Francis Beaumont

“ Where Goswin is or Gerrard, or your love,
Or any else, or all that are proscrib'd?
I will resign, what I usurp, or have
Unjustly forc'd; the dayes I have to live
Are too too few to make them satisfaction
With any penitence: yet I vow to practise
All of a man.
Hub. O that your heart and tongue Did not now differ!
Wol. By my griefs they do not.
Take the good pains to search them out: 'tis worth it,
You have made clean a Leper: trust me you have,
And made me once more fit for the society,
I hope of good men. ”

“ Gos. Come, 'tis not that thou would'st: thou do'st but fright me.
Cla. Upon my soul it is, Sir, and I bind ye.
Gos. Clause, can'st thou be so cruel?
Cla. You may break, Sir, But never more in my thoughts appear honest.
Gos. Did'st ever see her?
Cla. No.
Gos. She is such a thing,
O Clause, she is such a wonder, such a mirror,
For beauty, and fair vertue, Europe has not:
Why hast thou made me happy, to undo me?
But look upon her; then if thy heart relent not,
I'le quit her presently: who waits there? ”

“ In the world look out and see: where's so happy a Prince as he?
Where the Nation live so free, and so merry as do we?
Be it peace, or be it war, here at liberty we are,
And enjoy our ease and rest; To the field we are not prest;
Nor are call'd into the Town, to be troubled with the Gown.
Hang all Officers we cry, and the Magistrate too, by;
When the Subsidie's encreast, we are not a penny Sest.
Nor will any go to Law, with the Beggar for a straw.
All which happiness he brags, he doth owe unto his rags._
Enter Snap, Hubert, and Hemskirke. ”

“ Wol. Yes, but you Are they that are betrai'd: Hemskirk.
Ber. My Goswin Turn'd Prince? O I am poorer by this greatness, Than all my former jealousies or misfortunes.
Florez. Gertrude?
Wol. Stay Sir, you were to day too near her,
You must no more aim at those easie accesses,
Less you can do't in air, without a head,
Which shall be suddenly tri'd.
Ber. O take my heart, first, And since I cannot hope now to enjoy him, Let me but fall a part of his glad ransom.
Wol. You know not your own value, that entreat.
Ger. So proud a fiend as Wolfort.
Wol. For so lost A thing as Florez. ”

“ A brave clear Spirit; Hemskirk, you were to blame: a civil habit Oft covers a good man: and you may meet In person of a Merchant, with a soul As resolute, and free, and all wayes worthy, As else in any file of man-kind: pray you, What meant you so to slight him?
Hem. 'Tis done now, Ask no more of it; I must suffer. ”

“ Hub. Who was the Lord of house or land, that stood Within the prospect of your covetous eye?
Wol. You are in this to me a greater Tyrant, Than e're I was to any.
Hub. I end thus
The general grief: now to my private wrong;
The loss of Gerrards Daughter Jaqueline:
The hop'd for partner of my lawful Bed,
Your cruelty hath frighted from mine arms;
And her I now was wandring to recover.
Think you that I had reason now to leave you,
When you are grown so justly odious,
That ev'n my stay here with your grace and favour,
Makes my life irksome? ”

“ Hem. All shall be done to th' purpose: farewel hunts-man.
Enter Gerrard, Higgen, Prig, Ginks, Snap, Ferret.
Ger. Now, what's the news in town?
Ginks. No news, but joy Sir; Every man wooing of the noble Merchant, Who has his hearty commendations to ye.
Fer. Yes this is news, this night he's to be married.
Ginks. By th' mass that's true, he marrys Vandunks Daughter, The dainty black-ey'd bell.
Hig. I would my clapper Hung in his baldrick, a what a peal could I Ring?
Ger. Married?
Ginks. 'Tis very true Sir, O the pyes, The piping-hot mince-pyes! ”

“ I had forgot my self, O my best Gertrude, Crown of my joys and comforts.
Ger. Sweet what ails ye? I thought you had been vext with me.
Gos. My mind, Wench, My mind o'rflow'd with sorrow, sunk my memory.
Ger. Am I not worthy of the knowledge of it? And cannot I as well affect your sorrows, As your delights? you love no other Woman? ”

“ I am miserably lost, thus faln Into my Uncles hands from all my hopes, Can I not think away my self and dye?
Enter Hubert, Higgen, Prig, Ferret, Snap, Ginks like Boors.
Hub. I like your habits well: they are safe, stand close. ”

“ Van. Nay soft: and I could tell you
'Tis ten to one I would not: here's my hand,
I love not Wolfort: sit you still, with that:
Here comes my Captain again, and his fine Niece,
And there's my Merchant; view him well: fill wine here.
Enter Hemskirk, Gertrude, and Goswin.
Hem. You must not only know me for your Uncle
Now, but obey me: you, go cast your self
Away, upon a Dunghil here? a Merchant?
A petty fellow? one that makes his Trade
With Oaths and perjuries?
Gos. What is that you say, Sir? If it be me you speak of, as your eye Seems to direct, I wish you would speak to me, Sir. ”

“ Hig. Mum.
Woolf. Who's there?
Hub. A friend, the Hunts-man.
Hem. O 'tis he.
Hub. I have kept touch Sir, which is the Earl of these? Will he know a man now?
Hem. This my Lord's the Friend, Hath undertook the service.
Hub. If't be worth
His Lordships thanks anon, when 'tis done
Lording, I'll look for't, a rude Wood-man,
I know how to pitch my toils, drive in my game:
And I have don't, both Florez and his Father
Old Gerrard, with Lord Arnold of Benthuisen,
Cozen, and Jaculin, young Florez's Sister:
I have 'em all.
Woolf. Thou speak'st too much, too happy, To carry faith with it. ”

“ Beat one another. He beats his fellows bravely, oh, well struck boyes.
Enter Gerrard.
Hig. Up with that blue breech, now playes he the Devil. So get ye home, drink small beer, and be honest; Call in the Gentleman.
Ger. Do, bring him presently, His cause I'le hear my self.
Enter Hemskirk.
Hig. Prig. With all due reverence, We do resign Sir.
Ger. Now huffing Sir, what's your name?
Hem. What's that to you Sir?
Ger. It shall be ere we part.
Hem. My name is Hemskirk, I follow the Earl, which you shall feel. ”

“ SCENA III. Enter Van-dunck, Hubert, Hemskirk, and Margaret, Boors.
Van. Captain, you are welcom; so is this your friend
Most safely welcom, though our Town stand out
Against your Master, you shall find good quarter:
The troth is, we not love him: Margaret some wine,
Let's talk a little treason, if we can
Talk treason, 'gainst the traitors; by your leave, Gentlemen,
We, here in Bruges, think he do's usurp,
And therefore I am bold with him.
Hub. Sir, your boldness
Happily becomes your mouth, but not our ears,
While we are his servants ”

“ A vertuous, fair, and fruitful love: 'tis now too
I am ready to enjoy it; the Priest ready, Clause,
To say the holy words shall make us happy,
This is a cruelty beyond mans study,
All these are ready, all our joyes are ready,
And all the expectation of our friends,
'Twill be her death to do it.
Cla. Let her dye then.
Gos. Thou canst not: 'tis impossible.
Cla. It must be.
Gos. 'Twill kill me too, 'twill murder me: by heaven Clause I'le give thee half I have; come thou shalt save me.
Cla. Then you must go with me: I can stay no longer, If ye be true, and noble. ”

“ Enter Clause.
Clau. Bless ye Masters.
Vanl. Clause? how now Clause? thou art come to see thy Master, (And a good master he is to all poor people) In all his joy, 'tis honestly done of thee.
Clau. Long may he live sir, but my business now is If you would please to doe it, and to him too.
Enter Goswin.
Vanl. He's here himself.
Gos. Stand at the door my friends?
I pray walk in: welcom fair Mistris Francis,
See what the house affords, there's a young Lady
Will bid you welcom.
Vanl. We joy your happiness. ”

“ Though she were his Crowns purchase; in this only
Be an indulgent Father: in all else,
Use your authority.
Enter Hubert, Hemskirk, Wolfort, Bertha, and Souldiers.
Hub. Sir, here be two of 'em, The Father and the Son, the rest you shall have As fast as I can rouze them.
Ger. Who's this? Wolfort?
Wol. I Criple, your feigned crutches will not help you,
Nor patch'd disguise that hath so long conceal'd you,
It's now no halting: I must here find Gerrard,
And in this Merchants habit, one call'd Florez
Who would be an Earl.
Ger. And is, wert thou a subject.
Flo. Is this that Traitor Wolfort? ”

“ Boors. 'Tis most true Sir.
Hig. Is not the man, an honest man?
Boors. Yes truly.
Hig. A liberal Gentleman? and as ye are true rascals Tell me but this, have ye not been drunk, and often, At his charge?
Boors. Often, often.
Hig. There's the point then, They have cast themselves, Brother Prig.
Prig. A shrewd point, Brother.
Hig. Brother, proceed you now; the cause is open, I am some what weary.
Prig. Can you do these things? You most abhominable stinking Rascals, You turnip-eating Rogues.
Boors. We are truly sorry. ”

“ Gos. What would the knowledg do thee good so miserable, Thou canst not help thy self? when all my ways Nor all the friends I have—
Ger. You do not know Sir, What I can do: cures sometimes, for mens cares Flow, where they least expect 'em.
Gos. I know thou wouldst do, But farewell Clause, and pray for thy poor Master. ”

“ When you have ventur'd hard for't, nor take from you
The fattest of your puddings: under him
Each man shall eat his own stolen eggs, and butter,
In his own shade, or sun-shine, and enjoy
His own dear Dell, Doxy, or Mort, at night
In his own straw, with his own shirt, or sheet,
That he hath filch'd that day, I, and possess
What he can purchase, back, or belly-cheats
To his own prop: he will have no purveyers
For Pigs, and poultry.
Clau. That we must have, my learned oratour, It is our will, and every man to keep In his own path and circuit. ”

“ Exit Hemskirk.
Hub. This
Is still the punishment of rashness, sorrow.
Well; I must to the woods, for nothing here
Will be got out. There, I may chance to learn
Somewhat to help my enquiries further.
Van. Ha? A Looking-glass?
Hub. How now, brave Burgomaster?
Van. I love no Wolforts, and my name's Vandunk,
Hub. Van drunk it's rather: come, go sleep within.
Van. Earl Florez is right heir, and this same Wolfort Under the Rose I speak it—
Hub. Very hardly.
Van-d. Usurps: and a rank Traitor, as ever breath'd,
And all that do uphold him. Let me goe,
No man shall hold me, that upholds him ”

“ Enter Higgen, Prigg, Ferret, Ginks, and the rest of the Boors.
Hig. Come bring 'em out, for here we sit in justice:
Give to each one a cudgel, a good cudgel:
And now attend your sentence. That you are rogues,
And mischievous base rascalls, (there's the point now)
I take it, is confess'd.
Prig. Deny it if you dare knaves.
Boors. We are Rogues Sir.
Hig. To amplify the matter then, rogues as ye are, And lamb'd ye shall be e're we leave ye.
Boors. Yes Sir.
Hig. And to the open handling of our justice, Why did ye this upon the proper person Of our good Master? were you drunk when you did it? ”

“ I'le watch you what old barn you go to roost in,
And there I'le smother you all i'th' musty hay.
Hig. This is tyrant-like indeed: But what would Ginks Or Clause be here, if either of them should raign?
Clau. Best ask an Ass, if he were made a Camel, What he would be; or a dog, and he were a Lyon.
Ginks. I care not what you are, Sirs, I shall be A Beggar still I am sure, I find my self there.
Enter Goswin.
Snap. O here a Judge comes.
Hig. Cry, a Judge, a Judge.
Gos. What ail you Sirs? what means this outcry? ”

“ What is't? see: Snap has got it.
Snap. A good crown, marry.
Prig. A crown of gold.
Fer. For our new King: good luck.
Ginks. To the common treasury with it; if't be gold, Thither it must.
Prig. Spoke like a Patriot, Ferret—
King Clause, I bid God save thee first, first, Clause,
After this golden token of a crown;
Where's oratour Higgen with his gratuling speech now
In all our names?
Fer. Here he is pumping for it.
Gin. H'has cough'd the second time, 'tis but once more And then it comes.
Fer. So, out with all: expect now—
Hig. That thou art chosen, venerable Clause,
Our King and Soveraign ”

“ For ne'r a pickl'd Pilcher of 'em all, Sir,
'Tis there, your full sum, a hundred thousand crowns:
And good sweet Master, now be merry; pay 'em,
Pay the poor pelting Knaves, that know no goodness:
And chear your heart up handsomely.
Gos. Good Clause, How cam'st thou by this mighty Sum? if naughtily, I must not take it of thee, 'twill undo me.
Ger. Fear not, you have it by as honest means
As though 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 Heavens charity,
And to the same good we are bound to render it. ”

“ For by one starting hole they'll all escape else:
I and 4. Boors here to me will be guides,
The Squadron where you are, my self will lead:
And that they may be more secure, I'll use
My wonted whoops, and hollows, as I were
A hunting for 'em; which will make them rest
Careless of any noise, and be a direction
To the other guides, how we approach 'em still.
Woolf. 'Tis order'd well, and relisheth the Souldier; Make the division Hemskirk; you are my charge, Fair One, I'll look to you.
Boo. Shall no body need To look to me? I'll look unto my self.
Hub. 'Tis but this, remember. ”

“ Let me be ev'n hang'd for him, Come Sir, I'le tye ye to my leash.
Hem. Away Rascal.
Hub. Be not so stubborn: I shall swindge ye soundly, And ye play tricks with me.
Ger. So, now come in, But ever have an eye Sir, to your Prisoner.
Hub. He must blind both mine eyes, if he get from me.
Ger. Go get some victuals, and some drink, some good drink; For this day we'll keep holy to good fortune, Come, and be frolick with us. ”

“ Let me see Snap, Ferret, Prig, and Higgen, all are left O' the true blood: what? shall we into England?
Prig. Agreed.
Hig. Then bear up bravely with your Brute my lads, Higgen hath prig'd the prancers in his dayes, And sold good penny-worths; we will have a course, The Spirit of Bottom, is grown bottomless.
Prig. I'le mand no more, nor cant.
Hig. Yes, your sixpenny worth In private, Brother, sixpence is a sum I'le steal you any mans Dogg for.
Prig. For sixpence more You'l tell the owner where he is.
Hig. 'Tis right,
Higgen must practise, so must Prig to eat ”