces all,
And too't, the winds have been contrary, long.
But then, if he should have all his returnes,
We thinke he would be a King, and are halfe sure on't.
Your Master is a Traytor, for all this
Under the Rose: here's to you; and usurps
The Earldome from a better man.

Hub.
I marry Sir,
Where is that man?

Van.
Nay soft: and I could tell you
'Tis ten to one I would not: here's my hand,
I love not Woolfort: fit you still, with that:
Here comes my Captaine againe, and his fine Niece,
And ther's my Merchant: view him well, fill wine here.

Enter Hemskirke, Bertha, and Florez.
Hem.
You must not only know me for your Uncle,
Now, but obey me; you, goe cast your selfe
Away, upon a dunghill here? a Merchant?
A petty fellow? one that makes this trade
With oathes and perjuries?

Flo.
What is that you say Sir?
If it be me you speake of; as your eye
Seemes to direct: I wish you would speake to me, Sir.

Hem.
Sir, I do say, she is no Merchandize,
Will that suffice you?

Flo.
Merchandize good Sir,
Though ye be Kinsman to her: take no leave thence
To use me with contempt: I ever thought
Your Niece above all price.

Hem.
And do so still, Sir,
I assure you, her rate's at more then you are worth.

Flo.
You do not know, what a Gentleman's worth sir,
Nor can you value him.

Hub.
Well said Merchant.

Van.
Nay,
Let him alone, and ply your matter.

Hem.
A Genntleman?
What, o' the wool-pack? or the Sugar-chest?
Or lists of Velvet? which is't? pound, or yard,
You vent your Gentry by?

Hub.
O Hemskirke, fye.

Van.
Come, do not mind 'em drink, he is no Woolfort,
Captaine, I advise you.

Hem.
Alas, my pretty man,
I think't be angry, by its looke: Come hither,
Turne this way, a little: if it were the blood
Of Charlemaine, as't may (for ought I know)
Be some good Botchers issue, here in Bruges.

Flo.
How?

Hem.
Nay: I'me not certaine of that; of this I am,
If it once buy, and sell, its Gentry is gone.

Flo.
Ha, ha;

Hem.
You are angry, though ye laugh.

Flo.
No, now 'tis pitty
Of your poor argument. Do not you, the Lords,
Of land (if you be any) sell the grasse,
The corne, the straw, the milke, the cheese?

Van.
And butter:
Remember butter; doe not leave out butter.

Flo.
The Beefs and Muttons that your grounds are stor'd with?
Swine, with the very mast, beside the woods?

Hem.
No, for those sordid uses, we have Tenants,
Or else our Bay liffs.

Flo.
Have not we Sir, Chap-men,
And Factors, then to answer these? your errour
Fetch'd from the Heralds A B C. and said over
With your Court faces, once an houre, shall never
Make me mistake my selfe. Do not your Lawyers
Sell all their practise, as your Priests their prayers?
What is not bought, and sold? The company
That you had last, what had you fort, y'faith?

Hem.
You now grow sawcy.

Flo.
Sure I have been bred
Still, with my honest liberty, and must use it.

Hem.
Upon your equals, then.

Flo.
Sir, he that will
Provoke me first, doth make himselfe my equall.

Hem.
Do ye heare? no more.

Flo.
Yes Sir, this little, I pray you,
And't shall be aside, then after, as you please,
You appeare the Uncle, siir, to her I love,
More then mine eyes; and I have heard your scorns
With so much scoffing, and so much shame,
As each strive which is greater: But, beleeve me
I suck'd not in this patience with my milke.
Do not presume, because you see me young,
Or cast despights on my profession
For the civility and tamenesse of it.
A good man beares a contumely worse
Then he would do an injury. Proceed not
To my offence: wrong is not still successefull,
Indeed it is not: I would approach your Kins-woman
With all respect, done to your selfe and her.

Hem.
Away Companion: handling her? take that.

Flo.
Nay, I do love no blows, sir, there's exchange.

Hub.
Hold sir,

Mar.
O murther.

Ber.
Help, my Goswin.

Mar.
Man.

Van.
Let 'em alone; my life for one.

Flo.
Nay come
If you have will.

Hub.
None to offend you, I, Sir.

Flo.
He that had, thank himself: not hand her? yes Sir,
And claspe her, and embrace her; and (would she
Now goe with me) bear her through all her race,
Her Father, Brethren, and her Uncles, arme'd,
And all their Nephews, though they stood a wood
Of pikes, and wall of Canon: kisse me Gertrude,
Quake not, but kisse me.

Van-d.
Kisse him, girle, I bid you;
My Merchant royall; feare no Uncles: hang 'em,
Hang up all Uncles: Are we not in Bruges?
Under the Rose here?

Flo.
In this circle, Love,
Thou art as safe, as in a towre of brasse;
Let such as do wrong, feare.

Van.
I, that's good,
Let Woolfort looke to that.

Flo.
Sir, here she stands,
Your Niece, and my beloved. One of these titles
She must apply to; if unto the last,
Not all the anger can be sent unto her,
In frowne, or voyce, or other art, shall force her,
Had Hercules a hand in't: Come, my Joy,
Say thou art mine, aloud Love, and professe it.

Van.
Doe: and I drinke to it.

Flo.
Prethee say so, Love.

Ber.
'Twould take away the honour from my blushes:
Doe not you play the Tyrant, sweet: they speake it.

Hem.
I thanke you Niece.

Flo.
Sir, thanke her for your life,
And fetch your sword within.

Hem.
You insult too much
With your good fortune, Sir.

Exit Florez.
Hub.
A brave deare spirit;
Hemskirke, you were too blame: a civill habit
Oft covers a good man: and you may meete
In person of a Merchant, with a soule
As resolute, and free, and all wayes worthy,
As else in any file of man-kinde: pray you,
What meant you so to slight him?

Hem.
'Tis done now,
Aske no more of it; I must suffer.
Exit Hemskirk.

Hub.
This,
Is still the punishment of rashnesse, sorrow;
Well; I must to the woods, for nothing here
Will be got out. There, I may chance to learne
Somewhat to help my enquiries further.

Van.
Ha?
A Looking-glasse?

Hub.
How now, brave Burgo master?

Van.
I love no Woolforts, and my names Vandoncke,

Hub.
Van-donke it's rather: Come, go sleep within.

Van.
Earle Florez is right heir, and this same Woolfort
Under the Rose I speake it.—

Hub.
Very hardly.

Vand.
Usurpes: and a cambe Traitor, as ever breathed,
And all that do uphold him. Let me goe,
No pain shall hold me, that upholds him;
Doe you uphold him?

Hub.
No.

Van.
Then hold me up.

Exeunt.
Enter Florez and Hemskirke.
Hem.
Sir, I presume, you have a sword of your owne,
That can so handle anothers.

Flo.
Faith you may Sir.

He.
And ye have made me have so much better thoughts of you
As I am bound to call you forth.

Flo.
For what Sir?

Hem.
To the repairing of mine honour, & hurt here.

Flo.
Expresse your way.

Hem.
By fight, and speedily.

Flo.
You have your will: Require you any more?

Hem.
That you be secret: and come single.

Flo.
I will.

Hem.
As you are the Gentlemā you would be thought.

Flo.
Without the Conjuration: and I'le bring
Only my sword, which I will fit to yours,
I'le take his length within.

Hem.
Your place now Sir?

Flo.
By the Sand-hills.

Hem.
Sir, nearer to the woods,
If you thought so, were fitter.

Flor.
There, then.

Hem.
good.
Your time?

Flo.
'Twixt seven and eight.

Hem.
You'l give me Sir
Cause to report you worthy of my Niece,
If you come, like your promise.

Flo.
If I do not
Let no man think to call me unworthy first,
I'le doe't my selfe: and justly wish to want her.—

Exeunt.