Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Host._ A rank whore scratch their sides till the pox follow
For robbing thee, thou hast a thousand ways
To rob thy self boy, Dice, and a Chamber-Devil.
_Leo._ Ye are deceiv'd Sir.
_Host._ And thy Master too boy.
_Phil._ A sweet-fac'd boy indeed: what rogues were these?
What barbarous, brutish slaves to strip this beauty?
_Theo._ Come hither my boy: alas! he's cold, mine Host,
We must intreat your Cloak.
_Host._ Can ye intreat it.
_Phil._ We do presume so much, you have other garments.
_Host._ Will you intreat those too?
_Theo._ Your Mule must too,
To the next Town, you say 'tis near: in pitty
You cannot see this poor Boy perish.
I know ye have a better soul, we'll satisfie ye.
_Host._ 'Tis a strange foolish trick I have, but I cannot help it,
I am ever cozen'd with mine own commendations;
It is determin'd then I shall be robb'd too.
To make up vantage to this dozen: here Sir,
Heaven has provided ye a simple garment
To set ye off: pray keep it handsomer
Than you kept your own; and let me have it render'd,
Brush'd and discreetly folded.
_Leo._ I thank ye Sir.
_Host._ Who wants a Doublet?
_2._ I.
_Host._ Where will you have it?
_2._ From you Sir, if you please.
_Host._ Oh, there's the point, Sir.
_Phil._ My honest friends, I am sorry for your fortunes,
But that's but poor relief: here are ten Duckets,
And to your distribution, holy Sir,
I render 'em: and let it be your care
To see 'em, as your wants are, well divided.
_Host._ Plain dealing now my friends: and Father Fryer,
Set me the Sadle right; no wringing Fryer,
Nor tithing to the Church, these are no duties;
Scour me your conscience, if the Devil tempt ye
Off with [y]our cord, and swinge him.
_Fry._ Ye say well Sir.
_All._ Heaven keep your goodness.
_Theo._ Peace keep you, farewel friends.
_Host._ Farewel light-Horse-men. [_Ex. the rob'd._
_Phil._ Which way travel you Sir.
_Bayl._ To the next Town.
_Theo._ Do you want any thing.
_Bayl._ Only discretion to travel at good hours,
And some warm meat to moderate this matter,
For I am most outragious cruel hungry.
_Host._ I have a stomach too such as it is.
Would pose a right good pasty, I thank heaven for't.
_Bayl._ Cheese, that would break the teeth of a new handsaw,
I could endure now like an Oastrich, or salt beef,
That _Cesar_ left in pickel.
_Phil._ Take no care,
We'll have meat for you, and enough: I'th' mean time
Keep you the horse way, lest the fellow miss us,
We'll meet ye at the end o'th' wood.
_Host._ Make haste then. [_Ex. Host and Bayl._
_Theo._ My pretty Sir till your necessities
Be full supplied, so please you trust our friendships,
We must not part.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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