Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_[1] Gen._ Marry, in any case keep me that evidence.
_Enter Clown._
_Lap._ Here comes my Servant; Sir, _Galoshio_,
Has not his name for nought, he will be trode upon:
What says my Printer now?
_Clow._ Here's your last Proof, Sir.
You shall have perfect Books now in a twinkling.
_Lap._ These marks are ugly.
_Clow._ He says, Sir, they're proper:
Blows should have marks, or else they are nothing worth.
_La._ But why a Peel-crow here?
_Clow._ I told 'em so Sir:
A scare-crow had been better.
_Lap._ How slave? look you, Sir,
Did not I say, this _Whirrit_, and this _Bob_,
Should be both _Pica Roman_.
_Clow._ So said I, Sir, both _Picked Romans_,
And he has made 'em _Welch_ Bills,
Indeed I know not what to make on 'em.
_Lap._ Hay-day; a _Souse_, _Italica_?
_Clow._ Yes, that may hold, Sir,
_Souse_ is a _bona roba_, so is _Flops_ too.
_Lap._ But why stands _Bastinado_ so far off here?
_Clow._ Alas, you must allow him room to lay about him, Sir.
_La._ Why lies this _Spurn lower_ than that _Spurn_, Sir?
_Clow._ Marry, this signifies one kick[t] down stairs, Sir,
The other in a Gallery: I asked him all these questions.
_1 Gent._ Your Books name?
Prethee _Lapet_ mind me, you never told me yet.
_La._ Marry but shall Sir: 'tis call'd the Uprising of the _kick_;
And the downfall of the _Duello_.
_1 Gent._ Bring that to pass, you'll prove a happy member,
And do your Countrey service: your young blouds
Will thank you then, why they see fourscore.
_Lap._ I hope
To save my hundred Gentlemen a month by't,
Which will be very good for the private house.
_Clow._ Look you, your Table's finish'd, Sir, already.
_Lap._ Why then behold my Master-piece: see, see, Sir,
Here's all your Blows, and Blow-men whatsoever;
Set in their lively colours, givers, and takers.
_1 Gent._ Troth wondrous fine, Sir.
_Lap._ Nay, but mark the postures,
The standing of the takers, I admire more than the givers;
They stand scornfully, most contumeliously, I like not them,
Oh here's one cast into a comely Figure.
_Clow._ My Master means him there that's cast down headlong.
_Lap._ How sweetly does this fellow take his _Dowst_!
Stoops like a _Cammel_, that Heroick beast,
At a great load of Nutmegs; and how meekly
This other fellow here receives his _Whirrit_!
_Clow._ Oh Master, here's a fellow stands most gallantly,
Taking his _kick_ in private, behind the hangings,
And raising up his hips to't. But oh, Sir,
How daintily this man lies trampled on!
Would I were in thy place, what e'er thou art:
How lovely he endures it!
_1 Gent._ But will not these things, Sir, be hard to practice, think
you?
_Lap._ Oh, easie, Sir: I'll teach 'em in a Dance.
_1 Gent._ How? in a dance?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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