Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Orl._ Wou't thou? call what is mine thine own, thy reputation
shall not be brought in question for it, much less thy life; it
shall be nam'd a deed of valour in thee, not murder: Farewell.
[_Exit._
_Dub._ I need no more encouragement, it is a work I will persuade
my self that I was born to.
_Laver._ And you may persuade your self too that you shall be sav'd
by it, being that it is for his honorable Lordship.
_Dub._ But you must yield me means, how, when and where.
_Lav._ That shall be our tasks;
Nay more, we will be agents with thee:
This hour we are to meet him, on the receipt of certain moneys,
Which indeed we purpose honestly to cheat him of,
And that's the main cause I wou'd have him slain,
Who works with safety makes a double gain. [_Exeunt._
_Enter Longaville, Amiens following him._
_Ami._ Stay Sir, I have took some pains to overtake you.--Your name
is _Longaville_.
_Long._ I have the word of many honest men for't, I crave your
Lordships pardon, your sudden apprehension on my steps made me to
frame an answer unwitting and unworthy your respect.
_Ami._ Doe you know me?
_Long._ Yes, my Lord.
_Ami._ I know not you; nor am I well pleased to make this time, as
the affair now stands, the induction of your acquaintance; you are
a fighting fellow.
_Long._ How my Lord?
_Ami._ I think I too much grace you; rather you are a fellow
dares not fight, but spit and puffe and make a noyse, whilst your
trembling hand draws out your Sword, to lay it upon andirons,
stools or tables, rather than on a man.
_Long._ Your honor may best speak this; yet ---- with little
safety, if I thought it serious.
_Ami._ Come, you are a verie braggart, and you have given me cause
to tell you so: what weakness have you ever seen in me to prompt
your self, that I could need you help; or what other reason[s]
could induce you to it? you never yet had a meals meat from my
Table, nor as I remember from my Wardrop any cast Suit.
_Lon._ 'Tis true, I never durst yet have such a servile spirit,
to be the minion of a full swoln Lord; but alwaies did detest
such slavery: a meals meat, or a cast Suit? I wou'd first eat the
stones, and from such rags the dunghils doe afford, pick me a
garment.
_Ami._ I have mistook the man, his resolute spirit
Proclaimes him generous, he has a noble heart
As free to utter good deeds as to act them;
For had he not been right, and of one piece,
He would have crumpled, curled, and struck himself
Out of the shape of man into a shaddow.
But prethee tell me, if no such fawning hope
Did lead thee on to hazard life for my sake;
What was it that incited thee?
Tell me; speak it without the imputation of a Sycophant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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