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 South Yet leave to court those sails that bring me safety, And you auspicious fires, bright twins in heaven Daunce 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 fortune Shall 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 only Loud 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 'em Into 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 cause They 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 basely To eat me up with Slaves: but Heaven I thank thee, I hope thou hast reserv'd me to an end Fit 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 me To see ye look so sad; now goodness keep ye From 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 say Is out of true love to ye.

_Gos._ I know thou lov'st me.

_Ger._ Good Mr. blame that love then, if I prove so sawcy To 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 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.

_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 power May 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 shewing To 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'd Within 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 people Can 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 _Hemskirk_ To try these people, for my heart yet tells me Some 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 it But 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 fortune Crown 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 person Of 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 Gentleman Reliev'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 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.

_Prig._ Knock at your hard hearts Rogues, and presently Give us a sign you feel compunction, Every man up with's cudgel, and on his neighbour Bestow 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 basely Attempt 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 villanies Have you in hand?

_Hem._ Why would'st thou know? what profit, If I had any private way, could rise Out 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 _Lucerne_ I know to chase, the Roe, the wind out-stripping _Isgrin_ himself, in all his bloody anger I can beat from the bay, and the wild Sounder Single, 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 perswasion To 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 _Hubert_ Has done his best and worthiest service, this way To 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 keeping Of 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 custody This roaring Rascal, I shall hamper him, With all his knacks and knaveries, and I fear me Discover 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._