Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
See what our General of Ebbs and Flows
Out from the bowels of her holy Altar
With sacred Act advances: But one Rose,
If well inspir'd, this Battel shall confound
Both these brave Knights, and I a Virgin Flower
Must grow alone unpluck'd.
[_Here is heard a sodain twang of Instruments,_
_and the Rose falls from the Tree._
The Flower is fall'n, the Tree descends: oh Mistriss
Thou here dischargest me, I shall be gather'd,
I think so, but I know not thine own Will;
Unclaspe th[y] Mistery: I hope she's pleas'd,
Her Signs were gracious.
[_They curt'sey, and Exeunt._
_Scæna Secunda._
_Enter Doctor, Jaylor, and Woo[e]r, in habit of_ Palamon.
_Doct._ Has this advice I told you, done any good upon her?
_Woo._ Oh very much; the Maids that kept her company
Have half perswaded her that I am _Palamon_; within this
Half hour she came smiling to me, and ask'd me what I
Would eat, and when I would kiss her: I told her,
Presently, and kist her twice.
_Doct._ 'Twas well done; twenty times had been far better,
For there the cure lies mainly.
_Woo._ Then she told me
She would watch with me to night, for well she knew
What hour my fit would take me.
_Doct._ Let her do so,
And when your fit comes, fit her home,
And presently.
_Wooer._ She would have me sing.
_Doct._ You did so?
_Woo._ No.
_Doct._ 'Twas very ill done then,
You should observe her ev'ry way.
_Woo._ Alas
I have no voice Sir, to confirm her that way.
_Doct._ That's all one, if ye make a noise,
If she intreat again, do any thing,
Lie with her if she ask you.
_Jail._ Hoa there Doctor.
_Doct._ Yes, in the way of cure.
_Jail._ But first, by your leave
I' th' way of honesty.
_Doct._ That's but a niceness,
Nev'r cast your child away for honesty;
Cure her first this way, then if she will be honest,
She has the path before her.
_Jail._ Thank ye Doctor.
_Doct._ Pray bring her in
And let's see how she is.
_Jail._ I will, and tell her
Her _Palamon_ staies for her: but Doctor,
Methinks you are i' th' wrong still. [_Exit Jaylor._
_Doct._ Goe, goe: you Fathers are fine fools: her honesty?
And we should give her physick till we find that:
_Woo._ Why, do you think she is not honest, Sir?
_Doct._ How old is she?
_Woo._ She's eighteen.
_Doct._ She may be,
But that's all one, 'tis nothing to our purpose,
What ev'r her Father saies, if you perceive
Her Mood inclining that way that I spoke of
_Videlicet, The way of flesh_, you have me.
_Woo._ Yes very well Sir.
_Doct._ Please her appetite
And do it home, it cures her _ipso facto_,
The melancholly humor that infects her.
_Woo._ I am of your mind, _Doctor_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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