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._ Yes, for modest Gentlemen.
I must present ye: may it please your Grace,
To number this brave Gentleman, my friend,
And noble kinsman, amongst those your servants.
_Duke._ O my brave friend! you shower your bounties on me
Amongst my best thoughts, Signior, in which number
You being worthily dispos'd already,
May place your friend to honour me.
_Fred._ My love, Sir,
And where your Grace dares trust me, all my service.
_Pet._ Why! this is wondrous happy: But now Brother,
Now comes the bitter to our sweet: _Constantia_.
_Duke._ Why, what of her?
_Pet._ Nor what, nor where, do I know!
Wing'd with her fears last night, beyond my knowledge,
She quit my house, but whither--
_Fred._ Let not that--
_Duke._ No more good Sir, I have heard too much.
_Pet._ Nay sink not,
She cannot be so lost.
_John._ Nor shall not, Gentlemen;
Be free again, the Lady's found; that smile, Sir,
Shews ye distrust your Servant.
_Duke._ I do beseech ye.
_John._ Ye shall believe me: by my soul she is safe.
_Duke._ Heaven knows, I would believe, Sir.
_Fred._ Ye may safely.
_John._ And under noble usage: this fair Gentleman
Met her in all her doubts last night, and to his Guard,
(Her fears being strong upon her) she gave her person,
Who waited on her to our lodging; where all respect,
Civil and honest service now attend her.
_Pet._ Ye may believe now.
_Duke._ Yes, I do, and strongly:
Well my good friends, or rather my good Angels,
For ye have both preserv'd me; when these vertues
Dye in your friends remembrance--
_John._ Good your Grace,
Lose no more time in complement, 'tis too precious,
I know it by my self there can be no Hell
To his that hangs upon his hopes; especially
In way of lustly pleasures.
_Pet._ He has hit it.
_Fred._ To horse again then, for this night I'le crown
With all the joyes ye wish for.
_Pet._ Happy Gentlemen. [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ Francisco.
_Fran._ This is the maddest mischief: never fool
Was so fob'd off, as I am; made ridiculous,
And to my self mine own Ass: trust a Woman?
I'le trust the Devil first; for he dare be
Better than's word sometime: what faith have I broke?
In what observance fail'd? Let me consider,
_Enter Don_ John, _and_ Frederick.
For this is monstrous usage.
_Fred._ Let them talk,
We'll ride on fair and softly.
_Fran._ Well, _Constantia_.
_Fred._ _Constantia_, what's this fellow? stay by all means.
_Fran._ Ye have spun your self a fair thread now.
_Fred._ Stand still, _John_.
_Fran._ What cause had you to fly? what fear possest ye?
Were you not safely lodg'd from all suspicion?
Us'd with all gentle means? did any know
How ye came thither, or what your sin was.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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