Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Mar._ Yes, and who gave it her?
And what they promis'd more, besides a spoon,
And what Apostles picture: she is christned too,
In token wherefore she is call'd _Isabella_,
The daughter of a Countrey plow-swain by:
If this be not true, she lies.
_Ant._ She cannot;
It would be seen a blister on her lip,
Should falshood touch it, it is so tender:
Had her name held, 't had been _Ismenia_,
And not another of her name.
_Mar._ Shall I speak?
_Ant._ Yes, if thou'lt speak truth: Is she not wondrous like?
_Mar._ As two garments of the same fashion,
Cut from the same piece, yet if any excell,
This has the first; and in my judgment 'tis so.
_Ant._ 'Tis my opinion.
_Mar._ Were it the face
Where mine eye should dwell, I would please both
With this, as soon as one with the other.
_Ant._ And yet the other is the case of this.
Had I not look'd upon _Ismenia_,
I ne'r had staid beyond good-morrows time
In view of this.
_Mar._ Would I could leave him here,
'Twere a free passage to _Ismenia_:
I must now blow, as to put out the fire
Yet kindle't more. You not consider Sir,
The great disparitie is in their bloods,
Estates and fortunes: there's the rich beauty
Which this poor homeliness is not endow'd with;
There's difference enough.
_Ant._ The least of all.
Equality is no rule in Loves Grammar:
That sole unhappiness is left to Princes
To marry bloud: we are free disposers,
And have the power to equalize their blouds
Up to our own; we cannot keep it back,
'Tis a due debt from us.
_Mar._ I Sir, had you
No Father nor Uncle, nor such hinderers,
You might do with your self at your pleasure;
But as it is.
_Ant._ As it is; 'tis nothing:
Their powers will come too late, to give me back
The yesterday I lost.
_Mar._ Indeed, to say sooth,
Your opposition from the other part
Is of more force; there you run the hazard
Of every hour a life, had you supply;
You meet your dearest enemy in love
With all his hate about him: 'Twill be more hard
For your _Ismenia_ to come home to you,
Than y[o]u to goe to Countrey _Isabella_.
_Enter_ Julio.
_Ant._ Tush; 'tis not fear removes me.
_Mar._ No more: your Uncle.
_Jul._ Oh, the good hour upon you Gentlemen:
Welcome Nephew; Speak it to your friend Sir,
It may be happier receiv'd from you,
In his acceptance.
_Ant._ I made bold, Uncle,
To do it before; and I think he believes it.
_Mar._ 'Twas never doubted, Sir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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