Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Cal._ Let him come (good wench) 'tis that I wish, I am happy in't,
My husband his true friend, my noble father,
The fair _Olinda_, all desire to see him;
He shall have many hands.
_Clar._ That he desires not,
Nor eyes but yours, to look upon his miseries,
For then he thinks 'twould be no perfect cure, Madam,
He would come private.
_Cal._ How can that be here?
I shall do wrong unto all those that honour him,
Besides my credit.
_Clar._ Dare ye not trust a hurt man?
Not strain a courtesie to save a Gentleman?
To save his life that has sav'd all your family?
A man that comes like a poor mortifi'd Pilgrim,
Only to beg a Blessing and depart again?
He would but see you, that he thinks would cure him.
But since you find fit reasons to the contrary,
And that it cannot stand with your clear honour,
Though you best know how well he has deserv'd of ye:
I'll send him word back though I grieve to do it,
Grieve at my soul, for certainly 'twill kill him,
What your will is.
_Cal._ Stay, I will think upon't; where is he, Wench?
_Clar._ If you desire to see him,
Let not that trouble you, he shall be with you,
And in that time that no man shall suspect ye;
Your honour, Madam, is in your own free keeping;
Your care in me; in him all honesty;
If ye desire him not, let him pass by ye,
And all this business reckon but a dream.
_C[a]l,_ Go in, and counsel me, I would fain see him,
And willingly comfort him.
_Clar._ 'Tis in your power;
And if you dare trust me, you shall do it safely,
Read that, and let that tell you, how he honours you.
[_Exeunt._
_Actus Tertius. Scena Prima._
_Enter_ Clarinda _with a Key, and_ Leon.
_Leon._ This happy Night. [_Kisses her._
_Clar._ Preserve this eagerness
Till we meet nearer, there is something done
Will give us opportunity.
_Leon._ Witty Girl, the plot?
_Clar._ You shall hear that at leisure,
The whole house reels with joy at the report
Of _Lidians_ safety, and that joy encreas'd
From their affection to the brave _Lisander_,
In being made the happy instrument to compound
The bloudy difference.
_Leon._ They will hear shortly that
Will turn their mirth to mourning, he was then
The principal means to save two lives, but since
There are two faln, and by his single hand,
For which his life must answer, if the King,
Whose arm is long, can reach him.
_Clar._ We have now no spare time to hear stories, take this Key,
'Twill make your passage to the banquetting house
I'th' Garden free.
_Leon._ You will not fail to come?
_Clar._ For mine own sake ne'r doubt it; now for _Lisander._
[_Exit._
_Enter_ Dorilaus, Cleander, _Servants with lights._
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