University of Virginia Library

Actus Secundus.

Scæna Prima.

A Sea fight within, alarum.
Enter Norandine, Miranda, and Souldiers and Gentlemen.
Mir.
How is it Sir?

Nor.
Pray set me down; I coole,
And my wounds smart.

Mir.
I hope yet
Though there be many, ther's none dangerous.

Nor.
I know not, nor I care not much, I got 'em
Like a too forward foole; but I hope the Surgeons
Will take an order I shall not leave 'em so
I make the rogues more work then all the Island,
And yet they give me the hardest words for my money.

Mir.
I am glad ye are so sprightly: ye fought bravely
Go call the Surgeons Souldiers: wondrous nobly
Upon my life, I have not seen such valour,
Maintained so long, and to so large a ruin,
The oddes so strong against ye.

Nor.
I thank ye,
And thank ye for your help, your timely succour.
By th'mas, it came ith' nick sir, and well handled;
Stoutly, and strongly handled: we had duckt else,
My Turke had Turk'd me else: but he has wel paid for't.
Why what a Signe for an Almanack h'as made me?

Enter Astorius.
Ast.
I am glad to finde ye here sir, of necessity
I must have come aboard else; and brave Captain
We all joy much in your faire victory,
And all the Island speaks your valour nobly.
Have ye brought the Turke in that ye took?

Mir.
He rides there.

Nor.
If he were out again, the devill should bring him.
H'as truely circumcis'd me.

Ast.
I have a businesse
Which much concernes ye, presently concernes ye;
But not this place nor people: pray ye draw off sir,
For tis of that weight to ye.

Mir.
Ile wait on ye,
I must crave leave a while: my care dwels with ye,
And I must wait my selfe.

Nor.
Your servant sir.

Mir.
Believe I shall, and what my love can minister;
Keep your stout heart still.

Nor.
That's my best Physitian.

Mir.
And I shall keepe your fame faire.

Exit.
Nor.
Ye are too Noble.
A brave young fellow, of a matchlesse spirit;
He brought me off like thunder, charg'd, and boorded,
As if he had been shot to save mine honour:
And when my fainting men tyr'd with their labour,
And lacke of blood gave to the Turke assurance
The day was his; when I was cut in shreds thus,
And not a corn of Powder left to blesse us,
Then flew his Sword in, then his Cannon roard,
And let flie blood and death in storms amongst em.
Then might I heare their sleepy Prophet howl'd too,
And all their silver Crescents then I saw
Like falling Meteors spent, and set for ever
Under the Crosse of Malta; death so wanton
I never lookt upon, so full of revell.
Enter Surgeon.
I will not be drest yet: Me thought that fellow
Was fit for no conversation, nor no Christian
That had not halfe his brains knockt out, no Souldier.
Oh valiant young man, how I love thy vertue.

1 Soul.
Pray ye sir be drest, alasse ye bleed apace yet.

Nor.
Tis but the sweat of honour (alas) thou milksop,
Thou man of March-paine, canst thou feare to see
A few light hurts, that blush they are no bigger,
A few small scratches? get ye a Cawdle sirha,
Your finger akes: and let the old wives watch thee:
Bring in the booty, and the prisoners;
By Heaven Ile see 'em, and dispose 'em first,
Before I have a drop of blood wipt from me; goe.

Exeunt Souldiers.
Surg.
You'l faint sir.

Nor.
No, ye lie sir, like an Asse, sir;
I have no such pigs hurt in my belly.

Sur.
By my life Captaine
These hurts are not to be jested with.

Nor.
If thou hadst 'em:
They are my companions foole, my family;
I cannot eate nor sleepe without their company.
Dost take me for St Davy, that fell dead
With seeing of his nose bleed?

Enter Souldiers with booty.
Sur.
Here they come sir:
But would you would be drest.

Nor.
Pox: dresse thy selfe first,
Thou faintst a great deale faster; what's all this?

1 Sould.
The money and the merchandize ye took sir.

Nor.
A goodly purchase: Is it for this we venture
Our liberties and lives? what can all this doe?
Get me some dozen surfeits, some seven fresh whores,
And twenty pot-alleys and to: and then I am vertuous.
Lay the Knights part by, and that to pay the Souldier:
This is mine own, I think I have deserv'd it:
Come, now looke to me, and grope me like a chambermaid,
Ile neither start, nor speake; what's that i'th trusse there?

2 Soul.
Tis cloth of Tissew sir, and this is Scarlet.

Nor.
I shall looke redder shortly then, I feare me,
And as a Captaine ought, a great deale prowder.
Can ye cure me of that crack, Surgeon?

Sur.
Yes, when your Suit's at pawn, sir.

Nor.
There's for your playster.
A very learned Surgeon: what's in that pack there?

1 Soul.
Tis English Cloth.

Nor.
That's a good weare indeed,
Both strong, and rich: but it has a vertue
A twang of the own Country, that spoiles all:
A man shall nere be sober in't: Where are the Gentlemen
That ventur'd with me, both their lives and fortunes?
Come forward my faire spirits; Norandine
Forgets his worth, when he forgets your valours.
You have lost an eye, I saw ye face all hazards:
You have one left yet, to choose your Mistris.
You have your leg broke with a shot; yet sitting,
I saw you make the place good with your Pike still.
And your hand's gone; a good heart wants no instruments;
Share that amongst ye: there's an eye, an arme,
And that wil beare you up, when your legs cannot.
Oh where's the honest Saylor? that poore fellow,
Indeed that bold brave fellow, that with his Musket
Taught them new waies how to put their caps off;
That stood the fire of all the fight, twice blowne,
And twice I gave him drownd: welcome ashore knave;
Give me thy hand, if they be not both lost: faith thou art welcome,
My tough knave welcom: thou wilt not shrink ith' washing.
Hold, there's a piece of Scarlet, get thee hansome.
And this to buy thee Buttons.

Sayl.
Thank ye Captaine,
Command my life at all houres.

Nor.
Thou durst give it.
You have deserv'd too.

3 Soul.
We have seen the fight sir.

Nor.
Yes: coyld up in a Cable, like salt Eeles;
Or buried low ith' ballasse: do you call that fighting?
Where be your wounds? your knocks? your want of limbs rogues?
Art not thou he that ask'd the Master-gunner
Where thou mightst lie safest? and he strait answered,
Put thy head in that hole new bor'd with a Cannon,
For twas a hundred to one, another shot would not hit there:
Your wages you shall have, but for rewards
Take your owne waies: and get ye to the Tavernes;
There, when ye are hot with Wine 'mongst your admirers,
Take Ships, and Towns, and Castles at your pleasures,
And make the great Turk shake at your valours.
Bring in the prisoners now my brave Musulmans,
Enter Prisoners, and Luscinda.
You that are Lords oth' Sea, and scorn us Christians,
Which of your mangy lives is worth this hurt here?
Away to prison with 'em, see 'em safe;
You shall finde we have Gallies too, and slaves too.

1 Soul.
What shall be done with this woman sir?

Nor.
Pox take her,
Twas she that set me on to fight with these rogues,
That Ring worme rot it: what can you doe now
With all your paintings, and your pouncings Lady,
To restore my blood again? you, and your Cupid
That have made a Carbinado of me; plague take ye,
Ye are too deep ye rogue, this is thy worke woman,
Thou lousie woman; 'death, you go too deep still.
The seeing of your simpring sweetnesse:—ye Filly,
Ye Tit, ye Tomboy, what can one nights gingling
Or two, or ten, sweet heart, and oh, my deare chicken,
Scratching my head, or fumbling with my fore-mast,
Doe me good now? ye have powder'd me for one yeere,
I am in sowce I thank ye; thanke your beauty,
Your most sweet beauty: pox upon those goggles.
We cannot fight like honest men, for honour,
And quietly kill one another as we ought,
But in steps one of you; the devils holinesse
And you must have a daunce: away with her,
She stinks to me now.

1 Soul.
Shall I have her Captaine?

2 Soul.
Or I?

3 Soul.
Ile marry her.

4 Soul.
Good Captaine, I.

3 Soul.
And make her a good Christian; lay hands on her;
I know she's mine.

2 Soul.
Ile give my full share for her: have ye no manners
To thrust the woman so?

Nor.
Share her among ye;
And may she give ye as many hurts as I have,
And twice as many aches.

Lusc.
Noble Captaine,
Be pleas'd to free me from these Souldiers wildnesse,
Till I but speake two words.

Nor.
Now for your maidenhead,
You have your booke, proceed.

Lusc.
Victorious sir,
Tis seldome seen in men so valiant,
Minds so devoyd of vertue: he that can conquer,
Should ever know how to preserve his conquest,
Tis but a base theft else. Valour's a vertue,
Crown of mens actions here; yours as you make it.
And can you put so rough a foyle as violence,
As wronging of weake woman to your triumph?

Nor.
Let her alone.

Lusc.
I have lost my husband, sir;
You feel not that: him that I love; you care not:
When fortune fals on you thus, you may grieve too;
My liberty, I kneele not for; mine honour,
(if ever vertuous honour toucht your heart yet)
Make deere, and precious, sir: you had a mother.

Nor.
The rougy thing speaks finely, neat: who took ye?
For he must be your guard.

Lusc.
I wish no better,
A Noble Gentleman, and Nobly us'd me,
They cal'd his name Miranda.

Nor.
You are his then:
Ye have light upon a young man worth your service,
I free ye from all the rest: and from all violence;
He that doth offer't, by my head he hangs for't:
Go see her safe kept, till the Noble Gentleman
Be ready to dispose her: thank your tongue,
You have a good one, and preserve it good still:
Souldiers, come wait on me, Ile see ye paid all.

Exeunt.

Scena secunda.

Enter Miranda and Astorius.
Ast.
I knew ye lov'd her, vertuously ye lov'd her,
Which made me make that hast: I knew ye priz'd her
As all fair minds do goodnesse.

Mir.
Good Astorius,
I must confesse I do much honour her,
And worthily I hope still.

Ast.
Tis no doubt sir,
For on my life she is much wrong'd.

Mir.
Very likely:
And I as much tormented I was absent.

Ast.
You need not feare, Peter Gomera's Noble,
Of a tryd faith and valour.

Mir.
This I know too:
But whilst I was not there, and whilst she suffer'd;
Whilst vertue suffer'd, friend, oh how it loads me!
Whilst innocence and sweetnesse sunke together,
How cold it sits here? if my arme had fought her,
My truth, though naked, stood against all treasons,
My Sword here grasped, love on the edge, and honour,
And but a signall from her eye to seale it,
If then she had been lost; I brag too late,
And too much I decline the Noble Peter.
Yet some poor service I would do her sweetnesse,
Alas she needs it, my Astorius,
The gentle Lady needs it.

Ast.
Noble spirit.

Mir.
And what I can: prethee bear with this weaknes.
Often I do not use these womens weapons
But where true pitty is. I am much troubled,
And something have to do, I cannot forme yet.

Ast.
Ile take my leave, sir, I shall but disturb ye.

Mir.
And please you for a while: and pray to fortune
To smile upon this Lady.

Ast.
All my help sir.

Exit.
Mir.
Gomera's old and stiffe: and he may lose her,
The winter of his yeeres and wounds upon him:
And yet he has done bravely hithero;
Mountferrats fury, in his heat of summer,
The whistling of his Sword like angry stormes,
Renting up life by th'roots, I have seen him scale
As if a Falcon had run up a traine,
Clashing his warlike pynions, his steel'd curasse,
And at his pitch in mew the Town below him.
I must do something.

Enter Collonna.
Col.
Noble sir, for Heaven sake
Take pity of a poore afflicted Christian
Redeem'd from one affliction to another.

Mir.
Boldly you aske that, we are bound to give it.
From what affliction sir?

Col.
From cold, and hunger:
From nakednesse, and stripes.

Mir.
A prisoner?

Col.
A slave, sir, in the Turkish prize, new taken;
That in the heat of fight, when your brave hand
Brought the Dane succour, got my yrons off,
And put my selfe to mercy of the Ocean.

Mer.
And swom to Land?

Col.
I did sir, Heaven was gracious;
But now a stranger, and my wants upon me,
Though willingly I would preserve this life sir,
With honesty and truth; I am not look'd on;
The hand of pity, that should give for Heaven sake,
And charitable hearts are grown so cold, sir,
Never remembring what their fortunes may be.

Mir.
Thou sayst too true: of what profession art thou?

Col.
I have been better traind; and can serve truly,
Where trust is laid upon me.

Mir.
A hansome fellow;
Hast thou ere bore Armes?

Col.
I have trod full many a march, sir,
And some hurts have to shew: before me too, sir.

Mir.
Pity this thing should starve, or forced for want
Come to a worse end. I know not what thou mayst be.
But if thou thinkst it fit to be a servant,
Ile be a Master, and a good one to thee,
If ye deserve, sir.

Col.
Else I aske no favour.

Mir.
Then sir, to try your trust, because I like you,
Go to the Dane, of him receive a woman,
A Turkish prisoner; for me receive her,
I heare she is my prize: looke fairly to her,
For I would have her know, though now my prisoner,
The Christians need no Schoolmasters for honour.
Take this to buy thee clothes: this Ring, to help thee
Into the fellowship of my house: ye are a stranger,
And my servants will not know ye else; there keep her,
And with all modesty preserve your service.

Col.
A foule example finde me else: Heaven thank ye.
Of Captaine Norandine?

Mir.
The same.

Col.
Tis done sir:
And may Heavens goodnesse ever dwell about ye.

Mir.
Wait there till I come home.

Col.
I shall not faile, sir.

Exeunt.

Scena tertia.

Enter Mountferrat with a Letter, and Abdella.
Abd.

Tis strange it should be so, that your high mettle
should check thus poorly: dully; most un-manly.

Mount.
Let me alone.

Abd.
Thus leadenly?

Mont.
—take ye.

Abd.
At every childish feare? at every shadow?
Are you Mountferrat, that have done such deeds?
Wrought through such bloody fields, men shake to speak of?
Can ye go back? is there a safety left yet
But fore-right? is not ruine round about ye?
Have ye not stil these armes, that Sword, that heart whol?
Is't not a man ye fight with, and an old man,
A man halfe kil'd already? Am not I here
As lovely in my blacke to entertaine thee,
As high, and full of heat, to meet thy pleasures?

Mount.
I wil be alone.

Abd.
Ye shall: farewell sir;
And doe it bravely, never think of conscience:
There is none to a man resolved be happy.

Exit.
Enter Miranda.
Mount.
No, most unhappy wretch, as thou hast made me
More devil then thy selfe, I am.

Mir.
Alone,
And troubled too, I take it: how he starts?
All is not hansome in thy heart Mountferrat.
God speed ye sir, I have been seeking of ye:
They say you are to fight to day.

Mount.
What then?

Mir.
Nay nothing but good fortune to your Sword, sir.
Ye have a cause requires it, the Islands safety,
The orders, and your honours.

Mount.
And do you make a question
I wil not fight it Nobly?

Mir.
Ye dare sight,
Ye have, and with as great a confidence as justice,
I have seen ye strike as home, and hit as deadly.

Mount.
Why are these questions then?

Mir.
Ile tell ye quickly.
Ye have a Lady in your cause, a faire one,
A gentler never trod on ground, a Nobler.

Mount.
Do ye come on so fast? I have it for ye.

Mir.
The Sunne nere saw a sweeter.

Mount.
These I grant ye:
Nor dare I against beauty heave my hand up,
It were unmanly, sir; too much unmanly:
But when these excellencies turn to ruine,
To ruine of themselves, and those protect 'em;
When vertue's lost lust, and dishonour enter'd,
Losse of our selves, and souls basely projected—

Mir.
Do you think tis so?

Mount.
Too sure.

Mir.
And can it be?
Can it be thought Mountferrat, so much sweetnes,
So great a magazine of all things precious,
A mind so heavenly made, prethee observe me.—

Mount.
I thought so to: now by my holy Order,
He that had told me, (till experience found it
Too bold a proof) this Lady had been vitious—
I weare no dull Sword sir, nor hate I vertue,

Mir.
Against her brother? to the man has bred her?
Her blood and honour?

Mount.
Where ambitious lust
Desires to be above the rule prescribed her,
Takes hold, and wins, poore chastity, cold duty,
Like fashions old forgot, she flings behind her,
And puts on blood and mischiefe, death, and ruine,
To raise her new built hopes, new faith to fasten her:
Ma' foy, she is as foule, as heaven is beauteous.

Mir.
Thou liest; thou liest Mountferrat: thou liest basely.
Stare not, nor swell not with thy pride: thou liest;
And this shall make it good.

Mount.
Out with your heat first,
Ye shall be fought withall.

Mir.
By—that Lady,
The vertue of that woman, were all the good deeds
Of all thy families bound in one fagot,
From Adam to this houre, but with one sparkle
Would fire that wispe, and turn it to light ashes.

Mount.
Oh pitifull young man, stroke blind with beauty!
Shot with a womans smile: poore, poore Miranda;
Thou hopeful young man once; but now thou lost man:
Thou naked man of all that we call Noble,
How art thou cozend? didst thou know what I do,
And how far thy deare honour (mark me foole)
Which like a father I have kept from blasting,
Thy tender honour is abus'd: but fight first,
And then, too late, thou shalt know all.

Mir.
Thou liest, stil.

Mount.
Stay, now Ile shew thee all, and then Ile kil thee.
I love thee so deere, time shall not disgrace thee.
Read that.

Mir.
It is her hand: it is most certaine;
Good Angels keep me: that I should be her agent
To betray Malta, and bring her to the Basha,
That on my tender love lay all her project!
Eyes, never see again, melt out for sorrow,
Did the divell do this?

Mount.
No, but his Dam did it,
The vertuous Lady that you love so deerly;
Come, wil ye fight again?

Mir.
No, prethee kill me:
For Heaven sake, and for goodnesse sake dispatch me,
For the disgrace sake that I gave thee, kill me.

Mount.
Why, are ye guilty?

Mir.
I have liv'd Mountferrat,
To see dishonour swallow up all vertue,
And now would dye: by heavens eternall brightnesse,
I am as cleere as Innocence.

Mount.
I knew it,
And therefore kept this Letter from all knowledge,
And this sword from anger, ye had died else.
And yet I lye, and basely lye.

Mir.
O vertue!
Unspotted vertue, whether art thou vanish'd?
What hast thou left to abuse our fraileties
In shape of goodnesse?

Mount.
Come, take courage, man,
I have forgiven, and forgot your rashnesse,
And hold you faire as light in all your actions,
And by my troth I griev'd your love; take comfort,
There be more women.

Mir.
And more mischiefe in 'em.

Mount.
The justice I shall doe, to right these villaines
Shall make ye man againe: i'le strike it sure Sir.
Come, looke up bravely: put this puling passion
Out of your minde; one knock for thee Miranda,
And for the Boy, the grave Gomera gave thee,
When she accepted thee her Champion;
And in thy absence, like a valiant Gentleman,
I yet remember it: he is too young,
Too Boyish, and to tender, to adventure:
I'le give him one sound rap for that: I love thee,
Thou art a brave young sparke.

Mir.
Boy did he call me?
Gomera call me Boy?

Mount.
It pleas'd his gravity,
To think so of ye then: they that doe service,
And honest service, such as thou, and I doe,
Are either knaves, or Boyes.

Mir.
Boy, by Gomera?
How look'd he when he said it? for Gomera
Was ever wont to be a vertuous Gentleman,
Humane, and sweet.

Mount.
Yes, when he will, he can be;
But let it goe, I would not breed dissention;
'Tis an unfriendly office, and had it been
To any of a higher straine then you Sir,
The well known, well approved, and lov'd Miranda,
I had not thought on't: 'twas happly, his haste too,
And zeale to her.

Mir.
A Traytor and a Boy too?
Shame take me if I suffer't: puff: farewell love.

Mount.
Ye know my businesse, I must leave ye Sir,
My houre grows on a pace.

Mir.
I must not leave you
I dare not, nor I will not, till your goodnesse
Have granted me one curtesie: ye say ye love me?

Mount.
I doe, and deerely: ask, and let that curtesie
Nothing concerne mine honour,

Mir.
You must doe it.
Or you will never see me more:

Mount.
What is it?
It shall be great that puts ye of; pray speake it.

Mir.
Pray let me fight to day: good, deere Mountferrat,
Let me, and bold Gomera—

Mount.
Fie Miranda,
Doe ye weigh my worth so little?

Mir.
On my knees,
As ever thou had'st true touch of a sorrow
Thy friend conceiv'd, as ever honour lov'd thee.

Mount.
Shall I turne recreant now?

Mir.
'Tis not thy cause,
Thou hast no reputation wounded in't,
Thines but a generall zeale: 'death: I am tainted,
The deerest twyn to life, my credit's murder'd,
Baffell'd, and boy'd,

Mount.
I am glad ye have swallow'd it,
I must confesse I pitty ye; and 'tis a justice,
A great one too, you should revenge these injuries:
I know it, and I know ye fit and bold to doe it,
And man, as much as man may: but Miranda,
Why doe ye kneel?

Mir.
By—I'le grow to the ground here,
And with my sword digge up my grave, and fall in't
Unlesse thou grant me: deere Mountferrat, friend,
Is any thing in my power, to my life, Sir?
The honour shall be yours.

Mount.
I love ye deerely,
Yet so much I should tender.

Mir.
I'le preserve all:
By—I will: or all the sinne fall with me,
Pray let me.

Mount.
Ye have won: i'le once be coward
To pleasure you.

Mir.
I kisse your hands, and thanke ye.

Mount.
Be tender of my credit, and fight bravely.

Mir.
Blow not the sire that flames.

Mount.
I'le send mine Armor,
My man shall presently attend ye with it,
For you must arme immediately, the houre cals,
I know 'twill sit ye right; be sure, and secret,
And last be fortunate; farewell: ye are fitted:
I am glad the load's off me.

Mir.
My best Mountferrat.

Exeunt.

Scæna quarta.

Enter Norandine, and Doctor.
Nor.
Doctor, I will see the Combat, that's the truth on't
If I had never a Legge, I would crawle to see it.

Doct.
You are most unfit, if I might councell ye,
Your wounds so many, and the ayre—

Nor.
The Halter;
The ayres as good an ayre, as fine an ayre;
Would'st thou have me live in an oven?

Doct.
Beside the noyse, Sir:
Which to a tender body.

Nor.
That's it, Doctor,
My body must be cur'd withall: if you'll heale me quickly,
Boyle a Drum-head in my broth: I never prosper,
With knuckles o' veale, and birds in sorrell sops,
Cawdles, and Cullysses; they wash me away
Like a horse had eaten grains: if thou wilt cure me
A pickled herring, and a pottle of Sack, Doctor,
And halfe a dozen trumpets.

Doct.
Ye are a strange Gentleman,

Nor.
As ere thou knew'st: wilt thou give me an other glister
That I may sit cleanly there, like a french Lady,
When she goes to a Mask at Court? where's thy hoboy?

Doct.
I am glad ye are growne so merry.

Enter Astor: & Castr.
Nor.
Welcome Gentlemen.

Ast.
We come to see you sir; and glad we are
To see you thus, thus forward to your health, sir.

Nor.
I thank my Doctor here.

Doct.
Nay, thanke your selfe sir,
For by my troth, I know not how he's cur'd,
He nev'r observes any of our prescriptions.

Nor.
Give me my money again then, good sweet Doctor,
Wilt thou have twenty shillings a day for vexing me.

Doct.
That shall not serve ye sir;

Drums a far off,
Nor.
Then forty shall sir,
A low March.
And that will make ye speake well: harke the Drums.

Cast.
They begin to beat to th'field: O noble Dane,
Never was such a stake, I hope of innocence
Plaid for in Malta and in blood before.

Ast.
It makes us hang our heads all.

Nor.
A bold villaine:
If there be treason in it: accuse poore Ladies?
And yet they may do mischief to: i'le be with ye:
If she be innocent, I shall finde it quickly,
And something then i'le say.

Ast.
Come, leane on us, sir,

Nor.
I thank ye Gentlemen: and domine Doctor,
Pray bring a little sneezing powder in your Pocket,
For feare I sound when I see blood.

Doct.
You are pleasant.

Exeunt.

Scæna quinta.

Enter two Marshalls.
1.
Are the Combatants come in?

The Scaffold set out and the staires.
2.
Yes.

1.
Make the field cleere there.

2.
That's done too.

1.
Then to the prisoner: the grand Master's coming,
Let's see that all be ready there.

2.
Too ready.
How ceremonious our very ends are?
Alas, sweet Lady,
If she be innocent,
Florish.
No doubt but justice will direct her Champion
Enter Valetta: Norandine Astor. Castriot: &c.
Away: I heare 'em come:

1.
Pray heaven she prosper.

Val.
Give Captain Norandine a chaire.

Nor.
I thank your Lordship.

Val.
Sit sir, and take your ease: your hurts require it.
You come to see a womans cause descrided:
That's all the knowledge now, or name I have for her:
They say a false, a base, and treacherous woman,
And partly prov'd too.

Nor.
Pitty it should be so:
And if your Lordship durst aske my opinion,
Sure, I should answer no: so much I honour her:
And answer't with my life too: But Gomera
Is a brave Gentleman; the other valiant,
And if he be not good, doggs gnaw his flesh off,
And one above 'em both will finde the truth out.
He never failes, sir,

Val.
That's the hope rests with me.

Nor.
How nature, and his honour struggle in him!
A sweet, cleere, noble Gentleman.

Within, make roome there.
Guard.
Make roome there.

Enter Oriana; Ladies, Executioner, Abdel; la: & Guard.
Val.
Go up: and what you have to say, say there,

Ori.
Thus I ascend: neerer I hope to heaven,
Nor do I fear to tread this dark black Mansion:
The Image of my grave each foot we move,
Goes to it still: each houre we leave behinde us,
Knols sadly toward it: My noble Brother,
For yet nine innocence dares cals ye so,
And you the friends to vertue, that come hither,
The Chorus to this Tragick Scæne behold me,
Behold me with your justice, not with pitty,
(My cause was ne're so poore to aske compassion,)
Behold me in this spotlesse white I weare,
The Embleme of my life, of all my actions,
So ye shall finde my story, though I perish:
Behold me in my Sex, I am no Souldier,
Tender, and full of fears our blushing Sex is,
Unhardned with relentlesse thoughts; unhatcht
With blood, and bloody practise: alas we tremble;
But when an angry dreame afflicts our fancies,
Dye with a tale well told: had I been practis'd,
And known the way of mischiefe, travell'd in it,
And given my blood, and honour up to reach it,
Forgot religion, and the line I sprung on,
Oh heaven, I had been fit then for thy justice,
And then in black as dark as hell, I had howl'd here.
Last, in your own opinions weigh mine innocence;
Amongst ye I was planted from an Infant
(would then if heaven had so been pleas'd, I had perish'd)
Grew up, and goodly, ready to bear fruit,
The honourable fruit of marriage:
And am I blasted in my bud with treason?
Boldly, and basely of my faire name ravish'd,
And hither brought to finde my rest in ruine?
But he that knowes all he that rights all wrongs,
And in his time restores, knows me: I have spoken.

Val.
If ye be innocent, heaven will protect ye,
And so I leave ye to his Sword strikes for ye,
Farewell.

Ori.
O that went deepe: farewell deere brother,
And howsoe'r my cause goes, see my body
(upon my knees I ask it) buried chastely;
For yet, by holy truth, it never trespass'd.

Ast.
Iustice sit on your cause; & heaven fight for ye.

Nor.
Two of ye Gentlemen, doe me but the honour
To lead me to her: good my Lord, your leave too:

Val.
You have it sir.

Nor.
Give me your faire hands fearelesse,
As white as this I see your Innocence,
As spotlesse, and as pure: be not afraid Lady,
You are but here brought to your nobler fortune,
To adde unto your life immortall story:
Vertue, through hardest things arrives at happinesse,
Shame follow that blunt sword that looses you:
And he that strikes against you: I shall study
A curse or two for him: once more your faire hands,
I never brought ill luck yet; be fearelesse happy.

Ori.
I thank ye, noble Captain.

Nor.
So I leave ye.

Val.
Call in the Knights severally.

Enter severally Gomera, and Miranda.
Ori.
But two words to my Champion,
And then to heaven and him, I give my cause up:

Ual.
Speake quickly: and speake short.

Ori.
I have not much sir.
Noble Gomera, from your own free vertue,
You have undertaken here a poore Maids honour,
And with the hazard of your life: and happily
You may suspect the cause, though in your true worth
You will not shew it, therefore take this testimony
(And as I hope for happinesse, a true one)
And may it steel your heart, and edge your good sword,
Ye fight for her as spotlesse of these mischiefes,
As heaven is of our sinnes, or truth of errors,
And so defie that treacherous man, and prosper.

Nor.
Blessing o'thy heart Lady.

Val.
Give the signall to 'em.

Low Alarmes.
Nor.
'Tis bravely fought Gomera; follow that blow,
Well strooke againe boy: looke upon the Lady,
And gather spirit: brave againe: lye close.
Lye close I say: he fights aloft, and strongly:
Close for thy life: a—o' that fell buffet:
Retire, and gather breath: ye have day enough knights;
Looke lovely on him Lady: to't againe now,
Stand, stand Gomera, stand: one blow for all now.
Gather thy strength together; God blesse the woman:
Why, wher's thy noble heart? heaven blesse the Lady.

All.
Oh, Oh!

Ual.
She is gone, she is gone:

Nor.
Now strike it.
Hold; hold: he yeelds: hold thy brave sword, he's conquer'd:
He's thine Gomera, now be joyfull Lady:
What could this theefe have done, had his cause beene equall?
He made my heart strings tremble.

Ual.
Off with his Cask there;
And Executioner, take you his head next.

Abdel.
Oh cursed fortune!

Gom.
Stay, I beseech ye sir, and this one honour
Grant me, I have deserv'd it, that this villaine
May live one day, to envy at my justice,
That he may pine, and dye before the sword fall.
Viewing the glory, I have wone her goodnesse.

Ual.
He shall, and you the harvest of your valour
Shall reape brave sir, abundantly.

Gom.
I have saved her.
Preserv'd her spotlesse worth from black destruction,
Her white name to eternity delivered,
Her youth, and sweetnesse, from a timelesse ruin.
Now Lord Valetta, if this bloody labour
May but deserve her favour.

Mir.
Stay and heare me first.

Val.
Of with his Cask, this is Miranda's voice.

Nor.
'Tis he indeed, or else mine eyes abuse me,
What makes he here thus?

Ori.
The young Miranda?
Is he mine enemy too?

Mir.
None has deserv'd her
If worth must carry it, and service seeke her,
But he that saved her honour.

Gom.
That's I Miranda.

Mir.
No, no, that's I Gomera, be not so forward,
In bargaine for my love, ye cannot cozen me.

Gom.
I fought it.

Mir.
And I gave it: which is nobler?
Why every Gentleman would have done as much
As you did: fought it: that's a poore desert, sir,
They are bound to that; but then to make that fight sure,
To doe as I did, take all danger from it
Suffer that coldnesse, that must call me now
Into disgrace for ever, into pitty.

Gom.
I undertook first, to preserve from hazzard.

Mir.
And I made sure no hazzard should come neere hir.

Gom.
'Twas I defide Mountferrat.

Mir.
'Twas I wrought him,
You had had a darke day else; twas I defide
His conscience first, 'twas I that shook him there,
Which is the brave defiance.

Gom.
My life and honour
At stake I lay'd,

Mir.
My care; and truth lay by it
Least that stake might be lost: I have deserv'd her,
And none but I; the Lady might have perish'd,
Had Fell Mountferrat strooke it, from whose malice
With cunning, and bold confidence I catch'd it,
And 'twas high time, and such a service Lady
For you, and for your innocence, for who knows not
The all devouring sword of fierce Mountferrat?
I shew'd ye what I could doe, had I beene spightfull
Or Master but of halfe the poyson he beares,
(Hell take his heart for't) and beshrow these hands Maddam,
With all my heart, I wish a mischiefe on 'em,
They made ye once looke sad: such another fright
I would not put ye in, to owne the Island,
Yet pardon me, 'twas but to shew a Souldier,
Which, when I had done, I ended your poore coward.

Val.
Let some looke out, for the base Knight Mountferrat.

Ab.
I hope he's far enough if his man be trusty:
This was a strange misfortune; I must not know it.

Val.
That most debosh'd knight: come down sweet sister.
My spotlesse Sister; now, pray thanke these Gentlemen,
They have deserv'd both truly, nobly of ye.
Both excellently deerely, both all the honour
All the respect and favour.

Ori.
Both shall have it;
And as my life, their memories i'le nourish.

Val.
Ye are both true Knights, and both most worthy Lovers,
Here stands a Lady ripen'd with your service,
Yong, faire, and (now I dare say) truly honourable:
'Tis my will she shall marry: marry now,
And one of you (she cannot take more nobly) your deserts
Begot this will, and bred it; both her beauty
Cannot enjoy: dare ye marke me your umpier?

Gom., Mir.
With all our Soules.

Val.
He must not then be angry
That looses her.

Gom.
O that were Sir, unworthy,

Mir.
A little sorrow he may finde.

Val.
'Tis manly.
Gomera, you are a brave accomplish'd Gentleman
A braver no where lives then is Miranda,
In the white way of vertue, and true valour.
Ye have been a pilgrime long: yet no man farther
Has trod those thorny steps then young Miranda,
You are gentle: he is gentlenesse it selfe: Experience
Cals you her brother; 'tis his hopefull heire.

Nor.
The young man now, and 't be thy will.

Val.
Your hand sir;
You undertooke first: nobly undertook,
This Ladies cause: you made it good, and fought it
You must be serv'd first: take her, and enjoy her,
I give her to you: kisse her; are you pleas'd now?

Gom.
My joy's so much I cannot speake.

Val.
Nay, fairest sir;
You must not be displeased: you breake your promise.

Mir.
I never griev'd at good, nor dare I now sir,
Though something seeme strange to me.

Ual.
I have provided
A better match for you: more full of beauty,
I'le wed ye to our Order: there's a Mistresse,
Whose beauty ne're decayes: time stands below her:
Whose honour Ermin-like, can never suffer,
Spot, or black soyle; whose eternall issue
Fame brings up at her breasts, and leaves 'em saintied.
Her you shall marry.

Mir.
I must humbly thanke ye.

Ual.
Saint Thomas Fort, a charge of no small valew
I give ye too, in present, to keepe waking
Your noble spirits; and to breed ye pious,
Ile send ye a probation Roabe; weare that
Till ye shall please to be our brother: how now?

Ast.
Mountferrat's fled sir.

Enter Actorius.
Val.
Let him goe a while
Till we have done these rites, and seen these coupled:
His mischiefe now lyes open: come all friends now.
And so let's march to th'Temple, sound those Instruments,
That were the signall to a day of blood;
Evill beginning houres may end in good.

Florish.
Nor.
Come, we'll have wenches man, and all brave things.
—Let her goe: we'll want no Mistresses,
Good swords, and good strong Armours.

Mir.
Those are best Captain.

Nor.
And fight 'till Queenes be in love with us, and run after us.
Ile see ye at the Fort within these two dayes,
And let's be merry prethee.

Mir.
By that time I shall.

Nor.
Why that's well said: I like a good heart truly.

Exeunt.