 | The Royal Merchant |  |
SCENE V.
Changes to the Town.Enter Harrol and four Merchants.
Har.
Why, sirs, 'tis but a week more I intreat,
But seven short days—I am not running from ye,
Nor, if ye give me patience, is it possible
All my adventures fail; you have ships abroad
Endure the beating both of wind and weather.
I'm sure 'twould vex your hearts to be protested.
Y'are all fair merchants—
1st. Mer.
Yes, and must have fair play,
There is no living here else—one hour's failing,
Fails us of all our friends.
Har.
No mercy in you!
2d. Mer.
'Tis foolish to depend on other's mercy—
You have liv'd here in lord-like prodigality,
And now you find what 'tis: the liberal spending
The summer of your youth, which you should glean in,
Hath brought this bitter stormy winter on you,
And now you cry, Alas!
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Before your poverty,
We were no men, of no esteem, no credit;
You stood alone; took up all trade; all business—
Lord, how the world's chang'd with you! now I hope
We shall have sea-room.
Har.
Is my misery
Become my scorn too? have ye no humanity?
No part of men left? and are all my bounties
To you and to the town, turn'd to reproaches?
4th. Mer.
Well, get your monies ready—you've but few hours;
We shall protest you else, and suddenly.
Har.
But two days!
1st. Mer.
Not an hour—you know the hazard.
[Exeunt Merchants.
Har.
Why then if I must fall—yet can it be?
Will even the elements conspire against me,
To the destruction of my promis'd fortunes,
My ev'ry hope at once?
AIR.Will even the elements conspire against me,
To the destruction of my promis'd fortunes,
My ev'ry hope at once?
Oh! could'st thou know, inconstant wind,
What I to thee confide,
That wealth, and love, and life combin'd,
All on thy pinions ride;
Thou surely would'st auspicious prove,
Auspicious to my truth and love.
What I to thee confide,
That wealth, and love, and life combin'd,
All on thy pinions ride;
Thou surely would'st auspicious prove,
Auspicious to my truth and love.
Ye seas, I trust your wide-stretch'd arms,
And ransack India's mine,
For her alone, whose polish'd charms
Can give those gems to shine:
Gently then, ah! gently move,
And waft me wealth, and life, and love.
And ransack India's mine,
For her alone, whose polish'd charms
Can give those gems to shine:
Gently then, ah! gently move,
And waft me wealth, and life, and love.
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Clause.
Good fortune, master!
Har.
Thou mistak'st me, Clause—
I am not worth thy blessing.
Clause.
Still a sad man!
No belief, gentle master! bring it in then,
And now believe your beadsman.
Enter two Porters with bags.
Har.
Is this certain?
Or dost thou work upon my troubled sense?
Clau.
'Tis gold, sir—gold, good master,
Take it, and try it.
Har.
Can there be yet this blessing?
Clau.
Cease your wonder,
There's your full sum, an hundred thousand crowns;
So, good sweet master, now be merry; pay 'em,
Pay the poor pelting knaves, that know not goodness,
And cheer your heart up.
Har.
Tell me tho', good Clause,
How cam'st thou by this mighty sum? if naughtily,
I must not take it of thee—'twill undo me.
Clau.
Fear not—you have it by as honest means
As tho' your father gave it. Sir, you know not
To what a mass the little we get daily
Mounts in seven years—We beg it for Heaven's charity,
And to the same good we are bound to render it.
Har.
What great security?
Clau.
Away with that sir!
Were you not more than all the men in Bruges?
And all the money, in my thoughts—
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But, good Clause,
I may die presently.
Clau.
Then this dies with you.
Pay when you list, good master, I'll no parchment;
Only this charity I shall intreat,
Leave me this ring.
Har.
Alas, it is too poor, Clause.
Clau.
This, and one simple boon is all I ask—
That when I shall return the ring, you then
Will grant whate'er I ask.
Har.
Thus I confirm it.
And may my faith forsake me when I break it!
Clau.
Away, your time draws on; take up the money,
And follow this young gentleman.
Har.
Oh Clause!—
Clau.
Heaven bless, and long preserve you, my good master!
[Exeunt.
| The Royal Merchant | |