Beaumont and Fletcher's Works. Volume 9. Beaumont Francis

Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 9

      THE SEA-VOYAGE

A ComedyThe Persons represented in the Play

      Albert, a French Pirat, in love with Aminta.

      Tibalt du Pont, a merry Gentleman, friend to Albert.

      Master of the Ship, an honest merry man.

      Lamure, an usuring Merchant.

      Franville, a vain-glorious gallant.

      Morillat, a shallow-brain'd Gentleman.

      Bo[a]tswain, an honest man.

      Sebastian, a noble Gentleman of Portugal, Husband to Rosellia.

      Nicusa, Nephew to Sebastian, both cast upon a desart Island.

      Raimond, brother to Aminta.

      Surgeon.

      Sailors.

WOMEN

      Aminta, Mistriss to Albert, a noble French Virgin.

      Rosellia, Governess of the Amazonian Portugals.

      Clarinda, Daughter to Rosellia, in love with Albert.

      Hippolita,} three Ladies, Members

      Crocale,} of the Female

      Juletta.} Common-wealth.

The Scene, First at Sea, then in the desart IslandsThe Principal Actors were

      Joseph Taylor,

      William Eglestone,

      Nich. Toolie,

      Joh Lowin,

      John Underwood.

      Actus Primus. Scæna Prima

A Tempest, Thunder and LightningEnter Master and two Sailors

      Master.

      Lay her aloof, the Sea grows dangerous,

      How it spits against the clouds, how it capers,

      And how the fiery Element frights it back

      There be Devils dancing in the air I think

      I saw a Dolphin hang i'th horns o'th' moon

      Shot from a wave, hey day, hey day,

      How she kicks and yerks!

      Down with the Main Mast, lay her at hull,

      Farle up all her Linnens, and let her ride it out.

      1 Sailor. She'll never brook it Master.

      She's so deep laden that she'll bulge.

      Master. Hang her.

      Can she not buffet with a storm a little?

      How it tosses her, she reels like a Drunkard.

      2 Sail. We have discover'd the Land, Sir,

      Pray let's make in, she's so drunk else,

      She may chance to cast up all her Lading.

      1 Sail. Sland in, sland in, we are all lost else, lost and perish'd.

      Mast. Steer her a Star-board there.

      2 Sail. Bear in with all the sail we can, see Master

      See, what a clap of Thunder there is,

      What a face of heaven, how dreadfully it looks!

      Mast. Thou rascal, thou fearful rogue, thou hast been praying;

      I see't in thy face, thou hast been mumbling,

      When we are split you slave; is this a time,

      To discourage our friends with your cold orizons?

      Call up the Boatswain; how it storms; holla.

      Boats. What shall we do Master?

      Cast over all her lading? she will not swim

      An hour else;

Enter Albert, Franvile, Lamure, Tibalt de pont. Morillat

      Mast. The storm is loud,

      We cannot hear one another,

      What's the coast?

      Boats. We know not ye[t]; shall we make in?

      Albert. What comfort Sailors?

      I never saw, since I have known the Sea,

      (which has been this twenty years) so rude a tempest:

      In what State are we?

      Mast. Dangerous enough Captain,

      We have sprung five leaks, and no little ones;

      Still rage; besides, her ribs are open;

      Her rudder almost spent; prepare your selves;

      And have good courages, death comes but once,

      And let him come in all his frights.

      Albert. Is't not possible,

      To make in to th' Land? 'tis here before us.

      Morill. Here hard by Sir.

      Mast. Death is nearer, Gentlemen.

      Yet do not cry, let's dye like men.

      Tib. Shall's hoise the Boat out,

      And goe all at one cast? the more the merrier.

Enter Amint

      Mast. You are too hasty Mounsieur,

      Do ye long to be i'th' Fish-market before your time?

      Hold her up there.

      Amint. Oh miserable fortune,

      Nothing but horror sounding in mine ears,

      No minute to promise to my frighted soul.

      Tib. Peace woman,

      We ha storms enough already; no more howling.

      Amint. Gentle Master.

      Mast. Clap this woman under hatches.

      Alb. Prethe speak mildly to her.

      Amint. Can no help?

      Mast. None that I know.

      Amint. No promise from your goodness.

      Mast. Am I a God? for heavens sake stow this [woman].

      Tib. Go: take your gilt [Prayer-Book];

      And to your business; wink and die,

      There's an old Haddock staies for ye.

      Amint. Must I die here in all the frights[, the] terrors,

      The thousand several shapes death triumphs in?

      No friend to counsel me?

      Alb. Have peace sweet Mistriss.

      Amint. No kindreds tears upon me? oh! my countrey?

      No gentle hand to close mine eyes?

      Alb. Be comforted, heaven has the same

      Power still, and the same mercy.

      Amint. Oh, that wave will devour me.

      Mast. Carry her down Captain;

      Or by these hands I'll give no more direction,

      Let the Ship sink or swim, we ha ne'er better