Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
I would give ten thousand Empires for the substance;
Yet for _Maria's_ sake, whose divine Figure
That rude frame carries, I will love this counterfeit
Above all the world, and had thy Mistriss [all]
The grace and blossom of her sex; now she
Is gone, that was [a walking] Spring of beauty,
I would not look upon her.
_Boy._ Sir, your pardon,
I have but done a message, as becomes
A servant, nor did she on whose commands
I gladly waited, bid me urge her love
To your disquiet, she would chide my diligence
If I should make you angry.
_Ha._ Pretty boy.
_Boy._ Indeed I fear I have offended you:
Pray if I have, enjoyn me any pennance for it:
I have perform'd one duty, and could as willingly
To purge my fault, and shew I suffer with you,
Plead your cause to another.
_Ha._ And I'll take thee
At thy word boy, thou hast a moving language,
That pretty innocent, Copy of _Maria_
Is all I love, I know not how to speak,
Winn her to think well of me, and I will
Reward thee to thy wishes.
_Boy._ I undertake
Nothing for gain, but since you have resolv'd,
To love no other, I'll be faithful to you,
And my prophetick thoughts bid me already
Say I shall prosper.
_Ha._ Thou wert sent to bless me.
_Boy._ Pray give us opportunity.
_Ha._ Be happy. [_Exit._
_Nur._ He's gone.
_Boy._ With your fair leave Mistriss.
_Ma._ Have you [pusinesse] with her pray you
_Boy._ I have a message from a Gentleman,
Please you vouchsafe your ear more private.
_Nur._ You shall have my absence Neece. [_Exit._
_Ma._ Was the sentleman afear'd to declare his matters openly,
here was no bodies was not very honest, if her like not her
errands the petter, was wist to keep her preaths to cool her
porridges, can tell her, that now for aule her private hearings
and tawgings.
_Boy._ You may, if please you, find another language.
And with less pains be understood.
_Ma._ What is her meaning?
_Boy._ Come, pray speak your own English.
_Ma._ Have boyes lost her itts and memories? [plesse] us aule.
_Boy._ I must be plain then, come, I know you are
_Maria_, this thin vail cannot obscure you:
I'll tell the world you live, I have not lost ye,
Since first with grief and shame to be surpriz'd,
A violent trance took away shew of life;
I could discover by what accident
You were convey'd away at midnight, in
Your coffin, could declare the place, and minute,
When you reviv'd, [and] what you have done since as perfectly--
_Ma._ Alas, I am betraid to new misfortunes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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