Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Leu._ Oh strange carriages!
Sir, as I have hope that there is any thing
To reward doing well, my usages
Which have been (but 'tis no matter what)
Have put me so far from the thought of Greatness,
That I should welcome it like a disease
That grew upon me, and I could not cure.
They are my enemies that gave you this,
And yet they call me friend, and are themselves
I fear abus'd. I am weary of my life,
For Gods sake take it from me: it creates
More mischief in the State than it is worth,
The usage I have had, I know would make
Wisdom her self run frantick through the streets,
And Patience quarrel with her shadow.
Sir, this sword--
_Bac._ Alas! help for the love of Heaven,
Make way through me first, for he is your Father.
_Leon._ What, would he kill me?
_Bac._ No Sir, no.
_Leon._ Thou always [mak'st] the best on't, but I fear--
_Leu._ Why do you use me thus? who is't can think
That I would kill my Father, that can yet
Forbear to kill you? Here Sir, is my sword;
I dare not touch it, lest she say again
I would have kill'd you: let me not have mercy
When I most need it, if I would not change
Place with my meanest servant. Let these faults
Be mended Madam: if you saw how ill
They did become you, you would part with them.
_Bac._ I told the Duke as much before.
_Leu._ What? what did you tell him?
_Bac._ That it was only an ambition,
Nurst in you by your youth, provok'd you thus,
Which age would take away.
_Leon._ It was his doing then? come hither Love.
_Bac._ No indeed, Sir.
_Leu._ How am I made, that I can bear all this?
If any one had us'd a friend of mine [nere] this,
My hand had carried death about it.
_Leon._ Lead me hence _Tellamon_: come my dear
_Bacha_, I shall find time for this.
_Ism._ Madam, you know I dare not speak before
The King; but you know well, if not, I'll tell [it] you,
You are the most wicked'st, and most murderous
Strumpet, that ever was call'd Woman.
_Bac._ My Lord, what can I do for him? he shall command me.
_Leon._ I know thou art too kind; away I say.
[_Exit_ Leon. Bac. Tima. Telia.
_Isme._ Sir, I am sure we dream, this cannot be.
_Leu._ Oh that we did, my wickedness has brought
All this to pass, else I should bear my self.
_Enter_ Urania.
_Isme._ Look, doe you see who's there? your virtuous Mothers
issue: kill her, yet take some little pidling revenge.
_Leu._ Away, the whole Court calls her virtuous; for they say,
she is unlike her Mother, and if so, she can have no vice.
_Ism._ I'll trust none of 'em that come of such a breed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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