Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Per._ When he speaks, his tongue
Sounds like a Trumpet; all his lineaments
Are as a man would wish 'em, strong and clean,
He wears a well-steel'd Axe, the staffe of Gold,
His age some five and twenty.
_Mess._ There's another,
A little man, but of a tough soul, seeming
As great as any, fairer promises
In such a Body yet I never look'd on.
_Per._ Oh he that's freckle fac'd?
_Mess._ The same my Lord,
Are they not sweet ones?
_Per._ Yes, they are well.
_Mess._ Methinks,
Being so few, and well dispos'd, they shew
Great, and fine Art in nature, he's white hair'd,
Not wanton white, but such a manly colour
Next to an aborn, tough, and nimble set,
Which shows an active soul: his arms are brawny
Lin'd with strong sinews: to the shoulder-piece,
Gently they swell, like Women new conceiv'd,
Which speaks him prone to labour, never fainting
Under the weight of Arms, stout-hearted still,
But when he stirs, a Tiger; he's grey ey'd,
Which yields compassion where he conquers: sharp
To spie advantages, and where he finds 'em,
He's swift to make 'em his: He does no wrongs,
Nor takes none; he's round fac'd, and when he smiles
He shows a Lover, when he frowns, a Soldier:
About his head he wears the winners oak,
And in it stuck the favour of his Lady:
His age, some six and thirty. In his hand
He bears a Charging Staffe, emboss'd with Silver.
_Thes._ Are they all thus?
_Per._ They are all the sons of honor.
_Thes._ Now as I have a soul, I long to see 'em,
Lady, you shall see men fight now.
_Hip._ I wish it,
But not the cause my Lord; They would shew
Bravely about the Titles of two Kingdoms;
'Tis pity Love should be so tyrannous:
Oh my soft-hearted Sister, what think you?
Weep not, till they weep bloud: Wench it must be.
_Thes._ You have steel'd 'em with your Beauty: honor'd friend,
To you I give the Field; pray order it,
Fitting the persons that must use it.
_Per._ Yes Sir.
_Thes._ Come, I'll go visit 'em: I cannot stay,
Their fame has fir'd me so; till they appear,
Good friend be royal.
_Per._ There shall want no bravery.
_Emil._ Poor wench go weep, for whosoever wins,
Looses a noble Cosin, for thy sins. [_Exeunt._
_Scæna Tertia._
_Enter Jailor, Wooer, Doctor._
_Doct._ Her distraction is more at some time of the Moon,
Than at other some, is it not?
_Jay._ She is continually in a harmless distemper, sleeps
Little, altogether without appetite, save often drinking,
Dreaming of another world, and a better; and what
Broken piece of matter so e'er she's about, the name
_Palamon_ lards it, that she farces ev'ry business
_Enter Daughter._
Withal, fits it to every question; Look where
She comes, you shall perceive her behaviour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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