Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Con._ How does your Brother, Sir, my noble friend
The good _Euphanes_? in all my course of travel
I met not with a Gentleman so furnish'd
In gentleness and courtesie; believe Sir,
So many friendly Offices I receiv'd from him,
So great, and timely, and enjoy'd his company
In such an open and a liberal sweetness,
That when I dare forget him--
_Cra._ He's in good health, Sir,
But you will find him a much alter'd man,
Grown a great Courtier, Sir.
_Co._ He's worthy of it.
_Cra._ A man drawn up, that leaves no print behind him
Of what he was: those goodnesses you speak of
That have been in him, those that you call freedoms,
Societies, and sweetness, look for now, Sir,
You'll find no shadows of them left, no sound,
The very Air he has liv'd in alter'd: now behold him,
And you shall see a thing walk by, look big upon ye,
And cry for place; I am the Queens, give room there:
If you bow low, may be he'll touch the Bonnet,
Or fling a forced smile at ye for a favour.
_Co._ He is your brother, Sir.
_Cra._ These forms put off,
Which travel, and Court Holy-water sprinkle on him,
I dare accept, and know him: you'll think it strange, Sir,
That even to me, to me his natural Brother,
And one by birth he owes a little honor too--
_Enter_ Vintner _with Wine_.
(But that's all one) come, give me some Wine, mine Host,
Here's to your fair return.
_Con._ I wonder at it,
But sure he has found a nature not worth owning
In this way; else I know he is tender carried.
I thank ye, Sir: and now durst I presume
For all you tell me of these alterations,
And stops in his sweet nature, which till I find so,
I have known him now so long, and look'd so through him,
You must give me leave to be a little faithless:
I say for all these, if you please to venture
I'll lay the Wine we drink, let me send for him
(Even I that am the poorest of his fellowship)
But by a Boy oth' house too, let him have business,
Let him attend the Queen, nay let his Mistriss
Hold him betwixt her arms, he shall come to me,
And shall drink with me too, love me, and heartily,
Like a true honest man bid me welcome home.
I am confident.
_Cra._ You will loose.
_Con._ You'l stand to th' wager?
_Cra._ With all my heart.
_Con._ Go Boy, and tell _Euphanes_.
_Boy._ He's now gone up the street Sir,
With a great train of Gallants.
_Cra._ What think you now Sir?
_Con._ Go, and overtake him,
Commend my love unto him: my name is _Conon_,
Tell him I am new arriv'd, and where I am,
And would request to see him presently:
Ye see I use old dudgen phrase to draw him.
_Cra._ I'll hang and quarter when you draw him hither.
_Con._ Away Boy.
_Boy._ I am gone Sir. [_Exit._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account