Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Const._ Wee'll bring the Stocks and all else, and't please
your Grace.
_Enter_ Bustofa _and_ Ismenia.
_Am._ That man's my husband certain, instead of this:
Both would have deceiv'd, and both beguil'd.
_Bust._ Soh hoh, Miller, Miller, look out Miller: is there
n'ere a Miller amongst you here, Gentlemen?
_[T]ir._ Yes Sir, here is a Miller amongst Gentlemen, A
Gentleman Miller.
_Bust._ I should not be far off then; there went but a pair of
sheers and a bodkin between us. Will you to work Miller? Here's
a maid has a sack full of news for you: shall your stones walk?
will you grind Miller?
_Phil._ This your son, _Franio_?
_Fra._ My ungratious, my disobedient,
My unnatural, my rebel son (my Lord.)
_Bust._ Fie, your hopper runs over, Miller.
_Fra._ This villain (of my own flesh and blood) was accessary
To the stealing of my daughter.
_Bust._ Oh Mountain,
Shalt thou call a molehill a scab upon the face
Of the earth? though a man be a thief, shall a Miller call
Him so? Oh egregious!
_Jul._ Remember Sirrha, who you speak before.
_Bust._ I speak before a Miller.
A thief in grain; for he steals corn: He that steals
A wench, is a true man to him.
_Phil._ Can you prove that? you may help another cause
that was in pleading.
_Bust._ I'll prove it strongly.
He that steals corn, steals the bread of the Common-wealth;
He that steals a wench, steals but the flesh.
_Phil._ And how is the bread stealing more criminal then the flesh?
_Bust._ He that steals bread, steals that which is lawful every day:
He that steals flesh, steals nothing from the fasting day:
_Ergo_ to steal the bread is the arranter theft.
_Phil._ This is to some purpose.
_Bust._ Again, he that steals flesh steals for his own belly full:
He that steals bread, robs the guts of others:
_Ergo_, The arranter thief the bread-stealer.
Again he that steals flesh, steals once, and gives over; yes,
and often pays for it: the other steals every day, without
satisfaction. To conclude, Bread-stealing is the more capital
crime: for what he steals he puts it in at the head: he that
steals flesh (as the Dutch Author says) puts it in at the foot
(the lower member.) Will you go as you are now, Miller?
_Phil._ How has this satisfied you, Don _Bellides_?
_Bel._ Nothing (my Lord) my cause is serious.
I claim a daughter from that loving thiefe there.
_Ant._ I would I had her for you, Sir.
_Bel._ Ah ha, _Julio_.
_Jul._ How said you, _Antonio_? Wish you, you had his daughter?
_Ant._ With my soul I wish her; and my body
Shall perish, but I'll injoy my souls wish.
I would have slain my friend for his deceit,
But I do find his own deceit hath paid him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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