Fifty comedies and tragedies written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Gentlemen ; all in one volume, published by the authors original copies, the songs to each play being added.

Actus primus.

Scena prima.

Enter a Merchant and Herman.

Mer.

IS he then taken?

Her.

And brought back even now, Sir.

Mer.

He was not in disgrace?

Her.

No man more lov'd, Nor more deserv'd it, being the only man That durst be honest in this Court.

Mer.

Indeed We have heard abroad, Sir, that the State hath suffered A great change, since the Countesses death.

Her.

It hath, Sir.

Mer.

My five years absence hath kept me a stranger So much to all the occurents of my Country, As you shall bind me for some short relation To make me understand the present times.

Her.

I must begin then with a War was made And seven years with all cruelty continued Upon our Flanders by the Duke of Brabant, The cause grew thus: during our Earls minority, Wolfort, (who now usurps) was employed thither To treat about a match between our Fail And the Daughter and Heir of Brabant: during which treaty The Brabander pretends, this Daughter was Stoln from his Court, by practice of our State, Though we are all confirm'd, 'twas a sought quarrel To lay an unjust g••ipe upon this Earldom, It being here believ'd the Duke of Brabant Had no such loss. This War upon't proclaim'd, Our Earl, being then a Child, although his Father Good Gerrard liv'd, yet in respect he was Chosen by the Countesses favour, for her Husband, And but a Gentleman, and Florez holding His right unto this Country from his Mother, The State thought fit in this defensive War, Wolfort being then the only man of mark, To make him General.

Mer.

Which place we have heard He did discharge with houour.

Her.

I, so long, And with so blest successes, that the Brabander Was forc't (his treasures wasted, and the choice Of his best men of Armes tyr'd, or cut off) To leave the field, and sound a base retreat Back to his Country: but so broken both In mind and means, er'e to make head again, That hitherto he sits down by his loss, Not daring, or for honour, or revenge Again to tempt his fortune. But this Victory More broke our State, and made a deeper hurt In Flanders, than the greatest overthrow She ever receiv'd: For Wolfort, now beholding Himself, and actions, in the flattering glass Of self-deservings, and that cherish't by

••e strong assurance of his power, for then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Captains of the Army were his creatures, ••e common Souldier too at his devotion, ••de so by full indulgence to their rapines ••d secret bounties, this strength too well known ••d what it could effect, soon put in practice, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 further'd by the Child-hood of the Earl: ••d their improvidence, that might have pierc't ••e heart of his designs, gave him occasion •• seize the whole, and in that plight you find it.

Mer.

Sir, I receive the knowledge of thus much, •• a choice favour from you.

Her.

Only I must add, ••••es holds out.

Mer.

Whither, Sir, I am going, ••t there last night I had a ship put in, ••d my Horse waits me.

Exit.

Her.

I wish you a good journey.

Enter Wolfort, Hubert.

Wol.

What? Hubert stealing from me? who disarm'd him? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was more than I commanded; take your sword, ••m best guarded with it in your hand, ••ave seen you use it nobly.

Hub.

And will turn it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my own bosom, ere it shall be drawn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worthily or rudely.

Wol.

Would you leave me Without a farewel, Hubert? slie a friend ••nwearied in his study to advance you? ••hat have I e're possess'd which was not yours? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 either did not court you to command it? ••ho ever yet arriv'd to any grace, ••eward or trust from me, but his approaches ••ere by your fair reports of him prefer'd? ••d what is more I made my self your Servant, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 making you the Master of those secrets Which not the rack of Conscience could draw from me, ••or I, when I askt mercy, trust my prayers with; ••et after these assurances of love, ••hese tyes and bonds of friendship, to forsake me? ••orsake me as an enemy? come you must ••ve me a reason.

Hub.

Sir, and so I will, I may do't in private: and you hear it.

Wol.

All leave the room: you have your will, sit down ••nd use the liberty of our first friendship.

Hub.

Friendship? when you prov'd Traitor first, that vanish'd, ••or do I owe you any thought, but hate, ••now my flight hath forfeited my head; ••nd so I may make you first understand ••hat a strange monster you have made your self, welcome it.

Wol.

To me this is strange language.

Hub.

To you? why what are you?

Wol.

Your Prince and Master, ••he Earl of Flanders.

Hub.

By a proper title! ••ais'd to it by cunning, circumvention, force, ••ood, and proscriptions.

Wol.

And in all this wisdom, ••ad I not reason? when by Gerrards plots ••hould have first been call'd to a strict accompt ••ow, and which way I had consum'd that mass ••f money, as they term it, in the War, Who underhand had by his Ministers ••etracted my great action, made my faith ••nd loyalty suspected, in which failing ••e sought my life by practice.

Hub.

With what fore-head ••o you speak this to me? who (as I know't) ••ust, and will say 'tis false.

Wol.

My Guard there.

Hub.

Sir, you bad me sit, and promis'd you would hear, Which I now say you shall; not a sound more, For I that am contemner of mine own, Am Master of your life; then here's a Sword Between you, and all aids, Sir, though you blind The credulous beast, the multitude, you pass not These gross untruths on me.

Wol.

How? gross untruths?

Hub.

I, and it is favourable language, They had been in a mean man lyes, and foul ones.

Wol.

You take strange Licence.

Hub.

Yes, were not those rumours Of being called unto your answer, spread By your own followers? and weak Gerrard wrought (But by your cunning practice) to believe That you were dangerous; yet not to be Punish'd by any formal course of Law, But first to be made sure, and have your crimes Laid open after, which your quaint train taking You fled unto the Camp, and their crav'd humbly Protection for your innocent life, and that, Since you had scap'd the fury of the War, You might not fall by treason: and for proof, You did not for your own ends make this danger; Some that had been before by you suborn'd, Came forth and took their Oaths they had been hir'd By Gerrard to your Murther. This once heard, And easily believ'd, th' inraged Souldier Seeing no further than the outward-man, Snatch'd hastily his Arms, ran to the Court, Kill'd all that made resistance, cut in pieces Such as were Servants, or thought friends to Gerrard, Vowing the like to him.

Wol.

Will you yet end?

Hub.

Which he foreseeing, with his Son, the Earl; Forsook the City; and by secret wayes As you give out, and we would gladly have it, Escap'd their fury: though 'tis more than fear'd They fell amongst the rest; Nor stand you there To let us only mourn the impious means By which you got it, but your cruelties since So far transcend your former bloody ills, As if compar'd, they only would appear Essays of mischief; do not stop your ears, More are behind yet.

Wol.

O repeat them not, 'Tis Hell to hear them nam'd.

Hub.

You should have thought, That Hell would be your punishment when you did them, A Prince in nothing but your princely lusts, And boundless rapines.

Wol.

No more I beseech you.

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? here, surely take it, And do me but this fruit of all your friendship, That I may dye by you, and not your Hang-man.

Wol.

Oh Hubert, these your words and reasons have As well drawn drops of blood from my griev'd heart, As these tears from mine eyes; Despise them not. By all that's sacred, I am serious, Hubert, You now have made me sensible, what furies, Whips, Hangmen, and Tormentors a bad man

Do's ever bear about him: let the good That you this day have done, be ever number'd The first of your best actions; Can you think, 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.

Hub.

Sir, do not abuse My aptness to believe.

Wol.

Suspect not you A faith that's built upon so true a sorrow, Make your own safetys: ask them all the ties Humanity can give, Hemskirk too shall Along with you to this so wish'd discovery, And in my name profess all that you promise; And I will give you this help to't: I have Of late receiv'd certain intelligence, That some of them are in or about Bruges To be found out: which I did then interpret, The cause of that Towns standing out against me; But now am glad, it may direct your purpose Of giving them their safety, and me peace.

Hub.

Be constant to your goodness, and you have it.

Exeunt.

SCENA II.

Enter 3. Merchants.

1 Mer.

'Tis much that you deliver of this Goswin.

2 Mer.

But short of what I could, yet have the Country Confirm'd it true, and by a general oath, And not a man hazard his credit in it: He beats himself with such a confidence As if he were the Master of the Sea, And not a wind upon the Sailers compass, But from one part or other was his factor, To bring him in the best commodities, Merchant e're ventur'd for.

1.

'Tis strange.

2.

And yet This do's in him deserve the least of wonder, Compared with other his peculiar fashions, Which all admire: he's young, and rich, at least Thus far reputed so, that since he liv'd In Bruges, there was never brought to harbour So rich a Bottom, but his bill would pass Unquestion'd for her lading.

3 Mer.

Yet he still Continues a good man.

2 Mer.

So good, that but To doubt him, would be held an injury Or rather malice, with the best that trassique; But this is nothing, a great stock, and fortune, Crowning his judgement in his undertakings May keep him upright that way: But that wealth Should want the power to make him dote on it, Or youth teach him to wrong it, best commends His constant temper; for his outward habit 'Tis suitable to his present course of life: His table furnish'd well, but not with dainties That please the appetite only for their rareness, Or their dear price: nor given to wine or women, Beyond his health, or warrant of a man, I mean a good one: and so loves his state He will not hazard it at play; nor lend Upon the assurance of a well pen'd Letter, Although a challenge second the denial From such as make th' opinion of their valour Their means of feeding.

1 Mer.

These are wayes to thrive, And the means not curs'd.

2 Mer.

What follows, this Makes many venturers with him, in their wishes, For his prosperity: for when desert Or reason leads him to be liberal, His noble mind and ready hand contend Which can add most to his free courtesies, Or in their worth, or speed to make them so. Is there a Virgin of good fame wants dower? He is a Father to her; or a Souldier That in his Countreys service, from the war Hath brought home only scars, and want? his house Receives him, and relieves him, with that care As if what he possess'd had been laid up For such good uses, and he steward of it. But I should lose my self to speak him further And stale in my relation, the much good You may be witness of, if your remove From Bruges be not speedy.

1 Mer.

This report I do assure you will not hasten it, Nor would I wish a better man to deal with For what I am to part with.

3 Mer.

Never doubt it, He is your man and ours, only I wish His too much forwardness to embrace all bargains Sink him not in the end.

2 Mer.

Have better hopes, For my part I am confident; here he comes.

Enter Goswin, and the fourth Merchant.

Gos.

I take it at your own rates, your wine of Cyprus, But for your Candy sugars, they have met With such foul weather, and are priz'd so high I cannot save in them.

4. Mer.

I am unwilling To seek another Chapman: make me offer Of something near price, that may assure me You can deal for them.

Gos.

I both can, and will, But not with too much loss; your bill of lading Speaks of two hundred chests, valued by you At thirty thousand gilders, I will have them At twenty eight; so, in the payment of Three thousand sterling, you fall only in Two hundred pound.

4 Mer.

You know, they are so cheap. —

Gos.

Why look you; I'le deal farily, there's in prisor, And at your suit, a Pirat, but unable To make you satisfaction, and past hope To live a week, if you should prosecute What you can prove against him: set him free, And you shall have your mony to a Stiver, And present payment.

4 Mer.

This is above wonder, A Merchant of your rank, that have at Sea So many Bottoms in the danger of These water-Thieves, should be a means to save 'em, It more importing you for your own safety To be at charge to scour the Sea of them Than stay the sword of justice, that is ready To fall on one so conscious of his guilt That he dares not deny it.

Gos.

You mistake me, If you think I would cherish in this Captain The wrong he did to you, or any man; I was lately with him, (having first, from others

••••e testimony been assured a man •• more desert never put from the shore) ••ead his letters of Mart from this State granted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the recovery of such losses, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had receiv'd in Spain, 'twas that he aim'd at, ••t at three tuns of wine, bisket, or beef, ••hi••n his necessity made him take from you. ••he had pillag'd you near, or sunk your ship, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thrown your men o'r board, then he deserv'd ••••e Laws extreamest rigour. But since want 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what he could not live without, compel'd him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he did (which yet our State calls death) ••ity his misfortune; and to work you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some compassion of them, I come up 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your own price: save him, the goods are mine; ••not, seek else-where, I'le not deal for them.

4 Mer.

Well Sir, for your love, I will once be led 〈◊〉〈◊〉 change my purpose.

Gos.

For your profit rather.

4 Mer.

I'le presently make means for his discharge, ••••l when, I leave you.

2 Mer.

What do you think of this?

1 Mer.

As of a deed of noble pity: guided 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a strong judgement.

2 Mer.

Save you Master Goswin.

Goswin.

Good day to all.

2 Mer.

We bring you the refusall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more Commodities.

Gos.

Are you the owners 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ship that last night put into the Harbour?

1 Mer.

Both of the ship, and lading.

Gos.

What's the fraught?

1 Mer.

Indico, Cochineel, choise Chyna stuffs.

3 Mer.

And cloath of Gold brought from Cambal.

Gos.

Rich lading, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which I were your Chapman, but I am ••••ready out of cash.

1 Mer.

I'le give you day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the moiety of all.

Gos.

How long?

3 Mer.

Six months.

Gos.

'Tis a fair offer: which (if we agree ••bout the prices) I, with thanks accept of, ••nd will make present payment of the rest; ••me two hours hence I'le come aboard.

1 Mer.

The Gunner shall speak you welcom.

Gos.

I'le not fail.

3 Mer.

Good morrow.

Ex. Merch.

Gos.

Heaven grant my Ships a safe return, before ••he day of this great payment: as they are ••••pected three months sooner: and my credit ••ands good with all the world.

Enter Gerrard.

Ger.

Bless my good Master, ••he prayers of your poor Beads-man ever shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent up for you.

Gos.

God o'mercy Clause, ••here's something to put thee in mind hereafter ••o think of me.

Ger.

May he that gave it you ••eward you for it, with encrease, good Master.

Gos.

I thrive the better for thy prayers.

Ger.

I hope so. ••his three years have I fed upon your bounties, ••nd by the fire of your blest charity warm'd me, ••nd yet, good Master, pardon me, that must, ••hough I have now receiv'd your alms, presume ••o make one sute more to you.

Gos.

What is't Clause?

Ger.

Yet do not think me impudent I beseech you, ••nce hitherto your charity hath prevented ••y begging your relief, 'tis not for mony ••o•• cloaths (good Master) but your good word for me.

Gos.

That thou shalt have, Clause, for I think thee honest.

Ger.

To morrow then (dear M^r.) take the trouble Of walking early unto Beggars Bush, And as you see me, among others (Brethren In my affliction) when you are demanded Which you like best among us, point out me, And then pass by, as if you knew me not.

Gos.

But what will that advantage thee?

Ger.

O much Sir, 'Twill give me the preheminence of the rest, Make me a King among 'em, and protect me From all abuse, such as are stronger, might Offer my age; Sir, at your better leisure I will inform you further of the good It may do to me.

Gos.

'Troth thou mak'st me wonder; Have you a King and common wealth among you?

Ger.

We have, and there are States are govern'd worse.

Gos.

Ambition among Beggars?

Ger.

Many great ones Would part with half their states, to have the place, And credit to beg in the first file, Master: But shall I be so much bound to your furtherance In my Petition?

Gos.

That thou shalt not miss of, Nor any worldly care make me forget it, I will be early there.

Ger.

Heaven bless my Master.

Exeunt.