Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_New._ Yes, yes, Madam,
And reading to her a pattern of true patience,
They read and pray for her too.
_Nur._ They had need,
Ye had better marry her to her grave a great deal:
There will be peace and rest, alass poor Gentlewoman,
Must she become a Nurse now in her tenderness?
Well Madam, well my heart bleeds.
_La._ Thou art a fool still.
_Nur._ Pray heaven I be.
_La._ And an old fool to be vext thus.
'Tis late she must to bed, go knave be merry,
Drink for a boy, away to all your charges. [_Exit._
_Enter_ Wildbrain, _and_ Franck Heartlove.
_Wild._ Do as thou wo't, but if thou dost refuse it
Thou art the stupid'st ass, there's no long arguing,
Time is too precious _Frank_.
_Fr._ I am hot with wine.
And apt now to believe, but if thou dost this
Out of a villany, to make me wrong her,
As thou art prone enough.
_Wild._ Does she not love thee?
Did she not cry down-right e'n now to part with thee?
Had she not swounded if I had not caught her?
Canst thou have more?
_Fr._ I must confess all this.
_Wild._ Do not stand prating, and misdoubting, casting,
If she go from thee now, she's lost for ever;
Now, now she's going, she that loves thee going,
She whom thou lov'st.
_Fr._ Pray let me think a little.
_Wild._ There is no leisure; think when thou hast imbrac'd her
Can she imagine thou di[d]st ever honor her?
Ever believe thy oaths, that tamely suffer'st
An old dry ham of horse-flesh to enjoy her?
Enjoy her maiden-head; take but that from her
That we may tell posterity a man had it,
A handsome man, a Gentleman, a young man,
To save the honor of our house, the credit,
'Tis no great matter I desire.
_Fr._ I hear you.
_Wild._ Free us both from the fear of breeding fools
And ophs, got by this shadow: we talk too long.
_Fr._ She is going [now] to bed, among the women,
What opportunity can I have to meet her?
_Wild._ Let me alone, hast thou a will? speak soundly,
Speak discreetly, speak home and handsomly,
Is't not pitty, nay misery, nay infamy to leave
So rare a pie to be cut up by a raskal.
_Fr._ I will go presently, now, now, I stay thee.
_Wild._ Such a dainty Doe, to be taken
By one that knows not neck-beef from a Phesant,
Nor cannot rellish Braggat from Ambrosia.
Is it not conscience?
_Fr._ Yes, yes, now I feel it.
_Wild._ A meritorious thing.
_Fr._ Good Father _Wildgoose_,
I do confess it.
_Wild._ Come then follow me.
And pluck a mans heart up, I'll lock thee privately,
Where she alone shall presently pass by,
None near to interupt thee but be sure.
_Fr._ I shall be sure enough, lead on, and crown me.
_Wild._ No wringings in your mind now as you love me. [_Ex._
_Enter Lady_, Maria, _Justice, Gent. Nurse, Newlove_.
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