Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Maria._ If so got, 'tis fit Sir
Now you possess it, that you should enjoy it
In peace, and quiet; I, your Son, and Daughter
That reap the harvest of your winters labour,
Though debtors for it yet have often trembled,
When, in way of discourse, you have related
How you came by it.
_Alber._ Trembled? how the softness
Of your sex may excuse you, I'll not argue,
But to the world, howe'er I hold thee noble
I should proclaim this boy some cowards bastard,
And not the Image of _Albertus_ youth:
If when some wish'd occasion calls him forth,
To a brave trial, one weak artery
Of his, should show a fever, though grim death
Put on a thousand dreadful shapes to fright him;
The Elements, the Sea, and all the Winds
We number on our compass, then conspiring
To make the Scæne more ghastly; I must have thee
Sirrah, I must, If once you grapple with
An enemies ship, to board her, though you see
The desperate Gunner ready to give fire,
And blow the deck up, or like _Cæsar's_ Soldier
Thy hands like his cut off, hang by the teeth,
And die undaunted.
_Maria._ I even die to hear you:
My son, my lov'd _Cesario_ run such hazards?
Bless'd Saints forbid it: you have done enough
Already for one family, that rude way;
I'll keep him safe at home, and train him up
A compleat Courtier: may I live to see him,
By sweet discourse, and gracious demeanor,
Winn, and bring home a fair Wife, and a rich;
'Tis all I rest ambitious of.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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