Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Piso._ 'Tis certain, if there be a way of truth
In blushes, smiles, and commendations;
For by this light, I have heard her praise yond' fellow
In such a pitch, as if sh'ad studied
To crowd the worths of all men into him,
And I imagine these are seldom us'd
Without their special ends, and by a maid
Of her desires and youth.
_Fred._ It may be so.
She's free, as you, or I am, and may have
By that Prerogative, a liberal choice
In the bestowing of her love.
_Lod._ Bestowing?
If it be so, she has bestow'd her self
Upon a trim youth, _Piso_, what do you call him?
_Piso._ Why, Captain _Jacomo_.
_Lod._ O, Captain Jack-boy,
That is the Gentleman.
_Fred._ I think he be
A Gentleman at worst.
_Lod._ So think I too,
Would he would mend, Sir.
_Fred._ And a tall one too.
_Lod._ Yes, of his teeth; for of my faith I think
They are sharper than his sword, and dare do more
If the Buff meet him fairly.
_Fred._ Very well.
_Piso._ Now do I wonder what she means to do
When she has married him.
_Lod._ Why, well enough;
Trail his Pike under him, and be a Gentlewoman
Of the brave Captains Company.
_Fred._ Do you hear me?
This woman is my Sister, Gentlemen.
_Lod._ I am glad she is none of mine; but _Frederick_
Thou art not such a fool sure to be angry
Unless it be with her; we are thy friends, man.
_Fred._ I think ye are.
_Lod._ Yes, 'faith, and do but tell thee
How she will utterly overthrow her credit,
If she continue gracing of this pot-gun.
_Piso._ I think she was bewitcht, or mad or blind,
She would never have taken such a scar-Crow else
Into protection; of my life he looks
Of a more rusty swarth Complexion
Than an old arming Doublet.
_Lod._ I would send
His face to the Cutlers then, and have it sanguin'd,
'Twill look a great deal sweeter; then his Nose
I would have shorter, and my reason is,
His face will be ill mounted else.
_Piso._ For his Body,
I will not be my own Judge, lest I seem
A Railer, but let others look upon't,
And if they find it any other thing
Than a Trunk-sellar, to send wines down in,
Or a long walking bottle, I'll be hang'd for't;
His Hide (for sure he is a Beast) is ranker
Than the _Muscovy_-Leather, and grain'd like it:
And by all likelihoods he was begotten
Between a stubborn pair of Winter-boots;
His body goes with straps, he is so churlish.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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