Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Jul._ And am I grown so miserable,
That mine own pitty must make me wretched?
No cause against me, but my love and duty?
Farewell Sir, like obedience, thus I leave you,
My long farewell: I do not grudge, I grive Sir,
And if that be offensive, I can dye,
And then you are fairly free: good Lady love him;
You have a noble, and an honest Gentleman,
I ever found him so, the world has spoke him,
And let it be your part still to deserve him:
Love him no less than I have done, and serve him,
And heaven shall bless you; you shall bless my ashes;
I give you up the house, the name of wife,
Honor, and all respect I borrowed from him,
And to my grave I turn: one farewell more,
Nothing divide your Loves, not want of Children,
Which I shall pray against, and make you fruitful;
Grow like two equal flames, rise high and glorious,
And in your honor'd age burn out together:
To all I know, farewell.
_Ronver._ Be not so griev'd Lady,
A nobler fortune.
_Jul._ Away thou parasite.
Disturb not my sad thoughts, I hate thy greatness.
_Ron._ I hate not you, I am glad she's off these hinges,
Come, let's pursue. [_Ex. Ronvere and Law._
_Pand._ If I had breath to curse thee,
Or could my great heart utter, farewell villain,
Thy house, nor face agen. [_Exit Pand._
_Mar._ Let 'em all go.
And now let us rejoyce, now freely take me,
And now embrace me _Virolet_, give the rites
Of a brave Husband to his love.
_Vir._ I'll take my leave too.
_Mar._ How take your leave too?
_Vir._ The house is furnish'd for you,
You are Mistress, may command.
_Mar._ Will you to bed Sir?
_Vir._ As soon to hell, to any thing I hate most;
You must excuse me, I have kept my word.
You are my Wife, you now enjoy my fortune.
Which I have done to recompence your bounty:
But to yield up those chast delights and pleasures,
Which are not mine, but my first vowes.
_Mar._ You jeast.
_Vir._ You will not find it so, to give you those
I have divorc'd, and lost with _Juliana_,
And all fires of that nature--
_Mar._ Are you a Husband?
_Vir._ To question hers, and satisfie your flames,
That held an equal beauty, equal bounty--
Good heaven forgive; no, no, the strict forbearance,
Of all those joys, like a full sacrifice,
I offer to the sufferings of my first love,
Honor, and wealth, attendance, state, all duty,
Shall wait upon your will, to make you happy,
But my afflicted mind, you must give leave Lady,
My weary Trunk must wander.
_Mart._ Not enjoy me?
Go from me too?
_Vir._ For ever thus I leave you;
And how so e're I fare, live you still happy. [_Exit Virol._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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