The Works of John Dryden | Page 5

these
blessed tidings: If we can 'scape so cheap, 'twill be no matter what
villanies henceforth we put in practice.

Fisc. Hum! why this now gives encouragement to a certain plot, which
I have been long brewing, against these skellum English. I almost have
it here in pericranio, and 'tis a sound one, 'faith; no less than to cut all
their throats, and seize all their effects within this island. I warrant you
we may compound again.
Van Her. Seizing their factories I like well enough, it has some savour
in't; but for this whoreson cutting of throats, it goes a little against the
grain, because 'tis so notoriously known in Christendom, that they have
preserved ours from being cut by the Spaniards.
Har. Hang them, base English starts, let them e'en take their part of
their own old proverb--Save a thief from the gallows; they would needs
protect us rebels, and see what comes to themselves.
Fisc. You're i'the right on't, noble Harman; their assistance, which was
a mercy and a providence to us, shall be a judgment upon them.
Van Her. A little favour would do well; though not that I would stop
the current of your wit, or any other plot, to do them mischief; but they
were first discoverers of this isle, first traded hither, and showed us the
way.
Fisc. I grant you that; nay more, that, by composition made after many
long and tedious quarrels, they were to have a third part of the traffic,
we to build forts, and they to contribute to the charge.
Har. Which we have so increased each year upon them, we being in
power, and therefore judges of the cost, that we exact whatever we
please, still more than half the charge; and on pretence of their
non-payment, or the least delay, do often stop their ships, detain their
goods, and drag them into prisons, while our commodities go on before,
and still forestall their markets.
Fisc. These, I confess, are pretty tricks, but will not do our business; we
must ourselves be ruined at long run, if they have any trade here; I
know our charge at length will eat us out: I would not let these English
from this isle have cloves enough to stick an orange with, not one to

throw into their bottle-ale.
Har. But to bring this about now, there's the cunning.
Fisc. Let me alone awhile; I have it, as I told you, here; mean time we
must put on a seeming kindness, call them our benefactors and dear
brethren, pipe them within the danger of our net, and then we'll draw it
o'er them: When they're in, no mercy, that's my maxim.
Van Her. Nay, brother, I am not too obstinate for saving Englishmen,
'twas but a qualm of conscience, which profit will dispel: I have as true
a Dutch antipathy to England, as the proudest he in Amsterdam; that's a
bold word now.
Har. We are secure of our superiors there. Well, they may give the king
of Great Britain a verbal satisfaction, and with submissive fawning
promises, make shew to punish us; but interest is their god as well as
ours. To that almighty, they will sacrifice a thousand English lives, and
break a hundred thousand oaths, ere they will punish those that make
them rich, and pull their rivals down.
[Guns go off within.
Van Her. Heard you those guns?
Har. Most plainly.
Fisc. The sound comes from the port; some ship arrived salutes the
castle, and I hope brings more good news from Holland. [Guns again.
Har. Now they answer them from the fortress.
Enter_ BEAMONT _and COLLINS.
Van Her. Beamont and Collins, English merchants both; perhaps they'll
certify us.
Beam. Captain Harman van Spelt, good day to you.

Har. Dear, kind Mr Beamont, a thousand and a thousand good days to
you, and all our friends the English.
Fisc. Came you from the port, gentlemen?
Col. We did; and saw arrive, our honest, and our gallant countryman,
brave captain Gabriel Towerson.
Beam. Sent to these parts from our employers of the East India
company in England, as general of the voyage.
Fisc. Is the brave Towerson returned?
Col. The same, sir.
Har. He shall be nobly welcome. He has already spent twelve years
upon, or near, these rich Molucca isles, and home returned with honour
and great wealth.
Fisc. The devil give him joy of both, or I will for him. [Aside.
Beam. He's my particular friend; I lived with him, both at Tencrate,
Tydore, and at Seran.
Van Her. Did he not leave a mistress in these parts, a native of this
island of Amboyna?
Col. He did; I think they call her Isabinda, who received baptism for his
sake, before he hence departed.
Har. 'Tis much against