Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Pin._ They are fair enough, but of so strange behaviours.
_Mir._ Too strange for me; I must have those have mettle,
And mettle to my mind; Come, let's be merry.
_Bel._ 'Bless me from this woman: I would stand the Cannon
Before ten words of hers.
_De-Gar._ Do you find him now?
Do you think he will be ever firm?
_Or._ I fear not. [_Exeunt._
_Actus Secundus. Scena Prima._
_Enter_ Mirabel, Pinac, Belleur.
_Mir._ Ne'r tell me of this happiness, 'tis nothing;
The state they bring with being sought to scurvey,
I had rather make mine own play, and I will do.
My happiness is in mine own content,
And the despising of such glorious trifles,
As I have done a thousand more. For my humour,
Give me a good free fellow, that sticks to me,
A jovial fair Companion; there's a Beauty:
For women, I can have too many of them;
Good women too, as the Age reckons 'em,
More than I have employment for.
_Pin._ You are happy.
_Mir._ My only fear is, that I must be forced
Against my nature, to conceal my self.
Health, and an able Body are two jewels.
_Pi._ If either of these two women were offered to me now,
I would think otherwise, and do accordingly:
Yes, and recant my heresies, I would fain, Sir;
And be more tender of opinion,
And put a little off my travel'd liberty
Out of the way, and look upon 'em seriously.
Methinks this grave carried wench.
_Bel._ Methinks the other,
The home-spoken Gentlewoman, that desires to be fruitful,
That treats of the full manage of the matter,
For there lies all my aim; that wench, methinks
If I were but well set on; for she is a fable,
If I were but hounded right, and one to teach me:
She speaks to th' matter, and comes home to th' point:
Now do I know I have such a body to please her,
As all the Kingdom cannot fit her with, I am sure on't,
If I could but talk my self into her favour.
_Mir._ That's easily done.
_Bel._ That's easily said, would 'twere done;
You should see then how I would lay about me;
If I were vertuous, it would never grieve me,
Or any thing that might justifie my modesty,
But when my nature is prone to do a charitie,
And my calfs-tongue will not help me.
_Mir._ Will ye go to 'em?
They cannot but take it courteously.
_Pi._ I'le do my part,
Though I am sure 'twill be the hardest I e're plaid yet,
A way I never try'd too, which will stagger me,
And if it do not shame me, I am happy.
_Mir._ Win 'em, and wear 'em, I give up my interest.
_Pi._ What say ye, _Monsieur Bellure_?
_Bel._ Would I could say,
Or sing, or any thing that were but handsom,
I would be with her presently.
_Pi._ Yours is no venture;
A merry ready wench.
_Bel._ A vengeance squibber;
She'l fleer me out of faith too.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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