Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Lis._ Other means? that is
A mischief above all I have groan'd under;
Shall any other pay my debt, while I
Write my self Bankrupt? or _Calista_ owe
The least beholdingness for that which she
On all the bonds of gratitude I have seal'd to,
May challenge from me to be freely tender'd?
Avert it mercy! I will go to my Grave,
Without the curses of my Creditors;
I'll vindicate her fair name, and so cancel
My obligation to her, to the King,
To whom I stand accountable for the loss
Of two of his lov'd subjects lives, I'll offer
Mine own in satisfaction, to Heaven
I'll pay my true Repentance, to the times,
Present, and future, I'll be register'd
A memorable President to admonish
Others, however valiant, not to trust
To their abilities to dare, and do,
And much less for the airy words of Honour,
And false stamp'd reputation to shake off
The Chains of their Religion and Allegiance,
The principal means appointed to prefer
Societies and Kingdoms. [_Exit._
_Dor._ Let's not leave him; his mind's much troubled.
_Ale._ Were your Daughter free,
Since from her dangers his distraction rises,
His cause is not so desperate for the slaughter
Of _Cloridon_, and _Chrysanthes_, but it may
Find passage to the mercy of the King,
The motives urg'd in his defence, that forc'd him
To act that bloudy Scene.
_Dor._ Heaven can send ayds,
When they are least expected, let us walk,
The hour of tryal draws near.
_Alci._ May it end well. [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ Olinda, _and_ Lidian.
_Oli._ That for my love you should turn Hermit _Lidian_,
As much amazes me, as your report _Clarange's_ dead.
_Lidi._ He is so, and all comforts
My youth can hope for, Madam, with him buried;
Nor had I ever left my cell, but that
He did injoin me at his death to shed
Some tears of friendship on his Monument,
And those last Rites perform'd, he did [b]equeath you
As the best legacie a friend could give,
Or I indeed could wish to my embraces.
_Oli._ 'Tis still more strange, is there no foul play in it?
I must confess I am not sorry Sir
For your fair fortune; yet 'tis fit I grieve
The most untimely death of such a Gentleman,
He was my worthy Servant.
_Lid._ And for this acknowledgment, if I could prize you at
A higher rate I should, he was my friend:
My dearest friend.
_Oli._ But how should I be assur'd Sir
(For slow belief is the best friend of truth)
Of this Gentlemans death? if I should credit it,
And afterward it fall out contrary,
How am I sham'd? how is your vertue tainted?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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