Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Jul._ Will you vex my soul forth? no other choice
But where my hate is rooted? Come hither Girl,
Whose pretty maid art thou?
_Ism._ The child of a poor man, Sir.
_Jul._ The better for it. With my Soveraigns leave,
I'll wed thee to this man, will he, nill he.
_Phil._ Pardon me, Sir, I'll be no Love enforcer:
I use no power of mine unto those ends.
_Jul._ Wilt thou have him?
_Ism._ Not unless he love me.
_Ant._ I do love thee: Farewell all other Beauties:
I settle here: you are _Ismenia_.
_Ism._ The same I was: better nor worse, (_Antonio_)
_Ant._ I shall have your consent here, I'm sure, Sir.
_Bel._ With all my heart, Sir. Nay, if you accept it,
I'll do this kindness to mine enemy,
And give her as a Father.
_Ant._ Shee'll thank you as a Daughter.
Will you not, _Ismenia_?
_Bel._ How? _Ismenia?_
_Ism._ Your daughter, Sir.
_Bel._ Is't possible? Away you feeble witted things,
You thought you had caught the old ones: you wade, you wade
In shallow fords: we can swim, we: look here,
We made the match: we are all friends good friends;
Thin, thin: why the fool knew all this, this fool.
_Bust._ Keep that to your self, Sir; What I knew I knew:
This sack is a witness. Miller, this is not for your thumming.
Here's gold lace: you may see her in her holliday clothes if
you will; I was her ward-robe-man.
_Enter_ Martin, Aminta, _Constable, Officers_.
_Ant._ You beguil'd me well, Sir.
_Mar._ Did you speak to me, Sir?
_Ant._ It might seem to you, _Martin_, your conscience
Has quick ears.
_Mar._ My sight was a little dim i'th' dark indeed,
So was my feeling cozen'd; yet I'm content:
I am the better understander now,
I know my wife wants nothing of a woman;
There y'are my _Junior_.
_Ant._ You are not hurt?
_Mar._ Not shrewdly hurt; I [h]ave good flesh to heal, you see,
Good round flesh: these cherries will be worth chopping,
Crack stones and all; I should not give much to boot
To ride in your new, and you in my old ones now.
_Ant._ You mistake the weapon: are you not hurt?
_Mar._ A little scratch: but I shall claw it off well enough.
_Enter_ Gillian.
_Gill._ I can no longer own what is not mine
With a free conscience: My Liege, your pardon.
_Phil._ For what? who knows this woman?
_Fra._ I best, my Lord,
I have been acquainted with her these forty Summers,
And as many Winters, were it Spring agen;
She's like the Gout I can get no cure for her.
_Phil._ Oh, your Wife, _Franio_?
_Fra._ 'Tis oh my wife indeed, my Lord,
A painful stitch to my side; would it were pick'd out.
_Phil._ Well Sir, your silence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account