Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Inc._ Not with that
Negligent rudeness: But I kiss your hands
Signior Don _Incubo de Hambre_, and then
My Titles: Master Baily of _Castle-blanco_:
Thou ne'r wilt have the elegancy of an Host;
I sorrow for thee, as my friend and Gossip:
No smoak, nor steam out-breathing from the kitchen?
There's little life i'th Hearth then.
_Die._ I, there, there,
That is his friendship, harkening for the spit,
And sorrow that he cannot smell the pot boil.
_Inc._ Strange
An Inn should be so curst, and not the sign
Blasted, nor withered; very strange, three days now,
And not an Egg eat in it, nor an Onion.
_Die._ I think they ha' strew'd the high-ways with caltraps, I,
No horse dares pass 'em; I did never know
A week of so sad doings, since I first
Stood to my Sign-post.
_Inc._ Gossip, I have found
The root of all: kneel, [pray,] it is thy self
Art cause thereof: each person is the Founder
Of his own fortune, good or bad; but mend it,
Call for thy Cloak, and Rapier.
_Die._ How?
_Inc._ Do, call,
And put 'em on in haste: Alter thy fortune,
By appearing worthy of her: Dost thou think
Her good face e'r will know a man in _cuerpo_?
In single body, thus? in Hose, and Doublet
The horse-boys garb? base blank, and halfe blank _cuerpo_?
Did I, or Mr Dean of _Sivil_ our neighbor
E'r reach our dignities in _cuerpo_, think'st thou,
In squirting Hose and Doublet? Signior, no,
There went more to't: there were Cloaks, Gowns, Cassocks,
And other _paramentos_; Call, I say,
His Cloak, and Rapier here.
_Enter_ Hostess.
_Host._ What means your Worship?
_Inc._ Bring forth thy Husbands Sword: so hang it on,
And now his cloak, here cast it up; I mean
Gossip, to change your luck, and bring you guests.
_Host._ Why? is there charm in this?
_Inc._ Expect; now walk,
But not the pace of one that runs on errands;
For, want of gravity in an Host, is odious:
You may remember Gossip, if you please,
(Your Wife being then th' Infanta of the Gipsies,
And your self governing a great mans Mules then)
Me a poor Squire at _Madrid_ attending
A Master of Ceremonies; But a man, believe it,
That knew his place to the gold weight, and such
Have I heard him [oft] say, ought every Host
Within the Catholique Kings Dominions
Be in his own house.
_Die._ How?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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