Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Mir._ Oh, this hand betrayes him, you might remember
him in some courtesie yet at least.
_Cun._ I thank your help in't, here's to his health
Where e'er he be.
_Mir._ I'll pledge it, were it against my health.
_Clow._ Oh, oh, my heart hops after twelve mile a day, upon a
good return, now could I walk three hundred mile a foot, and
laugh forwards and backwards.
_Mir._ You'll take the Knights health, Sir.
_Clow._ Yes, yes forsooth, oh my sides! such a Banquet once a
week, would make me grow fat in a fortnight.
_Cun._ Well, now to close our meeting, with the close
Of mutual hands and hearts, thus I begin,
Here in Heavens eye, and all loves sacred powers,
(Which in my Prayers stand propitious)
I knit this holy hand fast, and with this hand
The heart that owes this hand, ever binding
By force of this initiating Contract
Both heart and hand in love, faith, loyalty,
Estate, or what to them belongs, in all the dues,
Rights and honors of a faithful husband,
And this firm vow, henceforth till death, to stand
Irrevocable, seal'd both with heart and hand.
_Mir._ Which thus I second, but oh, Sir _Gregory_.
_Cun._ Agen? this interposition's ill, believe me.
_Mir._ Here, in Heavens eye, and all Loves sacred powers,
I knit this holy hand fast, and with this hand
The heart that owes this hand, ever binding
Both heart and hand in love, honor, loyalty,
Estate, or what to them belongs in all the dues,
Rights, and duties of a true faithful Wife;
And this firm Vow, henceforth till death, to stand,
Irrevocable, seal'd both with heart and hand.
_Sir Greg._ A full agreement on both parts.
_Cun._ I, here's witness of that.
_Sir Greg._ Nay, I have over-reacht you Lady, and that's much,
For any Knight in _England_ to over-reach a Lady.
_Mir._ I rejoyce in my deceit, I am a Lady
Now, I thank you, Sir.
_Clow._ Good morrow Lady _Fop_.
_Sir Greg._ 'Snails, I'm gull'd, made a worshipful ass,
this is not my Lady.
_Cun._ But it is Sir, and true as your dream told you,
That your Lady was become another Woman.
_Sir Greg._ I'll have another Lady, Sir, if there were no more
Ladies in _London_, blind-man buff is an unlawful Game.
_Cun._ Come, down on your knees first, and thank your Stars.
_Sir Greg._ A fire of my stars, I may thank you, I think.
_Cun._ So you may pray for me, and honor me,
That have preserv'd you from a lasting torment,
For a perpetual comfort; Did you call me friend?
_Sir Greg._ I pray pardon me for that, I did miscall you, I confess.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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