Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Fa._ What, all wide open? 'Tis the way to sin
Doubtless; but I must on; the gates of Hell
Are not more passable than these; how they
Will be to get out, God knows, I must try.
'Tis very strange, if there be any life
Within this house, would it would shew it self.
What's here? a Banquet? and no mouth to eat,
Or bid me do it? this is something like
The entertainment of adventurous Knights
Entring enchanted Castles: For the manner
Though there be nothing dismal to be seen
Amazes me a little; what is meant
By this strange invitation? I will sound
My Daughters meaning e're I speak to her,
If it be possible, for by my voyce-- [_Musique._
She will discover me! hark, whence is this.
The SONG.
_Come hither you that love, and hear me sing_
_of joyes still growing_
_Green, fresh, and lusty, as the pride of Spring,_
_and ever blowing._
_Come hither youths that blush, and dare not know_
_what is desire,_
_And old men worse than you, that cannot blow_
_one spark of fire._
_And with the power of my enchanting Song,_
_Boyes shall be able men, and old men young._
_Enter_ Angelo, _above_.
_Come hither you that hope, and you that cry,_
_leave off complaining,_
_Youth, strength, and beauty, that shall never dye,_
_are here remaining._
_Come hither fools, and blush, you stay so long_
_from being blest,_
_And mad men worse than you, that suffer wrong,_
_Yet seek no rest._
_And in an hour, with my enchanting Song,_
_You shall be ever pleas'd, and young maids long._
_Enter_ Lelia, _and her Maid with a Night-gown and_
_Slippers_.
_Lel._ Sir you are welcom hither, as this kiss
Given with a larger freedom than the use
Of strangers will admit, shall witness to you.
Put the gown on him, in this chair sit down;
Give him his slippers: be not so amaz'd,
Here's to your health, and you shall feel this wine
Stir lively in me, in the dead of night,
Give him some wine; fall to your banquet Sir,
And let us grow in mirth; though I am set
Now thus far off you, yet four glasses hence
I will sit here,
And try, till both our bloods
Shoot up and down to find a passage out,
Then mouth to mouth will we walk up to bed,
And undress one another as we go;
Where both my treasure, body, and my soul
Are your's to be dispos'd of.
_Fa._ Umh, umh.--_Makes signs of his white head & [b]eard._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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