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
_Bor._ Pray be not so distrustfull.
_Put._ There are waies yet,
And honest waies; we are not brought up Statues.
_Anc._ If your Lordship
Have any silk stockings, that have holes i'th' heels,
Or ever an honourable Cassock that wants buttons,
I could have cur'd such maladies: your Lordships custome
And my good Ladies, if the bones want setting
In her old bodies--
_Bor._ This is disobedience.
_Anc._ Eight pence a day, and hard Eggs.
_Put._ Troop off Gentlemen,
Some Coin we have, whilst this lasts, or our credits,
We'l never sell our Generals worth for six-pence.
Ye are beholding to us.
_Anc._ Fare ye well Sir,
And buy a pipe with that: do ye see this skarf Sir?
By this hand I'le cry Brooms in't, birchen Brooms Sir,
Before I eat one bit from your benevolence.
Now to our old occupations again.
By your leave Lord. [_Exeunt._
_Bor._ You will bite when ye are sharper; take up the mony.
This love I must remove, this fondness to him,
This tenderness of heart; I have lost my way else.
There is no sending man, they will not take it,
They are yet too full of pillage,
They'l dance for't ere't be long:
Come, bring it after.
_Enter_ Duke.
_Duke._ How now, refus'd their mony?
_Bor._ Very bravely,
And stand upon such terms 'tis terrible.
_Duke._ Where's _Archas_?
_Bor._ He's retir'd Sir, to his house,
According to your pleasure, full of dutie
To outward shew: but what within--
_Duke._ Refuse it?
_Bor._ Most confidently: 'tis not your revenues
Can feed the[m] Sir, and yet they have found a General
That knows no ebbe of bountie: there they eat Sir,
And loath your invitations.
_Duke._ 'Tis not possible,
He's poor as they.
_Bor._ You'l find it otherwise.
Pray make your journey thither presently,
And as ye goe I'le open ye a wonder.
Good Sir this morning.
_Duke._ Follow me, I'le doe it. [_Exeunt._
SCENA II.
_Enter_ Olympia, Alinda, Burris, _and Gentlewomen_.
_Olym._ But do you think my Brother loves her?
_Bur._ Certain Madam,
He speaks much of her, and sometimes with wonder,
Oft wishes she were nobler born.
_Olym._ Do you think him honest?
_Bur._ Your Grace is nearer to his heart, than I am,
Upon my life I hold him so.
_Olym._ 'Tis a poor wench,
I would not have her wrong'd: methinks my Brother--
But I must not give rules to his affections;
Yet if he weigh her worth--
_Bur._ You need not fear Madam.
_Olym._ I hope I shall not: Lord _Burris_
I love her well; I know not, there is something
Makes me bestow more than a care upon her:
I do not like that ring from him to her;
I mean to women of her way, such tokens
Rather appear as baits, than royal bounties:
I would not have it so.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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