Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
Both. _'Tis a grave,_
_Gapes to have_
_Those poor fools that long to prove._
1. _Tell me more, are Women true?_
2. _Yes, some are, and some as you._
_Some are willing, some are strange,_
_Since you men first taught to change._
Both. _And till troth_
_Be in both,_
_All shall love, to love anew._
1. _Tell me more yet can they grieve?_
2. _Yes, and sicken sore, but live:_
_And be wise, and delay,_
_When you men are as wise as they._
Both. _Then I see_
_Fai[th] will be,_
_Never till they both believe._
_Fran. Clora_, come hither; who are these below there?
_Clor._ Where?
_Fran._ There.
_Clor._ Ha? I should know their shapes
Though it be darkish; there are both our Brothers,
What should they make thus late here?
_Fran._ What's the tother?
_Clor._ What tother?
_Fran._ He that lyes along there.
_Clor._ O, I see him
As if he had a branch of some great Petigree
Grew out on's belly.
_Fran._ Yes.
_Clor._ That should be,
If I have any knowledge in proportion.--
_Fab._ They see us.
_Fred._ 'Tis no matter.
_Fab._ What a log
Is this, to sleep such musique out!
_Fred._ No more, let's hear 'em.
_Clor._ If I have any knowledge in proportion
The Captain _Jacomo_, those are his legs
Upon my conscience.
_Fran._ By my faith, and neat ones.
_Clor._ You mean the boots, I think they are neat by nature.
_Fra._ As thou art knavish, would I saw his face!
_Clor._ 'Twould scare you in the dark.
_Fran._ A worse than that
Has never scar'd you _Clora_ to my knowledge.
_Clor._ 'Tis true, for I never have seen a worse;
Nor while I say my prayers heartily,
I hope I shall not.
_Fran._ Well, I am no tell tale:
But is it not great pity, tell me _Clora_,
That such a brave deserving Gentleman
As every one delivers this to be,
Should have no more respect, and worth flung on him
By able men? Were I one of these great ones,
Such vertues should not sleep thus.
_Clor._ Were he greater
He would sleep more I think: I'le waken him.
_Fran._ Away ye fool.
_Clor._ Is he not dead already, and they two taking order
About his Blacks? me thinks they are very busie,
A fine clean coarse he is: I would have him buried
Even as he lyes, cross legg'd, like one o'th' _Templers_
(If his Westphalia gammons will hold crossing)
And on his brest, a buckler with a pike in't,
In which I would have some learned Cutler
Compile an Epitaph, and at his feet
A musquet, with this word upon a Label
Which from the cocks mouth thus should be delivered,
_I have discharg'd the office of a Souldier._
_Fran._ Well, if thy Father were a Souldier
Thus thou wouldst use him.
_Clora._ Such a Souldier,
I would indeed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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