A Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. II | Page 8

knowen to the whole world they feed
better and eate more then we: ergo, we have better stomackes then they.
But, see! we have talk't our selves at home already, and the point (port?)
is open. Will't please you enter, or shall I enter before you? I am your
man, madam.
Ele. You know the way best:--whilst abroad they are At fight, twixt
hope and feare at home I warre.
[Exeunt.

Actus Secundus.
(SCENE 1.)
_Alarum; as the soft musicke begins a peale of ordnance goes off; then
Cornetts sound a Battaile; which ended enter Captaine, Master of a ship,
Dick Pike, with musketts_.
Cap. Fought bravely, countrymen! Honour all this while Sate in a
Throne of smoake with sparckling eyes Looking upon your courages &
admiring Your resolutions, and now rewards your sweat With victory.
The castle groanes at heart; Her strongest ribbs are bruizd with
battering Cannons, And she hath tane into her bowells fire Enough to
melt her.
Ma. My Lord came bravely up to her & shewd a spirit That commands
danger; his honorable example Gave us new hearts.
Sol. Faith, give the Spanyards their due; they entertaind us handsomely
with hott meat; 'twas no cold welcome.
Pike. But I would not willingly swallow their plums; they would rise
shrewdly in a man's stomacke.
Cap. At the first shott, when the Convertine came in, 3 men were killd.
Ma. At the second 4, was't not?

Cap. At the third two more: one salutation Came so close that, with the
very wind, My hands have almost lost the sense of feeling. _Jewell_,
thou mad'st thy muskett spitt fire bravely.
Ma. And my Devonshire blade, honest _Dick Pike_, Spard not his
Sugar pellets among my Spanyards.
Cap. He did like a soldier, as he that chargd his muskett told me: in this
service he hath dischargd 70 bulletts.
Pike. I did my part, sir, and wish I had bene able to have layd 'em on
thicker; but I have lynd somebodyes gutts, much good doe 'em with it;
some of them have wishd well to me.
Cap. Art hurt?
Ma. Where?
Pike. Nowhere; one of my flanckes itches a little; if a piece of lead have
crept in to hide it selfe cowardly I am not much in debt for't.
Cap. Let my Surgeons search it.
Pike. Search a pudding for plums; let my flesh alone; perhaps it wants
souldering. Shall we to't agen: I have halfe a score pills for my
_Spanyards_--better then purging comfitts.
Enter a Soldier.
Cap. What newes?
Sol. The fort is yielded.
Pike. They have bene speechlesse a good while; I thought they'de yield
up the ghost shortly.
Sol. But on condition to march away with flying colours, which was
granted.

Cap. What's become of the Captaine of the fort?
Sol. Don Francisco Bustament is carryed aboord our Generalls ship,
where he had a soldier like welcome; but he & all his company are put
over to Port Reall upon the maine land because they should not succour
the Citty.
Cap. Unles he will swim to th'Iland.--And how fares the _Convertine_?
Sol. Her shroudes are torne to pieces & her tacklings to raggs.
Cap. No matter; she carryes the more honour.
Sol. 5 hundred Bulletts sticke in her sides.
Pike. 'Tis well they scaped her heart, lying all the fight little more than
pistoll shott from 'em; her Starboard still to the fort & at least 200
Musketts playing upon her. I wish'd heartily some of our London
roaring Boyes[17] had bene in the heate of't.
Sol. Wouldst have 'em twice burnt.
Pike. They should have found a difference betwixt the smoake of
Tobacco and of a muskett; another manner of noise than _dam me &
refuse me_[18], which they vomitt dayly. It might have done some of
'em good, for by that meanes they might have prayd heartily once in
their lives.
Cap. The _Whitehall_[19] men did good service.
Ma. Who? the Collyers?
Sol. 4000 Bulletts their ordnance & the Hollanders dischargd upon the
Castle.
Cap. 'Twas well done of all sides, Bullyes[20]: but, since our forces are
landed, let it be your care to looke well to the Ships: and honest Dick of
Devonshire be not too carelesse of your hurts; he meanes to fight
againe that provides for his recovery soonest. Hold thee, here is

something to pay the Surgeon and to wash your wound withall.
Pike. My noble Captaine, I'le have care of my owne and drinke your
health with it.
Ma. Thou deservest more than common encouragement: prithee,
remember me too.
[_Exeunt Capt. & Mast_.
Pike. Why, now am I sorry I have no more hurt, gentlemen; but I tooke
it as earnest to receive more if occasion bee. I have but a barrell to
bestow among my Dons; while