SCENE I.--_A Street in Plymouth_.

_Enter_ Carrol _and two_ Captains.

1st Captain. When puts my lord[2.05] to sea?

2nd Captain. When the wind’s fair.

Carrol. Resolve me, I entreat; can you not guess The purpose of this voyage?

1st Captain. Most men think The fleet’s bound for the Islands.[2.06]

Carrol. Nay, ’tis like. The great success at Cales,[2.07] under the conduct Of such a noble general, hath put heart Into the English: they are all on fire To purchase from the Spaniard. If their carracks[2.08] Come deeply laden, we shall tug with them For golden spoil.

2nd Captain. Oh, were it come to that!

1st Captain. How Plymouth swells with gallants; how the streets Glister with gold! You cannot meet a man But tricked in scarf and feather, that it seems As if the pride of England’s gallantry Were harboured here. It doth appear, methinks, A very court of soldiers.

Carrol. It doth so. Where shall we dine to-day?

2nd Captain. At the next tavern by; there’s the best wine.

1st Captain. And the best wench, Bess Bridges; she’s the flower Of Plymouth held: the Castle needs no bush,[2.09] Her beauty draws to them more gallant customers Than all the signs i’ the town else.

2nd Captain. A sweet lass, If I have any judgment.

1st Captain. Now, in troth, I think she’s honest.

Carrol. Honest, and live there! What, in a public tavern, where’s such confluence Of lusty and brave gallants! Honest, said you?

2nd Captain. I vow she is, for me.

1st Captain. For all, I think. I’m sure she’s wondrous modest.

Carrol. But withal Exceeding affable.

2nd Captain. An argument That she’s not proud.

Carrol. No; were she proud, she’d fall.

1st Captain. Well, she’s a most attractive adamant:[2.10] Her very beauty hath upheld that house, And gained her master much.

Carrol. That adamant Shall for this time draw me too: we’ll dine there.

2nd Captain. No better motion. Come to the Castle then.

[_Exeunt_.