Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Mal._ You are still my debtor;
Can this (though true) be weigh'd with my lost honor,
Much less my faith? I have liv'd private to you,
And but for you, had ne'r known what lust was,
Nor what the sorrow for't.
_Vit._ 'Tis false.
_Mal._ 'Tis true,
But how return'd by you, thy whole life being
But one continued act of lust, and Shipwrack
Of womens chastities.
_Vit._ But that I know
That she that dares be damn'd, dares any thing,
I should admire thy tempting me: but presume not
On the power you think you hold o're my affections,
It will deceive you: yield, and presently
Or by the inflamed blood, which thou must quench
I'll make a forcible entry.
_Mal._ Touch me not:
You know I have a throat, ---- if you do
I will cry out a rape, or sheath this here,
Ere I'll be kept, and us'd for Julip-water
T'allay the heat which lushious meats and wine
And not desire hath rais'd.
_Vit._ A desperate devil,
My blood commands my reason; I must take
Some milder way.
_Mal._ I hope (dear _Don_) I fit you.
The night is mine, although the day was yours
You are not fasting now: this speeding trick
Which I would as a principle leave to all,
That make their maintenance out of their own _Indies_,
As I do now; my good old mother taught me,
Daughter, quoth she, contest not with your lover
His stomach being empty; let wine heat him,
And then you may command him: 'tis a sure one:
His looks shew he is coming.
_Vit._ Come this needs not,
Especially to me: you know how dear
I ever have esteemed you.
_Cla._ Lost again.
_Vit._ That any sight of yours, hath power to change
My strongest resolution, and one tear
Sufficient to command a pardon from me,
For any wrong from you, which all mankind
Should kneel in vain for.
_Mal._ Pray you pardon those
That need your favor, or desire it.
_Vit._ Prethee.
Be better temper'd: I'll pay as a forfeit
For my rash anger, this purse fil'd with Gold.
Thou shalt have servants, gowns, attires, what not?
Only continue mine.
_Mal._ 'Twas this I fish'd for.
_Vit._ Look on me, and receive it.
_Mal._ Well, you know
My gentle nature, and take pride t'abuse it:
You see a trifle pleases me, we are friends;
This kiss, and this confirms it.
_Cla._ With my ruine.
_Mal._ I'll have this diamond, and this pearl.
_Vit._ They are yours.
_Mal._ But will you not, when you have what you came for,
Take them from me to morrow? 'tis a fashion
Your Lords of late have us'd.
_Vit._ But I'll not follow.
_Cla._ That any man at such a rate as this
Should pay for his repentance.
_Vit._ Shall we to bed now?
_Mal._ Instantly, Sweet; yet now I think on't better
There's something first that in a word or two
I must acquaint you with.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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