Cromwell | Page 6

Confusion light upon you all for me. Where he had wont to give a score of crowns, Doth he now foist me with a Portague? Well, I will be revenged upon this Banister. I'll to his creditors, buy all the debts he owes, As seeming that I do it for good will. I am sure to have them at an easy rate, And when tis done, in christendom he stays not, But I'll make his heart to ache with sorrow: And if that Banister become my debtor, By heaven and earth I'll make his plague the greater.
[Exit Bagot.]
ACT II.
[Enter Chorus.]
CHORUS. Now, gentlemen, imagine that young Cromwell is In Antwerp ledger for the English Merchants: And Banister, to shun this Bagot's hate, Hearing that he hath got some of his debts, Is fled to Antwerp, with his wife and children; Which Bagot hearing is gone after them: And thither sends his bills of debt before, To be revenged on wretched Banister. What doth fall out, with patience sit and see, A just requital of false treachery.
[Exit.]
ACT II. SCENE I. Antwerp.
[Cromwell in his study with bags of money before him casting of account.]
CROMWELL. Thus far my reckoning doth go straight & even, But, Cromwell, this same ployding fits not thee: Thy mind is altogether set on travel, And not to live thus cloistered like a Nun. It is not this same trash that i regard, Experience is the jewel of my heart.
[Enter a Post.]
POST. I pray, sir, are you ready to dispatch me?
CROMWELL. Yes; here's those sums of money you must carry; You go so far as Frankford, do you not?
POST. I do, sir.
CROMWELL. Well, prithee make all the hate thou canst, For there be certain English gentlemen Are bound for Venice, and my happily want, And if that you should linger by the way: But in hope that you'll make good speed, There's two Angels to buy you spurs and wands.
POST. I thank you, sir; this will add wings indeed.
[Exit Post.]
CROMWELL. Gold is of power would make an Eagle speed.
[Enter Mistress Banister.]
What gentlewoman is this that grieves so much? It seems she doth address her self to me.
MISTRESS BANISTER. God save you, sir, sir; pray, is your name master Cromwell?
CROMWELL. My name is Thomas Cromwell, gentlewoman.
MISTRESS BANISTER. Know you not one Bagot, sir, that's come to Antwerp?
CROMWELL. No, trust me, I never saw the man, But here are bills of debt I have received, Against one Banister, a Merchant fallen into decay.
MISTRESS BANISTER. Into decay, indeed, long of that wretch. I am the wife to woeful Banister: And by that bloody villain am pursued From London here to Antwerp. My husband he is in the governour's hands, And God no doubt will treble bless your gain.
CROMWELL. Good mistress Banister, what I can, I will, In any thing that lies within my power.
MISTRESS BANISTER. O speak to Bagot, that same wicked wretch, An Angel's voice may move a damned devil.
CROMWELL. Why, is he come to Antwerp, as you here?
MISTRESS BANISTER. I heard he landed some two hours since.
CROMWELL. Well, mistress Banister, assure your self. I'll speak to Bagot in your own behalf, And win him to all the pity that I can. Mean time, to comfort you in your distress, Receive these Angels to relieve your need, And be assured that what I can effect To do you good, no way I will neglect.
MISTRESS BANISTER. That mighty God, that knows each mortal's heart, Keep you from trouble, sorrow, grief, and smart.
[Exit Mistress Banister.]
CROMWELL. Thanks, courteous woman, for thy hearty prayer. It grieves my soul to see her misery, But we that live under the work of fate, May hope the best, yet knows not to what state Our stars and destinies hath us assigned. Fickle is fortune and her face is blind.
[Exit.]
ACT II. SCENE II. A street in Antwerp.
[Enter Bagot solus.]
BAGOT. So all goes well; it is as I would have it. Banister he is with the Governour And shortly shall have guives upon his heels. It glads my heart to think upon the slave; I hope to have his body rot in prison, And after here his wife to hang her self, And all his children die for want of food. The Jewels that I have brought to Antwerp Are recond to be worth five thousand pound, Which scarcely stood me in three hundreth pound. I bought them at an easy kind of rate; I care not which way they came by them That sold them me, it comes not near my heart: And least thy should be stolen--as sure they are-- I thought it meet to sell them here in Antwerp, And so have left them in the Governour's hand, Who offers me within two hundreth pound Of all my price. But now no more of that: I must go