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
_2 Ser._ Hark the Musick.
_Enter_ Zabulon, _and_ Arnoldo.
It will appear now certain, here it comes.
Now to our places.
_Arn._ Whither will he lead me?
What invitation's this? to what new end
Are these fair preparations? a rich Banquet,
Musick, and every place stuck with adornment,
Fit for a Princes welcome; what new game
Has Fortune now prepar'd to shew me happy?
And then again to sink me? 'tis no illusion,
Mine eyes are not deceiv'd, all these are reall;
What wealth and state!
_Zab._ Will you sit down and eat Sir?
These carry little wonder, they are usual;
But you shall see, if you be wise to observe it,
That that will strike dead, strike with amazement,
Then if you be a man: this fair health to you.
_Ar._ What shall I see? I pledge ye Sir, I was never
So buried in amazement--
_Zab._ You are so still:
Drink freely.
_Ar._ The very wines are admirable:
Good Sir, give me leave to ask this question,
For what great worthy man are these prepar'd?
And why do you bring me hither?
_Zab._ They are for you, Sir;
And under-value not the worth you carry,
You are that worthy man: think well of these,
They shall be more, and greater.
_Ar._ Well, blind fortune
Thou hast the prettiest changes when thou art pleas'd,
To play thy game out wantonly--
_Zab._ Come be lusty,
And awake your Spirits. [_Cease Musick._
_Ar._ Good Sir, do not wake me.
For willingly I would dye in this dream, pray whose Servants
Are all these that attend here?
_Zab._ They are yours;
They wait on you.
_Ar._ I never yet remember
I kept such faces, nor that I was ever able
To maintain so many.
_Zab._ Now you are, and shall be.
_Ar._ You'l say this house is mine too?
_Zab._ Say it? swear it.
_Ar._ And all this wealth?
_Zab._ This is the least you see Sir.
_Ar._ Why, where has this been hid these thirtie years?
For certainly I never found I was wealthie
Till this hour, never dream'd of house, and Servants.
I had thought I had been a younger Brother, a poor Gent.
I may eat boldly then.
_Zab._ 'Tis prepar'd for ye.
_Ar._ The taste is perfect, and most delicate:
But why for me? give me some wine, I do drink;
I feel it sensibly, and I am here,
Here in this glorious place: I am bravely us'd too,
Good Gentle Sir, give me leave to think a little,
For either I am much abus'd--
_Zab._ Strike Musick
And sing that lusty Song. [_Musick. Song._
_Ar._ Bewitching harmony!
Sure I am turn'd into another Creature.
_Enter_ Hippolyta.
Happy and blest, _Arnoldo_ was unfortunate;
Ha! bless mine eyes; what pretious piece of nature
To pose the world?
_Zab._ I told you, you would see that
Would darken these poor preparations;
What think ye now? nay rise not, 'tis no vision.
_Ar._ 'Tis more: 'tis miracle.
_Hip._ You are welcom Sir.
_Ar._ It speaks, and entertains me still more glorious;
She is warm, and this is flesh here: how she stirs me!
Bless me what stars are there?
_Hip._ May I sit near ye?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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