The Works of John Dryden | Page 7

I am becalmed at sea; to whom I have received the sacrament, never to be false-hearted.
Tow. You ne'er shall have occasion on my part: The like I promise for our factories, while I continue here: This isle yields spice enough for both; and Europe, ports, and chapmen, where to vend them.
Har. Sen. It does, it does; we have enough, if we can be contented.
Tow. And, sir, why should we not? What mean these endless jars of trading nations? 'Tis true, the world was never large enough for avarice or ambition; but those who can be pleased with moderate gain, may have the ends of nature, not to want: Nay, even its luxuries may be supplied from her o'erflowing bounties in these parts; from whence she yearly sends spices and gums, the food of heaven in sacrifice: And, besides these, her gems of the richest value, for ornament, more than necessity.
Har. Sen. You are i'the right; we must be very friends, i'faith we must; I have an old Dutch heart, as true and trusty as your English oak.
Fisc. We can never forget the patronage of your Elizabeth, of famous memory; when from the yoke of Spain, and Alva's pride, her potent succours, and her well-timed bounty, freed us, and gave us credit in the world.
Tow. For this we only ask a fair commerce, and friendliness of conversation here: And what our several treaties bind us to, you shall, while Towerson lives, see so performed, as fits a subject to an English king.
Har. Sen. Now, by my faith, you ask too little, friend; we must have more than bare commerce betwixt us: Receive me to your bosom; by this beard, I will never deceive you.
Beam. I do not like his oath, there's treachery in that?Judas-coloured beard. [Aside.
Fisc. Pray use me as your servant.
Van Her. And me too, captain.
Tow. I receive you both as jewels, which I'll wear in either ear, and never part with you.
Har. Sen. I cannot do enough for him, to whom I owe my son.
Har. Jun. Nor I, till fortune send me such another brave occasion of fighting so for you.
Har. Sen. Captain, very shortly we must use your head in a certain business; ha, ha, ha, my dear captain.
Fisc. We must use your head, indeed, sir.
Tow. Sir, command me, and take it as a debt I owe your love.
Har. Sen. Talk not of debt, for I must have your heart.
Van Her. Your heart, indeed, good captain.
Har. Sen. You are weary now, I know, sea-beat and weary; 'tis time we respite further ceremony; besides, I see one coming, whom I know you long to embrace, and I should be unkind to keep you from her arms.
Enter_ ISABINDA _and JULIA.
Isab. Do I hold my love, do I embrace him after a tedious absence of three years? Are you indeed returned, are you the same? Do you still love your Isabinda? Speak before I ask you twenty questions more: For I have so much love, and so much joy, that if you don't love as well as I, I shall appear distracted.
Tow. We meet then both out of ourselves, for I am nothing else but love and joy; and to take care of my discretion now, would make me much unworthy of that passion, to which you set no bounds.
Isab. How could you be so long away?
Tow. How can you think I was? I still was here, still with you, never absent in my mind.
Har. Jun. She is a most charming creature; I wish I had not seen her. [Aside.
Isab. Now I shall love your God, because I see that he takes care of lovers: But, my dear Englishman, I pr'ythee let it be our last of absence; I cannot bear another parting from thee, nor promise thee to live three other years, if thou again goest hence.
Tow. I never will without you.
Har. Sen. I said before, we should but trouble ye.
Tow. You make me blush; but if you ever were a lover, sir, you will forgive a folly, which is sweet, though, I confess, 'ts much extravagant.
Har. Jun. He has but too much cause for this excess of joy; oh happy, happy Englishman! but I unfortunate! [Aside.
Tow. Now, when you please, lead on.
Har. Sen. This day you shall be feasted at the castle,?Where our great guns shall loudly speak your welcome.?All signs of joy shall through the isle be shewn,?Whilst in full rummers we our friendship crown. [Exeunt.
ACT II. SCENE I.
Enter_ ISABINDA, _and_ HARMAN _Junior.
Isab. This to me, from you, against your friend!
Har. Jun. Have I not eyes? are you not fair? Why does it seem so strange?
Isab. Come, it is a plot betwixt you: My Englishman is jealous, and has sent you to try my faith: he might have spared the experiment, after a three years absence; that was