Beggars Bush.

by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.

Persons Represented in the Play.

Wolfort, _an usurper of the Earldom of_ Flanders.

Gerrard, _falsely called_ Clause, _King of the Beggars, Father in Law to_ Florez.

Hubert, _an honest Lord, a friend to_ Gerrard.

Florez, _falsely called_ Goswin, _a rich Merchant of_ Bruges.

Hempskirke, _a Captain under_ Wolford.

Herman _a Courtier_,} _inhabitants of_ _A_ Merchant, } Flanders.

Vandunke, _a drunken Merchant friend to_ Gerrard, _falsely called Father to_ Bertha.

Vanlock, _and_ 4 Merchants, _of_ Bruges.

Higgen, } Prigg, }_Three Knavish Beggars_.

Snapp, }

Ferret, }_Two Gentlemen disguised under those Ginkes, } names of_ Gerrard's _party_.

Clown.

Boores.

Servants.

Guard.

_A_ Sailor.

_WOMEN_.

Jaculin, _Daughter to_ Gerrard, _beloved of_ Hubert.

Bertha _called_ Gertrude, _Daughter to the Duke of_ Brabant, _Mistress to_ Florez.

Margaret, _Wife to_ Vandunke.

Mrs Frances, _a frow Daughter to_ Vanlock.

_The Scene_ Flanders.

_ACTUS PRIMUS. SCENA PRIMA_.

_Enter a_ Merchant _and_ Herman.

_Mer._ Is he then taken?

_Her._ And brought back even now, Sir.

_Mer_. He was not in disgrace?

_Her_. No man more lov'd, Nor more deserv'd it, being the only man That durst be honest in this Court.

_Mer_. Indeed We have heard abroad, Sir, that the State hath suffered A great change, since the Countesses death.

_Her_. It hath, Sir.

_Mer_. My five years absence hath kept me a stranger So much to all the occurents of my Country, As you shall bind me for some short relation To make me understand the present times.

_Her_. I must begin then with a War was made And seven years with all cruelty continued Upon our _Flanders_ by the Duke of _Brabant_, The cause grew thus: during our Earls minority, _Wolfort_, (who now usurps) was employed thither To treat about a match between our Earl And the Daughter and Heir of _Brabant_: during which treaty The _Brabander_ pretends, this Daughter was Stoln from his Court, by practice of our State, Though we are all confirm'd, 'twas a sought quarrel To lay an unjust gripe upon this Earldom, It being here believ'd the Duke of _Brabant_ Had no such loss. This War upon't proclaimed, Our Earl, being then a Child, although his Father Good _Gerrard_ liv'd, yet in respect he was Chosen by the Countesses favour, for her Husband, And but a Gentleman, and _Florez_ holding His right unto this Country from his Mother, The State thought fit in this defensive War, _Wolfort_ being then the only man of mark, To make him General.

_Mer_. Which place we have heard He did discharge with ho[n]our.

_Her_. I, so long, And with so blest successes, that the _Brabander_ Was forc't (his treasures wasted, and the choice Of his best men of Armes tyr'd, or cut off) To leave the field, and sound a base retreat Back to his Country: but so broken both In mind and means, er'e to make head again, That hitherto he sits down by his loss, Not daring, or for honour, or revenge Again to tempt his fortune. But this Victory More broke our State, and made a deeper hurt In _Flanders_, than the greatest overthrow She ever receiv'd: For _Wolfort_, now beholding Himself, and actions, in the flattering gla.s.s Of self-deservings, and that cherish't by The strong a.s.surance of his power, for then All Captains of the Army were his creatures, The common Souldier too at his devotion, Made so by full indulgence to their rapines And secret bounties, this strength too well known And what it could effect, soon put in practice, As further'd by the Child-hood of the Earl: And their improvidence, that might have pierc't The heart of his designs, gave him occasion To seize the whole, and in that plight you find it.

_Mer_. Sir, I receive the knowledge of thus much, As a choice favour from you.

_Her_. Only I must add, _Bruges_ holds out.

_Mer_. Whither, Sir, I am going, For there last night I had a ship put in, And my Horse waits me. [_Exit_.

_Her_. I wish you a good journey.

_Enter_ Wolfort, Hubert.

_Wol_. What? _Hubert_ stealing from me? who disarm'd him?

It was more than I commanded; take your sword, I am best guarded with it in your hand, I have seen you use it n.o.bly.

_Hub_. And will turn it On my own bosom, ere it shall be drawn Unworthily or rudely.

_Wol_. Would you leave me Without a farewel, _Hubert_? flie a friend Unwearied in his study to advance you?

What have I e're possess'd which was not yours?

Or either did not court you to command it?

Who ever yet arriv'd to any grace, Reward or trust from me, but his approaches Were by your fair reports of him prefer'd?