Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Am._ Oh my Husband!
Why stands my husband as a man endanger'd?
Restore him me, as you are merciful,
I'll answer for him.
_Ant._ What woman's this? what husband? hold thy bawling,
I know thee for no wife.
_Am._ You married me last night.
_Ant._ Thou lyest: I neither was in Church nor house
Last night, nor saw I thee: a thing that was my friend,
I scorn to name now, was with _Ismenia_,
Like a thief, and there he violated
A sacred trust. This thou mayst know (_Aminta._)
_Am._ Are not you he?
_Ant._ No; nor a friend of his:
Would I had kill'd him: I hope I have.
_Am._ That was my Husband (Royal Sir) that man,
That excellent man.
_Enter_ Bellides.
_Ant._ That villain, that thief.
_Bel._ Have I caught you Sir? well overtaken.
This is mine enemy: pardon, (my Soveraign.)
_Phil._ Good charity, to crave pardon for your enemy.
_Bel._ Mine own pardon (Sir) for my joyes rudeness:
In what place better could I meet my foe,
And both of us so well provided too?
He with some black blood-thirsty crime upon him,
That (ere the horse-leech burst) will suck him dry:
I with a second accusation,
Enough to break his neck, if need should be,
And then to have even Justice it self to right us:
How should I make my joyes a little civil,
They might not keep this noyse?
_Ant._ Here is some hope.
Should the ax be dull, the halter's preparing.
_Phil._ What's your accusation, Sir? We have heard the former.
_Enter_ Julio.
_Bel._ Mine (my Lord?) a strong one.
_Jul._ A false one, Sir.
At least malicious: an evidence
Of hatred and despight: He would accuse
My poor kinsman of that he never dream'd of,
Nor waking saw; the stealing of his daughter,
She whom, I know, he would not look upon.
Speak _Antonio_, Didst thou ever see her?
_Ant._ Yes Sir, I have seen her.
_Bel._ Ah ha, friend _Julio_.
_Jul._ He might, but how? with an unheedful eye,
An accidental view, as men see multitudes
That the next day dare not precisely say
They saw that face, or that amongst 'em all.
Didst thou so look on her?
_Bel._ Guilty, guilty:
His looks hang themselves.
_Phil._ Your patience (Gen[t]leman.)
I pray you tell me if I be in errour,
I may speak often when I should but hear:
This is some show you would present us with,
And I do interrupt it: Pray you speak,
(It seems no more) Is't any thing but a show?
_Bel._ My Lord, this Gentlewoman can show you all,
So could my daughter too: if she were here;
By this time they are both immodest enough:
Shee's fled me, and I accuse this thief for't.
Don _Martin_, his own friend's my testimony:
A practis'd night-work.
_Phil._ That _Martin_'s the other
In your custodie; he was forgotten:
Fetch him hither.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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