Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Ism._ Yes, I vow to you, had _Antonio_
Wedded _Isabella, Isme[n]ia_
Had not been lost, there had been her lover.
_Ant._ Why much good do you friend, take her to you:
I crave but one, here have I my wish full,
I am glad we shall be so near neighbors.
_Mar._ Take both Sir, _Juno_ to boot: three parts in one,
S. _Hilarie_ bless you, now opportunity
Beware to meet with falshood, if thou canst
Shun it, my friends faith's turning from him.
_Ism._ Might I not justly accuse _Antonio_
For a love-wanderer? you know no other
But me, for another, and confess troth now?
_Ant._ Here was my guide, where ere I find this face,
I am a Lover, marry, I must not miss
This freckle then, I have the number of 'em,
Nor this dimple, no[t] a silk from this brow,
I carry the full Idea ever with me;
If nature can so punctually parallel,
I may be cozened.
_Ism._ Well, all this is even:
But now, to perfect all, our love must now
Come to our Enemies hands, where neither part
Will ever give consent to't.
_Ant._ Most certain:
For which reason it must not be put to'em:
Have we not prevention in our own hands.
Shall I walk by the tree? desire the fruit,
Yet be so nice to pull till I ask leave
Of the churlish Gard'ner, that will deny me?
_Ism._ O _Antonio_.
_Ant._ 'Tis manners to fall to
When grace is said.
_Ism._ That holy acts to come.
_Mar._ You may open an oyster or two before grace.
_Ant._ Are there not double vows, as valuable
And as well spoke as any Frier utters?
Heaven has heard all.
_Ism._ Yes: but stayes the blessing,
Till all dues be done: heaven is not serv'd by halfs.
We shall have ne'r a fathers blessing here,
Let us not lose the better, from above.
_Ant._ You take up weapons of unequal force,
It shows you cowardly: heark in your ear.
_Am._ Have I lost all imployment? Would this proffer
Had been to me, though I had paid it
With a reasonable pennance.
_Mar._ Have I past
All thy fore-lock (Time?) I'll stretch a long arm
But I'll catch hold again: Do but look back
Over thy shoulder, and have a pull at thee.
_Ism._ I hear you (Sir) nor can I hear too much
While you speak well: You know th'accustom'd place
Of our night-parley: if you can ascend,
The window shall receive you. You may find there
A corrupted Church-man to bid you welcome.
_Ant._ I would meet no other man.
_Ism. Aminta_, you hear this.
_Am._ With joy (Madam) 'cause it pleases you.
It may be mine own case another time:
Now you go the right way; ask the Banes out,
Put it past father, or friends, to forbid it,
And then you're sure. Sir, your _Hymen_ Taper
I'll light up for you: the window shall show you
The way to _Sestos_.
_Ant._ I'll venture drowning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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