Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Vir._ No more of these Racks; what I am, I am.
I hope not to go free with poor confessions;
Nor if I shew ill, will I seem a monster,
By making my mind prisoner; do your worst.
When I came out to deal with you, I cast it,
Only those base inflictions fit for slaves,
Because I am a Gentleman.--
_Sess._ Thou art none.
Thou wast while thou stoodst good, th' art now a villain.
And agent for the devil.
_Vir._ That tongue lies.
Give me my sword again, and stand all arm'd;
I'll prove it on ye all, I am a Gentleman,
A man as fair in honor, rate your prisoners,
How poor and like a Pedagogue it shews!
How far from Nobleness! 'tis fair, you may kill's;
But to defame your victory with foul language.
_Ses._ Go fling him over-board; I'll teach you sirrah.
_Vir._ You cannot teach me to die. I could kill you now
With patience, in despising all your cruelties.
And make you choke with anger.
_Ses._ Away I say.
_Mar._ Stay Sir, h'as given you such bold language,
I am not reconcil'd to him yet, and therefore
He shall not have his wish observ'd so nearly,
To die when he please; I beseech you stay Sir.
_Ses._ Do with him what thou wilt.
_Mar._ Carry him to th' _Bilboes_,
And clap him fast there, with the Prince.
_Vir._ Do Lady,
For any death you give, I am bound to bless you.
[_Exit_ Virolet; _and Sailers._
_Mar._ Now to your Cabin, Sir; pray lean upon me,
And take your rest, the Surgeons wait all for you.
_Ses._ Thou mak'st me blush to see thee bear thy fortunes;
Why, sure I have no hurt, I have not fought sure?
_Mast._ You bleed apace, Sir.
_Mart._ Ye grow cold too.
_Ses._ I must be rul'd, no leaning,
My deepest wounds scorn Crutches.
_All._ A brave General. [_Flour. Trumpets, Cornets._
[_Exeunt omnes._
_1 Sail._ Will they not moore her?
_2 Sail._ Not till we come to the Fort,
This is too weak a place for our defences,
The Carpenters are hard at work; she swims well,
And may hold out another fight. The ship we took
Burns there to give us light.
_1 Sayl._ She made a brave fight.
_2 Sayl._ She put us all in fear.
_1 Sail._ Beshrew my heart did she.
Her men are gone to _Candia_, they are pepper'd,
All but this prisoner.
_2 Sayl._ Sure he's a brave fellow.
_1 Sayl._ A stubborn knave, but we have pul'd his bravery.
[_He discovers_ Virolet _and_ Ascanio _in the Bilboes._
Look how he looks now: come let's go serve his dyet,
Which is but bread and water.
_2 Sayl._ He'll grow fat on't. [_Exeunt Sailors._
_Asca._ I must confess I have endur'd much misery,
Even almost to the ruine of my spirit,
But ten times more grows my affliction,
To find my friend here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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