THE BEGGARS BUSH.
Written by
- FRANCIS BEAVMONT, Gentlemen.
- And IOHN FLETCHER, Gentlemen.
You may speedily expect those other Playes, which Kirkman, and his Hawkers have deceived the buyers withall, selling them at treble the value, that this and the rest will be sold for, which are the onely Originall and corrected copies, as they were first purchased by us at no mean rate, and since printed by us.
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Robinson, and Anne Mosely, at the three Pigeons, and at the Princes Arms in Saint Pauls Church-yard, 1661.
DRAMMATIS PERSONAE.
- GOswin a young Merchant of Bruges, viz. Florez the right Earl of Flanders
- Woolfort, Usurper of the Earldome,
- Clause King of Beggars, viz. Gerrard Father to Florez,
- Hubert disguised [...]ke a Huntsman, A Lord of Flaunders
- Hemskirk, A Favourite of the Usurper.
- Lord Arnold Two Lords of Flaunders disguis'd like Beggars
- Lord Costin, Two Lords of Flaunders disguis'd like Beggars
- Iaqueline, Daughter to Gerrard.
- Bertha, Heir of Brabant.
- Van-dunck Burgomaster of Bruges
- Merchants, Saylor, &c.
- Higgen, Ferret, Prig, Snap, and others, Beggars.
- Boors,
- Souldiers
- Young Merchants, and others, Guests at Goswins Wedding.
- Margaret, Wife to Vandunck.
- Attendants,
- Boy with a Song.
The Scene BRUGES.
BEGGARS BUSH.
Actus Primus,
Scaena Prima.
IS he then taken?
And brought back even now sir.
He was not in disgrace?
I [...] ha [...]h sir.
I wish you a good journey.
To me this is strange language.
To you? why what are you?
My guard there.
How? gross untruths.
You take strange license.
Will you yet end?
No more, I beseech you.
Be constant to your goodness, and you have it.
Scaena Secunda.
'Tis much that you deliver of this Goswin.
'Tis strange.
You know they are so cheap—
For your prof [...] rather.
What do you think of this?
Save you Master Goswin.
Good day to all.
Both of the Ship and lading.
What's the fraught?
Indico, Quitchincel, choise Chyna st [...]ff [...].
And cloth of Gold brought from Cam [...]all.
How long?
S [...]x moneths.
The Gu [...]ner shall speak you welcome.
I'le not fail.
Good morrow.
I thrive the better for thy prayers.
What is't Clause?
That thou shalt have, Clause, for I think thee honest.
But what will that advantage thee?
We have, and there are S [...]ates are govern'd worse.
Ambition among beggars?
Heav [...]n bless my Master.
Actus Secund [...]s,
Scaena Prima.
Pr. 'Tis done Lord Higgen.
Thanks [...]o Prince Prig, Prince Ferret.
O here a Judge comes.
Cry a Judge, a Judge.
What ail you, Sirs? what means this out-cry?
Bless you, good Master, bless you.
King of heaven go with you.
What is't? see: Snap has got it.
A good crown, marry.
A crown of gold.
For our new King: good luck.
Here he is pumping for it.
So, out with all: expect now—
O gracious Prince, 'save, 'save the good King Clause.
A Song to crown him.
S [...]t a Centinel out first.
The word?
A Cove comes, and fumbumbis to it. —
A Cove: Fumbumbis.
To your postures; arm.
Yonder's the Town▪ I see it.
Bless your good Worships.
One small piece of mon [...]y
Amongst us all poor wretches.
Blind and lame.
For his s [...]ke that gives all.
P [...]iful Worships.
One little [...]oyt.
King, by you leave, where are you?
Here be seven of us.
Seven good Master, O remember seven, Seven b [...]ssings.
Remember, gentle Worship.
And seven sleepers.
There's amongst you all?
Heaven reward you.
Lord reward you.
The Prince of pitty bless thee.
Ao, ao, ao, ao.
How? nothing but signes?
Ao, ao, ao, ao.
He is de-de-de-de-de-de-deaf, and du-du-dude-dumb Sir.
L [...]-lo-long enough to be ni-ni nigled, and she ha' go-go-go-good luck.
Scaena Secunda.
'Save you Sir.
'Save you.
No news yet o' your Ships?
Not any yet Sir.
'Tis strange.
Goswin, good day, these w [...]ds are ve [...]y constant.
They are so Sir. to hurt—
Neither.
Not any.
I am sorry, Sir.
Scaena Tertia.
I hang fast man.
Old Jewels commend their keeper, Sir
Sir?
Under the Rose.
Her [...]'s to you Marget.
Welcome, welcome Captain.
Well said my pearl still.
But the same things, Sir, fit not you and me.
Well said Merchant.
O Hem [...]kirk, fie.
H [...]w?
H [...], [...]a!
Y [...]u are angry though ye laugh.
You now grow sawcy.
Do you hear? no more.
A [...]ay companion; handling her? take that.
Nay I do love no blows, Sir, there's exchange.
Hold, Sir.
O murther.
He [...]p, my Goswin.
Man.
Let 'em alone; my life for one▪
None to offend you; I Sir?
Do; and I drink to it.
Prethe [...] say so, Love.
I thank you Niece.
How now, brave Burgomaster?
I love no Woolforts, and my name's Van-dunck.
Van-drunk it's rather: Come, go sleep within.
Very hardly.
No.
Then hold me up.
Faith you may, Sir.
For what, Sir?
Express your way.
By fight, and speedily.
You have your will: Require you any more?
I will.
As you are the Gentleman you would be thought?
Your place now, Sir?
By the sand-hills.
There then.
'Twixt seven and eight.
Actus Tertius,
Scaena Prima.
COme, English Beer hostess, English Beer by th' belly.
I'le sing ye a Song for't.
Mo [...]e excellent, more excellent, sweet Sow-gelder,.
Three-pence a piece, three pence a piece.
Will you hear a Song how the Divell was gelded?
I, I, let's hear the Divell roar, Sow-gelder.
Groats a piece, groats a piece, groats a piece.
Sit down Jugler.
Ha, ha, ha, by 'th mas [...]e this was a fine trick.
M [...]k him well now my Masters.
Oh, oh, oh.
Recubans sub fermine fagi.
Ye pull too hard; ye pull too hard.
Hold, hold, hold.
Yes, yes.
Oh rare Jugler.
T [...]is was a rare trick.
But 'twould be a farre rarer t [...] restore it.
B [...]'th m [...]sse ' [...]is here again boye.
Buy any brand-wine, buy any brand-wine?
Have ye any Cony-skins.
A penny Sir.
This is a counter Sir.
Have ye any ends of gold or silver.
This fellow comes to mock us; gold or silver? cry copper.
Have ye any old cloakes to sell, have ye any old cloaks to sell.
Cloakes? look about ye boyes: mine's gone.
Here's mine yet.
Come, come, let's drink then: more brand-wine.
Here Sir.
Yaw, yaw, yaw, yaw.
'Ti [...] all we have l [...]ft Sir.
What hast thou! Aqua-vitae?
Yes.
We thank ye.
May I speak a word in private to ye?
Yes Sir.
All, all, all Sir.
You know [...]e young sp [...]uce Merchant in Bruges.
Who, Master Goswin?
Say ye so?
Yes Sir.
Beware the Jugler.
If he resist, down with him; have no mercy.
I warrant you: wee'l hamper him.
Away with all our haste too.
Scaena Secunda.
Hold, hold.
We yield.
Hold, hold.
Blessing upon you Master.
I know thou lov'st me.
Faith, thou must lose thy master.
I had rather lose my neck sir: would I knew—
I will not leave ye.
How?
I cannot b [...]ame your grief sir.
Now what sayst thou?
That's all my hope.
Will no lesse serve?
What if it would?
Duty? thou knowst it not.
Thou wilt make me angry with thee.
For doing good?
What power hast thou?
How fain would I believe thee!
Scaena Tertia.
Deny it if you dare, Knaves.
Yes Sir.
Yes indeed were we.
Was it for want you undertook it?
Yes Sir.
You shall be swing'd abundantly.
'Tis most true Sir.
Is not the man an honest man?
Yes truly.
Often, often.
A shrewd point brother.
We are truly sorry.
One, two, three, about it.
Now huffing Sir, what's your name?
What's that to you, Sir?
It shall be ere we part.
What power hast thou to ask me?
He did me wrong base wrong.
Tye him to that tree.
I have told you whom I follow.
Ye have robb'd me already, now you [...] murther me.
Proceed then.
There's maggots in your nose, I' [...]e fetch 'em out Sir.
O my head breaks.
O my head breaks.
Hold, hold.
Speak then.
I know not what.
Good ev'n my honest friends.
Good ev'n good fellow.
A goodly fellow.
What mak'st thou here, ha?
We accept thy fellowship.
Hem [...]kirk, thou art not right I fear, I fo [...] thee.
H [...]re is the paper: and as he said, we found it.
By poison, ha?
You may perceive there.
This is most impious.
Yes; what are you the better?
I, and obedient to?
As you had [...]red me.
Soundly.
And ye dare know a woman from a weather cock?
Yes it I handle her.
Now swear him.
You are welcome brother.
Away Rascal.
Now swear him.
Now interpret this unto him.
He must blind both mine eyes, if he get from me.
Ye are a stranger.
Scaena Q [...]arta.
No Iertred.
No newes yet?
Do you hear Sir?
Yes.
Do you love me?
Wee'l fly to what place you please.
Yet will ye know me?
For a hundred thousand crowns?
For a hundred thousand crownes?
Farewell dissembler.
Of which I have scarce ten: oh, how it starts me!
And may the next you love, hearing my ruine.
No I protest.
You have no ships lost lately?
None that I know of.
Clear, by heaven.
Why should you be thus then?
I am obedient.
The good gods guide ye.
Actus Quartus,
Scaena Prima.
No mercy in ye?
But two days.
Not an hour, ye know the hazard.
Good fortune, Master.
Still a sad man?
What great [...]curity?
Alas▪ it is too poor Clause.
Heaven bless ye and still keep ye; farewel Master.
Scaena Secunda.
No, no, you'l kiss.
So I will.
Thus: soft as my loves lips.
Oh!
What's your Fathers name?
He's gone to heaven.
Is it not Gerrard, sweet.
'Tis certain she: pray let me see your hand sweet.
No, no, you'l bite it.
Sure I should know that Gymmal.
O what a joy he brings me.
You are not Minche?
Must ye my sweet? and does the Capper love ye?
O, I shall lose my self.
And where will ye stick 'em?
And will ye love me 'deed-law?
With all my heart.
But one word fair Minche.
I must be gone a milking.
Scaena Tertia.
Nay, if it would do you courtesie.
No.
I have a fraught of pepper.
Or if you want fine sugar, 'tis but sending.
Well?
Heaven thou hast heard my prayers.
What news o'th' Fly-b [...]at?
How, pre'thee Saylor?
I thank your bounty, and I'le do it to a doyt, Sir.
What miracles are powr'd upon this fellow?
We joy in your good fortunes.
Alas, how does she?
She will be better soon I hope.
Why soon Sir?
With all my heart I take h [...]r.
Most.
It partly seems so, and here will I be in a trice.
Thy mouth waters.
Scaena Quarta.
I must not.
I dare not, nor I will not.
You the Earls servant?
Come, come, leave your prating.
If thou dar'st but try.
What, a false knave?
When?
Presently.
This may provoke me; and yet to prove a knave too.
Shall I believe thee?
As that thou holdst most holy.
Ye may play tricks.
Then let me never live more.
What is't Huntsman?
Do you know any of these people live here?
No.
Any of the old Lords that rebel [...]d?
But wilt thou do this service?
Wilt thou swear me?
O honest, honest Huntsman!
Will the Sun shine again?
The way to get 'em.
Propound it, and it shall be done.
By force?
No.
Well.
And bring no noise with ye.
All shall be done to th' purpose: farewell Hunts-man.
Now what's the news in town?
Yes, this is news, this night he's to be married.
Married?
O the plum pottage.
I think worthily.
He must not marry.
Not to the wedding, Sir?
Not any whither.
Not a word more, obey me.
What?
I'le go sleep upon't.
Scaena Quinta.
Well met, Sir, you are for this lusty wedding.
I am so, so are you, I take it.
Well overtaken Gent [...]emen, save ye.
She dreams ap [...]ce
That's but a drowsie fortun [...].
Bless ye Masters.
He's here himself.
We joy your happiness.
Thou hadst it of me.
Ye are not married yet?
No.
Pre [...]hee distrust me not.
Not marry, Clause?
I have thought the best, Sir.
Give me thy reason; dost thou fear her [...]onesty?
Chaste as the yce, for any thing I know, Sir.
Why shouldst thou light on that then? to what purpose?
I must not now discover.
Now or never.
Come, 'tis not that thou would'st; thou dost but fright me.
Upon my sou [...] it is, Sir, and I bind ye.
Clause, canst thou be so cruel?
Di [...]'st ever see her?
No.
She is most goodly.
Pray ye stand still.
What ailes my love?
Sure h'as so [...]e strange in hand, he star [...]s so.
This Beggar has a strong power over his pleasure.
View all her bodie.
'Tis exact and excellent.
Let her die then.
Thou canst not: 'tis impossible.
It must be.
Why is this stop Sir?
Actus Quintus,
Scaena Prima.
Fear nothing, I do know it: would `twere homeward.
Mistris, it grows some-what pretty and dark.
What then
I am not, forward▪
What ailes the f [...]llow?
No.
The braying of an asse; is it not.
It thunders, you hear that now.
I hear one hollow.
Now the earth opens.
Prethee hold thy peace.
Will you on then?
God be with you then.
Who goes there?
Mistris, I am taken.
Mistris? look forth souldiers.
What are you si [...]ah?
What woman was't you call'd to.
Woman? none Sir.
None? did you no [...] name Mistris?
'Tis shee, 'tis she, Niece?
Ha!
Good we sent out to meet him.
Here's the Oake.
I like your habits well: they are safe, stand close.
Or cutting off a convoy of bu [...]ter?
Or surprising a Boors ken, for granting cheats?
Or cackling cheats?
No such matter.
Would it would please you to be silent.
Mum.
Who's there?
A friend, the Huntsman.
O 'tis he.
And I'le deserve it treble; what horse ha' you?
A hundred.
Yes.
'Tis but this, r [...]member.
Scaena Secunda.
I do believe it: but—
Who's this? Woolfort?
And is, wert thou a subject.
Is this that Traitor Woolfort?
Gertrude?
So proud a f [...]end as Woolfort.
Insolent Devill!
Who are these, Hemskirke?
More, more, Sir.
How they triumph in their treachery?
False Hubert, this is monstrous.
Hubert?
Who, this?
Betray'd?
No, but well catch'd: & I the Huntsman.
'Tis Captain Prig, Sir.
And Coronell Higgen.
A halter.
A noble Prince.
Do you hear Sirs? do so.
Thanks to your good grace▪
To your good Lordship.
May you both live long.
Attend me at Van-doncks, the Burgomasters.
'Faith hardly▪ very hardly.
I'le mand no more, nor cant.
And let your beauties sparkle.
May every Merchant here see safe his ventures.
And every honest Citizen his debts in.
The Lawye [...]s gain good Clyents.
And the Clyents good Counsell.
All the Gamesters here good fortune.
The Drunkards too good wine.
The good wives kind Hus [...]ands.
The young maids choyce of Sutors.
The Mid-wives merry hearts.
And all good ch [...]re▪