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
_Zab._ Pray you follow her: I will along with you:
I more than ghess the cause: women that love
Are most uncertain, and one minute crave,
What in another they refuse to have. [_Exit._
_Scena Quinta._
_Enter_ Clodio, Charino.
_Clo._ Assure thy self _Charino_, I am alter'd
From what I was; the tempests we have met with
In our uncertain voyage, were smooth gales
Compar'd to those, the memory of my lusts
Rais'd in my Conscience: and if ere again
I live to see _Zenocia_, I will sue,
And seek to her as a Lover, and a Servant,
And not command affection, like a Tyrant.
_Char._ In hearing this, you make me young again,
And Heaven, it seems, favouring this good change in you
In setting of a period to our dangers
Gives us fair hopes to find that here in _Lisbon_
Which hitherto in vain we long have sought for.
I have receiv'd assur'd intelligence,
Such strangers have been seen here: and though yet
I cannot learn their fortunes, nor the place
Of their abode, I have a Soul presages
A fortunate event here.
_Clo._ There have pass'd
A mutual enterchange of courtesies
Between me, and the Governour; therefore boldly
We may presume of him, and of his power
If we finde cause to use them, otherwise
I would not be known here, and these disguises
Will keep us from discovery.
_Enter_ Manuel, Doctor, Arnoldo, Guard.
_Char._ What are these?
_Clo._ The Governour: with him my Rival, bound.
_Char._ For certain 'tis _Arnoldo_.
_Clo._ Let's attend
What the success will be.
_Mar._ Is't possible
There should be hope of his recovery,
His wounds so many and so deadly?
_Doct._ So they appear'd at first, but the blood stop'd,
His trance forsook him, and on better search
We found they were not mortal.
_Man._ Use all care
To perfect this unhop'd for cure: that done
Propose your own rewards: and till you shall
Hear farther from me, for some ends I have,
Conceal it from his Mother.
_Doct._ Wee'l not fail Sir. [_Exit._
_Man._ You still stand confident on your innocence.
_Arn._ It is my best and last guard, which I will not
Leave, to relye on your uncertain mercy.
_Enter_ Hippolyta, Zabulon, Leopold, Zenocia, 2 Servants.
_Hip._ Who bad you follow me! Goe home, and you Sir,
As you respect me, goe with her.
_Arn._ _Zenocia_!
And in her house a Servant!
_Char._ 'Tis my Daughter.
_Clo._ My love? Contain your joy, observe the sequel. [_Zen. passes._
_Man._ Fye Madam, how undecent 'tis for you,
So far unlike your self to bee seen thus
In th' open streets? why do you kneel? pray you rise,
I am acquainted with the wrong, and loss
You have sustain'd, and the Delinquent now
Stands ready for his punishment.
_Hip._ Let it fall, Sir,
On the offender: he is innocent,
And most unworthy of these bonds he wears,
But I made up of guilt.
_Man._ What strange turn's this?
_Leo._ This was my prisoner once.
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