Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Tut._ By your favor Pupill,
Whence shall this challenge rise? for you must ground it
On some such fundamental base, or matter
As now the Gentry set their lives upon.
Did you ere cheat him at some Ordinary,
And durst he say so, and be angry? if thus,
Then you must challenge him: hath he call'd your whore,
Whore; though she be (beside yours) twenty mens?
Your honor, reputation is touched then,
And you must challenge him: Has he deny'd
On thirty damme's to accommodate money,
Though he have broke threescore before to you?
Here you must challenge him: Durst he ever shun
To drink two pots of Ale wi'ye? or to wench
Though weighty business otherwise importun'd?
He is a proud Lord,
And you may challenge him: Has he familiarly
Dislik'd your yellow Starch, or said your Dublet
Was not exactly frenchifi'd? or that, that report
In fair terms was untrue? or drawn your Sword,
Cry'd 'twas ill mounted? Has he given the lye
In circle, or oblique, or semi-circle,
Or direct parrallel? you must challenge him.
_On._ He never gave my direct apparrel the lye in's life.
_Tut._ But for the crown of all, Has he refus'd
To pledge your Mistris health though he were sick?
_Enter_ Neanthes _and_ Page.
And crav'd your pardon? you must challenge him,
There's no avoiding: one or both must drop.
_On._ Exquisite Tutor.
_Nean. Crates_, I have sought you long, what make you here
Fooling with these three farthings, while the Town
Is all in uproar, and the Prince our Master
(Seis'd by _Leonidas_, and _Agenor_) carried
And Prisoner kept i'the Castle, flanckes
The west part of the City, where they vow
To hold him, till your Brother, Lord _Euphanes_
Be rendr'd to 'em, with his life to satisfie
The Rape, by him suspected to _Merione_?
The Queen refuses to deliver him,
Pawning her knowledge for his innocency,
And dares 'em do their worst on Prince _Theanor_,
The whole State's in combustion.
_Cra._ Fatall Ring.
_Unc._ What will become of us?
_Nea._ And she hath given Commission to _Euphanes_
And _Conon_ (who have leavied men already)
With violence to surprize the Towre, and take 'em.
What will you do?
_Cra._ Along wi'ye, and prevent
A farther mischief: Gentlemen, our intents
We must defer: you are the Princes followers.
_Nea._ Will ye walk with us?
_Unc._ You shall pardon us.
_Tut._ We are his followers afar off you know.
And are contented to continue so.
[_Exit_ Crates _and_ Neant.
_Onos._ Sir Boy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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