Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 03 of 10: The Loyal Subject — John Shaqi
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 03 of 10: The Loyal SubjectFletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 03 of 10: The Loyal Subject
Fletcher, John
English drama -- 18th century; Tragicomedy
_Bur._ You have shew'd the Prince his faults;
And like a good Surgeon you have laid
That to 'em makes 'em smart; he feels it,
Let 'em not fester now, Sir; your own honour,
The bounty of that mind, and your allegiance,
'Gainst which I take it, Heaven gives no Command, Sir,
Nor seals no Vow, can better teach ye now
What ye have to do, than I, or this necessity;
Only this little's left; would ye do nobly,
And in the Eye of Honour truly triumph?
Conquer that mind first, and then men are nothing.
_Alin._ Last, a poor Virgin kneels; for loves sake General,
If ever you have lov'd; for her sake, Sir,
For your own honesty, which is a Virgin,
Look up, and pity us, be bold and fortunate,
You are a Knight, a good and noble Souldier,
And when your Spurs were given ye, your Sword buckl'd,
Then were you sworn for Vertues Cause, for Beauties,
For Chastity to strike; strike now, they suffer;
Now draw your Sword, or else you are recreant,
Only a Knight i'th' Heels, i'th' Heart a Coward;
Your first Vow honour made, your last but anger.
_Ar._ How like my vertuous Wife this thing looks, speaks too?
So would she chide my dulness: fair one, I thank ye.
My gracious Sir, your pardon, next your hand:
Madam, your favour, and your prayers: Gentlemen,
Your wishes, and your loves: and pretty sweet one,
A favour for your Souldier.
_Olymp._ Give him this, Wench.
_Alin._ Thus do I tye on Victory.
_Arc._ My Armour,
My Horse, my Sword, my tough Staff, and my Fortune,
And _Olin_ now I come to shake thy glory.
_Du._ Go, brave and prosperous, our loves go with thee.
_Olymp._ Full of thy vertue, and our Prayers attend thee.
_Bur. &c._ Loaden with Victory, and we to honour thee.
_Alin._ Come home the Son of Honour,
And I'll serve ye. [_Exeunt._
_Actus Secundus. Scena Prima._
_Enter Duke_, Burris, _and two Gentlemen_.
_Duke._ No news of _Archas_ yet?
_Bur._ But now, and't please ye,
A Post came in, Letters he brought none with him,
But this deliver'd: He saw the Armies join,
The game of Blood begun, and by our General,
Who never was acquainted but with Conquest,
So bravely fought, he saw the _Tartars_ shaken,
And there he said he left 'em.
_Du._ Where's _Boroskie_?
_1 Gent._ He's up again, and't please ye.
_Bur._ Sir, methinks
This News should make ye lightsome, bring joy to ye,
It strikes our hearts with general Comfort. [_Exit Duke._
Gone? What should this mean, so suddenly?
He's well?
_2 Gent._ We see no other.
_1 Gent._ Would the rest were well too,
That put these starts into him.
_Bur._ I'll go after him.
_2 Gent._ 'Twill not be fit, Sir: h'as some secret in him
He would not be disturb'd in: know you any thing
Has crost him since the General went?
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