Scene V A Bedroom in the Tavern
Enter Bess, with Spencer’s Picture.
Bess.
To die, and not vouchsafe some few commends
Before his death, was most unkindly done.
This picture is more courteous: ’t will not shrink
For twenty thousand kisses; no, nor blush:
Then thou shalt be my husband; and I vow
Never to marry other.
Enter Captain Goodlack.
Goodlack.
Where’s this harlot?
Bess.
You are immodest, sir, to press thus rudely
Into my private chamber.
Goodlack.
Pox of modesty,
When punks41 must have it mincing in their mouths!—
And have I found thee? thou shalt hence with me. [Seizes the picture.
Bess.
Rob me not of the chiefest wealth I have.
Search all my trunks; take the best jewels there;
Deprive me not that treasure: I’ll redeem it
With plate, and all the little coin I have,
So I may keep that still.
Goodlack.
Think’st thou that bribes
Can make me leave my friend’s will unperformed?
Bess.
What was that friend?
Goodlack.
One Spencer, dead i’ the Islands,
Whose very last words, uttered at his death,
Were these: “If ever thou shalt come to Foy,
Take thence my picture, and deface it quite;
For let it not be said, my portraiture
Shall grace a strumpet’s chamber.”
Bess.
’Twas not so:
You lie! you are a villain! ’twas not so.
’Tis more than sin thus to belie the dead.
He knew, if ever I would have transgressed,
’T had been with him: he durst have sworn me chaste,
And died in that belief.
Goodlack.
Are you so brief?
Nay, I’ll not trouble you. God be wi’ you!
Bess.
Yet leave me still that picture, and I’ll swear
You are a gentleman, and cannot lie.
Goodlack.
I am inexorable.
Bess.
Are you a Christian?
Have you any name that ever good man gave you?
’Twas no saint you were called after. What’s thy name?
Goodlack.
My name is Captain Thomas Good——
Bess.
I can see no good in thee: rase that syllable
Out of thy name.
Goodlack.
Goodlack’s my name.
Bess.
I cry you mercy, sir: I now remember you;
You were my Spencer’s friend; and I am sorry,
Because he loved you, I have been so harsh:
For whose sake I entreat, ere you take’t hence,
I may but take my leave on’t.
Goodlack.
You’ll return it?
Bess.
As I am chaste, I will.
Goodlack.
For once I’ll trust you. [Returns the picture.
Bess.
O thou, the perfect semblance of my love,
And all that’s left of him, take one sweet kiss,
As my last farewell! Thou resemblest him
For whose sweet safety I was every morning
Down on my knees, and with the lark’s sweet tunes
I did begin my prayers; and when sad sleep
Had charmed all eyes, when none save the bright stars
Were up and waking, I remembered thee;
But all, all to no purpose.
Goodlack.
[Aside.] Sure, most sure,
This cannot be dissembled.
Bess.
To thee I have been constant in thine absence;
And, when I looked upon this painted piece,
Remembered thy last rules and principles;
For thee I have given alms, visited prisons,
To gentlemen and passengers lent coin,
That, if they ever had ability,
They might repay’t to Spencer; yet for this,
All this, and more, I cannot have so much
As this poor table.42
Goodlack.
[Aside.] I should question truth,
If I should wrong this creature.
Bess.
I am resolved.—
See, sir, this picture I restore you back;
Which since it was his will you should take hence,
I will not wrong the dead.
Goodlack.
God be wi’ you!
Bess.
One word more.
Spencer, you say, was so unkind in death.
Goodlack.
I tell you true.
Bess.
I do entreat you, even for goodness’ sake,
Since you were one that he entirely loved,
If you some few days hence hear me expired,
You will, ’mongst other good men, and poor people
That haply may miss Bess, grace me so much
As follow me to the grave. This if you promise,
You shall not be the least of all my friends
Remembered in my will. Now, fare you well!
Goodlack.
[Aside.] Had I had heart of flint or adamant,
It would relent at this.—[Aloud.] My Mistress Bess,
I have better tidings for you.
Bess.
You will restore
My picture? Will you?
Goodlack.
Yes, and more than that:
This ring from my friend’s finger, sent to you
With infinite commends.
Bess.
You change my blood.
Goodlack.
These writings are the evidence of lands:
Five hundred pound a year’s bequeathed to you,
Of which I here possess you: all is yours.
Bess.
This surplusage of love hath made my loss,
That was but great before, now infinite.—
It may be compassed; there’s in this my purpose
No impossibility. [Aside.
Goodlack.
What study you?
Bess.
Four thousand pound, besides this legacy,
In jewels, gold, and silver, I can make,
And every man discharged. I am resolved
To be a pattern to all maids hereafter
Of constancy in love.
Goodlack.
Sweet Mistress Bess, will you command my service?
If to succeed your Spencer in his love,
I would expose me wholly to your wishes.
Bess.
Alas! my love sleeps with him in his grave,
And cannot thence be wakened: yet for his sake
I will impart a secret to your trust,
Which, saving you, no mortal should partake.
Goodlack.
Both for his love and yours, command my service.
Bess.
There’s a prize
Brought into Falmouth road, a good tight vessel;
The bottom will but cost eight hundred pound;
You shall have money: buy it.
Goodlack.
To what end?
Bess.
That you shall know hereafter. Furnish her
With all provision needful: spare no cost;
And join with you a ging43 of lusty lads,
Such as will bravely man her. All the charge
I will commit to you; and when she’s fitted,
Captain, she is thine own.
Goodlack.
I sound it not.44
Bess.
Spare me the rest.—This voyage I intend,
Though some may blame, all lovers will commend.
[Exeunt.