 | The Example |  |
38
Actus Quartus.
Enter Sir Walter, and Captaine, at comming from a Taverne.Within.
All's paid, and yee are welcome gentlemen.
Cap.
So, so, this Taverne was well thought upon:
In my opinion, 'tis a great deale better
Then to have trusted your owne passion
In such a cause, which easilie might engage you
To danger, when your rage grew high, and loud.
Sir.
I have obey'd your counsell: you will carry this?
Cap.
I have promis'd you.
Sir.
And yet you must acknowledge
The wrong is greater then to bee contain'd
Within this narrow leafe, and till I have
Reveng'd, it swells each minute to a volume.
Cap.
My Lord is noble this way, and be confident,
Will render you an account, worthie his person,
Though I am sorry to salute him first,
With a defiance.
Sir.
Sha't not for all the World
Doe thy selfe preiudice in his favor, i'le
Disengage thee agen.
Cap.
Now you dishonor me, though he has bin pleas'd
To use mee nobly when we met at Bergen,
That must not barre the office of a gentleman
To his friend: he has been a Soldier himselfe,
And must grant this an act of my profession.
You are certaine he has done the injurie?
For 'tis not safe to trust suspition,
In things of this high nature; Life and Honor
Must not bee question'd upon naked feares,
And windie suppositions, pardon mee
This plainenesse, you imagine I dare fight.
Sir.
Shall I beleeve 'tis day, when I behold
The Sunne disperse his beames about the World?
39
Shall I be confident we talke together?
My cause will aske the same degree of faith,
As built on equall certainty.
Cap.
I urge it
No farther:
Is not that hee?
Enter Fitzavarice and Page.
Sir.
'Tis the same.
Cap.
With-draw, be carefull of your selfe, I'le meete you
At your Uncles house, and give you an account
Of this imployment.
Pag.
Shee is an excellent woman,
If't be no wrong to her goodnesse that I spend
My childish character.
Lo.
Th'art right, she is
Indeed boy, and shews fairer for that goodnesse,
I have done nothing yet to cherish her
Rare pietie, or to deserue my pardon.
I'le studie both.
Cap.
My Lord, an humble servant—
Lo.
Captaine you honour mee,
Welcome to England, how doe all our friends
I'th low-Countries?
Cap.
Happie in being your servants.
Lo.
When Landed you?
Cap.
But this morning, I am fortunate
In this opportunitie, my Lord, to speake with you,
And to present—
Lo.
Some letters, you oblige me,
How does sir Walter Peregrine?
Cap.
Well,
If please you command your boy more distance:
This paper comes from him. My Lord, I should
Be guiltie of much sinne to your owne honour,
Not to assure my selfe noble construction
From you, I had no thought within this hower,
To have brought more then my humble service
40
Pag.
I doe not like this soldads Embassage:
A challenge! some young Gentlemen that have
Strong purses and faint soules, do use to fine for't,
As Citizens doe for Sheriffes: the Towne swash-Bucklers
Practise these feates, and live by't; but my Lord
Hath beaten that opinion out of some,
It should appeare, all are not yet converted.
Lo.
How's this?
Cap.
He appeares noble, and not mou'd.
Lo.
Are you acquainted with his discontents?
Cap.
He has imparted some, but I have no
Commission to expostulate.
Lo.
I thanke you,
You shew your selfe a Gentleman, and his friend.
He shall heare from me, I had ambition
To enjoy you longer: but the termes of honour
Threaten on both sides, know me for your servant
Pray heaven he injure not the innocent Lady,
He has directed where to send to him,
And so againe I thanke you noble Captaine.
Cap.
Your Lordships honorer.
Exit.
Lo.
This came unlook'd for, but I must not wave it,
O'th sodaine whom shall I employ? I cannot
Want friends ambitious of these engagements:
The next I meet.
Enter Confident.
Confident? Hee has profest his soule was mine,
I'le trie him for his body in this action.
Yet he that is not honest, dares not fight sure.
Con.
My honorable Lord.
Lo.
Oh Master Confident,
Your hopes thrive in your mistresse?
Co.
Your Lordship
Was pleas'd to advance 'em, she affects my wit,
And bold discourse, I turne and winde her soule,
Shee loves mee infinitelie.
Lo.
I hope not, harke.
41
Her disposition, doe not flatter her,
Nor seeme to dote, shee'le triumph then: if you
Would make all sure, be rul'd by me, and slight her,
And shee will court you, 'tis the tricke of Ladies,
If you abuse her, 'twere not much amisse.
I would not have the wench undoe her selfe
Vpon this fellow, I advise the best
And speediest way, for I expect your promise,
When she is yours, to bring us more acquainted.
Con.
Be confident my Lord, good manners will
Instruct me to allow you the first fruits,
It was the fashion of our northerne Princes
And challenge it from your poore Homager,
I shall be as warme the first night with her Land,
And monie's. Then it seemes you have no hope
To spring her sister.
Lo.
Since our last salute,
Icicles hang upon my lippe.
Con.
My wife, for I
Dare speake her so, with smiles shall chase
That winter and shoot spring throughout your blood:
You shall not only from her lippe tast Cherries,
But she shall plant 'em with her amorous kisse
Vpon your owne, and they shall grow from thence
To tempt the Queene of Love to Adonis garden:
It shall bee happinesse enough for me, to watch
The Hesperides, but in no Dragons shape,
That you may rifle with securitie
The golden Orchard, I shall boast enough
By having an Elysium to serue you;
Her eyes are wealth enough to me, above
A rocke of Diamonds, her breath rich gummes
Sweeter then those the Phenix makes her Altar,
When she is her owne sacrifice, and fannes
The glowing Pile with her gray wings; her voyce
Enough for me, whose harmonie would build
Vp Thæbes agen, and make it after move,
42
Is health enough to me, and were I old
As Eson, would restore my active nerves,
And state my youth at thirtie: I can gather
Warme Snow from her faire brow, her chin, her neck,
And at my eyes drinke enough immortalitie:
Sated with these, I'le finde new appetite,
And come a wanton strawberying to her cheekes.
Lo.
No more, you have exprest in this your faith
To me, which I am bound in honour to
Acknowledge, and without more study, have
A fit occasion to requite, and shew
How neare I place your love, there is a difference
Betweene another gentleman, and my selfe,
Growne to a challenge, I must answer it,
You that are so well read in bookes, cannot
Be ignorant of man, I'le trust my life
And honor with no second, but your selfe.
Co.
My Lord I see you know me, and am blest
The chosen man to serue you, from a troupe
Of lives at your command, I should have envied
His fate, on whom else you had throwne this honor.
Lo.
So resolute? you have not seene sir Walter Peregrine,
Hee's return'd.
Co.
I heare some whisper—
Lo.
I have nam'd my enemie, the defyance comes from him.
Co.
Hee's jealous of his wife, good gentleman,
And wod be a cuckold upon record.
Lo.
Call on mee
An hower hence, I'le be at home, and use
Your friendship for the burden of an answer.
Exit.
Co.
I shall thinke Time hath lost his wings till then.
He put me to it cunninglie, but his
Discoverie releev'd me, though I make
A noyse i'th Towne, and am admir'd for bouncing,
I am coole enough i'th dogge-days: my Lords Scrivener.
Enter Scrivener.
Fortune presents him to my wish, the man
43
Scr.
Master Confident, Rapture your most humble servant—
Co.
When saw you the squires Vayne-man, and Pumicestone?
Scr.
Not since I procur'd 'em a thousand pound.
Co.
Now you put me in minde of debts, has not
Sir Walter Peregrine a name within
Some list of yours? has he no creditors
By your acquaintance?
Scr.
I beseech you doe not
Vex me with his remembrance. I have pai'd
Some monies for him, he has other friends
That would be glad to embrace him.
Co.
Sure hee would not
Be such a traytor not to secure thee.
Scr.
Would I could reach him.
Co.
Why hee is return'd,
Within this foure and twentie howers, you may
Salute him too. Alas, a summe may bee
The ruine of thy fortunes, could he have
So litle charitie?
Scr.
I would shew
As much to him, if I could set my phangs on him.
Co.
I have ever wish'd thee well, and if thou darst
Be secret, I'le direct thee to recover him,
I cannot say the deb't; may be, the Knight
Is poore still.
Scr.
Hang him, Master Confident,
It will refresh my hart to be reveng'd;
Some say mens blood, I say their bones are sweetest.
I'de make him an example, I'le not tell
My shirt on't, how honest Master Confident?
Enter Sir Walter.
Co.
Fate dotes upon thee, he, the very hee,
Be art-full, I'le salute him, and delaie
His pace with some discourse, whilst you
Fetch shoulder-clappers, noble Sir Walter Peregrine,
I feele a spring-tide in my hart of joy,
Swell to congratulate your safe returne,
44
Sir.
You are still the eligant time wit, I am happy
To witnesse both your braine, and body florish.
Con.
What news abroad? all expectation
Is fixt upon this summers warre, wee breath
Nothing but German aire, allthough the chance
Of warre be uncertaine, you can tell which hand
Is fortunate, how ha the Dice runne hitherto?
Sir.
Ther's not much wonne, or lost.
Con.
No Townes of note
Taken? no convoyes of provision
Cut off?
Sir.
Sir you are inquisitive, as if
You would turne Gallobelgicus, I am
On some affaires now, that importune their
Dispatch, my stay being short I must attend them.
Con.
Nay prethee Knight be courteous, 'tis an age
Since we converst, i'st true what lou'd fame scatters
Of the great Generalls revolt?
Sir.
Wee have
But the relation.
Con.
He is slaine for certaine.
Sir.
There was an execution.
Con.
And what treasure
Was taken by the enemy? they talke
Of Millions.
Sir.
Enough to keepe the Eagle
In a good diet. I beseech you pardon me,
We shall hereafter meete, and ha more freedome
To enlarge our selves, & when you have my particulars,
I will be bold to inquire in the Exchange
Your newes at home.
Con.
I obserue trouble in you,
I hope y'are in no danger.
Sir.
If youle give mee
The liberty of a subject, and allow me
The Kings high way, I shall have lesse suspition,
You wonot pay my debts.
45
I beg your pardon,
Pray doe not wound my service to you with
A jealous thought, I wonot for the World
Engage you another minute.
Enter Scriuener, and Officers.
Now for the blood-hounds.
Off.
Sir, we arrest you.
Sir.
Is the mischiefe falne?
Off.
Your sword shall keepe the peace.
Scr.
'Tis at my suite.
Sir.
Thyne?
Scr.
I doe but lead the dance to twenty more.
Sir.
Heare me, what's your demaund? let me not goe
To prison.
Scr,
An action of a thousand pound more,
For the Lord Fitzavarice.
Sir.
Ha? then I am betray'd, that Lord's a villaine,
That I could reach his hart; release my body
But for two howers, my soule be forfeited
For ever, if I render not my selfe
Your honest Prisoner.
Scr.
That were a pretty jest.
Looke to your charge.
Co.
Here is a duell taken up discreet lie.
Exit.
Sir.
Blacke Jew, base Lord, dam'd villaine.
Scr.
They can tame you.
Exeunt.
Enter Jacintha, Vaine-man Pumiceston.
Ia.
Why looke you gentlemen, I'le not puzzle you
To finde out dangers, famine, fire, and sword,
Or desperate things.
Va.
Trifles for thy sweet sake.
Pu.
I would not wish you, upon easie termes.
Ia.
To prevent these, I have thought a way my selfe,
And with lesse cost, to try you, I have made
A vow I wonot marrie these six monthes,
During which time, if you dare for my sake
Visit me every day, and never speake to me,
Nor in my company to any other—
46
How Lady?
Shall I not answer any gentleman
Or Lady, that shall put a question to me?
Ia.
By no meanes.
Va.
You will give me leave to answer you,
If you should aske me any thing.
Ia.
Not a syllable,
Though I desir'd to know what a clocke 'tis,
Ther's your obeydience, at six monthes end
I may reward your silence.
Pu.
Shee'le make him the dumbe Knight.
Ia.
I wonot engage you to be a mute
So long, you shall be allow'd to speake, and see me.
Pu.
You are noble Lady.
Ia.
But with this condition,
That whatsoever I entreate you say
Or doe, you put in act the contrary
The very contrary, you understand mee.
Pu.
How's this? if you command me to affect you,
What can I doe?
Ia.
I wonot bee so cruell.
If these conditions please, you may proceed.
Va.
But harke you Lady, I may laugh before you,
And in your absence have the libertie
To use my tongue.
Ia.
What else, sir.
Va.
And when must I beginne to mumme.
Ia.
I'le tell you.
Pu.
Another word,
If we be just to your commands, deere Lady,
At six months end, how shall we both be satisfied?
You have forgot the statute.
Ia.
Hee that shall
Expresse most care to doe his penance for mee,
Must be the man, I say no more, imagine.
My Lord Fitzavarice.
Enter the Lord Fitzavarice.
Now beginn's your triall.
47
How fares your vertuous sister Ladie Peregrine?
Ia.
That Gentleman can tell you.
Lo.
He tell me?
Ia.
Yes, he had a message to deliver you.
Vayne-man makes pitiful signes, and shrings.
Lo.
Sir you much honour me.
Ia.
Nay, let him know't, here have beene turnes my Lord,
Since you were here.
Lo.
Is shee in health; you doe not mocke mee?
Ia.
If you love me, tell him the whole storie, prethee,
For my sake.
Pu.
How shee Jeeres him.
Lo.
Pox on your subtill shoulders, are you drunke?
If I shall thinke you Jeere me, be still silent,
I'le make you speake.
Ia.
Ha, ha.
Hee kickes him, Vaine. Exit shaking his head, and shoulders.
Pu.
Ha, ha.
Lo.
What doe you laugh at?
Pu.
At his follie my noble Lord.
Lo.
'Tis well you doe, sir, what's your meaning Lady?
Ia.
You shall know presentlie, if you intreate
That Gentleman to stay.
Lo.
He is not going.
Ia.
But your commands upon him will make sure.
Lo.
Let me intreate you not to leave me, sir.
Pu.
I leave you my noble Lord? if everie sand
Within my glasse, were a long life, I should
Emploie 'em all in waiting on your Lordship.
And thinke the time were poore, and short to serve you
I leave you my good Lord? i'me not about it.
Ia.
Pray, sir, staie.
Pu.
Your Lordships humble servant, some affaires
Presse my departure.
Lo.
You'le not mocke me, sir?
Ia.
You shall stay.
Pu.
Ladie I am gone, my Lord, I must beseech
Your pardon, for the world, I dare not slippe
A minute:
Ia.
Then go, you may go.
48
Not for a Kingdome Lady, I will stay,
And grow here for your service.
Lo.
How came these gentlemen by these strange humors?
Ia.
I'le tell you, sir.
Enter Lady Plott, and Dormant.
Dor.
Sir Solitary Plott, your husband and my worthy Lord
and Master, commends his service to your Lordship, and praies
you would please to accommodate him, with your Coach.
Plo.
This fellow's infected too with serious follie.
Dor.
Towards midnight hee does purpose to take the aire,
And make some visites.
Plo.
Visites and aire at midnight? pray returne
My Lord Imbassador to sir Solitary,
I will give order when I goe to Bed,
To have the Coach made ready for his progresse.
Stay, I have a great desire to see his worship,
Has he the same complexion still? I prethee
Leave of thy gravitie, and answer me,
Is he in Bed?
Dor.
No Madam, a most strange
Disaster broke his sleepe, and we shall be
At counsell presentlie, do not I talke
Allready like a states-man?
Plo.
It shall be so, come neerer.
Lo.
This your device: tis pleasant and persue it,
Your sister—
Enter Lady Bellamia.
Plo.
Bee you sure, and secure, Jacintha you must
with me.
Exit Dor.
Ia.
Whether?
Plo.
To my husbands Chamber.
Lo.
Madam, your husband is return'd I heare.
Bel.
I hope you have not met.
Lo.
Why noble Madam?
Enter Vaine-man as peeping if my Lord were gone, and beckons to Pumicestone.
Wee shall be friends if you have mercie, to
Forgive what's past, my soule shall not deserue
49
Bel.
No harts did ever meete
More lovinglie, untill he saw—
Lo.
What, Madam?
Bel.
The presents that you sent me.
Lo.
It was my feare.
Ia.
Servant.
Pu.
Madam.
Ia.
My dumbe Knight too, we shall have the more mirth.
Ex.
Bel.
Would I had beene poore still, although you bring
All innocent thoughts, My Lord, I must beseech you,
Never to see me agen, oh never, sir,
It will be dangerous to expresse your virtue,
And every minute you state here, is fatall.
Alas I feare hee's come.
Enter Confident.
Co.
My Lord, I have beene active,
And all my bodies in a bath to finde you.
Sir Walter Peregrine is arrested.
Lo.
How?
Bel.
Oh miserie of miseries!
Lo.
Looke to your mistresse.
Exit Lady, and waiting-woman.
Co.
Her Ladiships pardon, I obseru'd not her
So neere, 'tis verie certaine.
Lo.
I suspect
This knave, alas poore gentleman, and yet
Tis no mis-fortune to me, things considered:
Now he is safe, and I may walke securelie;
In Prison let him lie and coole his valour.
I shall bee in charitie with the tribe of varletts,
For this good turne, this taking him i'th nick,
And owe the wretch a summe, for being so fortunate
To set the Mastives on him, I owe thee too,
For thy good newes, come Confident.
Co.
To my ambition.
Dee heare my Lord, the good newes is not all
You owe me for, I knew it would be gratefull;
You owe me for the act, it was my wit
Betrai'd him to the arrest, held him in prate
Whilst the honest Knave your Scrivener fetch'd the vultures
50
Lo.
How I am bound to thee?
Con.
I knew t'was necessarie. Every man
That vowes his service, has not that extent
Of braine to bring about these fine things for you.
What thinke you of the mamoseile, his wife now?
You have no opportunitie, no power
To humble her proud bodie, while her husband
Setts up a friperie with his gaie wardrobe;
Grows into new acquaintance with diseases,
And comfortable vermine; breakes stone walls
To shew the proverbe, and his hunger mightie;
Curses his Starrs, and learnes to cant, and praise
The steame of ale, with an unchristian tost in't:
Doth reverence Barmudas, and the ghost
Of cheese, with the Egyptian Idoll Onyons,
And crusts to breake an Elephants tooth. All this
I ha done for you, my good Lord.
Lo.
For which
I must pronounce thee a rascall; sordid wretch,
Was this your act for me? curse on thy soule for't,
My honor bleeds to death, see me no more.
Enter Scrivener.
Scr.
My Lord.
Lo.
You are come in a good time, sir.
Co.
Are you so cunning my yong Lord, I must make my Ladie
Sure, ere hee talke, and tell her this; 'tis not
The constitution of everie Lord
To take unkindlie when a man compounds
A duell for him, if I bee driven too't
I can forswear't agen. Let valiant fooles
Brag of their soules no matter what they say,
A coward dares in ill, do more then they.
Exit.
Enter Sir Walter Peregrine, Captaine, and under-Sheriffe.
She.
Tis all the favor I could shew him, sir,
To make my house his Prison.
Exit.
Sir.
Tis but hell: one storie higher.
Cap.
You must arme your selfe
51
And makes us lesse for bearing.
Sir.
Dost thinke friend,
The sense of all my debts could shake me thus?
I knew 'twould come, and in my feares examined
The mischiefe they present, 'tis not their weight
Affrights me, let the vultures whet their Tallons,
And creditors, with harts more stubborne, then
The mettle they adore, double their malice,
Had I a pile of debts upon me, more
Heavie then all the World, it could, but with
The pressure keepe this peece of earth beneath 'em,
My soule would be at large, and feele no burden;
That which I count my torture, exceeds all
That yet has beene in mention. At a time,
Almost the verie minute, when my hopes
Were ripe to punish him, and revenge had mounted
Her steelie arme whose fall had crush'd the soule
Of my fames ravisher, to be snatched up
By a wirle-wind thus, disarm'd of all my hopes,
My hands bound up, not able to releeve
My bleeding honour: this, this murders mee.
And that all this should be his cursed plott,
That gave me my first wound.
Cap.
Dee thinke my Lord
Can shew himselfe so dishonorable?
Sir.
Can Lords
Be cowards I dost not appeare, when I am pershed
By his owne blood-hounds? has he not laid on mee
(And what may not by this example follow
To sinke me to a dungeon) all the debts
I owe him? nay is it not cleere, hee practises
Intelligence abroad, provoking others
To lay their summes upon me, that I may
Consume a Prisoner, and assure his lust
More scope to revell with my adulterous Madam,
My wife whose name is torment to my hart,
Bove all the engines ment to wound mankinde.
Oh woman, that hast forfeited the glorie.
52
Cap.
This is a circumstance I confesse, but yet
Cannot make me conclude my Lord so ignoble:
I know he had a wanton pile of flesh,
But a more noble soule, then to betraie
His enemie so baselie.
Enter Sheriffe and Scrivener.
Sir.
Ist not mischife
Enough to feele the crueltie of a prisoner,
But that black fiend must presecute my eye-sight
Th'adopted sonne of Lucifer?
Scr.
I have a letter from a noble friend of yours.
Sir.
Carry it to hell.
She.
Correct your passion,
And leave your understanding free, to know
Your happinesse, this man how e're your rage
Let flie at him, will deserue better Character,
When he appeares the meanes of your enlargment.
Cap.
How Master Sheriffe?
Sir.
He meanes of my enlargment?
Take heede how you do mocke me, sir.
She.
Your Sword—
Y'are free agen, each particle of a deb't discharg'd.
Sir.
By whom?
She.
Not a see left unsatisfied.
Sir.
I am in a Wildernesse.
Scr.
You may come out when you please, if your worship
Will be at leasure to peruse this paper,
There is his name, hath beene at all this charge,
Who has commanded me to aske your pardon,
And on my knees I begge it, I am undone else,
For ever with his Lordship.
Sir., Cap.
Lord Fitzavarice?
Scr.
It was without his knowledg, Master Confident
Charm'd me into it, the divell did assist.
Cap.
The divell?
Scr.
Yes, we three, I am sorrie for it,
And if your worship have occasion
53
Readie at your service, pray entreat him to
Accept it, I expect no scribling for it,
Nor use, nor principall, nor his word; but to
My Lord, that I may be the driver still of all his monies.
Cap.
I was confident, and long since cleer'd his Lordship
In my thoughts.
Sir.
Was there ever such a thing in nature?
Cap.
You must take the mans benevolence,
He is undone else, come there is no harme in't.
Scr.
If they be not weight, I'le change 'em.
Cap.
No, no.
Scr.
I humblie thanke your worship.
Exit and Sheriffe.
Sir.
I am all wonder.
Reades.
When you finde all things fairely discharged, though you acquit
not me, be pleased to continue a voluntary Prisoner for some
few minutes, there is necessity we should discourse, and conclude
something else for both our honours.
Cap.
You must pronounce him innocent, had he
Beene coward, as you thought him, at lesse charge
He might ha sau'd his honor, and secur'd your absence.
Sir.
I beginne to be a sham'd,
And my suspition cowardlie falls off,
Yet certainelie all this proceeds not from
Devotion to me, it is a bountie
He lookes my wife should thanke him for, ha?
Cap.
Now I see all are your emptie jealousies,
But thinke and be convinc'd, were his thoughts foule
As you imagine to your Lady, it
Had beene ridiculous to set you at libertie,
The only barre to his designe, lust is not
So tame, and foolish, common policie
would have instructed him to have let you rather
Languish and rot in Prison, be collected,
And thinke whom your false feares have injur'd,
A noble wife and friend.
Sir.
I am too blame,
This act hath made me understand two soules.
54
Cap.
Your Lady.
Enter Lady Peregrine.
Sir.
Forgive me my Bellamia,
Thou appearst white agen, and only I
Blacke with my false suspitions of thy goodnesse,
My Lord has given me a satisfaction
Large as his virtue, welcome to my bosome,
My best, my chast Bellamia.
La.
This is joy
Able to drowne my poore hart, but is all
This peace concluded?
Sir.
Thus agen confirm'd.
La.
Iust heaven hath heard my prayers, happy Bellamia.
What riches I embrace, what worlds of treasures,
In every kisse, how manie lives I take
From those sweet smiles?
Cap.
Who could suspect this Ladie?
Bel.
But I am lost agen, in what place am I?
I'st not a Prison? oh that sad thought shoots
A trembling through me.
Sir.
All is cur'd agen.
Bellamia I am free too, out of debt,
Nay I did wonder at it.
Bel.
You amaze me.
Sir.
Wast not a brave Physitian, that could cure
Two such distempers, when my soule, and fortune
Lay gasping, to recover both? 'tis done,
Done by thy friend, and mine, that honest Lord
Hath paid all, to the scruple of a fee,
What thanks shall we both pay him my Bellamia?
Can he hath done this miracle, allow
A place for lust within him? 'tis impossible.
But he is comming hither, stay not thou,
It will require more leasure to expresse
Thy gratitude, returne, and tell thy friends
The wonder first, that when I shall present
His person next, they may have spacious soules,
To admire and entertaine him.
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I obey you,
Doe not allay this unexpected joy
With a sad change good heaven.
Exit
Cap.
You will expect him.
Sir.
Religiously, an age I'le wait for him,
I prethee stay, and witnesse with what cheerfulnesse
I'le aske his pardon.
Cap.
He is come.
Enter Lord.
Sir.
My Lord,
As you have made me object of your mercy,
By such an act of bounty, as noe times
Have gloried in, and in that showne the cleerenesse
Of your braue soule, uncapable of staine,
Still let it shine with charity, and make
Mee confident of pardon, for an injurie
I blush, and dare bleede for, to shew repentance.
Lo.
Are you then satisfied?
Sir.
I am my Lord.
Lo.
I was bold, but with no purpose to disparage
Your credit, to discharge some trifling debts.
Sir.
They were great, my Lord, and must enlarge my acknowledgment,
you have oblig'd two lives to pray for you.
Cap.
And the whole age to admire.
Lo.
You would encourage mee.
One word, your honor's safe agen.
Sir.
And happy.
Lo.
Mine suffers, 'tis but yong and growing on me,
It bleeds by your suspition, I was bound
To this expence, 'tis a malicious World,
And men are apt to imagine, I was glad
You were in prison, to preserue my skinne
with some excuse, this brand must not come neere
My forehead, though your sea be calme, I would not
Have my fame lost i'th tempest of mens tongues,
I have made no reply, in point of man,
To your challenge, and the noyse may be dispers'd,
Nor will what you are pleas'd to accept, render
Me lesse unquestioned, but beget mens feares
At a high rate I have brib'd your patience
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To say, I have bought my passage to your Ladie,
And your consent to'th shame,
Sir.
I will proclaime you
Noble to all the World, and my preserver.
Lo.
Ther's nothing but your sword can doe me right,
We shall not trouble seconds, if you please
The Captaine stand for both, he is a gentleman
Knowne trulie valiant, which implyes he cannot
Deceive where he is trusted, Ile expect,
You'le follow as you are a Gentlemen.
Exit.
Cap.
He seemes troubled. What's the matter?
Sir.
Didst thinke it possible so faire a Skie
Should be deliver'd of a tempest?
Cap.
How?
Sir.
I'le tell thee as we walke, thou must not leave us.
That man is miserablie compel'd, that must,
To save his fame, be to himselfe unjust.
Exeunt.
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