SCENE 2.

Enter at one door D'Averne, and Dennis with the Fryar armed. At the other Fryar Richard and the Baker.

D'Averne. So nowe all's fitt, the daylight's not yet broake; Mount him and lock him in the saddle fast, Then turn him forthe the gates.

Dennis. Pray, Syr, your hand to rayse him.

D'Av. Nowe lett him post, whether his fate shall guide him.

[Exeunt.

Ent. Rich. and Baker.

Baker. The mare's ready.

Fr. R. Only the key to ope the cloyster gate, Then all is as it shoold be.

Baker. Tak't, there tis. But make hast, good Fryar Richard; you will else Have no new bredd to dinner.

Fr. R. Feare not, baker; I'l proove her mettall. Thus I back one mare Least I shoold ryde another. [Exit.

Baker. It is the kindest novyce of my consciens That ere woare hood or coole.

[A noyse within. Trampling of Horses.

What noyse is that? now by the Abbot's leave I will looke out and see. [Clere.

Enter Averne and Dennis.

D'Av. Howe nowe? the newes? The cause of that strange uprore?

Den. Strange indeed, But what th'event will bee, I cannott guesse.

D'Av. Howe is it, speake.

Den. I had no sooner, as your Lordshipp badd, Putt him upon his voyadge, turn'd him out, But the ould resty stallion snuft and neighd, And smelt, I thinke, som mare, backt (I perceavd By the moone light) by a Fryar, in whose pursuite Our new made horseman with his threatninge lance, Pistolles, and rotten armor made such noyse That th'other, frighted, clamours throughe the streetes Nothinge but deathe and murder.

D'Av. But the sequell?— The clamour still increasethe. [Noyse.

Enter the Baker rooninge.

Baker. Oh never, never, Was seene such open mallyce!

Den. What's the busines?

Baker. Give mee but leave to breath—Oh especially in a cloyster!

Den. Out wee't, man.

Baker. The novyce Richard, to save mee a labour, Borrowed my mare to fetch meale for the mill. I knowe not howe the devill Fryar Jhon knew't, But all in armor watch't him gooinge out And after spurrs to chardge him, beeinge unarmd, 0 suer if hee cannott reatch him with his lance Hee'l speede him with his pistolls.

Denis. All's well yet. [Noyse.

Baker. This noyse hath cal'd much people from there bedds, And troobled the whole villadge.

Fr. R. (within). Hold, hold, I do confesse the murder.

Baker. Suer hee hath slayne him, for murder is confest.

D'Av. Tis better still.

Enter Ashburne, Godfrey, &c.

Godf. Was never knowne the lyke!

Baker. Is Ritchard slayne? I sawe Fryar Jhon, arm'd dreadfully with weapons Not to be worne in peace, pursue his lyfe; All which I'l tell the abbott. [Exit Baker.

Ashb. Most strange it is that the pursude is fownd To bee the murderer, the pursuer slayne. Howe was it, Godfrey? thou wast upp beefore mee And canst discoorse it best.

Godfr. Thus, Syr: at noyse of murder, with the tramplinge Of horse and ratlinge armor in the streetes, The villadgers weare wakend from there sleepes; Som gap't out of there windowes, others venter'd Out of theere doores; amongst which I was one That was the foremost, and saw Ritchard stopt At a turninge lane, then overtooke by Jhon; Who not him self alone, but even his horse Backing the tother's beast, seemd with his feete To pawe him from his saddle; att this assault Friar Richard cryes, hold, hold and haunt mee not For I confesse the murder! folke came in Fownd th'one i'th sadle dead, the t'other sprallinge Upon the earthe alyve, still cryinge out That hee had doun the murder.

D'Av. Exellent still; withdrawe, for wee are saffe.

Enter the Abbott, the baker, Fryar Richard, prisoner and guarded, &c.[149]—

Abbott. These mischeefes I foretould; what's mallyce elsse Than murder halff comitted? though th'event Bee allmost above apprehension strange, Yet synce thyne owne confession pleades thee guilty Thou shalt have leagall tryall.

Fr. Rich. I confess I was the malefactor and deserve Th'extremity of Lawe; but woonder much Howe hee in such a short tyme after death Should purchase horse and weapons.

Abbot. Murder's a sinne Which often is myraculously reveal'd. Lett justyce question that; beare him to prison, The t'other to his grave.

Baker. Beeinge so valiant after deathe mee thinkes hee deserves the honor to bee buried lyke a knight in his compleate armor.

Abbot. These thinges shoold not bee trifled. Honest frendes, Retyre you to your homes; these are our chardge. Wee will acquaint our patron with this sadd And dyre desaster; fyrst his counsell use, Next as wee maye our Innocens excuse.

[Exeunt.

SCENA 3, ET ULTIMA.

Enter Mildewe and Sarleboyes.[150]

Mild. May the disease of Naples now turn'd Frensh Take bothe the Judge and Jurors! they have doomd The fayre Palestra from mee.

Sarl. So they had Scribonia too, and mulcted us beesydes, But that in part they did comiserate Our so greate losse by sea.

Mild. This is the curse Belonges to all us bawdes: gentle and noble, Even th'ouldest fornicator, will in private Make happy use of us with hugges and brybes; But let them take us at the publick bench, Gainst consciens they will spitt at us and doome us Unto the post and cart. Oh the coruptnes Of these dissemblinge letchers!

Sarlab. 'Tis well yet You have reserved one virgin left for sale; Of her make your best proffitt.

Mild.[151] A small stocke To rayse a second fortune; yet com, frend, Wee will go seeke her out.

Enter Gripus the Fisherman.

Fisher. No budgett to bee com by; my ould mayster, Hee stands on consciens to deliver it To the trew owner, but I thinke in consciens To cheate mee and to keepe it to him selfe; Which hee shall never doo, to prevent which I'l openly proclayme it. [Oh yes! If any userer or base exacter, Any noble marchant or marchant's factor, Bee't marchant venterer or marchant Taylor Bee hee Mr. Pilot, botswyne or saylor—

Enter Godfrey to them.

Godf. Hist, Gripus, hyst!

Fish. Peace, fellowe Godfrey. I'l now play the blabber.— If eather passinger owner or swabber[152] That in the sea hathe lost a leather budgett And to the Dolphins, whales or sharkes, doth grudge itt—

Godf. Wilt thou betraye all? I'I go tell my mayster.

Fish. Yes, Godfrey, goe and tell him all and spare not, I am growne desperate; if thou dost I care not.

Mild. Hee talkt of a leatheren budgett lost at sea; More of that newes would please mee.

Fish. Bee hee a Cristian or beleeve in Mawmett[153] I such a one this night tooke in my drawnett.

Mild. My soone, my child, nay rather, thou young man, I'l take thee for my father, for in this Sure thou hast new begott mee.

Fish. Blessing on thee! But shoold I have a thousand children more, I almost durst presume I never should have Another more hard favored.

Mild. Thou art any thinge. But hast thou such a budgett?

Fisher. Syr, I have And new tooke from the sea. What woldst thou give And have it safe?

Mild. I'l give a hundred crownes.

Fish. Tush, offer me a sowse[154] but not in th'eare; I will barr that afore hand.

Mild. And all safe, I'l give thee then too hondred.

Fish. Offer me a cardeq!

Mild. Three hondred, 4, nay fyve So nothinge bee diminisht.

Fish. I will have A thousand crowns or nothinge.

Mild. That growes deepe.

Fish. Not so deepe as the sea was.

Mild. Make all safe, And I will give a thousand.

Fish. Tis a match, But thou wilt sweare to this.

Mild. Give mee myne othe.

Fish. If, when first I shall beehold My leatheren bagge that's stuft with gould, At sight thereof I paye not downe To Gripus every promist crowne— Now say after mee. May Mildewe I in my best age.

Mild. May Mildewe I in my best age.

Fish. Dy in some spittle, stocks or cage.[155]

Mild. Dy in some spittle stocks or cage.

Fish. I'l keepe my promisse, fayle not thou thine oathe. So inn and tell my mayster. [Exit Fisherman.

Mild. Yes, bawdes keepe oaths! t'must bee in leap-yeare then, Not now; what wee sweare weel forsweare agen.

Enter Ashburne, Godfrey, and Gripus, to 'em.

Ashb. And hee in that did well, for Heaven defend I shoold inritche mee with what's none of myne. Where is the man that claymes it?

Grip. Heare's my sworne soon, that but even now acknowledgd mee to bee his father.

Ashb. Knowest thou this?

Mild. Yes for myne owne. I had thought, lyke one forlorne, All fortune had forsooke mee, but I see My best dayes are to com. Welcom my lyfe! Nay if there bee in any bawde a sowle This nowe hath mett the body.

Ashb. All's theire safe Unrifled, naye untutcht, save a small caskett With som few trifles of no valewe in't, Yet to mee pretious, synce by them I have fownd My one and only doughter.

Mild. Howes that, pray?

Ashb. Thus; thy Palestra is my Mirable.

Mild. Now may you to your comfort keepe the guerle, Synce of my wealthe I am once againe possest. I heare acquitt you of all chardges past Due for her education.

Ashb. You speake well.

Grip. It seemes you are possest, and this your owne.

Mild. Which I'l knowe howe I part with.

Grip. Com quickly and untrusse.

Mild. Untrusse, Syr? what?

Grip. Nay if you stand on poynts,[156] my crowns, my crowns: Com tell them out, a thousand.

Mild. Thousand deathes I will indure fyrst! synce I neather owe thee Nor will I paye thee any thinge.

Grip. Didst thou not sweare?

Mild. I did, and will againe If it bee to my profit, but oathes made Unto our hurt wee are not bound to keepe.

Ashb. What's that you chalendge, Gripus.

Grip. Not a sowse lesse Then a full thousand crownes.

Ashb. On what condition?

Grip. So much hee vowed and swore to paye mee downe At sight of this his budgett; a deneere I will not bate; downe with my dust, thou perjurer.

Ashb. But did hee sweare?

Mild. Suppose it, saye I did.

Ashb. Then thus I saye, oathes ta'ne advisedly Ought to bee kept; and this I'l see performed, What's forfett to my man is due to mee; I claime it as my right; these your bawdes fallacyes In this shall no weye helpe you, you shall answer it Now as a subject and beefore the judge.

Mild. If I appeare in coort I am lost againe; Better to part with that then hazard all. These bagges conteine fyve hundred pownds apeece, Tak't and the pox to boot.

Grip. And all these myne?

Godf. Would I might have a share in't.

Ashb. Nowe tell mee, Mildewe, howe thou ratest the freedome Of th'other virgin yonge Scribonia, Companion with my dowghter?

Mild. I am weary Of this lewde trade; give mee fyve hundred crownes And take her; I'l gie't over now in tyme Ere it bringe mee to the gallowes.

Ashb. There's for her ransom; she's from henceforthe free.

Grip. Howe, Syr?

Ashb. These other, Gripus, still belonge to thee Towards the manumission.

Enter at one doore Palestra, Scribonia; at the other Raphael, Treadway, Thomas Ashburne and the Clowne.

Raph. If all bee trewe my man related to mee I have no end of Joy.

Ash. This is my Mirable, My doughter and freeborne; and if you still Persist the same man you profest your self, Beehold shee is your wyfe.

Raph. You crowne my hopes.

Mir. This very day hathe made mee full amends For many yeares of crosses.

Tread. Nowe my suite.

Raph. Nor are my expectations yet at heighte Before my frend bee equally made blest In this fayer damsell's love.

Tread. To accomplishe which If all the wealth that I injoye by land, Or what at Sea's in ventur, will but purchase With her release a tye of love to mee, This hower it shalbe tenderd.

Ashb. Offer'd fayrely; But knwe, syr, could you winne her to your wishes, She shall not lyke a bondemaide come to ye; Fyve hundred crownes are tenderd downe all redy (Unknowne to her) for her free liberty.

Scrib. This is a Juberly, a yeare of Joy, For chastity and spotles Inocens.

Tread. Shall I intreate you to receive them backe? Lett it bee made my woorke of charity.

Ashb. I knowe you woorthy, but that must not bee; Yet proove her, court her, with my free consent And use the best love's rethorick you can: If with the motion shee rest satisfied, And you pleas'd to accept her, it shall never Bee sayde you tooke a captyve to your bedd But a free woman.

Tread. Nobly have you spoake.

Raph. Fayre Mirable, the fyrst thinge I intreate you In which to expresse your love, speake for my frend.

Mir. And with my best of Oratory.

Raph.[157] Weel be all Assistants in the motion.

Ashb. If you prevayle, I in the absens of som nearer frend Have vowed to stand her father.

Clowne. Now, Sir, I have showed him you, but are you ever the wyser?

Thom. Ash. Peace, I am somwhat trobled. Oh tis hee, My brother; and those rude and violent gusts That to this strange Road thrust my shipp per force, And I but late for new disasters curst, Have with there light winges mounted mee aloft, And for a haven in heaven new harbord mee. Yet they but feede upon theire knowne delights; Anon I'l make them surfett.

Scrib. If to this frendly fayer society, I, a poore desolate virgin, so much bownd, Should putt you off with delatory trifles When you importune answer, t'would appeare In mee strange incivility: I am yours And, beeinge so, therefore consequently his.

Ashb. A match then! but, ere further you proceede, Resolve mee one thinge, Mildewe,—not as thou art Thyself, but as thou once weart made a Christian,— Knowest thou this made's descent, and parentadge?

Mild. I will resolve you lyke a convertite,[158] Not as the man I was: I knew there byrthes, But for myne owne gayne kept them still conceal'd.

Ashb. Now as thou hop'st of grace—

Mild. The nurse late dead That had these too in chardge, betrayde a shipboord And ravisht from her coontry, ere she expyr'd Nam'd her the doughter of Jhon Ashburne, marchant. Her I Palestra cal'd, shee Mirable; That, Winefryde, doughter to Thomas Ashburne Brother to the sayde Jhon, I cal'd Scribonia. They too are coosin germans.

Ashb. This our neece?

Thom. My doughter?

Pal. Partners in sorrowe, and so neere allyde, And wee till nowe neare knewe it!

Scrib. My deere coosin.

Ashb. Nay, I'l bee my woords mayster; reache your hands, And thoughe no nearer then an Unkle, once I'l playe the father's part.

Thom. Praye hold your hand, Syr; Heares one that will doo't for you.

Ash. Brother Thomas!

Thom. Peruse that letter, whilst I breathe these Joys, Impartinge these a most unlimitted love In equall distribution, doughter, neece, Brother, and frends; lett mee devyde amongst you A fathers, brothers, and a kinsman's yoake With all th'unmeasured pleasures and delights That thought of man can wishe you.

Ashb. Spare reply. These tell mee, that those bloodhounds who pursude My fall, my oppressinge creditors I meane, Are gone before to answer for my wronges, And in there deathes with due acknowledgment Of all theire violens doon mee; peace with them! That lykewyse by the deathe of a ritche alderman, My unkle, I am left a fayer estate In land, eight hundred by the yeare, in coyne Twenty fyve thousand pound. Make mee, oh heaven, For this greate blessinge gratefull! and not least To you my Indeer'd brother.

Thom. One thinge woonders mee That I should fynd you neare Marcellis heare, When I was aym'd for Florens; where your letters Inform'd mee you were planted.

Ashb. But even thither Those crewell men dog'd mee with such pursuit That theire I fownd no safety, but was forct To fly thence with that little I had left And to retyre mee to this obscure place; Where by the trade of fishinge I have lyv'd Till nowe of a contented competens. Those bates, hookes, lynes and netts for thy good servyce, Gripus, I nowe make thyne.

Grip. You are my noble mayster, and would I could have fownd more tricks then these in my budgett, they had bin all at your servyce.

Ashb. I purpose nowe for England, whether so please These gentlemen consort us with theire brydes.

Boathe. Most willingly.

Ashb. There you shall see what welcome Our London, so much spoake of heare in France, Can give to woorthy strangers.

Thom. Att my chardge Your shippinge is provyded, and at anchor Lyes ready in the roade.

Ashb. Oh happy storme That ends in such a calme!

Enter Godfreye in haste.

Godf. Staye, gentlemen, and see a dolefull sight; One ledd to execution for a murder The lyke hath scarce bin heard of.

Ash. Of the Fryar? In part we weare ey witness of the fact, Nor is our hast so great but wee maye staye To viewe his tragick end, whom the strickt lawe Hathe made a Just example.

Enter the Abbott, Fryar Richard, Shreeve and officers.

Abb. Upon thy trewe confession I have given thee Such absolution as the churche allowes. What hast thou else to saye ere thou art made To all men heare a wofull spectacle?

Fr. R. This only, that betwixt Fryar Jhon and mee Was ever hate and mallyce; and althoughe With no entent of murder, this my hand This most unfortnate hand, beereft his lyff, For which vile deede I mercy begge of Heaven, Next of the woorld, whom I offended too, Pardon and pitty. More to saye I have not: Heaven of my sowle take chardge, and of my body Dispose thou, honest hangeman.

Clown. Lasse, poore Fryar, and yet there's great hope of his sowle, for I canot spye one heyre betwixt him and heaven.

Fisher. And yet I dowbt hee will make but a bald reckninge of it.

Enter the Lord De Averne and his man Dennis.

Av. Staye the execution.

Abb. Our noble fownder out of his greate charity And woonted goodnes begg'd him a reprieve!

Av. Brought a reprieve I have: lett go the Fryar, And take from mee your warrant; I dischardge him.

Sherif. And yet, my Lord, 'tis fitt for our dischardge That the Kinge's hand bee seene.

Av. If not my woord Will passe for currant, take my person then, Or if you thinke unequall the exchaunge I tender my man's too to valewe his. Meanetyme dismisse him as one Innocent Of what hee is condemde.

Abb. By his owne mouthe Hee stands accus'd.

Av. And wetnes all of you, As frely I acquitt him.

Sher. Honored Syr, Praye bee more playne, wee understand you not.

Av. I'l make it playne then.

Cl. Now if thou bee'st wyse drawe thy neck out of the collar, doo, Slipp-stringe, doo.

Rich. Marry, with all my hart and thanke him too.

Av. Attend mee, reverend father, and you all Of this assembly: for som spleene conceiv'd Against the Fryar deceast, I strangled him; The cause why no man heare importun mee: For many reasons to my self best knowne I hold fitt to conceale it, but I murdered him In myne owne howse.

Abb. But by your Honor's favour How can that bee when Richard heere confest Hee slewe him in our cloyster?

Av. Heare me outt. At fyrst, untutcht with horror of the fact, My purpose was to laye the guilt elswhear And for that purpose caus'd my man to mount him Over the cloyster wall.

Denis. Which soone I did By th'helpe of a short ladder, sett him theire In a close-place and thoughe not of the sweetest Yet as I thought the safest; left him there.

Fr. R. Just in that place I found him, and imadgining He satt of purpose theire to despight mee, I hitt him with a stone, hee fell withall And I thought I had slayne him.

Dennis. But howe the Devill Gott hee into our porch? that woonders mee.

Fr. R. I fownd a ladder theire.

Den. The same I left.

Fr. R. Gott him upon my shoolders and by that Conveighd him back and left him in that porch, Wheare, as it seemes, you fownd him.

Av. This troblinge us, it drove us to newe plotts. We arm'd the Fryar, accoutred as you sawe, Mounted him on a stallion, lock't him fast Into the saddle, turn'd him forthe the gates To trye a second fortune.

Fr. R. Just at the tyme When, I beeinge mounted on the baker's mare, The gates weare sett wyde ope for mee to fly.

Abb. So that it seemes one beast pursuide the tother, And not the dead Fryar Richard.

Av. Howsoever, As one repentant for my rashnes past, And loathe to Imbrewe mee in more Innocent blood, I fyrst confesse my servant's guilt and myne, Acquitt the Fryar, and yeeld our persons upp To the full satisfaction of the lawe.

Enter the Lady Averne and her maid Mellesent.

Lady. Which, noble Sir, the Kinge thus mittigates: See, I have heare your pardon. In the tyme That you weare ceas'd with this deepe melancholly And inward sorrowe for a sinne so fowle, My self in person posted to the Kinge (In progresse not farr off), to him related The passadge of your busines, neather rose I From off my knees till hee had signd to this.

Av. Th'hast doon the offyce of a noble wyfe. His grace I'l not despyse, nor thy great love Ever forgett, and iff way may bee fownd To make least satisfaction to the dead, I'l doo't in vowed repentance.

Abb. Which our prayers In all our best devotions shall assist.

Ashb. All ours, great Syr, to boote.

Av. Wee knowe you well and thanke you.

Ashb. But must nowe Forsake this place, which wee shall ever blesse For the greate good that wee have fownd therein, And hence remoove for England.

Av. Not beefore All your successfull Joyes wee heare related To comfort our late sorrowes; to which purpose Wee invite you and your frends to feast with us. That granted, we will see you safe aboord: And as wee heare rejoyce in your affayers, Forget not us in England in your prayers.

[Exeunt.

FINIS.