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
_Zen._ I will endeavour all the wayes I am able
To make her think well of you; will that please?
To make her dote upon you, dote to madness,
So far against my self I will obey you.
But when that's done, and I have shewed this duty,
This great obedience, few will buy it at my price,
Thus will I shake hands with you, wish you well,
But never see you more, nor receive comfort
From any thing, _Arnoldo_.
_Arn._ You are too tender;
I neither doubt you, nor desire longer
To be a man, and live, than I am honest
And only yours; our infinite affections
Abus'd us both.
_Zab._ Where are your favours now?
The courtesies you shew'd this stranger, Madam?
_Hip._ Have I now found the cause?
_Zab._ Attend it further.
_Zen._ Did she invite you, do you say?
_Arn._ Most cunningly,
And with a preparation of that state
I was brought in and welcom'd.
_Zen._ Seem'd to love you?
_Arn._ Most infinitely, at first sight, most dotingly.
_Zen._ She is a goodly Lady.
_Arn._ Wondrous handsom:
At first view, being taken unprepar'd,
Your memory not present then to assist me,
She seem'd so glorious sweet, and so far stir'd me,
Nay be not jealous, there's no harm done.
_Zen._ Prethee--didst thou not kiss, _Arnoldo_?
_Arn._ Yes faith did I.
_Zen._ And then--
_Arn._ I durst not, did not--
_Zen._ I forgive you,
Come tell the truth.
_Arn._ May be I lay with her.
_Hip._ He mocks me too, most basely.
_Zen._ Did ye faith? did ye forget so far?
_Arn._ Come, come, no weeping;
I would have lyen first in my grave, believe that.
Why will you ask those things you would not hear?
She is too untemperate to betray my vertues,
Too openly lascivious: had she dealt
But with that seeming modesty she might,
And flung a little Art upon her ardor,
But 'twas forgot, and I forgot to like her,
And glad I was deceiv'd. No my _Zenocia_,
My first love here begun, rests here unreapt yet,
And here for ever.
_Zen._ You have made me happy,
Even in the midst of bondage blest.
_Zab._ You see now
What rubs are in your way.
_Hip._ And quickly _Zabulon_
I'le root 'em out.--Be sure you do this presently.
_Zab._ Do not you alter then.
_Hip._ I am resolute. [_Exit Zabulon._
_Arn._ To see you only I came hither last,
Drawn by no love of hers, nor base allurements,
For by this holy light I hate her heartily.
_Leop._ I am glad of that, you have sav'd me so much vengeance
And so much fear,
From this hour fair befal you.
_Arn._ Some means I shall make shortly to redeem you,
Till when, observe her well, and fit her temper,
Only her lust contemn.
_Zen._ When shall I see you?
_Arn._ I will live hereabouts, and bear her fair still,
Till I can find a fit hour to redeem you.
_Hip._ Shut all the doors.
_Arn._ Who's that?
_Zen._ We are betray'd,
The Lady of the house has heard our parly,
Seen us, and seen our Loves.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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