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.
_Mart._ Wilt thou for life sake?
_Vir._ No, I know your subtilty.
_Mart._ For honor sake?
_Vir._ I will not be a Pageant,
My mind was ever firm, and so I'll lose it.
_Mart._ I'll starve thee to it.
_Vir._ I'll starve my self, and cross it.
_Mart._ I'll lay thee on such miseries--
_Vir._ I'll wear 'em,
And with that wantonness, you do your Bracelets.
_Mart._ I'll be a month a killing thee.
_Vir._ Poor Lady,
I'll be a month a dying then: what's that?
There's many a Calenture out-does your cruelty.
_Mart._ How might I do in killing of his body,
To save his Noble mind? Who waits there?
_Enter a Sailor, with a rich Cap and Mantle._
_Sayl._ Madam.
_Mart._ Unbolt this man, and leave those things behind you:
And so away, now put 'em on. [_Exit Sailer._
_Vir._ To what end?
_Mart._ To my End, to my Will.
_Vir._ I will.
_Mart._ I thank you.
_Vir._ Nay, now you thank me, I'll do more, I'll tell ye,
I am a servant to your courtesie.
And so far will be woo'd: but if this triumph
Be only aim'd to make your mischief glorious;
Lady, y'ave put a richer shroud upon me,
Which my strong mind shall suffer in.
_Mart._ Come hither,
And all thy bravery put into thy carriage,
For I will admire thee.
_Vir._ Whither will this woman?
_Asc._ Take heed my friend.
_Mart._ Look as thou scorn'dst my cruelty:
I know thou dost.
_Vir._ I never fear'd nor flatter'd.
_Mart._ No if thou hadst, thou hadst died, and I had gloried.
I suffer now, and thou which art my prisoner,
Hast nobly won the free power to despise me.
I love thee, and admire thee for thy Nobleness;
And, for thy manly sufferance, am thy servant.
_Vir._ Good Lady, mock me not.
_Mart._ By heaven I love thee;
And by the soul of love, am one piece with thee.
Thy mind, thy mind; thy brave, thy manly mind:
That like a Rock, stands all the storms of fortune,
And beats 'em roaring back they cannot reach thee:
That lovely mind I dote on, not the body;
That mind has rob'd me of my liberty:
That mind has darken'd all my bravery,
And into poor despis'd things, turn'd my angers.
Receive me to your love Sir, and instruct me;
Receive me to your bed, and marry me;
I'll wait upon you, bless the hour I knew you.
_Vir._ Is this a new way?
_Mart._ If you doubt my faith.
First take your liberty; I'll make it perfect,
Or any thing within my power.
_Vir._ I love you;
But how to recompence your love with marriage?
Alas, I have a wife.
_Mart._ Dearer tha[n] I am?
That will adventure so much for your safety?
Forget her father's wrongs, quit her own honor,
Pull on her, for a strangers sake, all curses?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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