Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Mast._ Noble General,
If by our means they inherit ought but bangs,
The mercy of the main yard light upon us.
No, we can sink too, Sir, and sink low enough,
To pose their cruelties, to follow us:
And he that thinks of life, if the world go that way,
A thousand cowards suck his bones.
_Gun._ Let the worst come,
I can unbreech a Cannon, and without much help
Turn her into the Keel; and when she has split it,
Every man knows his way, his own prayers,
And so good night I think.
_Mast._ We have liv'd all with you, [_Boy a top._
And will die with you General.
_Ses._ I thank you Gentlemen.
_Boy above._ A Sail, a Sail.
_Mast._ A cheerful sound.
_Boy._ A Sail.
_Boats._ Of whence? of whence boy?
_Boy._ A lusty Sail.
_Daugh._ Look right, and look again.
_Boy._ She plows the Sea before her,
And fomes i'th' mouth.
_Boats._ Of whence?
_Boy._ I ken not yet sir.
_Ses._ Oh may she prove of _Naples_.
_Mast._ Prove the Devil,
We'll spit out fire as thick as she.
_Boy._ Hoy.
_Mast._ Brave boy.
_Boy._ Of _Naples_, _Naples_, I think of _Naples_ Master,
Methinks I see the Arms.
_Mast._ Up, up another,
And give more certain signs. [_Exit Sailor._
_Ses._ All to your business,
And stand but right and true.
_Boats._ Hang him that halts now.
_Boy._ Sh'as us in chase.
_Mast._ We'll spare her our main top-sail,
He shall not look us long, we are no starters.
Down with the foresail too, we'll spoom before her.
_Mart._ Gunner, good noble Gunner, for my honor
Load me but these two Minions in the chape there;
And load 'em right, that they may bid fair welcome,
And be thine eye, and level as thy heart is.
_Gun._ Madam, I'll scratch 'em out, I'll piss 'em out else.
_Sayl. above._ Ho.
_Ses._ Of whence now?
_Sail._ Of _Naples_, _Naples_, _Naples_.
I see her top-Flag, how she quarters _Naples_.
I hear her Trumpets.
_Ses._ Down, she's welcome to us. [_Exit Mast. Boats. Gun. Sail._
Every man to his charge, mann her i'th' bow well.
And place your Rakers right, Daughter be sparing.
_Mart._ I swear I'll be above Sir, in the thickest,
And where most danger is, I'll seek for honor.
They have begun, hark how their Trumpets call us.
Hark how the wide-mouth'd Cannons sing amongst us.
Hark how they sail; out of our shels for shame Sir.
_Ses._ Now fortune and my cause.
_Mart._ Be bold and conquer. [_Exit._
[_Charge Trumpets and shot within._
_Enter Master and Boatswain._
_Mast._ They'll board us once again, they're tuff and valiant.
_Boats._ Twice we have blown 'em into th' air like feathers,
And made 'em dance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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