A French Merchant. An Italian Merchant. A Surgeon. A Preacher. Drawers, Sailors, Spaniards, Moors. Servants, Chorus. Bess Bridges, the Fair Maid of the West. A Kitchenmaid. Mutes personated:[2.04] The Earl of Essex, The Mayor of Plymouth, Petitioners, SCENE--England, The Azores, Morocco. THE FAIR MAID OF THE WEST. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I.--_A Street in Plymouth_. _Enter_ Carrol _and two_ Captains. 1st Captain. When puts my lord[2.05] to sea? 2nd Captain. When the wind’s fair. Carrol. Resolve me, I entreat; can you not guess The purpose of this voyage? 1st Captain. Most men think The fleet’s bound for the Islands.[2.06] Carrol. Nay, ’tis like. The great success at Cales,[2.07] under the conduct Of such a noble general, hath put heart Into the English: they are all on fire To purchase from the Spaniard. If their carracks[2.08] Come deeply laden, we shall tug with them For golden spoil. 2nd Captain. Oh, were it come to that! 1st Captain. How Plymouth swells with gallants; how the streets Glister with gold! You cannot meet a man But tricked in scarf and feather, that it seems As if the pride of England’s gallantry Were harboured here. It doth appear, methinks, A very court of soldiers. Carrol. It doth so. Where shall we dine to-day? 2nd Captain. At the next tavern by; there’s the best wine. 1st Captain. And the best wench, Bess Bridges; she’s the flower Of Plymouth held: the Castle needs no bush,[2.09] Her beauty draws to them more gallant customers Than all the signs i’ the town else. 2nd Captain. A sweet lass, If I have any judgment. 1st Captain. Now, in troth, I think she’s honest. Carrol. Honest, and live there! What, in a public tavern, where’s such confluence Of lusty and brave gallants! Honest, said you? 2nd Captain. I vow she is, for me. 1st Captain. For all, I think. I’m sure she’s wondrous modest. Carrol. But withal Exceeding affable. 2nd Captain. An argument That she’s not proud. Carrol. No; were she proud, she’d fall. 1st Captain. Well, she’s a most attractive adamant:[2.10] Her very beauty hath upheld that house, And gained her master much. Carrol. That adamant Shall for this time draw me too: we’ll dine there. 2nd Captain. No better motion. Come to the Castle then. [_Exeunt_. SCENE II.--_In front of the Castle Tavern_. _Enter_ Spencer _and_ Captain Goodlack. Goodlack. What, to the old house still? Spencer. Canst blame me, captain? Believe me, I was never surprised till now, Or catched upon the sudden. Goodlack. Pray resolve me; Why, being a gentleman of fortunes, means, And well revenued, will you adventure thus A doubtful voyage, when only such as I, Born to no other fortunes than my sword, Should seek abroad for pillage?