Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Petill._ Dare ye swear it?
I have forgot all passages between us
That have been ill, forgiven too, forgot you.
_Jun._ What would this man have? By ---- I do, Sir,
So it be fit to grant ye.
_Pet[i]ll._ 'Tis most honest.
_Jun._ Why, then I'll do it.
_Petill._ Kill me.
_Jun._ How?
_Petill._ Pray kill me.
_Jun._ Kill ye?
_Pet._ I, kill me quickly, suddenly,
Now kill me.
_Jun._ On what reason? ye amaze me.
_Pet._ If ye do love me, kill me, ask me not why:
I would be killed, and by you.
_Jun._ Mercy on me,
What ails this man? _Petillius._
_Petill._ Pray ye dispatch me,
Ye are not safe whilst I live: I am dangerous,
Troubled extreamly, even to mischief, _Junius_,
An enemy to all good men: fear not, 'tis justice;
I shall kill you else.
_Jun._ Tell me but the cause,
And I will do it.
_Petill._ I am disgrac'd, my service
Slighted, and unrewarded by the General,
My hopes left wild and naked; besides these,
I am grown ridiculous, an ass, a folly
I dare not trust my self with: prethee kill me.
_Jun._ All these may be redeem'd as easily
As you would heal your finger.
_Petill._ Nay--
_Jun._ Stay, I'll do it,
You shall not need your anger: But first, _Petillius_,
You shall unarm your self; I dare not trust
A man so bent to mischief.
_Petill._ There's my sword;
And do it handsomely.
_Jun._ Yes, I will kill ye,
Believe that certain: but first I'll lay before ye
The most extreme fool ye have plaid in this,
The honor purpos'd for ye, the great honor
The General intended ye.
_Petill._ How?
_Jun._ And then I'll kill ye,
Because ye shall die miserable. Know Sir,
The Regiment was given me, but till time
Call'd ye to do some worthy deed, might stop
The peoples ill thoughts of ye, for Lord _Penyus_,
I mean his death. How soon this time's come to ye,
And hasted by _Swetonius_? Go, says he,
_Junius_ and _Decius_, and go thou _Petillius_;
Distinctly, thou _Petillius_, and draw up,
To take stout _Caratach_; there's the deed purpos'd,
A deed to take off all faults, of all natures:
And thou _Petillius_; Mark it, there's the honor,
And that done, all made even.
_Petill._ Stay.
_Jun._ No, I'll kill ye.
He knew thee absolute, and full in soldier,
Daring beyond all dangers, found thee out
According to the boldness of thy spirit,
A Subject, such a Subject.
_Petill._ Harke ye _Junius_,
I will live now.
_Jun._ By no means. Wooed thy worth,
Held thee by the chin up, as thou sunk'st, and shew'd thee
How Honor held her arms out: Come, make ready,
Since ye will die an ass.
_Petill._ Thou wilt not kill me?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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