Part 24

_Jul._ To your wise doubts, and to my better counsels; Oh! pardon me my Lord, and trust me too; Let me not like _Cassandra_ prophesie truths, And never be believ'd, before the mischief: I have heard all; know this _Ronvere_ a villain, A villain that hath tempted me, and plotted This for your ruine, only to make way To his hopes in my embraces; at more leisure I will acquaint you, wherefore I conceal'd it To this last minute; if you stay, you are lost, And all prevention too late. I know, And 'tis to me known only, a dark cave Within this house, a part of my poor Dower, Where you may lie conceal'd, as in the center, Till this rough blast be o'r, where there is air, More then to keep in life; _Ferrand_ will find you, So curious his fears are.

_Vir._ 'Tis better fall Than hide my head, now 'twas thine own advice, My friends engag'd too.

_Jul._ You stand further bound, Than to weak men that have betrai'd themselves, Or to my counsel, though then just and loyal: Your phansie hath been good, but not your judgement, In choice of such to side you; will you leap From a steep Tower, because a desperate fool Does it, and trusts the wind to save his hazard? There's more expected from you; all mens eies are fixt On _Virolet_, to help, not hurt them; Make good their hopes and ours, you have sworn often, That you dare credit me; and allow'd me wise Although a woman; even Kings in great actions, Wait opportunity, and so must you, Sir, Or loose your understanding.

_Vir._ Thou art constant; I am uncertain fool, a most blind fool; Be thou my guide.

_Jul._ If I fail to direct you, For torment or reward, when I am wretched, May constancy forsake me.

_Vir._ I've my safety.

Enter _Castruchio_ and _Villio._

_Vil._ Why are you rapt thus?

_Cast._ Peace, thou art a fool.

_Vil._ But if I were a flatterer like your worship, I should be wise and rich too; There are few else that prosper, Bawds excepted, They hold an equal place there.

_Cast._ A shrewd knave; But oh the King, the happy King!

_Vil._ Why happy? In bearing a great burthen.

_Cast._ What bears he, That's born on Princes shoulders?

_Vil._ A Crowns weight, Which sets more heavy on his head, than the Oar Slaves dig out of the Mines, of which 'tis made.

_Cast._ Thou worthily art his fool, to think that heavy That carries him in the air; the reverence due To that most sacred Gold, makes him ador'd, His Footsteps kist, his smiles to raise a begger To a Lords fortune; and when he but frowns, The City quakes.

_Vil._ Or the poor Cuckolds in it, Coxcombs I should say, I am of a fool, Grown a Philosopher, to hear this parasite.

_Cast._ The delicates he is serv'd with see and envy.

_Vil._ I had rather have an Onion with a stomack, Than these without one.

_Cast._ The Celestial Musick, Such as the motion of the eternal sphears [_Still musick._ Yields _Jove_, when he drinks _Nectar_.

_Vil._ Here's a fine knave, yet hath too many fellows.

_Cast._ Then the beauties, That with variety of ch[oy]ce embraces, [_These pass o'r._ Renew his age.

_Vil._ Help him to crouch rather, And the _French_ Cringe, they are excellent Surgeons that way.

_Cast._ O Majesty! let others think of heaven, While I contemplate thee.

_Vil._ This is not _Atheisme_, but Court observance.

_Cast._ Now the God appears, usher'd with earth-quakes.

_Vil._ Base Idolatry. [_Flourish._

_Enter_ Ferrand, _Guard, Women, Servants._

_Fer._ These meats are poisoned, hang The Cooks; no note more on Forfeit of your fingers; do you Envie me a minutes slumber, what are these?

_1 Gu._ The Ladies appointed by your Majesty.

_Fer._ To the purpose, for what appointed?

_1 Gu._ For your graces pleasure.

_Fer._ To suck away the little blood is left me, By my continual cares; I am not apt now, Injoy them first, taste of my Diet once; And your turns serv'd, for fifty Crowns apiece Their Husbands may redeem them.

_Wo._ Great Sir, mercy.

_Fer._ I am deaf, why stare you? is what we command To be disputed, who's this? bring you the dead T' upbraid me to my face?

_Cast._ Hold Emperor; Hold mightiest of Kings, I am thy vassal, Thy footstool that durst not presume to look On thy offended face.

_Fer. Castruchio_ rise.

_Cast._ Let not the lightning of thy eie consume me, Nor hear that musical tongue, in dreadful thunder, That speaks all mercy.

_Vil._ Here's no flattering rogue.

_Cast. Ferrand_, that is the Father of his people, The glory of mankind.

_Fer._ No more, no word more; And while [I] tell my troubles to my self, Be Statues without motion [or] voice, Though to be flatter'd is an itch to greatness, It now offends me.

_Vil._ Here's the happy man; But speak who dares.

_Fer._ When I was innocent; I yet remember I could eat and sleep, Walk unaffrighted, but now terrible to others: My guards cannot keep fear from me It still pursues me; Oh! my wounded conscience, The Bed I would rest in, is stuft with thorns; The grounds strew'd o'r with adders, and with aspicks Where e'r I set my foot, but I am in, And what was got with cruelty, with blood, Must be defended, though this life's a hell, I fear a worse hereafter. Ha!

_Enter_ Ronvere _and Guard._

_Ron._ My Lord.

_Fer._ Welcome _Ronvere_, welcome my golden plummet With which I sound mine enemies depths and angers, Hast thou discover'd?

_Ron._ Al[l] as you could wish Sir, The Plot, and the contrivers; was made one Of the conspiracie.

_Fer._ Is _Virolet_ in?

_Ron._ The head of all, he only scented me: And from his fear, that I plaid false is fled; The rest I have in fetters.

_Fer._ Death and Hell. Next to my mortal foe the pirate _Sesse_, I aim'd at him; he's virtuous, and wise, A lover of his freedom and his Countries Dangerous to such as govern by the sword, And so to me: no tract which way he went, No means to overtake him?

_Ron._ There's some hope left; But with a rough hand, to be seiz'd upon.

_Fer._ What is't?

_Ron._ If any know, or where he is, Or which way he is fled, it is his wife; Her with his Father I have apprehended, And brought among the rest.

_Fer._ 'Twas wisely order'd, Go fetch them in, and let my executioners [_Exit_ Ronvere. Appear in horror with the rack.

_Vil._ I take it Signior, this is no time for you to flatter, Or me to fool in.

_Cast._ Thou art wise in this, let's off, it is unsafe to be near _Jove_. When he begins to thunder.

_Vil._ Good morality. [_Exit._

_Fer._ I that have pierc'd into the hearts of men; Forc'd them to lay open with my looks, Secrets, whose least discovery was death, Will rend for what concerns my life, the fortress, Of a weak womans faith.

_Enter_ Ronvere, _Guard, Executioners, with a Rack,_ Camillo, Brissonet, Pandulfo, Juliana.

_Ca._ What e're we suffer, The weight that loads a Traitors Heart [sit] ever, heavy on thine.

_Briss._ As we are caught by thee, Fall thou by others.

_Ron._ Pish poor fools, your curses will Never reach me.

_Jul._ Now by my _Virolets_ life; Father, this is a glorious stage of murther. Here are fine properties too, and such spectators, As will expect good action, to the life; Let us perform our parts, and we shall live, When these are rotten, would we might begin once; Are you the Master of the company? Troth you are tedious now.

_Fer._ She does deride me.

_Jul._ Thee and thy power, if one poor syllable Could win me an assurance of thy favor, I would not speak it, I desire to be The great example of thy cruelty, To whet which on, know _Ferrand_, I alone Can make discovery, where my _Virolet_ is, Whose life, I know thou aim'st at, but if tortures Compel me to't, may hope of heaven forsake me; I dare thy worst.

_Fer._ Are we contemn'd?

_Jul._ Thou art, Thou and thy Ministers, my life is thine; But in the death[, the] victory shall be mine.

_Pand._ We have such a Mistriss here to teach us courage, That cowards might learn from her.

_Fer._ You are slow; [_Put on the rack._ Begin the Scene thou miserable fool, For so I'll make thee.

_Jul._ 'Tis not in thy reach; I am happy in my sufferings, thou most wretched.

_Fer._ So brave! I'll tame you yet, pluck hard villains; Is she insensible? no sigh nor groan? or is she dead?

_Jul._ No tyrant, though I suffer More than a woman, beyond flesh and blood; 'Tis in a cause so honourable, that I scorn With any sign that may express a sorrow To shew I do repent.

_Fer._ Confess yet, And thou shalt be safe.

_Jul._ 'Tis wrapt up in my soul, From whence thou canst not force it.

_Fer._ I will be Ten daies a killing thee.

_Jul._ Be twenty thousand, My glory lives the longer.

_Ron._ 'Tis a miracle, She tires th' executioners, And me.

_Fer._ Unloose her, I am conquer'd, I must take Some other way; reach her my chair, in honor Of her invincible fortitude.

_Ron._ Will you not Dispatch the rest?

_Fer._ When I seem merciful, Assure thy self _Ronvere_, I am most cruel. Thou wonder of thy Sex, and of this Nation, That hast chang'd my severity to mercy, Not to thy self alone, but to thy people, In which I do include these men, my enemies: Unbind them.

_Pand._ This is strange.

_Fer._ For your intent Against my life, which you dare not denie, I only ask one service.

_Cam._ Above hope.

_Fer._ There rides a Pyrate neer, the Duke of _Sesse_, My enemy and this Countreys, that in bonds Holds my dear friend _Ascanio_: free this friend: Or bring the Pyrats head; besides your pardon, And honor of the action, your reward Is forty thousand Ducates. And because I know that _Virolet_ is as bold as wise, Be he your General, as pledge of your faith, That you will undertake it, let this old man, And this most constant Matron stay with me: Of whom, as of my self, I will be careful; She shall direct you where her Husband is. Make choice of any ship you think most useful. They are rig'd for you. [_Exeunt Guard, with_ Juliana _and_ Pand.

_Bris._ We with joy accept it.

_Cam._ And will proclaim King _Ferrant_ merciful. [_Exeunt._

_Ron._ The mysterie of this, my Lord? or are you Chang'd in your nature?

_Fer._ I'll make thee private to it. The lives of these weak men, and desperate woman, Would no way have secur'd me, had I took them; 'Tis _Virolet_ I aim at; he has power, And knows to hurt. If they encounter _Sesse_, And he prove conqueror, I am assur'd They'll find no mercy: if that they prove victors, I shall recover, with my friend his head I most desire of all men.

_Ron._ Now I have it.

_Fer._ I'll make thee understand the drift of all. So we stand sure, thus much for those that fall. [_Exeunt_.

_Actus Secundus. Scæna Prima_.

_Enter Boateswain and Gunner._

_Boats._ Lay here before the wind; up with your Canvase, And let her work, the wind begins to whistle; Clap all her streamers on, and let her dance, As if she were the Minion of the Ocean. Let her bestride the billows till they roar, And curle their wanton heads. Ho, below there: Ho, ho, within. Lay her North-east, and thrust her missen out, The day grows fair and clear, and the wind courts us. Oh for a lusty sail now, to give chase to.

_Gun._ A stubborn Bark, that wou'd but bear up to us, And change a broadside bravely.

_Boats._ Where's the Duke?

_Gun._ I have not seen him stir to day.

_Boats._ Oh Gunner, What bravery dwells in his age, and what valour! And to his friends, what gentleness and bounty! How long have we been inhabitants at Sea here?

_Gun._ Some fourteen years.

_Boats._ By fourteen lives I swear then, This Element never nourisht such a Pirate; So great, so fearless, and so fortunate, So patient in his want, in Act so valiant. How many sail of well mann'd ships before us, As the _Bonuto_ does the flying Fish, Have we pursued and scour'd, that to outstrip us, They have been fain to hang their very shirts on? What Gallies have we bang'd, and sunk, and taken; Whose only fraughts were fire, and stern defiance? And nothing spoke but Bullet in all these. How like old _Neptune_ have I seen our General Standing i'th' Poop, and tossing his Steel Trident, Commanding both the Sea and Winds to serve him!

_Gun._ His Daughter too, which is the honor Boatswain, Of all her sex; that Martial Maid.

_Boats._ A brave wench.

_Gun._ How oftentimes, a fight being new begun, Has she leap'd down, and took my Linstock from me, And crying, now fly righ[t], and fir'd all my chasers! Then like the Image of the warlike Goddess, Her Target brac'd upon her arm, her sword drawn, And anger in her eies leapt up again, And bravely ha[l]'d the Bark. I have wondred Boatswain, That in a body made so delicate, So soft for sweet embraces, so much fire, And manly soul, not starting at a danger.

_Boats._ Her noble Father got her in his fury, And so she proves a Soldier.

_Gun._ This too I wonder at Taking so many strangers as he does, He uses them with that respect and coolness, Not making prize, but only borrowing What may supply his want: nor that for nothing; But renders back what they may stand in need of, And then parts lovingly: Where, if he take His Countreyman, that should be nearest to him, And stand most free from danger, he sure pays for't: He drowns or hangs the men, ransacks the Bark, Then gives her up a Bonfire to his fortune.

_Boats._ The wrongs he has receiv'd from that dull Countrey That's all I know has purchas'd all his cruelty. We fare the better; cheerly, cheerly boys, The ship runs merrily, my Captain's melancholly, And nothing cures that in him but a Sea-fight: I hope to meet a sail boy, and a right one.

_Gun._ That's my hope too; I am ready for the pastime.

_Boats._ I' th' mean time let's bestow a Song upon him, To shake him from his dumps, and bid good day to him. Ho, in the hold.

_Enter a Boy._

_Boy._ Here, here.

_Boats._ To th' Main top, Boy. And thou kenst a ship that dares defie us, Here's Gold.

_Boy._ I am gone. [_Exit Boy._

_Boats._ Come sirs, a quaint _Levet_. [_Trump. a_ Levet. To waken our brave General. Then to our labor.

_Enter Duke of_ Sesse _above, and_ _his daughter_ Martia _like an Amazon._

_Ses._ I thank you loving mates; I thank you all, There's to prolong your mirth, and good morrow to you.

_Daugh._ Take this from me, you're honest, valiant friends; And such we must make much of. Not a sail stirring?

_Gun._ Not any within ken yet.

_Boats._ Without doubt Lady The wind standing so fair and full upon us, We shall have sport anon. But noble General, Why are you still so sad? you take our edge off; You make us dull, and spiritless.

_Ses._ I'll tell ye, Because I will provoke you to be fortunate; For when you know my cause, 'twill double arm you. This woman never knew it yet; my daughter, Some discontents she has.

_Daugh._ Pray sir go forward.

_Ses._ These fourteen years, I have stored it here at Sea, Where the most curious thought could never find it.

_Boats._ Call up the Master, and all the Mates.

_Enter below the Master and Sailers._

_Ses._ Good morrow.

_Mast._ Good morrow to our General, a good one, And to that Noble Lady all good wishes.

_Daugh._ I thank you Master.

_Ses._ Mark me, thus it is then; Which I did never think to have discovered, Till full revenge had wooed me; but to satisfie My faithful friends, thus I cast off my burden. In that short time I was a Courtier, And followed that most hated of all Princes, _Ferrant_, the full example of all mischiefs, Compell'd to follow to my soul a stranger, It was my chance one day to play at Chesse For some few Crowns, with a mynion of this Kings, A mean poor man, that only serv'd his pleasures; Removing of a Rook, we grew to words; From this to hotter anger: to be short, I got a blow.

_Daugh._ How, how my Noble Father:

_Ses._ A blow my girl, which I had soon repaid, And sunk the slave for ever, had not odds Thrust in betwixt us. I went away disgrac'd--

_Daugh._ For honors sake not so Sir.

_Ses._ For that time, wench; But call'd upon him, like a Gentleman, By many private friends; knockt at his valour, Courted his honor hourly to repair me; And though he were a thing my thoughts made slight on, And only worth the fury of my footman, Still I pursu'd him Nobly.

_Daugh._ Did he escape you? My old brave father, could you sit down so coldly?

_Ses._ Have patience, and know all. Pursu'd him fairly, Till I was laugh'd at, scorn'd, my wrongs made Maygames. By him unjustly wrong'd, should be al[l] justice, The slave protected; yet at length I found him, Found him, when he suppos'd all had been buried; And what I had received, durst not be questioned; And then he fell, under my Sword he fell, For ever sunk; his poor life, like the air, Blown in an empty bubble, burst, and left him, No noble wind of memory to raise him. But then began my misery, I fled; The Kings frowns following, and my friends despair; No hand that durst relieve: my Countrey fearful, Basely and weakly fearful of a tyrant; Which made his bad Will worse, stood still and wondred, Their virtues bedrid in 'em; then my girl, A little one, I snatch'd thee from thy Nurse, The modell of thy fathers miseries: And some small wealth was fit for present carriage, And got to Sea; where I profest my anger, And will do, whilst that base ungrateful Countrey, And that bad King, have blood or means to quench me. Now ye know all.

_Mast._ We know all, and admire all; Go on, and do all still, and still be fortunate.

_Daught._ Had you done less, or lost this Noble anger, You had been worthy then mens empty pities, And not their wonders. Go on, and use your justice. And use it still with that fell violence, It first appeared to you; if you go less, Or take a d[o]ting mercy to protection, The honor of a Father I disclaim in you, Call back all duty; and will be prouder of Th' infamous and base name of a whore, Than daughter to a great Duke and a coward.

_Ses._ Mine own sweet _Martia_, no: thou knowst my nature, It cannot, must not be.

_Daugh._ I hope it shall not. But why Sir do you keep alive still young _Ascanio_, Prince of _Rossana_, King _Ferrants_ most belov'd one, You took two months agoe? Why is not he flung overboard, or hang'd?

_Ses._ I'll tell thee girl: It were a mercy in my nature now, So soon to break the bed of his afflictions; I am not so far reconcil'd yet to him, To let him die that were a benefit. Besides, I keep him as a bait and diet, To draw on more, and nearer to the King, I look each hour to hear of his _Armados_, And a hot welcome they shall have.

_Daugh._ But hark you! If you were oversway'd with odds--

_Ses._ I find you: I would not yield; no girl, no hope of yielding, Nor fling my self one hour into their mercies, And give the tyrant hope to gain his kingdom. No, I can sink wench, and make shift to die; A thousand doors are open, I shall hit one. I am no niggard of my life so it go nobly: All waies are equal, and all hours; I care not.

_Daugh._ Now you speak like my father.

_Mast._ Noble General, If by our means they inherit ought but bangs, The mercy of the main yard light upon us. No, we can sink too, Sir, and sink low enough, To pose their cruelties, to follow us: And he that thinks of life, if the world go that way, A thousand cowards suck his bones.

_Gun._ Let the worst come, I can unbreech a Cannon, and without much help Turn her into the Keel; and when she has split it, Every man knows his way, his own prayers, And so good night I think.

_Mast._ We have liv'd all with you, [_Boy a top._ And will die with you General.

_Ses._ I thank you Gentlemen.

_Boy above._ A Sail, a Sail.

_Mast._ A cheerful sound.

_Boy._ A Sail.

_Boats._ Of whence? of whence boy?

_Boy._ A lusty Sail.

_Daugh._ Look right, and look again.

_Boy._ She plows the Sea before her, And fomes i'th' mouth.

_Boats._ Of whence?

_Boy._ I ken not yet sir.

_Ses._ Oh may she prove of _Naples_.

_Mast._ Prove the Devil, We'll spit out fire as thick as she.

_Boy._ Hoy.

_Mast._ Brave boy.

_Boy._ Of _Naples_, _Naples_, I think of _Naples_ Master, Methinks I see the Arms.

_Mast._ Up, up another, And give more certain signs. [_Exit Sailor._

_Ses._ All to your business, And stand but right and true.

_Boats._ Hang him that halts now.

_Boy._ Sh'as us in chase.

_Mast._ We'll spare her our main top-sail, He shall not look us long, we are no starters. Down with the foresail too, we'll spoom before her.

_Mart._ Gunner, good noble Gunner, for my honor Load me but these two Minions in the chape there; And load 'em right, that they may bid fair welcome, And be thine eye, and level as thy heart is.

_Gun._ Madam, I'll scratch 'em out, I'll piss 'em out else.

_Sayl. above._ Ho.

_Ses._ Of whence now?

_Sail._ Of _Naples_, _Naples_, _Naples_. I see her top-Flag, how she quarters _Naples_. I hear her Trumpets.

_Ses._ Down, she's welcome to us. [_Exit Mast. Boats. Gun. Sail._ Every man to his charge, mann her i'th' bow well. And place your Rakers right, Daughter be sparing.

_Mart._ I swear I'll be above Sir, in the thickest, And where most danger is, I'll seek for honor. They have begun, hark how their Trumpets call us. Hark how the wide-mouth'd Cannons sing amongst us. Hark how they sail; out of our shels for shame Sir.

_Ses._ Now fortune and my cause.

_Mart._ Be bold and conquer. [_Exit._

[_Charge Trumpets and shot within._

_Enter Master and Boatswain._

_Mast._ They'll board us once again, they're tuff and valiant.

_Boats._ Twice we have blown 'em into th' air like feathers, And made 'em dance.

_Mast._ Good boys, fight bravely, manly. They come on yet, clap in her stern, and yoke 'em.

_Enter Gunner._

_Gun._ You should not need, I have provision for 'em; Let 'em board once again, the next is ours. Stand bravely to your Pikes, away, be valiant. I have a second course of service for 'em, Shall make the bowels of their Bark ake, boy, The Duke fights like a Dragon. Who dares be idle? [_Exit._

[_Charge Trumpets, Pieces go off._

_Enter Master, Boatswain following._

_Mast._ Down with 'em, stow 'em in.

_Boats._ Cut their throats, 'tis brotherhood to fling 'em into the Sea. The Duke is hurt, so is his lovely Daughter _Martia_. We have the day yet.

_Enter Gunner._

_Gun._ Pox fire 'em, they have smoak'd us, never such plums yet flew.

_Boats._ They have rent the ship, and bor'd a hundred holes She swims still lustily.

_Mast._ She made a brave fight, and she shall be cur'd And make a braver yet.

_Gun._ Bring us some Canns up, I am as hot as fire.

_Enter boy with three Canns._