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._ Do not do this
To save me, do not lose your self I charge you,
I charge you by your love, that love [you] bear me;
That love, that constant love you have twin'd to me,
By all your promises, take heed you keep 'em,
Now is your constant tryal. If thou dost this,
Or mov'st one foot, to guide thee to her lust,
My curses and eternal hate pursue thee.
Redeem me at the base price of dis-loyalty?
Must my undoubted honesty be thy Bawd too?
Go and intwine thy self about that body;
Tell her, for my life thou hast lost thine honour,
Pull'd all thy vows from heaven, basely, most basely
Stoop'd to the servile flames of that foul woman,
To add an hour to me that hate thee for it,
Know thee not again, nor name thee for a Husband.
_Arn._ What shall I do to save her?
_Hip._ How now, what hast there?
_Enter a_ Servant.
_Ser._ The Governour, attended with some Gentlemen,
Are newly entred, to speak with your Ladiship.
_Hip._ Pox o' their business, reprieve her for this hour,
I shall have other time.
_Arn._ Now fortune help us.
_Hip._ I'le meet 'em presently: retire awhile all. [_Exeunt._
_Zab._ You rise to day upon your right side Lady;
You know the danger too, and may prevent it,
And if you suffer her to perish thus,
As she must do, and suddenly, believe it,
Unless you stand her friend; you know the way on't,
I guess you poorly love her, less your fortune.
Let her know nothing, and perform this matter,
There are hours ordained for several businesses,
You understand.
_Arn._ I understand you Bawd Sir,
And such a Counsellour I never car'd for.
_Enter the_ Governour, Clodio, Leopold, Charino _and_
Attendants _at one door_, Hippolyta _at the other._
_Hip._ Your Lordship does me honour.
_Gover._ Fair _Hippolyta_,
I am come to ease you of a charge.
_Hip._ I keep none
I count a burthen Sir: and yet I lye too.
_Gover._ Which is the Maid; is she here?
_Clod._ Yes Sir,
This is she, this is _Zenocia_,
The very same I sued to your Lordship for.
_Zen._ _Clodio_ again? more misery? more ruin?
Under what angry star is my life govern'd?
_Gov._ Come hither Maid, you are once more a free woman,
Here I discharge your bonds.
_Arn._ Another smile,
Another trick of fortune to betray us!
_Hip._ Why does your Lordship use me so unnobly?
Against my will to take away my bond-woman?
_Gov._ She was no lawful prize, therefore no bond-woman:
She's of that Country we hold friendship with,
And ever did, and therefore to be used
With entertainment, fair and courteous.
The breach of League in us gives foul example,
Therefore you must be pleas'd to think this honest;
Did you know what she was?
_Leop._ Not till this instant;
For had I known her, she had been no prisoner.
_Gov._ There, take the Maid, she is at her own dispose now,
And if there be ought else to do your honour
Any poor service in--
_Clod._ I am vowed your servant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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