 | The Loyal Svbiect |  |
Actus Secundus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Duke, Burris, and two Gentlemen.Duke.
No newes of Archas yet?
Bur.
But now, and't please ye
A Post came in, Letters he brought none with him,
But this deliver'd: He saw the Armies joyne,
The game of bloud begun, and by our Generall,
Who never was acquainted, but with Conquest,
So bravely fought, he saw the Tartars shaken,
And there he said he left 'em.
Duke.
Where's Boroskie?
1 Gen.
He is up againe, and't please ye.
Bur.
Sir, me thinks
This newes should make yee lightsome, bring joy to ye,
It strikes our hearts with generall comfort.
Ex. Du.
Gone? What should this meane, so suddenly?
Hee's well?
2. Gen.
We see no other.
1.
Would the rest were well too,
That put these starts into him.
Bur.
Ile goe after him.
2.
'Twill not be fit Sir: h'as some secret in him
He would not be disturb'd in: know you any thing
Has crost him since the Generall went?
Bur.
Not any.
If there had been, I am sure I should have found it,
Onely I have heard him oft complaine for money;
Money he sayes he wants.
1.
It may be that then.
Bur.
To him that has so many wayes to raise it,
And those so honest, it cannot be.
Enter Duke and Boroskie.
1.
He comes back,
And Lord Boroskie with him.
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There the game goes,
I feare some new thing hatching.
Du.
Come hether Burris,
Go see my Sister, and commend me to her,
And to my litle Mistrisse give this token;
Tell her I'le see her shortly.
Bur.
Yes, I shall sir.
Ex. Bur and Gent.
Du.
Waite you without: I would yet try him further.
Bor.
'Twill not be much amisse: has your grace heard yet
Of what he has done i'th' field?
Du.
A Post but now
Came in, who saw 'em joyne, and 'has deliver'd,
The enemy gave ground before he parted.
Bor.
'Tis well.
Du.
Come, speake thy mind man: 'tis not for fighting
And noise of War I keepe thee in my bosome,
Thy ends are nearer to me; from my childhood
Thou brought'st me up: and like another nature,
Made good all my necessities: speake boldly.
Bor.
Sir, what I utter, will be thought but envy
Though I intend, high heaven knows, but your honour,
When vaine and empty people shall proclaime me—
Good sir excuse me.
Du.
Do you feare me for your enemy?
Speake on your dutie.
Bor.
Then I must, and dare sir.
When he comes home, take heed the Court receive him not,
Take heed he meet not with their loves, and praises,
That glasse will shew him ten times greater Sir,
And make him strive to make good that proportion,
Then ere his fortune bred him, he is honourable,
At least I strive to understand him so,
And of a nature, if not this way poyson'd,
Perfect enough, easie, & sweet, but those are soone seduc'd sir;
He's a great man, and what that pill may worke,
Prepar'd by generall voyces of the people,
Is the end of all my councell: only this sir,
Let him retire a while, there's more hangs by it
Then you know yet: there if he stand a while well,
But till the Souldier coole, who, for their service
You must pay now most liberally, most freely,
And shewrd your selfe into 'em; 'tis the bounty
They follow with their loves, and not the bravery.
Enter 2 Gent.
Du.
But wher's the money? how now?
2 Gent.
Sir the Collonell,
Son to the Lord Archas, with most happy newes
Of the Tartars overthrow, without here
Attends your graces pleasure.
Bor.
Be not seen sir,
He's a bold fellow, let me stand his thunders,
Toth' Court he must not come: no blessing here sir,
No face of favour, if you love your honour.
Enter Theo:
Du.
Do what you thinke is meetest; I'le retire sir.
Ex.
Bor.
Conduct him in sir—welcome noble Collonell,
The.
That's much from your Lordship: pray where's the Duke?
Bor.
We heare you have beat the Tartar.
The.
Is he busie sir?
Bor.
Have ye taken Olin yet?
The.
I would faine speake with him,
Bor.
How many men have ye lost?
The.
Do's he lye this way?
Bor.
I am sure you fought it bravely.
The.
I must see him.
Bor.
You cannot yet, ye must not, what's your Commission?
The.
No gentleman o'th' Chamber here?
Bor.
Why pray ye sir?
Am not I fit to entertaine your businesse?
The.
I thinke you are not sir; I am sure ye shall not.
I bring no tales, nor slatteries: In my tongue sir,
I carry no fork'd stings.
Bor.
You keepe your bluntnesse.
The.
You are deceiv'd: it keeps me: I had felt else
Some of your plagues ere this: but good sir trifle not,
I have businesse to the Duke.
Bor.
He's not well sir,
And cannot now be spoke withall.
The.
Not well sir?
How would he ha'been, if we had lost? not well sir?
I bring him newes to make him well: his enemie
That would have burnt his City here, and your house too,
Your brave gilt house, my Lord, your honours hangings,
Where all your Ancestors, and all their battles,
Their silke and golden battles are discipher'd:
That would not only have abus'd your buildings,
Your goodly buildings sir, and have drnnke dry your butteries,
Purlcin'd your Lordships plate, the Duke bestow'd on you,
For turning hansomely o'th' toe, and trim'd your Virgins,
Trim'd 'em of a new cut, and't like your Lordship,
'Tis ten to one, your wife too, and the curse is
You had had no remedy against these Rascals,
No Law, and't like your honour; would have kil'd you too
And roasted ye, and eaten ye, ere this time:
Notable knaves my Lord, unruly Rascals:
These youths have we tide up, put muzzels on 'em,
And pair'd their nailes, that honest civill Gentlemen,
And such most noble persons as your selfe is,
May live in peace, and rule the land with a twine thread.
These newes I bring,
Bor.
And were they thus deliver'd ye?
Theod.
My Lord, I am no pen-man, nor no Orator,
My tongue was never oyl'd with Here and't like ye,
There I beseech yee, weigh, I am a souldier,
And truth I covet onely, no fine termes sir;
I come not to stand treating here; my businesse
Is with the Duke, and of such generall blessing—
Bor.
You have overthrowne the enemy, we know it,
And we rejoyce in't; ye have done like honest subjects,
You have done handsomely and well.
Theod.
But well sir?
But handsomly and well? what are we juglers?
Ile doe all that in cutting up a Capon.
But handsomely and well? does your Lordship take us
For the Dukes Tumblers? we have done bravely sir,
Ventur'd our lives like men.
Bor.
Then bravely be it.
Theod.
And for as brave rewards we look, and graces,
We have sweat and bled for't sir.
Bor.
And ye may have it,
If you will stay the giving. Men that thank themselves first,
For any good they doe, take off the lustre,
And blot the benefit.
Theod.
Are these the welcomes,
The Bells that ring out our rewards? pray heartily,
Early and late, there may be no more enemies:
Doe my good Lord, pray seriously, and sigh too,
For if there be—
Bor.
They must be met, and fought with.
The.
By whom? by you? they must be met & flattererd.
Why, what a devill aild ye to do these things?
With what assurance dare ye mocke men thus?
You have but single lives, and those I take it
A Sword may find too: why do ye dam the Duke up?
30
Should fill our empty veines againe with comforts?
But if ye use these knick knacks,
This fast and loose, with faithfull men and honest,
You'l be the first will find it.
Enter Archas, Souldiers, Putskey, Ancient, and others,
Boros.
You are too untemperate.
Theod.
Better be so, and theefe too, then unthankfull:
Pray use this old man so, and then we are paid all.
The Duke thanks ye for your service, & the Court thanks ye,
And wonderfull desirous they are to see ye;
Pray heaven we have roome enough to march for May-games,
Pageants, & bonfires for your welcome home Sir;
Here your most noble friend the Lord Boroskey,
A Gentleman too tender of your credit,
And ever in the Dukes eare, for your good Sir,
Crazie and sickly, yet to be your servant,
Has leapt into the open aire to meet ye.
Bor.
The best is your words wound not, you are welcome home Sir.
Hartily welcome home, and for your service,
The noble overthrow you gave the Enemy,
The Duke salutes ye too with all his thanks Sir.
Anc.
Sure they will now regard us.
Puts.
There's a reason:
But by the changing of the Colonels countenance,
The rolling of his eyes like angry billowes;
I feare the wind's not downe yet, Ancient.
Arch.
Is the Duke well Sir?
Boros.
Not much unhealthy,
Only a little grudging of an ague,
Which cannot last: he has heard, which makes him fearful,
And loath as yet to give your worth due welcome,
The sicknesse hath been somewhat hot i'th' Army,
Which happily may prove more doubt, then danger,
And more his feare then fate: yet howsoever,
An honest care—
Ar.
Ye say right, and it shall be;
For though upon my life 'tis but a rumor,
A meere opinion, without faith or feare in't;
For Sir, I thanke heaven, we never stood more healthy,
Never more high and lusty; yet to satisfie,
We cannot be too curious or too carefull
Of what concernes his state, wee'l draw away Sir,
And lodge at further distance, and lesse danger.
Boros.
It will be well.
Anc.
It will be very scurvy.
I smell it out, it stinks abominably,
Stir it no more.
Boros.
The Duke Sir would have you too,
For a short day or two, retyre to your owne house,
Whither himselfe will come to visit ye,
And give ye thanks.
Arch.
I shall attend his pleasure.
Anc.
A trick, a lowsie trick: so hoa, a trick boyes.
Ar.
How now, what's that?
Anc.
I thought I had found a Hare Sir,
But 'tis a Fox, an old Fox, shall we hunt him?
Ar.
No more such words.
Boros.
The souldier's growne too sawcy,
You must tie him straiter up.
Ar.
I doe my best Sir;
But men of free-born minds sometimes will slie out.
Anc.
May not we see the Duke?
Boros.
Not at this time Gentlemen,
Your Generall knowes the cause.
Anc.
We have no plague Sir,
Unlesse it be in our pay, nor no pox neither;
Or if we had, I hope that good old Courtier
Will not deny us place there.
Puts.
Certaine my Lord,
Considering what we are and what we have done;
If not, what need ye may have, 'twould be better,
A great deale nobler, and taste honester
To use us with more sweetnes; men that dig
And lash away their lives at the Carts taile,
Double our comforts; meat, and their Masters thanks too,
When they worke well, they have; Men of our qualitie,
When they doe well, and venture for't with valor,
Fight hard, lye hard, feed hard, when they come home Sir,
And know these are deserving things, things worthy,
Can you then blame 'em if their minds a little
Be stirr'd with glory? 'tis a pride becomes 'em,
A litle season'd with ambition,
To be respected, reckon'd well, and honour'd
For what they have don: when to come home thus poorly,
And met with such unjointed joy, so looked on,
As if we had done no more but drest a horse well;
So entertain'd, as if I thank ye Gentlemen,
Take that to drinke, had pow'r to please a souldier?
Where be the shouts, the bels rung out, the people?
The Prince himself?
Ar.
Peace: I perceive your eye Sir
Is fixt upon this Captaine for his freedome,
And happily you find his tongue too forward;
As I am Master of the place, I carry,
'Tis fit I thinke so too, but were I this man,
No stronger tye upon me, then the truth
And tongue to tell it, I should speake as he do's,
And thinke with modestie enough, such Saints
That daily thrust their loves & lives through hazards,
And fearelesse for their Countries peace, march hourely
Through all the doores of death, and know the darkest,
Should better be canoniz'd for their service:
What labour would these men neglect, what danger
Where honour is, though seated in a billow,
Rising as high as heaven, would not these souldiers,
Like to so many Sea-gods charge up to it?
Doe you see these swords? times Sithe was ne're so sharp Sir;
Nor ever at one harvest mow'd such handfuls:
Thoughts ne're so sudden, nor beliefe so sure,
When they are drawne, and were it not sometimes;
I swim upon their angers to allay 'em,
And like a calme depresse their fell intentions;
They are so deadly sure, nature would suffer—
And whose are all these glories? why, their Princes,
Their Countries, and their Friends? Alas, of all these,
And all the happy ends they bring, the blessings,
They only share the labors, a little joy then,
And outside of a welcome, at an upshot
Would not have done amisse Sir; But howsoever
Between me and my duty, no crack Sir
Shall dare appeare: I hope by my example
No discontent in them: without doubt Gentlemen,
The Duke will both looke suddenly and truly
On your deserts: Methinks 'twere good they were paid Sir.
Bor.
They shall be immediately; I stay for mony;
And any favour else—.
Ar.
We are all bound to ye;
And so I take my leave Sir; when the Duke pleases
To make me worthy of his eyes—
Bor.
Which will be suddenly,
I know his good thoughts to ye.
31
With all duty.
And all humility, I shall attend Sir.
Bor.
Once more you are welcome home: these shall be satisfied.
The.
Be sure we be: and hansomely.
Ar.
Waite you on me sir.
The.
And honestly: no jugling.
Ar.
Will ye come sir?
Exit.
Bor.
Pray do not doubt.
Theo.
We are no Boyes.
Exit.
Enter a Gent. and 2 or 3 with money.
Bor.
Well sir.
Gent.
Here's money from the Duke, and't please your Lordship.
Bor.
'Tis well.
Gent.
How sowre the Souldiers looke?
Bor.
Is't told?
Gent.
Yes: and for every company a double pay,
And the Dukes love to all.
Anc.
That's worth a ducket.
Bor.
You that be Officers, see it discharg'd then,
Why do not ye take it up?
Anc.
'Tis too heavy:
Body o'me, I have strain'd mine arme.
Bor.
Do ye scorne it?
Anc.
Has your Lordship any dice about ye? sit round Gentlemen.
And come on seaven for my share.
Put.
Do you thinke sir,
This is the end we fight? can this durt draw us
To such a stupid tamenesse, that our service
Neglected, and look'd lamely on, and skewd at
With a few honourable words, and this, is righted?
Have not we eyes and eares, to heare and see Sir,
And minds to understand the slights we carry?
I come home old, and full of hurts, men looke on me
As if I had got 'em from a whore, and shun me;
I tell my griefes, and feare my wants, I am answer'd,
Alas 'tis pity! pray dine with me on Sunday:
These are the sores we are sicke of, the minds malladies.
And can this cure 'em? you should have us'd us nobly,
And for our doing well, as well proclam'd us,
To the worlds eye, have shewd and fainted us,
Then ye had paid us bravely: then we had shin'd sir,
Not in this gilded stuffe but in our glory:
You may take backe your money.
Gent.
This I fear'd still.
Bor.
Consider better Gentlemen.
Anc.
Thanke your Lordship:
And now I'l put on my considering cap:
My Lord, that I am no Courtier, you may guesse it
By having no sute to you for this money:
For though I want, I want not this, nor shall not,
Whilst you want that civility to ranke it
With those rights we expected; money growes sir,
And men must gather it, all is not put in one purse.
And that I am no Carter, I could never whistle yet:
But that I am a Souldier, and a Gentleman,
And a fine Gentleman, and't like your honour,
And a most pleasant companion: all you that are witty,
Come list to my ditty: come set in boyes,
With your Lordships patience.
Song.
How do you like my Song, my Lord?
Bor.
Even as I like your self, but 'twould be a great deale better,
You would prove a great deale wiser, and take this mony,
In your owne phrase I speake now sir, and 'tis very well.
You have learn'd to sing; for since you prove so liberall,
To refuse such meanes as this, maintaine your voice still,
'Twill prove your best friend.
Anc.
'Tis a singing age sir,
A merry moone here now: I'le follow it:
Fidling, and fooling now, gaines more then fighting.
Bor.
What is't you blench at? what would you aske? speak freely.
Sol.
And so we dare: a triumph for the Generall.
Put.
And then an honour speciall to his vertue.
Anc.
That we may be prefer'd that have serv'd for it,
And cram'd up into favour like the worshipfull,
At least upon the Cities charge made drunke
For one whole year; we have done 'em ten yeares service;
That we may enjoy our lechery without grudging,
And mine, or thine be nothing, all things equall,
And catch as catch may be proclamed: that when we borrow,
And have no will to pay againe, no Law
Lay hold upon vs, nor no Court controule us.
Bor.
Some of these may come to passe; the Duke may do 'em,
And no doubt will: the Generall will find too,
And so will you, if you but stay with patience: I have no power.
Put.
Nor will: come fellow Souldiers.
Bor.
Pray be not so distrustfull.
Put.
There are waies yet,
And honest waies; we are not brought up Statues.
Anc.
If your Lordship
Have any silke stockings, that have holes i'th' heeles,
Or ever an honourable Cassock that wants buttons,
I could have cur'd such malladies: your Lordships custome
And my good Ladies, if the bones want setting
In her old bodies—
Bor.
This is disobedience.
Anc.
Eight pence a day, and hard Eggs.
Put.
Troop off Gentlemen,
Some Coine we have, whilst this lasts, or our credits,
Wee'll never sell our Generalls worth for six-pence.
Ye are beholding to us.
Anc.
Fare ye well Sir,
And buy a pipe with that: doe ye see this skarfe sir?
By this hand Ile cry Brooms in't, birchen Brooms sir,
Before I eate one bit from your benevolence.
Now to our old occupations againe.
By your leave Lord.
Exit.
Bor.
You will bite when ye are sharper; take up the money.
This love I must remove, this fondnes to him,
This tendernesse of heart; I have lost my way else.
There is no sending man, they will not take it,
They are yet too full of pillage,
They'll dance for't ere't be long:
Come, bring it after.
Enter Duke.
Duke.
How now, refus'd their money?
Bor.
Very bravely,
And stand upon such termes 'tis terrible.
Du.
Where's Archas?
Bor.
Hee's retir'd Sir, to his house,
According to your pleasure, full of dutie
To outward shew: but what within—
Duk.
Refuse it?
Bor.
Most confidently: 'tis not your revenewes
Can feed them sir, and yet they have found a Generall
That knowes no ebbe of bountie: there they eate Sir,
And loath your invitations.
Du.
'Tis not possible,
Hee's poor as they.
Bor.
You'll find it otherwise.
Pray make your journey thither presently,
And as ye goe Ile open yee a wonder.
Good sir this morning.
Duke.
Follow me, Ile doe it.
Exeunt.
32
Scæn. 2.
Enter Olimpia, Alinda, Burris, and Gentlewomen.Olim.
But doe you thinke my brother loves her.
Bur.
Certaine Madam,
He speaks much of her, and sometimes with wonder,
Oft wishes she were nobler borne.
Olim.
Doe you thinke him honest?
Bur.
Your Grace is nearer to his heart, then I am,
Upon my life I hold him so.
Olim.
'Tis a poore wench,
I would not have her wrong'd: methinks my Brother—
But I must not give rules to his affections;
Yet if he weigh her worth—
Bur.
You need not feare Madam.
Olim.
I hope I shall not: Lord Burris
I love her well; I know not, there is something
Makes me bestow more then a care upon her:
I doe not like that ring, from him to her;
I meane to women of her way, such tokens
Rather appeare as baits, then royall bounties:
I would not have it so.
Bur.
You will not find it,
Upon my troth I thinke his most ambition
Is but to let the world know 'has a hansome Mistris:
Will your Grace command me any service to him?
Olim.
Remember all my duty.
Bur.
Blessings crowne ye:
What's your will Lady?
Al.
Any thing that's honest;
And if you thinke it fits so poore a service,
Clad in a ragged vertue, may reach him,
I doe beseech your Lordship speake it humbly.
Bur.
Faire one I will: in the best phrase I have too,
And so I kisse your hand
Exit.
Al.
Your Lordships servant.
Olim.
Come hither wench, what art thou doing with that Ring.
Al.
I am looking on the posie, Madam.
Olim.
What is't?
Al.
The Jewels set within.
Olim.
But where the joy wench,
When that invisible Jewel's lost? why dost thou smile so?
What unhappy meaning hast thou?
Al.
Nothing Madam,
But only thinking what strange spels these Rings have,
And how they worke with some.
Pet.
I feare with you too.
Al.
This could not cost above a Crowne.
Pet.
'Twill cost you
The shaving of your crowne, if not the washing.
Olim.
But he that sent it, makes the vertue greater.
Al.
I and the vice too Madam: goodnes blesse me:
How fit 'tis for my finger.
2 W.
No doubt you'l find too
A finger fit for you.
Al.
Sirrah, Petesca,
What wilt thou give me for the good that followes this?
But thou hast Rings enough, thou art provided:
Heigh ho, what must I doe now?
Pet.
You'l be taught that,
The easiest part that e're you learn't, I warrant you.
Al.
Ay me, ay me.
Pet.
You will divide too, shortly.
Your voice comes finely forward.
Olim.
Come hither wanton,
Thou art not surely as thou saist.
Al.
I would not:
But sure there is a witchcraft in this Ring, Lady.
Lord how my heart leaps.
Pet.
'Twill goe pit a pat shortly.
Al.
And now methinks a thousand of the Dukes shapes.
2 W.
Will no lesse serve ye?
Al.
In ten thousand smiles.
Olim.
Heaven blesse the wench.
Al.
With eyes that will not be denide to enter;
And such soft sweet embraces; take it from me,
I am undone else Madam: I'm lost else.
Olim.
What ailes the girle?
Al.
How suddenly I'm alter'd?
And growne my selfe againe? doe not you feele it?
Olim.
Weare that, and I'le weare this:
I'le try the strength on't.
Al.
How cold my bloud growes now?
Here's sacred vertue:
When I leave to honour this,
Every houre to pay a kisse,
When each morning I arise,
Or I forget a sacrifice:
When this figure in my faith,
And the purenes that it hath,
I pursue not with my will,
Nearer to arrive at still:
When I lose, or change this Jewell,
Flie me faith, and heaven be cruell.
Olim.
You have halfe confirm'd me,
Keep but that way sure,
And what this charme can doe, let me endure.
Exeunt.
Scæne 3.
Enter Archas, Theodore, 2 Doughters. Honora and Viola.Ar.
Carry your selfe discreetly, it concernes me,
The Duke's come in, none of your froward passions,
Nor no distastes to any: Prethee Theodor,
By my life, boy, 'twill ruine me.
The.
I have done Sir,
So there be no foule play he brings along with him.
Ar.
What's that to you?
Let him bring what please him,
And whom, and how.
The.
So they meane well—
Ar.
Is't fit you be a Judge sirrah,
The.
'Tis fit I feele Sir.
Ar.
Get a banquet ready,
And trim your selves up hansomly.
The.
To what end?
Doe you meane to make 'em whores?
Hang up a signe then,
And set 'em out to Livery.
Ar.
Whose sonne art thou?
The.
Yours Sir, I hope: but not of your disgraces.
Ar.
Full twenty thousand men I have commanded,
And all their minds with this, calm'd all their angers;
And shall a boy of mine owne breed too, of mine owne bloud,
One crooked stick—
The.
Pray take your way, and thrive in't,
I'le quit your house, if taint or black dishonour
Light on ye, 'tis your owne, I have no share in't.
Yet if it doe fall out so, as I feare it,
And partly find it too—
Ar.
Hast thou no reverence?
33
The.
This shall shew I obey ye!
I dare not stay: I would have shew'd my love too,
And that you aske as duty, with my life sir,
Had you but thought me worthy of your hazzards,
Which heaven preserve ye from, and keep the Duke too:
And there's an end of my wishes, God be with ye.
Exit.
Ar.
Stubborne, yet full of that we all love, honesty,
Lord Burris, where's the Duke?
Enter Burris.
Bur.
In the great chamber Sir,
And there stayes till he see you, ye 'have a fine house here.
Ar.
A poore contented lodge, unfit for his presence,
Yet all the joy it hath.
Bur.
I hope a great one, and for your good, brave Sir.
Ar.
I thanke ye Lord:
And now my service to the Duke.
Bur.
I'le wait on ye.
Exeunt.
Enter Duke, Boroskey, Gent. and Attendants.
Du.
May this be credited?
Bor.
Disgrace me else,
And never more with favour looke upon me.
Du.
It seemes impossible.
Bor.
It cannot chuse Sir,
Till your owne eies behold it; but that it is so,
And that by this meanes the too haughtie souldier
Has been so cramm'd and fed, he cares not for ye;
Beleeve, or let me perish: Let your eyes
As you observe the house, but where I point it,
Make stay, and take a view, and then you have found it.
Enter Archas, Burris, 2 Daughters and Servant.
Du.
I'le follow your direction: welcome Archas,
You are welcome home brave Lord, we are come to visit ye,
And thanke ye for your service.
Ar.
'Twas so poore Sir,
In true respect of what I owe your Highnesse,
It merits nothing.
Du.
Are these faire ones yours Lord?
Ar.
Their Mother made me thinke so Sir.
Du.
Stand up Ladies:
Beshrew my heart they are faire ones; methinks fitter
The lustre of the Court, then thus live darken'd:
I would see your house Lord Archas, it appeares to me,
A hansome pile.
Ar.
'Tis neate but no great structure;
I'le be your Graces guide, give me the keyes there.
Du.
Lead on, wee'l follow ye: begin with the Gallery,
I think that's one.
Ar.
'Tis so, and't please ye Sir,
The rest above are lodgings all.
Du.
Goe on Sir.
Exeunt.
Scæne 4.
Enter Theodore, Putskey, and Ancient.Put.
The Duke gone thither, doe you say?
The.
Yes marry doe I,
And all the ducklings too: but what they'l doe there.—
Put.
I hope they'l crowne his service.
The.
With a Custard;
This is no weather for rewards; they crowne his service?
Rather, they goe to shave his crowne: I was rated,
As if I had been a dog had worried sheep, out of doores,
For making but a doubt.
Put.
They must now grace him.
The.
Marke but the end.
Anc.
I am sure they should reward him, they cannot want him
The.
They that want honesty, want any thing.
Put.
The Duke is so noble in his owne thoughts.
The.
That I grant ye,
If those might only sway him: but 'tis most certaine,
So many new borne slyes, his light gave life too,
Buzze in his beames, flesh flies, and Butterflies,
Hornets, and humming Scarrabs, that not one honey Bee
That's loden with true labour, and brings home
Encrease, and credit, can scape risting,
And what she sucks for sweet, they turne to bitternesse.
An.
Shall we go see what they do & talke our minds to 'em?
P.
That we have done too much, & to no purpose.
Anc.
Shall we be hang'd for him?
I have a great mind to be hangd now
For doing some brave thing for him; a worse end will take me
And for an action of no worth; not honour him?
Upon my conscience even the devill, the very devill
(Not to belye him) thinkes him an honest man,
I am sure he has sent him soules any times these twenty yeares,
Able to furnish all his fishmarket.
The.
Leave thy talking
And come, let's go to dinner and drinke to him,
We shall heare more ere supper time: if he be honour'd,
He has deserv'd it well, and we shall fight for't:
If he be ruin'd so, we know the worst then,
And for my selfe I'le meet it.
Put.
I ne're feare it.
Exeunt.
Scæne 5.
Enter Duke, Archas, Borosky, Burris, Gentlemen, and Attendants.Du.
They are handsome roomes all, well contriv'd and fitted,
Full of covenience, the prospects excellent.
Ar.
Now will your Grace passe downe, and do me but the honour
To taste a Country banket?
Du.
What roome's that?
I would see all now; what conveyance has it?
I see you have kept the best part yet; pray open it.
Ar.
Ha? I misdoubted this: 'tis of no receipte sir,
For your eyes most unfit—
Du.
I long to see it,
Because I would judge of the whole peece: some excellent paintings,
Or some rare spoiles you would keep to entertaine me
An other time, I know.
Ar.
In troth there is not,
Nor any thing worth your sight: below I have
Some fountaines, and some ponds.
Du.
I would see this now.
Ar.
Borosky, thou art a knave; It containes nothing
But rubbish from the other roomes and unnecessaries:
Wil't please you see a strange Clocke?
Du.
This, or nothing:
Little Trunke ready.
Why should you barre it up thus with defences
Above the rest, unlesse it contain'd something
More excellent, and curious of keeping:
Open't, for I will see't.
Ar.
The keyes are lost sir;
Do's your grace thinke if it were fit for you,
I could be so unmannerly?
Du.
I will see it, and either shew it—
Ar.
Good sir—
Du.
Thanke ye Archas,
You shew your love abundantly,
Do I use to entreat thus? force it open,
Bur.
That were inhospitable: you are his guest sir,
And with his greatest joy, to entertaine ye.
Du.
Hold thy peace foole; will ye open it?
Ar.
Sir, I cannot.
34
Duk.
Goe breake it open.
Ar.
I must withstand that force: Be not too rash Gentlemen.
Du.
Unarme him first, then if he be not obstinate,
Preserve his life.
Ar.
I thanke your grace, I take it:
And now take you the keyes, goe in and see Sir;
There feed your eyes with wonder, and thanke that traytor,
That thing that sels his faith for favor.
Exit Duke.
Bur.
Sir, what moves ye?
Ar.
I have kept mine pure: Lord Burris there's a Judas,
That for a smile will sell ye all: a Gentleman?
The Devill 'has more truth, and has maintain'd it;
A whores heart more beliefe in't.
Enter Duke.
Du.
What's all this Archas?
I cannot blame ye to conceale it so,
This most inestimable treasure.
Ar.
Yours Sir.
Du.
Nor doe I wonder now the souldier sleights me.
Ar.
Be not deceiv'd; he has had no favor here Sir,
Nor had you knowne this now, but for that pickthank,
That lost man in his faith, he has reveal'd it,
To suck a little honey from ye has betray'd it.
I sweare he smiles upon me, and forsworne too,
Thou crackt, uncurrant Lord: I'le tell ye all Sir:
Your Sire, before his death, knowing your temper,
To be as bounteous as the aire, and open,
As flowing as the Sea to all that follow'd ye,
Your great mind fit for war and glory, thriftily
Like a great husband, to preserve your actions,
Collected all this treasure: to our trusts,
To mine I meane, and to that long-tongu'd Lords there,
He gave the knowledge, and the charge of all this,
Upon his death-bed too: And on the Sacrament
He swore us thus, never to let this treasure
Part from our secret keepings, till no hope
Of subject could relieve ye, all your owne wasted,
No help of those that lov'd ye could supply ye,
And then some great exploit afoot; my honestie
I would have kept till I had made this usefull;
I shew'd it, and I stood it to the tempest,
And usefull to the end 'twas left: I am cozen'd,
And so are you too, if you spend this vainly;
This worme that crept into ye has abus'd ye,
Abus'd your fathers care, abus'd his faith too:
Nor can this masse of money make him man more,
A flea'd dog has more soule, an Ape more honestie:
All mine ye have amongst it, farwell that,
I cannot part with't nobler; my hearts cleare,
My conscience smooth as that, no rub upon't,
But O thy hell.
Bor.
I seeke no heaven from you Sir.
Ar.
Thy gnawing hell Boroskey, it will find thee:
Would ye heape coles upon his head has wrong'd ye,
Has ruin'd your estate? give him this money,
Melt it into his mouth.
Du.
What little Trunck's that,
That there o'th' top, that's lockt?
Bor.
You'l find it rich Sir,
Richer I think then all.
Ar.
You were not covetous,
Nor wont to weave your thoughts with such a coursenes;
Pray racke not honestie.
Bor.
Be sure ye see it.
Du.
Bring out the Trunck.
Ent. with the Trunck.
Ar.
You'l find that treasure too,
All I have left me now.
Du.
What's this a poore gowne?
And this a peece of Seneca?
Ar.
Yes sure Sir,
More worth then all your gold, yet ye have enough on't,
And of a Mine far purer, and more precious:
This sels no friends, nor searches into counsels,
And yet all counsell and all friends live here Sir,
Betrayes no faith, yet handles all that's trusty;
Wilt please ye leave me this.
Du.
With all my heart Sir.
Ar.
What sayes your Lordship to't?
Bor.
I dare not rob ye.
Ar.
Poore miserable men, you have rob'd your selves both;
This gown, and this unvalu'd treasure, your brave Father,
Found me a childe at schoole with, in his progresse,
Where such a love he tooke to some few answers,
Unhappie boyish toyes hit in my head then,
That suddenly I made him thus as I was;
For here was all the wealth I brought his Highnes:
He carried me to Court, there bred me up.
Bestow'd his favours on me, taught me Armes first,
With those an honest mind; I serv'd him truly,
And where he gave me trust, I thinke I fail'd not;
Let the world speake: I humbly thanke your Highnes,
You have done more, and nobler, eas'd mine age Sir;
And to this care, a faire quietus given:
Now to my Booke againe.
Du.
You have your wish Sir,
Let some bring off the treasure.
Bor.
Some is his sir.
Ar.
None, none my Lord: a poore unworthy reaper,
The harvest is his graces.
Du.
Thanke ye Archas.
Ar.
But will not you repent Lord? when this is gone,
Where will your Lordship?—
Bor.
Pray take you no care sir.
Ar.
Do's your Grace like my house?
Du.
Wondrous well Archas,
You have made me richly welcome.
Ar.
I did my best sir,
Is there any thing else may please your Grace?
Du.
Your daughters
I had forgot, send them to Court.
Ar.
How's that Sir?
Du.
I said your daughters; see it done: I'le have 'em
Attend my sister, Archas.
Ar.
Thanke your Highnes.
Du.
And suddenly.
Exit.
Ar.
Through all the waies I dare,
I'le serve your temper, though you try me too far.
Exit.
| The Loyal Svbiect | |