Cromwell | Page 8

they in kindness eat up my victuals, as indeed one good turn asketh another. Well, would I could find my master Thomas in this Dutch Town; he might put some English Beer into my belly.
CROMWELL. What, Hodge, my father's man? by my hand, welcome! How doth my father? what's the news at home?
HODGE. Master Thomas, O God, master Thomas, your hand, glove and all. This is to give you to understanding that your father is in health, and Alice Downing here hath sent you a Nutmeg, & Bess Makewater a race of Ginger; my fellow Will & Tom hath between them sent you a dozen of points, & good man Tolle of the Goat a pair of mittens; my self came in person: and this is all the news.
CROMWELL. Gramarcy, good Hodge, and thou art welcome to me, But in as ill a time thou comest as may be: For I am travelling into Italy. What sayest thou, Hodge? wilt thou bear me company?
HODGE. Will I bear thee company, Tom? What tell'st me of Italy? were it to the furthest part of Flanders, I would go with thee, Tom. I am thine in all weal and woe, thy own to command. What, Tom! I have passed the rigorous waves of Neptune's blasts; I tell you, Thomas, I have been in the danger of the floods; and when I have seen Boreas begin to play the Ruffin with us, then would I down of my knees and call upon Vulcan.
CROMWELL. And why upon him?
HODGE. Because, as this same fellow Neptune is God of the Seas, so Vulcan is Lord over the Smiths, and therefore, I, being a Smith, thought his Godhead would have some care yet of me.
CROMWELL. A good conceit, but tell me, hast thou dined yet?
HODGE. Thomas, to speak the truth, not a bit yet I.
CROMWELL. Come, go with me; thou shalt have cheer good store. And farewell, Antwerp, if I come no more.
HODGE. I follow thee, sweet Tom, I follow thee.
[Exit omnes.]
ACT II. SCENE III. Another street in the same.
[Enter the Governour of the English house, Bagot, Banister, his wife, and two officers.]
GOVERNOUR. Is Cromwell gone then, say you, master Bagot? What dislike, I pray? what was the cause?
BAGOT. To tell you true, a wild brain of his own; Such youth as they cannot see when they are well: He is all bent to travail, that's his reason, And doth not love to eat his bread at home.
GOVERNOUR. Well, good fortune with him, if the man be gone. We hardly shall find such a one as he, To fit our turns; his dealings were so honest. But now, sir, for your Jewels that I have, What do you say? will you take my prise?
BAGOT. O, sir, you offer too much underfoot.
GOVERNOUR. Tis but two hundred pound between us, man. What's that in payment of five thousand pound?
BAGOT. Two hundred pound! birlady, sir, tis great: Before I got so much, it made me sweat.
GOVERNOUR. Well, Master Bagot, I'll profer you fairly. You see this Merchant, master Banister, Is going now to prison at your suit. His substance all is gone; what would you have? Yet in regard I knew the man of wealth-- Never dishonest dealing, but such mishaps Hath fallen on him, may light on me or you-- There is two hundred pound between us; We will divide the same: I'll give you one, On that condition you will set him free: His state is nothing, that you see your self, And where naught is, the King must lose his right.
BAGOT. Sir, sir, you speak out of your love, Tis foolish love, sir, sure, to pity him: Therefore, content your self; this is my mind: To do him good I will not bate a penny.
BANISTER. This is my comfort: though thou doost no good, A mighty ebb follows a mighty flood.
MISTRESS BANISTER. O thou base wretch, whom we have fostered Even as a Serpent for to poison us, If God did ever right a woman's wrong, To that same God I bend and bow my heart, To let his heavy wrath fall on thy head, By whom my hopes and joys are butchered.
BAGOT. Alas, fond woman, I pray thee, pray thy worst; The Fox fares better still when he is curst.
[Enter Master Bowser, a Merchant.]
GOVERNOUR. Master Bowser! you're welcome, sir, from England. What's the best news? how doth all our friends?
BOWSER. They are all well and do commend them to you: There's letters from your brother and your son: So fair you well, sir; I must take my leave. My haste and business doth require such.
GOVERNOUR. Before you dine, sir? What, go you out of town?
BOWSER. Aye, faith, unless I hear some news in town, I must away; there is no remedy.
GOVERNOUR. Master Bowser, what is your business?