University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Enter Liberalitie and Captaine VVel-don.
Cap.
Sir, I beseech you speak a good word for me to the Prince,
That by her letters, I may be commended to some Prouince,
Where seruice is to be had, either there to die with fame,
Or els to get me somewhat, whereon to liue without shame:
For begge I cannot, and steale I may not, the truth is so;
But need doth make, the Prouerbe saith, th'old wife to trot for woe.
Yet whom starke need doth pinch, at length the diuel driues to go:
Therefore, I beseech you, pittie his extremity,
That would not make this sute without necessity.

Lib.
Who be you, my friend?

Cap.
By birth a Gentleman, by profession a souldier,
Who, though I say it, in all our Soueraignes warre,
With hazard of my blood and life, haue gone as farre,
As haply some others, whose fortunes haue bin better:
But I in seruice yet, could neuer be a getter,
Ne can I impute it but to mine owne destiny:
For well I know, the Prince is full of liberalitie.

Lib.
What is your name, sir?

Cap.
My name is, Wel-don.

Lib.
Are you Captaine Wel-don?

Cap.
Though vnworthy, sir, I beare that name.

Lib.
Giue me your hand, Captaine Wel-don, for your fame,
In feates of Armes, and seruice of your Country,
I haue heard oft, you haue deserued greatly:
Therefore thinke this, that as you merit much,
So the consideration thereof shall be such,
As duely doth pertaine to your desert.
Trust me, the Prince her selfe, vnmoued of my part,
Your dutifull seruice hath specially regarded,
And expressy commaunds that it be well rewarded:
Wherefore you shall not need to seeke seruice abroad.
I exhort you at home still to make your aboade:
That if in this realme occasion of warres be offered.
You and others your like may be employed.

Cap.
My dutie binds me to obey.

Lib.
Then for this time you shall not need to stay.
As for your cause I will remember it,
And see it holpen too as shall be fit.

Captaine Weldon exit.