Chapter XXI: Act III: , Scene 1

_Enter_ TWO CITIZENS.

1ST CIT. Is it for certain that the duke's voyage holds for Salamanca?

2D CIT. No doubt on't; his resolution is so firmly fixed no motion can decline it; and if we may credit Fame (which seldom errs in all, though it exceed in many), never was fleet more bravely rigged, better prepared, nor with more military strength furnished, nor more virile spirits accompanied, nor by more expert commanders at any time since the battle of Lepanto conducted.

1ST CIT. It was thought he would not personally have engaged himself in this adventure, but have deputed some experienced general for perfecting this grand design, and imposing a final period to an action of such high consequence.

2D CIT. 'Tis true: but those many aggrievances, aggravated with numerous petitions presented by our Seville merchants, wrought such strong effects upon the sweet, compassionate nature of the good duke, as endeared that[141] resentment, which he retained upon those merchants' relation, touching the infinitely surcharging losses which they had suffered through the hostile piracy of the Salamancans, as he made a solemn vow to engage himself in their quarrel, and either revenge the injuries and indignities they had sustained, or seal his just desires with the sacrifice of his dearest life.

1ST CIT. Were the merchant-losses great?

2D CIT. In shipping infinite, and by accomptants of approved trust computed to many millions; for, besides vessels of lesser burthen in one sea-voyage being driven by contrary winds upon the coasts of Calabria, they lost at one time The Panther, Libbard,[142] Bugle, Antelope, caracts[143] of great and formidable sail, such as would have made their party good against all assailants, had they not been dispersed and weakened by violent tempests, besides the unexpected hurricane, which dashed all the endeavours of the best pilots that all their fleet afforded: yet, reduced to this strait and sad exigent, they found no islander so compassionate as to pity their deplorable condition, but rather such as were ready to add fresh affliction to their late suffering, by seizing on whatsoever remained estimable in their freeborn vessels, and exposing them, without the least remonstrance of humanity or civil hospitality, to the mercy of the winds. This it was which winged the duke to this expedition, choosing, as report goes, the Revenge for his ship-of-war, and that only man-of-war wherein he means to steer his course, return his errand, and requite his quarrel.

1ST CIT. The duke's a person of a gallant spirit.

2D CIT. I dare affirm it, sir, that the state of Seville was never with more prowess, prudence, nor martial policy at any time managed, which not only his prosperous exploits abroad (than which none were more successive[144]), but likewise his vigilant care and command at home, may sufficiently manifest. For his late declaration under his great seal has discovered the incomparable zeal he had of serving both court and city, in commanding all such useless and incommodious weeds as trepanners, tarpaulins, with all our abusively entitled Hectors, that they should by a peremptory day depart the city and line of communication in relation to the court: since which time they have resolved, for want of better supplies, to hazard the remainder of their broken fortunes upon a desperate adventure for Tunis.

1ST CIT. In such glorious designs, levelling at honour, they declare themselves really Hectors.

_Enter a_ MARINER.

2D CIT. What news, Segasto?

MAR. The duke's upon his march, and near approaching.

1ST CIT. How quick's his spirit to redress our wrongs!

[CITIZENS _stand aside_.[145]

SCENE II.

_Trumpets and kettle-drums sounding, with other martial music
usually observed in that country._

_Enter_ DUKE EUGENIO, _Officers, and Soldiers with colours
displayed_.

DUKE. Thus far on our address![146] May prosperous gales Breathe on our sails: sails, on our just designs In vindicating of our country's fame, Too long impair'd by suffering injuries; Till which redress'd, our honour lies at stake, And we made aliens to our own estate. March on then bravely, that it may appear "Our courage can revenge as well as bear."

[_They march over the stage with trumpets, fifes, drums, and
colours, and go out; manentibus civibus._

1ST CIT. This gallant resolve of the duke, pursued with such alacrity, can never be sufficiently admired; and to engage his person, too, in so perilous adventure!

2D CIT. And all this in vindication of the merchants' honour, and their interest.

1ST CIT. Trust me, he appears bravely.

2D CIT. His disposition from his youth foretold What's manhood would assay----whence comes this noise?

_Enter_ BOY.

BOY. Room for our bravoes, cadets! they march along in ranks and files; their pockets grow shallow; the taverns and ordinaries they vow to be infidels, so as they have enlisted themselves soldiers of fortune.

1ST CIT. These be those trepanners whom the duke Has proscribed, or I mistake it. Let us observe their posture.

SCENE III.

_Enter_ CAPTAIN, TREPANNERS, TARPAULINS, _with other
runagadoes, orderly marching, and in the rear_, BENHADAD,
_a Quaker, with tobacco-pipes_.

1ST TRE. Rouse, buckets and tubs! Hey for Tunis and Argiers.[147]

CAPT. Keep your ranks, my comrades, and fight valiantly.

2D TRE. What else, captain? We cheated before for nothing, and now, having nothing, we mean to fight for something.

3D TRE. 'Slid, bullies, I think the duke has done us a pleasure.

1ST TRE. Pray thee, how, boy?

3D TRE. I'll tell thee the short and long on't. Before, if any of us had been so valiant (as few of us were) as to borrow money on the highway, we were sometimes forced to repay it at the gibbet: but the world is turned upside down; if we get it, we may keep it, and never answer for it.

1ST TRE. Hey, boy, art thou in that lock?[148] But, noble lance-presado,[149] let us have a sea-sonnet, before we launch forth in our adventure-frigate. They say the syrens love singing.

CAPT. Agreed, wags. But which shall we have?

1ST TRE. That old catch of Tunis and Argiers; good captain, it suits best with our voyage.

CAPT. To't then, my Hectors; and keep your _elas_[150] as you do your march. The syrens will not relish you, if you sing out o' tune.[151]

THE SEA-SONG.[152]

CAPT. _To Tunis and to Argiers, boys!
Great is our want, small be our joys.
Let's then some voyage take in hand
To get us means by sea or land.
Come, follow me, my boys, come follow me,
And if thou die, I'll die with thee._

[_They join in the close._

_Hast thou a wife? I have one too,
And children some, as well as thou;
Yet who can see his brats to starve
So long as he has strength to serve?
Come, follow me, my cubs, come follow me,
And if thou die, I'll die with thee._

[_He fixeth his eyes as upon objects in a landskip._

_Methinks, my boys, I see the store
Of precious gems and golden ore;
Arabian silks and sables pure
Would make an haggard stoop to th' lure.
Come, follow me, &c._

_No worthless mind e'er honour sought;
Let's fight as if we feared nought.
If bullets fly about our ears,
Let's laugh at death, and banish fears.
Come, follow me, &c._

_And if thou canst not live so stench,[153]
But thou must needs enjoy thy wench,
If thou, my boy, such pleasure crave,
A dainty doxy thou shalt have.
Come, follow me, &c._

_Courage, my sparks, my knights o' th' sun;
Let Seville fame what we have done.
We'd better ten times fight a foe
Than once for all to Tyburn go.
Come, follow me, &c._

_Come, let's away, mount, march away;
This calm portends a prosperous day.
When we return, it shall be said
That by our voyage we are made.
Come, follow me, &c._

_But if we ne'er again return,
Enclose our ashes in an urn,
And with them spice a wassal-cup,
And to Good Fellows drink it up.
Come, follow me, &c._

_Which health, when it is gone about,
And stoutly set their foot unto't,
No doubt they shall enrolled be
I' th' Book of Fame, as well as we.
Come, follow me, spruce sprigs, come follow me,
And, if thou fall, I'll fall with thee._

_Enter a rank of_ TARPAULINS, _pressed for the same adventure,
marching over the stage, and joining in the catch, an
health-cup in the leader's hand_.

TAR. _When this grand health is gone about,
Where you as stoutly stood unto't,
Doubt not you shall recorded be
I' th' Book of Fame, as well as we.
March after me, &c._

_And when this bowl shall run so round
Your legs can stand upon no ground,
Fear not, brave blades,[154] but you shall be
Sworn brothers made as well as we.
March after me, &c._

_No other obsequies we crave,
Nor quaint inscriptions on our grave;
A simple shroud's a soldier's share,
Which if he want he needs not care.
March after me, &c._

_Such vails are all we wish at last,
Which if we want, the care is past.
This done, to think of us were just--
Who drink not get[155] as dry as dust.
March after me, &c._

_While you act what we did before,
Discharge with chalk[156] the hostess' score;
And if the hussy[157] challenge more,
Charm th' maundring gossip with your roar.
March after me, we'll frolic be,
And, if thou die, I'll die with thee._

SCENE IV.

BENHADAD _furiously accosts them_.

BEN. I proclaim you all Edomites; dragooners of Dagon; ding-dongs of Dathan! A generation of vipers!

1ST TRE. No, father Benhadad, your gravity is mistaken grossly; we are rather a generation of pipers!

[_They smoke tobacco._

2D TRE. Go to, holy Benhadad; stand you to your calling as we to our arms. Thou art for converting the Great Turk, and we for lining our pockets with Tunis gold. Where if we get our design, hold to thy principles, but no further than thou canst maintain them, and we shall create thee our household chaplain.

_Enter_ MARINER.

MAR. To sea, to sea! the winds are prosperous.

CAPT. And may we prosper with them! So farewell Seville and her dainty doxies.

ALL. Ran-tan! hey for Tunis and Argiers!

[_Exeunt colours displayed, with fifes and drums._

1ST CIT. Such was the duke's care to remove those weeds, Whose fatal growth might choke maturer seeds.

2D CIT. Good governors wise gardeners imitate: These cheer their plants; those steer a planted state.

[_Exeunt._

TRIL. [_From the high gallery._] I cannot, gentlemen, contain
myself.

TIM. Thy genius has surpass'd itself; Thy scene is richly various: prease on still; These galleries applaud thy comic skill.

[_He takes his seat again._

SCENE V.

_Enter_ CONSTABLE _and_ WATCH, _in rug gowns, bills, and dark
lanthorns_.

CON. Come along with your horns, my lads of metal. It was the duke's pleasure before his departure, that we should be appointed the sinks and sentinels of the city, and that none shall have ingress, egress, or regress but by our special authority and favour. But, harm watch, harm catch: for my part, since I crept into this office, I am woven into such a knot of good fellowship, as I can watch no more than a dormouse: nay, I am verily persuaded, if I hold constable long, the deputy of the ward will return me one of the Seven Sleepers. But let me advise you, my birds of the Capitol, that you walk not after my example: be it your care to watch, while I sleep. Many eyes are upon you; but my eyes grow heavy; my day's society bids me take a nap.

WATCH. But one word, good master, before you drop into your slumber: report goes, that there be spirits that patrol familiarly in this sentry; what shall we say to them, if they pass by?

CON. Bid them stand.[158]

WATCH. But what if they either cannot or will not?

CON. Let them then take themselves to their heels, and thank God you are so well rid of them.

WATCH. One word more, good constable, and then good night. Be these the spirits that allure our children with spice and trinkets to their schippers, and so convey them to th' Bermudas?[159]

CON. In no wise, neighbours; these spirits come from the low countries: and though at first sight very frightful, yet, appearing unarmed, they become less fearful.

1ST WATCH. Nay, if these pretty familiars come to our guard naked,[160] we shall prove hard enough for them.

2D WATCH. Well, neighbour Rugweed, let us not presume too far on our strength: these spirits be a dangerous kind of whifflers, and, like our Robin Goodfellows, will play their legerdemain tricks, scudding here and there in a trice, and nimbly snap you, when least suspected.

SCENE VI.

_Enter_ GALLERIUS' GHOST.

From the Cinnerian depth here am I come Leaving an Erra Pater in my tomb, To take a view, which of my fellows be The thriving'st artists in astronomy. Rank one by one in astrologic row, And dying see, whom thou didst living know.

[_He makes his figure._

Mount, gainful Crinon; for to thee we give, As thou deserv'st, the sole prerogative: For thy divining lines have purchas'd more Than all our prime professors got before. Jason won much at Colchis; but thy gain Has lin'd thy shoulders in a Swedish chain. Rich divination! But what's knowledge worth, If people do not credit what's set forth?

[Sidenote: _Omnia temporibus cecinit Cassandra futuris. Quæ ventura suis--via unquam credita Teucris Melitus._]

This was Cassandra's loss, whom we allow And hold a prophetess as true as thou But not so well believ'd. Take heed, my blade, Thy late predictions cannot retrograde, And give thine erring notions such a check, As they unlink that chain which decks thy neck. Signs sometimes change their influence, we see: I wish the like event befall not thee. The golden number and saturnian line Have been propitious to thee all thy time: Thy says held oracles: thy observations For death, war, weather, held by foreign nations As positive maxims: yet one critical point Will throw this artful fabric out o' joint. Dog-days each year affords; if thou find none, Thy fortune's clearer far than any one. Let me then caution thee, divining Crinon, Lest thy own bosom prove thy treach'rous Sinon, Let not opinion make thy judgment err: "The ev'ning conquest crowns the conqueror." Hope of reward or one victorious field Is no firm ground for any one to build. May ill success clothe him with discontent, That balanceth the cause by the event. Next him ascend, Erigonus, whose art, Richly embellish'd with a loyal heart, Will not permit thy thoughts to stoop so low As to pretend more than thy notions know, Or can attain to. Thou hast ta'en content With as much freedom under strait restraint, As Pibrack in his paradox express'd, Inwardly cheer'd when outwardly distress'd. I have much mus'd, while thou convers'd with us Of the gradations o' th' Celestial House, Yet hadst none of thine own to shelter thee. This was an humour that transported me: To see a mind so large, and to discourse As if he had got Fortunatus' purse! This caus'd me think that we did greatly err In holding thee a mere astrologer, Though't be a sacred-secret speculation, And highly meriting our admiration: But rather some rare stoic, well content With his estate, however the world went. Yet when I saw thine artificial scheme Exactly drawn, as none of more esteem, I wonder'd much how such choice art could want, Unless the whole world were grown ignorant. I heard of late, what I did never dream, Thy farming life had drawn thee to a team, Preferring th' culture of an husbandman Before a needful astrologian, Who in this thankless age may pine and die, Before he profit by astronomy. For though I must confess an artist can Contrive things better than another man, Yet when the task is done, he finds his pains Nought[161] but to fill his belly with his brains. Is this the guerdon due to liberal arts, T' admire the head, and then to starve the parts? Timely prevention thou discreetly us'd, Before the fruits of knowledge were abus'd. "When learning has incurr'd a fearful damp, To save our oil 'tis good to quench our lamp." Rest, then, on thy enjoyments, and receive What may preserve a life, reserve a grave. This with convenience may supply thy store, And lodge thee with content: what wouldst thou more? While he who thirsts for gold, and does receive it, Pules like a baby when he's forc'd to leave it. For you, Liberius, I would have you look For your improvement on your table-book; Where you shall find how you bore once a name Both in the rank of fortune and of fame; But others, rising to a higher merit, Darken'd that splendour which you did inherit, Or those mistakes which caus'd you err so far, As your late years have proved canicular. To waste more paper I would never have you, For I'm resolv'd your book will never save you, Nor you from it receive a benefit. Suppress, then, pray thee, thy leaf-falling wit; Merlin's Collections will not serve thy turn, Retire, retire, and slumber in thine[162] urn. Dotage has chill'd thy brain: in silence sleep; "He's wise enough that can his credit keep." For you, Columba, and rare Peregrine, It is your fate to nestle in a clime Of disadvantage: Wisdom bids you build Where you may dwell, and sow in such a field, Where you may reap the harvest you have sown: "Arts unimprov'd are to no purpose shown." Those only may be truly said to know, Whose knowledge pays their country what they owe; And (with the bee) from labour never cease, Till they have stor'd their hives with sweet increase. Which thriving industry, infus'd by nature In such a small political a creature, Might by a native model render thee Conducts of science in astrology:

[Sidenote: _Saltibus hirsutis haud spatiantur apes._]

For she accounts it as a fruitless toil To browse on suckets in a barren soil. For you, Alatus, mount with airy wing, And to [your] scatter'd nest some feathers bring: Though popular esteem afford delight, It cannot satisfy the appetite. Fame is a painted meat, and cannot feed Nor sate the stomach when it stands in need. This was mine own condition; while I liv'd, I to the highest pitch of fame arriv'd; All the Rialto sounded with my praise, Yet silence shrouded this within few days; For after some few funeral tears were shed, My memory died, before tears went to bed. Yea, in my lifetime, when my state grew low, My fame found none she would conduct me to: And let this caution thee. Though thou swell great In men's conceit, this will not get thee meat. "The only means to raise friends, fame, and store, Is to make industry thy providor." For Atro-Lucus Serands, they be such I would not touch them, lest I should too much Impeach their branded fames: one word for all-- As their disgrace is great, their knowledge small: Let these demoniacs practise less in black, It will discolour all their almanac. But this was not my errand. I would know How ladies with their husbands suit below. Those frolic girls, I mean, and of none else, Who were induc'd by mine and Crinon's spells

[MEPHISTOPHILUS _appears and resolves him_.

To choose strange bedfellows. Pray, tell me how, Dear Mephistophilus, those wantons do.

MEPH. All out of joint: they've left their husbands' bed.

GAL. By this it seems they were not rightly wed; There was no justice in't: for if there had, Should they break loose, they would be judged mad. But now mine hour approacheth; I must pass Down to that vault where late I lodged was. Fix, Mephistophilus, this on that gate, That those who knew me may collect my fate.

[MEPHISTOPHILUS _having fixed this inscription on the portal
of the gate, they descend_.

INSCRIPTION.

_The Astronomical Anatomy in a shadowed physnomy, recommended to
posterity, dissected and presented in the empirical ghost of
D. Nicholas Gallerius._----_Facilis descensus Averni._

_Enter_ WATCH _distraughtedly, letting fall their lanthorns_.

WATCH. Spirits, spirits, spirits!

_Enter_ CONSTABLE, _rubbing his eyes_.

CON. Where, where, where?

WATCH. Here, there, and everywhere; Now in the porter's lodge, then in the air!

CON. A _foutre_ for such ranging mawkins! I'll tell you, fellow-officers--for I have been since my weaning sufficiently schooled in the office of a constable--that we have no legislative power (do you mark me?) to commit any person, be he never so notorious a delinquent, if he fly or (as our falconers say) mount up into th' air. We are not bound to follow him, neither to attach nor commit him. And why? says the law. Because it is not in our power to catch him. But if he strut in the street, you may command him to come before me the Constable, as I am the representative body of the duke; or before yourselves, being the representative body of your Constable; and if the person so taken remain under safe custody, and he fly, if you overtake him by speed of foot, or by help of the bellman's mongrel, you may by the law of arms lay him by th' heels.

[_Dismiss the_ WATCH, _and exeunt_.

SCENE VII.

_Enter_ SIR AMADIN PUNY, SIR JASPER SIMPLETON, SIR ARTHUR
HEARTLESS, SIR GREGORY SHAPELESS, SIR TRISTRAM SHORTTOOL,
SIR REUBEN SCATTERGOOD.

SIR REU. Doubt nothing, my fellow-knights of Hornsey; the plot is so neatly and nimbly laid as it cannot but hold stitch.

ALL. But be the favourites' suits got, Sir Reuben?

SIR REU. They are brought to our lodgings already. To try a conclusion, I have most fortunately made their pages our 'coys by the influence of a white powder, which has wrought so powerfully on their tender pulse, as they have engaged themselves ours back and edge. _Sunt munera vincula servis._

SIR TRIS. 'Tis true, but how shall we pursue this project, that we may act to purpose what your ingenuity has contrived?

SIR REU. Leave that to me; be it your care to follow my direction, and if I make not these haxters as hateful to our hussies as ever they were to us who were their husbands, set me up for a Jack-a-Lent or a Shrove-cock for every boy to throw at! The net is spread, and if they 'scape the noose, they must have more eyes than their own to discover it.

SIR AMA. Excellent, excellent! I long till I be at work.

SIR REU. It will admit no delay, Sir Amadin, I assure you. We have not overwatched this night to no purpose. This very morning by times we must be fitted with our properties, and with a scornful neglect pass by that rendezvous where our gamesome ladies expect their youthful Platonics.

SIR GRE. Revenge to me 's far sweeter than to live.

ALL. To't, to't; for love's sake, let us to't.

SIR REU. The plot is laid with such industrious skill, If this take not, I do not know what will.

[_Exeunt._