Beaumont Fletchers Works, vol 2 | Page 8

Braggart boast thus.
Dua. All I speak, In act I can make good.
Gui. Why then being Master Of such and so good parts do you destroy them, With self opinion, or like a rich miser, Hoard up the treasures you possess, imparting Nor to your self nor others, the use of them? They are to you but like inchanted viands, On which you seem to feed, yet pine with hunger; And those so rare perfections in my Son Which would make others happy, render me A wretched Mother.
Man. You are too insolent. And those too many excellencies, that feed Your pride, turn to a Pleurisie, and kill That which should nourish vertue; dare you think All blessings are confer'd on you alone? Y'are grosly cousen'd; there's no good in you, Which others have not: are you a Scholar? so Are many, and as knowing: are you valiant? Waste not that courage then in braules, but spend it In the Wars, in service of your King and Country.
Dua. Yes, so I might be General, no man lives That's worthy to command me.
Man. Sir, in Lisbon I am: and you shall know it; every hour I am troubled with complaints of your behaviour From men of all conditions, and all sexes. And my authority, which you presume Will bear you out, in that you are my Nephew, No longer shall protect you, for I vow Though all that's past I pardon, I will punish The next fault with as much severity As if you were a stranger, rest assur'd on't.
Gui. And by that love you should bear, or that duty You owe a Mother, once more I command you To cast this haughtiness off; which if you do, All that is mine, is yours, if not, expect My prayers, and vows, for your conversion only, But never means nor favour. [Ex. Manuel and Guiomar.
Dua. I am Tutor'd As if I were a child still, the base Peasants That fear, and envy my great worth, have done this; But I will find them out, I will o'boord Get my disguise; I have too long been idle, Nor will I curb my spirit, I was born free, And will pursue the course best liketh me. [Exeunt.
Enter Leopold, Sailers, and Zenocia.
Leop. Divide the spoil amongst you, this fair Captive I only challenge for my self.
Sail. You have won her And well deserve her: twenty years I have liv'd A Burgess of the Sea, and have been present At many a desperate fight, but never saw So small a Bark with such incredible valour So long defended, and against such odds, And by two men scarce arm'd too.
Leop. 'Twas a wonder. And yet the courage they exprest being taken, And their contempt of death wan more upon me Than all they did, when they were free: me thinks I see them yet when they were brought aboard us, Disarm'd and ready to be put in fetters How on the suddain, as if they had sworn Never to taste the bread of servitude, Both snatching up their swords, and from this Virgin, Taking a farewel only with their eyes, They leapt into the Sea.
Sail. Indeed 'twas rare.
Leop. It wrought so much on me, that but I fear'd The great ship that pursued us, our own safety Hindring my charitable purpose to 'em, I would have took 'em up, and with their lives They should have had their liberties.
Zen. O too late, For they are lost, for ever lost.
Leop. Take comfort 'Tis not impossible, but that they live yet, For when they left the ships, they were within A League o'th' shore, and with such strength and cunning They swimming, did delude the rising Billows, With one hand making way, and with the other, Their bloudy swords advanced, threatning the Sea-gods With war, unless they brought them safely off, That I am almost confident they live, And you again may see them.
Zen. In that hope I brook a wretched being, till I am Made certain of their fortunes; but they dead, Death hath so many doors to let out life, I will not long survive them.
Leop. Hope the best, And let the courteous usage you have found, Not usual in men of War perswade you To tell me your condition.
Zen. You know it, A Captive, my fate and your power have made me, Such I am now, but what I was it skills not: For they being dead, in whom I only live, I dare not challenge Family, or Country, And therefore Sir enquire not, let it suffice, I am your servant, and a thankful servant (If you will call that so, which is but duty) I ever will be, and my honour safe, Which nobly hitherto ye have preserv'd, No slavery can appear in such a form, Which