Beggars Bush Part 5

_Enter_ Goswin.

_Gos._ Still blow'st thou there? and from all other parts, Do all my agents sleep, that nothing comes?

There's a conspiracy of windes, and servants, If not of Elements, to ha' me break; What should I think unless the Seas, and Sands Had swallow'd up my s.h.i.+ps? or fire had spoil'd My ware-houses? or death devour'd my Factors?

I must ha' had some returns.

_Enter_ Merchants.

_1 Mer._ 'Save you Sir.

_Gos._ 'Save you.

_1 Mer._ No news yet o' your s.h.i.+ps?

_Gos._ Not any yet Sir.

_1 Mer._ 'Tis strange. [_Exit._

_Gos._ 'Tis true Sir: what a voyce was here now?

This was one pa.s.sing bell, a thousand ravens Sung in that man now, to presage my ruins.

_2 Mer._ _Goswin_, good day, these winds are very constant.

_Gos._ They are so Sir; to hurt--

_2 Mer._ Ha' you had no letters Lately from _England_, nor from _Denmark_?

_Gos._ Neither.

_2 Mer._ This wind brings them; nor no news over land, Through _Spain_, from the _Straights_?

_Gos._ Not any.

_2 Mer._ I am sorry Sir. [_Exit._

_Gos._ They talk me down: and as 'tis said of Vulturs They scent a field fought, and do smell the carka.s.ses By many hundred miles: So do these, my wracks At greater distances. Why, thy will Heaven Come on, and be: yet if thou please, preserve me; But in my own adventure, here at home, Of my chast love, to keep me worthy of her, It shall be put in scale 'gainst all ill fortunes: I am not broken yet: nor should I fall, Me thinks with less than that, that ruins all. [_Exit._

SCENA III.

_Enter_ Van-dunck, Hubert, Hemskirk, _and_ Margaret, Boors.

_Van._ Captain, you are welcom; so is this your friend Most safely welcom, though our Town stand out Against your Master, you shall find good quarter: The troth is, we not love him: _Margaret_ some wine, Let's talk a little treason, if we can Talk treason, 'gainst the traitors; by your leave, Gentlemen, We, here in _Bruges_, think he do's usurp, And therefore I am bold with him.

_Hub._ Sir, your boldness Happily becomes your mouth, but not our ears, While we are his servants; And as we come here, Not to ask questions, walk forth on your walls, Visit your courts of guard, view your munition, Ask of your corn-provisions, nor enquire Into the least, as spies upon your strengths, So let's entreat, we may receive from you Nothing in pa.s.sage or discourse, but what We may with gladness, and our honesties here, And that shall seal our welcom.

_Van._ Good: let's drink then, Fill out, I keep mine old pearl still Captain.

_Marg._ I hang fast man.

_Hen._ Old Jewels commend their keeper, Sir.

_Van._ Here's to you with a heart, my Captains friend, With a good heart, and if this make us speak Bold words, anon, 'tis all under the Rose Forgotten: drown all memory, when we drink.

_Hub._ 'Tis freely spoken n.o.ble _Burgomaster_, I'le do you right.

_Hem._ Nay Sir mine heer _Van-dunck_ Is a true Statesman.

_Van._ Fill my Captains cup there, O that your Master _Wolfort_ Had been an honest man.

_Hub._ Sir?

_Van._ Under the Rose.

_Hem._ Here's to you _Marget_.

_Marg._ Welcome, welcome Captain.

_Van._ Well said my pearl still.

_Hem._ And how does my Niece?

Almost a Woman, I think? This friend of mine, I drew along w[i]th me, through so much hazard, Only to see her: she was my errand.

_Van._ I, a kind Uncle you are (fill him his gla.s.s) That in seven years, could not find leisure--

_Hem._ No, It's not so much.

_Van_. I'le bate you ne'r an hour on't, It was before the _Brabander_ 'gan his War, For moon-s.h.i.+ne, i'the water there, his Daughter That never was lost: yet you could not find time To see a Kinswoman; but she is worth the seeing, Sir, Now you are come, you ask if she were a Woman?

She is a Woman, Sir, fetch her forth _Marget_. [_Exit_ Marg.

And a fine Woman, and has Suitors.

_Hem_. How?

What Suitors are they?

_Van_. Bach.e.l.lors; young Burgers: And one, a Gallant, the young Prince of Merchants We call him here in _Bruges_.

_Hem_. How? a Merchant?

I thought, _Vandunke_, you had understood me better, And my Niece too, so trusted to you by me, Than t'admit of such in name of Suitors.

_Van_. Such? he is such a such, as were she mine I'd give him thirty thousand crowns with her.

_Hem_. But the same things, Sir, fit not you and me. [_Ex_.

_Van_. Why, give's some wine, then; this will fit us all: Here's to you still, my Captains friend: All out: And still, would _Wolfort_ were an honest man, Under the Rose, I speak it: but this Merchant Is a brave boy: he lives so, i'the Town here, We know not what to think on him: at some times We fear he will be Bankrupt; he do's stretch Tenter his credit so; embraces all, And to't, the winds have been contrary long.

But then, if he should have all his returns, We think he would be a King, and are half sure on't.