Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Leoc._ How can she then delight in him? dare she think?
Be what she will, as excellent as Angels
My love so fond, my wishes so indulgent
That I must take her prewnings; sto[o]p at that
She has tyr'd upon; No Sir, I hold my beauty
Wash but these sorrows from it, of a sparkle
As right and rich as hers, my means as equal,
My youth as much unblown; and for our worths
And weight of virtue--
_Theo._ Do not task her so far.
_Leo._ By heaven she is cork, and clouds, light, light Sir, vapor
But I shall find her out, with all her witchcrafts,
Her paintings, and her powncings: for 'tis art
And only art preserves her, and meer spels
That work upon his powers; let her but shew me
A ruin'd cheek like mine, that holds his colour
And writes but sixteen years in spight of sorrows
An unbathed body, smiles, that give but shaddows,
And wrinkle not the face; besides she is little,
A demy dame, that makes no object.
_Theo._ Nay.
Then I must say you err; for credit me
I think she is taller than your self.
_Leoc._ Why let her
It is not that shall mate me; I but ask
My hands may reach unto her.
_Theo._ Gentle Lady
'Tis now ill time of farther argument,
For I perceive your anger voyd of counsel,
Which I could wish more temperate.
_Leoc._ Pray forgive me
If I have spoken uncivilly: they that look on
See more than we that play: and I beseech ye
Impute it loves offence, not mine; whose torments,
If you have ever lov'd, and found my crosses
You must confess are seldom ty'd to patience,
Yet I could wish I had said less.
_Theo._ No harm then;
Ye have made a full amends; our company
You may command, so please you in your travels
With all our faith and furtherance; let it be so.
_Leoc._ Ye make too great an offer.
_Theo._ Then it shall be.
Go in and rest your self, our wholsome dyet
Will be made ready straight: But heark ye Lady
One thing I must entreat, your leave, and sufferance
That these things may be open to my Brother
For more respect and honor.
_Leoc._ Do your pleasure.
_Theo._ And do not change this habit by no means
Unless ye change your self.
_Leoc._ Which must not yet be.
_Theo._ It carries ye concealed and safe.
_Leoc._ I am counsell'd. [_Exit._
_Enter_ Philippo.
_Phil._ What's done?
_Theo._ Why all we doubted; 'tis a woman,
And of a noble strain too, ghess.
_Phil._ I cannot.
_Theo._ You have heard often of her.
_Phil._ Stay I think not.
_Theo._ Indeed ye have; 'tis the fair _Leocadia_
Daughter unto Don _Zanchio_, our noble neighbor.
_Phil._ Nay?
_Theo._ 'Tis she Sir, o' my credit.
_Phil. Leocadia_,
Pish _Leocadia_, it must not be.
_Theo._ It must be, or be nothing.
_Phil._ Pray give me leave to wonder, _Leocadia_?
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