Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
Now will I steal a kiss, a dear kiss from her,
And suck the Rosie breath of this bright beauty;
What a Devil is this? ty'd to her finger too?
A string, a damned string to give intelligence
Oh my lov'd key, how truly hast thou serv'd me;
I'll follow this: soft, soft, to th' door it goes,
And through to th' other side; a damned string 'tis,
I am abus'd, topt, cuckolded, fool'd, jaded,
Ridden to death, to madness; stay, this helps not:
Stay, stay, and now invention help me,
I'll sit down by her, take this from her easily,
And thus upon mine own: Dog, I shall catch ye,
With all your cunning, Sir: I shall light on ye,
I felt it pull sure: yes, but wondrous softly,
'Tis there again, and harder now, have at ye,
Now and thou scap'st, the Devil's thy ghostly father. [_Exit._
_Isab._ Sure 'twas my husband's voice, the string is gone too,
He has found th[e] trick on't: I am undone, betray'd,
And if he meet my friend he perishes,
What fortune follows me, what spightful fortune?
Hoa _Jaquenet_.
_Enter_ Jaquenet.
_Jaq._ Here Mistriss, do you call me?
_Isab._ Didst thou hear no noise?
_Jaq._ I hear my Master mad yonder,
And swears, and chafes--
_Isab._ Dar'st thou do one thing for me?
One thing concerns mine honor, all is lost else?
_Jaq._ Name what you will.
_Isab._ It can bring but a beating,
Which I will recompence so largely--
_Jaq._ Name it.
_Isab._ Sit here, as if thou wert asleep.
_Jaq._ Is that all?
_Isab._ When he comes in, whate'er he do unto thee
(The worst will be but beating) speak not a word,
Not one word as thou lovest me.
_Jaq._ I'll run through it.
_Isab._ I'll carry away the Candle. [_Exit._
_Jaq._ And I the blows Mistriss.
_Enter_ Lopez.
_Lop._ Have you put your light out? I shall stumble to ye,
You whore, you cunning whore, I shall catch your rogue too,
H'as light legs else, I had so Ferret-claw'd him:
Oh have I found ye? do ye play at dog-sleep still whore?
Do you think that can protect ye? yes, I will kill thee,
But first I'll bring thy friends to view thy villanies,
Thy whorish villanies: and first I'll beat thee,
Beat thee to pin-dust, thou salt whore, thou varlet,
Scratch out thine eyes; I'll spoil your tempting visage;
Are ye so patient? I'll put my nails in deeper,
Is it good whoring? whoring ye base rascal?
Is it good tempting men with strings to ride ye?
So, I'll fetch your kindred, and your friends, whore,
And such a Justice I will act upon thee. [_Exit._
_Enter_ Isabella.
_Isab._ What is he gone?
_Jaq._ The Devil go with him Mistriss,
Has harrowed me, plough'd Land was ne'r so harrow'd:
I had the most adoe to save mine eyes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account