Beaumont Fletchers Works, vol 2 | Page 9

'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 with a masculine constancy I
will not Boldly look on and suffer.
Leop. You mistake me: That you are made my prisoner, may prove The
birth of your good fortune. I do find A winning language in your
tongue and looks; Nor can a suit by you mov'd be deni'd, And therefore
of a prisoner you must be The Victors advocate.
_Zen._ To whom?
_Leap._ A Lady: In whom all graces that can perfect beauty Are

friendly met. I grant that you are fair: And had I not seen her before,
perhaps I might have sought to you.
_Zen._ This I hear gladly.
_Leap._ To this incomparable Lady I will give you, (Yet being mine,
you are already hers) And to serve her is more than to be free, At least I
think so; and when you live with her, If you will please to think on him
that brought you To such a happiness, for so her bounty Will make you
think her service, you shall ever Make me at your devotion.
_Zen._ All I can do, Rest you assur'd of.
_Leap._ At night I'le present you, Till when I am your Guard.
_Zen._ Ever your servant. [_Exeunt._
Enter Arnoldo and Rutilio.
_Arn._ To what are we reserv'd?
_Rut._ Troth 'tis uncertain, Drowning we have scap'd miraculously, and
Stand fair for ought I know for hanging; mony We have none, nor e're
are like to have, 'Tis to be doubted: besides we are strangers, Wondrous
hungry strangers; and charity Growing cold, and miracles ceasing,
Without a Conjurers help, cannot find When we shall eat again.
_Arn._ These are no wants If put in ballance with Zenocias loss; In that
alone all miseries are spoken: O my Rutilio, when I think on her, And
that which she may suffer, being a Captive, Then I could curse my self,
almost those powers That send me from the fury of the Ocean.
Rut. You have lost a wife indeed, a fair and chast one, Two blessings,
not found often in one woman; But she may be recovered, questionless
The ship that took us was of Portugal, And here in Lisbon, by some
means or other We may hear of her.
Arn. In that hope I live.

Rut. And so do I, but hope is a poor Sallad To dine and sup with, after a
two dayes fast too, Have you no mony left?
Arn. Not a Denier.
Rut. Nor any thing to pawn? 'tis now in fashion, Having a Mistress,
sure you should not be Without a neat Historical shirt.
Arn. For shame Talk not so poorly.
Rut. I must talk of that Necessity prompts us to, for beg I cannot, Nor
am I made to creep in at a window, To filch to feed me, something
must be done, And suddenly resolve on't.
Enter Zabulon and a Servant.
Arn. What are these?
Rut. One by his habit is a Jew.
Zab. No more: Thou art sure that's he.
Ser. Most certain.
Zab. How long is it Since first she saw him?
Ser. Some two hours.
Zab. Be gone--let me alone to work him. [Exit Ser.
Rut. How he eyes you! Now he moves towards us, in the Devils name
What would he with us?
Arn. Innocence is bold: Nor can I fear.
Zab. That you are poor and strangers, I easily perceive.
Rut. But that you'l help us, Or any of your tribe, we dare not hope Sir.

Zab. Why think you so?