A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 10
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 10
English drama
GOV. Sure, honesty has left man; has fear forsook him?
Yes, faith, there is no fear, where there's no grace.
LADY. What way shall I devise to giv'm his answer?
Denial is not strong enough to serve, sir.
GOV. No, 't must have other helps.--
_Enter_ SOPHONIRUS.
I see, he dares!
O patience, I shall lose a friend of thee!
SOPH. I bring thee, precious lady, this dear stone
And commendations from the king my master.
GOV. I set before thee, panderous lord, this steel,
And much good do't thy heart; fall to, and spare not!
[_He stabs_ SOPHONIRUS.
LADY. 'Las! what have you done, my lord?
GOV. Why, sent a bawd
Home to his lodging; nothing else, sweetheart.
SOPH. Well! you have kill'd me, sir, and there's an end:
But you'll get nothing by the hand, my lord,
When all your cards are counted; there be gamesters
Not far off will set upon the winner,
And make a poor lord of you, ere they've left you.
I'm fetch'd in like a fool to pay the reckoning,
Yet you'll save nothing by't.
GOV. What riddle's this?
SOPH. There she stands by thee now, who yet ere midnight
Must lie by the king's side!
GOV. Who speaks that lie?
SOPH. One hour will make it true, she cannot 'scape
No more than I from death: you've a great game on't,
An' you look well about you--that's my comfort.
The house is round-beset with armed men,
That know their time when to break in and seize her.
LADY. My lord!
GOV. Tis boldly done to trouble me
When I've such business to despatch. Within there!
_Enter_ SERVANT.
SER. My lord!
GOV. Look out, and tell me what thou see'st!
SOPH. How quickly now my death will be revenged!
Before the king's first sleep! I depart laughing
To think upon the deed. [_Dies._
GOV. 'Tis thy banquet;
Down, villain, to thy everlasting weeping,
That canst rejoice so in the rape of virtue,
And sing light tunes in tempests, when near ship-wreck'd,
And have no plank to save you!
_Enter_ SERVANT.
Now, sir, quickly.
SER. Which way soe'er I cast mine eye, my lord,
Out of all parts o' th' house, I may see fellows
Gather'd in companies, and all whispering,
Like men for treachery busy.
LADY. 'Tis confirm'd.
SER. Their eyes still fix'd upon the doors and windows.
GOV. I think thou'st never done, thou lov'st to talk on't.
'Tis fine discourse: prythee, find other business.
SER. Nay, I am gone, I'm a man quickly sneap'd.[464] [_Exit._
GOV. H' has flatter'd me with safety for this hour.
LADY. Have you leisure to stand idle? why, my lord,
It is for me they come.
GOV. For thee, my glory,
The riches of my youth--it is for thee!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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