Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Fer._ Unloose her, I am conquer'd, I must take
Some other way; reach her my chair, in honor
Of her invincible fortitude.
_Ron._ Will you not
Dispatch the rest?
_Fer._ When I seem merciful,
Assure thy self _Ronvere_, I am most cruel.
Thou wonder of thy Sex, and of this Nation,
That hast chang'd my severity to mercy,
Not to thy self alone, but to thy people,
In which I do include these men, my enemies:
Unbind them.
_Pand._ This is strange.
_Fer._ For your intent
Against my life, which you dare not denie,
I only ask one service.
_Cam._ Above hope.
_Fer._ There rides a Pyrate neer, the Duke of _Sesse_,
My enemy and this Countreys, that in bonds
Holds my dear friend _Ascanio_: free this friend:
Or bring the Pyrats head; besides your pardon,
And honor of the action, your reward
Is forty thousand Ducates. And because
I know that _Virolet_ is as bold as wise,
Be he your General, as pledge of your faith,
That you will undertake it, let this old man,
And this most constant Matron stay with me:
Of whom, as of my self, I will be careful;
She shall direct you where her Husband is.
Make choice of any ship you think most useful.
They are rig'd for you. [_Exeunt Guard, with_ Juliana _and_ Pand.
_Bris._ We with joy accept it.
_Cam._ And will proclaim King _Ferrant_ merciful. [_Exeunt._
_Ron._ The mysterie of this, my Lord? or are you
Chang'd in your nature?
_Fer._ I'll make thee private to it.
The lives of these weak men, and desperate woman,
Would no way have secur'd me, had I took them;
'Tis _Virolet_ I aim at; he has power,
And knows to hurt. If they encounter _Sesse_,
And he prove conqueror, I am assur'd
They'll find no mercy: if that they prove victors,
I shall recover, with my friend his head
I most desire of all men.
_Ron._ Now I have it.
_Fer._ I'll make thee understand the drift of all.
So we stand sure, thus much for those that fall. [_Exeunt_.
_Actus Secundus. Scæna Prima_.
_Enter Boateswain and Gunner._
_Boats._ Lay here before the wind; up with your Canvase,
And let her work, the wind begins to whistle;
Clap all her streamers on, and let her dance,
As if she were the Minion of the Ocean.
Let her bestride the billows till they roar,
And curle their wanton heads. Ho, below there:
Ho, ho, within.
Lay her North-east, and thrust her missen out,
The day grows fair and clear, and the wind courts us.
Oh for a lusty sail now, to give chase to.
_Gun._ A stubborn Bark, that wou'd but bear up to us,
And change a broadside bravely.
_Boats._ Where's the Duke?
_Gun._ I have not seen him stir to day.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account