Scene II The Windmill Tavern
Enter Bess, the Mayor of Foy, Alderman, and Clem.
Bess.
A table and some stools!
Clem.
I shall give you occasion to ease your tails, presently.
[Tables and stools set out.
Bess.
Will’t please you sit?
Mayor.
With all our hearts, and thank you.
Bess.
Fetch me that parchment in my closet window.
Clem.
The three sheepskins with the wrong side outward?
Bess.
That with the seal.
Clem.
I hope it is my indenture, and now she means to give me my time. [Exit.
Alderman.
And now you are alone, fair Mistress Elzabeth,
I think it good to taste48 you with a motion
That no way can displease you.
Bess.
Pray, speak on.
Alderman.
’T hath pleased here Master Mayor so far to look
Into your fair demeanour, that he thinks you
A fit match for his son.
Re-enter Clem, with the parchment.
Clem.
Here’s the parchment; but if it be the lease of your house, I can assure you ’tis out.
Bess.
The years are not expired.
Clem.
No; but it is out of your closet.
Bess.
About your business.
Clem.
Here’s even Susannah betwixt the two wicked elders. [Exit.
Alderman.
What think you, Mistress Elzabeth?
Bess.
Sir, I thank you;
And how much I esteem this goodness from you,
The trust I shall commit unto your charge
Will truly witness. Marry, gentle sir!
’Las, I have sadder business now in hand
Than sprightly marriage; witness these my tears.
Pray read there.
Mayor.
[Reads.] “The last will and testament of Elzabeth Bridges; to be committed to the trust of the mayor and aldermen of Foy, and their successors for ever.
To set up young beginners in their trade, a thousand pound.
To relieve such as have had loss by sea, five hundred pound.
To every maid that’s married out of Foy, whose name’s Elzabeth, ten pound.
To relieve maimed soldiers, by the year, ten pound.
To Captain Goodlack, if he shall perform the business he’s employed in, five hundred pound.
The legacies for Spencer thus to stand:
To number all the poorest of his kin,
And to bestow on them—Item, to——”
Bess.
Enough! You see, sir, I am now too poor
To bring a dowry with me fit for your son.
Mayor.
You want a precedent, you so abound
In charity and goodness.
Bess.
All my servants
I leave at your discretions to dispose;
Not one but I have left some legacy.
What shall become of me, or what I purpose;
Spare further to inquire.
Mayor.
We’ll take our leaves,
And prove to you faithful executors
In this bequest.
Alderman.
Let never such despair,
As, dying rich, shall make the poor their heir.
[Exeunt Mayor and Alderman.
Bess.
Why, what is all the wealth the world contains,
Without my Spencer?
Enter Roughman and Fawcett.
Roughman.
Where’s my sweet Bess?
Shall I become a welcome suitor, now
That I have changed my copy?49
Bess.
I joy to hear it.
I’ll find employment for you.
Enter Captain Goodlack, Sailors, and Clem.
Goodlack.
A gallant ship, and wondrous proudly trimmed;
Well caulked, well tackled, every way prepared.
Bess.
Here, then, our mourning for a season end.
Roughman.
Bess, shall I strike that captain? Say the word,
I’ll have him by the ears.
Bess.
Not for the world.
Goodlack.
What saith that fellow?
Bess.
He desires your love,
Good captain: let him ha’ it.
Goodlack.
Then change a hand.
Bess.
Resolve me all. I am bound upon a voyage:
Will you, in this adventure, take such part
As I myself shall do?
Roughman.
With my fair Bess,
To the world’s end.
Bess.
Then, captain and lieutenant both join hands;
Such are your places now.
Goodlack.
We two are friends.
Bess.
I next must swear you two, with all your ging,50
True to some articles you must observe,
Reserving to myself a prime command,
Whilst I enjoin nothing unreasonable.
Goodlack.
All this is granted.
Bess.
Then, first you said your ship was trim and gay:
I’ll have her pitched all o’er; no spot of white,
No colour to be seen; no sail but black;
No flag but sable.
Goodlack.
’Twill be ominous,
And bode disastrous fortune.
Bess.
I will ha’t so.
Goodlack.
Why, then, she shall be pitched black as the devil.
Bess.
She shall be called the Negro. When you know
My conceit,51 captain, you will thank me for’t.
Roughman.
But whither are we bound?
Bess.
Pardon me that:
When we are out at sea, I’ll tell you all.
For mine own wearing I have rich apparel,
For man or woman, as occasion serves.
Clem.
But, mistress, if you be going to sea, what shall become of me a-land?
Bess.
I’ll give thee thy full time.
Clem.
And shall I take time, when time is, and let my mistress slip away? No; it shall be seen that my teeth are as strong to grind biscuit as the best sailor of them all, and my stomach as able to digest powdered beef and poor-john.52 Shall I stay here to score a pudding in the Half-moon, and see my mistress at the mainyard, with her sails up and spread? No; it shall be seen that I, who have been brought up to draw wine, will see what water the ship draws, or I’ll bewray the voyage.
Bess.
If thou hast so much courage, the captain shall accept thee.
Clem.
If I have so much courage! When did you see a black beard with a white liver, or a little fellow without a tall stomach? I doubt not but to prove an honour to all the drawers in Cornwall.
Goodlack.
What now remains?
Fawcett.
To make myself associate
In this bold enterprise.
Goodlack.
Most gladly, sir.
And now our number’s full, what’s to be done?
Bess.
First, at my charge, I’ll feast the town of Foy;
Then set the cellars ope, that these my mates
May quaff unto the health of our boon voyage,
Our needful things being once conveyed aboard;
Then, casting up our caps, in sign of joy,
Our purpose is to bid farewell to Foy.
[Exeunt. Hautboys long.53