Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 01 of 10: the Custom of the CountryFletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 01 of 10: the Custom of the Country
Fletcher, John
Brothers -- Drama; English drama -- 17th century; Sex customs -- Drama; Tragicomedy
_Rut._ Let me first fall
Before your feet, and on them pay the duty
I owe your goodness; next all blessings to you,
And Heaven restore the joyes I have bereft you,
With full increase hereafter, living be
The Goddess stil'd of Hospitalitie.
_Actus Tertius. Scena Prima._
_Enter Leopold, and Zenocia._
_Leo._ Fling off these sullen clouds, you are enter'd now
Into a house of joy and happiness,
I have prepar'd a blessing for ye.
_Zen._ Thank ye, my state would rather ask a curse.
_Leo._ You are peevish
And know not when ye are friended, I have us'd those means,
The Lady of this house, the noble Lady,
Will take ye as her own, and use ye graciously:
Make much of what you are, Mistris of that beautie,
And expose it not to such betraying sorrows,
When ye are old, and all those sweets hang wither'd,
_Enter_ Servant.
Then sit and sigh.
_Zen._ My _Autumn_ is not far off.
_Leo._ Have you told your Lady?
_Ser._ Yes Sir, I have told her
Both of your noble service, and your present,
Which she accepts.
_Leo._ I should be blest to see her.
_Ser._ That now you cannot doe: she keeps the Chamber
Not well dispos'd; and has denied all visits,
The maid I have in charge to receive from ye,
So please you render her.
_Leo._ With all my service,
But fain I would have seen.
_Ser._ 'Tis but your patience;
No doubt she cannot but remember nobly.
_Leo._ These three years I have lov'd this scornfull Lady,
And follow'd her with all the truth of service,
In all which time, but twice she has honour'd me
With sight of her blest beauty: when you please Sir,
You may receive your charge, and tell your Lady;
A Gentleman whose life is only dedicated
To her commands, kisses her beauteous hands;
And Faire-one, now your help, you may remember
The honest courtesies, since you are mine,
I ever did your modestie: you shall be near her,
And if sometimes you name my service to her,
And tell her with what nobleness I love her,
'Twill be a gratitude I shall remember.
_Zen._ What in my poor power lyes, so it be honest.
_Leo._ I ask no more.
_Ser._ You must along with me (Fair.)
_Leo._ And so I leave you two: but a fortune
Too happy for my fate: you shall enjoy her.
_Scena Secunda._
_Enter Zabulon and Servants._
_Zab._ Be quick, be quick, out with the banquet there,
These scents are dull; cast richer on, and fuller;
Scent every place, where have you plac'd the musick?
_Ser._ Here they stand ready Sir.
_Zab._ 'Tis well, be sure
The wines be lusty, high, and full of Spirit,
And Amber'd all.
_Ser._ They are.
_Zab._ Give fair attendance.
In the best trim, and state, make ready all.
I shall come presently again. [_Banquet set forth. Exit._
_2 Ser._ We shall Sir,
What preparation's this?
Some new device
My Lady has in hand.
_1 Ser._ O, prosper it
As long as it carries good wine in the mouth,
And good meat with it, where are all the rest?
_2 Ser._ They are ready to attend. [_Musick._
_1 Ser._ Sure some great person,
They would not make this hurry else.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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