Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Phil._ Why _Theodosia_?
My sister; wake: alass, I griev'd but now
To see the streets so full; and now I grieve
To see them left so empty: I could wish,
Tumult himself were here, that yet at least
Amongst the band, I might espie some face
So pale and fearful, that would willingly
Embrace an arrand for a Cordial,
Or _Aquavitæ_, or a cup of sack,
Or a Physitian: but to talk of these
She breaths: stand up, O _Theodosia_,
Speak but as thou wert wont, give but a sigh,
Which is but the most unhappy piece of life,
And I will ever after worship sadness,
Apply my self to grief; prepare and build
Altars to sorrow.
_Theo._ O _Philippo_, help me.
_Phil._ I do; these are my arms, _Philippo_'s arms,
Thy Brothers arms that hold thee up.
_Theo._ You help me
To life: but I would see _Antonio_
That's dead.
_Phil._ Thou shalt see any thing; how dost thou?
_Theo._ Better, I thank you.
_Phil._ Why that's well: call up
Thy senses, and uncloud thy cover'd spirits.
How now?
_Theo._ Recover'd: but _Antonio_,
Where is he?
_Phil._ We will find him: art thou well?
_Theo._ Perfectly well, saving the miss of him;
And I do charge you here, by our allyance,
And by the love which would have been betwixt us,
Knew we no kindred; by that killing fear,
Mingled with twenty thousand hopes and doubts,
Which you may think, plac'd in a Lovers heart,
And in a Virgins too, when she wants help,
To grant me your assistance, to find out
This man alive, or dead; and I will pay you
In service, tears, or prayers, a world of wealth:
But other treasure, I have none: alas!
You men have strong hearts; but we feeble maids
Have tender eyes, which only given be
To blind themselves, crying for what they see.
_Phil._ Why do'st thou charge me thus? have I been found
Slow to perform, what I could but imagine
Thy wishes were; have I at any time
Tender'd a business of mine own, beyond
A vanity of thine? have I not been
As if I were a sensless creature, made
To serve thee without pow'r of questioning,
If so, why fear'st thou?
_Theo._ I am satisfied.
_Phil._ Come; then let's go: where's _Leocadia_?
_Theo._ I know not Sir.
_Phil._ Where's _Leocadia_?
_Theo._ I do not know.
_Phil. Leocadia_,
This Tumult made the streets as dead as night,
A man may talk as freely: what's become
Of _Leocadia_?
_Theo._ She's run away.
_Phil._ Begone, and let us never more behold
Each others face, till we may, both together,
Fasten our eyes on her: accursed be
Those tender cozening names of charity,
And natural affection, they have lost
Me only by observing them, what cost
Travel, and fruitless wishes may in vain
Search through the world, but never find again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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