Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Enter Amiens, and Longeville, with a Paper._
_Ami._ You'll carry it.
_Long._ As I live although my packet were like _Bellerophon's_,
what have you seen in me or my behavior since your favors so
plentifully showr'd upon my wants, that may beget distrust of my
p[er]formance?
_Ami._ Nay, be not angry, if I entertained
But the least scruple of your love, or courage,
I would make choyce of one which my estate
Should do me right in this, nor can you blame me
If in a matter of such consequence
I am so importunate.
_Long._ Good my Lord let me prevent your farther conjurations
To rayse my spirit, I know this is a challenge
To be delivered unto _Orlean[c]e_ hand,
And that my undertaking ends not there,
But I must be your second, and in that
Not alone search your enemy, measure weapons,
But stand in all your hazards, as our blouds
Ran in the self-same veins, in which if I
Better not your opinion, as a limb
That's putrifi'd and useless, cut me off,
And underneath the Gallows bury it.
_Ami._ At full you understand me, and in this
Bind me, and what's mine to you and yours,
I will not so much wrong you as to add
One syllable more, let it suffice I leave
My honor to your guard: and in that prove,
You hold the first place in my heart and love. [_Ex. Ami._
_Long._ The first place in a Lords affection? very good; and how
long doth that last? perhaps the changing of some three shirts in
the Tennis-Court; well, it were very necessary that an order were
taken (if it were possible,) that younger brothers might have more
wit, or more money: for now, however the fool hath long been put
upon him that inherits, his revenue hath bought him a spunge, and
wip't off the imputation, and for the understanding of the younger,
let him get as much Rhetorick as he can, to grace his language.
_Enter_ Dubois.
They will see, he shall have gloss little enough to set out his
Bark; stand _Dubois_, look about, 's all safe?
_Dub._ Approach not near me but with reverence Lawrel and
adorations, I have done more than deserves a hundred thanks.
_Long._ How now, what's the matter?
_Dub._ With this hand, only aided by this brain,
Without an _Orpheus_ Harp redeem'd from Hells
Three headed Porter, our _Euridice_.
_Long._ Nay, prethee speak sence, this is like the stale bragart in
a Play.
_Dub._ Then in plain Prose thus, and with as little action as
thou canst desire, the three headed Porter, were three unexorable
Catch-poles, out of whose jaws without the help of _Orpheus_ Harp,
bait or bribe; for those two strings make the Musick, that molifies
those flinty furies, I rescued our _Euridice_, I mean my old Master
_Montague_.
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