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._ I'le do it truly. [_Exit._
_Gent._ How do you feel your self Sir?
_Ar._ Well, I thank ye;
A little weak, but anger shall supply that;
You will all stand bravely to it?
_All._ Whilst we have lives Sir.
_Ar._ Ye speak like Gentlemen; I'le make the knaves know,
The proudest, and the strongest hearted Rebel,
They have a law to live in, and they shall have;
Beat up a pace, by this time he is upon 'em, [_Drum within._
And sword, but hold me now, thou shalt play ever. [_Exeunt._
_Enter Drums beating_, Theodore, Putskie, _Ancient_,
_and their Souldiers._
_The._ Stand, stand, stand close, and sure;
_Enter_ Burris, _and 1 or 2 Souldiers_.
The horse will charge us.
_Anc._ Let 'em come on, we have provender fit for 'em.
_Put._ Here comes Lord _Burris_ Sir, I think to parly.
_The._ You are welcom noble Sir, I hope to our part.
_Bur._ No, valiant Colonel, I am come to chide ye,
To pity ye; to kill ye, if these fail me;
Fie, what dishonour seek ye! what black infamy!
Why do ye draw out thus? draw all shame with ye?
Are these fit cares in subjects? I command ye
Lay down your arms again, move in that peace,
That fair obedience you were bred in.
_Put._ Charge us:
We come not here to argue.
_The._ Charge up bravely,
And hotly too, we have hot spleens to meet ye,
Hot as the shames are offer'd us.
_Enter_ Archas, _Gent. and Souldiers_.
_Bur._ Look behind ye.
Do you see that old man? do you know him Souldiers?
_Put._ Your Father Sir, believe me--
_Bur._ You know his marches,
You have seen his executions: is it yet peace?
_The._ We'l dye here first.
_Bur._ Farewel: you'l hear on's presently.
_Ar._ Stay _Burris_: this is too poor, too beggerly a body
To bear the honour of a charge from me,
A sort of tatter'd Rebels; go provide Gallowses;
Ye are troubled with hot heads, I'le cool ye presently:
These look like men that were my Souldiers
Now I behold 'em nearly, and more narrowly,
My honest friends: where got they these fair figures?
Where did they steal these shapes?
_Bur._ They are struck already.
_Ar._ Do you see that fellow there, that goodly Rebel?
He looks as like a Captain I lov'd tenderly:
A fellow of a faith indeed.
_Bur._ He has sham'd him.
_Ar._ And that that bears the Colours there, most certain
So like an Ancient of mine own, a brave fellow,
A loving and obedient, that believe me _Burris_,
I am amaz'd and troubled: and were it not
I know the general goodness of my people,
The duty, and the truth, the stedfast honestie,
And am assur'd they would as soon turn Devils
As rebels to allegeance, for mine honour.
_Bur._ Here needs no wars.
_Put._ I pray forgive us Sir.
_Anc._ Good General forgive us, or use your sword,
Your words are double death.
_All._ Good noble General.
_Bur._ Pray Sir be mercifull.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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