The Fair Maid of the West
Act the First
Scene I A Street in Plymouth
Enter Carrol and two Captains.
1st Captain.
When puts my lord5 to sea?
2nd Captain.
When the wind’s fair.
Carrol.
Resolve me, I entreat; can you not guess
The purpose of this voyage?
1st Captain.
Most men think
The fleet’s bound for the Islands.6
Carrol.
Nay, ’tis like.
The great success at Cales,7 under the conduct
Of such a noble general, hath put heart
Into the English: they are all on fire
To purchase from the Spaniard. If their carracks8
Come deeply laden, we shall tug with them
For golden spoil.
2nd Captain.
Oh, were it come to that!
1st Captain.
How Plymouth swells with gallants; how the streets
Glister with gold! You cannot meet a man
But tricked in scarf and feather, that it seems
As if the pride of England’s gallantry
Were harboured here. It doth appear, methinks,
A very court of soldiers.
Carrol.
It doth so.
Where shall we dine to-day?
2nd Captain.
At the next tavern by; there’s the best wine.
1st Captain.
And the best wench, Bess Bridges; she’s the flower
Of Plymouth held: the Castle needs no bush,9
Her beauty draws to them more gallant customers
Than all the signs i’ the town else.
2nd Captain.
A sweet lass,
If I have any judgment.
1st Captain.
Now, in troth,
I think she’s honest.
Carrol.
Honest, and live there!
What, in a public tavern, where’s such confluence
Of lusty and brave gallants! Honest, said you?
2nd Captain.
I vow she is, for me.
1st Captain.
For all, I think.
I’m sure she’s wondrous modest.
Carrol.
But withal
Exceeding affable.
2nd Captain.
An argument
That she’s not proud.
Carrol.
No; were she proud, she’d fall.
1st Captain.
Well, she’s a most attractive adamant:10
Her very beauty hath upheld that house,
And gained her master much.
Carrol.
That adamant
Shall for this time draw me too: we’ll dine there.
2nd Captain.
No better motion. Come to the Castle then.
[Exeunt.