_Gon_. Nay, 'twas a strange as well as cruel storm, To take us almost in the port of Sevile, And drive us up as far as Barcelona; The whole plate fleet was scattered, some part wrecked; There one might see the sailors diligent To cast o'erboard the merchant's envied wealth, While he, all pale and dying, stood in doubt, Whether to ease the burden of the ship, By drowning of his ingots, or himself. _Serv_. Fortune, sir, is a woman everywhere, But most upon the sea. _Gons_. Had that been all, I should not have complained; but, ere we could Repair our ship, to drive us back again, Was such a cruelty-- _Serv_. Yet that short time you staid at Barcelona You husbanded so well, I think you left A mistress there. _Gons_. I made some small essays Of love; what might have been I cannot tell: But, to leave that, upon what part of Spain Are we now cast? _Serv_. Sir, I take that city to be Alicant. _Gons_. Some days must of necessity be spent In looking to our ship; then back again For Sevile. _Serv_. There you're sure you shall be welcome. _Gons_. Aye, if my brother Rodoric be returned From Flanders; but 'tis now three years since I Have heard from him, and, since I saw him, twelve. _Serv_. Your growth, and your long absence in the Indies, Have altered you so much, he'll scarcely know you. _Gons_. I'm sure I should not him, and less my sister; Who, when I with my uncle went this voyage, Was then one of those little prating girls, Of whom fond parents tell such tedious stories: Well, go you back. _Serv_. I go, sir. _Gons_. And take care None of the seamen slip ashore. _Serv_. I shall, sir. [_Exit Servant_. _Gons_. I'll walk a little while among these trees, Now the fresh evening air blows from the hills, And breathes the sweetness of the orange flowers Upon me, from the gardens hear the city. _Robbers within_. _1 Rob_. I say, make sure, and kill him. _Hip_. For heaven's dear sake have pity on my youth. [_Within_. _Gons_. Some violence is offered in the wood By robbers to a traveller: Whoe'er Thou art, humanity obliges me To give thee succour. _Hip_. Help! ah cruel men! [_Within_. _Gons_. This way, I think, the voice came; 'tis not far. [_Exit_. _The_ SCENE _draws, and discovers_ HIPPOLITO _bound to a tree, and two Robbers by him with drawn swords_. _2 Rob_. Strip him, and let him go. _1 Rob_. Dispatch him quite; off with his doublet quickly. _Hip_. Ah me, unfortunate! _Enter_ GONSALVO, _seizes the sword of one of them, and runs him through; then, after a little resistance, disarms the other_. _2 Rob_. If you have mercy in you, spare my life; I never was consenting to a deed So black as murder, though my fellow urged me: I only meant to rob, and I am punished Enough, in missing of my wicked aim.