THE FAIR MAID OF THE WEST. OR, A Girl worth gold. The second part. As it was lately acted before the King and Queen, with approved liking. By the Queen's majesty's Comedians.  
Written by T. H.  
 
LONDON, Printed for Richard Royston, and are to be sold at his Shop in Ivy Lane. 1631.   

To the true favourer of the Muses, and all good Arts, Thomas Hammon, Esquire, of Gray Inn, &c.  
THe first part of this work I bestowed upon your friend Mr. john Othow, the second I have conferred upon you, both being incorporated into one House, and noble Society. The proximity in your Chambers, and much familiar conference, having bred a mutual correspondency betwixt you. The prime motive inviting me to this Dedication; the much love, and many courtesies reflecting upon me from you both: Being the rather encouraged thereunto, that though the subject itself carry no great countenance in the Title, yet it hath not only past the censure of the Plebe and Gentry; but of the Patricians and Praetextatae: as also of our royal Augustus and Livia. The reason why I have selected you my Patrons, was to exclude myself from the number of those of whom juvenal speaks, Satire 7.  
Scire volunt omnes, mercedem solvere nemo. Please you at any of your more leisured hours, to vouchsafe the perusal of these sleight papers, your acceptance shall be my recompense. Receive my wishes for your earth's happiness in millions, for your heaven's bliss in myriads. Taking my leave of you with that in Adelph.  

Nunquam ita magnifice quicquam dicam,  
Id virtus quin superet tua.   
Yours plenally devoted THOMAS HEYWOOD.   

To the READER.  
Courteous Reader, if thou be'st tired in the first part, I would not wish thee to be travelled in the second; but I hope much better, and that thou didst leave in the last, as one that came late to his Inn to rest himself for that night, only with purpose to go on with the second, as he that riseth early the next morning (having refreshed himself) to proceed on his journey. By this time you cannot choose but be acquainted with the most of our Acts, but not with all; and more particularly for Spencer, and his western Bess. With these Countrymen of ours in their fellowship, you have heard the beginning of their troubles, but are not yet come to the end of their travels; in which you may accompany them on land, without the prejudice of deep ways, or robbers; and by Sea, free from the danger of rocks or Pirates; as neither using horse or ship, more than this book in thine hand, and thy chair in thy chamber. More compliment I purpose not, and (I hope) thou expectest not. Farewell.  
One studious to be thine T. H.   

Dramatis Personae.  

TOota, Queen of Fez, and wife of Mullisheg. By heophilus Bourne  
Bashaw I offer.  
Ruffman.  
Clem, the Clown.  
Mullisheg, King of Fez.  
Bashaw Alcade. By Mr. Anonie Turner.  
Mr. Spencer.  
Capt.. Goodlack.  
Forset.  
Bess Bridges.  
A Porter of the king's gate.  
A Lieutenant of the Moors.  
A Guard.  
A Negro.  
A Chorus.  
A Captain of the Bandetti.  
The D. of Florence, with followers. By Mr. joh. Somner.  
The Duke of Mantua. By Rob. Axall.  
The D. of Ferrara. By Christoph. Goad.  
An English Merchant.  
Two Florentine lords.  
Pedro Venturo, General at Sea for the D. of Florence.    

THE FAIR MAID of the West: OR, A Girl worth Gold.  
The second part.  Enter Tota mullisheg's wife. Tota. 

IT must not, may not, shall not be endured:  
Left we for this our Country? to be made  
A mere neglected Lady here in Fez,  
A slave to others, but a scorn to all?  
Can womanish ambition, heat of blood,  
Or height of birth brook this, and not revenge?  
Revenge? on whom? on mighty Mullisheg?  
We are not safe then; On the English stranger?  
And why on her, when there's no apprehension  
That can in thought pollute her innocence?  
Yet something I must do. What? nothing yet?  
Nor must we live neglected; I should doubt  
I were a perfect woman, but degenerate  
From mine own sex if I should suffer this:  
I have a thousand projects in my brain,  
But can bring none to purpose.   Enter Bashaw Ioffer. Ioff. 
Called your Majesty?  Tota. 

No, yet I think I did, be gone, yet stay.  
Will not this mishaped embryon grow to form?  
Not yet? nor yet?   Ioff. 
I attend your highness' pleasure.  Tota. 

'Tis perfect, and I hait,  
I am ambitious but to think upon't,  
And if it prove as I have fashioned it,  
I shall be trophied ever.   Ioff. 
I wait still.  Tota. 

The King no way in peril, she secure,  
None harmed, all pleased, I sweetly satisfied,  
And yet revenged at full. Brain, I for this  
Will wreathe thee in a glorious arch of gold,  
stuck full of Indian gems. But Tota, whom  
Wilt thou employ in this? the moors are treacherous,  
And them we dare not trust.   Ioff. 
You need not me.  Tot. 
Say, where's the King?  Ioff. 
I'th' Presence.  Tot. 
How?  Ioff. 

Distempered late, and strangely humorous,  
The cause none can conjecture.   Tot. 

Send in his sweet heart,  
And were his own heart double ribbed with brass,  
Yet she would search the inmost of his thoughts.  
No, 'tis not her on whom I build my project.  
Is the King upon his entrance?   Ioff. 

'Tis thought he is,  
If so, this sudden strange distemperature  
Hath not his purpose altered.   Tot. 

You have now leave  
To leave us and attend the King,   Ioff. 
I shall.  Tot. 

If any of the English Ladies train  
Come in your way, you may request them hither,  
Say, we would question some things of their country.   Ioff. 
Madam, I shall.  Tot. 

Then on to your attendance, what we must,  
we'll work by th'English, these we dare not trust.   Enter Clem meeting Ioffer. Ioff. 
'Tis the queen's pleasure you attend her.  Clem. 
The Queen speak with me? Can you tell the business? A murrain of these barbers of barbary, they have given me a receipt, that scape the colic as well as I can, I shall be sure never to be troubled with the stone.  Ioff. 
Yonder she walks. I leave ye.  Tot. 
Now sir, you are of England?  Clem. 
And I think you are a witch.  Tot. 
How sirrah?  Clem. 
A foolish proverb we use in our country, which to give you in other words, is as much as to say, You have hit the nail on the head.  Tot. 

And servant to the English Elizabeth,  
So great in Court by mighty Mullisheg,  
You follow her?   Clem. 
I must confess I am not her Gentleman usher to go before her, for that way as the case stands with me now, I can do her but small pleasure, I do follow her.  Tot. 
You have seen both nations, England and our Fez, how do our people differ?  Clem. 
Our countrymen eat and drink as yours do for all the world, open their eyes when they would see, and shut them again when they would sleep: when they go they set one leg before another, and gape when their mouths open, as yours eat when they have stomachs, scratch when it itcheth: only I hold our nation to be the cleanlier.  Tot. 
Cleanlier, wherein?  Clem. 
Because they never sit down to meat with such foul hands and faces.  Tot. 
But how your Ladies and choice Gentlewomen?  Clem. 
You shall meet some of them sometimes as fresh as flowers in May, and as fair as my Mistress, and within an hour the same Gentlewoman as black as yourself, or any of your Morions.  Tot. 
Can they change faces so? not possible: show me some reason for't.  Clem. 
When they put on their masks.  Tot. 
Miskes, what are they?  Clem. 
Please you to put off yours, and I'll tell you.  Tot. 
We wear none but that which nature hath bestowed on us, and our births give us freely.  Clem. 
And our Ladies wear none but what the shops yield, and they buy for their money.  Tot. 
Canst thou be secret to me Englishman?  Clem. 
Yes, and chaste too, I have ta'en a medicine for't.  Tot. 

Be fixed to me in what I shall employ thee,  
Constant and private unto my designs,  
More grace and honour I will do to thee,  
Then ere thou didst receive from Mullisheg.   Clem. 
Grace and honour? his grace and honour was to take away some part, and she would honour me to take away all: I'll see you damned as deep as the black father of your generation the devil first.  Tot. 
Mistake me not.  Clem. 
Nay if you were with child with a young princely devil, and had a mind to any thing that's here, I'd make you love your longing.  Tot. 
Sure this fellow is some sot.  Clem. 
Grace and honour, quotha.  Enter Enter Ruffman. Ruff. 
How now Clem, whither in such post haste?  Clem. 
There, if you will have any grace and honour, you may pay for't as dear as I have done; 'sfoot I have little enough left, I would fain carry home something into my own country.  Ruff. 
Why, what's the matter? I prithee stay.  Clem. 
No, Lieutenant you shall pardon me, not I, the room is too hot for me: I'll be gone, do you stay at your own peril: I'll be no longer a prodigal, I'll keep what I have.  Exit Clem. Tot. 
This should have better sense, I'll next prove him.  Ruff. 

Excuse me mighty Princess, that my boldness  
Hath pressed thus far into your privacies.   Tot. 

You no way have offended; nay, come near,  
We love to grace a stranger.   Ruff. 

'T was my ignorance,  
And no pretended boldness.   Tot. 

I have observed you  
To be of some command amongst the English,  
Nor make I question but that you may be  
Of fair revenues.   Ruff. 
A poor Gentleman.  Tot 
we'll make thee rich; spend that.  Ruff. 

Your grace's bounty  
Exceeds what merit can make good in me:  
I am your highness' servant.   Tot. 
Let that jewel be worn as our high favour.  Ruff. 

'Sfoot I think  
This Queen's in love with me. Madam, I shall.   Tot. 

If any favour I can do in Court  
Can make you further gracious, speak it freely;  
What power we have is yours.   Ruff. 
Doubtless it is so, and I am made for ever.  Tot. 

Nay we shall take it ill  
To give ourselves so amply to your knowledge,  
And you not use us.   Ruff. 

Use us, now upon my life she's caught:  
What, courted by a Queen? a royal Princess;  
Where were your eyes Bess, that you could not see  
These hidden parts and mysteries, which this Queen  
Hath in my shape observed? 'tis but a fortune  
That I was borne to, and I thank heaven for't.   Tot. 
May I trust you?  Ruff. 

With your life, with your honour.  
I'll be as private to you as your heart  
Within your bosom, close as your own thoughts.  
I'll brag of this in England, that I once  
Was favourite to a Queen, my royal-mistress.   Tot. 

If what you have already promised you'll made good,  
I'll prove so.   Ruff. 
Madam, let this,  Tot. 
What?  Ruff. 
This kiss.  Tot. 
This fool, this ass, this insolent gull.  Ruff. 
Why, did not your grace mean plainly?  Tot. 
In what, sir?  Ruff. 
Did you not court me?  Tot. 

How, that face?  
Thinkest thou I could love a Monkey, a baboon?  
Know, were I mounted in the height of lust,  
And a mere prostitute, rather than thee  
I'd embrace, one, name but that creature  
That thou dost think most odious.   Ruff. 

Pardon me Lady,  
I humbly take my leave.   Tot. 

Have I given you your description I pray, sir,  
Be secret in't.   Ruff. 

I shall be loath to tell it,  
Or publish it to any.   Tot. 

Yet you are not gone:  
Know then you have incurred  
The king's wrath first, our high displeasure next,  
The least of which is death; yet will you grow  
More near to us, and prove loyal unto my present purposes.  
I will not only pardon you what's past.  
But multiply my bounties.   Ruff. 
I am your prisoner.  Tot. 

Be free, there's nothing can be called offence,  
But that in thee we pardon.   Ruff. 
I am fast.  Tot. 

And yet a free man: I am injured highly,  
And thou must aid me in my just revenge.   Ruff. 

Were it to combat the most valiantest moor,  
That ever Fez, Morocco, or Argiers bred,  
I for your sake would do it.   Tot 

We seek nor blood,  
Nor to expose thee to the least of danger:  
I am modest, and what I dare not trust my own tongue with,  
Or thoughts, I'll boldly give unto thine ears,  
List: Do you shake your head, say, Is't done already?   Ruff. 
Wrong my friend?  Tot. 

Do you cast doubts or dangers? Is not our life.  
Our honour all in your hand, and will you lavish us.  
Or scant that bounty should crown you with excess.   Ruff. 
I'll pause upon't.  Tot. 
Is not your life ours by your insolence? have not we power to take it?  Ruff. 
Say no more, I'll do it.  Tot. 
But may I hope,  Ruff. 
I have cast all doubts, and know how it may be compassed.  Tot. 
there's more gold, your secrecy that's all I crave.  Ruff. 

To prove myself in this just cause I have,  
An honest man, or a pernicious knave.   Tot. 
Take the advantage of this night.  Ruff. 

I shall expect fair end,  
All doubts are cast.   Tot. 
So make a Queen thy friend.  Recorders. Enter Mullisheg, joffer, and Alcade, Spencer, Goodlack, Bess, and the rest. Mul. 

All music's harsh, command these discords cease,  
For we have war within us.   Bess 

Mighty King,  
What is't offends your highness?   Mul. 

Nothing Bess:  
Yet all things do: Oh, what did I bestow,  
When I gave her away.   Bess. 
The Queen attends you.  Mull. 
Let her attend.  Tot. 

ay, King, neglected still,  
My just revenge shall wound, although not kill.   Mull. 

I was a traitor to my own desires,  
To part with her so slightly: what, no means  
To alter these proceedings?   Spenc. 
Strange disturbances.  Goodl. 
What might the project be?  Alc. 

May it please your Highness, shall the Mask go forward,  
That was intended to grace this jovial night?   Mull. 

we'll have none,  
Let it be treason held  
To any man that shall but name our pleasure,  
Or that vain word, delight: The more I gaze,  
The more I surfeit; and the more I strive  
To free me from these fires, I am deeper wrapped:  
In flames I burn.   Spenc. 

Your discontent, great Prince, takes from us all  
The edge of mirth: these nuptial joys that should  
Have swollen our souls with all the sweet varieties  
Of apprehensive wishes, with your sadness  
Grows dull and leaden: they have lost their taste  
In this your discontent all pleasures lose their sweetness.   Bess. 

Mighty Fez,  
Hath any ignorant neglect in us  
Bred these disturbances?   Mull. 

Offence and you  
Are like the warring elements, opposed.  
And Fez, why a king, and not command thy pleasure?  
Is she not within our kingdom? nay, within our palace,  
And therefore in our power: is she alone  
That happiness that I desire on earth?  
Which since the heavens have given up to mine hands,  
Shall I despise their bounty? and not rather  
Run through a thousand dangers, to enjoy  
Their prodigal favours? dangers? tush, there's none:  
We are here amidst our people, walled with subjects round,  
And danger is our slave: beside, our war  
Is with weak woman. Oh, but I have sworn  
And sealed to her safe conduct; What of that?  
Can a king swear against his own desires,  
Whose welfare is the sinews of his Realm?  
I should commit high treason 'gainst myself,  
Not to do that might give my soul content,  
And satisfy my appetite with fullness. Alcade.   Alcad. 
My lord.  Mull. 
Rides the English Negro still within the harbour?  Alcad. 
Some league from land.  Mull. 

Lest that these English should attempt escape,  
Now they are laden fully with our bounties,  
Cast thou a watchful eye upon these two.   Alcad. 
I shall.  Mul. 

I know their loves so fervent and entire,  
They will not part asunder, she leave him,  
Or he without her make escape to sea.  
Then while the one's in sight our hopes are safe.  
Be that thy charge.   Alcad. 
I'll be an Argus o'er them.  Goodl. 

Unless the King be still in love with Bess,  
Repenting him of their late marriage,  
'Tis beyond wonder to calculate these storms.   Mull. 
How goes the hour?  Alcad. 
About some four. us  Mul. 

We rose too soon Bess from your nuptial feasts,  
Something we tasted made us stomach sick,  
But now we find a more contentful change.   Bess. 
Your sunshine is our day.  Mul. 

Dispose yourselves  
All to your free desires; to dancing some,  
Others to mount our stately barbary horse,  
So famous through the world for swift career,  
Stomach, and fiery pace.  
Those that love arms,  
Mount for the tilt: this day is yours, to you 'tis consecrate.  
He commits treason in the highest degree,  
Whose cloudy brow dares the least tempest show  
To cross what we intend: pleasure shall spring  
From us to flow on you.   All. 
Long live the King:  Exeunt. Manet Goodlack. Mull. 

To your free pastimes; leave us.  
Captain, stay Captain, I read a fortune in thy brow,  
More than the slight presage of augury,  
Which tells me thou, and only thou art marked  
To make me earthly blessed.   Goodl. 
That I can do't?  Mull. 

It lies in thee to raise thy ruined fortunes  
As high as is a Viceroy's, wreathe thy front  
Within a circled pyramis of gold,  
And to command in all our territories,  
Next to our person.   Goodl. 
Golden promises.  Mull. 

Our words are acts, our promises are deeds,  
We do not feed with air: it lies in thee,  
We two may grapple souls, be friends and brothers.   Goodl. 
Teach me how.  Mull. 

I do not find thee coming: in thy looks  
I cannot spy that fresh alacrity,  
Which with a glad and sprightful forwardness,  
Should meet our love half way.   Goodl. 
You wonder me.  Mull. 

No, thou art dull, or fearful, fare thee well,  
Thou hadst a fate lade up to make thee chronicled  
In thy own Country, but thou wilt basely lose it,  
Even by thine own neglect.   Goodl. 

Forespeak me not,  
The Sun ne'er met the summer with more joy  
Than I'd embrace my fortunes; but to you,  
Great king, to whom I am so greatly bound,  
I'd purchase't with a danger should fright earth,  
Astonish heaven, and make all hell to tremble;  
I am of no shrinking temper.   Mull. 

Prove but as wise as thou art bold and valiant,  
And gain me wholly to thee, half thou hast already  
Purchased by this bold answer; but perform  
The rest, and we are all and only thine.   Goodl. 

Show me the way to gain this royal purchase,  
If I do't not, divide me from your presence,  
From your grace, and all those glorious hopes you have proposed  
Turn into scorns and scandals.   Mull. 

I am dull,  
And drowsy on the sudden: whilst I sleep,  
Captain, read there.   He counterfeits sleep, and gives him a letter. Goodl. 

To make Bess mine some secret means devise,  
To thy own height and heart I'll make thee rise.   

Is not this ink the blood of Basilisks,  
That kills me in the eyes, and blinds me so,  
That I can read no further: 'twas composed  
Of dragon's poison, and the gall of Asps,  
Of serpent's venom, or of viper's stings,  
It could not read so harsh else: Oh my fate;  
Nothing but this? this? Had a parliament  
Of fiends and furies in a synod sat,  
And devised, plotted, parleyed, and contrived,  
They scarce could second this; This? 'tis unparalleled:  
To strumpet a chaste Lady, injure him  
That rates her honour dearer than his life.  
T'employ a friend in treasons 'gainst his friend,  
And put that friend to do't: t'impose on me  
The hateful style and blot of pandarism,  
That am a Gentleman: nay, worse than this,  
Make me in this a traitor to my country,  
In giving up their honours: Who but a Moor,  
Of all that bears man's shape, likest a devil,  
Could have devised this horror? Possible  
That he should mark out me? What does my face  
Prognosticate, that he should find writ there  
An index of such treasons? But beware,  
'Twas his own plot, ay, and his cunning too:  
I'll add that to his project: but a Viceroy,  
And a king's Minion, titles that will shadow  
Ills the most base and branded. Not to do it  
May purchase his displeasure, which can be  
No less than death or bondage: here's proposed  
Honour and peril. But what writes he further;  
We are impatient of delays, this night  
Let it be done.  
I am doubtful of my purpose,  
And can resolve of nothing.   Mullisheg starts out of his chair as from a dream. Mull. 

If he fail,  
I'll have his flesh cut small as winter's snow  
Or summer's atoms.   Goodl. 
Ha, was that by us?  Mull 

Where was I? Oh, I dreamt upon the sudden,  
How fast was I.   Goodl. 

A fair warning 'twas, have you the cunning  
To speak your thoughts in dreams?   Mull. 
Who's i'th' next room?  Goodl. 
My lord.  Mull. 

My Captain, was it thou?  
Sleep did surprise my senses, worthy friend,  
And in my dreams I did remember thee.   Goodl. 
How, me my lord?  Mull. 

methought I had employed thee in a business,  
In which thou wert or fearful, or else false,  
At which I was so overcome with rage,  
That from my dreams I started.   Goodl. 

Seamen say,  
When halcyons sing, look for a storm that day  
there's death in my denial.   Mull. 

Did you read,  
That scroll we gave you Captain there's wrapped up  
A thousand honours for thee, and more gold  
Than shouldst thou live a double Nestor's age,  
Thou couldst find ways too lavish.   Goodl. 

Add to your work a business of more danger,  
That I may think me worthy, otherwise  
This sleight employment will but prize me low  
And of desertless merit.   Mull. 

Thinkest thou Captain  
It may be easily compassed?   Goodl. 
Dare you trust me?  Mull. 
I dare.  Goodl. 

Then know, beside to dare and can,  
I will, though work beyond the power of man,  
I'll set my brains in action.   Mull. 

Noble friend,  
Above thy thoughts our honours shall extend.   Goodl. 
I am not to be shaken.  Mull. 

Where be our Eunuchs?  
we'll crown our hopes and wishes with more pomp  
And sumptuous cost, than Priam did his sons,  
That night he bosomed Helen; she's as fair,  
And we'll command our pomp to be as rare.  
we will have torches shall exceed the stars  
In number and in brightness: we will have  
Rare change of music shrill and high,  
That shall exceed the spheres in harmony.  
The jewels of her habit shall reflect,  
To daze all eyes that shall behold her state.  
Our treasure shall like to a torrent rush  
Streams of rewards, richer than Tagus sands,  
To make these English strangers swim in gold.  
In wild Moriskoes we will lead the bride:  
And when with full satieties of pleasures  
We are dull and satiate, at her radiant eyes  
Kindle fresh appetite, since they aspire,  
T'exceed in brightness the high orbs of fire.  
Make this Night mine, as we are King of Fez,  
thouart Viceroy, Captain.   Exit Mullisheg. Goodl. 

Make my estate much less,  
And my attempts more honourable: honour and virtue,  
To me seem things in opposition:  
Nor can we with small danger catch at one,  
But we must lose the other. Oh my brain,  
In what a labyrinth art thou? Say I could  
Be false, as he would make me; what device?  
What plot? what train have I to compass it?  
Or with what face can I solicit her,  
In treason towards my friend?   Enter Ruffman. Ruff. 

I am to solicit Spencer  
To lie with the moor's Queen; a business, Bess  
Will hardly thank me for: but howsoever  
I have undertaken it.   Goodl. 

Impossibilities all; the more I wade,  
The more I drown in weakness.   Ruff. 
Captain.  Goodl. 

Oh Lieutenant,  
Never was man perplexed thus.   Ruff. 

What, as you?  
Had you but my disturbance in your brain,  
'Twould tax a Stoics wit, or Oedipus.  
Why Captain, a whole school of Sophisters  
Could not unriddle me.   Goodl. 
I would we might change business.  Ruff. 
I would give boot so to be rid of mine.  Goodl. 
Shall we be free and open breasted?  Ruff. 
How?  Goodl. 

As thus;  
Tell me thy grievances, and unto thee  
I will unveil my bosom: both disclosed  
I'll beg in mine thy counsel and assistance,  
Thy cause shall mine command.   Ruff. 
A heart, a hand.  Goodl. 
I am to woo fair Bess to lie with Mullisheg.  Ruff. 
And I woo Spencer to embrace the Queen.  Goodl. 
Is't possible?  Ruff. 
'Tis more than possible, 'tis absolutely passed.  Goodl. 
there's not a hair to chose, canst counsel me?  Ruff. 
Can you advise me?  Goodl. 
I am past my wits.  Ruff. 
And I beyond all sense.  Goodl. 
Wouldst thou do't, here lay the way plain before thee.  Ruff. 

What, for gold  
Betray my friend and country, would you Captain?   Goodl. 

What and wear a sword  
To guard my honour and a Christians faith,  
I'd flesh it here first.   Ruff. 
Nobly resolved.  Goodl. 

We are not safe Lieutenant, Moors are treacherous.  
Nay come, thy counsel,  
Fez hath proffered me  
The honour of a Viceroy; and withal,  
If I should fail performance, cunningly  
Hath threatened me with death.   Ruff. 

You still propose  
The danger, but you show no way to clear them.   Goodl. 
Brain, let me waken thee, 'sfoot hast thou no project? dost thou partake my dulness?  Ruff. 
The more I strive, the more I am entangled.  Goodl. 
And I too. Not yet?  Ruff. 
Nor yet, nor ever.  Goodl. 
'Twas coming here, & now again 'tis vanished.  Ruff. 
call't back again for heaven's sake.  Goodl. 
Again.  Ruff. 
Thanks heaven.  Goodl. 
And now again 'tis gone.  Ruff. 
Can you not catch fast hold on't?  Goodl. 

Give me way,  
Let's walk Lieutenant: Could a man propose  
A stratagem to gull this lustful Moor,  
To supply him, and then to satiate her?   Ruff. 
Good.  Goodl. 

Next, out of all these dangers secure us,  
And keep our treasure safe.   Ruff. 
'Twere excellent.  Goodl. 
But how shall this be done?  Ruff. 
Why Captain, know not you?  Goodl. 

Thinkest thou it in the power of man to work it?  
Yet come, I'll try, I owe my fate a death,  
Be swayed by me in all things.   Ruff. 
Noble Captain, I do not wish to outlive thee.  
Explicit Actus primus.   

Actus secundus. Scena prima.  Enter Spencer, Bess, and Clem Spencer. 

THe King was wondrous pleasant: Oh my Bess,  
How much am I indebted to his highness,  
Only for gracing thee.   Bess. 

Could my Spencer  
Think that a barbarous Moor could be so trained  
In human virtues?   Clem. 
Fie upon't: I am so tired with dancing with these same black she-chimney-sweepers, that I can scarce set the best leg forward, they have so tired me with their Moriscees, and I have so tickled them with our Country dances, Sellenger's round, and Tom Tiler: we have so fiddled it.  Spenc. 
Sirrah, what news will you tell to your friends when you return into England.  Clem. 
Brave news, which though I can neither write nor read, yet I have committed them to my tables and the rest of my memory.  Spenc. 
Let's hear some of your novelties.  Clem. 
First and foremost I have observed the wisdom of these Moors, for some two days since being invited to one of the chief Bashaws to dinner, after meat, sitting by a huge fire, and feeling his shins to burn, I requested him to pull back his chair, but he very understandingly sent for three or four Masons and removed the chimney: the same Morian entreated me to lie with him, and I according to the state of my travels, willing to have a candle burning by, but he by no means would grant it; I asked him why? No, says he, we'll put out the light that the fleas may not know where to find us.  Enter Goodlack and Ruffman. Spenc. 

No storm at sea could be so tyrannous,  
Nor half th'affright bear in his forehead bare,  
As I spy in that look.   Besse. 

Let not your looks presage more terrors than  
Your tongues can speak; out with't at once Lieutenant.   Spenc. 
Captain speak.  Goodl. 
W'are all lost.  Ruff. 
All shipwrecked.  Clem. 
Are we ashore, and shall we be cast away?  Spenc. 
Great Mullisheg is royal.  Goodl. 
False to you.  Bess 
Gracious and kind.  Ruff. 
Disloy all to us all.  Spenc. 

Wrap me not in these wonders worthy friend,  
The very doubt of what the danger is,  
Is more than danger can be.   Bess. 

Be it death,  
So we may die together: here's a heart  
Fear never could affright.   Goodl. 
The king still loves your Bess.  Spenc. 
Ha?  Ruff. 
The Queen your Spencer.  Bess. 
How?  Goodl. 
This night he must enjoy her.  Ruff. 
And she him.  Spenc. 

A thousand deaths are in that word contrived.  
I'll make my passage through the blood of kings,  
Rather than suffer this.   Bess. 

I through hell,  
Or were there place more dangerous.   Goodl. 
Else all die.  Clem. 
Die, 'sfoot this is worse than being made an Eunuch as I was.  Spenc. 
We have yet life, and therefore cherish hope.  Goodl. 

All hopes are banished in the deep abyss  
Of our perplexed thoughts.   Ruff. 
All things run retrograde.  Bess. 

Why Captain? why Lieutenant? had you the skill  
To bring my ship thus far, to wrack her here?  
Past you the Ocean, to perish in the harbour?  
Thou, Tom Goodlack  
Wert ever true and just to my designs,  
And canst thou fail me now?   Goodl. 
I study for you.  Bess. 

Hast thou brought me but to see my Spencer's shadow,  
And not enjoy the substance: for what more  
Have I yet had from him, then from his picture,  
That once hung in my Chamber. Gentlemen, amongst you all  
Rescue an innocent maid from violence:  
Or do but say it cannot be prevented:  
I begin, he that best loves me follow.   Spenc. 
What means Bess?  Goodl. 

If it could be fashioned to my thoughts,  
And have success, 'twere brave.   Spenc. 
What, noble friend?  Goodl. 
To thrive but as we purpose.  Spenc. 
Have you way?  Goodl. 

'Tis but a desperate course; and if it fail  
The worst can be but death: and I, even I,  
That laid the plot, will teach them how to die.  
I'll lead them on.   Spenc. 
If thou hast any project.  Bess. 
joy or comfort.  Ruff. 
And if not comfort, counsel.  Goodl. 
Say it thrive?  Spenc. 
What Captain? what?  Goodl. 

You'll rip it from the womb  
Ere it be fully hatched now:  
If it prosper but to my desire  
And wishes, 'twere admirable.   Spenc. 

No longer hold us in suspense, good Captain.  
But free us from these fears.   Goodl. 

You noble friend,  
This night cast gracious eyes upon the Queen:   Bess. 
And prove to me disloyal?  Goodl. 

Still you cross me,  
And make the birth abortive. You fair Bess,  
With amorous favours entertain the King.   Spenc. 
And yield herself to his intemperate lust?  Goodl. 

You still prevent me; either give me way  
To show you light unto your liberties,  
Or still remain in darkness.   Ruff. 
Hear him out.  Goodl. 

You soothe the Queen,  
I'll flatter with the King,  
Let's promise fair on both sides: say, 'tis done  
All to their own desires.   Spenc. 
The event of this?  Goodl. 

A happy freedom, with a safe escape  
Unto our ship this night.   Bess. 
Oh, could this be.  Goodl. 

Fortune assists the valiant and the bold,  
we'll bid fare for't. I had forgot myself,  
where's Clem?   Clem. 
Noble Captain.  Goodl. 

Post to the ship, bid Forset man the long Boat  
With ten good Musketeers, and at a watchword,  
If we can free our passage, take us in.  
Nay make haste, one minutes stay is death.   Clem. 
I am gone in a twinkling.  Goodl. 

To compass the king's signet; then to command  
Our passage, scape the gates and watches too:  
For that I have brain. The King's upon his entrance;  
Hours waste, revels come on, a thousand projects  
Of death, hopes, and fears, are warring  
In my bosom, and at once.  
Eye you the Queen, and humour you the King;  
Let no distaste nor discontented brow  
Appear in you: their lust I'll make the ground,  
To set all free, or keep your honour sound.  
Disperse, the King's on coming.   Flourish. Enter Mullisheg, Tota, joffer, and Alcade. Mull. 

We consecrate this evening, beauteous Bride,  
toeach honour of your nuptials.— Is all done?   Goodl. 
Done.  Tot. 
Is he ours?  Ruff. 
Yours.  Tot. 
And we ever thine.  Goodl. 

ay, and so cast, that she shall grasp you freely;  
And think she hugs her Spencer.   Ruff. 

And when he bosoms you, thinks he infolds  
His lovely Bess.   Tot. 
Thou mak'st a Queen thy servant.  Goodl. 
Your highness' Signet to command our passage from chamber to chamber.  Mull. 
'Tis there.  Goodl. 
The word.  Mull. 
'Tis Mullisheg.  Goodl. 
This must bring us safe aboard.  Mull. 

We keep the Bride  
Too long from rest now, she is free for bed.   Tot. 

Please her to accept it,  
In honour of her beauty, this night I'll do her any service.   Bess 

Mighty princess,  
Excuse my breeding from such arrogance,  
And overbold presumption, you nor yours  
Can owe me any duty: 'tis besides  
The fashion of our country, not to trust  
The secrets of a nuptial night like this,  
To the eyes of any stranger.   Tot. 
At your pleasure,  Bess. 

With our first nights unlacing, mighty Queen,  
We dare not trust our husbands, 'tis a modesty  
Our English maids profess.   Mull. 

Keep your own customs as you shall think best,  
So for this night we leave you to your rest.   Tot. 
Remember.  Ruff. 
'Tis writ here.  Mull. 
Captain,  Exeunt. Manet Goodlack. Goodl. 

I am fast,  
Now is my task in labour, and is plunged  
In thousand throes of childbirth, dangerous it is  
To deal where kings affairs are questioned,  
Or may be parled. But what's he so base,  
That would not all his utmost powers extend,  
For freedom of his country and his friend.  
When all the Court is silent, sunk in dreams,  
Then must my spirits awake. By this the King  
H'as ta'en his leave of bride and bridegroom too:  
And th'amorous Queen longs for some happy news  
From Ruffman, as great Fez expects from us.  
My friend and Bess wrapped in a thousand fears,  
To find my plot in action: and it now  
Must take new life: auspicious fate thy aid,  
To guard the honour of this English maid.   Exit. Enter Ruffman ushuring the Queen. Ruff. 
Tread soft, good Madam.  Tot. 
Is this the Chamber.  Ruff. 

I'll bring him instantly.  
He thinks this bed provided for his Bess,  
And that she lodges here, while she poor soul  
Embraceth nought but air.   Tot. 
Thou mak'st a Queen thy servant.  Ruff. 

Beware, be not too loud lest that your tongue  
Betrays you.   Tot. 

Mute as night,  
As silent and as secret. Wrongs should be  
Paid with wrongs, for so indeed 'tis meet,  
My just revenge, though secret yet 'tis sweet.  
Haste time, and haste our bounty.   Ruff. 

Queen I shall.  
So now were we all safe and in our Negro shipped,  
Might'st thou lie there till doom's day, lustful Queen.   Exit. Enter Goodlack and the King. Goodl. 

My lord the custom is in England still  
For maids to go to bed before their husbands,  
It saves their cheek from many a modest blush.   King 
And in the dark.  Goodl. 
We use it for the most part.  King 

Soft may their bones lie in their beds of ashes  
That brought this custom into England first.   Goodl. 
This the place where Bess expects her Spencer.  King 

Thou Viceroy of Argiers, for Captain, that  
Is now thy title: thou hast won a King,  
To be thy breast companion.   Goodl. 

Not too loud.  
Why enters not your highness? you are safe.   King 

With as much joy as to our prophet's rest.  
But what thinks Spencer of this?   Goodl. 

I have shifted in her place  
A certain Moor, whom I have hired for money,  
Which (poor soul) he entertains for Bess.   King 
My excellent friend.  Goodl. 

Beware of conference, lest your tongue reveals  
What this safe darkness hides.   King 

I am all silent.  
Oh, thou contentful night, into thy arms,  
Of all that ere I tasted, sweetest and best,  
I throw me, more for pleasure then for rest.   Exit King. Goodl. 

One fury clasp another, and there beget  
Young devils between you: so fair Bess be safe.  
I have here the king's signet, this will yield us  
Way through the court and city, Bess being masked,  
How can she be descried, when none suspect,  
Our flight this day not dreamt on: now to execute  
What was before purposed, which if it speed,  
I'll say the heavens have in our fates agreed.   Exit. Enter Bess, Spencer, and Ruffman. Spenc. 
How goes the night?  Ruff. 
'tis some two hours from day.  Bess 
Yet no news from the Captain.  Ruff. 
I have done a midwife's part, I have brought the Queen to bed, I could do no more.  Enter Goodlack. Spenc. 
The Captain is come.  Bess 
Thy news.  Goodl. 
All safe, faith wench, I have put them to it for a single combat, I have left them at it.  Bess 
King and Queen.  Goodl. 
The same.  Ruff. 
Now for us.  Goodl. 

ay, there's all the danger, there's one Bashaw  
Whose eyes is fixed on Spencer, and he now  
Walks e'en before our lodging.   Bess 

Then what's past,  
Is all yet to no purpose.   Goodl. 

He and I  
May freely pass the Court: and you fair Bess,  
I would disguise: but then for Spencer?   Bess 

Why that's the main of all: all without his freedom  
That we can aim at's, nothing.   Spenc. 

It shall be thus, which alter none that loves me.  
With this signet you three shall pass toth' ship  
Whilst I'm in sight she will not be suspected:  
My escape, leave to my own fair fortunes.   Bess 
How that?  Spenc. 

Through twenty Bashaws I will hew my way,  
But I will see thee ere morning.   Bess 

Thinkest thou Spencer  
That I will leave thee? thinkst thou that I can?  
Thou mayst as well part body from the soul,  
As part us now: It is our wedding night,  
Wouldst now divide us?   Spenc. 
Yield to times necessities, and to our strict disasters.  Goodl. 

Words are vain,  
We now must cleave to action: our stay's death,  
And if we be not quick in expedition,  
We all perish.   Spenc. 
Bess, be swayed.  Bess 

To go to sea without thee,  
And leave thee subject unto a tyrant's cruelty?  
I'll die a thousand deaths first.   Spenc. 

First save one,  
And by degrees the rest. When thou hast passed  
The perils of this night, I am half safe,  
But whilst thou art still environed, more than better  
Half of my part's endangered.   Goodl. 

Talk yourselves  
To your deaths, do: will you venture forth?  
Leave me to the Bashaw.   Ruff. 
Or me. I'll buffet with him for my passage.  Spenc. 

Neither, in what I purpose I am constant.  
Conduct her safe; th'advantage of the night  
I'll take for my escape: and my sweet Bess,  
If in the morning I behold thee not  
Safe within my Negro, be assured  
I am dead. Nay, now delays are vain.   Bess 

Sir, did you love  
Me, you would not stay behind me.   Spenc. 

I'll ha''t so.  
Gentlemen, be chary of this jewel  
That throws herself into the arms of night,  
Under your conduct. If I live, my Bess,  
Tomorrow I'll not fail thee.   Bess 

And if thou diest tomorrow, be assured  
Tomorrow I'll be with thee.   Spenc. 

Shall thy love  
Betray us all to death.   Bess 

Well, I will go,  
But if thou dost miscarry, think the Ocean  
To be my Bridebed.   Spenc. 

Heaven for us,  
That power that hath preserved us hitherto,  
Will not let's sink now. And, brave gentlemen,  
Of the moor's bounty bear not any thing  
Unto our ship, lest they report of us,  
We fled by night and robbed them.   Goodl. 
Nobly resolved.  Spenc. 

Now embrace and part; and my sweet Bess,  
This be thy comfort 'gainst all future fears,  
To meet in mirth that now divide in tears:  
Farewell Bess, I'll back into my chamber.   Bess 

Can I part with life  
In more distracted horror?   Goodl. 

You spoil all  
That we before have plotted.  
Will you mask yourself, and to the Porter first.  
Ho, Porter.   Enter Porter. Porter 
Who calls?  Goodl. 
One from the King.  Porter 
How shall I know that?  Goodl. 

This token be your warrant, behold his signet.  
That's not enough, the Word.   Goodl. 
Mullisheg.  Port. 

Pass freely: some weighty business is in hand  
That the king's signet is abroad so late;  
But no matter, this is my discharge, I'll to my rest.   Exit Porter. Enter Alcade. Alcad. 
I much suspect,  
These English 'mongst themselves are treacherous:  
I have observed, the king had conference with the Captain: many whisperings and passages I have observed, but that which makes me most suspect is, because the king hath removed his lodging, and it may be to prostitute the English Maid: Ha, suspect said I; nay, examine things exactly, and 'tmust needs be so, the king is wondrous bountiful, and what is't gold cannot. Troth I could even pity the poor forlorn Englishman, who this night must be forced lie alone, and have the king taste to him.  Enter Spencer. Spenc. 
Sure this moor hath been made private to the king's intents, which if I find, I'll make him the instrument for me to pass the Court gates. This man, whose office was to keep me, shall be the only means to free me.  Alcad. 
On his marriage night, and up at this hour? nay, if I once suspect, 'tis as firm as if it were confirmed by Alkaron, or Mahomet himself had sworn it: I'll sport myself with his distaste and sorrow.  Spenc. 
Thus abused.  Alcad. 

What up so late and on your bridal night  
When you should lie lulled in the fast embrace  
Of your fair Mistress. I hope I have given't him soundly.   Spenc. 

s'possible,  
To lodge my bride in one place, and dispose me  
To a wrong chamber: she not once send to me,  
That I might know to find her.   Alcad. 

Excellent.  
Nay, if I once suspect, it never fails.   Spenc. 

I'll not take't  
At th'hands of an Empress, much less at hers.   Alcad. 
Why, what's the business, Sir? Oh, I guess the cause of your grief.  Spenc. 
And Sir, you may, but I'll be revenged.  Alcad. 
Troth and I would.  Spenc. 

I'll bosom somebody,  
Be it the commonest Courtesan in Fez,  
If not for love, to vex her.   Alcad. 
Can you do less?  Spenc. 
To leave me the first night.  Alcad. 
Oh, 'twas a sign she never dearly loved you.  Spenc. 
I perceive Bashaw Alcade you understand my wrongs.  Alcad. 
In part, though not in whole.  Spenc. 

Your word is warrant, pass me the court gate,  
I'll to some loose bordello, and tell her when I have done.   Alcad. 
Were it my cause, I'd do this, and more.  Spenc. 
Make me wait thus!  Alcad. 
Oh Sir, 'tis insufferable.  Spenc. 
Troth I dally my revenge too long, what ho, Porter.  Port. 
How now, who calls?  Alcad. 
Her's Bashaw Alcade, turn the key.  Port. 
His name commands my gate, pass freely.  Spenc. 

Sir, I am bound to you,  
To take this wrong I should be held no man.  
Now to the watch, scape there as I can.   Exit. Alcad. 
Ha, ha, so long as she sleeps in the arms of Fez, let him pack where he pleases: Porter, now he's without, let him command his entrance no more, neither for reward nor entreaty, till day breaks.  Port. 
Sir, he shall not.  Alcad. 

'Tis well we are so rid of him: Mullisheg will give me great thanks for this.  
I'll to his chamber, there attend without,  
Till he shall waken from his drowsy rest,  
And then acquaint him with this fortunate jest.   Alarum. Enter joffer, Lieutenant, Spencer prisoner and wounded. Ioff. 

Sir, though we wonder at your noble deeds,  
Yet I must do the office of a subject,  
And take you prisoner? by that noble blood  
That runs in these my veins, when I behold  
The slaughter you have made, which wonders me,  
I wish you had escaped, and not been made captive  
To him, who though he may admire and love you,  
Yet cannot help you.   Spenc. 

Your style is like your birth, for you are joffer,  
Chief Bashaw to the king, and him I know  
Lord of most noble thoughts. Speak, what's my danger?   Ioff. 

Know Sir, a double forfeit of your life:  
Your outrage first is death, being in the night,  
And 'gainst the watch; but those that you have slain  
In this fierce conflict, brings without all bounds  
Of pardon.   Spenc. 
I was born too, and I embrace my fortune.  Ioff. 

Sir, now I know you  
To be that brave and worthy Englishman,  
So highly graced in court, which more amazeth me  
That you should thus requite him with the slaughter  
Of his loved subjects.   Spenc. 

I entreat you Sir,  
As you are noble question me no further,  
I have many private thoughts that trouble me,  
And not the fear of death.   Ioff. 

We know your name, and now have proved your courage,  
Both these moves us to give you as easy bondage as our loyalty  
To the king can suffer, you are free  
From irons.   Spenc. 
When this news shall come to her,  Ioff. 

Lieutenant, lead the watch some distance of,  
Bid them remove these bodies lately slain,  
I must have private conference with this prisoner,  
Leave him to my charge.  
Sir think me though a moor,  
A nation strange unto you Christians,  
Yet that I can be noble: but in you  
I have observed strange contrarieties,  
Which I would be resolved in.   Spenc. 
Speak your thoughts.  Ioff. 

When I conferred the nobleness of your blood,  
With this your present passion, I much muse,  
Why either such a small effuse of blood,  
These your slight wounds, or the pale fear of death,  
Should have the power to force a tear from such  
A noble eye.   Spenc. 

Why thinkst thou Bashaw  
That wounds, blood, or death  
Could force a tear from me, thou noblest of thy nation,  
Do not so far miss me: I tell thee Bashaw,  
The rack, strappado, or the scalding oil,  
The burning pincers, or the boiling lead,  
The stakes, the pikes, the caldron, or the wheel,  
Were all these tortures to be felt an once,  
Could not draw water hence.   Ioff. 
Whence comes it then?  Spenc. 

From that whose pains as far surmounts all those  
As whips of furies do the lady's fans,  
Made of the plumes o'th' ostrich: this like the Sun,  
Extracts the dew from my declining soul,  
And swims mine eyes in moist effeminacy.  
O Besse, Besse, Besse, Besse.   Ioff. 

Dead pity you have wakened in my bosom,  
And made me with you like compassionate.  
Freely relate your sorrows.   Spenc. 

Sir, I shall:  
If you have ever loved, or such a maid,  
So fair, so constant, and so chaste as mine,  
And should fortune to lamentable fortune,  
Betray her to a black abortive fate,  
How would it wring you? Or if you had a heart,  
Made of that mettle that we white men have,  
How would it melt in you?   Ioff. 
Sir, you confound me.  Spenc: 

I will be brief; the travels of my Bess,  
To find me out, you have partook at full,  
In presence of the King, these I omit.  
Now when we came to sum up all our joy,  
And this night were entering to our hoped bliss,  
The king, Oh most unworthy of that name,  
He quite fell off from goodness.   Ioff. 
Who Mullisheg?  Spenc. 

His lust outweighed his honour: and as if his soul  
Were blacker than his face, he laid plots  
To take this sweet night from me: but prevented,  
I have conveyed my beauteous bride aboard,  
My Captain and Lieutenant.   Ioff. 
Are they escaped?  Spenc. 

Safe to my Negro. Thus far fortune led me  
Through many dangers till I passed this bridge,  
The last of all your watches. And muse not  
Bashaw, that I thus single durst oppose myself,  
I wore my Mistress here, and she, not I,  
Made me midway a conqueror.   Ioff. 

She being at sea,  
And safe, why should your own fates trouble you?   Spenc. 

Renowned Moor, there is your greatest error;  
When we parted, I swore by the honour of a Gentleman,  
And as I ever was her constant friend,  
If I survived, to visit her aboard  
By such an hour: but if I fail, that she  
Should think me dead: now, if I break one minute,  
She leaps into the sea: 'tis this, great Bashaw,  
That from a soldier's eyes draws pearly tears:  
For my own person I despise all fears.   Ioff. 

You have deeply touched me: and to let you know  
All moral virtues are not solely grounded  
In th'hearts of Christians, go and pass free;  
Keep your appointed hour, preserve her life:  
I will conduct you past all danger: but withal  
Remember my head's left to answer it.   Spenc. 

Is honour fled from Christians unto Moors,  
That I may say in Birbarie I found  
This rare black Swan.   Ioff. 

And when you are at sea,  
The wind no question may blow fair; your anchors  
They are soon weighed, and you have sea- room free  
To pass unto your country: 'tis but my life,  
And I shall think it nobly spent to save you,  
Her, and your train from many sad disasters.   Spenc. 

Sir, I thank you,  
Appoint me a fixed hour, if I return not,  
May I be held a scorn to Christendom,  
And recreant to my country.   Ioff. 
By three tomorrow.  Spenc. 
bind me by some oath.  Ioff. 
Only your hand and word.  Spenc. 

Which if I break.  
What my heart thinks, my tongue forbears to speak.   Ioff. 
I'll bear you past all watches,  Exeunt. 
Explicit Act us secundus.   

Actus tertius. Scena prima.  Enter Mullisheg. Mull. 

THrough satiate with the pleasures of this night.  
The morning calls me from the sweet embraces  
Of the fair English Damsel.   Tot. 

The English stranger  
Is stolen from forth mine arms. I am at full revenged:  
Were I again to match, I de marry one  
Of this brave nation, if a Gentleman,  
Before the greatest Monarch of the world,  
They are such sweet and loving bedfellows.  
Now to my chamber, darkness guide my way,  
Lest what none yet suspect, the night betray.  
Let all like me wronged in their nuptial bed,  
Not aim at th'heart, but rather strike at th'head.   Mul. 

Venetian Ladies, nor the Persian Girls,  
The French, the Spanish, nor the Turkish Dames,  
Aethiop nor Greece can kiss with half that art  
These English can, nor entertain their friends  
With 'tenth part of that ample willingness  
Within their arms.   Alcad. 
Your highness called?  Mul. 

To tell thee that none shall partake but thou.  
Oh, I have had the sweetest nights content  
That ever king enjoyed.   Alcad. 
With the fair English bride.  Mull. 

Nor envy if I raise the Captain for't,  
For he shall mount.   Alcad. 

And he deserves it: but to me you owe  
Part of that honour, I had a hand in't too,  
Although perhaps you thought me ignorant  
In what is passed.   Mul. 

Hadst thou no more  
Than half a finger in this night's content,  
It shall not be forgot, but thou as he  
Shalt be raised one step higher.   Ale. 

Observing what had passed, I spied the bridegroom  
As still mine eyes were fixed on him, up and late,  
Then by a trick, a pretty sleight, a fine fetch of mine own,  
I passed him forth the gates, and gave command,  
He should not have his entrance back again,  
Neither for reward nor entreaties, till day broke.   Mull. 
Your aim in that?  Alc. 

For fear lest he by some suspicious jealousy  
Should have disturbed your rest.   Mull. 

Thy providence  
Shall not die unrewarded: shift him hence,  
And with his will too, this makes thee  
Of our counsel.   Alcad. 

'Tis an honour  
My wisdom hath long aimed at, and I hope  
Now shall receive his merit.   Enter a Negro. Negr. 

Pardon great king that I thus rudely press  
Into your private bedchamber.   Mull. 
Speak, thy news.  Negr. 

The English Captain, with the lovely Bride,  
With her Lieutenant hath secretly this night,  
With your highness' signet and the word past the Court-gates, past all the watches, and got aboard their Negro, and I was sent to know your highness' pleasure.   Mull. 

Ha, this night? aloud, seek, search,  
I left her sleeping in our royal bed.   Alcad. 
I shall my lord, I half suspect.  Mull. 
But was not Spencer with them?  Negr. 
Only they three: and we, by virtue of your highness' signet, passed them the court-gates without trouble.  Enter Alcad. Mull. 

We are amazed:  
Alcade, whom find'st thou there?   Alcad. 

Nothing, my lord, but empty sheets,  
A bed new tossed; but neither English Lady, nor any Lady else.   Mul. 

We stand astonished,  
Not knowing what to answer.   Enter a second messenger. Mess. 

Pardon great king if I relate the news  
That will offend you highly.   Mull. 
That the English Captain, Lady, and Lieuténant are escaped.  Mess. 
But that's not all.  Mull. 
Can there be worse behind?  Mess. 

Yes, if the loss of your dear subjects' lives  
Be worse than their escape: Spencer, without  
The signet or the word, being left behind.   Mull. 

You called the porter up  
And let him after.   Alcad. 
Pardon great King.  Mull. 

Was this your trick, your sleight, your stratagem?  
As we are king of Fez, thy life shall pay  
The forfeit, thine own tongue shall sentence thee.  
But to the rest.   Mess. 

Then passed he to the bridge,  
Where stood armed men, in number forty:  
Maugre all their strength, with his good sword  
He would have made through all:  
And in this fierce conflict, six, to the maze  
Of all the rest, were slain: nor would he yield,  
Till suddenly we raised a loud alarm,  
At which the Captain of the watch came down,  
And so there surprised him.   Mul. 
Is he prisoner then?  Mess. 

In custody of the great Bashaw joffer,  
With whom we left him.   Mull. 

Command our Bashaw  
To bring him clogged in irons. These English Pirates  
Have robbed us of much treasure: and for that  
His traitorous life shall answer. But for thee, traitor,  
That hadst a hand in his escape,  
Thou shalt be sure to pay for't.   Alcad. 

Alas, my lord,  
What I did was merely ignorance.   Mull. 

Nay bribes,  
And I shall find it so: bear him to guard.  
What dissolute strumpet did that traitorous Captain  
Send to our sheets; but all our injuries,  
Upon that English prisoner we'll revenge,  
As we in state and fortune hope to rise,  
A never heard of death that traitor dies.   Enter Captain, Bess, Ruffman, Clem. Bess 

No news from Forset yet that waits for Spencer,  
The long boat's not returned?   Goodl. 
Not yet?  Bess 
Clem. to the main top Clem, and give us notice if thou seest any (like them) make from the shore; the day is broke already.  Clem. 
With all my heart, so you will give me warning before the Gunner shoots, left I tumble down again, and put my neck a second time in danger.  Bess 
Prithee be gone, let's have no jesting now.  Clem. 
Then I'll to the main top in earnest.  Goodl. 
How fares it with you Bess?  Bess 

Like a heartless creature, a body without motion.  
How can I chose when I am come to sea,  
And left my heart ashore? What, no news yet?   Goodl. 
None.  Bess. 
I prithee Ruffman step into my Cabin, and bring me here my hour glass.  Ruff. 
That I shall.  Goodl. 
To what end would you use it?  Bess. 

Shall I tell thee Captain,  
I would know how long I have to live:  
That glass once turned, the sandy hour quite run,  
I know my Spencer's dead, and my life's done.   Enter Ruffman with the glass. Ruff. 
Your glass.  Bess 

Gramercy good Lieutenant:  
'Tis better than a gaudy looking glass,  
To deck our faces in; that shows our pride,  
But this our ends those glasses seek to hide.  
Have you been all at prayers?   Both 
We have.  Bess 

I thank you  
Gentlemen, never more need: and you would say  
As I do, did you but know how near our ends some are.  
Dost thou not think, Captain, my Spencer's slain?   Goodl. 
Yet hope the best.  Bess 

This is the hour he promised: Captain, look,  
For I have not the heart, and truly tell me  
How far 'tis spent  
Some fifteen minutes.   Bess 

Alas, no more; I prithee take't away,  
Even just so many have I left to pray,  
And then to break my heart strings: None that loves me  
Speak one word to me of him, or any thing:  
If in your secret cabins you'll bestow  
Of him and me some tears and hearty prayers,  
We, if we live shall thank you. Good Gentlemen  
Engage me so far to you.   Enter Clem. Clem. 
News, news, news.  Bess 
Ha, good or bad.  Clem. 
Excellent, most excellent, nay, super excellent, Forset and all his companions are rowing hither like mad men; and there is one that sits i'th' stern and does not row at all, and that is, let me see who is it? I am sure 'tis he, noble Spencer.  Bess 

Spencer?  
Heart, let me keep thee; thou wast up to heaven  
Half way in rapture. Art thou sure?   Clem. 
I think you'll make a man swear his heart out.  Bess 

Teach me but how  
I shall receive him when he comes aboard;  
How shall I bear me, Captain, that my joy  
Do not transcend my soul out of this earth,  
Into the air with passionate ecstasy:   Enter Spencer. Goodl. 

Now farewell barbary, king Mullisheg,  
We have sea room, and wind at will, not ten  
Of thy best Galleys armed with Moors,  
Can fetch us back.   Ruff. 
For England Gentlemen.  Bess. 

Oh, where's the Gunner:  
See all the ordnance be straight discharged  
For joy my Spencer lives; let's mist ourselves  
In a thick cloud of smoke, and speak our joys  
Unto the highest heavens in fire and thunder.   Ruff. 
To make the Queen vex and torment herself.  Bess 

To make the King tear his contorted locks,  
Curled like the knots of furies: Oh this music  
Doth please me better than th'effeminate strings,  
Tuned to their wild Moriskoes: dance my soul,  
And caper in my bosom, joyful heart,  
That I have here my Spencer.   Goodl. 

Come, weigh Anchor,  
Hoist sail, we have a fair and gentle gale  
To bear us to our country.   Spenc. 
Captain, stay.  Bess. 

I did not hear my Spencer speak till now,  
Nor would my sudden joy give me that judgement  
To spy that sadness in thee I now see;  
Good, what's the cause, canst thou conceal't from me?  
What, from thy Bess? Whence came that sigh?  
You will not tell me; no, do not:  
I am not worthy to partake your thoughts.  
Do you repent you that you see us safe  
embarked for England to enjoy me there:  
Is there some other whom you better love?  
Let me but know her, and for your sweet sake  
I'll serve her too: come, I will know the cause.   Spenc. 

Know all in one:  
Now I have seen you, I must leave you Bess.   Bess 
Leave me? Oh, fatal.  Spenc. 
Speak, my Bess, it is thy Spencer tells thee.  Bess 

That he will leave me: if the same tongue  
That wounded me, gives me no present cure,  
It will again entrance me.   Spenc. 

Arm yourself,  
It must be spoke again, for I must leave you.  
My honour, faith, and country are engaged,  
The reputation of a Christian's pawned;  
And all that wear that sacred livery,  
Shall in my breach be scandaled. moor's will say,  
We boast of faith, none does good works but they.   Bess 

I am nor sleep nor waking, but my senses  
All in a confused slumber.   Goodl. 

Sir, resolve us;  
You wrap us in a Labyrinth of doubts,  
From which I pray unloose us.   Spenc. 

I shall;  
I made my way through slaughter; but at length  
The watch came down and took me prisoner  
Unto a noble Bashaw: for my valour,  
It pleased him to admire me: but when sorrow  
To disappoint my Bess, struck me in passion,  
He urged me freely to relate my griefs,  
Which took in him such deep impression,  
That on my word and promise to return  
By such an hour, he left himself in hostage,  
To give me my desires.   Goodl. 

'Twas nobly done.  
But what's the lives of twenty thousand Moors,  
To one that is a Christian?   Ruff. 

We have liberty, and free way to our country,  
Shall not we take th' advantage that the heavens  
Have lent us: but now, as if we scorned  
Their gracious bounty, give up ourselves  
To voluntary bondage.   Bess. 

Prize you my love no better, than to rate it  
Beneath the friendship of a barbarous Moor?  
Can you, to save him, leave me to my death? Is this  
The just reward of all my travels?   Spenc. 

I prize my honour, and a Christians faith,  
Above what earth can yield: shall Fez report,  
Unto our countries' shame, and to the scandal  
Of our religion, that a barbarous Moor  
Can exceed us in nobleness? no, I'll die  
A hundred thousand deaths first.   Bess 

Oh, my fate, was ever maid thus crossed,  
That have so oft been brought to see my bliss,  
And never taste it? to meet my Spencer living after death,  
To join with him in marriage, not enjoy him?  
To have him here free from the barbarous Moors,  
And now to lose him? being so often raised  
Unto the height of all felicity  
To make my ruin greater. If you needs  
Will hazard your own person, make me partner  
In this thy present danger; take me with thee.   Spenc. 

Not for the world, no living soul shall bleed  
One drop for me.   Bess 

Canst thou be so unkind? then false man know,  
That thou hast taught me harshness. I without  
Thee came to Momarah, and to my country back,  
I will return without thee: I am here  
In mine own vessel, mine own train about me:  
And since thou wilt forsake me, to embrace  
The Queen of Moors: though coining strange excuse.  
e'en at thy pleasure be it, my way's into my country.  
Farewell, I'll not shed one tear more.   Spenc. 

My part's death,  
But honour wakens me, the hour draws nigh,  
And if I fail one minute, he must die.  
The long boat now. Farewell Bess.   Exit. Bess 

Why, farewell  
Spencer, I always loved thee but too well,  
Captain, thine ear,  
This I have vowed, and this you all shall swear.   Exeunt. Enter Mullisheg, Queen, joffer, Headsman. Mull. 
Produce your prisoner, Bashaw.  Ioff. 

Mighty King,  
Had you beheld his prowess, and withal,  
But seen his passions, you would then like me,  
Have pitied his disasters.   Mull. 

We know no pity for an injury  
Of that high nature, more than our revenge,  
We have vowed his death, and he shall therefore die.  
Go, bring him forth.   Ioff. 
Spare me, my lord, but some few hours, I shall.  Mull. 
The least delay is death.  Ioff. 
Then know, my lord, he was my prisoner.  Mull. 
How, was? and is not?  Ioff. 
By promise.  Mull. 
Not in gyves.  Ioff. 
he's gyved to me by faith, but else at liberty.  Mull. 

I pray unriddle us, and teach us that  
Which we desire to know, where is the English prisoner?   Ioff. 

I presumed, my lord,  
Such noble valour could not be lodged alone,  
Without some other virtues, faith and honour,  
Therefore I gave him freedom to his ship,  
Only upon his promise to return;  
Now if there be such nobleness in a Christian,  
Which being a Moor, I have expressed to him,  
He will not see me perish.   Mull. 

Foolish Bashaw  
To jest away thy head: you are all conspirators  
Against our person: and you all shall die.  
Why? canst thou think a stranger so remote,  
Both in country and religion, being embarked  
At sea, and under sail, free from our bands  
In the arms of his fair bride,  
His Captain and his sailors all above,  
Sea room and wind at will, and will return  
To expose all these to voluntary dangers,  
For a bare verbal choice?   Ioff. 

If he comes not,  
Be this mine honour, King, that though I bleed,  
A Moor a Christian thus far did exceed.   Mull. 

The hour is past,  
The Christian hath broke faith.  
Off with his head.   Enter Spencer: Spenc. 
Yet come at last.  Mull. 

is't possible?  
Can England so far distant harbour such noble vertues?   Ioff. 

I beshrew you, Sir,  
You come unto your death, and you have ta'en  
Much honour from me, and engrossed it all  
To your own fame; 'twould have lived longer by me,  
Than any monument can last, to have lost  
My life for such a noble stranger,  
Whose virtue even in this last act appears,  
I wish this blood, which now are friendly tears.  
You are come unto your death.   Spenc. 

Why, 'twas my purpose;  
And by that death, to make my honour shine.  
Great Mullisheg, cherish this noble Moor,  
Whom all thy confines cannot parallel  
For virtue and true nobleness. Ere my ship  
Should with such black dishonour bear me safe  
Into my country by thy bashaw's death,  
I would have bent my ordnance 'gainst her keel,  
And sunk her in the harbour.   Mull. 

Thou hast slain  
Six of our subjects.   Ioff. 

Oh, had you seen  
But with what eminent valour.   Mull. 

Nought that's ill  
Can be well done: then Bashaw, speak no more,  
His life is merely forfeit, and he shall pay it.   Spenc. 

I am proud, Fez, that I now owe thee nothing,  
But have in me ability to pay.  
If it be forfeit, take it, lay all on me,  
I'll pay the debt, then set the Bashaw free.   Mull. 

Besides, misprising all our gracious favours,  
To violate our laws, infringe our peace,  
Disturb our watch by night, and now perhaps  
Having robbed us of much treasure, stolen to sea.   Spenc. 

In that thou art not royal, Mullisheg.  
Of all thy gold and jewels lately given us,  
there's not a doit embarked,  
For finding thee dishonourably unkind,  
Scorning thy gold, we left it all behind.   Tot. 

If private men be lords of such brave spirits,  
How royal should their princes be!   Mull. 

Englishman,  
there's but one way for thee to save thy life,  
From eminent death.   Spenc. 
Well, propose it.  Mull. 

Instantly  
Send to thy Negro, and surrender up  
Thy Captain and thy fair Bride; otherwise,  
By all the holy rights of our great Prophet,  
Thou shalt not live an hour.   Spenc. 

Alas, good King,  
I pity and despise thy tyranny:  
Not live an hour? And when my head is off,  
What canst thou do then? Callest thou that revenge,  
To ease me of a thousand turbulent griefs,  
And throw my soul in glory for my honour.  
Why, thou strivest to make me happy but for her;  
Wert thou the King of all the kings on earth,  
Couldst thou lay all their sceptres, robes, and crowns,  
Here at my feet, and hadst power to install me  
Emperor of th' universal Empery,  
Rather than yield my basest ship-boy up,  
To become thy stave; much less betray my Bride  
To thee and to thy brutish lust, know king  
Of Fez, I'd die a hundred thousand deaths first.   Mull. 
I'll try your patience: Off with his head.  Enter Bess, Goodlack, Ruffman. Bess 
Her's more work, stay.  Spenc. 

What make you here?  
You wrong me above injury.   Bess 

If you love blood,  
That river spare, and for him take a flood,  
Be but so gracious as save him alone,  
And great King see I bring thee three for one:  
Spare him, thou shalt have more,  
The lives of all my train, what sayest thou to't?  
And with their lives my ship and all to boot.   Spenc. 

I could be angry with you above measure,  
In your four deaths I die, that had before  
Tasted but one.   Mull. 

Captain, art thou there? howe'er these fare,  
Thou shalt be sure to pay for't.   Goodl. 

'Tis my least care,  
What's done is mine, I here confessed,  
Then seize my life in ransom of the rest.   Tot. 

Lieutenant, you are a base villain,  
What groom betrayed you to our sheets?   Ruff. 
Please keep your tongue, I did you no dishonour.  Tot. 
Whom did you bring to our free embraces?  Ruff. 
'Twas the King, conceal what's past.  Tot. 
howe'er my mind, than yet my body's chaste.  Ruff. 
Make use on't.  Spenc. 

Dismiss, great King, these to their ship again,  
My life is solely forfeit, take but that,  
I shall report thee merciful.   Bess 

It were no justice, King, to forfeit his,  
And to spare mine, I am as deep as he,  
Since what my Spencer did was all for me.   Goodl. 

Great King, if any faulted, then 'twas I,  
I led them on, and therefore first should die.   Ruff. 
I am as deep as any.  Ioff. 

Oh, had my head  
Excused all these, I had been nobly dead.   Bess. 

Why pause you king? Is't by our noble vertes,  
That you have lost the use of speech? or can you think  
That Spencer dead, you might inherit me.  
No, first with Roman Portia I'd eat fire,  
Or with Lucretia character thy lust  
'Twixt these two breasts. Stood I engaged to death.  
I'd scorn for life to bend a servile knee:  
But 'tis for thee, my Spencer, what was his fault?  
'Twas but to save his own, rescue his dear Bride  
From adulterate sheets, and must he die for this?   Mull. 

Shall lust in me have chief predominance?  
And virtuous deeds, for which in Fez  
I have been long renowned, be quite exiled?  
Shall Christians have the honour  
To be sole heirs of goodness, and we Moors,  
Barbarous and bloody. Captain, resolve me,  
What common Courtesan didst thou convey  
Into our royal bed.   Tot. 

I can excuse him, pardon me great King,  
I having private notice of your plots,  
Wrought him unto my purpose, and 'twas I lodged in your arms that night.   Mull. 

These English are in all things honourable,  
Nor can we tax their ways in any thing,  
Unless we blame their virtues. English maid,  
We give thee once more back unto thy husband,  
Whom likewise freely we receive to grace:  
And as amends for our pretended wrongs,  
With her we'll tender such an ample dower,  
As shall renown our bounty: but we fear  
We cannot recompense the injurious loss,  
Of your last night's expectations.   Bess 

'Tis full amends,  
Where but the least part of your grace extends.   Mull. 

Captain, we prize thy virtues to thy friends,  
Thy faith to us, and zeal unto our Queen.  
And Bashaw, for thy nobleness to a Gentleman  
Of such approved valour and renown,  
We here create thee Viceroy of Argiers,  
And do esteem thee next our Queen in grace.  
Y'have quenched in me all lust, by which shall grow,  
Virtues which Fez, and all the world shall know.   Spenc. 

We shall report your bounties, and your royalties  
Shall fly through all the parts of Christendom.   Bess. 

Whilst Bess has gold, which is the meed of bays,  
she'll make our English Poets tune thy praise.  
And now my Spencer, after all our troubles,  
Crosses and threatenings of the seas rough brow,  
I ne'er could say thou wert mine own till now.   Mull. 

Call this your harbour, and your haven of joy,  
For so we'll strive to make it, noble strangers,  
Those virtues you have taught us by your deeds,  
We futurely will strive to imitate.  
And for the wrongs done to the hoped delights  
Of your last night's divorce, double the magazine  
With which our largesse should have swollen your ship.  
A golden Girl th' art called,  
And wench, be bold,  
Thy lading back shall be with pearl and gold.   Exeunt. Enter Chorus. Chor. 

Imagine Bess and Spencer under sail:  
But the intelligence of their great wealth,  
Being bruited 'mongst the Merchants, comes toth' ears  
Of a French Pirate, who with two ships well-rigged,  
Way lays them in their voyage: long they fought,  
And many slain on both sides; but the Frenchmen,  
Proud of their hopeful conquest, boarding twice,  
Are twice blown up, which adds courage to the English;  
But to the Frenchmen fear: just as they buckled,  
Spencer and Goodlack, with two proof Targets armed,  
Into the French ship leap, and on the hatches,  
There make a bloody slaughter: but at that instant,  
The billows swelled, the winds grew high, and loud,  
And as the soul and body use to part,  
With no less force these lovers are divided,  
He wafts to her, and she makes signs to him:  
He calls, and she replies:— they both grow hoarse,  
With shrieking out their last farewell.— now she swounds  
And sinks beneath the arms of Ruffman. Spencer,  
Upon a Chest gets hold and safe arrives  
I'th' Marquis of Farara's country: the like adventure  
Chanced Goodlack, upon a Mast he pierces italy,  
Where these two Dukes were then at odds. Spencer is chosen  
Farara's Champion: Mantua makes Goodlack his.  
What happened them if you desire to know,  
To cut off words, we'll act it in dumb show.   Dumb Show. 

The Dukes by them atoned, they graced and preferred,  
Take their next way towards Florence. What of Bess,  
Ruffman, and Clem becomes, must next succeed.  
The seas to them like cruel proves, and wracks  
Their Negro on the coast of Florence, where  
They wander up and down 'mongst the Bandetties,  
More of their fortunes we will next pursue,  
In which we mean to be as brief as true.   Exit. 
Explicit Actus tertius.   

Actus quartus. Scena prima.  Enter Bess, Ruffman, and Clem. Bess. 
ALl is lost.  Ruff. 
Save these ourselves.  Clem. 
For my part I have not so much left as a clean Shirt.  Bess 

And Spencer too, had the seas left me him,  
I should have thought them kind, but in his fate,  
All wishes, fortunes, hopes of better days  
Expire.   Ruff. 
Spencer may live.  Clem. 
ay, that he may, if it be but in a sea-water green suit, as I was, among the haddocks.  Bess 

How many bitter plunges have I passed.  
Ere I could win my Spencer? who no sooner  
Married, but quite divorced, possessed for some few days,  
Then rent asunder, as soon a widow as I was a Bride:  
This day the mistress of many thousands,  
And a beggar now, not worth the clothes I wear.   Ruff. 

At the lowest ebb  
The tides still flow, beside, bring on the ground,  
Lower we cannot fall.   Bess 

Yes, into the ground, the grave.  
Ruffman, would I were there; till then I never  
Shall have true rest: I fain would know  
What greater misery heaven can inflict, I have not yet  
Endured: if there be such, I dare it, let it come.   Enter Captain Bandetties, and others. Band. 
Cease, and surprise the prisoners: thou art mine.  Ruff. 
Villain, hands off, know'st thou whom thou offendest?  Band. 
Bind her fast, and after captive him.  Ruff. 

I will rather die  
Than suffer her sustain least injury.   Ruffman is beaten off. Bess 
what's thy purpose?  Band. 

In all my travels, and my quest of blood,  
I ne'er encountered such a beauteous prize:  
Heavens, if I thought you would accept his thanks  
That trades in deeds of hell, I would acknowledge  
myself in debt to you.   Bess 

what's thy intent,  
Bold villain, that thou mak'st this preparation?   Band. 
I intend to ravish thee.  Bess 

All goodness pardon me, and you blessed heavens,  
Whom I too boldly challenged for a misery  
Beyond my Spencer's loss. What, rape intended?  
I had not thought there had been such a mischief,  
Devised for wretched woman: ravish me?  
'Tis beyond shipwreck, poverty, or death:  
It is a word invented first in hell,  
And by the devils first spewed upon earth:  
Man could not have invented to have given  
Such letters sound.   Band. 

I trifle hours too long,  
And now to my black purpose. Envious day,  
Gaze with thy open eyes on this night's work,  
For thus the Prologue to my lust begins.   Bess 
Help, murder, rape, murder.  Band. 
I'll stop your mouth from bawling.  Enter Duke of Florence, and a train, and Merchant. Flor. 

This way the cry came: rescue for the Lady,  
Hold thy desperate fury, and arm thy self  
For my encounter.   Band. 
Hell prevented.  Flor. 

Unbind that beauteous Lady, and pursue  
The Ruffian; he that can bring his head shall have  
A thousand crowns proposed for his reward:  
He should be Captain of those bloody thieves,  
That haunts our mountains, and of our dear subjects  
Hath oft made outrage. Go, see this proclaimed.   Bess 

ere I, the happy wishes of my soul,  
My orisons to heaven, or make free tender  
Of a most bounden duty, grace my misery,  
To let me know, unto what worthy person,  
Of what degree or state, I owe the service  
Of a most wretched life, lest in my ignorance,  
I prove an heretic to all good manners,  
And harshly so offend.   Flor. 

Fairest of thy sex, I need not question thine,  
Because I read a nobleness in thy forehead;  
But to resolve thee, know, I am styled, The Duke  
Of Florence, and of this country Prince.   Bess 

Then from my knees I fall flat on my face,  
In bound obeisance.   Flor. 

Rise,  
That earth's too base for such pure lips to kiss.  
They should rather join with a Princes, as at first  
Made for such use: nay, we will have it so.   Merch. 

That Lady; if my memory be faithful  
Unto my judgement, I should have seen ere now,  
But where, what place, or in what country, now  
I cannot call to mind.   Flor. 
Where were you bred?  Bess. 
In England, royal Sir.  Merch. 
In England?  Flor. 

By what strange adventure then  
Happened you on these coasts?   Bess 
By shipwreck.  Flor. 

Then churlish were the waves t'expose you to  
Such danger. Whence disembarked you last?   Bess 
From barbary.  Flor. 
From barbary? our Merchant, you came lately thence.  Merch. 

'Tis she, I now remember her,  
She did me a great courtesy, and I am proud,  
Fortune, however enemy to her,  
Has given me opportunity to make  
A just requital.   Flor. 

What occasion  
Fair Lady, being of such state and beauty,  
Drew you from your own country, to expose you  
To so long travel.   Merch. 

Mighty Sovereign,  
Pardon my interruption, if I make bold  
To put your grace in mind of an English Virgin,  
So highly graced by mighty Mullisheg.   Flor. 

A legend, worthy to be writ in gold,  
Whose strangeness seemed at first to exceed belief;  
And had not thy approved honesty  
Commanded our attention, we should have doubted  
That thou therein hadst much hyperbolised.   Merch. 

What would your grace give,  
To see that miracle of constancy,  
She who relieved so many Christian captives,  
Redeemed so many of the Merchant's goods,  
begged of the king so many fortunes,  
Kept from the Galleys some, and some from slaughter,  
She whom the king of Fez never denied,  
But she denied him love; whose chastity  
Conquered his lust, and maugre his incontinence,  
Made him admire her virtues.   Flor. 

The report  
Strikes us with wonder and amazement too:  
But to behold the creature were a project,  
Worthy a theatre of Emperors;  
Nay, gods themselves to be spectators.   March. 
Behold that wonder. Lady, know you me?  Bess 
Not I, I can assure you, Sir.  March. 

I'll give you instance then;  
I was that Florentine:  
Who being in Fez; for a strange outrage there,  
Six of my men were to the Galleys doomed:  
But at your intercession to the king,  
Freely released: for which, in this dejection,  
I pray accept these thousand crowns, to raise  
Your ruined fortunes.   Bess 
You are grateful, Sir, beyond my merit  Flor. 

I cannot blame great Fez  
To become enamoured on so fair a creature.  
You had a friend much graced by that same Moor,  
Whom, as our Merchant told us, you were espoused to  
In the Court of Fez, where's he?   Bess 
I cannot speak it without teares.  Flor. 
Why, is he dead?  Bess 
I cannot say he lives.  Flor. 
How were you severed?  Bess 
It asks a sad relation.  Flor. 

we'll find a fitter time to hear't. But now,  
Augment your griefs no further: on what coast  
Pray, were you shipwrecked?   Bess. 

Upon these neighbouring shores; where all the wealth  
I had from barbary is perished in the sea.  
I that this morn commanded half a million,  
Have nothing now but this good merchant's bounty.   Flor. 

You are richer  
In our high favour, than all the royalty,  
Fez could have crowned your peerless beauty with:  
He gave you gold; but we your almost forfeit chastity.   Bess. 
A gift above the wealth of barbary.  Flor. 

Conduct this Lady to the City straight,  
And bear this our signet to our treasurer,  
Command for her ten thousand crowns immediately.  
Next to our wardrobe, and what choice of habit  
Best likes her, 'tis her own;  
Only for all this grace, deign beauteous Lady;  
That I may call you servant.   Bess 

Pardon me, Sir,  
You are a Prince, and I am here your vassal.   Flor. 

Merchant,  
As you respect our favour see this done.   Bess 

What must my next fall be? I that this morning  
Was rich in wealth and servants, and ere noon  
Commanded neither: and next doomed to death;  
Not death alone, but death with infamy.  
But what's all this unto my Spencer's loss?   Flor. 

You to the City, we'll pursue the chase.  
Madam, be comforted, we'll send, or see you;  
All your fortunes are not extinct in shipwreck,  
The land affords you better if you'll be swayed by us.  
As first you find us, we'll be still the same:  
Oft have I chased ne'er found so fair a game.   Exeunt. Enter Clem solus. Clem. 
Where are my bashaws now? Let me see, what shall I do? I have left my Mistress, where shall I have my wages? she's peppered by this: but if the Captain of the Bandetties had had but that grace and honour that I had when I was in barbary, he would not have been so lusty. She scaped drowning, which is the way of all fish, and by this is gone the way of all flesh. My Lieutenant he's sure cut to pieces among the Bandetties, and so had I been, had not my baker's legs stepped a little aside. My noble Captain and Spencer, they are either drowned i'th' tempest, or murdered by the Pirates, and none is left alive but I Clem, poor Clem: but poor Clem, how wilt thou do now? what trick have you to satisfy Colon, here in a strange Country? It is not now with me as when Andrea lived. Now I bethink me, I have a trade, and that, they say, will stick by a man when his friends fail 'em: the City is hard by, and I'll see and I can be entertained to my old trade of drawing fin: if't be but an under skinker, I care not, better do so then like a prodigal feed upon husks and acorns.  

Well, if I chance to lead my life under some happy sign,  
To my Countrymen still I'll fill the best wine.   Exit. Enter Roughman bleeding. Ruff. 
Wounded, but scaped with life: but Bess's loss, that's it that grieves me inward: ravished, perhaps, and murdered. Oh, if Spencer and Goodlack survive, how would they blame my cowardice? a thread spun, may be untwined, but things in nature done, undone can never be. she's lost, they are perished, they are happy in their deaths, and I surviving left to the earth most miserable. No means to raise myself? I met a Pursuivant even now, proclaiming to the man could bring the head of the bandetties' Captain, for his reward a thousand crowns: If not for gain of gold, yet for he injured Bess, that shall be my next task: What though I die?  

Be this my comfort, that it chanced me well,  
To perish by his hand by whom she fell.   Exit. Enter Duke of Florence. Merchant. Flor. 

Our Merchant, have you done toth' English Lady  
As we commanded, did she take the gold?   Merc. 

After many compliments, circumstances,  
Modest refusals, sometimes with repulse,  
I forced on her your bounty: Had you seen  
What a bewitching art she strived to use,  
Betwixt denial, and disdain; contempt and thankfulness,  
You would have said, that out of a mere scorn  
T'accept your gift, she expressed such gratitude,  
As would demand a double donative.   Flor. 

And it has done't, it shall be doubled straight,  
Arising thence unto an infinite,  
If she'll but grant us love. How for her habit?   March. 

With an inforst will, wilful constraint,  
And a mere kind of glad necessity,  
She put it on but to lament the death  
Of her lost husband.   Flor. 
Why, is he lost?  Merch. 
By all conjectures never to be found.  Flor. 

The less her hope is to recover him,  
The more our hopes remains to conquer her:  
Bear her from us this jewel, and withal  
Provide a banquet, bid her leave all mourning,  
This night in person we will visit her.   Merch. 
I shall.  Flor. 

Withal more gold.  
And if thou canst by way of conference,  
Get from her how she stands affected towards us:  
It shall not be the furthest way about  
To thy preferment and our special favour.   Enter a messenger. Mess. 
The two bold Dukes of Mantua and Farara, after many bloody garboils have entered league: and within these two days mean to visit Florence, to make your Court a witness of their late concluded amity.  Flor. 

we'll receive them,  
As Princes that in this would honour us.   Mess. 
These letters will speak further.  Flor. 

Bear them straight  
Unto our Secretary, and withal, give order,  
That all our Court may shine in gold and pearl,  
They never could have come in a happier season,  
Then when the great and high magnificence,  
Without suspect we would have shown to her,  
Will be accounted honour done to them.  
In fate's despite,  
we will not lose the honour of this night.   Exit. Enter Spencer, Goodlack. Spenc. 
Ferrara was exceeding bountiful.  Goodl. 

So was the Duke of Mantua. Had we stayed  
Within their confines, we might even till death  
Have lived in their high favour.   Spenc. 

Oh, but Captain,  
What would their Dukedoms gain me without Bess,  
Or all the world t'enjoy it without her:  
Each passage of content or pleasing fortune,  
When I record she has no part in it,  
Seems rather as an augmentation  
Of a more great disease.   Goodl. 

This be your comfort, that by this  
she's best part of her way for England, whither  
She is richly bound, then where she is most hopeless  
Of this your safety,  
With your survival to receive us gladly  
With an abundant treasure.   Spenc. 

But for that,  
I had sunk ere this beneath the weight of war.  
And choosed an obscure death, before the glory  
Of a renowned soldier. But we are now  
As far as Florence onward of our way,  
Were it best that we made tender of our service  
To the grand Duke?   Goodl. 
'Tis the greatest benefits of all our travels, to see foreign Courts, and to discourse their fashions: let us by no means neglect that duty.  Spenc. 
Where were we best to lodge?  Goodl. 
Hard by is a Tavern, let's first drink there, and after make inquiry who's the best host for strangers.  Spenc. 
Come ho, where be these Drawers?  Enter a Drawer. Draw. 
Gentlemen, I draw none myself, but I'll send some.  Enter Clem with wine. Clem. 
Welcome Gentlemen. Score a quart.  Spenc. 
Ha?  Goodl. 
How?  Clem. 
No, no, I am an ass, a very animal, it cannot be.  Spenc. 
Why dost thou bear the wine back, the slave thinks belike we have no money?  Goodl. 
What dost thou think us to be such cashiered soldiers that we have no cash. Tush, it cannot be he.  Spenc. 
How should he come here, set down the wine.  Clem. 
I will, I will, sir. Score a quart of— Tricks, mere phantasms. Shall I draw wine to shadows? so I might run o'th' score, and find no substance to pay for it.  Spenc. 
Left we not him a shipboard on his voyage towards England with my  Goodl. 
With Bess, true, Sirrah, set down the wine.  Clem. 
Some Italian Mountebanks, upon my life, mere juggling.  Goodl. 
Upon my life 'tis Clem.  Clem. 
Ca, Ca, Cap. Captain? Master Spencer?  Spenc. 
Clem?  Clem. 
I am Clem.  Spenc. 
And I am Spencer.  Goodl. 
And I Goodlack, but cannot think thee Clem.  Clem. 
Yes, I am Clem of Foy, the Bashaw of barbary, who from a Courtier of Fez, am turned a Drawer in Florence: but let me clear my eyes better; now I know you to be the same whose throats the Pirates would have cut, and have spoiled your drinkings.  Spenc. 

Oh, tell us, and be brief in thy relation,  
What happened you, after the sudden tempest  
Severed our ships? or what's become of Bess?   Goodl. 
Where did our Negro touch?  Clem. 
I'll give you a touch, take it as you will: The Negro and all that was in her was wracked on the coast of of Florence, her, and all the wealth that was in her, all drowned i'th' bottom of the sea.  Spenc. 
No matter for the riches, where's she, worth More than ship or goods?  Goodl. 
where's Ruffman? for thou we see art safe.  Spenc. 

Nay speak, where's Bess?  
How my heart quails within me?   Clem. 
She, Ruffman, and I were all cast ashore safe, like so many drowned Rats, where we were no sooner landed, but we were set upon by the Bandetties; where she was bound to a tree, and ready to be ravished by the Captain of the Outlaws.  Spenc. 
Oh, worse than shipwreck could be.  Clem. 
I see Ruffman half cut in pieces with rescuing her, but whether the other half be alive or no, I cannot tell. For my one part, I made shift for one, my heels doing me better service than my hands: and coming to the City, having no other means to live by, got me to my old trade to draw wine, where I have the best wine in Florence for you Gentlemen.  Spenc. 
ravished.  Goodl. 
And Ruffman slain.  Spenc. 

Oh, hard news:  
It frets all my blood, and strikes me stiff with  
Horror and amazement.   Goodl. 

It strikes me  
Into a marble statue, for with such  
I have like sense and feeling.   Spenc. 

Tell me Captain,  
Wilt thou give me leave at length to despair  
And kill myself: I will disclaim all further  
Friendship with thee, if thou persuadest me live.  
Ravished!   Goodl. 

Perhaps attempted but prevented,  
Will you before you know the utmost certainty,  
Destroy yourself?   Spenc. 

What is this world? what's man? are we created  
Out of flint or iron, that we are made to bear this?   Goodl. 
Comfort, Sir.  Clem. 
Your only way is to drink wine if you be in grief, for that's the only way, the old proverb says, to comfort the heart.  Goodl. 
Hark where we lie, and I prithee Clem let's hear from thee, but now leave us.  Clem. 
I will make bold inquire you out, and if you want money (as many travellers may) as long as I have either credit, wages, or any coin i'th' world, you shall not want, as I am a true Eunuch.  Exit Clem. Enter Florence ushuring Bess, Train. Goodl. 
Let's stand aside and suffer these Gallants pass, that with their state take a whole street before them.  Flor. 

Our Coach, stay, we'll back some half hour hence,  
Only conduct this Lady to her lodging.  
Ha, started you, Sweet, whence fetched  
You that sigh. Our train lead on,  
W'have other business now to think upon.   Exeunt. Bess casts a jewel. Goodl. 
Sure this was some great Lady.  Spenc. 
But observed you not this jewel that she cast me? 'tis a rich one.  Goodl. 
Believe me, worthy your wearing.  Spenc. 

What might she be to whom I am thus bound?  
I'm here a stranger, never till this day  
Beheld I Florence, nor acquaintance, friend  
Especially of Ladies.   Goodl. 

By their train,  
The man that did support her by the arm  
Was of some special note; and she a Lady  
Nobly descended. Why should she throw you this,  
Being a mere stranger?   Spenc. 

there's some mystery in't,  
If we could find the depth on't, sure there is.   Goodl. 

Perhaps some newly fallen in love with you,  
Now at first sight, and hurled that as a favour.   Spencer. 

Yet neither of us had or the wit or sense to inquire her name:  
I'll wear it openly and see if any  
Will challenge it: the way to know her best.   Goodl. 
And I would so.  Spenc. 

I'll truce a while with sorrow for my Bess,  
Till I find th'event.   Goodl. 

And at best leisure  
Tender our service to the Duke,  
Whom fame reports to be a bounteous prince,  
And liberal to all strangers.   Spenc. 

'Tis decreed-  
But hosoe'er his favours he impart,  
My Bess's loss will still sit near my heart.   Exeunt. Flourish. Enter Florence, Mantua, Farara. Flo. 

This honour you have done me, worthy Princes,  
In leaving of your Courts to visit me,  
We reckon as a trophy of your loves,  
And shall remain a future monument,  
Of a more firm and perfect amity.   Mant. 

To you, as to the greatest, most honoured,  
And most esteemed Prince of Italy,  
After a tedious opposition,  
And much effuse of blood, this Prince and I,  
Late reconciled, make a most happy tender  
Of our united league.   Farar. 

Selecting you  
A royal witness of this union,  
Which to express, we come to feast with you,  
To sport and revel, and in full largesse,  
To spread our royal bounty through your Court.   Flor. 

What neither letters nor Ambassadors,  
Soliciting by factions, or by friends,  
heaven's hand hath done by your more calmer temper.   Mant. 

All resistals,  
Quarrels, and ripping up of injuries,  
Are smothered in the ashes of our wrath,  
Whose fire is now extinct.   Ferar. 

Which who so kindles,  
Let him be held a new Herostratus,  
Who was so hated throughout Ephesus,  
They held it death to name him.   Flor. 

Nobly spoke.  
And now confederate Princes, you shall find,  
By our rich entertainment, how w'esteem  
Your friendship. Speak, have we no Ladies here  
To entertain these princes?   Enter Bess. Mant. 

methinks I spy one beauty in this place,  
Worth all the sights that I have seen before.  
I think, survey the spacious world abroad,  
You scarce can find her equal.   Farar. 

Had not wonder,  
And deep amazement curbed my speech in,  
I had forestalled this Prince in approbation  
Of her compareless beauty.   Flor. 

Taste her Princes.  
This surfeits me, and adds unto my love,  
That they should thus admire her.   Matua. 

Beauteous Lady,  
Is is not my least honour to be first  
In this most wished solicit:   Bess 

I stand a statue,  
And cannot move but by another's will,  
And as I am commanded.   Farar. 

I should have wrestled for priority,  
But that I hold it as a blessing,  
To take off that kiss which he so late laid on.   Flor. 

Now tell me Princes,  
How do you like my judgement in the choice Of a fair mistress?   Mant. 
You shall choose for me.  Farar. 

More happy in this beauty, I account you,  
Then in your richest treasure.   Flor. 

Wer't not clouded o'er  
With such a melancholy sadness, I'd  
Not change it for the wealth of Italy.  
Sweet, cheer this brow whereon no frown can sit,  
But it will ill become you.   Bess 
Sir, I bleed.  Flor. 

Ha, bleed?  
I would not have a sad and ominous fate  
Hang o'er thee for a million:  
Perhaps 'tis custom with you.   Bess 

I have observed  
Even from my childhood, never fell from hence  
One crimson drop, but either my greatest enemy,  
Or my dearest friend was near.   Flor. 

Why, we are here,  
Fixed to thy side thy dearest friend on earth.  
If that be all, fear nothing.   Bess. 

Pardon, Sir,  
Both modesty and manners pleads for me  
And I must needs retire.   Flor. 

Our train attend her,  
Let her have all observance. By my royalty,  
I would not have her taste the least disaster  
For more than we can promise.   Exit. Ferar. 

You have only showed us a rich jewel, Sir,  
And put it in a casket.   Mant. 

Of what country,  
Fortune, or birth doth she proclaim herself?  
For by her garb and language we may guess,  
She was not bred in Florence.   Flor. 
Seat you Princes, I'll tell you a strange project.  Enter Spencer and Goodlack. Spenc. 
I have walked the streets, but find not any that will make challenge of this jewel. Captain, now we'll try the Court.  Goodl. 

Beware of these Italians,  
They are by nature jealous and revengeful,  
Not sparing the most basest opportunity,  
That may procure your danger.   Spencer. 

Innocence  
Is bold and cannot fear. But see the Duke,  
we'll tender him the solemnst reverence  
Of travellers and strangers. Peace, prosperity,  
And all good fates attend your royalty.   Goodl. 

Behold, w'are two poor English Gentlemen,  
Whom travel hath enforced through your Dukedom,  
As next way to our country, prostrate you  
Our lives and service: 'tis not for reward,  
Or hope of gain we make this tender to you,  
But our free loves.   Flor. 

That which so freely comes,  
How can we scorn? what are you Gentlemen?   Mant. 
I'll speak for this.  Farar. 

And I for him,  
Well met renowned Englishman  
Here in the Court of Florence: this was he,  
Great Duke, whom fame hath for his valour blazoned;  
Not only through Mantua,  
But through the spacious bounds of italy,  
Where 'twas shown.   Ferar. 

Hath fame been so injurious to thy merit,  
That this great Court is not already filled  
With rumour of their matchless chivalry.   Flor. 

If these be they, as by their outward semblance,  
They promise not much less: same hath been harbinger  
To speak their praise before hand. Noble Gentlemen,  
You have much graced our Court; we thank you for't:  
And though no way according to your merits,  
Yet will we strive to cherish such brave spirits.   Spenc. 

Th'acceptance of our smallest service, Sir,  
Is bounty above gold: w'are poor Gentlemen,  
And though we cannot, gladly would deserve.   Goodl. 

'thas pleased these princes to bestow on us  
Too great a character: and gild our praises  
Far above our deserts.   Flor. 

That's but your modesty.  
English Gentlemen, let fame speak for you.   Farar. 

Gentlemen of England, we pardon you all duty,  
We accept you as our friends and our companions:  
Such you are, and such we do esteem you.   Spencer. 

Mighty Prince,  
Such boldness wants excuse.   Flor. 

Come we'll ha't so.  
Amazement, can it be? Sure 'tis the self same jewel  
I gave the English Lady: more I view it,  
More it confirms my knowledge: now is no time  
To question it, once more renowned Englishmen,  
Welcome to us and to these Princes.   Enter Ruffman. Ruff. 
Can any man show me the great Duke of Florence?  March. 
Behold the Prince.  Ruff. 

Deign, thou renowned Duke, to cast thy eyes  
Upon a poor dejected Gentleman,  
Whom fortune hath dejected even to nothing.  
I have nor meat nor money; these rags are all my riches;  
Only necessity compels me claim  
A debt owing by you.   Flor. 

By us?  
Let's know the sum, and how the debt accrues.   Ruff. 

You have proclaimed to him could bring the head  
Of the Bandetties Captain, for his reward,  
A thousand crowns. Now I being a Gentleman,  
A traveller, and in want, made this my way  
To raise my ruined hope: I singled him,  
Fought with him hand to hand, and from his bloody shoulders  
Lopped this head.   Flor. 

Boldly and bravely done: whate'er thou be  
Thou shalt receive it from our treasury.   Ruff. 

You show yourself as fame reports you,  
A bounteous Prince, and liberal to all strangers.   Flor. 

From what country  
Do you claim your birth?   Ruff. 
From England, royal Sir!  Flor. 

These bold Englishmen,  
I think are all composed of spirit and fire,  
The element of earth hath no part in them.   Mant. 

If, as you say, from England, we retain  
Some of your Countrymen; know you these Gentlemen?   Ruff. 

Let me no longer live in ecstasy,  
This wonder will confound me: Noble friends,  
Bootless it were to ask you why, because  
I find you here. Illustrious Duke, you owe  
Me nothing now, to show me these, is reward  
Beyond what you proclaimed: the rest I pardon.   Flor. 

What these are we know,  
And what thou art we need not question much,  
That head though mute can speak it.  
Princes, once more receive our royal welcome.  
Oh, but the jewel: but of that at leisure  
Now we cannot stay. Our train, lead on.   Flourish. Exeunt Dukes. Spenc. 

Oh, that we three so happily should meet,  
And want the fourth.   Ruff. 

I left her in the hands of rape and murder,  
Whence, except some deity,  
'Twas not in the power of man to rescue her;  
however, a good office I have done her,  
Which even in death her soul will thank me for,  
Revenged her on that villain.   Goodl. 

It hath expressed the nobleness of thy Spirit.  
For it we still shall owe thee.   Ruff. 

But what adventure hath preferred you  
And brought you thus in grace?   Goodl. 

You shall hereafter  
partake of that at large. But leaving this discourse,  
With our joint persuasions let's strive to comfort him,  
That's nothing but discomfort.   Ruff. 

Would I had brought him news of that rare virtue.  
Yet you have never heard of our late shipwreck.   Goodl. 
Clem reported it.  Ruff. 
How Clem, where's he?  Goodl. 
He has got a service hard by, and draws wine.  Ruff. 

His master may well trust him with his maids,  
For since the bashaws gelded him, he has learned  
To run exceeding nimbly.   Enter Merchant. Merch. 

Sir, 'tis to you, I take it,  
My message is directed.  
The Duke would, have some conference with you, but it must be in private.   Spenc. 

I am his servant, still at his command.  
Where shall's meet anon.   Goodl. 
At Clem's.  Spencer. 
Content.  Goodl. 
Where we'll make a due relation of all our desperate fortunes.  Ruff. 
'Tis concluded.  Exeunt 
Explicit Actus quartus.   

Actus quintus. Scena prima.  Enter Duke of Florence and Spencer. Flor. 

I Cannot rest till I am fully resolved  
About this jewel. Sir, we sent to stay you,  
And wean you some small season from your friends:  
And you above the rest, because your presence  
Doth promise good discourse.   Spenc. 
Sir, I am all yours.  Flor. 
How long hath been your sojourn here in Florence?  Spencer 
Two days, no more.  Flor. 

Have you since your arrival  
Retained no beauteous Mistress? Pardon me,  
Sir, that I am come thus near you.   Spencer. 

On my soul  
Not any, royal Sir.   Flor. 

Think it my love that I presume thus far  
To question you. Have you observed no Lady  
Of special note, courted or discoursed with any  
Within these two days.   Spenc. 
Upon my honour, none.  Flor. 

You are a soldier and a Gentleman,  
And should speak all truth.   Spenc. 
If otherwise, I should disclaim my gentry.  Flor. 

I believe you, Sir. You have a rich jewel here,  
Worthy a PRINCE's wearing: 'twere not modesty  
To ask how you came by it, or from whom.   Spenc. 

Nor can I, Sir, resolve you, if you did:  
But it was cast me by a Lady, of whom  
As then I took small notice of, my mind  
Being troubled.   Flor. 
'Tis even so.  Spenc. 

Perhaps your grace by knowing of this jewel,  
May know the beauteous slinger, and so  
You might engage me deeply to acquaint me with her,  
To prove her grateful debtor.   Flor. 

No such thing,  
You know none in this City?   Spenc. 

Worse than scorn,  
Or foul disgrace befall me if I know  
Any you can call woman.   Flor. 

Be not moved,  
I spoke but this in sport. Sure this strange Lady,  
Casting her eye upon this Gentleman,  
Grew straight of him enamoured, which makes her  
Keep off from my embraces: but I'll sound all,  
Yet my own wrongs prevent. Sir, I stayed you,  
But to another purpose, to commit  
A weighty secret to you.   Spenc. 

Were't of millions,  
I'd prove your faithful steward.   Flor. 

I have a Mistress that I tender dearer  
Than mine own eyes. Observe me, dearer Sir,  
Whom neither courtship moves, favours can work,  
Nor no preferment tempt.   Spenc. 

How rich were he  
Could call himself lord of such a jewel.   Flor. 

My entreaties, friends, persuasions, importunities  
Of my chaste Ladies cannot prevail at all.  
Now would I chose a stranger, selecting thee,  
To bear to her these few lines which contain  
The substance of my mind.   Spencer 
And Sir, I shall.  Flor. 

In thy aspect  
I read a fortune that should destine me  
To strange felicities. Wilt thou be faithful?   Spenc. 
As to my soul.  Flor. 

But thou shalt swear before thou undertake'st,  
(Though I suspect not falsehood in thy visage)  
Not once to cast on her an amorous look,  
Speak to her no familiar syllable,  
Not to embrace her, nor to kiss her hand,  
Nor her free lip by no means.   Spenc. 
Well, I swear.  Flor. 

But that's not all,  
Swear by thy faith and thy religion:  
Not to taste the least small favour for thyself,  
Touch or come near her bosom; for, fair stranger,  
I love her above measure, and that love  
Makes me thus jealous.   Spenc. 

By my honesty,  
Faith, and religion, without free release  
From your own lips, all this will I perform.   Flor. 

And so return the richest Englishman,  
That ever pierced our Dukedom. Instantly  
Thou shalt about thy task.   Exeunt. Enter Bess, Merchant. Bess 

You have tired our ears with your long discourse  
Leave us to rest.   Merch. 
Dream on your best desires.  Bess 

If at some half hour hence you visit us,  
We shall be free for language.   Merch. 
Soft rest with you.  Bess 

If my soft sleeps presents me any shadow  
Oh, let it be my Spencer's, him whom waking  
I cannot see, I may in dreams perhaps  
Converse with, my sudden bleeding and my drowsiness,  
Should not presage me good: pray heaven the Duke  
Prove loyal to mine honour: howsoever  
Death will end all: and I presume on this  
'Tis way to Spencer, and my haven of bliss.   she lies to sleep. Enter Spencer. Spenc. 

What beauty should this be, on whom the Duke  
Is grown so jealous: sure 'tis some rare piece;  
He told me she was fairer than I could either  
judge, Or yet imagine.  
Would Bess were here to wager beauties with her,  
For all my hopes in England. This is the Chamber:  
Ha, thus far off she seems to promise well,  
I'll take a nearer and more free survey,  
This taper shall assist me: fail my eyes?  
Or meet I nothing else but prodigies?  
Oh heavens, it is my Bess; Oh, sudden rapture!  
Let me retire to more considerate thoughts.  
What should I think, but presently to wake her?  
And being mine, to seize her where I find her.  
Oh, but mine oath, that I should never, never  
Lie with her being my wife, nor kiss her, touch her,  
Speak to her one familiar syllable.  
Can oaths bind thus? My honesty, faith, and  
Religion are all engaged, there's no dispense for them.  
And yet in all this conflict to remember  
How the Duke praised her virtue, chastity,  
And constancy, whom nothing could corrupt,  
Adds to my joys. But on the neck of this,  
It lays a double torture on my life.  
First to forswear, then leave so fair a wife.   She starts. Bess. 

I am all distraction. In my sleepe  
I saw him, could I but behold him waking.  
That were a heaven. Ha, do I dream still?  
Or was I born to see  
Nothing but strange illusions. Spencer: Love.   Spencer 
I am neither.  Bess 

Thou hast his shape, his gate, his face, his language:  
Only these words of thine and strange behaviour,  
Never came from him. Let me embrace thee.   Spenc. 
No.  Bess 
Then kiss me.  Spenc. 
No.  Bess 
Yet speak me fair.  Spenc. 
I cannot.  Bess. 
Look on me.  Spenc. 

I must not, I will not, fare thee well:  
Yet first read that.   Bess 
I have read too much already within thy change of looks.  Spenc. 

Oh me my oath;  
I'd chop off this right hand to cancel it.   Bess 
But if not now, when then?  Spenc. 
Never.  Bess 
Not kiss me?  Spenc. 
No.  Bess 
Not fold me in thine arms?  Spenc. 
Not.  Bess 
Nor cast a gracious look upon thy Bess?  Spenc. 
I dare not.  Bess 
Never.  Spenc. 
No never.  Bess 
Oh, I shall die.  She swounds. Spenc. 

She faints, and yet I dare not for my oath  
Once to support her. Dies before mine eyes.  
And yet I must not call her back to life.  
Where is the Duke? some help, no Ladies nigh?  
Are you all, all asleep or dead,  
there's no more noise in Court?   Enter Duke and his train. Flor. 

Ha, what's the business, noble friend, what news?  
How speed you with my Mistress?   Spenc. 

You may see there on the ground, half  
In the grave already. So fare you well,  
What grief mine is, those that love best can tell.   Flor. 
Support her. Speak love, look up divinest Mistress.  Bess. 
You said you would not speak, nor look, nor touch your Bess.  Flor. 

Who I?  
By all my hopes I ne'er had such a thought.   Bess 
Oh, I mistook.  Flor. 

Why do you look so ghastly about the room?  
Whom does your eyes inquire for?   Bess 
Nothing, nay, nobody.  Flor. 
Why do you weep?  Bess 

Hath some new love possessed him, and excluded  
Me from his bosom? can it be possible?   Flor. 
All leave the chamber.  Bess 

But I'll be so revenged as never woman was:  
I'll be a precedent to all wives hereafter,  
How to pay home their proud neglectful husbands;  
'Tis in my way, I've power, and I'll do it.   Flor. 
What is't offends you?  Bess 
'Tis you have done't.  Flor. 
we?  Bess 

If you be the Prince:  
there's but one man I hate above all the world.  
And you have sent him to torment me here.   Flor. 
What satisfaction shall I make thee for't?  Bess 

This, and this only; If you have any interest  
In him, or power above him: if you be a Prince  
In your own country, have command and rule  
In your own dominions, freely resign his person  
And his state solely to my disposure.   Flor. 

But whence grows  
The ground of such inveterate hate?   Bess. 

All circumstance to omit,  
He, and only he ravished me from my country,  
He was the cause of all my afflictions,  
Tempests, shipwreck, fears. I never had just cause  
Of care and grief but he was author of it.  
Speak, is he mine?   Flor. 

What interest I can claim, either by oath  
Or promise, thou art Commandress of.   Bess 

Then I am yours;  
And tomorrow in the public view of all  
The stranger Princes, Courtiers, and Ladies,  
I will express myself. This night I entreat  
I may repose myself in my own lodging  
For private meditations.   Flor. 

What we have promised,  
Is in our purpose most irrevocable,  
And so we hope is yours.   Bess 
You may presume, my lord.  Flor. 

Conduct this Lady to her chamber,  
Let her have all observance: we will lay  
Our strict command on him, lest he should leave  
Our City before our summons, 'tis tomorrow, then,  
Shall happy thee, make us most blessed of men.   Exit Duke. Bess 

Now shall I quite him home,  
Th'ingrate shall know,  
'Tis above patience to be injured so.   Merch. 
Will you walk Lady, or take your coach?  Bess 

That we the streets more freely may survey,  
we'll walk along.   Exeunt. Enter Clem with his pots. Clem. 
Let me see, three quarts, two pottles, one gallon and a pint, one pint, two quarts more, than I have my load: thus are we that are under-journeymen put to't. Oh the fortune of the seas; never did any man that marries a whore, so cast himself away, as I had been like i'th' last tempest: yet nothing vexes me so much, that after all my travels, no man that meets me but may say, and say very truly, I am now no better than a pot companion.  Enter Bess, Merchant. Bess 

That should be Clem my man, give me some gold,  
Here, Sirrah, drink this to the health  
Of thy old Mistress. Usher on,  
We have more serious things to think upon.   Clem. 
Mistress Bess, mistress Elizabeth, 'tis she: ha', gold: hence pewter pots, I'll be a pewter porter no longer: my Mistress turned Gallant, and shall I do nothing but run up stares and down stares, with, anon, Sir? no, I have gold, and anon will be as gallant as the proudest of them. Shall I stand at the Bar to bar any man's casting that drinks hard? no, I'll send these pots home by some porter or other, put myself into a better habit, and say, The case is altered; then will I go home to the bush where I drew wine, and buy out my time, and take up my Chamber, be served in pomp by my fellow prentices:  
I will presently thither,  
Where I will flaunt it in my Cap and my Feather.  Enter Goodlack, Spencer, Ruffman. Goodl. 
You tell us of the strangest wonderment that ever came within the compass of my knowledge.  Spenc. 
I tell you but what's true.  Goodl. 
It cannot find example. Did you leave her those extremities of passion?  Spenc. 
I think dying, or the next way to death.  Goodl. 

To cheer you,  
The Duke's own witness of her constancy,  
And virtue, armed against all temptations,  
Part of your griefs should lessen.   Spenc. 

Rather friend,  
Augment my passions, to be forced to lose,  
And quite abjure so sweet a bedfellow.  
Oh, it breeds more distraction.   Goodl. 

Were't my cause,  
I'd to the Duke and claim her, beg for justice,  
And through the populous court clamour my wrongs,  
If he detain her from you.   Spenc. 

But my oath  
Ties me from that, I have quite abjured her,  
I have renounced her freely, cast her off,  
Disclaimed her quite: I can no more  
Interest claim in her, than Goodlack  
Thou, or Ruffman thou.   Goodl. 

'Tis most strange, let's examine all our brains  
How this may be avoided.   Ruff. 
How now Clem, you loiter here, the house is full of guests, and you are extremely called for.  Clem. 
You are deceived my Lieutenant, I'll assure you, you speak to as good a man as myself: Do you want any money?  Goodl. 
Canst thou lend me any?  Clem. 
Look, I am the lord of these mines, of these Indies.  Ruff. 
How camest thou by them?  Clem. 
A delicate sweet Lady, meeting me i'th' street, like an Ass groaning under my heavy burden, and being enamoured of my good parts, gave me this gold: if you think I lie, examine all these pots, whose mouths, if they could speak, would say as much in my behalf. But if you want any money, speak in time, for if I once turn Courtier again, I will scorn my poor friends, look scurvily upon my acquaintance, borrow of all men, be beholding to any man, and acknowledge no man: and my Motto shall be, Base is the man that pays.  Ruff. 
But Clem, how camest thou by this gold?  Clem. 
News, news, though not the lost sheep, yet the lost shrew is found, my Mistress, Mistris Elizabeth, 'tis she, she meeting me i'th' street, seeing I had a pot or two too much, gave me ten pounds in a purse to pay for it, Ecce signum.  Enter a Lord. Lord 

The Duke hath summoned your appearance, Gentlemen,  
And lays his power of love, not of command,  
To visit him in Court.   Clem. 
I am put into the number too, if he be a tall man, tell him we will attend his highness.  Lord 
Fellow, my language was not aimed at you.  Clem. 
But Sir, I'll make bold to come at first bidding.  Lord 

Sir, your reward stays for you at Court,  
For bringing of the outlawed Captains head,  
there's order ta'en for from the treasury.   Ruff. 
The Duke is just and royal. we'll attend you.  Clem. 
And I'll go furnish myself with some better accoutrements, and I'll be with you to bring presently.  Enter Florence, Mantua, and Farara. Mant. 

There is not in your looks renowned Florence,  
That summer's calm, and sweet alacrity  
That was wont there to shine, a winter's storm  
Sits threatening on your discontented brow.  
May we desire the cause.   Flor. 

Which you shall know.  
Princes, the fierce and bloody moors, have late  
Committed outrage on our seas, especially,  
One mighty Bashaw, 'gainst whom w'have sent  
Petro Deventuro, one of our best Sea Captains,  
And, till we hear of his success, w'are bar  
Of much content.   Enter merchant. Merc. 

My lord, good news, Petro Deventuro is returned  
With happy victory, and many noble prisoners,  
And humbly lays his conquest at your feet.   Enter Petro, Bashaw. Flor. 

Petro, welcome.  
This thy service shall not die unrewarded. Freely relate  
The manner of thy Sea fight.   Petro. 

Then thus, great Duke.  
This noble Bashaw: noble I must call him,  
For he deserves that worthy attribute,  
Did lord o'er these our seas, appointed well;  
Laden with many a rich and golden spoil,  
Not weak to us in number; being in ken,  
We had him and his Galleys straight in chase:  
He ne'er set sail or fled: afar our ordnance played;  
Coming more near, our muskets and our small shot,  
Like showers of hail begun the slaughter;  
There this Bashaw then perceiving straight  
That he must either yield or die: his scimitar  
He pointed to his breast, thinking thereon  
To perish, had not my coming stayed him.   Ioffer. 

Nor think, bold Christian,  
That I can commend, or thank thee for't,  
For who that's noble will not prize brave death  
Before a slavish bondage: had I died  
By mine own hand, 't had been a soldiers pride.   Flor. 

Although a prisoner captive and a Moor,  
Yet use him like the noblest of his nation.  
And now withdraw with him, till we  
Determine of his ransom.   Exit. Enter Merchant and Bess: also Spencer, Ruffman, Goodlack. Merch. 
Way there for the Duke's Mistress.  Spenc. 
Ha, the Duke's Mistress, said he:  Goodl. 
It was harsh.  Bess 

Keep off, we would have no such rubs as these,  
Trouble our way? but have them swept aside,  
A company of base companions, to do no reverence  
To a PRINCE's Mistress.   Spenc. 
Hear you that?  Merch. 
Give back, you trouble the presence.  Goodl. 
This cannot be Bess, but some Fury hath stolen her shape.  Ruff. 
It seems strange.  Spenc. 
But unto me most horrid.  Bess. 
Great Duke, I come to keep my promise with you, if you keep your word with me.  Flor. 

These kind regreets are unto me more welcome  
Than my late victory got at Sea:  
Will't please you take your seat?   Merc. 
Is not yon Spencer, and that the Captain of the Negro?  Spenc. 
What shall we next behold?  Flor. 
Yet are you mine?  Bess. 

From all the world, great Florence, witness this,  
You ne'er had yet a voluntary kiss.   Spenc. 
'Sfoot I could tear my hair off.  Flor. 

Second your kindness, let these Princes see  
Your tempting lips solely belongs to me.   Bess 

there's one again, it surfeits me 'bove measure,  
To be a PRINCE's darling, and choice treasure.   Spencer. 

Hold me Goodlack, or I shall break out,  
Into some dangerous outrage.   Goodl. 
Show in this your wisdom, and quite suppress your fury.  Flor. 

Princes, I fear you have mistook yourselves  
In these two strangers, for I have little hope  
To find them worthy your great character.   Mant. 
There must be great presumption that must force belief to that.  Farar. 

Nay more than presumptions, proofs,  
Or they will win small credit.   Flor. 

You had from us Lady, a costly jewel,  
It cost ten thousand crowns, speak, can you show it?   Besse 

I kept it chary  
As mine own heart, because it came from you;  
But hurrying through the street, some cheating fellow,  
Snatched it from my arm, therefore my suit is  
With whomsoever the jewel may be found,  
The slave may die.   Flor. 

His sentence thine, we never will revoke it.  
Our Merchant, search all our Courtiers and such  
Strangers as are within our Court.   Merch. 
Her's one of no mean lustre that this Gentleman wears in his hat.  Flor. 
Reach it the Lady.  Goodl. 

This cannot be Bess Bridges, but some Medusa,  
Changed into her lively portraiture.   Bess. 

Princes, the thief is found: whate'er he be  
That's guilty of this felony, I beg  
That I may be his sentencer.   Flor. 
Thou shalt.  Bess. 

If you have any interest in his blood,  
His oaths or vows, freely resign them, him,  
And all at my dispose.   Flor. 
Have we not done't?  Farar. 

Who can with the least honour speak for him,  
The theft being so apparent   Clem. 
Now if she should challenge me with the purse she gave me, and hang me up for my labour, I should curse the time that ever I was a courtier.  Bess 

Let me descend, and ere I judge the Felon,  
Survey him first. 'Tis pity, for it seems  
He hath an honest face. The word was never.   Goodl. 
What Besse, forget yourself?  Bess 
An indifferent proper man, and take these courses. You said you would not speak, nor look upon, nor touch your Bess.  Spenc. 

I could be a new Sinon and betray  
A second Troy, rather than suffer this.   Bess 

Good outward parts, but in a foreign clime  
Shame your own country. Never think of that.   Spencer 

I fear my heart will break,  
It doth so struggle for eruption forth.   Flor. 
When do you speak his sentence, Lady?  Bess. 
You'll confirm't whate'er it be.  Flor. 
As! we are Prince we will.  Bess 
Set forth the prisoner.  Merch. 
Stand forward Englishman.  Bess 

Then hear thy doom, I give thee back thy life,  
And in thy arms throw a most constant wife;  
If Thou hast rashly sworn, thy oaths are free,  
thouart mine by gift, I give myself to thee.   Flor. 
Lady, we understand not this.  Bess. 

Shall I make it plain?  
This is, great Duke, my husband,  
Whose virtues even the barbarous Moors admired.  
This the man for whom a thousand dangers i've endured,  
Of whom the best approved Chroniclers,  
Might write a golden legend.   Merch. 

My lord, I know that Gentleman  
For Spencer, and her husband, for mine eyes  
Saw them espoused in Fez; that Gentleman,  
As I take it, was Captain of the Negro,  
Th'other his Lieutenant.   Clem. 
And do not you know me?  Merch. 
Not I, Sir.  Clem. 
I am Bashaw of barbary, by the same token I sold certain precious stones to purchase the place.  Flo. 

Lady, you told us he was the author  
Of all your troubles, cares, and fears.   Bess 

I told true, his love was cause of all,  
It drew me from my Country in his quest,  
When I despaired: and finding him in Fez,  
Oh do but think great Duke if e'er you loved,  
What might have bought him from you.  
Had my Spencer been an Eurydice,  
I would have played the Orpheus,  
And found him out in hell.   Flor. 

We now perceive,  
The cause of all these errors his unkindness,  
Grounded on his rash oath, which we release;  
And all those virtues, honours, and renowns,  
Which e'en the barbarous Moors seemed to admire,  
we'll dignify and raise their suffrage higher,   All. 
Florence is honourable.  Enter joffer, Venturo. Flor. 
Bring in the Bashaw, call Venturo forth.  joffer 

Duke, I am prisoner,  
Put me to ransom or to death: But to death rather;  
For methinks, a Soldier should not outlive bondage.   Spenc. 

Bashaw joffer?  
Leave my embraces, Bess, for I of force am cast  
Into his arms. My noble friend?   Ioff. 
I know you not, and I could wish you did not know me, now I am a prisoner, a wretch, a captive, and such a one as I would not have my friends to know. I pray stand off.  Spenc. 

Because you are in durance,  
Should I not know you? no:  
For then the noblest minds should friends best know.  
Have you forgot me, Sir?   Ioff. 

No; were I in freedom and my princely honours,  
I should then be proud to call you Spencer,  
And my friend, but now   Spenc. 

An English virtue thou shalt try,  
That for my life once didst not fear to die.  
That for his noble office done to me,  
Embrace him Bess, dear Goodlack, and the rest,  
Whilst to this Prince I kneel. This was the Bashaw,  
King Mullisheg made him great Viceroy of Argiers,  
I know not, Prince, how he is fallen so low,  
But if myself, my friends, and all my fortunes  
May redeem him home, unto my naked skin  
I'll sell myself: and if my wealth  
Will not amount so much, I'll leave myself in hostage.   Farar. 

'Tis the part  
Of a most noble friend.   Mant. 
And in these times worthy admiration  Flor. 

I wonder not the Moors so graced this nation,  
If all the English equal their virtues.  
For this brave Stranger so endeared to thee,  
Pass to thy country ransomless and free.   All 
Royal in all things is the duke of Florence.  Ioff. 

Such honour is not found in barbary.  
The virtue in these Christians hath converted me,  
Which to the world I can no longer smother,  
Accept me then a Christian and a brother.   Flor. 

Princes,  
These unexpected novelties,  
Shall add unto the high solemnity  
Of your best welcome. Worthy Englishman,  
And you, the mirror of your sex and nation,  
Fair English Elizabeth, as well for virtue  
As admired beauty, we'll give you cause, ere  
You depart our Court, to say great Fez  
Was either poor, or else not bountiful.  
Bashaw, we'll honour your conversion,  
With all due rites. But for you beauteous Lady,  
Thus much in your behalf we do proclaim,  
The fairest Maid ne'er patterned in her life,  
So fair a Virgin, and so chaste a wife.    

Epilogue.  

STill the more glorious that the Creatures be,  
They in their native goodness are more free  
To things below them: as the Sun we find,  
Unpartially to shine on all mankind,  
Denying light to none. And you we may  
(Great King) most justly call our Light, our Day:  
Whose glorious course may never be quite run,  
While earth hath Sovereign, or the heaven a Sun.   
FINIS.