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
_Arn._ My strength? away base woman, I abhor thee.
I am not caught with stales, disease dwell with thee. [_Exit._
_Hip._ Are ye so quick? and have I lost my wishes?
Hoe, _Zabulon_; my servants.
_Enter_ Zabulon _and_ Servants.
_Zab._ Call'd ye Madam?
_Hip._ Is all that beauty scorned, so many su'd for;
So many Princes? by a stranger too?
Must I endure this?
_Zab._ Where's the Gentleman?
_Hip._ Go presently, pursue the stranger, _Zabulon_.
He has broke from me, Jewels I have given him:
Charge him with theft: he has stoln my love, my freedome,
Draw him before the Governour, imprison him,
Why dost thou stay?
_Zab._ I'le teach him a new dance,
For playing fast and loose with such a Lady.
Come fellows, come: I'le execute your anger,
And to the full.
_Hip._ His scorn shall feel my vengeance.-- [_Exeunt._
_Scena Tertia._
_Enter_ Sulpicia _and_ Jaques.
_Sul._ Shall I never see a lusty man again?
_Ja._ Faith Mistress
You do so over-labour 'em when you have 'em,
And so dry-founder 'em, they cannot last.
_Sul._ Where's the _French_-man?
_Ja._ Alas, he's all to fitters,
and lyes, taking the height of his fortune with a Syringe.
He's chin'd, he's chin'd good man, he is a mourner.
_Sul._ What's become of the _Dane_?
_Ja._ Who? goldy-locks?
He's foul i'th' touch-hole; and recoils again,
The main Spring's weaken'd that holds up his cock,
He lies at the sign of the _Sun_, to be new breech'd.
_Sul._ The Rutter too, is gone.
_Ja._ O that was a brave Rascal,
He would labour like a Thrasher: but alas
What thing can ever last? he has been ill mew'd,
And drawn too soon; I have seen him in the Hospital.
_Sul._ There was an _English_-man.
_Ja._ I there was an _English_-man;
You'l scant find any now, to make that name good:
There were those _English_ that were men indeed,
And would perform like men, but now they are vanisht:
They are so taken up in their own Country,
And so beaten of their speed by their own women,
When they come here, they draw their legs like Hackneys:
Drink, and their own devices have undone 'em.
_Sul._ I must have one that's strong, no life in _Lisbon_ else,
Perfect and young: my Custom with young Ladies,
And high fed City dames, will fall, and break else.
I want my self too, in mine age to nourish me:
They are all sunk I mantain'd: now what's this business,
What goodly fellow's that?
_Enter_ Rutilio _and_ Officers.
_Rut._ Why do you drag me?
Pox o' your justice; let me loose.
_1 Offi._ Not so Sir.
_Rut._ Cannot a man fall into one of your drunken Cellars,
And venture the breaking on's neck, your trap-doors open,
But he must be us'd thus rascally?
_1 Offi._ What made you wandring
So late i'th' night? you know that is imprisonment.
_Rut._ May be I walk in my sleep.
_2 Offi._ May be we'l walk ye.
What made you wandring Sir, into that vault
Where all the City store, and the Munition lay?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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