Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Pros._ Pray you interrupt me not,
Now to my fortunes; the girl well dispos'd of
With a faithful friend of mine, my cruel fate
Made me a prisoner to the _Turkish_ Gallies,
Where for 12 years, these hands tugg'd at the Oar,
But fortune tyr'd at length with my afflictions,
Some Ships of _Maltha_ met the _Ottoman_ Fleet,
Charg'd them, and boarded them, and gave me freedom.
With my deliverers I serv'd, and got
Such reputation with the great Master
That he gave me command over a tall
And lusty ship, where my first happy service
Was to redeem _Alberto_ rumour'd dead,
But was like me surpriz'd by _Cortugogly_.
_Alber._ I would I had died there.
_Pros._ And from him learning
_Baptista_ liv'd, and their dissolv'd friendship,
I hois'd up sails for _Greece_, found _Juliana_
A votary at her Beads; having made known
Both that you liv'd, and where you were: she borrow'd
So much from her devotion, as to wish me
To bring her to you; if the object please you,
With joy receive her.
_Bapt._ Rage and fury leave me. [_Throws away his sword._
I am so full of happiness, there's no room left
To entertain you, oh my long lost Jewel,
Light of mine eyes, my souls strength.
_Julia._ My best Lord, having embrac'd you thus,
Death cannot fright me.
_Bapt._ Live long to do so, though I should fix here.
Pardon me _Prospero_, though I enquire my daughters fortune.
_Pros._ That your happiness
May be at all parts perfect, here she is!
_Ces. Biancha_, daughter to a Princess.
_Pros._ True with my faithful Host I left her,
And with him till now she hath resided,
Ignorant both of her birth and greatness.
_Bap._ Oh my blest one. Joy upon joy o'erwhelms me.
_Duke._ Above wonder.
_Alb._ I do begin to melt too, this strange story
Works much upon me.
_Duke._ Since it hath pleas'd heaven
To grace us with this miracle, I that am
Heavens instrument here, determine thus; _Alberto_
Be not unthankful for the blessings shown you,
Nor you _Baptista_; discord was yet never
A welcome sacrifice; therefore rage laid by,
Embrace as friends, and let pass'd difference
Be as a dream forgotten.
_Bap._ 'Tis to me.
_Alber._ And me, and thus confirm it.
_Duke._ And to tye it
In bonds not to be broken, with the marriage
Of young _Mentivole_, and fair _Clarissa_,
So you consent great Lady, your _Biancha_
Shall call _Cæsario_ Husband.
_Julia._ 'Tis a motion I gladly yield to.
_Cesar._ One in which you make a sad man happy. [_Offers to kneel._
_Bian._ Kneel not, all forgiven.
_Duke._ With the Duke your Uncle I will make attonement, and
will have no denial.
_Enter Host_, Forobosco, _Clown and Officers_.
_Mar._ Let this day be still held sacred.
_Host._ Now if you can conjure, let the Devil unbind you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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