University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The TOWN.
Enter Harrol and Vandunk, followed by four Merchants.
1st. Mer.
Nay, if 'twou'd do you courtesy—

Van.
Oh, courteous gentlemen!

Har.
What was't you said?

1st. Mer.
If it would do you courtesy—

Har.
None at all, sir;
Take it, 'tis your's, there's your ten thousand for you.
Give in my bills.

Van.
You're paid I hope.

Har.
Your sixteen—

3d. Mer.
Nay be pleas'd, sir, to make a farther use—

Har.
No.

Van.
No.

3d. Mer.
What I have, sir, you may command.
Pray let me be your servant.

Van.
Your sycophant!—
Put on your hats.

2d. Mer.
I have a freight of pepper—

Van.
Rot your pepper!

Har.
Away—I care not for your courtesies,
They're most untimely done; and no truth in 'em;
Shall I trust you again? There's your seven thousand.

4th. Mer.
Or if you want fine sugars, 'tis but sending—

Har.
No, I can send to Barbary—those people,
Who never yet knew faith, have nobler hearts.
[Cannons go off.
Why are those pieces?

Enter a Sailor.
Sail.
Health to the noble merchant!
The Susan is return'd.

Van.
Huzza!

Har.
Well, sailor?

Sail.
Well, and rich, sir,
And now put in.

Har.
Heaven thou hast heard my prayers!

Sail.
The brave Rebekah, too, bound from the Streights,
With the next wind, is ready to put after.

Van.
Mark that.

Har.
What news o'th' fly boat?

Sail.
If this wind hold till midnight,
She will be here and wealthy—she's scap'd fairly.

Van.
And that, ye knaves.

Har.
How 'scap'd she sailor?

Sail.
Thus, sir.—She had a fight,
Seven hours together, with six Turkish gallies,
And she sought bravely, but at length was boarded
And overlaid with strength; when presently
Comes boring up the wind, captain Vannoke,
That valiant gentleman you redeemed from prison.
He knew the boat, set in, and fought it bravely,
Beat all the gallies off, sunk three, redeem'd her,
And, as a duty to you, sent her home.

Har.
An honest, noble captain, and a grateful.

Van.
And this is he you wou'd have hang'd,
But that it did not suit your interest.

[To the 4th merchant.
Har.
There's for thy good news, honest sailor!

Van.
And there—go drink the captain's health—
Drink till thou drown thyself.

Sail.
I thank your bounty,
And I'll do't to a doit, sir.
[Exit Sailor.

1st. Merch.
What miracles are pour'd upon this man!

Van.
Why ay—this year, I hope, he will 'scape-prison,
For all your cares to catch him.

2d. Mer.
You may please, sir,
To think of your poor servants in displeasure,
Whose all, cash, merchandize, are at your service.

Van.
Lord! how your notes are chang'd! Answer me, knaves,
Have ye not often profited by this man, revell'd at his expence?

1st. Mer.
Sir, we confess—

Van.
AIR.
[Exeunt Merchants.

Har.
How does she, sir?

Van.
She will be better soon, I hope.

Har.
Soon! When?

Van.
Why when you have her in your arms, my boy;
This night she is your wife.

Har.
With all my soul, I take her.

Van.
Thou hast been wrong'd, and no more shall my service
Wait on the knave, her uncle; I have heard
All his baits for my boy, but thou shalt have her.
Hast thou dispatch'd thy business?

Har.
Most.

Van.
AIR.

[Exeunt.