Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10 — John Shaqi
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Cro._ So serve it plentifully,
And lose not time to enquire the cause;
There is a main design that hangs upon this bounty.
See the Table furnisht with Wine too,
That discovers secrets which tortures cannot open:
Open the doors too of the several prisons,
And give all free entrance into this room.
Undiscover'd I can here mark all.
_Enter_ Tib. Mast.
Here's Captain careless, and the tough Ship-master,
The slaves are nos'd like Vultures
How wild they look.
_Tib._ Ha, the mistery of this,
Some good Hobgoblin rise and reveal.
_Mast._ I'm amazed at it: nor can I sound the intent.
_Tib._ Is not this bread,
Substantial bread, not painted?
_Mast._ But take heed,
You may be poisoned.
_Tib._ I am sure I am famish'd;
And famine, as the wise man says,
Gripes the guts as much as any Mineral.
This may be _Treacle_ sent to preserve me
After a long Fast: or be it _Vipers_ spittle,
I'll run the hazard.
_Mast._ We are past all fear, I'll take part with ye.
_Tib._ Do: and now i'faith, how d'ye feel your self?
I find great ease in't. What's here;
Wine, and it be thy Will;
Strong lusty Wine. Well, fools may talk
Of _Mythridate_, Cordials, and _Elixirs_.
But from my youth this was my only Physick.
Here's a colour, what Ladies cheek,
Though cerus'd over, comes near it?
It sparkles too: hangs out Diamonds.
Oh my sweet-heart, how I will hug thee,
Again, and again! They are poor drunkards,
And not worth thy favors,
That number thy moist kisses in these Crystals.
_Mast._ But Mounsieur,
Here are Suckets, and sweet dishes.
_Tib._ Tush, boys meat,
I am past it; here's strong food fit for men:
Nectar, old lad. Mistriss of merry hearts,
Once more I am bold with you.
_Mast._ Take heed (man)
Too much will breed distemper.
_Tib._ Hast thou liv'd at Sea
The most part of thy life, where to be sober
While we have Wine aboard, is capital Treason;
And dost thou preach sobriety?
_Mast._ Prethee forbear,
We may offend in it; we know not for whom
It was provided.
_Tib._ I am sure for me: therefore _footra_,
When I am full, let 'em hang me, I care not.
_Enter_ Albert, Aminta, Raymond, Lamure, Morrillat,
Franvile, _severally_.
_Mast._ This has been his temper ever.
See, provoking dishes; candid _Eringoes_,
And _Potatoes_.
_Tib._ I'll not touch 'em, I will drink;
But not a bit on a march, I'll be an Eunuch rather.
_Mast._ Who are these?
_Tib._ Marry, who you will;
I keep my Text here.
_Alb. Raymond!_
_Ray. Albert!_
_Tib._ Away, I'll be drunk alone;
Keep off Rogues, or I'll belch ye into air;
Not a drop here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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