FRISKIBALL. I see you have been met by the Bandetti, And therefore need not ask how you came thus. But, Friskiball, why doost thou question them Of their estate and not relieve their need? Sir, the coin I have about me is not much: There’s sixteen Ducats for to clothe your selves, There’s sixteen more to buy your diet with, And there’s sixteen to pay for your horse hire: Tis all the wealth, you see, my purse possesses, But if you please for to enquire me out, You shall not want for ought that I can do. My name is Friskiball, a Florence Merchant, A man that always loved your nation. CROMWELL. This unexpected favour at your hands, Which God doth know if ever I shall requite it— Necessity makes me to take your bounty, And for your gold can yield you naught but thanks. Your charity hath helped me from despair; Your name shall still be in my hearty prayer. FRISKIBALL. It is not worth such thanks. Come to my house; Your want shall better be relieved then thus. CROMWELL. I pray, excuse me; this shall well suffice To bear my charges to Bononia, Whereas a noble Earl is much distressed: An Englishman, Russell, the Earl of Bedford, Is by the French King sold unto his death: It may fall out, that I may do him good; To save his life, I’ll hazard my heart blood. Therefore, kind sir, thanks for your liberal gift; I must be gone to aide him; there’s no shift. FRISKIBALL. I’ll be no hinderer to so good an act. Heaven prosper you in that you go about! If Fortune bring you this way back again, Pray let me see you: so I take my leave; All good a man can wish, I do bequeath. [Exit Friskiball.] CROMWELL. All good that God doth send light on your head; There’s few such men within our climate bred. How say you now, Hodge? is not this good fortune? HODGE. How say you? I’ll tell you what, master Thomas; if all men be of this Gentleman’s mind, let’s keep our standings upon this Bridge: we shall get more here with begging in one day, than I shall with making Horseshoes in a whole year. CROMWELL. No Hodge, we must begone unto Bononia, There to relieve the noble Earl of Bedford: Where, if I fail not in my policy, I shall deceive their subtle treachery. HODGE. Nay, I’ll follow you. God bless us from the thieving Bandettoes again. [Exit omnes.] ACT III. SCENE II. A room in an hotel. [Enter Bedford and his Host.] BEDFORD. Am I betrayed? was Bedford born to die By such base slaves in such a place as this? Have I escaped so many times in France, So many battles have I over passed, And made the French stir when they heard my name; And am I now betrayed unto my death? Some of their hearts’ blood first shall pay for it. HOST. They do desire, my Lord, to speak with you. BEDFORD. The traitors do desire to have my blood, But by my birth, my honour, and my name, By all my hopes, my life shall cost them dear. Open the door; I’ll venture out upon them, And if I must die, then I’ll die with honour.