Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Vec._ And what ye see, stir not at, nor use a word,
Until I ask ye; for what shall appear
Is but weak apparition and thin air,
Not to be held, nor spoken to. [_Knocking within._
[John, Frederick, _and a Servant within_.
_Duke._ We are counsell'd--
_Vec._ What noise is that without there?
_Fred._ _within._ We must speak with him.
_Serv._ _within._ He's busie, Gentlemen.
_John within._ That's all one friend,
We must and will speak with him.
_Duke._ Let 'em in, Sir,
We know their tongues and business, 'tis our own,
And in this very cause that we now come for,
They also come to be instructed.
_Vec._ Let 'em in then:
Sit down, I know your meaning.
_Enter_ Frederick, John, _and Servant_.
_Fred._ The Duke before us?
Now we shall sure know something.
_Vec._ Not a question,
But make your Eyes your Tongues--
_John._ This is a strange Jugler,
Neither indent before-hand for his payment,
Nor know the Breadth of the business; sure his Devil
Comes out of _Lapland_, where they sell men Winds
For dead drink, and old Doublets.
_Fred._ Peace, he conjures.
_John._ Let him, he cannot raise my Devil.
_Fred._ Prithee Peace.
_Vec._ _Appear, appear,_
_And you soft Winds so clear,_
_That dance upon the leaves, and make them sing_
_Gentle Love-lays to the Spring,_
_Gilding all the Vales below,_
_With your Verdure as ye blow,_
_Raise these forms from under ground_
_With a soft and happy sound._ [Soft Musick.
_John._ This is an honest Conjurer, and a pretty Poet;
I like his words well, there's no bumbast in 'em,
But do you think now he can cudgel up the Devil
With this short Staff of Verses?
_Fred._ Peace, the Spirits-- [_2 shapes of women passing by._
_John._ Nay, and they be no worse--
_Vec._ Do ye know these faces?
_Duke._ No.
_Vec._ Sit still upon your lives then, and mark what follows;
Away, away.
_John._ These Devils do not paint sure?
Have they no sweeter shapes in Hell?
_Fred._ Hark now, _John_. [Constantia _passes by_.
_John._ I, marry, this moves something like, this Devil
Carries some metal in her gate.
_Vec._ I find ye,
You would see her face unvail'd?
_Duke._ Yes.
_Vec._ Be uncovered.
_Duke._ O Heaven!
_Vec._ Peace.
_Pet._ See how she blushes.
_John._ _Frederick_,
This Devil for my mony; this is she, Boy,
Why dost thou shake? I burn.
_Vec._ Sit still, and silent.
_Duke._ She looks back at me, now she smiles, Sir.
_Vec._ Silence.
_Duke._ I must rise, or I burst. [_Exit_ Constantia.
_Vec._ Ye see what follows--
_Duke._ O gentle Sir, this shape agen.
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