Part 25

_Boat._ I am sure I am none o'th' coolest.

_Gun._ My Cannons rung like Bels. Here's to my Mistriss. The dainty sweet brass Minion: split their Fore-Mast, She never fail'd.

_Mast._ Ye did all well, and truly, like faithful honest men.

_Boats._ But is she rich Master? [_Trumpets flourish._

_Enter_ Sesse, Martia, Virolet, _Sailors._

_Mast._ Rich for my Captains purpose howsoever, And we are his. How bravely now he shows, Heated in blood and anger! how do you Sir? Not wounded mortally I hope?

_Sess._ No Master, but only wear the livery of fury. I am hurt, and deep.

_Mast._ My Mistriss too?

_Mart._ A scratch man, My needle would ha done as much good Sir, Be provident and careful.

_Sess._ Prethee peace girl, This wound is not the first blood I have blusht in, Ye fought all like tall men, my thanks among ye, That speaks not what my purse means, but my tongue, soldiers. Now Sir, to you that sought me out, that found me, That found me what I am, the Tyrant's Tyrant; You that were imp'd, the weak arm to his folly, You are welcome to your death.

_Vir._ I do expect it, And therefore need no compliment, but wait it.

_Ses._ Thou bor'st the face once of a Noble Gentleman, Rankt in the first file of the virtuous, By every hopeful spirit, shewed and pointed, Thy Countries love; one that advanc'd her honor, Not tainted with the base and servile uses The Tyrant ties mens souls to. Tell me _Virolet_, If shame have not forsook thee, with thy credit?

_Vir._ No more of these Racks; what I am, I am. I hope not to go free with poor confessions; Nor if I shew ill, will I seem a monster, By making my mind prisoner; do your worst. When I came out to deal with you, I cast it, Only those base inflictions fit for slaves, Because I am a Gentleman.--

_Sess._ Thou art none. Thou wast while thou stoodst good, th' art now a villain. And agent for the devil.

_Vir._ That tongue lies. Give me my sword again, and stand all arm'd; I'll prove it on ye all, I am a Gentleman, A man as fair in honor, rate your prisoners, How poor and like a Pedagogue it shews! How far from Nobleness! 'tis fair, you may kill's; But to defame your victory with foul language.

_Ses._ Go fling him over-board; I'll teach you sirrah.

_Vir._ You cannot teach me to die. I could kill you now With patience, in despising all your cruelties. And make you choke with anger.

_Ses._ Away I say.

_Mar._ Stay Sir, h'as given you such bold language, I am not reconcil'd to him yet, and therefore He shall not have his wish observ'd so nearly, To die when he please; I beseech you stay Sir.

_Ses._ Do with him what thou wilt.

_Mar._ Carry him to th' _Bilboes_, And clap him fast there, with the Prince.

_Vir._ Do Lady, For any death you give, I am bound to bless you.

[_Exit_ Virolet; _and Sailers._

_Mar._ Now to your Cabin, Sir; pray lean upon me, And take your rest, the Surgeons wait all for you.

_Ses._ Thou mak'st me blush to see thee bear thy fortunes; Why, sure I have no hurt, I have not fought sure?

_Mast._ You bleed apace, Sir.

_Mart._ Ye grow cold too.

_Ses._ I must be rul'd, no leaning, My deepest wounds scorn Crutches.

_All._ A brave General. [_Flour. Trumpets, Cornets._

[_Exeunt omnes._

_1 Sail._ Will they not moore her?

_2 Sail._ Not till we come to the Fort, This is too weak a place for our defences, The Carpenters are hard at work; she swims well, And may hold out another fight. The ship we took Burns there to give us light.

_1 Sayl._ She made a brave fight.

_2 Sayl._ She put us all in fear.

_1 Sail._ Beshrew my heart did she. Her men are gone to _Candia_, they are pepper'd, All but this prisoner.

_2 Sayl._ Sure he's a brave fellow.

_1 Sayl._ A stubborn knave, but we have pul'd his bravery. [_He discovers_ Virolet _and_ Ascanio _in the Bilboes._ Look how he looks now: come let's go serve his dyet, Which is but bread and water.

_2 Sayl._ He'll grow fat on't. [_Exeunt Sailors._

_Asca._ I must confess I have endur'd much misery, Even almost to the ruine of my spirit, But ten times more grows my affliction, To find my friend here.

_Vir._ Had we serv'd our Countrey, Or honesties, as we have serv'd our follies, We had not been here now?

_Asca._ 'Tis too true _Virolet_.

_Vir._ And yet my end in vent'ring for your safety, Pointed at more than _Ferrant's_ Will, a base one; Some service for mine own, some for my Nation, Some for my friend; but I am rightly paid, That durst adventure such a noble office, From the most treacherous command of mischief; You know him now?

_Asca._ And when I nearer knew him, Then when I waited, Heaven be witness with me, (And if I lie my miseries still load me) With what tears I have wooed him, with what prayers. What weight of reasons I have laid, what dangers; Then, when the peoples curses flew like storms; And every tongue was whetted to defame him, To leave his doubts, his tyrannies, his slaughters, His fell oppressions: I know I was hated too.

_Vir._ And all mankind that knew him: these confessions Do no good to the world, to heaven they may. Let's study to die well, we have liv'd like coxcombs.

_Asca._ That my misfortune, should lose you too.

_Vir._ Yes; And not only me, but many more, and better: For my life, 'tis not this; or might I save yours, And some brave friends I have engag'd, let me go; It were the meritorious death I wish for, But we must hang or drown like whelps.

_Asca._ No remedy.

_Vir._ On my part I expect none. I know the man, And know he has been netled to the quick too, I know his nature.

_Asca._ A most cruel nature.

_Vir._ His wrongs have bred him up. I cannot blame him.

_Asca._ He has a daughter too, the greatest scorner, And most insulter upon misery.

_Vir._ For those, they are toys to laugh at, not to lead men: A womans mirth or anger, like a meteor Glides and is gone, and leaves no crack behind it; Our miseries would seem like masters to us, And shake our manly spirits into feavers, If we respected those; the more they glory. And raise insulting Trophies on our ruines; The more our virtues shine in patience. Sweet Prince, the name of death was never terrible To him that knew to live; nor the loud torrent Of all afflictions, singing as they swim, A gall of heart, but to a guilty conscience: Whilst we stand fair, though by a two-edg'd storm, We find untimely falls, like early Roses; Bent to the earth, we bear our native sweetness.

_Asca._ Good Sir go on.

_Vir._ When we are little children, And cry and fret for every toy comes cross us; How sweetly do we shew, when sleep steals on us! When we grow great, but our affections greater, And struggle with this stubborn twin, born with us; And tug and pull, yet still we find a Giant: Had we not then the priviledge to sleep, Our everlasting sleep? he would make us idiots; The memory and monuments of good men Are more than lives, and though their tombs want tongues, Yet have they eies that daily sweat their losses; And such a tear from stone, no time can value. To die both young and good, are natures curses As the world saies; ask truth, they are bounteous blessings: For then we reach at Heaven, in our full virtues, And fix our selves new Stars, crown'd with our goodness.

_Asc._ You have double arm'd me. [_Strange Musick within, Ho[b]oys._ Hark what noise is this? What horrid noise is the Sea pleas'd to sing. A hideous _Dirge_ to our deliverance?

_Vir._ Stand fast now.

[_Within strange cries, horrid noise, Trumpets._

_Asc._ I am fixt.

_Vir._ We fear ye not. [_Enter_ Martia. Let death appear in all shapes, we smile on him.

_Asc._ The Lady now.

_Vir._ The face o'th' Mask is alter'd.

_Asc._ What will she do?

_Vir._ Do what she can, I care not.

_Asc._ She looks on you Sir.

_Vir._ Rather she looks through me, But yet she stirs me not.

_Mart._ Poor wretched slaves, Why do you live? or if ye hope for mercy, Why do not you houl out, and fill the hold With lamentations, cries, and base submissions, Worthy our scorn?

_Vir._ Madam, you are mistaken; We are no slaves to you, but to blind fortune; And if she had her eyes, and durst be certain, Certain our friend, I would not bow unto her; I would not cry, nor ask so base a mercy: If you see any thing in our appearance, Worthy your sexes softness and your own glory: Do it for that, and let that good reward it: We cannot beg.

_Mart._ I'll make you beg, and bow too.

_Vir._ Madam for what?

_Mart._ For life; and when you hope it, Then will I laugh and triumph on your baseness.

_Asc._ Madam, 'tis true, there may be such a favour And we may ask it too; ask it with honor; And thank you for that favour, nobly thank you, Though it be death; but when we beg a base life, And beg it of your scorn--

_Vir._ Y'are couzen'd woman, Your handsomness may do much, but not this way; But for your glorious hate--

_Mart._ Are ye so stubborn? 'Death, I will make you bow.

_Vir._ It must be in your bed then; There you may work me to humility.

_Mart._ Why, I can kill thee.

_Vir._ If you do it handsomely; It may be I can thank you, else--

_Mart._ So glorious?

_A[sc]._ Her cruelty now works.

_Mart._ Yet woot thou?

_Vir._ No.

_Mart._ Wilt thou for life sake?

_Vir._ No, I know your subtilty.

_Mart._ For honor sake?

_Vir._ I will not be a Pageant, My mind was ever firm, and so I'll lose it.

_Mart._ I'll starve thee to it.

_Vir._ I'll starve my self, and cross it.

_Mart._ I'll lay thee on such miseries--

_Vir._ I'll wear 'em, And with that wantonness, you do your Bracelets.

_Mart._ I'll be a month a killing thee.

_Vir._ Poor Lady, I'll be a month a dying then: what's that? There's many a Calenture out-does your cruelty.

_Mart._ How might I do in killing of his body, To save his Noble mind? Who waits there?

_Enter a Sailor, with a rich Cap and Mantle._

_Sayl._ Madam.

_Mart._ Unbolt this man, and leave those things behind you: And so away, now put 'em on. [_Exit Sailer._

_Vir._ To what end?

_Mart._ To my End, to my Will.

_Vir._ I will.

_Mart._ I thank you.

_Vir._ Nay, now you thank me, I'll do more, I'll tell ye, I am a servant to your courtesie. And so far will be woo'd: but if this triumph Be only aim'd to make your mischief glorious; Lady, y'ave put a richer shroud upon me, Which my strong mind shall suffer in.

_Mart._ Come hither, And all thy bravery put into thy carriage, For I will admire thee.

_Vir._ Whither will this woman?

_Asc._ Take heed my friend.

_Mart._ Look as thou scorn'dst my cruelty: I know thou dost.

_Vir._ I never fear'd nor flatter'd.

_Mart._ No if thou hadst, thou hadst died, and I had gloried. I suffer now, and thou which art my prisoner, Hast nobly won the free power to despise me. I love thee, and admire thee for thy Nobleness; And, for thy manly sufferance, am thy servant.

_Vir._ Good Lady, mock me not.

_Mart._ By heaven I love thee; And by the soul of love, am one piece with thee. Thy mind, thy mind; thy brave, thy manly mind: That like a Rock, stands all the storms of fortune, And beats 'em roaring back they cannot reach thee: That lovely mind I dote on, not the body; That mind has rob'd me of my liberty: That mind has darken'd all my bravery, And into poor despis'd things, turn'd my angers. Receive me to your love Sir, and instruct me; Receive me to your bed, and marry me; I'll wait upon you, bless the hour I knew you.

_Vir._ Is this a new way?

_Mart._ If you doubt my faith. First take your liberty; I'll make it perfect, Or any thing within my power.

_Vir._ I love you; But how to recompence your love with marriage? Alas, I have a wife.

_Mart._ Dearer tha[n] I am? That will adventure so much for your safety? Forget her father's wrongs, quit her own honor, Pull on her, for a strangers sake, all curses?

_Vir._ Shall this Prince have his freedom too? Else all I love is gone, all my friends perish.

_Mart._ He shall.

_Vir._ What shall I do?

_Mart._ If thou despise my courtesie, When I am dead, for grief I am forsaken, And no soft hand left to asswage your sorrows; Too late, but too true, curse your own cruelties.

_Asca._ Be wise; if she be true, no thred is left else, To guide us from this labyrinth of mischief; Nor no way for our friends.

_Vir._ Thus then I take you: I bind ye to my life, my love.

_Mart._ I take you, And with the like bond tye my heart your servant; W' are now almost at Harbor, within this hour, In the dead watch, I'll have the Long-boat ready; And when I give the word, be sure you enter, I'll see ye furnisht both immediately, And like your self; some trusty man shall wait you, The watch I'll make mine own; only my love Requires a stronger vow, which I'll administer Before we go.

_Vir._ I'll take it to confirm you.

_Mart._ Goe, in there are the keys, unlock his fetters, And arm ye Nobly both; I'll be with you presently; And so this loving kiss.

_Ascan._ Be constant Lady. [_Exeunt omnes._

_Enter the Duke of_ Sesse _by_ _Torch-light, Master and Surgeon with him._

_Surg._ You grow so angry Sir, your wound goes backward.

_Ses._ I am angry at the time, at none of you, That sends but one poor subject for revenge; I would have all the Court, and all the villanie, Was ever practis'd under that foul _Ferrant_ Tyrant, and all to quench my wrath.

_Mast._ Be patient, Your grace may find occasion every hour, For certain they will seek you to satisfie, And to the full, your anger.

_Ses._ 'Death, they dare not: They know that I command death, feed his hunger, And when I let him loose----

_Surg._ You'll never heal Sir, If these extreams dwell in you, you are old, And burn your spirits out with this wild anger.

_Ses._ Thou liest, I am not old, I am as lusty And full of manly heat as them, or thou art.

_Mast._ No more of that.

_Ses._ And dare seek out a danger; And hold him at the swords point, when thou tremblest And creepest into thy box of salves to save thee. Oh Master, I have had a dreadful dream to night! Me-thought the ship was all on fire, and my lov'd Daughter To save her life, leapt into the Sea; where suddainly A stranger snatcht her up, and swam away with her.

_Mast._ 'Twas but the heat o'th' fight Sir.

[_Boatswain within, and Sailor._

_Boats._ Look out, what's that?

_Sail._ The Long-boat as I live.

_Boats._ Ho, there i'th' Long-Boat.

_Ses._ What noise is that? [_Hoy._

[_Mast._] I hear Sir, ---- [_Exit Master._

_Boats._ The devil or his dam; hail her agen boys.

_Sail._ The Long-boat, ho, the Long-boat.

_Ses._ Why, the Long-boat. Where is the Long-boat?

_Boats._ She is stolen off.

_Enter Master._

_Ses._ Who stole her? Oh my prophetique soul!

_Mast._ Your Daughters gone Sir? The prisoners and six Sailors, Rogues.

_Ses._ Mischief, six thousand plagues sail with 'em; They'r in her yet, make out.

_Mast._ We have ne'r a Boat.

_Enter Gunner._

_Gun._ Who knew of this trick?

_Ses._ Weigh Anchors and away.

_Boats._ We ha no wind Sir, They'll beat us with their Oars.

_Ses._ Then sink 'em Gunner, Oh sink 'em, sink 'em, sink 'em, claw 'em Gunner; As ever thou hast lov'd me.

_Gun._ I'll do reason, But I'll be hang'd before I'll hurt the Lady. [_Exit Gun._

_Ses._ Who knew of this? [_Trump. a piece or two go off._

_Mast._ We stand all clear.

_Ses._ What Devil Put this base trick into her tail? my Daughter, And run away with rogues! I hope she's sunk, [_A piece or two._ Or torn to pieces with the shot, rots find her, The leprosie of whore stick ever to her, Oh she has ruin'd my revenge.

_Enter Gunner._

_Gun._ She is gone, Sir. I cannot reach her with my shot.

_Ses._ Rise winds, [blow till you burst the aire,] Blow till ye burst the Air, and swell the Seas, That they may sink the Stars, Oh dance her, dance her; Shee's impudently wanton, dance her, dance her, Mount her upon your surges, cool her, cool her; She runs hot like a whore, cool her, cool her, Oh now a shot to sink her, cut Cables, I will away, and where she sets her foot Although it be in _Ferrants_ Court, I'll follow her, And such a Fathers vengeance shall she suffer---- Dare any man stand by me?

_Mast._ All, all.

_Boats._ All Sir.

_Gun._ And the same cup you taste.

_Ses._ Cut Cables then; For I shall never sleep nor know what peace is, Till I have pluckt her heart out;

_All within._ Oh main there. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima._

_Enter_ Ferrant, Ronvere, Castruccio, Villio, _and Guard._

_Ron._ You are too gentle, Sir. [_Flourish Cornets._

_Fer._ You are too careless: The creatures I have made, no way regard me: Why should I give you names, titles of honor, Rob families to fill your private houses. For your advancement, draw all curses on me, Wake tedious winter nights, to make them happy That for me break no slumber?

_Ron._ What we can, We dare do.

_Fer._ Why is your Soverigns life then (In which you live, and in whose fall your honors, Your wealth, your pomp, your pride, and all must suffer) No better guarded? Oh my cruel Stars, That mark me out a King, raising me on This pinnacle of greatness, only to be The nearer blasting!

_Vil._ What think you now _Castruccio_? Is not this a merry life?

_Cast._ Still thou art couzen'd; It is a glorious royal discontentment; How bravely it becomes him!

_Fer._ To be made The common Butt, for every slave to shoot at; No peace, no rest I take, but their alarms Beat at my heart: why do I live, or seek then, To add a day more to these glorious troubles? Or to what end when all I can arrive at, Is but the summing up of fears and sorrows? What power has my command, when from my bosom _Ascanio_, my most dear, and lov'd _Ascanio_, Was snatch'd, spite of my Will, spite of my Succor, And by mine own proud slave, retein'd most miserable? And still that villain lives to nip my pleasures, It being not within my power to reach him.

_Ro[n]._ Time may restore all this; and would you hear Whose counsel never fail'd you.

_Fer._ Tell me no more, I faint beneath the burthen of my cares; And yield my self most wretched.

_Ron._ On my knees I beg it, mighty Sir, vouchsafe me hearing.

_Fer._ Speak, speak, and I thus low, such is my fortune, Will hear what thou canst say.

_Vil._ Look but on this, Has not a man that has but means to keep A Hawk, a Greyhound, and a Hunting Nag, More pleasure than this King?

_Cast._ A dull fool still, Make me a King, and let me scratch with care, And see who'll have the better; give me rule Command, obedience, pleasure of a King, And let the Devil roar; The greatest corrosive A King can have, is of more precious tickling, And handled to the height, more dear delight, Than other mens whole lives, let 'em be safe too.

_Vil._ Think of the mutinous people.

_Cast._ Hang the people, Give me the pleasure, let me do all, awe all, Enjoy their Wives and States at my discretion, And peg 'em when I please, let the slaves mumble.

_Vil._ But say they should be vex'd, and rise against thee?

_Cast._ Let 'em rise, let 'em rise: give me the bridle here, And see if they can crack my girths: ah _Villio_, Under the Sun there's nothing so voluptuous As riding of this Monster, till he founder.

_Fer._ Who's that so loud?

_Cast._ I am dumb: is not this rare? Kings looks make _Pythagoreans_; is not this A happiness _Villio_?

_Vil._ Yes, to put to silence A fawning sycophant.

_Fer._ Thou speak'st truth in all, And mercy is a vice, when there needs rigor, Which I, with all severity, will practice; And since, as subjects they pay not obedience, They shall be forc'd as slaves: I will remove Their means to hurt, and with the means, my fears; Goe you the fatal executioners Of my commands, and in our name proclaim, That from this hour I do forbid all meetings, All private conferences in the City: To feast a neighbor shall be death: to talk, As they meet in the streets, to hold discourse, By writing, nay by signs; see this perform'd, And I will call your cruelty, to those That dare repine at this, to me true service.

_1 Gard._ This makes for us.

_2 Gard._ I, now we have employments, If we grow not rich, 'twere fit we should be beggars.

_Fer. Ronvere._ [_Exit Guard._

_Ron._ My Lord.

_Cast._ Thou enemy to Majesty? What think'st thou of a kingdom?

_Vil._ As of a man That hath power to do ill.

_Cast._ Or a thing rather That does divide an Empire with the gods; Observe but with how little breath he shakes A populous City, which would stand unmov'd Against a whirlwind.

_Vil._ Then you make him more Than him that rules the winds.

_Cast._ For me I do profess it, Were I offer'd to be any thing on earth I would be mighty _Ferrant_.

_Fer._ Who names me? Deliver thy thoughts slave, thy thoughts, and truly Or be no more.

_Cast._ They rather will deserve Your favour than your fury; I admire, (As who does not, that is a loyal subject?) Your wisdom, power, your perfect happiness, The most blest of mankind.

_Fer._ Didst thou but feel The weighty sorrows that sit on a Crown, Though thou shouldst find one in the streets _Castruccio_. Thou wouldst not think it worth the taking up; But since thou art enamour'd of my fortune, Thou shalt e'r long taste of it.

_Cast._ But one day, And then let me expire.

_Fer._ Goe to my Wardrobe, And of the richest things I wear, cull out, What thou thinkst fit: do you attend him sirrah?

_Vil._ I warrant you I shall be at his elbow, The fool will never leave him. [_Exit_ Cast., Villio.

_Cast._ Made for ever. [_A shout within._

_Fer._ What shout is that, draw up our Guards.

_Enter_ Virolet, Ascanio, _and a Servant._

_Ron._ Those rather Speak joy than danger. Bring her to my house, I would not have her seen here.

_Fer._ My _Ascanio_! The most desir'd of all men, let me die In these embraces; how wert thou redeem'd?

_Asc._ Sir, this is my preserver.

_Fer._ At more leisure, I will enquire the manner, and the means, I cannot spare so much time now from my More strickt embraces: _Virolet_, welcome too, This service weighs down your intended Treason; You long have been mine enemy, learn now To be my friend and loyal, I ask no more, And live as free as _Ferrant_; let him have The forty thousand crowns I gladly promis'd, For my _Ascanio_'s freedom, and deliver His Father, and his wife to him in safety, Something hath passed which I am sorry for, But 'twill not now be help'd; come my _Ascanio_, And reap the harvest of my winter travels. [_Flourish Cornets._ My best _Ascanio_, my lov'd _Ascanio_.