Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Ros._ Still troubled with these vanities? Heaven bless us;
What are we born to? would ye speak with any of my people?
Go in, Sir, I am busie.
_Bel._ This is not she sure:
Is this two Children at a Birth? I'le be hang'd then:
Mine was a merry Gentlewoman, talkt daintily,
Talkt of those matters that befitted women;
This is a parcel-pray'r-book; I'm serv'd sweetly;
And now I am to look too; I was prepar'd for th' other way.
_Ros._ Do you know that man?
_Oria._ Sure I have seen him, Lady.
_Ros._ Methinks 'tis pity such a lusty fellow
Should wander up and down and want employment.
_Bel._ She takes me for a Rogue: you may do well, Madam,
To stay this wanderer, and set him a work, forsooth,
He can do something that may please your Ladiship.
I have heard of Women that desire good breedings,
Two at a birth, or so.
_Ros._ The fellow's impudent.
_Oria._ Sure he is crazed.
_Ros._ I have heard of men too, that have had good manners;
Sure this is want of grace; indeed 'tis great pity
The young man has been bred so ill; but this lewd Age
Is full of such examples.
_Bel._ I am founder'd,
And some shall rue the setting of me on.
_Mir._ Ha? so bookish, Lady, is it possible?
Turn'd holy at the heart too? I'le be hang'd then:
Why this is such a feat, such an activity,
Such fast and loose: a veyl too for your Knavery?
_O dio, dio!_
_Ros._ What do you take me for, Sir?
_Mir._ An hypocrite, a wanton, a dissembler,
How e're ye seem, and thus ye are to be handled.
Mark me _Belleur_, and this you love, I know it.
_Ros._ Stand off, bold Sir.
_Mir._ You wear good Cloaths to this end,
Jewels, love Feasts, and Masques.
_Ros._ Ye are monstrous saucy.
_Mir._ All this to draw on fools? and thus, thus Lady,
Ye are to be lull'd.
_Bel._ Let her alone, I'le swinge ye else,
I will 'faith; for though I cannot skill o'this matter
My self, I will not see another do it before me,
And do it worse.
_Ros._ Away, ye are a vain thing;
You have travell'd far, Sir, to return again
A windy and poor Bladder: you talk of Women,
That are not worth the favour of a common one;
The grace of her grew in an Hospital:
Against a thousand such blown fooleries
I am able to maintain good Womens honours,
Their freedoms, and their fames, and I will do it.
_Mir._ She has almost struck me dumb too.
_Ros._ And declaim
Against your base malicious tongues; your noises;
For they are nothing else: You teach behaviours?
Or touch us for our freedoms? teach your selves manners,
Truth and sobriety, and live so clearly
That our lives may shine in ye; and then task us:
It seems ye are hot, the suburbs will supply ye.
Good Women scorn such Gamesters; so I'le leave ye,
I am sorry to see this: 'faith Sir, live fairly. [_Exit._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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