Читать книгу Beggars Bush: A Comedy - Beaumont Francis - Страница 3

1 Mer. 'Tis much that you deliver of this Goswin.

2 Mer. But short of what I could, yet have the Country

Confirm'd it true, and by a general oath,

And not a man hazard his credit in it:

He bears himself with such a confidence

As if he were the Master of the Sea,

And not a wind upon the Sailers compass,

But from one part or other was his factor,

To bring him in the best commodities,

Merchant e're ventur'd for.

1. 'Tis strange.

2. And yet

This do's in him deserve the least of wonder,

Compared with other his peculiar fashions,

Which all admire: he's young, and rich, at least

Thus far reputed so, that since he liv'd

In Bruges, there was never brought to harbour

So rich a Bottom, but his bill would pass

Unquestion'd for her lading.

3 Mer. Yet he still Continues a good man.

2 Mer. So good, that but

To doubt him, would be held an injury

Or rather malice, with the best that traffique;

But this is nothing, a great stock, and fortune,

Crowning his judgement in his undertakings

May keep him upright that way: But that wealth

Should want the power to make him dote on it,

Or youth teach him to wrong it, best commends

His constant temper; for his outward habit

'Tis suitable to his present course of life:

His table furnish'd well, but not with dainties

That please the appetite only for their rareness,

Or their dear price: nor given to wine or women,

Beyond his health, or warrant of a man,

I mean a good one: and so loves his state

He will not hazard it at play; nor lend

Upon the assurance of a well-pen'd Letter,

Although a challenge second the denial

From such as make th' opinion of their valour

Their means of feeding.

1 Mer. These are wayes to thrive,

And the means not curs'd.

2 Mer. What follows, this

Makes many venturers with him, in their wishes,

For his prosperity: for when desert

Or reason leads him to be liberal,

His noble mind and ready hand contend

Which can add most to his free courtesies,

Or in their worth, or speed to make them so.

Is there a Virgin of good fame wants dower?

He is a Father to her; or a Souldier

That in his Countreys service, from the war

Hath brought home only scars, and want? his house

Receives him, and relieves him, with that care

As if what he possess'd had been laid up

For such good uses, and he steward of it.

But I should lose my self to speak him further

And stale in my relation, the much good

You may be witness of, if your remove

From Bruges be not speedy.

1 Mer. This report

I do assure you will not hasten it,

Nor would I wish a better man to deal with

For what I am to part with.

3 Mer. Never doubt it,

He is your man and ours, only I wish

His too much forwardness to embrace all bargains

Sink him not in the end.

2 Mer. Have better hopes,

For my part I am confident; here he comes.

Gos. I take it at your own rates, your wine of Cyprus,

But for your Candy sugars, they have met

With such foul weather, and are priz'd so high

I cannot save in them.

4 Mer. I am unwilling

To seek another Chapman: make me offer

Of something near price, that may assure me

You can deal for them.

Gos. I both can, and will,

But not with too much loss; your bill of lading

Speaks of two hundred chests, valued by you

At thirty thousand gilders, I will have them

At twenty eight; so, in the payment of

Three thousand sterling, you fall only in

Two hundred pound.

4 Mer. You know, they are so cheap.—

Gos. Why look you; I'le deal fa[ir]ly, there's in prison,

And at your suit, a Pirat, but unable

To make you satisfaction, and past hope

To live a week, if you should prosecute

What you can prove against him: set him free,

And you shall have your mony to a Stiver,

And present payment.

4 Mer. This is above wonder,

A Merchant of your rank, that have at Sea

So many Bottoms in the danger of

These water-Thieves, should be a means to save 'em,

It more importing you for your own safety

To be at charge to scour the Sea of them

Than stay the sword of justice, that is ready

To fall on one so conscious of his guilt

That he dares not deny it.

Gos. You mistake me,

If you think I would cherish in this Captain

The wrong he did to you, or any man;

I was lately with him, (having first, from others

True testimony been assured a man

Of more desert never put from the shore)

I read his letters of Mart from this State granted

For the recovery of such losses, as

He had receiv'd in Spain, 'twas that he aim'd at,

Not at three tuns of wine, bisket, or beef,

Which his necessity made him take from you.

If he had pillag'd you near, or sunk your ship,

Or thrown your men o'r-board, then he deserv'd

The Laws extreamest rigour. But since want

Of what he could not live without, compel'd him

To that he did (which yet our State calls death)

I pity his misfortune; and to work you

To some compassion of them, I come up

To your own price: save him, the goods are mine;

If not, seek else-where, I'le not deal for them.

4 Mer. Well Sir, for your love, I will once be led

To change my purpose.

Gos. For your profit rather.

4 Mer. I'le presently make means for his discharge,

Till when, I leave you.

2 Mer. What do you think of this?

1 Mer. As of a deed of noble pity: guided

By a strong judgement.

2 Mer. Save you Master Goswin.

Goswin. Good day to all.

2 Mer. We bring you the refusal

Of more Commodities.

Gos. Are you the owners

Of the ship that last night put into the Harbour?

1 Mer. Both of the ship, and lading.

Gos. What's the fraught?

1 Mer. Indico, Cochineel, choise Chyna stuffs.

3 Mer. And cloath of Gold brought from Cambal.

Gos. Rich lading,

For which I were your Chapman, but I am

Already out of cash.

1 Mer. I'le give you day

For the moiety of all.

Gos. How long?

3 Mer. Six months.

Gos. 'Tis a fair offer: which (if we agree

About the prices) I, with thanks accept of,

And will make present payment of the rest;

Some two hours hence I'le come aboard.

1 Mer. The Gunner shall speak you welcom.

Gos. I'le not fail.

3 Mer. Good morrow. [Ex. Merch.

Gos. Heaven grant my Ships a safe return, before

The day of this great payment: as they are

Expected three months sooner: and my credit

Stands good with all the world.

Ger. Bless my good Master,

The prayers of your poor Beads-man ever shall

Be sent up for you.

Gos. God o' mercy Clause,

There's something to put thee in mind hereafter

To think of me.

Ger. May he that gave it you

Reward you for it, with encrease, good Master.

Gos. I thrive the better for thy prayers.

Ger. I hope so.

This three years have I fed upon your bounties,

And by the fire of your blest charity warm'd me,

And yet, good Master, pardon me, that must,

Though I have now receiv'd your alms, presume

To make one sute more to you.

Gos. What is't Clause?

Ger. Yet do not think me impudent I beseech you,

Since hitherto your charity hath prevented

My begging your relief, 'tis not for mony

Nor cloaths (good Master) but your good word for me.

Gos. That thou shalt have, Clause, for I think thee honest.

Ger. To morrow then (dear M'r.) take the trouble

Of walking early unto Beggars Bush,

And as you see me, among others (Brethren

In my affliction) when you are demanded

Which you like best among us, point out me,

And then pass by, as if you knew me not.

Gos. But what will that advantage thee?

Ger. O much Sir,

'Twill give me the preheminence of the rest,

Make me a King among 'em, and protect me

From all abuse, such as are stronger, might

Offer my age; Sir, at your better leisure

I will inform you further of the good

It may do to me.

Gos. 'Troth thou mak'st me wonder;

Have you a King and common-wealth among you?

Ger. We have, and there are States are govern'd worse.

Gos. Ambition among Beggars?

Ger. Many great ones

Would part with half their states, to have the place,

And credit to beg in the first file, Master:

But shall I be so much bound to your furtherance

In my Petition?

Gos. That thou shalt not miss of,

Nor any worldly care make me forget it, I will be early there.

Ger. Heaven bless my Master. [Exeunt.