(SCENE 2.)

Enter Pike, shackled, & his Jaylour.

Jay. Boon Coragio, man! how is't?

Pike. Not very well & yet well enough, considering how the cheating dice of the world run.

Jay. I dare not, though I have a care of you, ease you of one Iron unles I desire such Gyves my selfe.

Pike. Las, if they were all knockt off I'me loaden with Gyves, Shackles, and fetters enough for the arrantest theefe that ever lay in my owne country in Newgate.

Jay. Shackles, gyves, and fetters enough! I see none but these at your heeles, which come on without a shoeing horne.

Pike. Yes, at my heart I weare them—a wife & children (my poore Lambes at home); there's a chaine of sighes and sobbes and sorrow, harder then any Iron; and this chaine is so long it reaches from Sherrys to Tavestock in Devonshire.

Jay. That's farre enough in Conscience.

Pike. Could I shake those Chaines off I would cutt Capers: poore Dick Pike would dance though Death pip'd to him; yes, and spitt in your Hangman's face.

Jay. Not too much of that nayther: some 2 dayes hence he will give you a choake peare[39] will spoyle your spitting.

Pike. Pheu!

Jay. For, let me see, to-day is Sunday; to-morrow the Lords sitt, and then I must have a care—a cruell care—to have your leggs handsome and a new cleane ruff band about your necke, of old rusty iron; 'twill purge your choller.

Pike. I, I, let it, let it: Collers, halters, & hangmen are to me bracelets and frendly companions.

[Knocking-within.

Jay. So hasty? stay my leasure.—(Enter 2 fryers) Two fryers come to prepare you. [Exit.

I. Hayle, Countryman! for we, though fryers in Spaine, Were born in Ireland.

Pike. Reverend sir, y'are welcome: Too few such visitants, nay none at all, Have I seen in this damnable Limbo.

2. Brother, take heed; doe not misuse that word Of Limbo.[40]

1. Brother Pike, for so we heare, Men call you, we are come in pure devotion And charity to your soule, being thereto bound By holy orders of our mother Church.

Pike. What to doe, pray, with me?[41]

1. To point with our fingers Out all such rockes, shelves, quicksands, gulfes, & shallowes Lying in the sea through which you are to passe In the most dangerous voyage you ere made: Eyther by our care to sett you safe on land, Or, if you fly from us your heavenly pilotts, Sure to be wrackt for ever.

Pike. What must I doe?

2. Confesse to one of us what rancke and foule impostumes Have bred about your soule.

1. What Leprosies Have run ore all your Conscience.

2. What hott feavers Now shake your peace of mind.

1. For we are come To cure your old Corruptions.

2. We are come To be your true and free Physitians.

1. Without the hope of gold, to give you health.

2. To sett you on your feete on the right way.

1. To Palestine, the New Jerusalem.

2. Say; Will you unlocke the closet of your heart To one of us? chuse which, & be absolvd For all your blacke Crimes on a free confession?

1. To him or me, for you must dye to morrow.

Pike. Welcome! To morrow shall I be in another country, Where are no Examiners, nor Jayles, Nor bolts, nor barres, nor irons. I beseech you Give me a little respite to retire Into the next roome, & I will instantly Returne to give you satisfaction. [Exit.

Ambo. Goe, brother.

1. A goodly man!

2. Well limbd & strong of heart.

1. Now I well view his face did not we two At our last being in Plymouth in disguise, When there the King of England rode about To see the soldiers in their musterings And what their armes were, just before this fleet Sett out, did we not see him there?

2. May be we did; I know not; if he were there 'tis now out of my memory.

Enter Pike.

1. Are you resolvd?

Pike. Yes.

2. To confesse?

Pike. I ha' don't already.

1. To whom?

Pike. To one who is in better place And greater power then you to cure my sicke Infected part, though maladies as infinite As the sea sands, the grassy spears on earth, Or as the dropps of raine & stars in the firmament Stucke on me he can cleare all, cleanse me throughly.

2. You will not then confesse?

Pike. No, I confesse I will not.

1. We are sorry for you; For Countryes sake this Counsaile do I give you: When y'are before the Lords rule well your tongue, Be wary how you answer, least they tripp you; For they know the whole number of your shipps, Burthen, men & munition, as well As you in England.

Pike. I thanke you both.

2. Prepare to dye. [Exeunt Fryers.

Pike. I will so.—Prepare to dye! An excellent bell & it sounds sweetly. He that prepares to dye rigges a goodly ship; he that is well prepard is ready to launch forth; he that prepares well & dyes well, arrives at a happy haven. Prepare to dye! preparation is the sauce, death the meate, my soule & body the guests; & to this feast will I goe, boldly as a man, humbly as a Christian, & bravely as an Englishman. Oh my Children, my Children! my poore Wife & Children!

Enter Jaylour, & 3 Spanish Picaroes chayned.

Jay. Here's a chearefull morning towards, my brave blouds!

1. Yes, Jaylor, if thou wert to be hangd in one of our roomes.

Jay. On, on; the Lords will sitt presently.

2. What's hee?

Jay. An Englishman.

3. A dog!

1. A divell!

2. Let's beate out his braines with our Irons.

Jay. On, on; leave rayling, cursing & lying: had you not run from the Castle the hangman & you had bene "hayle fellow! well met:" On!

All. Crowes pecke thy eyes out, English dog, curre, toad, hell hound! [Exeunt.

Pike. Patience is a good armour, humility a strong headpiece, would I had you all three, I know where.

Enter Bustamente shackled, & Jaylor.

Bust. Whither dost lead me?

Jay. To a roome by your selfe: 'tis my office to have a care of my nurse children.

Bust. I have worne better Spanish gaiters: thus rewarded for my service!

Jay. See, Capt. Bustamente; doe you know this fellow?

Bust. No.

Jay. The Englishman brought prisoner into the Citty, & from thence hither.

Pike. Oh, Captaine, I saw you at the fort performe the part of a man.

Bust. And now thou seest me acting the part of a slave. Farewell, soldier. I did not hate thee at the first, though there we mett enemyes; and if thou & I take our leaves at the Gallowes, prithee letts part friends. [_A Table out, sword & papers[42]

Jay. Come along, you two.

Pike. Hand in hand, if the Captaine please: noble Bustamente, at the winning of the fort we had a brave breakfast.

Bust. True, but I doubt not we shall have worse cheare at dinner.

Jay. When was ever any meat well dressd in the hangmans kitchen!

[Exeunt.