Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Leo._ Not only fail'd Sir
Which is a curse in Love, and may he find it
When his affections are full-wing'd, and ready
To stoop upon the quarry, then when all
His full hopes are in's arms: not only thus Sir
But more injurious, faithless, treacherous,
Within two daies fame gave him far remov'd
With a new love, which much against my conscience
But more against my cause, which is my hell
I must confess a fair one, a right fair one,
Indeed of admirable sweetness, Daughter
Unto another of our noble neighbors
The thief call'd _Theodosia_; whose perfections
I am bound to ban for ever, curse to wrinckles,
As heaven I hope will make 'em soon; and aches;
For they have rob'd me poor unhappy wench
Of all, of all Sir, all that was my glory
And left me nothing but these tears, and travel:
Upon this certain news, I quit my Father
And if you be not milder in construction
I fear mine honour too: and like a Page
Stole to _Ossuna_, from that place to _Sivil_,
From thence to _Barcelona_ I was travelling
When you o'er-took my misery, in hope to hear of
Gallies bound up for Italy; for never
Will I leave off the search of this bad man
This filcher of affections, this love-Pedler,
Nor shall my curses cease to blast her beauties
And make her name as w[a]ndring as her nature
Till standing face to face before their lusts
I call heavens justice down.
_Theo._ This shows too angry
Nor can it be her fault she is belov'd,
If I give meat, must they that eat it surfeit?
_Leoc._ She loves again Sir, there's the mischief of it
And in despight of me to drown my blessings
Which she shall dearly know.
_Theo._ Ye are too violent.
_Leoc._ She has Devils in her eyes, to whose devotion
He offers all his service.
_Theo._ Who can say
But she may be forsaken too? he that once wanders
From such a perfect sweetness, as you promise
Has he not still the same rule to deceive?
_Leoc._ No, no they are together, love together
Past all deceipt of that side; sleep together,
Live, and delight together, and such deceipt
Give me in a wild desert.
_Theo._ By your leave Lady
I see no honour in this cunning.
_Leoc._ Honour?
True, none of her part, honour, she deserves none,
'Tis ceas'd with wandring Ladies such as she is,
So bold and impudent.
_Theo._ I could be angry
Extreamly angry now beyond my nature
And 'twere not for my pitty: what a man
Is this to do these wrongs: believe me Lady
I know the maid, and know she is not with him.
_Leoc._ I would you knew she were in heaven.
_Theo._ And so well know her
That I think you are cozen'd.
_Leoc._ So I say Sir.
_Theo._ I mean in her behaviour
For trust my faith so much I dare adventure for her credit
She never yet delighted to do wrong.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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