Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Cleo. Cupid_, pardon what is past,
And forgive our sins at last,
Then we will be coy no more,
But thy Deity Adore,
Troths at fifteen we will plight,
And will tread a Dance [each] night.
In the fields, or by the Fire,
With the youths that have desire. (_How does she yet?_)
_Hero._ O ill:
_Cleo._ Given Ear-rings we will wear,
Bracelets of our Lovers hair,
Which they on our Arms shall twist,
With their Names carv'd on our wrist:
All the money that we owe,
We in Tokens will bestow:
And learn to write, that when 'tis sent,
Onely our Loves know what it meant:
O then pardon what is past,
And forgive our Sins at last. (_What, Mends she?_)
_Hero._ Nothing, you do it not wantonly, you shou'd sing.
[_Cleo._ Why?
_Hero._ Leave, leave, 'tis now too late.
Shee is dead: Her last is breathed.]
_Cleo._ What shall we doe.
_Hero._ Go run,
And tell the _Duke_; And whilst I'll close her eyes.
Thus I shut thy faded light,
And put it in eternall night.
Where is she can boldly say
Though she be as fresh as _May_:
She shall not by this Corps be laid,
Ere to morrows light doe fade.
Let us all now living be,
Warn'd by thy strict Chastitie;
And marry all fast as we can,
Till then we keep a piece of man,
Wrongfully from them that owe it
Soon may every Maid bestow it. [_Exeunt._
_Enter Bacha and a Maid._
_Bac._ Who is it?
_Maid._ Forsooth there's [a] gallant Coach at the dore,
And the brave old man in't, that you said was the _Duke_.
_Bacha. Cupid_, grant he may be taken. _Away_:
_Maid._ He is coming up, and looks the swaggeringst, and has
such glorious cloaths.
_Bac._ Let all the house see me sad, and see all handsome.
_Enter Leontius, and Timantus, a Jewell and a Ring._
_Leon._ Nay widow flie not back, we come not now to chide,
stand up and bid me welcome.
_Bac._ To a poor widows house that knows no end of her ill
fortune: your Highness is most welcome.
_Leon._ Come kiss me then, this is but manners widow: Nere
fling your head aside, I have more cause of grief than you: my
Daughters dead: but what? 'Tis nothing. Is the rough _French_
horse brought to the dore? They say he is a high goer, I shall
soon try his mettle.
_Tim._ He will be Sir, and the gray _Barbary_, they are fiery
both.
_Leon._ They are the better: Before the gods I am lightsome,
very lightsome: How doest thou like me widow?
_Bach._ As a person in whom all graces are.
_Leon._ Come, come, ye flatter: I'll clap your cheek for that,
and you shall not be angry.
Hast no _Musick_: Now could I cut three times with ease, and do
a cross point, should shame all your gallants.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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