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 will not find it,
Upon my troth I think his most ambition
Is but to let the world know h'as a handsom Mistris:
Will your grace command me any service to him?
_Olym._ Remember all my duty.
_Bur._ Blessings crown ye:
What's your will Lady?
_Al._ Any thing that's honest;
And if you think it fit, so poor a service,
Clad in a ragged vertue, may reach him,
I do beseech your Lordship speak it humbly.
_Bur._ Fair one I will: in the best phrase I have too,
And so I kiss your hand. [_Exit._
_Al._ Your Lordships Servant.
_Olym._ Come hither wench, what art thou doing with that Ring?
_Al._ I am looking on the posie, Madam.
_Olym._ What is't?
_Al._ The Jewel's set within.
_Olym._ But where the joy wench,
When that invisible Jewel's lost? why dost thou smile so?
What unhappy meaning hast thou?
_Al._. Nothing Madam,
But only thinking what strange spells these Rings have,
And how they work with some.
_Pet._ I fear with you too.
_Al._ This could not cost above a Crown.
_Pet._ 'Twill cost you
The shaving of your crown, if not the washing.
_Olym._ But he that sent it, makes the vertue greater;
_Al._ I and the vice too Madam: goodness bless me:
How fit 'tis for my finger!
_2 W._ No doubt you'l find too
A finger fit for you.
_Al._ Sirrah, _Petesca_,
What wilt thou give me for the good that follows this?
But thou hast Rings enough, thou art provided:
Heigh ho, what must I doe now?
_Pet._ You'l be taught that,
The easiest part that e're you learn't, I warrant you.
_Al._ Ay me, ay me.
_Pet._ You will divide too, shortly,
Your voice comes finely forward.
_Olym._ Come hither wanton,
Thou art not surely as thou saist.
_Al._ I would not:
But sure there is a witchcraft in this Ring, Lady,
Lord how my heart leaps!
_Pet._ 'Twill goe pit a pat shortly.
_Al._ And now methinks a thousand of the Dukes shapes.
_2 W._ Will no less serve ye?
_Al._ In ten thousand smiles.
_Olym._ Heaven bless the wench.
_Al._ With eyes that will not be deni'd to enter;
And such soft sweet embraces; take it from me,
I am undone else Madam: I'm lost else.
_Olym._ What ailes the girle?
_Al._ How suddenly I'm alter'd!
And grown my self again! do not you feel it?
_Olym._ Wear that, and I'le wear this:
I'le try the strength on't.
_Al._ How cold my bloud grows now!
Here's sacred vertue:
When I leave to honour this,
Every hour to pay a kiss,
When each morning I arise,
Or I forget a sacrifice:
When this figure in my faith,
And the pureness that it hath,
I pursue not with my will,
Nearer to arrive at still:
When I lose, or change this Jewel,
Flie me faith, and heaven be cruel.
_Olym._ You have half confirm'd me,
Keep but that way sure,
And what this charm can doe, let me endure. [_Exeunt._
SCENA III.
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