Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Boy._ A rich man, that like snow heaps up his moneys,
I have a kind of pious zeal to meet still;
A fool that not deserves 'em, I take pitty on,
For fear he should run mad, and so I ease him.
_Lur._ Excellent boy, and able to instruct me,
Of mine own nature just.
_Boy._ I scorn all hazard,
And on the edge of danger I do best, Sir,
I have a thousand faces to deceive,
And to those, twice so many tongues to flatter,
An impudence, no brass was ever tougher,
And for my conscience.
_Lur._ Peace, I have found a Jewel,
A Jewel all the _Indies_ cannot match,
And thou sha't feel--
_Boy._ This title, and I ha' done, Sir;
I never can confess, I ha' that spell on me;
And such rare modesties before a Magistrate,
Such innocence to catch a Judge, such ignorance.
_Lur._ I'll learn of thee, thou art mine own, come boy,
I'll give thee action presently.
_Boy._ Have at you.
_Lur._ What must I call thee?
_Boy. Snap_, Sir.
_Lur._ 'Tis most natural,
A name born to thee, sure thou art a Fairy,
Shew but thy skill, and I shall make thee happy.
_Enter Lady, Nurse, Mistriss_, Newlove, Tobie.
_La._ Where be these knaves? who strues up all the liveries.
Is the Bride's bed made?
_Tob._ Yes Madam and a Bell
Hung under it artificially.
_La._ Out knave, out,
Must we have 'larms now?
_Tob._ A little warning
That we may know [when] to begin our healths Madam;
The Justice is a kind of old Jade, Madam,
That will go merriest with a Bell.
_La._ All the house drunk.
_Tob._ This is a [day] of Jubile.
_La._ Are the best hangings up? and the Plate set out?
Who makes the Posset, Nurse?
_Nur._ The dayrie mayd,
And she'll put that in, will make him caper:
Well Madam, well, you might ha'chose another,
A handsomer for your years.
_La._ Peace, he is rich Nurse,
He is rich, and that's beauty.
_Nur._ I am sure he is rotten,
Would he had been hang'd when he first saw her. _Termagant!_
_La._ What an angry Quean is this, where,
Who looks to him?
_Tob._ He is very merry Madam,
_M. Wildbrain_, has him in hand, ith'bottom o'th'Sellar
He sighs and tipples.
_Nur._ Alass good Gentleman,
My heart's sore for thee.
_La._ Sorrow must have his course, sirra,
Give him some Sack to dry up his remembrance,
How does the Bridegroom, I was afraid of him.
_Nur._ He is a trim youth to be tender of, hemp take him.
Must my sweet new blown Rose find such a winter
Before her spring be near.
_La._ Peace, peace, thou art foolish.
_Nur._ And dances like a Town-top: and reels, and hobbles.
_La._ Alass, good Gentleman, give him not much wine.
_Tob._ He shall ha'none by my consent.
_La._ Are the women comforting my daughter?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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