Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Alice._ They are they, certain.
_Val._ Good Heaven, that they were.
_Alice._ I'le pawn my life on't,
And this is he; come hither Mistris _Dorothy_,
And Mistris _Mary_: who does that face look like;
And view my Brother well?
_Dor._ In truth like him.
_Ma._ Upon my troth exceeding like.
_Mich._ Beshrew me,
But much, and main resemblance, both of face
And lineaments of body: now Heaven grant it.
_Ali._ My Brother's full of passion, I'le speak to him.
Now, as you are a Gentleman, resolve me,
Where did you get these Jewels?
_Fran._ Now I'le tell ye,
Because blind fortune yet may make me happy,
Of whom I had 'em I have never heard yet,
But from my infancy, upon this arm
I ever wore 'em.
_Ali._ 'Tis _Francisco_, Brother,
By Heaven I ty'd 'em on: a little more, Sir,
A little, little more, what parents have ye?
_Fra._ None,
That I know yet: the more my stubborn fortune,
But as I heard a Merchant say that bred me,
Who, to my more affliction, dyed a poor man,
When I reach'd eighteen years.
_Ali._ What said that Merchant?
_Fra._ He said, an infant, in the _Genoway_ Galleys,
But from what place he never could direct me,
I was taken in a Sea-fight, and from a Mariner,
Out of his manly pity he redeem'd me.
He told me of a Nurse that waited on me,
But she, poor soul, he said was killed.
A Letter too I had enclos'd within me,
To one _Castruccio_ a Venetian Merchant,
To bring me up: the man, when years allow'd me,
And want of friends compell'd, I sought, but found him
Long dead before, and all my hopes gone with him.
The Wars was my retreat then, and my travel
In which I found this Gentlemans free bounty,
For which Heaven recompenc'd him: now ye have all.
_Val._ And all the worldly bliss that Heaven can send me,
And all my prayers and thanks.
_Alice._ Down o' your knees, Sir,
For now you have found a Father, and that Father
That will not venture ye again in Galleys.
_Mich._ 'Tis true, believe her, Sir, and we all joy with ye.
_Val._ My best friend still: my dearest: now Heaven bless thee,
And make me worthy of this benefit.
Now my best Mistress.
_Cel._ Now Sir, I come to ye.
_Ab._ No, no, let's in Wench.
_Cell._ Not for the world, now, Mother,
And thus, Sir, all my service I pay to you,
And all my love to him.
_Val._ And may it prosper,
Take her _Francisco_: now no more young _Callidon_,
And love her dearly, for thy Father does so.
_Fran._ May all hate seek me else, and thus I seal it.
_Val._ Nothing but mirth now, friends.
_Enter_ Hylas _and_ Sam.
_Hyl._ Nay, I will find him.
_Sam._ What do all these here?
_Tho._ You are a trusty Husband,
And a hot lover too.
_Hyl._ Nay then, good morrow,
Now I perceive the Knavery.
_Sam._ I still told ye.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account