we to Lantore were bound, with letters from the States of Holland, gained for reparation of great damages sustained by us; when, by the insulting Dutch, our countrymen, against all shew of right, were dispossessed, and naked sent away from that rich island, and from Poleroon.

Har. Sen. Woman, you speak with too much spleen; I must not hear my countrymen affronted. Eng. Wom. I wish they did not merit much worse of me, than I can say of them.-Well, we sailed forward with a merry gale, till near St Helen's isle we were overtaken, or rather waylaid, by a Holland vessel; the captain of which ship, whom here I see, the man who quitted us of all we had in those rich parts before, now fearing to restore his ill-got goods, first hailed, and then invited us on board, keeping himself concealed; his base lieutenant plied all our English mariners with wine, and when in dead of night they lay secure in silent sleep, most barbarously commanded they should be thrown overboard.

Fisc. Sir, do not hear it out.

Har. Sen. This is all false and scandalous.
Tow. Pray, sir, attend the story.

Eng. Wom. The vessel rifled, and the rich hold rummaged, they sink it down to rights; but first I should have told you, (grief, alas, has spoiled my memory) that my dear husband, wakened at the noise, before they reached the cabin where we lay, took me all trembling with the sudden fright, and leapt into the boat; we cut the cordage, and so put out to sea, driving at mercy of the waves and wind; so scaped we in the dark. To sum up all, we got to shore, and in the mountains hid us, until the barbarous Hollanders were gone.

Tow. Where is your husband, country woman? Eng. Wom. Dead with grief; with these two hands I scratched him out a grave, on which I placed

a cross, and every day wept o'er the ground where all my joys lay buried. The manner of my life, who can express! the fountain-water was my only drink; the crabbed juice and rhind of half-ripe lemons almost my only food, except some roots; my house, the widowed cave of some wild beast. In this sad state, I stood upon the shore, when this brave captain with his ship approached, whence holding up and waving both my hands, I stood, and by my actions begged their mercy; yet, when they nearer came, I would have fled, had I been able, lest they should have proved those murderous Dutch, I more than hunger feared.

Har. Sen. What say you to this accusation, Van Herring?

Van Her. 'Tis as you said, sir, false and scandalous. Har. Sen. I told you so; all false and scandalous. Isab. On my soul it is not; her heart speaks in her tongue, and were she silent, her habit and her face speak for her.

Beam. Sir, you have heard the proofs.

Fisc. Mere allegations, and no proofs.-Seem not to believe it, sir.

Har. Sen. Well, well, we'll hear it another time. Mid. You seem not to believe her testimony, but my whole crew can witness it.

Van Her. Ay, they are all Englishmen.

Tow. That's a nation too generous to do bad actions, and too sincere to justify them done; I wish their neighbours were of the same temper.

Har. Sen. Nay, now you kindle, captain; this must not be, we are your friends and servants.

Mid. 'Tis well you are by land, at sea you would be masters there I myself have met with some affronts, which, though I wanted power then to return, I hailed the captain of the Holland ship, and told him he should dearly answer it, if e'er I met

him in the narrow seas. His answer was, (mark but the insolence) If I should hang thee, Middleton, up at thy main yard, and sink thy ship, here's that about my neck (pointing to his gold chain) would answer it when I came into Holland,

Har. Jun. Yes, this is like the other.

Tow. I find we must complain at home; there's no redress to be had here.

Isab. Cóme, country woman,-I must call you so, since he who owns my heart is English born,-be not dejected at your wretched fortune; my house is yours, my clothes shall habit you, even these I wear, rather than see you thus.

Har. Sen. Come, come, no more complaints; let us go in ; I have ten rummers ready to the bride; as many times shall our guns discharge, to speak the general gladness of this day. I'll lead you, lady. [Takes the bride by the hand. Tow. A heavy omen to my nuptials! My countrymen oppress'd by sea and land, And I not able to redress the wrong, So weak are we, our enemies so strong.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.-A Wood.

[Exeunt.

Enter HARMAN Junior, and FISCAL, with swords, and disguised in vizards.

Har.Jun. We are disguised enough; the evening now grows dusk.-I would the deed were done!

Enter PEREZ with a Soldier, and overhears them. Fisc. "Twill now be suddenly, if we have courage; in this wild woody walk, hot with the feast and plenteous bowls, the bridal company are walking to enjoy the cooling breeze; I spoke to Tower

son, as I said I would, and on some private business of great moment, desired that he would leave the company, and meet me single here.

Har. Jun. Where, if he comes, he never shall return. But Towerson stays too long for my revenge; I am in haste to kill him.

Fisc. He promised me to have been here ere now; if you think fitting, I'll go back and bring him. Har. Jun. Do so, I'll wait you in this place.

[Exit FISC. Per. Was ever villany like this of these unknown assassins? Towerson, in vain I saved thy sleeping life, if now I let thee lose it, when thou wakest; thou lately hast been bountiful to me, and this way I'll acknowledge it. Yet to disclose their crimes were dangerous. What must I do? This generous Englishman will strait be here, and consultation then perhaps will be too late: I am resolved. Lieutenant, you have heard, as well as I, the bloody purpose of these men ?

Sold. I have, and tremble at the mention of it. Per. Dare you adventure on an action, as brave as theirs is base?

Sold. Command my life.

Per. No more. Help me despatch that murderer, ere his accomplice comes: the men I know not; but their design is treacherous and bloody.

Sold. And he they mean to kill is brave himself, and of a nation I much love.

Per. Come on, then. [Both draw. To HAR] Villain, thou diest, thy conscience tells thee why; I need not urge the crime. [They assault him. Har. Jun. Murder! I shall be basely murdered! help!

Enter TOWERSON,

Tow. Hold, villains! what unmanly odds is this? Courage, whoe'er thou art; I'll succour thee. [TOWERSON fights with PEREZ, and HARMAN with the Lieutenant, and drive them off the stage:

Har. Jun. Though, brave unknown, night takes thee from my knowledge, and I want time to thank thee now, take this, and wear it for my sake; [Gives him a ring.] Hereafter I'll acknowledge it more largely. [Exit.

Tow. That voice I've heard, but cannot call to mind, except it be young Harman's. Yet, who should put his life in danger thus? This ring I would not take as salary, but as a gage of his free heart who left it; and, when I know him, I'll restore the pledge. Sure 'twas not far from hence I made the appointment: I know not what this Dutchman's business is, yet, I believe, 'twas somewhat from my rival. It shall go hard, but I will find him out, and then rejoin the company.

Re-enter HARMAN Junior, and FISCAL.

[Exit.

Fisc. The accident was wondrous strange: Did you neither know your assassinates, nor your deli

verer ?

Har. Jun. 'Twas all a hurry; yet, upon better recollecting of myself, the man, who freed me, must be Towerson.

Fisc. Hark, I hear the company walking this ! way; will you withdraw?

Har. Jun. Withdraw, and Isabinda coming! Fisc. The wood is full of murderers; every tree, methinks, hides one behind it.

Har. Jun. You have two qualities, my friend,