Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_L. Rui._ Nay, let's have Musick, let that sweet breath at least
Give us her airy welcome, 'twill be the best
I fear this ruin'd receptacle will yield,
But that most freely.
_Nee._ My welcome follows me,
Else I am ill, come hither, you assure me
Still Mr. _Cuningame_ will be here, and that it was
His kind entreaty that wish'd me meet him.
_L. Ruin._ Else let me be that shame unto my Sex,
That all belief may flie um.
_Nee._ Continue still
The Knights name unto my Guardianess,
She expects no other.
[_L]. Ruin._ He will, he will, assure you
Lady, _Sir Gregory_ will be here, and suddainly
This Musick fore-ran him, is't not so consorts?
_Ruin._ Yes Lady, he stays on some device to bring along
Such a labour he was busie in, some witty device.
_Nee._ 'T[w]ill be long e'r he comes then, for wits a great
Labour to him.
_Guard._ Well, well, you'll agree better one day.
_Nee._ Scarce two I think.
_Guard._ Such a mock-beggar suit of cloaths as led me
Into the fools pair-of-Dice, with Dewze Ace,
He that would make me Mistriss _Cun_, _Cun_, _Cunnie_,
He's quite out of my mind, but I shall ne'er
Forget him, while I have a hole in my head;
Such a one I think would please you better,
Though he did abuse you.
_Ruin._ Fye, speak well of him now,
Your Neece has quitted him.
_Guard._ I hope she has,
Else she loses me for ever; but for _Sir Gregory_.
Would he were come, I shall ill answer this
Unto your Uncle else.
_Nee._ You know 'tis his pleasure
I should keep him company.
_Guard._ I, and should be your own
If you did well too: Lord, I do wonder
At the niceness of you Ladies now a days,
They must have Husbands with so much wit forsooth.
Worship and wealth were both wont to be
In better request I'm sure, I cannot tell,
But they get ne'er the wiser children that I see.
_La. Ruin._ La, la, la, la, Sol, this Musick breaths in vain;
Methinks 'tis dull to let it move alone,
Let's have a female motion, 'tis in private,
And we'll grace't our selves, however it deserves.
_Nee._ What say you Guardianess?
_Guard._ 'Las I'm weary with the walk,
My jaunting days are done.
_L. Ru._ Come, come, we'll fetch her in by course, or else
She shall pay the Musick.
_Guard._ Nay, I'll have a little for my money then.
[_They Dance, a Cornet is winded._
_L. Ru._ Hark! upon my life the Knight; 'tis your friend,
This was the warning-piece of his approach.
_Enter_ Old Knight, Witty-pate, Cunningame,
_Masqu'd, and take them to Dance_.
_L. Ru._ Ha? no words but mum? well then,
We shall need no counsel-keeping.
_Nee. Cuningam?_
_Cun._ Yes, fear nothing.
_Nee._ Fear? why do you tell me of it?
_Cun._ Your Uncles here.
_Nee._ Aye me.
_Cun._ Peace.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account