Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Pis._ Sir, what kind of woman?
Of what proportion is your Lady?
_Lod._ I.
_Fath._ I'll tell you presently her very Picture,
Do you know a woman in this town they call
(Stay, yes, it is so) _Leila_?
_Piso._ Not by sight.
_Fath._ Nor you, Sir?
_Lod._ Neither.
_Fath._ These are precious Rogues
To rail upon a woman they never saw;
So they would use their Kindred.
_Pis._ We have heard though
She is very fair and goodly.
_Fath._ Such another,
Just of the same Complexion, making, speech,
But a thought sweeter is my Lady.
_Lod._ Then
She must be excellent indeed.
_Fath._ Indeed she is,
And you will find it so; you do believe me?
_Lod._ Yes marry do I, and I am so alter'd--
_Fath._ Your happiness will alter any man:
Do not delay the time, Sir; at a house
Where _Don Valasco_ lay, the Spanish Seignior
(Which now is Seignior _Angelo's_) she is.
_Lod._ I know it.
[_Fath._] But before you shew your self,
Let it be night by all means, willingly
By day she would not have such Gallants seen
Repair unto her, 'tis her modesty.
_Lod._ I'll go and fit my self.
_Fath._ Do, and be sure
You send provision in, in full abundance,
Fit for the Marriage; for this night I know
She will be yours, Sir, have you never a token
Of worth to send her back again? you must,
She will expect it.
_Lod._ Yes, pray give her this.
And with it all I have; I am made for ever. [_Exit_ Lod.
_Pis._ Well, thou hast fools luck; should I live as long
As an old Oak, and say my prayers hourly,
I should not be the better of a penny;
I think the Devil be my ghostly father;
Upon my conscience I am full as handsome,
I am sure I have more wit, and more performance,
Which is a pretty matter.
_Fath._ Do you think, Sir,
That your friend, Seignior _Piso_, will be constant
Unto my Lady? you should know him well.
_Piso._ Who? Seignior _Piso_?
_Fath._ Yes, the Gentleman.
_Piso._ Why, you are wide, Sir.
_Fath._ Is not his name _Piso_?
_Piso._ No, mine is _Piso_.
_Fath._ How?
_Piso._ 'Tis indeed, Sir,
And his is _Lodowick_.
_Fath._ Then I am undone, Sir,
For I was sent at first to _Piso_; what a Rascal
Was I, so ignorantly to mistake you?
_Piso._ Peace,
There is no harm done yet.
_Fath._ Now 'tis too late,
I know my errour;
At turning of a Street,
For you were then upon the right hand of him,
You chang'd your places suddenly; where I
(Like a cross block-head) lost my memory;
What shall I do? my Lady utterly
Will put me from her favour.
_Piso._ Never fear it,
I'll be thy guard I warrant thee; O, O,
Am I at length reputed? for the Ring,
I'll fetch it back with a light vengeance from him;
H'ad better keep tame Devils than that Ring;
Art thou not Steward?
_Fath._ No.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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