Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Del._ She would whisper in your ear, and tell ye wonders.
_Get._ Come; what's her name?
_Del. Lucifera._
_Get._ Come, _Lucie_, come, speak thy mind. I am certain burnt
to ashes. [_Exeunt_.
I have a kind of Glasse-house in my cod-piece.
Are these the flames of State? I am rosted over,
Over, and over-rosted. Is this Office?
The pleasure of authoritie? I'le no more on't,
Till I can punish Devils too; I'le quit it.
Some other Trade now, and some course less dangerous,
Or certainly I'le tyle again for two pence. [_Exit._
SCENE III.
_Enter_ Charinus, Aurelia, Cassana, _Ambassadours,_
_Attendants_.
_Aur._ Never dispute with me; you cannot have her:
Nor name the greatness of your King; I scorn him:
Your knees to me are nothing; should he bow too,
It were his dutie, and my power to slight him.
_Cha._ She is her woman; never sue to me;
And in her power to render her, or keep her;
And she, my Sister, not to be compell'd,
Nor have her own snatch'd from her.
_Amb._ We desire not,
But for what ransom she shall please to think of;
Jewels, or Towns, or Provinces.
_Aur._ No ransom,
No, not your Kings own head, his crown upon it,
And all the low subjections of his people.
_Amb._ Fair Princes should have tender thoughts.
_Aur._ Is she too good
To wait upon the mighty Emperours Sister?
What Princess of that sweetness, or that excellence,
Sprung from the proudest, and the mightiest Monarchs,
But may be highly blest to be my servant?
_Cas._ 'Tis most true, mighty Lady.
_Aur._ Has my fair usage
Made you so much despise me and your fortune,
That ye grow weary of my entertainments?
Henceforward, as ye are, I will command ye,
And as you were ordain'd my prisoner,
My slave, and one I may dispose of any way,
No more my fair Companion: tell your King so:
And if he had more Sisters, I would have 'em,
And use 'em as I please. You have your answer.
_Amb._ We must take some other way: force must compel it. [_Ex._
_Enter_ Maximinian.
_Max._ Now if thou beest a _Prophetess_, and canst do
Things of that wonder that thy tongue delivers,
Canst raise me too: I shall be bound to speak thee:
I half believe, confirm the other to me,
And Monuments to all succeeding Ages,
Of thee, and of thy piety.--Now she eyes me.
Now work great power of art: she moves unto me:
How sweet, how fair, and lovely her aspects are!
Her eyes like bright Eoan flames shoot thorow me.
_Aur._ O my fair friend, where have you been?
_Max._ What am I?
What does she take me for? work still, work strongly.
_Aur._ Where have you fled, my loves and my embraces?
_Max._ I am beyond my wits.
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