SCENE I.--_A Castle on the Sea.

_Enter_ HARMAN _Senior, the Governor, the Fiscal, and_ VAN HERRING: _Guards._

_Fisc._ A happy day to our noble governor.

_Har._ Morrow, Fiscal.

_Van Her._ Did the last ships, which came from Holland to these parts, bring us no news of moment?

_Fisc._ Yes, the best that ever came into Amboyna, since we set footing here; I mean as to our interest.

_Har._ I wonder much my letters then gave me so short accounts; they only said the Orange party was grown strong again, since Barnevelt had suffered.

_Van Her._ Mine inform me farther, the price of pepper, and of other spices, was raised of late in Europe.

_Har._ I wish that news may hold; but much suspect it, while the English maintain their factories among us in Amboyna, or in the neighbouring plantations of Seran.

_Fisc._ Still I have news that tickles me within; ha, ha, ha! I'faith it does, and will do you, and all our countrymen.

_Har._ Pr'ythee do not torture us, but tell it.

_Van Her._ Whence comes this news?

_Fisc._ From England.

_Har._ Is their East India fleet bound outward for these parts, or cast away, or met at sea by pirates?

_Fisc._ Better, much better yet; ha, ha, ha!

_Har._ Now am I famished for my part of the laughter.

_Fisc._ Then, my brave governor, if you're a true Dutchman, I'll make your fat sides heave with the conceit on't, 'till you're blown like a pair of large smith's bellows; here, look upon this paper.

_Har._ [_reading._] _You may remember we did endamage the English East-India Company the value of five hundred thousand pounds, all in one year; a treaty is now signed, in which the business is ta'en up for fourscore thousand._--This is news indeed: would I were upon the castle-wall, that I might throw my cap into the sea, and my gold chain after it! this is golden news, boys.

_Van Her._ This is news would kindle a thousand bonfires, and make us piss them out again in Rhenish wine.

_Har._ Send presently to all our factories, acquaint them with these blessed tidings: If we can 'scape so cheap, 'twill be no matter what villanies henceforth we put in practice.

_Fisc._ Hum! why this now gives encouragement to a certain plot, which I have been long brewing, against these skellum English. I almost have it here in pericranio, and 'tis a sound one, 'faith; no less than to cut all their throats, and seize all their effects within this island. I warrant you we may compound again.

_Van Her._ Seizing their factories I like well enough, it has some savour in't; but for this whoreson cutting of throats, it goes a little against the grain, because 'tis so notoriously known in Christendom, that they have preserved ours from being cut by the Spaniards.

_Har._ Hang them, base English starts, let them e'en take their part of their own old proverb--Save a thief from the gallows; they would needs protect us rebels, and see what comes to themselves.

_Fisc._ You're i'the right on't, noble Harman; their assistance, which was a mercy and a providence to us, shall be a judgment upon them.

_Van Her._ A little favour would do well; though not that I would stop the current of your wit, or any other plot, to do them mischief; but they were first discoverers of this isle, first traded hither, and showed us the way.

_Fisc._ I grant you that; nay more, that, by composition made after many long and tedious quarrels, they were to have a third part of the traffic, we to build forts, and they to contribute to the charge.

_Har._ Which we have so increased each year upon them, we being in power, and therefore judges of the cost, that we exact whatever we please, still more than half the charge; and on pretence of their non-payment, or the least delay, do often stop their ships, detain their goods, and drag them into prisons, while our commodities go on before, and still forestall their markets.

_Fisc._ These, I confess, are pretty tricks, but will not do our business; we must ourselves be ruined at long run, if they have any trade here; I know our charge at length will eat us out: I would not let these English from this isle have cloves enough to stick an orange with, not one to throw into their bottle-ale.

_Har._ But to bring this about now, there's the cunning.

_Fisc._ Let me alone awhile; I have it, as I told you, here; mean time we must put on a seeming kindness, call them our benefactors and dear brethren, pipe them within the danger of our net, and then we'll draw it o'er them: When they're in, no mercy, that's my maxim.

_Van Her._ Nay, brother, I am not too obstinate for saving Englishmen, 'twas but a qualm of conscience, which profit will dispel: I have as true a Dutch antipathy to England, as the proudest _he_ in Amsterdam; that's a bold word now.

_Har._ We are secure of our superiors there. Well, they may give the king of Great Britain a verbal satisfaction, and with submissive fawning promises, make shew to punish us; but interest is their god as well as ours. To that almighty, they will sacrifice a thousand English lives, and break a hundred thousand oaths, ere they will punish those that make them rich, and pull their rivals down. [_Guns go off within._

_Van Her._ Heard you those guns?

_Har._ Most plainly.

_Fisc._ The sound comes from the port; some ship arrived salutes the castle, and I hope brings more good news from Holland. [_Guns again._

_Har._ Now they answer them from the fortress.

_Enter_ BEAMONT _and_ COLLINS.

_Van Her._ Beamont and Collins, English merchants both; perhaps they'll certify us.

_Beam._ Captain Harman van Spelt, good day to you.

_Har._ Dear, kind Mr Beamont, a thousand and a thousand good days to you, and all our friends the English.

_Fisc._ Came you from the port, gentlemen?

_Col._ We did; and saw arrive, our honest, and our gallant countryman, brave captain Gabriel Towerson.

_Beam._ Sent to these parts from our employers of the East India company in England, as general of the voyage.

_Fisc._ Is the brave Towerson returned?

_Col._ The same, sir.

_Har._ He shall be nobly welcome. He has already spent twelve years upon, or near, these rich Molucca isles, and home returned with honour and great wealth.

_Fisc._ The devil give him joy of both, or I will for him. [_Aside._

_Beam._ He's my particular friend; I lived with him, both at Tencrate, Tydore, and at Seran.

_Van Her._ Did he not leave a mistress in these parts, a native of this island of Amboyna?

_Col._ He did; I think they call her Isabinda, who received baptism for his sake, before he hence departed.

_Har._ 'Tis much against the will of all her friends, she loves your countryman, but they are not disposers of her person; she's beauteous, rich, and young, and Towerson well deserves her.

_Beam._ I think, without flattery to my friend, he does. Were I to chuse, of all mankind, a man, on whom I would rely for faith and counsel, or more, whose personal aid I would invite, in any worthy cause, to second me, it should be only Gabriel Towerson; daring he is, and thereto fortunate; yet soft, and apt to pity the distressed, and liberal to relieve them: I have seen him not alone to pardon foes, but by his bounty win them to his love: If he has any fault, 'tis only that to which great minds can only subject be--he thinks all honest, 'cause himself is so, and therefore none suspects.

_Fisc._ I like him well for that; this fault of his great mind, as Beamont calls it, may give him cause to wish he was more wary, when it shall be too late. [_Aside._

_Har._ I was in some small hope, this ship had been of our own country, and brought back my son; for much about this season I expect him. Good-morrow, gentlemen; I go to fill a brendice to my noble captain's health, pray tell him so; the youth of our Amboyna I'll send before, to welcome him.

_Col._ We'll stay, and meet him here. [_Exeunt_ HARMAN, FISCAL, _and_ VAN HERRING.

_Beam._ I do not like these fleering Dutchmen, they overact their kindness.

_Col._ I know not what to think of them; that old fat governor, Harman van Spelt, I have known long; they say he was a cooper in his country, and took the measure of his hoops for tuns by his own belly: I love him not, he makes a jest of men in misery; the first fat merry fool I ever knew, that was ill-natured.

_Beam._ He's absolutely governed by this Fiscal, who was, as I have heard, an ignorant advocate in Rotterdam, such as in England we call a petty-fogging rogue; one that knows nothing, but the worst part of the law, its tricks and snares: I fear he hates us English mortally. Pray heaven we feel not the effects on't.

_Col._ Neither he, nor Harman, will dare to shew their malice to us, now Towerson is come. For though, 'tis true, we have no castle here, he has an awe upon them in his worth, which they both fear and reverence.

_Beam._ I wish it so may prove; my mind is a bad prophet to me, and what it does forbode of ill, it seldom fails to pay me. Here he comes.

_Col._ And in his company young Harman, son to our Dutch governor. I wonder how they met.

_Enter_ TOWERSON, HARMAN _Junior, and a Skipper._

_Tow._ [_Entering, to the Skipper._] These letters see conveyed with speed to our plantation. This to Cambello, and to Hitto this, this other to Loho. Tell them, their friends in England greet them well; and when I left them, were in perfect health.

_Skip._ Sir, you shall be obeyed. [_Exit Skipper._

_Beam._ I heartily rejoice that our employers have chose you for this place: a better choice they never could have made, or for themselves, or me.

_Col._ This I am sure of, that our English factories in all these parts have wished you long the man, and none could be so welcome to their hearts.

_Har. Jun._ And let me speak for my countrymen, the Dutch; I have heard my father say, he's your sworn brother: And this late accident at sea, when you relieved me from the pirates, and brought my ship in safety off, I hope will well secure you of our gratitude.

_Tow._ You over-rate a little courtesy: In your deliverance I did no more, than what I had myself from you expected: The common ties of our religion, and those, yet more particular, of peace and strict commerce betwixt us and your nation, exacted all I did, or could have done. [_To_ BEAMONT.] For you, my friend, let me ne'er breathe our English air again, but I more joy to see you, than myself to have escaped the storm that tossed me long, doubling the Cape, and all the sultry heats, in passing twice the Line: For now I have you here, methinks this happiness should not be bought at a less price.

_Har. Jun._ I'll leave you with your friends; my duty binds me to hasten to receive a father's blessing. [_Exit_ HARMAN _Junior._

_Beam._ You are so much a friend, that I must tax you for being a slack lover. You have not yet enquired of Isabinda.

_Tow._ No; I durst not, friend, I durst not. I love too well, and fear to know my doom; there's hope in doubt; but yet I fixed my eyes on yours, I looked with earnestness, and asked with them: If aught of ill had happened, sure I had met it there; and since, methinks, I did not, I have now recovered courage, and resolve to urge it from you.

_Beam._ Your Isabinda then--

_Tow._ You have said all in that, my Isabinda, if she still be so.

_Beam._ Enjoys as much of health, as fear for you, and sorrow for your absence, would permit. [_Music within._

_Col._ Hark, music I think approaching.

_Beam._ 'Tis from our factory; some sudden entertainment I believe, designed for your return.

_Enter Amboyners, Men and Women, with Timbrels before them. A Dance._

_After the Dance,_

_Enter_ HARMAN _Senior,_ HARMAN _Junior,_ FISCAL, _and_ VAN HERRING.

_Har. Sen._ [_Embracing_ TOWERSON.] O my sworn brother, my dear captain Towerson! the man whom I love better than a stiff gale, when I am becalmed at sea; to whom I have received the sacrament, never to be false-hearted.

_Tow._ You ne'er shall have occasion on my part: The like I promise for our factories, while I continue here: This isle yields spice enough for both; and Europe, ports, and chapmen, where to vend them.

_Har. Sen._ It does, it does; we have enough, if we can be contented.

_Tow._ And, sir, why should we not? What mean these endless jars of trading nations? 'Tis true, the world was never large enough for avarice or ambition; but those who can be pleased with moderate gain, may have the ends of nature, not to want: Nay, even its luxuries may be supplied from her o'erflowing bounties in these parts; from whence she yearly sends spices and gums, the food of heaven in sacrifice: And, besides these, her gems of the richest value, for ornament, more than necessity.

_Har. Sen._ You are i'the right; we must be very friends, i'faith we must; I have an old Dutch heart, as true and trusty as your English oak.

_Fisc._ We can never forget the patronage of your Elizabeth, of famous memory; when from the yoke of Spain, and Alva's pride, her potent succours, and her well-timed bounty, freed us, and gave us credit in the world.

_Tow._ For this we only ask a fair commerce, and friendliness of conversation here: And what our several treaties bind us to, you shall, while Towerson lives, see so performed, as fits a subject to an English king.

_Har. Sen._ Now, by my faith, you ask too little, friend; we must have more than bare commerce betwixt us: Receive me to your bosom; by this beard, I will never deceive you.

_Beam._ I do not like his oath, there's treachery in that Judas-coloured beard. [_Aside._

_Fisc._ Pray use me as your servant.

_Van Her._ And me too, captain.

_Tow._ I receive you both as jewels, which I'll wear in either ear, and never part with you.

_Har. Sen._ I cannot do enough for him, to whom I owe my son.

_Har. Jun._ Nor I, till fortune send me such another brave occasion of fighting so for you.

_Har. Sen._ Captain, very shortly we must use your head in a certain business; ha, ha, ha, my dear captain.

_Fisc._ We must use your head, indeed, sir.

_Tow._ Sir, command me, and take it as a debt I owe your love.

_Har. Sen._ Talk not of debt, for I must have your heart.

_Van Her._ Your heart, indeed, good captain.

_Har. Sen._ You are weary now, I know, sea-beat and weary; 'tis time we respite further ceremony; besides, I see one coming, whom I know you long to embrace, and I should be unkind to keep you from her arms.

_Enter_ ISABINDA _and_ JULIA.

_Isab._ Do I hold my love, do I embrace him after a tedious absence of three years? Are you indeed returned, are you the same? Do you still love your Isabinda? Speak before I ask you twenty questions more: For I have so much love, and so much joy, that if you don't love as well as I, I shall appear distracted.

_Tow._ We meet then both out of ourselves, for I am nothing else but love and joy; and to take care of my discretion now, would make me much unworthy of that passion, to which you set no bounds.

_Isab._ How could you be so long away?

_Tow._ How can you think I was? I still was here, still with you, never absent in my mind.

_Har. Jun._ She is a most charming creature; I wish I had not seen her. [_Aside._

_Isab._ Now I shall love your God, because I see that he takes care of lovers: But, my dear Englishman, I pr'ythee let it be our last of absence; I cannot bear another parting from thee, nor promise thee to live three other years, if thou again goest hence.

_Tow._ I never will without you.

_Har. Sen._ I said before, we should but trouble ye.

_Tow._ You make me blush; but if you ever were a lover, sir, you will forgive a folly, which is sweet, though, I confess, 'ts much extravagant.

_Har. Jun._ He has but too much cause for this excess of joy; oh happy, happy Englishman! but I unfortunate! [_Aside._

_Tow._ Now, when you please, lead on.

_Har. Sen._ This day you shall be feasted at the castle, Where our great guns shall loudly speak your welcome. All signs of joy shall through the isle be shewn, Whilst in full rummers we our friendship crown. [_Exeunt._