Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Rol._ He talks, 'tis true; he is licens'd: leave him,
We now are Duke alone, _Latorch_, secur'd;
Nothing left standing to obscure our prospect,
We look right forth, beside, and round about us,
And see it ours with pleasure: only one
Wish'd joy there wants to make us to possess it,
And that is _Edith_, _Edith_, she that got me
In blood and tears, in such an opposite minute,
As had I not at once felt all the flames
And shafts of Love shot in me (his whole armory)
I should have thought him as far off as Death.
_Lat._ My Lord, expect a while, your happiness
Is nearer than you think it, yet her griefs
Are green and fresh, your vigilant _Latorch_
Hath not been idle; I have leave already
To visit her, and send to her.
_Rol._ My life.
_Lat._ And if I find not out as speedy ways,
And proper instruments to work and bring her
To your fruition; that she be not watch'd
Tame to your Highness wish, say you have no servant
Is capable of such a trust about you,
Or worthy to be Secretary of your pleasure.
_Rol._ Oh my _Latorch_, what shall I render thee
For all thy travels, care, and love?
_Lat._ Sir, one suit, which I will ever importune, till you grant me.
_Rol._ About your Mathematicians?
_Lat._ Yes, to have
The Scheme of your Nativity judg'd by them,
I have't already erected; O my Lord,
You do not know the labour of my fears,
My doubts for you are such as cannot hope
Any security, but from the Stars;
Who, being rightly ask'd, can tell man more
Than all power else, there being no power beyond them.
_Rol._ All thy petitions still are care of us,
Ask for thy self.
_Lat._ What more can concern me, than this?
_Rol._ Well, rise true honest man, and go then,
We'l study our selves a means how to reward thee.
_Lat._ Your grace is now inspir'd; now, now your highness
Begins to live, from this hour count your joyes:
But, Sir, I must have warrants, with blanks figur'd,
To put in names, such as I like.
_Rol._ You shall.
_Lat._ They dare not else offer, Sir, at your figure?
Oh I shall bring you wonders; there's a Frier
_Rusee_, an admirable man, another
A Gentleman, and then _Lafiske_,
The mirrour of his time; 'twas he that set it.
But there's one _Norbret_, (him I never saw)
Has made a mirrour, a meer Looking-glass,
In shew you'ld think't no other; the form oval,
As I am given to understand by letter,
Which renders you such shapes, and those so differing,
And some that will be question'd and give answers;
Then has he set it in a frame, that wrought
Unto the revolutions of the Stars,
And so compact by due proportions
Unto their harmony, doth move alone
A true automaton; thus _Dædalus_ Statues,
Or _Vulcans_ Tools--
_Rol._ Dost thou believe this?
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