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
_Du._ Stand up Ladies:
Beshrew my heart they are fair ones; methinks fitter
The lustre of the Court, than thus live darken'd:
I would see your house Lord _Archas_, it appears to me
A handsom pile.
_Ar._ 'Tis neat but no great structure;
I'le be your Graces guide, give me the keyes there.
_Du._ Lead on, we'l follow ye: begin with the Gallery,
I think that's one.
_Arc._ 'Tis so, and't please ye, Sir,
The rest above are lodgings all.
_Du._ Go on, Sir. [_Exeunt._
SCENE IV.
_Enter_ Theodore, Putskey, _and Ancient_.
_Puts._ The Duke gone thither, do you say?
_The._ Yes marry do I,
And all the Ducklings too; but what they'll do there--
_Puts._ I hope they'll crown his service.
_The._ With a Custard;
This is no weather for rewards: they crown his service?
Rather they go to shave his Crown: I was rated
As if I had been a Dog had worried Sheep, out of doors,
For making but a doubt.
_Puts._ They must now grace him.
_The._ Mark but the end.
_Anc._ I am sure they should reward him, they cannot want him.
_The._ They that want honesty, want any thing.
_Puts._ The Duke is so noble in his own thoughts.
_The._ That I grant ye,
If those might only sway him: but 'tis most certain,
So many new born Flies his light gave life to,
Buzze in his beams, Flesh-flies, and Butterflies,
Hornets, and humming Scarabs, that not one honey Bee
That's loaden with true labour, and brings home
Encrease and Credit, can 'scape rifling,
And what she sucks for sweet, they turn to bitterness.
_Anc._ Shall we go see what they do, and talk our mind to 'em?
_Puts._ That we have done too much, and to no purpose.
_Anc._ Shall we be hang'd for him?
I have a great mind to be hang'd now
For doing some brave thing for him; a worse end will take me,
And for an action of no worth; not honour him?
Upon my Conscience, even the Devil, the very Devil
(Not to belie him) thinks him an honest man,
I am sure he has sent him souls any time these twenty years,
Able to furnish all his Fish-markets.
_The._ Leave thy talking,
And come, let's go to dinner and drink to him,
We shall hear more ere supper time: if he be honour'd,
He has deserv'd it well, and we shall fight for't:
If he be ruin'd, so, we know the worst then,
And for my self, I'll meet it.
_Puts._ I ne'r fear it. [_Exeunt._
SCENE V.
_Enter Duke_, Archas, Boroskey, Burris, _Gentlemen, and
Attendants_.
_Du._ They are handsome rooms all, well contriv'd and fitted,
Full of convenience, the prospect's excellent.
_Arc._ Now will your Grace pass down, and do me but the honour
To taste a Countrey Banquet?
_Du._ What room's that?
I would see all now; what conveyance has it?
I see you have kept the best part yet; pray open it.
_Arc._ Ha! I misdoubted this: 'tis of no receipt, Sir,
For your eyes most unfit--
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