Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Lur._ You keep your exercise, i'th' old Church?
_Wild._ No other,
There is no Musick to the Bells, we wo'd
Have Bonfires if we durst, and thou wo'd come
It shall cost thee nothing _Tom_, hang pilfering,
And keep me company, in time I may
Shew thee my wench too.
_Lur._ I cannot promise; but you will be there?
_Wild._ We'll toss the Bells, and make the Steeple
Roar boy, but come to supper then.
_Lur._ My hand, and expect me:
Yes, I will come or send, and to some purpose;
Art come boy?
_Enter Boy with Gown, Beard, and Constables staff._
Excellent, Knave, how didst thou purchase these?
_Boy._ The staff I stole last night from a sleeping Constable;
The rest I borrowed by my acquaintance with
The Players boyes; you were best to lose no time, Sir.
_Lur._ So, so, help boy, 'tis very well, do I not look
Like one that breaks the Kings peace with authority?
You know your charge, prepare things handsomely,
My diligent boy, and leave me to my office.
_Boy._ There wants nothing already; but I fly Sir. [_Exit._
_Lur._ Now Fortune prove no slut, and I'll adore thee.
_Within. Ser._ Whose there? [_Knocks._
_Lur._ A friend wo'd speak with Master Justice.
_Ser._ Who are you?
_Lur._ I am the Constable.
_Ser._ My Master is not at leasure to hear business.
_Lur._ How? Not at leasure to do the King service;
Take heed what you say, Sir; I know his worship,
If he kn[e]w my business, would no excuse.
_Ser._ You must go to another Justice, I'll assure
My Master is not well in health.
_Lur._ I know not,
But if your worshipful be not at leasure
To do himself a benefit, I am gone Sir,
An infinite benefit, and the State shall thank him for't;
Thank him, and think on him too; I am an Officer.
And know my place, but I do love the Justice;
I honor any authority above me:
Beside, he is my neighbor, and I worship him.
_Ser._ You have no Books, nor Ballads, Mr Constable,
About you?
_Lur._ What should I doe with Books? does it become
A man of my place to understand such matters?
Pray call your Master, if he please to follow me,
I shall discover to him such a plot,
Shall get him everlasting fame, I'll be hang'd for't,
And he be not knighted instantly, and for reward
Have some of the malefactors Lands, I'll bring him too;
But I cannot d[all]y time. [_Within._
_Ju._ Who's that?
_Ser._ A Constable Sir, would speak about some business,
He says will bring you Fame, and mighty profit.
_Lur._ Please your worship come down, I'll make you happy;
The notabl'st piece of villany I have in hand Sir,
And you shall find it out; I ha made choice
To bring your worship to the first knowledge, and
Thank me, as you find the good on't afterwards.
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