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
_Hon._ Either I or the devil shall: The Duke you were speaking of.
_Al._ 'Tis well remembred: yes, let him first see you,
Appear not openly till he has view'd ye.
_Hon._ He's a very noble Prince they say.
_Al._ O wondrous gracious;
And as you may deliver your self at the first viewing.
For look ye, you must bear your self; yet take heed
It be so season'd with a sweet humilitie,
And grac'd with such a bountie in your beautie--
_Hon._ But I hope he will offer me no ill?
_Al._ No, no:
'Tis like he will kiss ye, and play with ye.
_Hon._ Play with me, how?
_Al._ Why, good Lord, that you are such a fool now!
No harm assure your self.
_Viol._ Will he play with me too?
_Al._ Look babies in your eyes, my prettie sweet one:
There's a fine sport: do you know your lodgings yet?
_Hon._ I hear of none.
_Al._ I do then, they are handsom,
Convenient for access.
_Viol._ Access?
_Al._ Yes little one,
For visitation of those friends and Servants,
Your beauties shall make choice of: friends and visits:
Do not you know those uses? Alas poor novice;
There's a close Cowch or two, handsomely placed too.
_Viol._ What are those I pray you?
_Al._ Who would be troubled with such raw things? they are to lie upon,
And your love by ye; and discourse, and toy in.
_Viol._ Alas I have no love.
_Al._ You must by any means:
You'l have a hundred, fear not.
_Viol._ Honestie keep me:
What shall I doe with all those?
_Al._ You'l find uses:
Ye are ignorant yet, let time work; you must learn too,
To lie handsomly in your bed a mornings, neatly drest
In a most curious Wastcoat, to set ye off well,
Play with your Bracelets, sing: you must learn to rhime too,
And riddle neatly; studie the hardest language,
And 'tis no matter whether it be sense, or no,
So it go seemlie off. Be sure ye profit
In kissing, kissing sweetly: there lies a main point,
A key that opens to all practick pleasure;
I'le help ye to a friend of mine shall teach ye,
And suddenlie: your Country way is fulsome.
_Hon._ Have ye schools for all these mysteries?
_Al._ O yes,
And several hours prefix'd to studie in:
Ye may have Kalenders to know the good hour,
And when to take a jewel: for the ill too,
When to refuse, with observations on 'em;
Under what Sign 'tis best meeting in an Arbor,
And in what Bower, and hour it works; a thousand,
When in a Coach, when in a private lodging,
With all their vertues.
_Hon._ Have ye studied these?
How beastly they become your youth? how bawdily?
A woman of your tenderness, a teacher,
Teacher of these lewd Arts? of your full beauty?
A man made up in lust would loath this in ye:
The rankest Leacher, hate such impudence.
They say the Devil can assume heavens brightness,
And so appear to tempt us: sure thou art no woman.
_Al._ I joy to find ye thus.
_Hon._ Thou hast no tenderness,
No reluctation in thy heart: 'tis mischief.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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