Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Petr._ Why, sure I know this fellow; yes, 'tis he,
_Francisco_, _Antonio's_ boy, a rare Musician,
He taught my Sister on the Lute, and is ever
(She loves his voice so well) about her: certain,
Without all doubt she is here: it must be so.
_John._ Here? that's no question: what should our hen
Do here without her? if she be not here (o'th' game else
I am so confident) let your grace believe,
We two are arrant Rascals, and have abus'd ye.
_Fred._ I say so too.
_John._ Why there's the hood again now,
The guard that guides us; I know the fabrick of it,
And know the old tree of that saddle yet, 'twas made of,
A hunting hood, observe it.
_Duke._ Who shall enter?
_Petr._ I'le make one.
_John._ I, another.
_Duke._ But so carry it,
That all her joyes flow not together.
_John._ If we told her,
Your grace would none of her?
_Duke._ By no means Signior,
'Twould turn her wild, stark frantick.
_John._ Or assur'd her--
_Duke._ Nothing of that stern nature: this ye may Sir,
That the conditions of our fear yet stand
On nice and dangerous knittings: or that a little
I seem to doubt the child.
_John._ Would I could draw her
To hate your grace with these things.
_Petr._ Come let's enter. [_Ex._ Petr. _and_ John.
And now he sees me not, I'le search her soundly.
_Duke._ Now luck of all sides. [_Musick._
_Fred._ Doubt it not: more Musick:
Sure she has heard some comfort.
_Duke._ Yes, stand still Sir.
_Fred._ This is the maddest song.
_Duke._ Applyed for certain
To some strange melancholy she is loaden with.
_Fred._ Now all the sport begins--hark!
_Duke._ They are amongst 'em,
The fears now, and the shakings! [_Trampling above._
_Fred._ Our old Lady
(Hark how they run) is even now at this instant
Ready to lose her head-piece by Don John,
Or creeping through a Cat hole. [Petr. _and_ John _within_.
_Petr._ Bring 'em down,
And you Sir, follow me.
_Duke._ He's angry with 'em,
I must not suffer this.
_John, within._ Bowl down the Bawd there
Old _Erra mater_: you Lady leachery,
For the good will I bear to th' game, most tenderly
Shall be lead out, and lash'd.
_Enter_ Petrucchio, John, _Whore_, _and Bawd_,
_with_ Francisco.
_Duke._ Is this _Constantia_?
Why Gentlemen? what do you mean? is this she?
_Whore._ I am _Constantia_ Sir.
_Duke._ A whore ye are Sir.
_Whore._ 'Tis very true: I am a whore indeed Sir.
_Petr._ She will not lye yet, though she steal.
_Whore._ A plain whore,
If you please to imploy me.
_Duke._ And an impudent--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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