THE RENEGADO. ΤΟ THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE HARDING, BARON BERKELEY, OF BERKELEY CASTLE, AND KNIGHT OF THE HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH. MY GOOD LORD,-To be honoured for old nobility, or hereditary titles, is not alone proper to yourself, but to some few of your rank, who may challenge the like privilege with you: but in our age to vouchsafe (as you have often done) a ready hand to raise the dejected spirits of the contemned sons of the Muses; such as would not suffer the glorious fire of poesy to be wholly extinguished, is so remarkable and peculiar to your lordship, that with a full vote and suffrage, it is acknowledged that the patronage and protection of the dramatic poem, is yours, and almost without a rival. I despair not therefore, but that my ambition to present my service in this kind, may in your clemency meet with a gentle interpretation. Confirm it, my good lord, in your gracious acceptance of this trifle; in which, if I were not confident there are some pieces worthy the perusal, it should have been taught an humbler flight; and the writer, your countryman, never yet made happy in your notice and favour, had not made this an advocate to plead for his admission among such as are wholly and sincerely devoted to your service. I may live to tender my humble thankfulness in some higher strain; and till then, comfort myself with hope, that you descend from your height to receive Your honour's commanded servant, PHILIP MASSINGER. The other, that allows us to eat flesh I will profess myself,-in the mean time, Vitel. And what in Tunis? Will you turn Turk here? Gaz. No: so I should lose A collop of that part my Doll enjoin'd me To bring home as she left it: 'tis her venture, Without her special warrant. Vitel. You are a knave, sir: Leaving your roguery, think upon my business, Remember where you are too: though this marttime We are allow'd free trading, and with safety, Temper your tongue, and meddle not with the Their manners, nor religion. Gaz. Take you heed, sir, What colours you wear. there landed [Turks, Not two hours since, An English pirate's whore, with a green apron, As naked as my nail; the young fry wondering scouring My mistress's busk point, of that forbidden colour, Vitel. And had been well served. Haste to the shop, and set my wares in order, I will not long be absent. Gaz. Though I strive, sir, To put off melancholy, to which you are ever Too much inclined, it shall not hinder me, With my best care, to serve you. Enter FRANCISCO. Vitel. I believe thee. [Exit. O welcome, sir! stay of my steps in this life, Have we tired Fortune's malice with our sufferings? O'er which a wise man, if religious, triumphs. Vitel. Sir, as I am a sinful man, I cannot Fran. I exact not from you A fortitude insensible of calamity, To which the saints themselves have bow'd and shown They are made of flesh and blood; all that I challenge, 1 Is manly patience. Will you, that were train'd up With curses in your mouth, tears in your eyes?— Vitel. I am school'd, sir, And will hereafter, to my utmost strength, Fran. So shall you find me Most ready to assist you; neither have I Vitel. Dear sir, what is it? Fran. By the command of Asambeg, the viceroy, The city swells with barbarous pomp and pride, For the entertainment of stout Mustapha, The basha of Aleppo, who in person Comes to receive the niece of Amurath, The fair Donusa, for his bride. Vitel. I find not How this may profit us. Vitel. 'Tis my sister : It must be she, my better angel tells me Vitel. No, sir; my virtuous anger Can I Mew'd up in his seraglio, and in danger To the viceroy's loose embraces, and cry aim! To yield her fair name up to his foul lust, Fran. Do but give me hearing, This on her breast she wears, and does preserve Be, therefore, patient; keep this borrow'd shape, With some fit means to see her; which perform'd, Vitel. You have charm'd me, sir, And I obey in all things: pray you, pardon Fran. And excuse it. Be cheerful, man; for know that good intents Are, in the end, crown'd with as fair events. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A Room in DONUSA's Palace. Enter DONUSA, MANTO, and Carazie. Don. Have you seen the Christian captive, The great basha is so enamour'd of? Mant. Yes, an it please your excellency, I took a full view of her, when she was Presented to him. Don. And is she such a wonder, As 'tis reported? Mant. She was drown'd in tears then, Most rare perfections; and, though low of stature, Don. Come, you flatter me; But I forgive it. We, that are born great, Wert born in England; what's the custom there, Car. Heavy! I was made lighter By two stone weight, at least, to be fit to serve you. But to your question, madam; women in England, For the most part, live like queens. Your country ladies Have liberty to hawk, to hunt, to feast, To give free entertainment to all comers. To talk, to kiss ; there's no such thing known there Can make him cuckold by her father's copy. Car. She, I assure you, madam, tain A strange position, which their lords, with all Don. What's that, I prithee? Car. Marry, that it is not only fit, but lawful, Your madam there, her much rest and high feeding Duly consider'd, should, to ease her husband, Be allow'd a private friend: they have drawn a bill To this good purpose, and, the next assembly, Doubt not to pass it. Don. We enjoy no more, That are o' the Othoman race, though our religion Take my chapines off. Who knocks there? [A galliard. Knocking within. [MANTO goes to the door, and returns. Don. Reach a chair. We must In one that's born our vassal. Now admit him. Don. Rise; the sign [Kneels. This letter, sign'd by his victorious hand, Against the Persian hath so won upon him, Bestowing of his daughters and his nieces: Musta. Though all torments That I stand bound in duty, not to check at Gaz. What do you lack? Your choice China dishes, your pure Venetian crystal of all sorts, of all neat and new fashions, from the mirror of the madam, to the private utensil of her chambermaid; and curious pictures of the rarest beauties of Europe: What do you lack, gentlemen? Fran. Take heed, I say; howe'er it may appear Impertinent, I must express my love, My advice, and counsel. You are young, Vitelli, If lust once fire their blood from a fair object, [shake at, 'slight! A pudding-wife, or a witch with a thrum cap, To know their fortunes in a dead vacation, Have, ten to one, more stirring. Vitel. We must be patient. Gaz. Your seller by retail ought to be angry, But when he's fingering money. Enter GRIMALDI, Master, Boatswain, Sailors, and Turks. Vitel. Here are company Defend me, my good angel, [seeing GRIMALDI.] I A basilisk! [behold Gaz. What do you lack? what do you lack? pure China dishes, clear crystal glasses, a dumb mistress to make love to? What do you lack, gentlemen ? Grim. Thy mother for a bawd; or, if thou hast A handsome one, thy sister for a whore; Without these, do not tell me of your trash, Or I shall spoil your market. Vitel. Old Grimaldi! [stand Grim. 'Zounds, wherefore do we put to sea, or Or feed the hungry mouths of famish'd beggars ; Mast. Ay, but, noble captain, Grim. Haug consideration! When this is spent, is not our ship the same, |