Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Rod._ How he weeps! dear Heaven
Give him his hearts content, and me forgive too.
I must melt too.
_Ped._ The Birds sing louder, sweeter,
And every note they emulate one another.
Lie still and hear: These when they have done their labours,
_Enter_ Alinda, _and_ Juletta, _like old Women_.
Their pretty airs, fall to their rests, enjoy 'em.
Nothing rocks Love asleep, but death.
_Rod._ Who are these?
_Ped._ What.
_Rod._ Those there, those, those things that come upon us,
Those grandam things, those strange antiquities.
Did not I say these woods begot strange wonders?
_Jul._ Now ye may view 'em.
_Alin._ Ha?
_Jul._ The men ye long'd for,
Here they are both: now ye may boldly talk with 'em,
And never be ghess'd at: be not afraid, nor faint not;
They wonder at us; let's maintain that wonder;
Shake not, but what ye purpose do discreetly,
And from your tongue I'le take my part.
_Alin._ Ha?
_Jul._ There: before ye, there, do not turn coward Mistress,
If ye do love, carry your Love out handsomely.
_Alin._ 'Tis he and _Roderigo_; what a peace
Dwells in their faces, what a friendly calm
Crowns both their souls!
_Rod._ They show as if they were mortal,
They come upon us still.
_Ped._ Be not afraid, Man,
Let 'em be what they will, they cannot hurt us.
_Rod._ That thing i'th' Button'd-cap looks terribly.
She has Guns in her eyes, the Devils Ingeneer.
_Ped._ Come, stand, and let's go meet 'em.
_Rod._ Go you first.
I have less faith: when I have said my Prayers--
_Ped._ There needs no fear, hale reverend dames.
_Alin._ Good even.
What do ye seek?
_Ped._ We would seek happier fortunes.
_Rod._ That little devil has main need of a Barber,
What a trim beard she has!
_Alin._ Seek 'em, and make 'em,
Lie not still, nor longer here,
Here inhabits nought but fear,
Be constant good, in faith be clear,
Fortune will wait ye every where.
_Ped._ Whither should we go? for we believe thy reverence,
And next obey.
_Alin._ Go to _Segovia_,
And there before the Altar pay thy vowes,
Thy gifts, and prayers: unload thy heaviness,
To morrow shed thy tears, and gain thy suit,
Such honest noble showrs, ne're wanted fruit.
_Jul._ Stand you out too.
_Rod._ I shall be hang'd, or whipt now:
These know, and these have power.
_Jul._ See how he shakes.
A secure conscience never quakes,
Thou hast been ill; be so no more,
A good retreat is a great store.
Thou hast commanded men of might,
Command thy self, and then thou art right.
_Alin._ Command thy will: thy foul desires.
Put out and quench thy unhallowed fires:
Command thy mind, and make that pure;
Thou art wise then, valiant, and secure.
A blessing then thou maist beget.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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