Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Jasp._ Nothing more possible, within this Coffin
Do you convey your self, let me alone,
I have the wits of twenty men about me,
Only I crave the shelter of your Closet
A little, and then fear me not; creep in
That they may presently convey you hence:
Fear nothing dearest love, I'll be your second,
Lye close, so, all goes well yet; boy.
_Boy._ At hand Sir.
_Jasp._ Convey away the Coffin, and be wary.
_Boy._ 'Tis done already.
_Jasp._ Now must I go conjure. [_Exit._
_Enter Merchant._
_Merch._ Boy, boy.
_Boy._ Your servant Sir.
_Merch._ Do me this kindness boy, hold here's a crown: before
thou bury the body of this fellow, carry it to his old merry
father, and salute him from me, and bid him sing, he hath cause.
_Boy._ I will Sir.
_Merch._ And then bring me word what tune he is in, and have
another crown: but do it truly. I have fitted him a bargain,
now, will vex him.
_Boy._ God bless your Worships health Sir.
_Merch._ Farewell boy. [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ Master Merry-thought.
_Wife._ Ah old _Merry-thought_, art thou there again? let's
hear some of thy Songs.
Old Mer. _Who can sing a merrier note_
_Than he that cannot change a gr[o]at?_
Not a D[eni]er left, and yet my heart leaps; I do wonder yet,
as old as I am, that any man will follow a Trade, or serve,
that may sing and laugh, and walk the streets: my wife and both
my sons are I know not where, I have nothing left, nor know I
how to come by meat to supper, yet am I merry still; for I know
I shall find it upon the Table at six a Clock; therefore hang
Thought
I would not be a Servingman to carry the cloke-bag still.
Nor would I be a Fawlconer the greedy Hawkes to fill.
But I would be in a good house, and have a good Master too:
B[u]t I would eat and drink of the best, and no work would I do.
This is [it] that keeps life and soul together, mirth: this is
the Philosophers stone that they write so much on, that keeps a
man ever young.
_Enter a Boy._
_Boy._ Sir, they say they know all your Money is gone, and they
will trust you for no more drink.
_Old mer._ Will they not? let 'em chuse: the best is I have
mirth at home, and need not send abroad for that; let them keep
their drink to themselves.
For _Jillian_ of _Berry_, she dwells on a hill,
And she hath good Beer and Ale to sell,
And of good fellows she thinks no ill,
And thither will we go now, now, now, and thither
Will we go now.
And when you have made a little stay,
You need not [aske] what is to pay,
But kiss your Hostess and go your way. And thither, &c.
_Enter another Boy._
_2. Boy._ Sir, I can get no bread for supper.
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