And were it not, it is 'gainft law of armes, We would inflict fuch torments on thy felfe, As fhould inforce thee to reueale the truth. Am. Madam, your threats no whit apall my mind, I know my confcience guiltleffe of this act; My king and queene, I dare be fworne, are free From any thought of such impiety: And therefore, madam, you haue done them wrong, Who in meere duty tender him as much, As euer you refpected him for dowre. The king your husband will not fay as much. Him that first robs, and then cries, ftop the theefe. For law of armes fhall not protect thy toung. Am. Ne're was I offred fuch difcourtesy; God and my king, I trust, ere it be long, Will find a meane to remedy this wrong. She ftrikes him. Rag. How fhall I liue, to fuffer this disgrace, At euery base and vulgar peasants hands? It ill befitteth my imperiall state, To be thus vfde, and no man take my part. Exit Amb. She weeps. Cam Cam. What should I do infringe the law of armes, Were to my euerlasting obloquy : But I will take reuenge vpon his master, Which fent him hither, to delude vs thus. Rag. Nay, if you put vp this, be fure, ere long, Sheele come and clayme a third part of your crowne, Cam. But I will proue her title to be nought Come, first let's learne what newes is of our father, Exeunt. Enter Leir, Perillus, and two marriners, in fea-gownes and fea-caps. Per. My honeft friends, we are asham'd to fhew The great extremity of our prefent state, In that at this time we are brought fo low, That we want money for to pay our passage, The truth is fo, we met with fome good fellowes, Looke on Leir. 1 Mar. Heres a good gown, 'twould become me paffing wel, I fhould be fine in it. Locke an Perillus. 2 Mar. Heres a good cloke, I maruel how I fhould look in it. Leir. Fayth, had we others to fupply their roome, Though ne're fo meane, you willingly should haue them. 1 Mar. Do you heare, fir? you looke like an honest man; Ile not ftand to do you a pleasure: here's a good strōg motly gaberdine, coft me xiiij. good fhillings at Billinfgate, giue me your gowne for it, and your cap for mine, and Ile forgiue your paffage. Leir. With al my heart, and xx. thanks. Leir and he changeth. 2 Mar. Do you heare, fir? you fhall haue a better match the he, because you are my friend: here is a good fheeps ruffet fea-gowne, will bide more ftreffe, I warrant you, then two of his, yes for you seem to be an honeft gentleman, I-am content to chage it for your cloke, and afke you nothing for your paffage more. Pull off Perillus cloke. Per. My owne I willingly would change with thee, 1 Mar. Nay, if I do, would I might ne're eate powderd beefe and mustard more, nor drink can of good liquor whilft I Jiue. My friend, you haue fmall reafon to feeke to hinder me of my bargaine but the best is, a bargayne's a bargayne. Leir. Kind friend, it is much better as it is; Leir to Perillus. For For by this meanes we may efcape vnknownę, 2 Mar. Hark, hark, they are laying their heads together, Theile repent them of their bargayne anon, 'Twere best for vs to go while we are well." 1 Mar. God be with you, fir, for your paffage back agayne, Ile vse you as vnreafonable as another. Leir. I know thou wilt; but we hope to bring ready money With vs, when we come back agayne. Were euer men in this extremity, In a strange country, and deuoyd of friends, Exeunt mariners. Kind friend, what thinkft thou will become of vs? I haue throwne wormwood on the fugred youth, My My bitter words haue gauld her hony thoughts, But all our fortunes will go quite aflope? Per. Feare not, my lord, the perfit good indeed, Can neuer be corrupted by the bad: A new fresh vessell ftill retaynes the taste Of that which first is powr'd into the same : And therfore, though you name yourselfe the thorn, Leir. Thou pleafing orator vnto me in wo, Per. Why, fay the worft, the worft can be but death, Then hazzard death, which may conuert to life; As thou yeeldft comfort to my crazed thoughts, Per. Alack, my lord, my heart doth bleed, to think That you fhould be in fuch extremity. Leir. Come, let vs go, and fee what God will fend; When all meanes faile, he is the fureft friend. Exeunt. Enter |