Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Fr._ I have enough, I'll honor ye. [_Exeunt._
_Enter Lurcher._
_Lur._ Here are my trinkets, and this lusty marriage
I mean to visit, I have shifts of all sorts,
And here are a thousand wheels to set 'em working,
I am very merry, for I know this wedding
Will yield me lusty pillage: if mad _Wildgoose_
That debosh'd rogue keep but his antient revels,
And breed a hubbub in the house I am happy.
_Enter Boy._
Now what are you?
_Boy._ A poor distressed Boy, Sir,
Friendless and comfortless, that would intreat
Some charity and kindness from your worship,
I would fain serve, Sir, and as fain endeavour
With duteous labour to deserve the love
Of that good Gentleman should entertain me.
_Lur._ A pretty Boy, but of too mild a breeding,
Too tender, and too bashful a behaviour,
What canst thou do?
_Boy._ I can learn any thing,
That's good and honest, and shall please [Master.]
_Lur._ He blushes as he speaks, and that I like not,
I love a bold and secure confidence,
An impudence that one may trust, this boy now:
Had I instructed him, had been a Jewel,
A treasure for my use, thou canst not lye?
_Boy._ I would not willingly.
_Lur._ Nor thou hast not wit
To dissemble neatly?
_Boy._ Do you love such boys, Sir?
_Lur._ Oh mainly, mainly, I would have my Boy impudent,
Out-face all truth, yet do it piously:
Like _Proteus_, cast himself into all forms,
As suddain and as nimble as his thoughts,
Blanch at no danger, though it be the Gallows,
Nor make no conscience of a cosenage,
Though it be i' th' Church. Your soft, demure, still children--
Are good for nothing, but to get long Graces----
And sing Songs to dull tunes; I would keep thee
And cherish thee, hadst thou any active quality,
And be a tender Master to thy knavery,
But thou art not for my use.
_Bo[y]._ Do you speak this seriously?
_Lur._ Yes indeed do I.
_Boy._ Would you have your boy Sir
Read in these moral mischiefs?
_Lur._ Now thou mov'st me.
_Boy._ And be a well-train'd youth in all activities?
_Lur._ By any means.
_Boy._ Or do you this to try me,
Fearing a prone[nesse].
_Lur._ I speak this to make thee.
_Boy._ Then take me Sir, and cherish me, and love me,
You have me what you would: believe me, Sir
I can do any thing for your advantage,
I guess at what you mean; I can lie naturally,
As easily, as I can sleep Sir, and securely:
As naturally I can steal too.
_Lur._ That I am glad on,
Right heartily glad on, hold thee there, thou art excellent.
_Boy._ Steal any thing from any body living.
_Lur._ Not from thy Master.
_Boy._ That's mine own body:
And must not be.
_Lur._ The boy mends mightily.
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