Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Bust._ Nor I think he will not, he said he would be at
home to morrow, but I love to speak within my compass.
_Jul._ You shall speak within mine Sir, now. Within there.
_Enter Servants._
Take this fellow into custody, keep him safe
I charge you.
_Bust._ Safe? do you hear? take notice what plight you
find me in, if there want but a collop or a steak o'me, look
to't.
_Jul._ If my Nephew return not in his health to morrow,
Thou goest to th'Rack.
_Bust._ Let me go to th'manger first; I had rather eat oats
than hay. [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ Bellides _with a Letter_.
_Bel._ By your leave, Sir.
_Jul._ For ought I know yet, you are welcome Sir.
_Bel._ Read that, and tell me so: or if thy spectacles be not easie,
Keep thy nose unsadl'd, and ope thine ears;
I can speak thee the contents, I made 'em;
'Tis a challenge, a fair one, I'll maintain't:
I scorn to hire my Second to deliver't,
I bring't my self: Dost know me, _Julio_?
_Jul. Bellides?_
_Bel._ Yes: is not thy hair on end now?
_Jul._ Somewhat amaz'd at thy rash hardiness;
How durst thou come so near thine enemy?
_Bel._ Durst?
I dare come nearer: thou'rt a fool, _Julio_.
_Jul._ Take it home to thee with a knave to boot.
_Bel._ Knave to thy teeth again: and all that's quit:
Give me not a fool more than I give thee,
Or if thou dost, look to hear on't again.
_Jul._ What an encounter's this?
_Bel._ A noble one:
My hand is to my words, thou hast it there,
There I do challenge thee, if thou dar'st be
Good friends with me; or I'll proclaim thee coward.
_Jul._ Be friends with thee?
_Bel._ I'll shew thee reasons for't:
A pair of old Coxcombs (now we go together)
Such as should stand examples of discretion,
The rules of Grammar to unwilling youth
To take out lessons by; we that should check
And quench the raging fire in others bloods,
We strike the battel to destruction?
Read 'em the black art? and make 'em believe
It is divinity? Heathens, are we not?
Speak thy conscience, how hast thou slept this month,
Since this Fiend haunted us?
_Jul._ Sure some Good Angel
Was with us both last night: speak thou truth now,
Was it not last nights motion?
_Bel._ Dost not think
I would not lay hold of it at first proffer?
Should I n'er sleep again?
_Jul._ Take not all from me;
I'll tell the doctrine of my vision.
Say that [_Antonio_] (best of thy blood)
Or any one, the least allyed to thee,
Should be the prey unto _Lisauro_'s sword,
Or any of the house of _Bellides_?
_Bel._ Mine was the just inversion: on, on.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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