The Works of John Dryden | Page 6

the will of all her friends, she loves your
countryman, but they are not disposers of her person; she's beauteous,
rich, and young, and Towerson well deserves her.
Beam. I think, without flattery to my friend, he does. Were I to chuse,
of all mankind, a man, on whom I would rely for faith and counsel, or
more, whose personal aid I would invite, in any worthy cause, to
second me, it should be only Gabriel Towerson; daring he is, and
thereto fortunate; yet soft, and apt to pity the distressed, and liberal to

relieve them: I have seen him not alone to pardon foes, but by his
bounty win them to his love: If he has any fault, 'tis only that to which
great minds can only subject be--he thinks all honest, 'cause himself is
so, and therefore none suspects.
Fisc. I like him well for that; this fault of his great mind, as Beamont
calls it, may give him cause to wish he was more wary, when it shall be
too late. [Aside.
Har. I was in some small hope, this ship had been of our own country,
and brought back my son; for much about this season I expect him.
Good-morrow, gentlemen; I go to fill a brendice to my noble captain's
health, pray tell him so; the youth of our Amboyna I'll send before, to
welcome him.
Col. We'll stay, and meet him here.
[Exeunt_ HARMAN, FISCAL, _and VAN HERRING.
Beam. I do not like these fleering Dutchmen, they overact their
kindness.
Col. I know not what to think of them; that old fat governor, Harman
van Spelt, I have known long; they say he was a cooper in his country,
and took the measure of his hoops for tuns by his own belly: I love him
not, he makes a jest of men in misery; the first fat merry fool I ever
knew, that was ill-natured.
Beam. He's absolutely governed by this Fiscal, who was, as I have
heard, an ignorant advocate in Rotterdam, such as in England we call a
petty-fogging rogue; one that knows nothing, but the worst part of the
law, its tricks and snares: I fear he hates us English mortally. Pray
heaven we feel not the effects on't.
Col. Neither he, nor Harman, will dare to shew their malice to us, now
Towerson is come. For though, 'tis true, we have no castle here, he has
an awe upon them in his worth, which they both fear and reverence.

Beam. I wish it so may prove; my mind is a bad prophet to me, and
what it does forbode of ill, it seldom fails to pay me. Here he comes.
Col. And in his company young Harman, son to our Dutch governor. I
wonder how they met.
Enter_ TOWERSON, HARMAN _Junior, and a Skipper.
Tow. [Entering, to the Skipper.] These letters see conveyed with speed
to our plantation. This to Cambello, and to Hitto this, this other to Loho.
Tell them, their friends in England greet them well; and when I left
them, were in perfect health.
Skip. Sir, you shall be obeyed. [Exit Skipper.
Beam. I heartily rejoice that our employers have chose you for this
place: a better choice they never could have made, or for themselves, or
me.
Col. This I am sure of, that our English factories in all these parts have
wished you long the man, and none could be so welcome to their
hearts.
Har. Jun. And let me speak for my countrymen, the Dutch; I have
heard my father say, he's your sworn brother: And this late accident at
sea, when you relieved me from the pirates, and brought my ship in
safety off, I hope will well secure you of our gratitude.
Tow. You over-rate a little courtesy: In your deliverance I did no more,
than what I had myself from you expected: The common ties of our
religion, and those, yet more particular, of peace and strict commerce
betwixt us and your nation, exacted all I did, or could have done. [To
BEAMONT.] For you, my friend, let me ne'er breathe our English air
again, but I more joy to see you, than myself to have escaped the storm
that tossed me long, doubling the Cape, and all the sultry heats, in
passing twice the Line: For now I have you here, methinks this
happiness should not be bought at a less price.

Har. Jun. I'll leave you with your friends; my duty binds me to hasten
to receive a father's blessing. [Exit_ HARMAN _Junior.
Beam. You are so much a friend, that I must tax you for being a slack
lover. You have not yet enquired of Isabinda.
Tow. No; I durst not, friend, I durst not. I love too well, and fear