John Dryden - Delphi Poets Series

by John Dryden

  Col. This I am sure of, that our English factories in all these parts have wished you long the man, and none could be so welcome to their hearts.

  Har. Jun. And let me speak for my countrymen, the Dutch; I have heard my father say, he’s your sworn brother: And this late accident at sea, when you relieved me from the pirates, and brought my ship in safety off, I hope will well secure you of our gratitude.

  Tow. You over-rate a little courtesy: In your deliverance I did no more, than what I had myself from you expected: The common ties of our religion, and those, yet more particular, of peace and strict commerce betwixt us and your nation, exacted all I did, or could have done. [To Beamont.] For you, my friend, let me ne’er breathe our English air again, but I more joy to see you, than myself to have escaped the storm that tossed me long, doubling the Cape, and all the sultry heats, in passing twice the Line: For now I have you here, methinks this happiness should not be bought at a less price.

  Har. Jun. I’ll leave you with your friends; my duty binds me to hasten to receive a father’s blessing.

  [Exit Harman Junior.

  Beam. You are so much a friend, that I must tax you for being a slack lover. You have not yet enquired of Isabinda.

  Tow. No; I durst not, friend, I durst not. I love too well, and fear to know my doom; there’s hope in doubt; but yet I fixed my eyes on yours, I looked with earnestness, and asked with them: If aught of ill had happened, sure I had met it there; and since, methinks, I did not, I have now recovered courage, and resolve to urge it from you.

  Beam. Your Isabinda then —

  Tow. You have said all in that, my Isabinda, if she still be so.

  Beam. Enjoys as much of health, as fear for you, and sorrow for your absence, would permit.

  [Music within.

  Col. Hark, music I think approaching.

  Beam. ’Tis from our factory; some sudden entertainment I believe, designed for your return.

  Enter Amboyners, Men and Women, with Timbrels before them. A Dance.

  After the Dance,

  Enter Harman Senior, Harman Junior, Fiscal, and Van Herring.

  Har. Sen. [Embracing Towerson.] O my sworn brother, my dear captain Towerson! the man whom I love better than a stiff gale, when I am becalmed at sea; to whom I have received the sacrament, never to be false-hearted.

  Tow. You ne’er shall have occasion on my part: The like I promise for our factories, while I continue here: This isle yields spice enough for both; and Europe, ports, and chapmen, where to vend them.

  Har. Sen. It does, it does; we have enough, if we can be contented.

  Tow. And, sir, why should we not? What mean these endless jars of trading nations? ’Tis true, the world was never large enough for avarice or ambition; but those who can be pleased with moderate gain, may have the ends of nature, not to want: Nay, even its luxuries may be supplied from her o’erflowing bounties in these parts; from whence she yearly sends spices and gums, the food of heaven in sacrifice: And, besides these, her gems of the richest value, for ornament, more than necessity.

  Har. Sen. You are i’the right; we must be very friends, i’faith we must; I have an old Dutch heart, as true and trusty as your English oak.

  Fisc. We can never forget the patronage of your Elizabeth, of famous memory; when from the yoke of Spain, and Alva’s pride, her potent succours, and her well-timed bounty, freed us, and gave us credit in the world.

  Tow. For this we only ask a fair commerce, and friendliness of conversation here: And what our several treaties bind us to, you shall, while Towerson lives, see so performed, as fits a subject to an English king.

  Har. Sen. Now, by my faith, you ask too little, friend; we must have more than bare commerce betwixt us: Receive me to your bosom; by this beard, I will never deceive you.

  Beam. I do not like his oath, there’s treachery in that Judas-coloured beard.[Aside.

  Fisc. Pray use me as your servant.

  Van Her. And me too, captain.

  Tow. I receive you both as jewels, which I’ll wear in either ear, and never part with you.

  Har. Sen. I cannot do enough for him, to whom I owe my son.

  Har. Jun. Nor I, till fortune send me such another brave occasion of fighting so for you.

  Har. Sen. Captain, very shortly we must use your head in a certain business; ha, ha, ha, my dear captain.

  Fisc. We must use your head, indeed, sir.

  Tow. Sir, command me, and take it as a debt I owe your love.

  Har. Sen. Talk not of debt, for I must have your heart.

  Van Her. Your heart, indeed, good captain.

  Har. Sen. You are weary now, I know, sea-beat and weary; ’tis time we respite further ceremony; besides, I see one coming, whom I know you long to embrace, and I should be unkind to keep you from her arms.

  Enter Isabinda and Julia.

  Isab. Do I hold my love, do I embrace him after a tedious absence of three years? Are you indeed returned, are you the same? Do you still love your Isabinda? Speak before I ask you twenty questions more: For I have so much love, and so much joy, that if you don’t love as well as I, I shall appear distracted.

  Tow. We meet then both out of ourselves, for I am nothing else but love and joy; and to take care of my discretion now, would make me much unworthy of that passion, to which you set no bounds.

  Isab. How could you be so long away?

  Tow. How can you think I was? I still was here, still with you, never absent in my mind.

  Har. Jun. She is a most charming creature; I wish I had not seen her.[Aside.

  Isab. Now I shall love your God, because I see that he takes care of lovers: But, my dear Englishman, I pr’ythee let it be our last of absence; I cannot bear another parting from thee, nor promise thee to live three other years, if thou again goest hence.

  Tow. I never will without you.

  Har. Sen. I said before, we should but trouble ye.

  Tow. You make me blush; but if you ever were a lover, sir, you will forgive a folly, which is sweet, though, I confess, ‘ts much extravagant.

  Har. Jun. He has but too much cause for this excess of joy; oh happy, happy Englishman! but I unfortunate!

  [Aside.

  Tow. Now, when you please, lead on.

  Har. Sen. This day you shall be feasted at the castle,

  Where our great guns shall loudly speak your welcome.

  All signs of joy shall through the isle be shewn,

  Whilst in full rummers we our friendship crown.[Exeunt.

  ACT II.

  SCENE I.

  Enter Isabinda, and Harman Junior.

  Isab. This to me, from you, against your friend!

  Har. Jun. Have I not eyes? are you not fair? Why does it seem so strange?

  Isab. Come, it is a plot betwixt you: My Englishman is jealous, and has sent you to try my faith: he might have spared the experiment, after a three years absence; that was a proof sufficient of my constancy.

  Har. Jun. I heard him say he never had returned, but that his masters of the East India company preferred him large conditions.

  Isab. You do bely him basely.

  Har. Jun. As much as I do you, in saying you are fair; or as I do myself, when I declare I die for you.

  Isab. If this be earnest, you have done a most unmanly and ungrateful part, to court the intended wife of him, to whom you are most obliged.

  Har. Jun. Leave me to answer that: Assure yourself I love you violently, and, if you are wise, you will make some difference betwixt Towerson and me.

  Isab. Yes, I shall make a difference, but not to your advantage.

  Har. Jun. You must, or falsify your knowledge; an Englishman, part captain, and part merchant; his nation of declining interest here: Consider this, and weigh against that fellow, not me, but any, the least and meanest Dutchman in this isle.

  Isab. I do not weigh by bulk: I know your countrymen have the advantage there.

  Har. Jun. Hold back your hand, from firming of your faith; you will thank me in a l
ittle time, for staying you so kindly from embarking in his ruin.

  Isab. His fortune is not so contemptible as you would make it seem.

  Har. Jun. Wait but one month for the event.

  Isab. I will not wait one day, though I were sure to sink with him the next: So well I love my Towerson, I will not lose another sun, for fear he should not rise to-morrow. For yourself, pray rest assured, of all mankind, you should not be my choice, after an act of such ingratitude.

  Har. Jun. You may repent your scorn at leisure.

  Isab. Never, unless I married you.

  Enter Towerson.

  Tow. Now, my dear Isabinda, I dare pronounce myself most happy: Since I have gained your kindred, all difficulties cease.

  Isab. I wish we find it so.

  Tow. Why, is aught happened since I saw you last? Methinks a sadness dwells upon your brow, like that I saw before my last long absence. You do not speak: My friend dumb too? Nay then, I fear some more than ordinary cause produces this.

  Har. Jun. You have no reason, Towerson, to be sad; you are the happy man.

  Tow. If I have any, you must needs have some.

  Har. Jun. No, you are loved, and I am bid despair.

  Tow. Time and your services will perhaps make you as happy, as I am in my Isabinda’s love.

  Har. Jun. I thought I spoke so plain, I might be understood; but since I did not, I must tell you, Towerson, I wear the title of your friend no longer, because I am your rival.

  Tow. Is this true, Isabinda?

  Isab. I should not, I confess, have told you first, because I would not give you that disquiet; but since he has, it is too sad a truth.

  Tow. Leave us, my dear, a little to ourselves.

  Isab. I fear you will quarrel, for he seemed incensed, and threatened you with ruin. [To him aside.

  Tow. ’Tis to prevent an ill, which may be fatal to us both, that I would speak with him.

  Isab. Swear to me, by your love, you will not fight.

  Tow. Fear not, my Isabinda; things are not grown to that extremity.

  Isab. I leave you, but I doubt the consequence. [Exit Isab.

  Tow. I want a name to call you by; friend, you declare you are not, and to rival, I am not yet enough accustomed.

  Har. Jun. Now I consider on it, it shall be yet in your free choice, to call me one or other; for, Towerson, I do not decline your friendship, but then yield Isabinda to me.

  Tow. Yield Isabinda to you?

  Har. Jun. Yes, and preserve the blessing of my friendship; I’ll make my father yours; your factories shall be no more oppressed, but thrive in all advantages with ours; your gain shall be beyond what you could hope for from the treaty: In all the traffic of these eastern parts, ye shall —

  Tow. Hold! you mistake me, Harman, I never gave you just occasion to think I would make merchandize of love; Isabinda, you know, is mine, contracted to me ere I went for England, and must be so till death.

  Har. Jun. She must not, Towerson; you know you are not strongest in these parts, and it will be ill contesting with your masters.

  Tow. Our masters? Harman, you durst not once have named that word, in any part of Europe.

  Har. Jun. Here I both dare and will; you have no castles in Amboyna.

  Tow. Though we have not, we yet have English hearts, and courages not to endure affronts.

  Har. Jun. They may be tried.

  Tow. Your father sure will not maintain you in this insolence; I know he is too honest.

  Har. Jun. Assure yourself he will espouse my quarrel.

  Tow. We would complain to England.

  Har. Jun. Your countrymen have tried that course so often, methinks they should grow wiser, and desist: But now there is no need of troubling any others but ourselves; the sum of all is this, you either must resign me Isabinda, or instantly resolve to clear your title to her by your sword.

  Tow. I will do neither now.

  Har. Jun. Then I’ll believe you dare not fight me fairly.

  Tow. You know I durst have fought, though I am not vain enough to boast it, nor would upbraid you with remembrance of it.

  Har. Jun. You destroy your benefit with rehearsal of it; but that was in a ship, backed by your men; single duel is a fairer trial of your courage.

  Tow. I’m not to be provoked out of my temper: Here I am a public person, entrusted by my king and my employers, and should I kill you, Harman —

  Har. Jun. Oh never think you can, sir.

  Tow. I should betray my countrymen to suffer, not only worse indignities than those they have already borne, but, for aught I know, might give them up to general imprisonment, perhaps betray them to a massacre.

  Har. Jun. These are but pitiful and weak excuses; I’ll force you to confess you dare not fight; you shall have provocations.

  Tow. I will not stay to take them. Only this before I go; if you are truly gallant, insult not where you have power, but keep your quarrel secret; we may have time and place out of this island: Meanwhile, I go to marry Isabinda, that you shall see I dare. — No more, follow me not an inch beyond this place, no not an inch. Adieu.

  [Exit Towerson.

  Har. Jun. Thou goest to thy grave, or I to mine. [Is going after him.

  Enter Fiscal.

  Fisc. Whither so fast, mynheer?

  Har. Jun. After that English dog, whom I believe you saw.

  Fisc. Whom, Towerson?

  Har. Jun. Yes, let me go, I’ll have his blood.

  Fisc. Let me advise you first; you young men are so violently hot.

  Har. Jun. I say I’ll have his blood.

  Fisc. To have his blood is not amiss, so far I go with you; but take me with you further for the means: First, what’s the injury?

  Har. Jun. Not to detain you with a tedious story, I love his mistress, courted her, was slighted; into the heat of this he came; I offered him the best advantages he could or to himself propose, or to his nation, would he quit her love.

  Fisc. So far you are prudent, for she is exceeding rich.

  Har. Jun. He refused all; then I threatened him with my father’s power.

  Fisc. That was unwisely done; your father, underhand, may do a mischief, but it is too gross aboveboard.

  Har. Jun. At last, nought else prevailing, I defied him to single duel; this he refused, and I believe it was fear.

  Fisc. No, no, mistake him not, it is a stout whoreson. You did ill to press him, it will not sound well in Europe; he being here a public minister, having no means of ‘scaping should he kill you, besides exposing all his countrymen to a revenge.

  Har. Jun. That’s all one; I’m resolved I will pursue my course, and fight him.

  Fisc. Pursue your end, that’s to enjoy the woman and her wealth; I would, like you, have Towerson despatched, — for, as I am a true Dutchman, I do hate him, — but I would convey him smoothly out of the world, and without noise; they will say we are ungrateful else in England, and barbarously cruel; now I could swallow down the thing ingratitude and the thing murder, but the names are odious.

  Har. Jun. What would you have me do then?

  Fisc. Let him enjoy his love a little while, it will break no squares in the long run of a man’s life; you shall have enough of her, and in convenient time.

  Har. Jun. I cannot bear he should enjoy her first; no, it is determined; I will kill him bravely.

  Fisc. Ay, a right young man’s bravery, that’s folly: Let me alone, something I’ll put in practice, to rid you of this rival ere he marries, without your once appearing in it.

  Har. Jun. If I durst trust you now?

  Fisc. If you believe that I have wit, or love you.

  Har. Jun. Well, sir, you have prevailed; be speedy, for once I will rely on you. Farewell.

  [Exit Harman.

  Fisc. This hopeful business will be quickly spoiled, if I not take exceeding care of it. — Stay, — Towerson to be killed, and privately, that must be laid down as the groundwork, for stronger reasons than a young man’s passion; but who shall do it? No
Englishman will, and much I fear, no Dutchman dares attempt it.

  Enter Perez.

  Well said, in faith, old Devil! Let thee alone, when once a man is plotting villany, to find him a fit instrument. This Spanish captain, who commands our slaves, is bold enough, and is beside in want, and proud enough to think he merits wealth.

  Per. This Fiscal loves my wife; I am jealous of him, and yet must speak him fair to get my pay; O, there is the devil for a Castilian, to stoop to one of his own master’s rebels, who has, or who designs to cuckold him. — [Aside.] — [To Fiscal.] I come to kiss your hand again, sir; six months I am in arrear; I must not starve, and Spaniards cannot beg.

  Fisc. I have been a better friend to you, than perhaps you think, captain.

  Per. I fear you have indeed.[Aside.

  Fisc. And faithfully solicited your business; send but your wife to-morrow morning early, the money shall be ready.

  Per. What if I come myself?

  Fisc. Why ye may have it, if you come yourself, captain; but in case your occasions should call you any other way, you dare trust her to receive it.

  Per. She has no skill in money.

  Fisc. It shall be told into her hand, or given her upon honour, in a lump: but, captain, you were saying you did want; now I should think three hundred doubloons would do you no great harm; they will serve to make you merry on the watch.

  Per. Must they be told into my wife’s hand, too?

  Fisc. No, those you may receive yourself, if you dare merit them.

  Per. I am a Spaniard, sir; that implies honour: I dare all that is possible.

  Fisc. Then you dare kill a man.

  Per. So it be fairly.

  Fisc. But what if he will not be so civil to be killed that way? He is a sturdy fellow, I know you stout, and do not question your valour; but I would make sure work, and not endanger you, who are my friend.

  Per. I fear the governor will execute me.

  Fisc. The governor will thank you; ’Tis he shall be your pay-master; you shall have your pardon drawn up beforehand; and remember, no transitory sum, three hundred quadruples in your own country gold.

  Per. Well, name your man.

  Enter Julia.

  Fisc. Your wife comes, take it in whisper. [They whisper.