Volume 2 / Act 5 — ACT V. SCENE I.

The Scene lying in a Carrack.

Enter a Pirate and the Captain.

Pir. Welcome a ship-board, captain; you staid long.

Capt. No longer than was necessary for shifting trades; to change me from a robber to a pirate.

Pir. There's a fair change wrought in you since yesterday morning; then you talked of nothing but repentance, and amendment of life.

Capt. 'Faith, I have considered better on't: for, conversing a whole day together with honest men, I found them all so poor and beggarly, that a civil person would be ashamed to be seen with them:—but you come from Don Roderick's cabin; what hopes have you of his life?

Pir. No danger of it, only loss of blood had made him faint away; he called for you.

Capt. Well, are his jewels and his plate brought in?

Pir. They are.—When hoist we sails?

Capt. At the first break of day: When we are got out clear, we'll seize on Roderick and his men: They are not many, but fear may make them desperate.

Pir. We may take them, when they are laid to sleep.

Capt. 'Tis well advised.

Pir. I forgot to tell you, sir, that a little before Don Roderick was brought in, a company of gentlemen (pursued it seems by justice) procured our boat to row them hither. Two of them carried a very fair lady betwixt them, who was either dead, or swooned.

Capt. We'll sell them altogether to the Turk,—at least I'll tell them so. [Aside.

Pir. Pray, sir, let us reserve the lady to our own uses; it were a shame to good catholicks to give her up to infidels.

Capt. Don Roderick's door opens; I'll speak to him.

The Scene draws, and discovers the Captains cabin; RODORICK on a bed, and two Servants by him.

Capt. How is it with the brave Don Roderick? Do you want any thing?

Rod. I have too much Of that I would not, love; And what I would have, that I want, revenge. I must be set ashore.

Capt. That you may, sir; But our own safety must be thought on first.

[One enters, and whispers the Captain.

Capt. I come:—Seignior, think you are lord here, and command all freely.

[Exeunt Captain and Pirates.

Rod. He does well to bid me think so: I am of opinion We are fallen into huckster's hands.

1 Serv. Indeed he talked suspiciously enough; He half denied to land us.

Rod. These, Pedro, are your confiding men—

2 Serv. I think them still so.

Rod. Would I were from them.

2 Serv. 'Tis impossible To attempt it now; you have not strength enough To walk.

Rod. That venture must be mine: We're lost, If we stay here to-morrow.

2 Serv. I hope better.

1 Serv. One whom I saw among 'em, to my knowledge, Is a notorious robber.

2 Serv. He looked so like a gentleman, I could not know him then.

Rod. What became of Julia when I fell?

1 Serv. We left her weeping over you, till we Were beaten off; but she, and those with her, Were gone when we returned.

Rod. Too late I find, I wronged her in my thoughts. I'm every way A wretched man:— Something we must resolve on, ere we sleep; Draw in the bed, I feel the cold.

[Bed drawn in. Exeunt.