Gov.
Is Cromwell gone then say you, master Bagot?
On what dislike, I pray you? what was the cause?

Bag.
To tell you true, a wild brain of his own;
Such youth as he can't see when they are well.
He is all bent to travel, (that's his reason,)
And doth not love to eat his bread at home.

Gov.
Well, good fortune with him, if the man be gone.
We hardly shall find such a one as he,
To fit our turns, his dealings were so honest.
But now, sir, for your jewels that I have—
What do you say? what, will you take my price?

Bag.
O, sir, you offer too much under foot^{3 note}.

Gov.
'Tis but two hundred pound between us, man;
What's that in payment of five thousand pound?

Bag.
Two hundred pound! by'r lady, sir, 'tis great;
Before I got so much, it made me sweat.

Gov.
Well, master Bagot, I'll proffer you fairly.
You see this merchant, master Banister,
Is going now to prison at your suit;
His substance all is gone: what would you have?
Yet, in regard I knew the man of wealth,
(Never dishonest dealing, but such mishaps
Have fallen on him, may light on me or you)
There is two hundred pound between us two;
We will divide the same: I'll give you one,
On that condition you will set him free.
His state is nothing; that you see yourself;
And where nought is, the king must lose his right.

Bag.
Sir, sir, I know you speak out of your love:
'Tis foolish love, sir, sure, to pity him.
Therefore content yourself; this is my mind;
To do him good I will not bate a penny.

Ban.
This is my comfort, though thou dost no good,
A mighty ebb follows a mighty flood.

Mrs. Ban.
O thou base wretch, whom we have fostered,
Even as a serpent, for to poison us!
If God did ever right a woman's wrong,
To that same God I bend and bow my heart,
To let his heavy wrath fall on thy head,
By whom my hopes and joys are butchered.

Bag.
Alas, fond woman! I pr'ythee pray thy worst;
The fox fares better still when he is curst. Enter Bowser.

Gov.
Master Bowser! you're welcome, sir, from England.
What's the best news? and how do all our friends?

Bow.
They are all well, and do commend them to you.
There's letters from your brother and your son:

So, fare you well, sir; I must take my leave:
My haste and business doth require so.

Gov.
Before you dine, sir? What, go you out of town?

Bow.
I'faith unless I hear some news in town,
I must away; there is no remedy.

Gov.
Master Bowser, what is your business? may I know it?

Bow.
You may so, sir, and so shall all the city.
The king of late hath had his treasury robb'd,
And of the choicest jewels that he had:
The value of them was seven thousand pounds.
The fellow that did steal these jewels is hang'd;
And did confess that for three hundred pound
He sold them to one Bagot dwelling in London.
Now Bagot's fled, and, as we hear, to Antwerp;
And hither am I come to seek him out;
And they that first can tell me of his news,
Shall have a hundred pound for their reward.

Ban.
How just is God to right the innocent!

Gov.
Master Bowser, you come in happy time:
Here is the villain Bagot that you seek,
And all those jewels have I in my hands:
Here, officers, look to him, hold him fast.

Bag.

The devil ought me a shame, and now hath paid it.

Bow.
Is this that Bagot? Fellows, bear him hence;
We will not now stand here for his reply.
Lade him with irons^{4 note}; we will have him try'd
In England, where his villanies are known.

Bag.
Mischief, confusion, light upon you all!
O hang me, drown me, let me kill myself;
Let go my arms, let me run quick to hell.

Bow.
Away; bear him away; stop the slave's mouth. [Exeunt Officers and Bagot.

Mrs. Ban.
Thy works are infinite, great God of heaven.

Gov.
I heard this Bagot was a wealthy fellow.

Bow.
He was indeed; for when his goods were seiz'd,
Of jewels, coin, and plate, within his house
Was found the value of five thousand pound;
His furniture fully worth half so much;
Which being all distrained for the king,
He frankly gave it to the Antwerp merchants;
And they again, out of their bounteous mind;
Have to a brother of their company,
A man decay'd by fortune of the seas,
Given Bagot's wealth, to set him up again,
And keep it for him; his name is Banister.

Gov.
Master Bowser, with this most happy news
You have reviv'd two from the gates of death:
This is that Banister, and this his wife.

Bow.
Sir, I am glad my fortune is so good
To bring such tidings as may comfort you.

Ban.
You have given life unto a man deem'd dead;
For by these news my life is newly bred.

Mrs. Ban.
Thanks to my God, next to my sovereign king;
And last to you, that these good news do bring.

Gov.
The hundred pound I must receive, as due
For finding Bagot, I freely give to you.

Bow.
And, master Banister, if so you please,
I'll bear you company, when you cross the seas.

Ban.
If it please you, sir;—my company is but mean:
Stands with your liking, I will wait on you^{5 note}.

Gov.
I am glad that all things do accord so well.

Come, master Bowser, let us in to dinner;
And, mistress Banister, be merry, woman.
Come, after sorrow now let's cheer your spirit;
Knaves have their due, and you but what you merit. [Exeunt.

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