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 passage 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 noble 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 wth me, through so much hazard,
Only to see her: she was my errand.
Van. I, a kind Uncle you are (fill him his glass) 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-shine, 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. Bachellors; 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.
Your Master is a Traitor, for all this,
Under the Rose: Here's to you; and usurps
The Earldom from a better man.
Hub. I marry, Sir, Where is that man?
Van. Nay soft: and I could tell you
'Tis ten to one I would not: here's my hand,
I love not Wolfort: sit you still, with that:
Here comes my Captain again, and his fine Niece,
And there's my Merchant; view him well: fill wine here.
Enter Hemskirk, Gertrude, and Goswin.
Hem. You must not only know me for your Uncle
Now, but obey me: you, go cast your self
Away, upon a Dunghil here? a Merchant?
A petty fellow? one that makes his Trade
With Oaths and perjuries?
Gos. What is that you say, Sir? If it be me you speak of, as your eye Seems to direct, I wish you would speak to me, Sir.
Hem. Sir, I do say, she is no Merchandize, Will that suffice you?
Gos. Merchandize good Sir?
Though ye be Kinsman to her, take no leave thence
To use me with contempt: I ever thought
Your Niece above all price.
Hem. And do so still, Sir, I assure you, her rates are more than you are worth.
Gos. You do not know, what a Gentleman's worth, Sir, Nor can you value him.
Hb. Well said Merchant.
Van. Nay, Let him alone, and ply your matter.
Hem. A Gentleman?
What o'the Wool-pack? or the Sugar-chest?
Or lists of Velvet? which is't pound, or yard,
You vent your Gentry by?
Hub. O Hemskirk, fye.
Van. Come, do not mind 'em, drink, he is no Wolfort, Captain, I advise you.
Hem. Alas, my pretty man,
I think't be angry, by its look: Come hither,
Turn this way, a little: if it were the blood
Of Charlemaine, as't may (for ought I know)
Be some good Botchers issue, here in Bruges.
Gos. How?
Hem. Nay: I'me not certain of that; of this I am, If it once buy, and sell, its Gentry is gone.
Gos. Ha, ha.
Hem. You are angry, though ye laugh.
Gos. No, now 'tis pity
Of your poor argument. Do not you, the Lords
Of Land (if you be any) sell the grass,
The Corn, the Straw, the Milk, the Cheese?
Van. And Butter: Remember Butter; do not leave out Butter.
Gos. The Beefs and Muttons that your grounds are stor'd with? Swine, with the very mast, beside the Woods?
Hem. No, for those sordid uses we have Tenants, Or else our Bailiffs.
Gos. Have not we, Sir, Chap-men,
And Factors, then to answer these? your honour
Fetch'd from the Heralds ABC, and said over
With your Court faces, once an hour, shall never
Make me mistake my self. Do not your Lawyers
Sell all their practice, as your Priests their prayers?
What is not bought, and sold? The company
That you had last, what had you for't, i'faith?
Hem. You now grow sawcy.
Gos. Sure I have been bred Still, with my honest liberty, and must use it.
Hem. Upon your equals then.
Gos. Sir, he that will Provoke me first, doth make himself my equal.
Hem. Do ye hear? no more.
Gos. Yes, Sir, this little, I pray you,
And't shall be aside, then after, as you please.
You appear the Uncle, Sir, to her I love
More than mine eyes; and I have heard your scorns
With so much scoffing, and so much shame,
As each strive which is greater: But, believe me,
I suck'd not in this patience with my milk.
Do not presume, because you see me young,
Or cast despights on my profession
For the civility and tameness of it.
A good man bears a contumely worse
Than he would do an injury. Proceed not
To my offence: wrong is not still successful,
Indeed it is not: I would approach your Kins-woman
With all respect, done to your self and her.
Hem. Away Companion: handling her? take that. [Strikes him.
Gos. Nay, I do love no blows, Sir, there's exchange.
Hub. Hold, Sir. (He gets Hemskirks sword and cuts him on the head.
Mar. O murther.
Ger. Help my Goswin.
Mar. Man.
Van. Let 'em alone; my life for one.
Gos. Nay come, If you have will.
Hub. None to offend you, I, Sir.
Gos. He that had, thank himself: not hand her? yes Sir,
And clasp her, and embrace her; and (would she
Now go with me) bear her through all her Race,
Her Father, Brethren, and her Uncles, arm'd,
And all their Nephews, though they stood a wood
Of Pikes, and wall of Canon: kiss me Gertrude,
Quake not, but kiss me.
Van. Kiss him, Girl, I bid you;
My Merchant Royal; fear no Uncles: hang 'em,
Hang up all Uncles: Are not we in Bruges?
Under the Rose here?
Gos. In this circle, Love, Thou art as safe, as in a Tower of Brass; Let such as do wrong, fear.
Van. I, that's good, Let Wolfort look to that.
Gos. Sir, here she stands,
Your Niece, and my beloved. One of these titles
She must apply to; if unto the last,
Not all the anger can be sent unto her,
In frown, or voyce, or other art, shall force her,
Had Hercules a hand in't: Come, my Joy,
Say thou art mine, aloud Love, and profess it.
Van. Doe: and I drink to it.
Gos. Prethee say so, Love.
Ger. 'Twould take away the honour from my blushes: Do not you play the tyrant, sweet: they speak it.
Hem. I thank you niece.
Gos. Sir, thank her for your life, And fetch your sword within.
Hem. You insult too much With your good fortune, Sir. [Exeunt Gos. and Ger.
Hub. A brave clear Spirit; Hemskirk, you were to blame: a civil habit Oft covers a good man: and you may meet In person of a Merchant, with a soul As resolute, and free, and all wayes worthy, As else in any file of man-kind: pray you, What meant you so to slight him?
Hem. 'Tis done now, Ask no more of it; I must suffer. [Exit Hemskirk.
Hub. This
Is still the punishment of rashness, sorrow.
Well; I must to the woods, for nothing here
Will be got out. There, I may chance to learn
Somewhat to help my enquiries further.
Van. Ha? A Looking-glass?
Hub. How now, brave Burgomaster?
Van. I love no Wolforts, and my name's Vandunk,
Hub. Van drunk it's rather: come, go sleep within.
Van. Earl Florez is right heir, and this same Wolfort Under the Rose I speak it—
Hub. Very hardly.
Van-d. Usurps: and a rank Traitor, as ever breath'd,
And all that do uphold him. Let me goe,
No man shall hold me, that upholds him;
Do you uphold him?
Hub. No.
Van. Then hold me up. [Exeunt.
Enter Goswin, and Hemskirk.
Hem. Sir, I presume, you have a sword of your own, That can so handle anothers.
Gos. Faith you may Sir.
Hem. And ye have made me have so much better thoughts of you As I am bound to call you forth.
Gos. For what Sir?
Hem. To the repairing of mine honour, and hurt here.
Gos. Express your way.
Hem. By fight, and speedily.
Gos. You have your will: Require you any more?
Hem. That you be secret: and come single.
Gos. I will.
Hem. As you are the Gentleman you would be thought.
Gos. Without the Conjuration: and I'le bring Only my sword, which I will fit to yours, I'le take his length within.
Hem. Your place now Sir?
Gos. By the Sand-hills.
Hem. Sir, nearer to the woods, If you thought so, were fitter.
Gos. There, then.
Hem. Good. Your time?
Gos. 'Twixt seven and eight.
Hem. You'l give me Sir Cause to report you worthy of my Niece, If you come, like your promise.
Gos. If I do not, Let no man think to call me unworthy first, I'le do't my self, and justly wish to want her.— [Exeunt.
ACTUS TERTIUS. SCENA PRIMA.
Enter three or four Boors.
1 B. Come, English beer Hostess, English beer by th' belly.
2 B. Stark beer boy, stout and strong beer: so, sit down Lads, And drink me upsey-Dutch: Frolick, and fear not.
Enter Higgen like a Sow-gelder, singing.
Hig. Have ye any work for the Sow-gelder, hoa,
My horn goes too high too low, too high too low.
Have ye any Piggs, Calves, or Colts,
Have ye any Lambs in your holts
To cut for the Stone,
Here comes a cunning one.
Have ye any braches to spade,
Or e're a fair maid
That would be a Nun,
Come kiss me, 'tis done.
Hark how my merry horn doth blow,
Too high too low, too high too low.
1 B. O excellent! two-pence a piece boyes, two-pence a piece. Give the boys some drink there. Piper, wet your whistle, Canst tell me a way now, how to cut off my wifes Concupiscence?
Hig. I'le sing ye a Song for't.
The SONG.
Take her, and hug her,
And turn her and tug her,
And turn her again boy, again,
Then if she mumble,
Or if her tail tumble,
Kiss her amain hoy, amain.
Do thy endeavour,
To take off her feaver,
Then her disease no longer will raign.
If nothing will serve her,
Then thus to preserve her,
Swinge her amain boy amain.
Give her cold jelly
To take up her belly,
And once a day swinge her again,
If she stand all these pains,
Then knock out her brains,
Her disease no longer will reign.
1 Bo. More excellent, more excellent, sweet Sow-gelder.
2 Bo. Three-pence a piece, three-pence a piece.
Hig. Will you hear a Song how the Devil was gelded?
3 Bo. I, I, let's hear the Devil roar, Sow-gelder.