Beggars Bush: A Comedy
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SCENE II
Enter Goswin.
Gos. No wind blow fair yet? no return of moneys?Letters? nor any thing to hold my hopes up?Why then 'tis destin'd, that I fall, fall miserably!My credit I was built on, sinking with me.Thou boystrous North-wind, blowing my misfortunes,And frosting all my hopes to cakes of coldness;Yet stay thy fury; give the gentle SouthYet leave to court those sails that bring me safety,And you auspicious fires, bright twins in heavenDaunce on the shrowds; he blows still stubbornly,And on his boystrous Rack rides my sad ruin;There is no help, there can be now no comfort,To morrow with the Sun-set, sets my credit.Oh misery! thou curse of man, thou plague,In the midst of all our strength thou strik'st us;My vertuous Love is lost too: all, what I have been,No more hereafter to be seen than shadow;To prison now? well, yet there's this hope left me;I may sink fairly under this days venture,And so to morrow's cross'd, and all those curses:Yet manly I'll invite my Fate, base fortuneShall never say, she has cut my throat in fear.This is the place his challenge call'd me to,And was a happy one at this time for me,For let me fall before my Foe i'th' field,And not at Bar, before my Creditors;H'as kept his word: now Sir, your swords tongue onlyLoud as you dare, all other language—Enter Hemskirke.
Hem. Well Sir, You shall not be long troubled: draw.Gos. 'Tis done Sir, And now have at ye.Hem. Now.Enter Boors.
Gos. Betray'd to Villains! Slaves ye shall buy me bravely,And thou base coward.Enter Gerrard and Beggars.
Ger. Now upon 'em bravely, Conjure 'em soundly Boys.Boors. Hold, hold.Ger. Lay on still,Down with that Gentleman rogue, swinge him to sirrup.Retire Sir, and take Breath: follow, and take him,Take all, 'tis lawful prize.Boors. We yield.Ger. Down with 'emInto the Wood, and rifle 'em, tew 'em, swinge 'em,Knock me their brains into their Breeches. [Exeunt.Boors. Hold, hold.Gos. What these men are I know not, nor for what causeThey shou'd thus thrust themselves into my danger,Can I imagine. But sure Heavens hand was in't!Nor why this coward Knave should deal so baselyTo eat me up with Slaves: but Heaven I thank thee,I hope thou hast reserv'd me to an endFit for thy creature, and worthy of thine honour:Would all my other dangers here had suffered,With what a joyful heart should I go home then?Where now, Heaven knows, like him that waits his sentence,Or hears his passing Bell; but there's my hope still.Enter Gerrard.
Ger. Blessing upon you Master.Gos. Thank ye; leave me,For by my troth I have nothing now to give thee.Ger. Indeed I do not ask Sir, only it grieves meTo see ye look so sad; now goodness keep yeFrom troubles in your mind.Gos. If I were troubled,What could thy comfort do? prithee Clause, leave me.Ger. Good Master be not angry; for what I sayIs out of true love to ye.Gos. I know thou lov'st me.Ger. Good Mr. blame that love then, if I prove so sawcyTo ask ye why ye are sad.Gos. Most true, I am so,And such a sadness I have got will sink me.Ger. Heaven shield it, Sir.Gos. Faith, thou must lose thy Master.Ger. I had rather lose my neck, Sir: would I knew—Gos. What would the knowledg do thee good so miserable,Thou canst not help thy self? when all my waysNor all the friends I have—Ger. You do not know Sir,What I can do: cures sometimes, for mens caresFlow, where they least expect 'em.Gos. I know thou wouldst do,But farewell Clause, and pray for thy poor Master.Ger. I will not leave ye.Gos. How?Ger. I dare not leave ye, Sir, I must not leave ye,And till ye beat me dead, I will not leave ye.By what ye hold most precious, by Heavens goodness,As your fair youth may prosper, good Sir tell me:My mind believes yet something's in my powerMay ease you of this trouble.Gos. I will tell thee,For a hundred thousand crowns upon my credit,Taken up of Merchants to supply my traffiques,The winds and weather envying of my fortune,And no return to help me off, yet shewingTo morrow, Clause, to morrow, which must come,In prison thou shalt find me poor and broken.Ger. I cannot blame your grief Sir.Gos. Now, what say'st thou?Ger. I say you should not shrink, for he that gave ye,Can give you more; his power can bring ye off Sir,When friends and all forsake ye, yet he sees you.Gos. There's all my hope.Ger. Hope still Sir, are you ty'dWithin the compass of a day, good Master,To pay this mass of mony?Gos. Ev'n to morrow: But why do I stand mocking of my misery?Is't not enough the floods, and friends forget me?Ger. Will no less serve?Gos. What if it would?Ger. Your patience,I do not ask to mock ye: 'tis a great sum,A sum for mighty men to start and stick at;But not for honest: have ye no friends left ye,None that have felt your bounty? worth this duty?Gos. Duty? thou knowst it not.Ger. It is a duty,And as a duty, from those men have felt ye,Should be return'd again: I have gain'd by ye,A daily alms these seven years you have showr'd on me,Will half supply your want.Gos. Why do'st thou fool me? Can'st thou work miracles?Ger. To save my Master, I can work this.Gos. Thou wilt make me angry with thee.Ger. For doing good?Gos. What power hast thou?Ger. Enquire not: So I can do it, to preserve my Master;Nay if it be three parts.Gos. O that I had it,But good Clause, talk no more, I feel thy charity,As thou hast felt mine: but alas!Ger. Distrust not,'Tis that that quenches ye: pull up your Spirit,Your good, your honest, and your noble Spirit;For if the fortunes of ten thousand peopleCan save ye, rest assur'd; you have forgot Sir,The good ye did, which was the power you gave me;Ye shall now know the King of Beggars treasure:And let the winds blow as they list, the Seas roar,Yet, here to morrow, you shall find your harbour.Here fail me not, for if I live I'le fit ye.Gos. How fain I would believe thee!Ger. If I ly Master, Believe no man hereafter.Gos. I will try thee, But he knows, that knows all.Ger. Know me to morrow,And if I know not how to cure ye, kill me;So pass in peace, my best, my worthiest Master. [Exeunt.SCENA III
Enter Hubert, like a Huntsman.
Hub. Thus have I stoln away disguiz'd from HemskirkTo try these people, for my heart yet tells meSome of these Beggars, are the men I look for:Appearing like my self, they have no reason(Though my intent is fair, my main end honest)But to avoid me narrowly, that face too,That womans face, how near it is! O may itBut prove the same, and fortune how I'le bless thee!Thus, sure they cannot know me, or suspect me,If to my habit I but change my nature;As I must do; this is the wood they live in,A place fit for concealment: where, till fortuneCrown me with that I seek, I'le live amongst 'em. [Exit.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 personOf our good Master? were you drunk when you did it?Boors. Yes indeed were we.Prig. You shall be beaten sober.Hig. Was it for want you undertook it?Boors. Yes Sir.Hig. You shall be swing'd abundantly.Prig. And yet for all that,You shall be poor rogues still.Hig. Has not the Gentleman,Pray mark this point Brother Prig, that noble GentlemanReliev'd ye often, found ye means to live by,By imploying some at Sea, some here, some there;According to your callings?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 rascalsTell 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.Prig. Knock at your hard hearts Rogues, and presentlyGive us a sign you feel compunction,Every man up with's cudgel, and on his neighbourBestow such alms, 'till we shall say sufficient,For there your sentence lyes without partiality;Either of head, or hide Rogues, without sparing,Or we shall take the pains to beat you dead else:You shall know your doom.Hig. One, two, and three about it.Prig. That fellow in the blue, has true Compunction, [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.Ger. No threatning,For we shall cool you Sir; why did'st thou baselyAttempt the murder of the Merchant Goswin?Hem. What power hast thou to ask me?Ger. I will know it,Or fley thee till thy pain discover it.Hem. He did me wrong, base wrong.Ger. That cannot save ye,Who sent ye hither? and what further villaniesHave you in hand?Hem. Why would'st thou know? what profit,If I had any private way, could riseOut of my knowledge, to do thee commodity?Be sorry for what thou hast done, and make amends fool,I'le talk no further to thee, nor these Rascals.Ger. Tye him to that tree.Hem. I have told you whom I follow.Ger. The Devil you should do, by your villanies,Now he that has the best way, wring it from him.Hig. I undertake it: turn him to the Sun boyes;Give me a fine sharp rush, will ye confess yet?Hem. Ye have rob'd me already, now you'le murder me.Hig. Murder your nose a little: does your head purge Sir?To it again, 'twill do ye good.Hem. Oh, I cannot tell you any thing.Ger. Proceed then.Hig. There's maggots in your nose, I'le fetch 'em out Sir.Hem. O my head breaks.Hig. The best thing for the rheum Sir,That falls into your worships eyes.Hem. Hold, hold.Ger. Speak then.Hem. I know not what.Hig. It lyes in's brain yet,In lumps it lyes, I'le fetch it out the finest;What pretty faces the fool makes? heigh!Hem. Hold,Hold, and I'le tell ye all, look in my doublet;And there within the lining in a paper,You shall find all.Ger. Go fetch that paper hither,And let him loose for this time.Enter Hubert.
Hub. Good ev'n my honest friends.Ger. Good ev'n good fellow.Hub. May a poor huntsman, with a merry heart,A voice shall make the forest ring about him,Get leave to live amongst ye? true as steel, boyes?That knows all chases, and can watch all hours,And with my quarter staff, though the Devil bid stand,Deal such an alms, shall make him roar again?Prick ye the fearfull hare through cross waves, sheep-walks,And force the crafty Reynard climb the quicksetts;Rouse ye the lofty Stag, and with my bell-horn,Ring him a knel, that all the woods shall mourn him,'Till in his funeral tears, he fall before me?The Polcat, Marterne, and the rich skin'd LucerneI know to chase, the Roe, the wind out-strippingIsgrin himself, in all his bloody angerI can beat from the bay, and the wild SounderSingle, and with my arm'd staff, turn the Boar,Spight of his foamy tushes, and thus strike him;'Till he fall down my feast.Ger. A goodly fellow.Hub. What mak'st thee here, ha? [aside.Ger. We accept thy fellowship.Hub. Hemskirk, thou art not right I fear, I fear thee. [aside.Enter Ferret, with a Letter.
Fer. Here is the paper: and as he said we found it.Ger. Give me it, I shall make a shift yet, old as I am,To find your knavery: you are sent here, Sirra,To discover certain Gentlemen, a spy-knave,And if ye find 'em, if not by perswasionTo bring 'em back, by poyson to despatch 'em.Hub. By poyson, ha?Ger. Here is another, Hubert;What is that Hubert Sir?Hem. You may perceive there.Ger. I may perceive a villany and a rank one,Was he joyn'd partner of thy knavery?Hem. No.He had an honest end, would I had had so,Which makes him scape such cut-throats.Ger. So it seems.For here thou art commanded, when that HubertHas done his best and worthiest service, this wayTo cut his throat, for here he's set down dangerous.Hub. This is most impious.Ger. I am glad we have found ye, Is not this true?Hem. Yes; what are you the better?Ger. You shall perceive Sir, ere you get your freedom:Take him aside, and friend, we take thee to us,Into our company, thou dar'st be true unto us?Hig. I, and obedient too?Hub. As you had bred me.Ger. Then take our hand: thou art now a servant to us,Welcom him all.Hig. Stand off, stand off: I'le do it,We bid ye welcom three wayes; first for your person,Which is a promising person, next for your quality,Which is a decent, and a gentle quality,Last for the frequent means you have to feed us,You can steal 'tis to be presum'd.Hub. Yes, venison, and if you want—Hig. 'Tis well you understand right,And shall practise daily: you can drink too?Hub. Soundly.Hig. And ye dare know a woman from a weathercock?Hub. If I handle her.Ger. Now swear him.Hig. I crown thy nab, with a gag of benbouse,And stall thee by the Salmon into the clows,To mand on the pad, and strike all the cheats;To Mill from the Ruffmans, commision and slates,Twang dell's, i' the stiromell, and let the Quire Cuffin:And Herman Beck strine, and trine to the Ruffin.Ger. Now interpret this unto him.Hig. I pour on thy pate a pot of good ale,And by the Rogues [oth] a Rogue thee instal:To beg on the way, to rob all thou meets;To steal from the hedge, both the shirt and the sheets:And lye with thy wench in the straw till she twang,Let the Constable, Justice, and Devil go hang.Hig. You are welcom Brother.All. Welcom, welcom, welcom, but who shall have the keepingOf this fellow?Hub. Sir, if you dare but trust me;For if I have kept wild dogs and beasts for wonder,And made 'em tame too: give into my custodyThis roaring Rascal, I shall hamper him,With all his knacks and knaveries, and I fear meDiscover yet a further villany in him;O he smells ranck o'th' Rascal.Ger. Take him to thee,But if he scape—Hub. 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.Hig. You are a stranger, Brother, I pray lead,You must, you must, Brother. [Exeunt.SCENE IV
Enter Goswin and Gertrude.
Ger. Indeed you're welcome: I have heard your scape,And therefore give her leave, that only loves you;(Truly and dearly loves you) give her joy leaveTo bid you welcome: what is't makes you sad man?Why do you look so wild? Is't I offend you?Beshrew my heart, not willingly.Gos. No, Gertrude.Ger. Is't the delay of that ye long have look'd for,A happy marriage? now I come to urge it.Now when you please to finish it?Gos. No news yet?Ger. Do you hear Sir?Gos. Yes.Ger. Do you love me?Gos. Have I liv'd In all the happiness Fortune could seat me,In all mens fair opinions?Ger. I have provided A Priest, that's ready for us.Gos. And can the Devil,In one ten days, that Devil Chance devour me?Ger. We'll fly to what place you please.Gos. No Star prosperous! All at a swoop?Ger. You do not love me Goswin? You will not look upon me?Gos. Can mens PrayersShot up to Heaven, with such a zeal as mine are,Fall back like lazy mists, and never prosper?Jives I must wear, and cold must be my comfort;Darkness, and want of meat; alas she weeps too,Which is the top of all my sorrows, Gertrude.Ger. No, no, you will not know me; my poor beauty,Which has been worth your eyes.Gos. The time grows on still;And like a tumbling wave, I see my ruineCome rowling over me.Ger. Yet will ye know me?Gos. For a hundred thousand Crowns.Ger. Yet will ye love me?Tell me but how I have deserv'd your slighting?Gos. For a hundred thousand Crowns?Ger. Farewel Dissembler.Gos. Of which I have scarce ten: O how it starts me!Ger. And may the next you love, hearing my ruine.Gos. 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?Gos. No, I protest.Ger. You have no ships lost lately?Gos. None, that I know of.Ger. I hope you have spilt no blood, whose innocenceMay lay this on your conscience.Gos. Clear, by Heaven.Ger. Why should you be thus then?Gos. Good Gertrude ask not,Ev'n by the love you bear me.Ger. I am obedient.Gos. Go in, my fair, I will not be long from ye,Nor long I fear me with thee.At my return Dispose me as you please.Ger. The good gods guide ye. [Exit.Gos. Now for my self, which is the least I hope for,And when that fails, for mans worst fortune, pity. [Exit.ACTUS QUARTUS. SCENA PRIMA
Enter Goswin and 4. Merchants.
Gos. Why gentlemen, 'tis but a week more, I intreat youBut 7. short days, I am not running from ye;Nor, if you give me patience, is it possibleAll my adventures fail; you have ships abroadEndure the beating both of Wind and Weather:I am sure 'twould vex your hearts, to be protested;Ye are all fair Merchants.1 Mer. Yes, and must have fair play:There is no living here else; one hour's failingFails us of all our friends, of all our credits:For my part, I would stay, but my wants tell me,I must wrong others in't.Gos. No mercy in ye!2 Mer. 'Tis foolish to depend on others mercy:Keep your self right, and even cut your cloth, Sir,According to your calling, you have liv'd here,In Lord-like Prodigality, high, and open,And now ye find what 'tis: the liberal spendingThe Summer of your Youth, which you should glean in,And like the labouring Ant, make use and gain of,Has brought this bitter, stormy Winter on ye,And now you cry.3 Mer. Alas, before your Poverty,We were no men, of no mark, no endeavour;You stood alone, took up all trade, all businessRunning through your hands, scarce a Sail at Sea,But loaden with your Goods: we poor weak Pedlers;When by your leave, and much intreaty to it,We could have stowage for a little Cloath,Or a few Wines, put off, and thank your Worship.Lord, how the World's chang'd with ye? now I hope, Sir,We shall have Sea-room.Gos. Is my miseryBecome my scorn too! have ye no humanity?No part of men left? are all the Bounties in meTo you, and to the Town, turn'd my reproaches?4 Mer. Well, get your moneys ready: 'tis but 2 hours;We shall protest ye else, and suddenly.Gos. But two days.1 Mer. Not an hour, ye know the hazard. [Exeunt.Gos. How soon my light's put out! hard hearted Bruges!Within thy Walls may never honest Merchant Venture his fortunes more:O my poor Wench too.Enter Gerrard.
Ger. Good fortune, Master.Gos. Thou mistak'st me, Clause, I am not worth thy Blessing.Ger. Still a sad man!Enter Higgen and Prigg, like Porters.No belief gentle Master? come bring it in then,And now believe your Beadsman.Gos. Is this certain? Or dost thou work upon my troubled sense?Ger. 'Tis gold, Sir, Take it and try it.Gos. Certainly 'tis treasure; Can there be yet this Blessing?Ger. Cease your wonder,You shall not sink, for ne'r a sowst Flap-dragon,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 meansAs though your father gave it: Sir, you know notTo 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.Gos. What great security?Ger. Away with that, Sir,Were not ye more than all the men in Bruges;And all the money in my thoughts—Gos. But good Clause, I may dye presently.Ger. Then this dies with ye:Pay when you can good Master, I'll no Parchments,Only this charity I shall entreat you;Leave me this Ring.Gos. Alas, it is too poor, Clause.Ger. 'Tis all I ask, and this withal, that when I shall deliver this back, you shall grant meFreely one poor petition.Gos. There, I confirm it, [Gives the Ring. And may my faith forsake me when I shun it.Ger. Away, your time draws on. Take up the money,And follow this young Gentleman.Gos. Farewell Clause, And may thy honest memory live for ever.Ger. Heaven bless you, and still keep you, farewel Master. [Exeunt.SCENE II
Enter Hubert.
Hub. I have lockt my Youth up close enough for gadding,In an old Tree, and set watch over him.Enter Jaculin.
Now for my Love, for sure this Wench must be she,She follows me; Come hither, pretty Minche.Jac. No, no, you'll kiss.Hub. So I will.Jac. Y'ded law? How will ye kiss me, pray you?Hub. Thus, soft as my loves lips.Jac. Oh!Hub. What's your Father's name?Jac. He's gone to Heaven.Hub. Is it not Gerrard, Sweet?Jac. I'll stay no longer;My Mother's an old Woman, and my BrotherWas drown'd at Sea, with catching Cockles. O Love!O how my heart melts in me: how thou fir'st me!Hub. 'Tis certain she; pray let me see your hand, Sweet?Jac. No, no, you'l bite it.Hub. Sure I should know that Gymmal!Jac. 'Tis certain he: I had forgot my Ring too. O Hubert! Hubert!Hub. Ha! methought she nam'd me— Do you know me, Chick?Jac. No indeed, I never saw ye; But methinks you kiss finely.Hub. Kiss again then; By Heaven 'tis she.Jac. O what a joy he brings me!Hub. You are not Minche?Jac. Yes, pretty Gentleman,And I must be marry'd to morrow to a Capper.Hub. Must ye my Sweet, and does the Capper love ye?Jac. Yes, yes, he'I give me pie, and look in mine eyes thus.'Tis he: 'tis my dear Love: O blest Fortune.Hub. How fain she would conceal her self, yet shew it!Will you love me, and leave that man? I'll serve.Jac. O I shall lose my self!Hub. I'll wait upon you, And make you dainty Nose-gays.Jac. And where will you stick 'em?Hub. Here in [thy] bosom, Sweet, and make a crown of LiliesFor your fair head.Jac. And will you love me deed-law?Hub. With all my Heart.Jac. Call me to morrow then,And we'll have brave chear, and go to Church together:Give you good ev'n Sir.Hub. But one word fair Minche.Jac. I must be gone a milking.Hub. Ye shall presently. Did you never hear of a young maid called Jaculin?Jac. I am discover'd; hark in your ear, I'll tell ye:You must not know me, kiss and be constant ever.Hub. Heaven curse me else 'tis she, and now I am certainThey are all here: now for my other project— [Exeunt.