Beggars Bush Part 24

_Wol._ No, I can stand: and praise the toyles that took me And laughing in them dye, they were brave snares.

_Flo._ 'Twere truer valour, if thou durst repent The wrongs th' hast done, and live.

_Wol._ Who, I repent?

And say I am sorry? yes, 'tis the fool's language And not for _Wolfort_.

_Van-d._ _Wolfort_, thou art a Devil, And speakst his language, oh that I had my longing Under this row of trees now would I hang him.

_Flo._ No let him live, until he can repent, But banish'd from our State, that is thy doom.

_Van-d._ Then hang his worthy Captain here, this _Hemskirk_ For profit of th' example.

_Flo._ No let him Enjoy his shame too: with his conscious life, To shew how much our innocence contemns All practice from the guiltiest, to molest us.

_Van-d._ A n.o.ble Prince.

_Ger._ Sir, you must help to join A pair of hands, as they have done their hearts here, And to their loves with joy.

_Flo._ As to mine own, My gracious Sister, worthiest Brother.

_Van._ I'le go afore, and have the bon-fire made, My fire-works, & flap dragons, and good backrack, With a peck of little fishes, to drink down In healths to this day.

_Hig._ 'Slight, here be changes, The Bells ha' not so many, nor a dance, _Prig_.

_Prig._ Our Company's grown horrible thin by it, What think you _Ferret_?

_Fer._ Marry I do think, That we might all be Lords now, if we could stand for't.

_Hig._ Not I if they should offer it: I'le dislodge first, Remove the Bush to another climat.

_Ger._ Sir, you must thank this worthy _Burgomaster_, Here be friends ask to be look'd on too, And thank'd, who though their trade, and course of life Be not so perfect, but it may be better'd, Have yet us'd me with courtesy, and been true Subjects unto me, while I was their King, A place I know not well how to resign, Nor unto whom: But this I will entreat Your grace, command them follow you to _Bruges_; Where I will take the care on me, to find Some manly, and more profitable course To fit them, as a part of the Republique.

_Flo._ Do you hear Sirs? do so.

_Hig._ Thanks to your good grace.

_Prig._ To your good Lords.h.i.+p.

_Fer._ May you both live long.

_Ger._ Attend me at _Van-dunks_, the _Burgomasters_.

[_Ex. all but Beggars._

_Hig._ Yes, to beat hemp, and be whipt twice a week, Or turn the wheel, for Crab the Rope-maker: Or learn to go along with him, his course; That's a fine course now, i' the common-wealth, _Prig_, What say you to it?

_Prig._ It is the backwardst course, I know i'the world.

_Hig._ Then _Higgen_ will scarce thrive by it, You do conclude?

_Prig._ 'Faith hardly, very hardly.

_Hig._ Troth I am partly of your mind, Prince _Prig_; And therefore farewel _Flanders_, _Higgen_ will seek Some safer shelter, in some other Climat, With this his tatter'd Colony: Let me see _Snap_, _Ferret_, _Prig_, and _Higgen_, all are left O' the true blood: what? shall we into _England_?

_Prig._ Agreed.

_Hig._ Then bear up bravely with your _Brute_ my lads, _Higgen_ hath prig'd the prancers in his dayes, And sold good penny-worths; we will have a course, The Spirit of _Bottom_, is grown bottomless.

_Prig._ I'le mand no more, nor cant.

_Hig._ Yes, your sixpenny worth In private, Brother, sixpence is a sum I'le steal you any mans Dogg for.

_Prig._ For sixpence more You'l tell the owner where he is.

_Hig._ 'Tis right, _Higgen_ must practise, so must _Prig_ to eat; And write the Letter: and gi' the word. But now No more, as either of these.

_Prig._ But as true Beggars, As e're we were.

_Hig._ We stand here, for an Epilogue; Ladies, your bounties first; the rest will follow; For womens favours are a leading alms, If you be pleas'd look cheerly, throw your eyes Out at your masks.

_Prig._ And let your beauties sparkle.

_Hig._ So may you ne'er want dressings, Jewels, gowns Still i' the fas.h.i.+on.

_Prig._ Nor the men you love, Wealth nor discourse to please you.

_Hig._ May you Gentlemen, Never want good fresh suits nor liberty.

_Prig._ May every Merchant here see safe his ventures.

_Hig._ And every honest Citizen his debts in.

_Prig._ The Lawyers again good Clyents.

_Hig._ And the Clyents good Counsel.

_Prig._ All the Gamesters here good fortune.

_Hig._ The Drunkards too good wine.

_Prig._ The eaters meat Fit for their tastes and palats.

_Hig._ The good wives kind Husbands.

_Prig._ The young maids choyce of Sutors.

_Hig._ The Midwives merry hearts.