Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Cra._ When she wakes,
Either what's done will shew a meer dream to her,
And carry no more credit: or say she find it,
Say she remember all the circumstances,
Twenty to one the shapes in which they were acted,
The horrors, and the still affrights we shew'd her,
Rising in wilder figures to her memory
Will run her mad, and no man guess the reason:
If all these fail, and that she rise up perfect,
And so collect her self, believe this, Sir,
Not knowing who it was that did this to her,
Nor having any power to ghess; the thing done too
Being the utter undoing of her honor
If it be known, and to the worlds eye publish'd,
Especially at this time when Fortune courts her,
She must and will conceal it; nay, forget it,
The woman is no _Lucrece_; get you gone Sir,
And as you would have more of this sport, fear not.
_The._ I am confirm'd, farewel.
_Cra._ Farewel, away Sir:
Disperse your selves, and as you love his favour,
And that that crowns it, Gold, no tongues amongst ye.
You know your charge, this way goes no suspicion. [_Ex._
_Enter_ Agenor, _and_ Leonid[a]s, _with two Gent._
_Ag._ You are stirring early, Sir.
_Leo._ It was my duty
To wait upon your Grace.
_Ag._ How fares your Sister,
My beauteous Mistriss, what is she ready yet?
_Leo._ No doubt she'll lose no time Sir, young Maids in her way
Tread upon thorns, and think an hour an age
Till the Priest has done his part, that theirs may follow:
I saw her not since yesterday i'th' evening:
But Sir, I am sure she is not slack; believe me,
Your grace will find a loving soul.
_Ag._ A sweet one,
And so much joy I carry in the thought of it,
So great a happiness to know she is mine;
Believe me noble Brother, that to express it
Methinks a Tongue's a poor thing: can do nothing,
Imagination less: who's that that lies there?
_Leo._ Where Sir?
_Ag._ Before the door, it looks like a woman.
_Leo._ This way I came abroad, but then there was nothing,
One of the Maids o'rwatch'd belike:
_Ag._ It may be.
_Leo._ But methinks this is no fit place to sleep in.
_1 Gent._ 'Tis sure a woman Sir, she has jewels on too:
She fears no foul play sure.
_Leo._ Bring a Torch hither,
Yet ['tis] not perfect day: I should know those Garments.
_Ag._ How sound she sleeps!
_Leo._ I am sorry to see this.
_Ag._ Do you know her?
_Leo._ And you now I am sure Sir.
_Ag._ My Mistriss, how comes this?
_Enter_ Queen, Theanor, Beliza, Euphanes, Neanthes, _Attendants_.
_Leo._ The Queen and her train?
_Qu._ You know my pleasure.
_Euph._ And will be most careful.
_Qu._ Be not long absent, the suit you preferr'd
Is granted.
_Nea._ This fellow mounts apace, and will
Towre o'r us like a Falcon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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