Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Ant._ Let it come, she cannot frown me off on't:
How prettily it wooes me to come nearer?
How do you do (Lady) since yesterdays pains?
Were you not weary? of my faith.
_Ism._ I think you were.
_Ant._ What Lady?
_Ism._ Weary of your faith; 'tis a burthen
That men faint under, though they bear little of it.
_Mar._ So, this is to the purpose.
_Ant._ You came home
In a fair hour I hope?
_Enter_ Aminta.
_Ism._ From whence Sir?
_Am._ Sir, there's a Gentlewoman without desires to speak with you.
_Ant._ They were pretty homely toyes: but your presence
Made them illustrious.
_Ism._ My Cosen speaks to you.
_Am._ A Gentlewoman Sir, _Isabella_.
She names her self.
_Mar._ So, so, it hits finely now.
_Ant._ Name your self how you please: speak what you please,
I'll hear you cheerfully.
_Ism._ You are not well,
Request her in, she may have more acquaintance
With his passions, and better cure for 'em.
_Am._ She's nice in that (Madam) poor soul it seems
She's fearful of your displeasure.
_Ism._ I'll quit her
From that presently, and bring her in my self. [_Exit._
_Mar._ How carelesly do you behave your self,
When you should call all your best faculties
To counsel in you! how will you answer
The breach you made with fair _Ismenia_?
Have you forgot the retrograde vow you took
With her, that now is come in evidence?
You'll dye upon your shame, you need no more
Enemies of the house, but the Lady now:
You shall have your dispatch.
_Enter_ Ismenia _like_ Juno.
_Ant._ Give me that face,
And I am satisfied upon whose shoulders
So ere it grows: _Juno_ deliver us
Out of this amazement: Beseech you Goddess
Tell us of our friends, how does _Ismenia_?
And how does _Isabella_? both in good health
I hope, as you your self are.
_Ism._ I am at farthest
In my counterfeit: my _Antonio_
I have matter against you may need pardon,
As I must crave of you.
_Ant._ Observe you Sir,
What evidence is come against me? what think you
The _Hydra_-headed Jury will say to't?
_Mar._ 'Tis I am fool'd,
My hopes are pour'd into the bottomless tubs,
'Tis labour for the house of _Bellides_:
I must not seem so yet: but in sooth (Lady)
Did you imagine your changeable face
Hid you from me? By this hand I knew you.
_Ant._ I went by the face: and by these eyes I
Might have been deceived.
_Ism._ You might indeed (_Antonio_)
For this Gentleman did vow to _Isabella_,
That he it was that lov'd _Ismenia_,
And not _Antonio_?
_Mar._ Good, was not that
A manifest confession that I knew you?
I else had been unjust unto my friend:
'Twas well remembred, there I found you out
And speak your conscience now.
_Ant._ But did he so protest?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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