Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Enter_ Sess. Boatswaine, Master, Gunner,
Citizens, _and Souldiers, as many as may be._
_Sess._ Keep the Ports strongly mann'd, and let none enter,
But such as are known Patriots.
_All._ Liberty, liberty.
_Sess._ 'Tis a substantial thing, and not a word
You men of _Naples_, which if once taken from us,
All other blessings leave us; 'tis a jewel
Worth purchasing, at the dear rate of life,
And so to be defended. O remember
What you have suffer'd, since you parted with it;
And if again you wish not to be slaves,
And properties to _Ferrand's_ pride and lust,
Take noble courage, and make pe[r]fect what
Is happily begun.
_1. Cit._ Our great preserver,
You have infranchis'd us, from wretched bondage.
_2. Cit._ And might be known, to whom we owe our freedom,
We to the death would follow him.
3. _Cit._ Make him King,
The Tyrant once remov'd.
_Sess._ That's not my end.
'Twas not ambition that brought me hither,
With these my faithful friends, nor hope of spoil;
For when we did possess the Tyrants treasure,
By force extorted from you, and employed,
To load you with most miserable thraldome,
We did not make it ours, but with it purchas'd
The help of these, to get you liberty,
That for the same price kept you in subjection.
Nor are we _Switzers_, worthy Countrey-men,
But _Neapolitans_, now eye me well;
And tho the reverend _Emblems_ of mine age,
My silver locks are shorne, my beard cut off,
Partaking yet of an adulterate Colour;
Tho 14 years you have not seen this face,
You may remember it, and call to mind,
There was a Duke of _Sess_, A much wrong'd Prince,
Wrong'd by this Tyrant _Ferrand_.
1. _Cit._ Now I know him.
2. _Cit._ 'Tis he, long live the Duke of _Sess_.
_Sess._ I thank you.
The injuries I receiv'd, I must confess,
Made me forget the love I owed this Country,
For which I hope, I have given satisfaction,
In being the first that stir'd, to give it freedome;
And with your loves and furtherance, will call back,
Long banisht peace, and plenty, to this people.
2. _Cit._ Lead where you please, we'll follow.
1. _Cit._ Dare all dangers.
_Enter_ Pandulf, _the Bodies of_
Virolet, _and_ Juliana _upon a Hearse._
_Sess._ What solemn funeral's this?
_Pand._ There rest a while,
And if't be possible there can be added
Wings to your swift desire of just revenge,
Hear, (if my tears will give way to my words)
In brief a most sad story.
_Sess._ Speak, what are they?
I know thee well _Pandulfe_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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