Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Long._ And is this all? a poor rescue; I thought thou hadst
revers'd the judgement for his overthrow in his sute, or wrought
upon his adversary _Orleance_, taken the shape of a Ghost, frighted
his mind into distraction, and for the appeasing of his conscience,
forc'd him to make restitution of _Montague's_ Lands, or such
like rescue; S'light I would have hired _Acrocheture_ for two
_Cardekues_, to have done so much with his whip.
_Dub._ You wood Sir, and yet 'tis more than three on their
foot-cloaths durst do for a sworn Brother, in a Coach.
_Long._ Besides, what proof's of it? for ought I know, this may be
a trick, I had rather have him a prisoner, where I might visit him,
and do him service, than not at all, or I know not where.
_Dub._ Well Sir, the end will shew it, what's that, a challenge?
_Long._ Yes, where's _Orleance_? though we fight in jest, he must
meet with _Amiens_ in earnest,--fall off, we are discovered; my
horse _garson_; ha!
_Dub._ Were it not in a house, and in his presence,
To whom I owe all duty--
_Long._ What would it do? prate as it does? but be as far from
striking, as he that owes it _Orleance_.
_Dub._ How?
_Long._ I think thou art his Porter,
Set here to answer creditors, that his Lordship
Is not within, or takes the diet: I am sent,
And will grow here until I have an answer,
Not to demand a debt of money, but
To call him to a strict account for wrong
Done to the honors of a Gentleman,
Which nothing but his heart-bloud shall wash off.
_Dub._ Shall I hear this?
_Long._ And more, that if [I] may not
Have access to him, I will fix this here
To his disgrace and thine.
_Dub._ And thy life with it.
_Long._ Then have the copies of it pasted on posts,
Like Pamphlet Titles, that sue to be sold;
Have his disgrace talk for Tobacco-shops,
His picture baffled.
_Dub._ All respect away, wer't in a Church-- [_draw both._
_Long._ This is the Book I pray with.
_Enter Orleance._
_Orl._ Forbear upon your lives.
_Long._ What are you rouz'd? I hope your Lordship can read (though
he stain not his birth with Scholar-ship) doth it not please you
now? if you are a right _Mounsieur_, muster up the rest of your
attendance, which is a Page, a Cook, a Pander, Coach-man, and
a Footman, in these days a great Lords train, pretending I am
unworthy to bring you a challenge, instead of answering it, have me
kick'd.
_Dub._ If he does, thou deserv'st it.
_Long._ I dare you all to touch me, I'll not stand still,
What answer?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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