Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Bald._ The fires of Love, which the dead Duke believ'd
His equal care of both would have united,
Ambition hath divided: and there are
Too many on both parts, that know they cannot
Or rise to wealth or honour, their main ends,
Unless the tempest of the Princes fury
Make troubled Seas, and those Seas yield fit Billows
In their bad Arts to give way to a calm,
Which yielding rest and good, prove their ruin,
And in the shipwrack of their hopes and fortunes,
The Dukedom might be sav'd, had it but ten
That stood affected to the general good,
With that confirm'd zeal which brave _Aubrey_ does.
_Gis._ He is indeed the perfect character
Of a good man, and so his actions speak him.
_Bald._ But did you observe the many doubts, and cautions
The Brothers stood upon before they met?
_Gis._ I did; and yet, that ever Brothers should
Stand on more nice terms, than sworn Enemies
After a War proclaim'd, would with a stranger
Wrong the reporters credit; they saluted
At distance; and so strong was the suspicion
Each had of other, that before they durst
Embrace, they were by sev'ral servants searcht,
As doubting conceal'd weapons, Antidotes
Ta'ne openly by both, fearing the room
Appointed for the enter-view was poyson'd,
The Chairs, and Cushions, with like care survay'd;
And in a word in every circumstance
So jealous on both parts, that it is more
Than to be fear'd, concord can never joyn,
Minds so divided.
_Bald._ Yet our best endeavours,
Should not be wanting, Gisbert.
_Gis._ Neither shall they.
_Enter_ Grandpree, _a[n]d_ Verdon.
But what are these?
_Bald._ They are without my knowledge;
But by their manners, and behaviours,
They should express themselves.
_Grand._ Since we serve _Rollo_
The Elder Brother, we'll be _Rollians_,
Who will maintain us, lads, as brave as _Romans_;
You stand for him?
_Ver._ I do.
_Grand._ Why, then observe
How much the business, your so long'd for business,
By men that are nam'd from their swords, concerns you.
Lechery, our common friend, so long kept under,
With whips, and beating fatal hemps, shall rise,
And Bawdery, in a French-hood plead, before her
Virginity shall be Carted.
_Ver._ Excellent!
_Grand._ And Hell but grant, the quarrel that's between
The Princes may continue, and the business
That's of the sword, t'outlast three suits in Law,
And we will make Atturnies Lansprisadoes,
And our brave gown-men practisers of back-sword;
The pewter of all Serjeants maces shall
Be melted, and turn'd into common Flaggons,
In which it shall be lawful to carouse
To their most lowsie fortunes.
_Bald._ Here's a Statesman.
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