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 possy 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, yar countryman, never yet made happy in your notice and favour, had not made this an advocate to plead for his sunisson among such as are wholly and sincerely devoted to your service. I may live to tender my humble thankfainess 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. religion in she bles The other, that allows us to eat flesh I will profess myself,-in the mean time, Live I in England, Spain, France, Rome, Geneva, -I'm of that country's faith. 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, Vitel. You are a knave, sir : Leaving your roguery, think upon my business, It is no time to fool now. 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, 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, 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. Fran. Pray you give me leave. Among the rest that wait upon the viceroy, I saw the shame of Venice, and the scorn Of all good men, the perjured RENEGADO, Antonio Grimaldi. Vitel. No, sir; my virtuous anger. Makes every vein an artery; I feel in me The strength of twenty men; and, being arm'd With my good cause, to wreak wrong'd innocence, I dare alone run to the viceroy's court, And with this poniard, before his face, Dig out Grimaldi's heart. Fran. Is this religious? Vitel. Would you have me tame now? Can I know my sister Mew'd up in his seraglio, and in danger To yield ber fair name up to his foul lust, Fran. Do but give me hearing, As to effect your wishes. We come hither To keep the owner free from violence : This on her breast she wears, and does preserve The virtue of it, by her daily prayers. So, if she fall not by her own consent. Be, therefore, patient; keep this borrow'd shape, With some fit means to see her; which perform'd, I'll join with you in any desperate course For her delivery. Vitel. You have charm'd me, sir, And I obey in all things: pray you, pardon The weakness of my passion. Fran. And excuse it. Mant. She was drown'd in tears then, Which took much from her beauty; yet, in spite Of sorrow, she appear'd the mistress of Most rare perfections; and, though low of stature, Her well-proportion'd limbs invite affection: And, when she speaks, each syllable is music Tas: does enchant the hearers: but your highness, Tost are not to be parallel'd, I yet never Bened her equal. Ton. 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 Bot 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. Can make him cuckold by her father's copy. Car. She, I assure you, madam, 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 Allows all pleasure. I am dull: some music. Take my chapines off. Who knocks there? So, a lusty strain. [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. [Kneels. [CARAZIE takes up the pantofles. That we vouchsafe your presence. Musta. May those Powers That raised the Othoman empire, and still guard it, Reward your highness for this gracious favour You throw upon your servant! It hath pleased The most invincible, mightiest Amurath, (To speak his other titles would take from him That in himself does comprehend all greatness,) To make me the unworthy instrument Of his command. Receive, divinest lady, [Delivers a letter. This letter, sign'd by his victorious hand, And made authentic by the imperial seal. There, when you find me mention'd, far be it from To think it my ambition to presume [you At such a happiness, which his powerful will, From his great mind's magnificence, not my merit, Hath shower'd upon me. But, if your consent Join with his good opinion and allowance, To perfect what his favours have begun, I shall, in my obsequiousness and duty, Endeavour to prevent all just complaints, Which want of will to serve you may call on me. Don. His sacred majesty writes here, that your valour Country city Against the Persian hath so won upon him, 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, And may be tempted; and these Turkish dames, (Like English mastiffs, that increase their fierceness By being chain'd up,) from the restraint of freedom, If lust once fire their blood from a fair object, Will run a course the fiends themselves would To enjoy their wanton ends. Vitel. Sir, you mistake me: [shake at, I am too full of woe, to entertain One thought of pleasure, though all Europe's queens Kneel'd at my feet, and courted me; much less ran. Be constant in That resolution; I'll abroad again, What may concern Paulina. Some two hours Vitel. All blessings wait upon you! [Exil. Gaz. Cold doings, sir? a mart do you call this? 'slight! A pudding-wife, or a witch with a thrum cap, 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 Gas. 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. Hang consideration! When this is spent, is not our ship the same, Of their best lading; I will have this canvass ultural diffenes The sighs of undone widows paying for Gaz. Do you hear, sir? We have paid for our ground. Gaz. And hum, too! For all your big words, get you further off, Grim. What will you do? Gas. Nothing, sir-but pray Your worship to give me handsel. Grim. [Seizing him.] By the ears, Thus, sir, by the ears. Mast. Hold, hold! Titel. You'll still be prating. Grim. Come, let's be drunk; then each man to his whore. 'Slight, how do you look? you had best go find a Mast. Nor am I so precise but I can drab too : We will not sit out for our parts. Boats. Agreed. [Exeunt Mast. Boatsw. Sailors. Gaz. The devil gnaw off his fingers! If he were In London, among the clubs, up went his heels, For striking of a prentice.-What do you lack? What do you lack, gentlemen? i Turk. I wonder how the viceroy can endure The insolence of this fellow. 2 Turk. He receives profit From the prizes he brings in; and that excuses Though the voluptuous Persian sat a guest. Here crystal glasses, such as Ganymede Did fill with nectar to the Thunderer, When he drank to Alcides, and received him Don. How movingly could this fellow treat upon A worthy subject, that finds such discourse Vitel. Here's a picture, madam; In the cause of those you favour; I believe Vitel. With your pardon, madam, I am incredulous. Don. Can you match me this? Don. No, I assure you. Bid him bring his bill To-morrow to the palace, and enquire For one Donusa; that word gives him passage Through all the guard: say, there he shall receive Full satisfaction. Now, when you please. Musta. I wait you. [Exeunt MUSTA, and DON. 1 Turk. We must not know them.-Let's shift off, and vanish. [Exeunt Turks. Gaz. The swine's-pox overtake you! there's a For a Turk, that eats no hog's flesh. [curse And there receive court payment; and, to pass Myy in love with de Michael of |