Brain. That is it I have most need of. Sir, if you'll pardon me only, I'll glory in all the rest of my exploits. Kno. Sir, you know I love not to have my favours come hard from me. You have your pardon; though I suspect you shrewdly for being of counsel with my son against me. Brain. Yes, 'faith! I have, sir; though you retained me doubly this morning for yourself; first, as Brainworm; after, as Fitz-sword. I was your reformed soldier. "Twas I sent you to Cob's upon the errand without end. or assisted to nothing, in my judgment, but deserves to be pardoned for the wit o'the offence. Go into the nest room; let Master Kitely into this whimsical business; and if he does not forgive thee he has less mirth in him than an honest man ought to have. Ecit BRAINWORM.] Call Master Kitely and his wife there. Re-enter KITELY and Dame KITELY. Did not I tell you there was a plot against you Kno. Is it possible? Or that thou shouldst disguise thyself so as I should not know thee? Kite. I have; I confess my folly, and own I have Brain. Oh! sir, this has been the day of my meta-deserved what I have suffered for it. The trial has morphoses; it is not that shape alone that I have been severe, but it is past. All I have to ask now run through to-day. I brought Master Kitely a mes- is, that as my folly is cured, and my persecutors sage, too, in the form of Master Justice's man here, forgiven, my shame may be forgotten. to draw him out o'the way, as well as your worship; while Master Wellbred might make a conveyance of Mistress Bridget to my young master. Just. C. But, I pray thee, what hast thou done with my man, Formal? Brain. 'Faith! sir, after some ceremony past, as making him drunk, first with story, and then with wine, but all in kindness, and stripping him to his shirt, I left him in that cool vein, departed, sold your worship's warrant to these two, pawned his livery for that varlet's gown to serve it in; and thus have brought myself, by my activity, to your worship's consideration. Just. C. And I will consider thee in a cup of sack. Here's to thee; [drinks] which having drank off, this is my sentence, pledge me. Thou hast done, I Just. C. That will depend upon yourself, Master Kite. Sir, thus they go from me: kiss me, my [Exeunt THE END Hig. Well said, my masters, peace be to his ragɛ His was a gold and silver reign; he tyrant-like, D. never force away your hens and bacon Whea ve had venturd for't Pay And in return We're leat him Christian burial; in good sooth, That's more than follows on your soldier's end. Fer. The chance was his. H. Ay, marry, was't. But mark, The chance that laid him low did make him king, And yet may crown us, too. Prig. So't be in right Of cur old custom and election-law. Hig. True, Prig; 'tis fit we do observe the laws. Here is the table doth exact from all A strict obedience, or expulsion. First, Be perfect in your crutches and your feign'd hurts, Enter three or four Boors, with pipes. 1 Boor. What, ho! mine host with the big bely beer! Stark English beer! Well met, my merry souls, What! your trade thrives, methinks, since Wad reigns O'er prostrate Flanders, in despite of Bruges! Enter Landlord from the house, with beer. [Flores 1 Boor. Then here's to the right heir-the last earl Where is old Clause? He gives respect and countenance to beggary; An' ye make him your king, I'd call myself his sub- Enter CLAUSE. 1 Boor. Good morrow, worthy Clause: How fares it with ye, man? Clause. Not better than the times I know my flight hath forfeited my head, Wolf. To me this is strange language. The earl of Flanders. Hub. By a proper title! Rais'd to it by cunning, circumvention, force, Wolf. And in all this wisdom Where tyrants do make beggars of ye all. [more-Had I not reason,-when the protector, Gerrard, 1 Boor. There thou say'st well! Our nobles are no [Beggars and Boors drink o VANDUNKE.] Clause. I will be with you straight; but first must Who underhand had by his ministers Hub. With what forehead Do you speak this to me? Who, as I know't, [hear, Wolf. Ha! my guard there. Wolf How! untruths? Hub. Ay, and it is favourable language; They'd been in a mean man lies and foul ones. Were not those rumours, Of being call'd unto your trial, spread By your own followers? who, being suborn'd, Wolf. Will you yet end? Hub. But he with his son Florez, (the true heir Wolf. What, Hubert stealing from me? Who dis-By right unto this country from his mother,) arm'd him? 'Twas more than I commanded; take your sword, I am best guarded with it in your hand; Hub. And will turn it On my own bosom, ere it shall be drawn Wolf. Would you leave me Without a farewell, Hubert? Fly a friend, These ties and bonds of friendship, to forsake me! You have your will; now speak, [Exeunt Guards, &c. And use the liberty of our first friendship. Forsook the city, and by secret ways, As you give out, and we would gladly have't, Your cruelties since Wolf. Repeat them not. Hub. A prince in nothing but your princely lusts And boundless rapines. Wolf. Hold, I beseech you; Thou art to me in this a greater tyrant Than e'er I was to any. Hub. I end thus The general grief. Now to my private wrong: Wolf. Oh! Hubert, these your words and reasons As well drawn drops of blood from my griev'd heart, Hub. Friendship! When you prov'd traitor first, As from mine eyes these tears! Can you but think that vanish'd; Nor do I owe you any thought but hate. Where Gerrard is, or your lost love, or Florez, Huh. You stele; and since Have kept conceal'd, the better to maintain The usurpation of his seat. We By Leavin! I stole him not, nor know I where he is, Hab. Sir, do not abuse We Suspect not you A faith that's built upon so true a sorrow. That some of Gerrard's friends are 'bout Bruges Hub. Be constant to your promise, and you have it. Wolf. Distrust me not: and prosp'rous be your search. Erit HuBar. Let me but have them once within my grasp, Their blood shall write the warrant of my peace. [Exit. SCENE III-A Street or Square in Bruges. Enter three Merchants. 1 Mer. 'Tis much that you deliver of this Goswin. 2 Mer. He bears himself with such a confidence As if he were the master of the sea, 3 Mer. 'Tis strange! 2 Mer. Yet does he still continue a good man; That in his country's service, from the war 1 Mer. I would not wish a better man to deal with. 2 Mer. Ne'er doubt it; he's your man. See, here he comes! Enter GosWIN, speaking to a Servant. Gos. From England, said ye? bid him be welcome to my house. [Erit Servant. 2 Mer. Save you, Master Goswin! Gos. Good day to all! [dities. 1 Mer. We bring you the refusal of more commo. Gos. Are you the owner of the ship that last night put into the harbour? 1 Mer. Both of the ship and lading, Go. What's the freight? 3 Mer. Rich cloth of gold, brought from Cambal. Gos. Some two hours hence I'll come aboard. 1 Mer. The gunner shall speak you welcome. 2 Mer. I'll give you day. God. Why, look you, there is now in prison What you can prove against him: set him free, 2 Mer. This is above wonder! A merchant of your rank, that have at sea These water thieves, should be a means to save 'em, Gos. You mistake me, If you think I would cherish in this captain 2 Mer. Well, sir, for your love, I will once be led To change my purpose. Gos. For your own profit rather. 2 Mer. I'll presently make means for his dis charge. (Erit. Gos. Heaven grant my ships a safe return besore The day of this great payment, as they are Expected hourly in port; my credit yet Stands good with all the world. Enter GERRARD. Ger. Bless my good master! The prayers of your poor beadsman ever shall Gos. God o' mercy, Clause! There's something to put thee in mind hereafter Ger. May He that gave it you, Reward you for it with increase, good master! For that I have fed upon your bounties, Gos. What is't? say on. Ger. 'Tis not for money, Nor clothes, good master; but your good work Se Gos. That thou shalt have, Čiause; for I thi thee honest. (troale Ger. To-morrow, then, dear master, take the Of walking early unto Beggar's Bush; And, as you see me, among others, brethren In my affliction, when you are demanded HIGGIN, FERRET, PRIG, JACULIN, CLAUSE, SNAP, Hig. Come, princes of the ragged regiment; All to stand forth, and put yourselves in rank, Prig. First put a sentinel. Hig. Thanks to my lord. The word's Fumbumbis. [Exit SNAP. Fer. Well; pray, my masters all, that Ferret be chosen : Y'are like to have a mercifui mild prince of me. Prig. A very tyrant, I; an arrant tyrant, If e'er I come to reign; therefore, look to't, Except you do provide me mum enough, And beer to booze with. I must have my capons, And ducklings in the season, and fat chickens, Or straight I seize on all your privilege, Call in your crutches, wooden legs, false arms, All shall be escheated; and then, some one cold night I'll watch you, what old barn you go to roost in, And there I'll smother you all i'th' musty hay. Hig. Whew! This is tyrant-like, indeed. Enter SNAP, preceding HUBERT and HEMSKIRKE, in cloaks. Hig. Pitiful worships! Snap. One little stiver. Prig. Here be seven of us. Hig. Seven, good masters! Oh! remember seven! Hems. There's, amongst you all. Hig. The prince of pity bless thee! Sure, 'tis her face. Come hither, pretty maid. Jac. What would you? Can you keep a secret? You look as though you could. I'll tell you. Hush! SONG.-JACULIN. In ev'ry woodland, dale, and lower, The fragrant roses blossom fair; But where's the youth shall cull each flower, Oh! he is far, far away, And he knows not where I stray; And should he e'er return To his love, I'll answer nay. My hopeless, hopeless heart shall die. Hub. Her voice, too, says the same! but, for my head, I would not that her manners were so chang'd. Hear me, thou honest fellow; what's this maiden, That lives amongst you here? Sap. Ao, ao, ao! Hub. How! Nothing but signs? This is strange I would fain have it her-but not her thes. Hig. He is deaf and dumb. [Stutters. Hub. 'Slid! they did all speak plain enough e'en now. Dost thou know this same maid? Priy. She was born at the barn, yonder, [Stutters. By Beggar's Bush. Her name is Hig. So was her mother's, too. [Beggars retire. Hub. I must be better informed than by this way. Here was another face, too, that I mark'd, Of the old man's; I will come here again. Protect us, our disguise now: pr'ythee, Hemskirke, This town will use us, that hath so long stood If we be taken, how dost thou imagine Out against Wolfort? Hems. Even to hang us forth Upon their walls a sunning, to make crows' meat. I should scarce venture.' Hub. Come, 'tis now too late To look back at the ports: good luck, and enter. Noble ceremonies. Shall we renew them? Enter GoSWIN. Hig. Oh! here a judge comes! [Cry of " A judge!" Gos. What ails you, sirs? What means this outcry? Hig. Master, A sort of poor souls met, heav'n's tools, good master, Have had some little variance amongst ourselves |