Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_John._ This blind night,
What dost think I have got?
_Fred._ The Pox it may be.
_John._ Would 'twere no worse: ye talk of Revelations,
I have got a Revelation will reveal me
An arrant Coxcomb while I live.
_Fred._ What is't?
Thou hast lost nothing?
_John._ No, I have got I tell thee.
_Fred._ What hast thou got?
_John._ One of the Infantry, a child.
_Fred._ How?
_John._ A chopping child, man.
_Fred._ 'Give ye joy, Sir.
_John._ A lump of lewdness _Frederick_, that's the truth on't:
This Town's abominable.
_Fred._ I still told ye _John_
Your whoring must come home; I counsell'd ye:
But where no grace is--
_John._ 'Tis none o' mine, man.
_Fred._ Answer the Parish so.
_John._ Cheated introth:
Peeping into a house, by whom I know not,
Nor where to find the place again: no _Frederick_,
Had I but kist the ring for't; 'tis no poor one,
That's my best comfort, for't has brought about it
Enough to make it man.
_Fred._ Where is't?
_John._ At home.
_Fred._ A saving voyage: But what will you say Signior,
To him that searching out your serious worship,
Has met a stranger fortune?
_John._ How, good _Frederick_?
A militant girle now to this boy would hit it?
_Fred._ No, mine's a nobler venture: What do you think Sir
Of a distressed Lady, one whose beauty
Would oversell all _Italy_?
_John._ Where is she--
_Fred._ A woman of that rare behaviour,
So qualified, as admiration
Dwells round about her: of that perfect spirit--
_John._ I marry Sir.
_Fred._ That admirable carriage,
That sweetness in discourse; young as the morning,
Her blushes staining his.
_John._ But where's this creature?
Shew me but that.
_Fred._ That's all one, she's forth-coming,
I have her sure Boy.
_John._ Hark ye _Frederick_,
What truck betwixt my Infant?
_Fred._ 'Tis too light Sir,
Stick to your charges good _Don John_, I am well.
_John._ But is there such a wench?
_Fred._ First tell me this,
Did ye not lately as ye walk'd along,
Discover people that were arm'd, and likely
To do offence?
_John._ Yes marry, and they urg'd it
As far as they had spirit.
_Fred._ Pray go forward.
_Joh._ A Gentleman I found ingag'd amongst 'em,
It seems of noble breeding, I'm sure brave metal,
As I return'd to look you, I set in to him,
And without hurt (I thank heaven) rescued him,
And came my self off safe too.
_Fred._ My work's done then:
And now to satisfie you, there is a woman,
Oh _John_, there is a woman--
_John._ Oh, where is she?
_Fred._ And one of no less worth than I assure ye;
And which is more, fain under my protection.
_John._ I am glad of that: forward sweet _Frederick_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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