The Works of John Dryden | Page 7

to
know my doom; there's hope in doubt; but yet I fixed my eyes on yours,
I looked with earnestness, and asked with them: If aught of ill had
happened, sure I had met it there; and since, methinks, I did not, I have
now recovered courage, and resolve to urge it from you.
Beam. Your Isabinda then--
Tow. You have said all in that, my Isabinda, if she still be so.
Beam. Enjoys as much of health, as fear for you, and sorrow for your
absence, would permit. [Music within.
Col. Hark, music I think approaching.
Beam. 'Tis from our factory; some sudden entertainment I believe,
designed for your return.
_Enter Amboyners, Men and Women, with Timbrels before them. A
Dance._
After the Dance,
Enter_ HARMAN _Senior,_ HARMAN _Junior,_ FISCAL, _and VAN
HERRING.
Har. Sen. [Embracing TOWERSON.] O my sworn brother, my dear
captain Towerson! the man whom I love better than a stiff gale, when 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