Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Euph._ I should much more,
Not to remember my due duty to your Grace;
I know not wherein I have so transgress'd
My service to your Highness, to deserve
This rigour and contempt, not from you only
But from your followers, with the best of whom
I was an equal in my lowest ebbe:
Beseech you Sir, respect me as a Gentleman,
I will be never more in heart to you:
Five fair Descents I can derive my self,
From Fathers worthy both in Arts and Armes.
I know your goodness companies your greatness
But that you are perverted: Royal Sir,
I am your humblest subject, use your pleasure,
But do not give protection to the wrongs
Of these subordinate Slaves, whom I could crush
By that great destined favor, which my Mistris
And your majestick Mother deignes to me,
But in respect of you: I know lean envy
Waites ever on the steps of virtue advanc'd:
But why your Mothers grace gets me disgrace,
Or renders me a slave to bear these wrongs
I do not know.
Oh Mediocrity,
Thou prizeless jewel, only mean men have
But cannot value; like the precious Jem,
Found in the Mukhill by the ignorant Cock.
_The._ Your creamy words, but cozen: how durst you
Intercept me so lately to my Mother?
And what I meant your Brother, you obtain'd
Unto the forfeitoe again.
_Cra._ Your answer to that my Lord, my Brother.
_Euph._ May I perish
If ere I heard you intended such a suit,
Though 'twould have stuck an ignominious brand
Upon your Highness, to have given your servant
A Gentlemans whole state of worth and quality,
Confiscate only for a youthful brawle.
_The._ Your rudiments are too sawcy: teach your Page.
_Con._ I, so are all things but your flatterers.
_Onos._ Hold you your prating.
_Con._ You know where you are, you fleeten face.
_Euph._ Yet Sir, to appease and satisfie your anger.
Take what you please from me, and give it him
In lieu of this: you shall not take it neither,
I freely will impart it, half my state,
Which Brother if you please--
_Cra._ Ile starve in Chains first,
Eat my own armes.
_Euph._ Oh that you saw your self:
You ne'r made me such offer in my poorness,
And 'cause (to do you ease) I sought not to you.
You thus maligne me; yet your nature must not
Corrupt mine, nor your rude examples lead me:
If mine can mend you, I shall joy; you know
I fear you not: you have seen me proved a man
In every way of fortune, 'tis my comfort
I know no more such Brothers in the World
As _Crates_ is.
_Con._ Nor I such as _Euphanes_:
The temper of an Angel reigns in thee.
_Euph._ Your Royal Mother Sir, (I had forgot)
Entreats your presence.
_The._ You have done her errand,
I may do yours. [_Exit._
_Euph._ Let it be truth my Lord.
_Con. Crates_, Ile question you for this.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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