Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Dor._ A curl'd hair Gentleman stept in, a stranger,
As he rod by, belike he heard our bickering,
Saw our distresses, drew his sword, and prov'd
He came to execute, and not to argue.
Lord what a lightning methought flew about him,
When he once toss'd his blade! in face _Adonis_,
While peace inhabited between his eye-brows:
But when his noble anger stirr'd his metal,
And blew his fierie parts into a flame,
Like _Pallas_, when she sits between two armies,
Viewing with horrid brows their sad events,
Such then he look'd: and as her shield had arm'd him.
_Cal._ This man Sir were a friend to give an age for.
This Gentleman I must love naturally:
Nothing can keep me off; I pray you go on Sir.
_Dor._ I will, for now you please me: this brave youth,
This bud of _Mars_, for yet he is no riper,
When once he had drawn bloud, and flesh'd his sword,
Fitted his manly metal to his spirit,
How he bestirr'd him! what a lane he made!
And through their fierie Bullets thrust securely:
The hardned villains wondring at his confidence,
Lame as I was I follow'd, and admir'd too,
And stirr'd, and laid about me with new spirit,
My men too with new hearts thrust into action,
And down the Rogues went.
_Cle._ I am struck with wonder.
_Dor._ Remember but the storie of strong _Hector_,
When like to lightning he broke through his vanguard,
How the _Greeks_ frighted ran away by Troops,
And trod down Troops to save their lives: so this man
Dispers'd these slaves: had they been more and mightier,
He had come off the greater, and more wonder.
_Cle._ Where is the man, good Sir, that we may honour him?
_Cal._ That we may fall in superstition to him.
_Dor._ I know not that, from me he late departed,
But not without that pious care to see safe
Me, and my weak men lodg'd, and dress'd; I urg'd him
First hither, that I might more freely thank him:
He told me he had business, crav'd my pardon,
Business of much import.
_Cle._ Know you his name?
_Dor._ That he deny'd me too: a vow had bar'd him.
_Cal._ In that he was not noble to be nameless.
_Dor._ Daughter you must remember him when I am dead,
And in a noble sort requite his piety,
'Twas his desire to dedicate this service
To your fair thoughts.
_Cal._ He knows me then?
_Dor._ I nam'd you,
And nam'd you mine: I think that's all his knowledge.
_Cle._ No name, no being?
_Cal._ Now I am mad to know him:
Saving mine honour, any thing I had now
But to enjoy his sight, but his bare picture;
Make me his Saint, I must needs honour him.
_Serv._ I know his name.
_Cal._ There's thy reward for't; speak it.
_Ser._ His man told me, but he desir'd my silence.
_Cal._ O _Jasper_ speak, 'tis thy good Masters cause too:
We all are bound in gratitude to compel thee.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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