 | The Sea Voyage |  |
Actus quartus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Raymond, Sebastian, Nicusa, Saylors.1. Sayl.
Heres nothing, sir, but poverty and hunger;
No promise of inhabitance; neither tract of Beast,
Nor foot of man: we have searcht
All this Rocky desart, yet cannot discover any assurance
Here is or hath been such men.
2. Sayl.
Not a relique of any thing they wore;
Nor marke left by 'em, either to finde reliefe,
Or to warne others from the like misfortune.
Believe it, these fellows are both false,
And to get a little succour in their misery,
Have fram'd this cunning tale.
Ray.
The ship, I know, is French, and own'd by Pirats,
If not by Albert my arch enemy.
You told me too there was a woman with 'em.
A young and handsome woman.
Sebast.
There was so sir.
Raym.
And such and such young gallants.
Nic.
We told ye true sir,
That they had no means to quit this Island.
Raym.
And that amidst their mutiny to save your lives
You got their ship.
Sebast.
All is most certaine sir.
Raym.
Where are they then? where are these men
Or woman? we are landed where your faiths
Did assure us we could not misse their sights.
For this news we tooke ye to our mercy,
Reliev'd ye, when the furious Sea and famine
Strove which should first devoure ye;
Cloath'd, and cherisht ye; us'd ye as those ye say ye are.
Faire Gentlemen, now keep your words,
And shew us this company, your own free pitties spoke of;
These men ye left in misery; the woman.
Men of those noble breedings you pretend to.
Should scorn to lie, or get their food with falshood;
Come, direct us.
Sebast.
Alasse sir, they are gone,
But by what means or providence, we know not.
2. Sayl.
Was not the Captain
A fellow of a fiery, yet brave nature,
A middle stature, and of brown complexion?
Nic.
He was sir.
Raym.
'Twas Albert,
And my poore wretched sister.
1. Sayl.
Twas he certain,
I ha been at Sea with him; many times at Sea.
Raym.
Come shew us these men;
Shew us presently, and do not dally with us.
Sab.
We left 'em here; what should we say, sir?
Here in this place.
2. Sayl.
The earth cannot swallow 'em;
They have no wings, they cannot fly sure.
Raym.
You told us too
Of heapes of treasure, and of sums conceald,
That set their hearts a fire; we see no such thing,
No such sign; what can ye say to purge ye?
What have ye done with these men?
Nic.
We, sir?
Raym.
You sir;
For certain I believe ye saw such people.
Sebast.
By all that's good,
By all that's pure and honest,
By all that's holy.
Raym.
I dare not credit ye,
Ye have so abus'd my hope, that now I hate ye.
1. Sayl.
Lets put 'em in their ragged clothes again Captain,
For certain they are knaves, lets e'en deliver 'em
To their old fruitfull Farm; here let 'em walk the Island.
Sebast.
If ye do so, we shall curse your mercies.
Nic.
Rather put us to Sea again.
Raym.
Not so.
Yet this Ile do, because ye say ye are Christians,
Though I hardly credit it: bring in the boat,
And all aboord again, but these two wretches;
Yet leave 'em four daies meat. If in that time.
(For I will search all nookes of this strange Island)
I can discover any tract of these men,
Alive or dead, Ile beare ye off, and honour ye;
If not, ye have found your graves; so farewell.
Exit.
Nic.
That goodnes dwels above, & knows us innocent,
Comfort our lives, and at his pleasure quit us.
Sebast.
Come cousin, come; old time will end our story:
But no time (if we end well) ends our glory.
Exit.
Enter Rossella, Clarinda, Crocale, Hippolita, Juletta.
Ros.
Use 'em with all the austerity that may be,
They are our slaves; turn all those pitties,
Those tender reluctations that should become your sex,
To stern anger; and when ye look upon 'em,
Looke with those eyes that wept those bitter sorrows,
Those cruelties ye sufferd by their rapines.
Some five daies hence that blessed houre comes,
Most happy to me, that knit this hand to my deare husbands,
And both our hearts in mutuall bands.
That houre Ladies.
Cla.
What of that houre?
Ros.
Why, on that houre daughter,
And in the height of all our celebrations,
Our deere remembrances of that deere man,
And those that suffered with him, our faire kinsmen,
Their lives shall fall a sacrifice to vengeance,
Their lives that ruind his; tis a full justice.
I will looke glorious in their bloods;
And the most Noble spirit of Sebastian,
That perisht by the pride of these French Pirates,
Shall smile in Heaven, and blesse the hand that kild 'em.
Looke strictly all unto your prisoners;
For he that makes a scape beyond my vengeance,
Or entertaines a hope by your faire usage;
Take heed, I say, she that deceives my trust,
Again take heed: her life, and thats but light neither;
Her life in all the tortures my spirit can put on.
All.
We shall be carefull.
Ros.
Do so.
Exit Rossella.
Cla.
Your are angry mother, and ye are old too,
13
How fare your prisoners, Ladies? in what forms
Do they appeare in their afflictions?
Jul.
Mine fare but poorly;
For so I am commanded: tis none of their fault.
Cla.
Of what sort are they?
Jul.
They say they are Gentlemen.
But they shew Mungrels.
Cla.
How do they suffer?
Jul.
Faith like boyes;
They are fearfull in all fortunes; when I smile
They kneele, and beg to have that face continued;
And like poore slaves, adore the ground I goe on.
When I frown, they hang their most dejected heads,
Like fearfull sheephounds; shew 'em a crust of bread
Theyl Saint me presently, and skip like Apes
For a sup of Wine. Ile whip 'em like hackneys,
Saddle 'em, ride 'em, do what I will with 'em.
Cla.
Tush, these are poore things.
Have they names like Christians?
Jul.
Very faire names: Franvile, Lamure, and Morillat;
And brag of great kindreds too. They offer very handsomely,
But that I am a foole, and dare not venture.
They are sound too i'my conscience,
Or very neere upon't.
Cla.
Fy, away foole.
Jul.
They tell me
If they might be brought before you,
They would reveale things of strange consequence.
Cla.
Their base poore feares.
Jul.
I, that makes me hate 'em too;
For if they were but manly to their sufferance,
Sure I should strain a point or two.
Cla.
An houre hence Ile take a view of 'em,
And heare their businesse. Are your men thus too?
Cro.
Mine? No gentle Maddam, mine were not cast
In such base molds; afflictons, tortures,
Are names and natures of delight, to my men;
All sorts of cruelties they meet like pleasures.
I have but two; the one they call Du-pont,
Tibalt Du-pont; the other the ship-master.
Cla.
Have they not lives, and feares?
Cro.
Lives they have Maddam;
But those lives never linkt to such companions
As feares or doubts.
Cla.
Use 'em Nobly;
And where you finde fit subjects for your pitties
Let it become ye to be courteous;
My mother will not alwaies be thus rigorous.
Hip.
Mine are Saylors Maddam,
But they sleep soundly, and seldom trouble me, unlesse it be when
They dream sometimes of fights and tempests;
Then they rore and whistle for Cans of Wine,
And down they fling me; and in that rage,
(For they are violent fellows) they play such reaks.
If they have meat, they thank me;
If none, they heartily desire to be hangd quickly.
And this is all they care.
Cla.
Look to 'em diligently, and where your pitties tels ye
They may deserve, give comfort.
All.
We will.
Exit.
Cla.
Come hither, be not frighted;
Enter Aminta,
Think not ye steale this liberty, for we give it,
Your tender innocence assures me, Virgin,
Ye had no share in those wrongs these men did us;
I finde ye are not hardned in such mischieves.
Your brother was mis-led sure,
Foully mis-led.
Amin.
How much I feare these pities!
Cla.
Certain he was, so much I pity him;
And for your sake, whose eyes plead for him;
Nay, for his own sake.
Amin.
Ha!
Cla.
For I see about him
Women have subtill eyes, and look narrowly;
Or I am much abusd: many faire promises;
Nay beyond those, too many shadowed vertues.
Amin.
I think he is good.
Cla.
I assure my selfe he will be;
And out of that assurance take this comfort,
For I perceive your feare hath much dejected ye.
I love your brother.
Amin.
Maddam.
Cla.
Nay, do not take it for a dreamt of favour,
That comforts in the sleepe, and awake vanishes;
Indeed I love him.
Amin.
Do ye indeed?
Cla.
You doubt still, because ye feare his safety;
Indeed he is the sweetest man I ere saw;
I think the best. Ye may heare without blushes,
And give me thanks, if ye please, for my curtesie.
Amin.
Maddam, I ever must;
Yet witnesse Heaven, they are hard pul'd from me.
Believe me, Maddam, so many imperfections I could find,
(Forgive me Grace for lying) and such wants,
(Tis to an honest use) such poverties,
Both in his main proportion, and his mind too;
There are a hundred handsomer; (I lie leudly)
Your noble usage, Maddam, hath so bound me to ye,
That I must tell ye.
Cla.
Come tell your worst.
Amin.
He is no husband for ye.
I think ye mean in that fayr way.
Cla.
Ye have hit it.
Amin.
I am sure ye have hit my heart.
You will finde him dangerous, Maddam;
As fickle as the flying ayre, proud, jealous,
Soon glutted in your sweets, and soon forgetfull;
I could say more, and tell ye I have a brother,
Another brother, that so far excels this,
Both in the ornaments of man, and making.
Cla.
If you were not his sister, I should doubt ye mainly;
Doubt ye for his love, ye deale so cunningly.
Do not abuse me, I have trusted ye with more then life,
With my first love; be carefull of me.
Amin.
In what use, Maddam?
Cla.
In this Lady,
Speak to him for me, you have power upon him;
Tell him I love him, tell him I dote on him.
It will become your tongue.
Amin.
Become my grave.
O fortune, O cursed fortune.
Cla.
Tell him his liberty,
And all those with him; all our wealth and Jewels.
Good sister, for Ile call ye so.
Amin.
I shall Lady,
Even die, I hope.
Cla.
Here's Meat and Wine, pray take it,
And there he lies; give him what liberty you please;
But still conceald. What pleasure you shall please, sister.
He shall nere want again. Nay, see an you'l take it;
Why do you studdy thus?
Amin.
To avoyd mischiefes, if they should happen.
Cla.
Goe and be happy for me.
Amin.
O blind fortune;
Yet happy thus far, I shall live to see him,
14
Sure this Curtaine will reveale.
Enter Albert.
Alb.
Who's that? ha!
Some gentle hand, I hope, to bring me comfort.
Or if it be my death, tis sweetly shaddowed.
Amin.
Have ye forgot me sir?
Alb.
My Aminta?
Amin.
She sir,
That walks here up and down an empty shadow,
One that for some few houres
But wanders here, carrying her own sad Coffin,
Seeking some Desart place to lodge her greifes in.
Alb.
Sweet sorrow welcome, welcome noble griefe;
How got you this faire liberty to see me?
For sorrows in your shape are strangers to me.
Amin.
I come to counsell ye.
Alb.
Ye are still more welcome;
For good friends in afflictions give good councels.
Pray then proceed.
Amin.
Pray eate first, ye shew faint;
Here's Wine to refresh ye too.
Alb.
I thank ye deere.
Amin.
Drinke again.
Alb.
Here's to our loves.
How, turn and weepe!
Pray pledge it: this happinesse we have yet left,
Our hearts are free. Not pledge it? why,
And though beneath the axe this health were holy,
Why doe ye weep thus?
Amin.
I come to woe ye.
Alb.
To woe me Sweet? I am woe'd and wonne already,
You know I am yours. This pretty way becomes ye.
But you would deceive my sorrows; that's your intent.
Amin.
I would I could, I should not weep, but smile.
Do ye like your Meat and Wine?
Alb.
Like it?
Amin.
Do you like your liberty?
Alb.
All these I well may like.
Amin.
Then pray like her that sent 'em.
Doe ye like wealth, and most unequal'd beauty?
Alb.
Peace, indeed you'l make me angry.
Amin.
Would I were dead that aske it,
Then ye might freely like, and I forgive ye.
Alb.
What like, and who? adde not more misery
To a man that's fruitfull in afflictions.
Who is't you would have me like?
Who sent these comforts?
Amin.
I must tell.
Alb.
Be bold.
Amin.
But be you temperate.
If you be bold I die. The young fair Virgin;
(Sorrow hath made me old.) O hearken,
And wisely harke, the Governesse daughter:
That Star that strikes this Island full of wonder,
That blooming sweetnesse.
Alb.
What of her?
Amin.
She sent it: and with it,
It must be out, she dotes on ye,
And must enjoy ye: else no joy must find ye.
Alb.
And have you the patience to deliver this?
Amin.
A sister may say much, and modestly.
Alb.
A Sister?
Amin.
Yes, that name undid ye;
Undid us both: had ye nam'd wife, she had fear'd ye;
And fear'd the sin she followed; She had shun'd, yea
Her Virgin modesty had not touch'd at ye.
But thinking you were free, hath kindled a fire,
I feare will hardly be extinguisht.
Alb.
Indeed I played the foole.
Amin.
O my best sir, take heed,
Take heed of lies. Truth though it trouble some minds,
Some wicked minds, that are both darke and dangerous:
Yet it preserves it selfe, comes off pure, innocent,
And like the Sunne, though never so ecclips'd,
Must breake in glory. O sir, lie no more.
Alb.
Ye have read me a faire Lecture,
And put a spell upon my tongue for fayning.
But how will you counsell now?
Amin.
Ye must study to forget me.
Alb.
How?
Amin.
Be patient.
Be wise and patient, it concerns ye highly.
Can ye lay by our loves? But why should I doubt it?
Ye are a man, and men may shift affections,
Tis held no fin. To come to the poynt,
Ye must lose me; many and mighty reasons.
Alb.
Heare me Aminta,
Have you a man that loves you to, that feeds ye,
That sends ye liberty? has this great Governesse
A noble sonne too, young, and apt to catch ye?
Am I because I am in bonds, and miserable,
My health decay'd, my youth, and strength halfe blasted,
My fortune like my wayning selfe, for this despis'd?
Am I for this forsaken? a new love chosen,
And my affections, like my fortunes wanderers?
Take heed of lying, you that chid me for it;
And shew'd how deep a sin it was, and dangerous.
Take heed, your selfe, you swore you lov'd me deerly;
No few, nor little oathes you swore Aminta,
Those seal'd with no small faith, I then assur'd my selfe.
O seek no new waies to cozen truth.
Amin.
I do not.
By Love it selfe I love thee,
And ever must, nor can all deaths dissolve it.
Alb.
Why do you urge me thus then?
Amin.
For your safety,
To preserve your life.
Alb.
My life I do confesse is hers,
She gives it,
And let her take it back, I yeild it.
My loves intirely thine, none shall touch at it;
None, my Aminta, none.
Amin.
Ye have made me happy,
And now I know ye are mine. Fortune, I scorn thee.
Go to your rest, and Ile sit by ye;
Whilst I have time Ile be your mate, and comfort ye,
For onely I am trusted: you shall want nothing,
Not a liberty that I can steal ye.
Alb.
May we not celebrate our loves Aminta?
And where our wishes cannot meet
Amin.
You are wanton,
But with cold kisses Ile allay that feavor;
Look for no more, and that in private too.
Believe me I shall blush else.
But let's consider, we are both lost else.
Alb.
Let's in, and prevent fate.
Exeunt.
Enter Crocale, Juletta, Tibalt, Master.
Tib.
You do well to ayre us Ladies, we shall be musty else.
What are your wise wils now?
Cro.
You are very cranck still.
Tib.
As cranck as a holy Fryer, fed with hayl-stones.
But do ye bring us out to baite, like Buls?
Mast.
Or are you weary of the charge ye are at?
Turn us abroad again, let's jog Ladies;
15
Tib.
Knock off our shoos, and turn's to grasse.
Cro.
You are determined
Still to be stubborn then: it well becomes ye.
Tib.
An humour Lady that contents a prisoner.
A sullen fit sometimes serves for a second course.
Jul.
Ye may as well be kind,
And gain our favours; gain meat, and drink,
And lodging to rest your bones.
Tib.
My bones have bore me thus long,
And had their share of pains, and recreations;
If they fayl now, they are no fayr companions.
Cro.
Are ye thus harsh to all our sex?
Mast.
We cannot be merry without a Fidler.
Pray strike up your Tabors, Ladies.
Cro.
The fools despise us.
Jul.
We know ye are very hungry now.
Tib.
Yes, tis very wholsome Ladies;
For we that have grosse bodies, must be carefull.
Have ye no piercing ayre to stir our stomacks?
We are beholding to ye for our Ordinary.
Jul.
Why slaves, tis in our power to hang ye.
Mast.
Very likely.
Tis in our powers then to be hang'd, and scorn ye.
Hanging's as sweet to us, as dreaming to you.
Cro.
Come, be more courteous.
Jul.
Do, and then ye shal be pleas'd, and have all necessaries.
Tib.
Give me some Rats-bane then.
Cro.
And why Rats-bane, Mounsier?
Tib.
We live like vermin here, & eate up your Cheese,
Your mouldy Cheese, that none but Rats would bite at;
Therefore tis just that Rats-bane should reward us.
We are unprofitable, and our Ploughs are broken;
There is no hope of Harvest this yeere, Ladies.
Jul.
Ye shall have all content.
Mast.
I, and we'l serve your uses.
I had rather serve hogs, there's more delight in't
Your greedy appetites are never satisfied;
Just like hungry Camels, sleeping or waking
You chew the cud still.
Cro.
By this hand we'l starve ye.
Mast.
Tis a Noble courtesie.
I had as liefe ye should famish me, as founder me,
To be jaded to death is onely fit for a hackney.
Here be certain tarts of tar about me,
And parcels of potargo in my Jerkin,
As long as these last.
Jul.
Which will not last ever.
Tib.
Then we'l eate one another like good fellows,
A shoulder of his for a hanch of mine.
Jul.
Tis excellent.
Tib.
Twill be, as we'l dresse it Ladies.
Cro.
Why sure ye are not men.
Mast.
Ye had best come search us,
A Seaman is seldome without a salt Eele.
Tib.
I am bad enough,
And in my nature a notorious wencher;
And yet ye make me blush at your immodesty.
Tell me good Master, didst ever see such things?
Mast.
I could like 'em though they were lewdly given,
If they could say no; but fie on 'em,
They gape like Oysters.
Tib.
Well, ye may hang, or starve us;
But your commanding impudence shall never feare us.
Had ye by blushing signs, soft cunnings, crept into us,
And shew'd us your necessities: we had met your purposes,
Supply'd your wants. We are no Saints Ladies;
I love a good wench, as I love my life,
And with my life I will maintain my love:
But such a sordid impudence Ile spit at
Let's to our dens again. Come noble Master.
You know our minds Ladies:
This is the faith in which we'l die.
Exit Tib. and Mast.
Cro.
I doe admire 'em.
Jul.
They are noble fellows,
And they shall not want, for this.
Cro.
But see, Clarinda comes.
Enter Clarinda.
Farewell, Ile to my charge.
Cla.
Bring out those prisoners now,
And let me seee 'em, and heare their businesse.
Jul.
I will, Maddam.
Exit.
Cla.
I hope she hath prevail'd upon her brother.
She has a sweet tongue, and can describe the happinesse
My love is ready to fling on him.
And sure he must be glad, and certain wonder
And blesse the houre that brought him to this Island.
I long to heare the full joy that he labours with.
Enter Juletta Morillat, Franvile, Lamure.
Mor.
Blesse thy Divine beauty.
Fran.
Mirror of sweetnesse.
Lam.
Ever springing brightnesse.
Cla.
Nay, stand up Gentlemen, and leave your flatteries.
Mor.
Shee cals us Gentlemen, sure we shall have some meat now.
Cla.
I am a mortall creature,
Worship Heaven, and give these attributes
To their Divinities. Methinks ye look but thin.
Mor.
O we are starv'd, immortall beauty.
Lam.
We are all poor starv'd knaves.
Fran.
Neither liberty nor meat Lady.
Mor.
We were handsome men, and Gentlemen, & sweet men,
And were once gracious in the eyes of beauties,
But now we look like rogues;
Like poore starv'd rogues.
Cla.
What would ye do if ye were to die now?
Fran.
Alas we were prepar'd. If you will hang us,
Let's have a good meale or two to die with,
To put's in heart.
Mor.
Or if you'l drown us,
Let's be drunk first, that we may die merrily,
And blesse the founders.
Cla.
Ye shal not die so hastily.
What dare ye do to deserve my favour?
Lam.
Put us to any service.
Fran.
Any bondage,
Let's but live.
Mor.
Wee'l get a world of children,
For we know, ye are hainously provided that way;
And ye shal beat us when we offend ye;
Beat us abundantly, and take our meat from us.
Cla.
These are weak abject things, that shew ye poor ones:
What's the great service ye so oft have threatned,
If ye might see me, and win my favour?
Jul.
That businesse of discovery.
Mor.
O, Ile tell ye Lady.
Lam.
and so will I.
Fran.
And I,
Pray let me speak first.
Mor.
Good, no confusion.
We are before a Lady that knows manners;
And by the next, meat I shall eate, tis certain.
This little Gentlewoman that was taken with us
Cla.
Your Captains sister, she you mean.
Mor.
I, I, she's the businesse that we would open to ye.
You are cousned in her.
Lam.; Fran.
How, what is't you would open?
She is no sister.
16
Good sirs, how quick you are.
She is no sister, Madam.
Fran.
She is his.
Mor.
Peace I say.
Cla.
What is she?
Mor.
Faith, sweet Lady,
She is, as a man would say, his.
Cla.
What?
Lam.
His Mistris.
Mor.
Or, as some new translators read, his.
Cla.
O me!
Mor.
And why he should delude you thus,
Unlesse he meant some villany? these ten weeks
He has had her at Sea for his own propes appetite.
Lam.
His Cabin-mate, Ile assure ye.
Cla.
No sister, say ye?
Mor.
No more then I am brother to your beauty.
I know not why he should juggle thus.
Cla.
Do not lie to me.
Mor.
If ye find me lie, Lady, hang me empty.
Cla.
How am I fool'd!
Away with 'em, Juletta, and feed 'em
But hark ye, with such food as they have given me.
New misery!
Fran.
Nor meat, nor thanks for all this.
Exit.
Cla.
Make 'em more wretched.
O I could burst! curse and kill now,
Kill any thing I meet. Juletta, follow me,
And call the rest along.
Iul.
We follow Maddam.
Exeunt.
Enter Albert and Aminta.
Amin.
I must be gone now, else she may suspect me;
How shall I answer her?
Alb.
Tell her directly.
Amin.
That were too sudden, too improvident;
Fires of this nature must be put out cunningly,
They'l waste all come neare 'em else.
Farewell once more.
Alb.
Farewell.
And keep my love entire.
Nay kisse me once again, me thinks we should not part.
Amin.
O be wise, sir.
Alb.
Nay, one kisse more.
Amin.
Indeed you'r wanton;
Enter Clarinda, Juletta, Crolale, Hippolita.
We may be taken too.
Cla.
Out thou base woman.
By Heaven Ile shoot 'em both.
Cro.
Nay stay, brave Lady, hold;
A sudden death cuts of a Nobler vengeance.
Cla.
Am I made Bawd to your lascivious meetings?
Are ye grown so wise in sin?
Shut up that villaine: and sirra,
Now expect my utmost anger.
Let him there starve.
Alb.
I, mock at your mischiefes.
Exit.
Cla.
Tie that false witch unto that Tree,
There let the savage beasts
Gnaw of her sweetnesse, and Snakes
Embrace her beauties; tie her, and watch
That none relieve her.
Hip.
We could wish ye better fortune Lady,
But dare not help ye.
Amin.
Be your own friends, I thank ye.
Now onely my last audit, and my greatest,
Enter Raymond.
O Heaven, be kind unto me,
And if it be thy wil, preserve.
Raym.
Who is this?
Sure tis a woman; I have trod this place,
And found much footing: now I know tis peopl'd.
Ha, let me see! tis her face.
O Heaven! turn this way mayd.
Amin.
O Raymond, O brother.
Raym.
Her tongue to: tis my sister; what rude hand!
Nay kisse me first, O joy!
Amin.
Fly, fly deere brother,
You are lost else.
Jul.
A man, a man, a new man.
Raym.
What are these?
Enter Juletta, Crocale, Clarinda.
Cro.
An Enemy, an Enemy.
Cla.
Dispatch him,
Take him off, shoot him straight.
Raym.
I dare not use my sword, Ladies,
Against such comely foes.
Amin.
O brother brother!
Cla.
Away with 'em, and in darke prisons bind 'em.
One word replyd, ye die both.
Now brave mother follow thy Noble Anger,
And Ile help thee.
Exeunt.
| The Sea Voyage | |