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Show 286 E S 0 P. play. Lawful Authority, Sir- Sir, w e are free-born Englifhmen, we care not for L a w nor Authority neither, when we are out of humour. Efop. But I think they pretended at leaft to an Authority over you; pray upon what Foundation was it built ? Play. Upon a rotten one if you'll believe us. Sir, I'll tell you what the Projectors did : They imbark'd twenty thoufand Pound upon a leaky Veffel ... She was built at Whitehall; I think they call'd her the Patent- ay, the Patent: Her Keel was made of a Broad Seal and the King gave 'em a white Staff for their Main-Maft. She was a pretty tight Frigot to look upon, indeed : They fpar'd nothing to fet her off; they gilded her, and painted her, and rigg'd, and gunn'd her ; and fo fent her a Privateering. But the firft Storm that blew, down went the Maft, afhoar went the Ship- Crack fays the Keel, Mercy cry'd the Pilot ; but the Wind was fo high, his Pray'rs cou'd not be heard fo they fplit upon a Rock that lay hid under a Petticoat. Efop. A very fad Story, this: But what became of the Ship's Company ? Play. W h y , Sir, your humble Servants here, who Were the Officers, and the beft of the Sailors . (little Ben amongft the reft) feiz'd on a fmall Bark that lay to our Hand, and away w e put to Sea again. To fay the truth, we were better mann'd than rigg'd, and Ammunition was plaguy fcarce amongft us . However, a cruifing w e went, and fome petty fmall Prizes we have made ; but the Blefling of Heaven not being among us Or how the Devil 'tis, I can't tell; but w e are not rich. Efop. Well, but what became of the reft of the Crew ? Play. W h y , Sir, as for the Scoundrels, they, poor Dogs, ftuck by the Wrack. The Captain gave them Bread and Cheefe, and good Words. He told them, if they wou'd patch her up, and venture t'other Cruife, he'd prefer them 'em all j fo to work they went, and to Sea they got her. Efip. ESOP. 2g7 Efip. i hope he kept his word with'em. LieuenanT K dld!i he L made lhe ^wain's Mate Lieutenant; he made the Cook Dodor: he was ore d to be Purfer, and Pilot, and Gunner himfe f; Ind the Swabber took Orders to be Chaplain J{tu?Ai T^ fuCh Unskilful 0fficers> V" *ftaM. they 11 hardly keepajrove Water long. ' Play. W h y truly, Br, we care not how foon they are under : But curft Folks thrive, I think. I know nothing elfe that makes 'em fwim. I'm fure, by the Rules of Navigation, they ought to have over-fet long fince; for they carry a great deal of Sail, and have very little Ballaft. ' Efop. I'm afraid you ruin one another. I fancy if you were all in a Ship together again, you'd have lefs Work, and more Profit. Play. Ah, Sir , we are refolved we'll never fail under Captain Patentee again. Efop. Prithee, why fo ? Play. Sir, he has us'd us like Dogs. Worn. And Bitches too, Sir. Efop. I'm forry to hear that; psay how was't he treated you ? Play. Sir, 'tis impoffible to tell; he us'd us like the Englijh at Amboyna* • Efop. But I wou'd know fome Particulars ; tell me what 'twas he did to you. Play. What he did, Sir, why, he did in the firft place, Sir. In the firft place, Sir, he did- I Cod I don't know what he did -Can you tell, Wife ? Worn. Yes, marry can I; and a burning Shame it was too. Play. O, I remember now, Sir, he wou'd not give us Plumbs enough in our Pudding, Efop. That indeed was very hard ; but did he give you as many as he promis'd you? Play. Yes, and more; but what of all that, we had not as many as w e had a mind to l Worn. Sir, m y Husband tells you Truth |