Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Val._ 'Tis true _Evanthe_;
I shame to say you will find it. [_Weeps._
_Evant._ He weeps bitterly,
'Tis my hard fortune, bless all young maids from it;
Is there no help my Lord in art will comfort ye?
_Val._ I hope there is.
_Evant._ How long have you been destitute?
_Val._ Since I was young.
_Evant._ 'Tis hard to dye for nothing,
Now you shall know 'tis not the pleasure Sir,
(For I am compell'd to love you spiritually)
That women aim at, I affect ye for,
'Tis for your worth; and kiss me, be at peace,
Because I ever loved ye, I still honour ye,
And with all duty to my Husband follow ye;
Will ye to bed now? ye are asham'd i[t] seems;
_Pygmalion_ pray'd and his cold stone took life,
You do not know with what zeal I shall ask Sir,
And what rare miracle that may work upon ye;
Still blush? prescribe your Law.
_Val._ I prethee pardon me,
To bed, and I'le sit by thee, and mourn with thee,
Mourn both our fortunes, our unhappy ones:
Do not despise me, make me not more wretched,
I pray to Heaven when I am gone _Evanthe_,
As my poor date is but a span of time now,
To recompence thy noble patience,
Thy love and vertue with a fruitfull husband,
Honest and honourable.
_Evant._ Come, you have made me weep now,
All fond desire dye here, and welcom chastity,
Honour and chastity, do what you please Sir. [_Exeunt._
_Actus Quartus. Scena Prima._
_Enter at one door_ Rugio, _and Frier_ Marco, _at the_
_other door_ Sorano, _with a little glass viol._
_Rug._ What ails this piece of mischief to look sad?
He seems to weep too.
_Mar._ Something is a hatching,
And of some bloody nature too, Lord _Rugio_,
This Crocodile mourns thus cunningly.
_Sor._ Hail holy Father,
And good day to the good Lord _Rugio_,
How fares the sad Prince I beseech ye Sir?
_Rug._ 'Tis like you know, you need not ask that question,
You have your eyes and watches on his miseries
As near as ours, I would they were as tender.
_Mar._ Can you do him good? as the King and you appointed him,
So he is still, as you desir'd I think too,
For every day he is worse (Heaven pardon all)
Put off your sorrow, you may laugh now Lord,
He cannot last long to disturb your Master,
You have done worthy service to his Brother,
And he most memorable love.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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