Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 01 of 10: the Custom of the Country — John Shaqi
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._ Your Father's here too, that's our only comfort,
And in a Country now, we stand free people,
Where _Clodio_ has no power, be comforted.
_Zen._ I fear some trick yet.
_Arn._ Be not so dejected.
_Gover._ You must not be displeas'd; so farewel Lady.
Come Gentlemen; Captain, you must with me too,
I have a little business.
_Leop._ I attend your Lordship:
Now my way's free, and my hope's Lord again.
[_Exeunt all but_ Hip. _and_ Zab.
_Hip._ D'ye jeer me now ye are going?
I may live yet--to make you howl both.
_Zab._ You might have done; you had power then,
But now the chains are off, the command lost,
And such a story they will make of this
To laugh out lazie time.
_Hip._ No means yet left me?
For now I burst with anger: none to satisfie me?
No comfort? no revenge?
_Zab._ You speak too late;
You might have had all these, your useful servants,
Had you been wise, and suddain: what power, or will
Over her beauty, have you now? by violence
To constrain his love; she is as free as you are,
And no law can impeach her liberty,
And whilst she is so, _Arnoldo_ will despise you.
_Hip._ Either my love or anger must be satisfied,
Or I must dye.
_Zab._ I have a way wou'd do it,
Wou'd do it yet, protect me from the Law.
_Hip._ From any thing; thou knowest what power I have,
What mony, and what friends.
_Zab._ 'Tis a devilish one:
But such must now be us'd: walk in, I'le tell you;
And if you like it, if the Devil can do any thing--
_Hip._ Devil, or what thou wilt, so I be satisfied. [_Ex._
_Enter_ Sulpitia, _and_ Jaques.
_Sulp._ This is the rarest and the lustiest fellow,
And so bestirs himself--
_Jaq._ Give him breath Mistress,
You'l melt him else.
_Sulp._ He does perform such wonders--
The women are mad on him.
_Jaq._ Give him breath I say;
The man is but a man, he must have breath.
_Sulp._ How many had he yesterday?
And they paid bravely too.
_Jaq._ About fourteen,
But still I cry give breath, spare him and have him.
_Sulp._ Five Dames to day; this was a small stage,
He may endure five more.
_Jaq._ Breath, breath I cry still;
Body o' me give breath, the man's a lost man else.
Feed him and give him breath.
_Enter_ 2 Gentlewomen.
_Sulp._ Welcome Gentlewomen,
Y'are very welcome.
_1 Gen._ We hear you have a lusty and well complexion'd fellow
That does rare tricks; my Sister and my self here,
Would trifle out an hour or two, so please you.
_Sulp._ _Jaques_, conduct 'em in.
_Both._ There's for your courtesie. [_Ex._ Jaq. _and_ Gent.
_Sulp._ Good pay still, good round pay, this happy fellow
Will set me up again; he brings in gold
Faster than I have leisure to receive it.
O that his body were not flesh and fading;
But I'le so pap him up--nothing too dear for him;
What a sweet scent he has?--Now what news _Jaques_?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account