Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Gen._ I am wounded too,
Though modesty forbids that I should speak
What ignorance makes him bold in: why do you fix
Your eyes so strongly on me?
_Luc._ Pray you stand still,
There is nothing else, that is worth the looking on:
I could adore you, Lady.
_Gen._ Can you love me?
_Luc._ To wait on you, in your chamber, and but touch
What you, by wearing it, have made divine,
Were such a happiness. I am resolved,
I'll sell my liberty to you for this glove,
And write my self your slave.
_Enter_ Lamorall.
_Gen._ On easier terms,
Receive it as a friend.
_Lam._ How! giving favor!
I'll have it with his heart.
_Gen._ What will you do?
_Luc._ As you are merciful, take my life rather.
_Gen._ Will you depart with't so?
_Lam._ Do's that grieve you?
_Gen._ I know not: but even now you appear valiant.
_Luc._ 'Twas to preserve my father: in his cause
I could be so again.
_Gen._ Not in your own? Kneel to thy Rival and thine enemy?
Away unworthy creature, I begin
To hate my self, for giving entrance to
A good opinion of thee: for thy torment,
If my poor beauty be of any power,
Mayst thou doat on it desperately: but never
Presume to hope for grace, till thou recover
And wear the favor that was ravish'd from thee.
_Lam._ He wears my head too then.
_Gen._ Poor fool, farewell. [_Exit._
_Luc._ My womanish soul, which hitherto hath govern'd
This coward flesh, I feel departing from me;
And in me by her beauty is inspir'd
A new, and masculine one: instructing me
What's fit to do or suffer; powerful love
That hast with loud, and yet a pleasing thunder
Rous'd sleeping manhood in me, thy new creature,
Perfect thy work so that I may make known
Nature (though long kept back) will have her own. [_Exeunt._
_Actus Quintus. Scæna Prima._
_Enter_ Lamorall _and_ Lucio.
_Lam._ Can it be possible, that in six short hours
The subject still the same, so many habits
Should be remov'd? or this new _Lucio_, he
That yesternight was baffeld and disgrac'd,
And thank'd the man that did it, that then kneeld
And blubber'd like a woman, should now dare
On terms of honor seek reparation
For what he then appear'd not capable of?
_Luc._ Such miracles, men that dare do injuries
Live to their shames to see, and for punishment
And scourge to their proud follies.
_Lam._ Prethee leave me:
Had I my Page, or foot-man here to flesh thee,
I durst the better hear thee.
_Luc._ This scorn needs not:
And offer such no more.
_Lam._ Why say I should,
You'll not be angry?
_Luc._ Indeed I think I shall,
Would you vouchsafe to shew your self a Captain,
And lead a little farther, to some place
That's less frequented.
_Lam._ He looks pale.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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