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._ Go now, stay with the horses, and, do you hear?
Upon your lives, till some of us come to you,
Dare not to look this way.
_Dub._ Except you see strangers or others that by chance or purpose
are like to interrupt us.
_Orl._ Then give warning.
_Long._ Who takes a sword? the advantage is so small,
As he that doubts, hath the free leave to choose.
_Orl._ Come, give me any, and search me; 'tis not
The ground, weapon, or seconds that can make
Odds in those fatal trials: but the cause.
_Ami._ Most true, and, but it is no time to wish
When men are come to do, I would desire
The cause 'twixt us were other than it is;
But where the right is, there prevail our Swords.
And if my Sister have out-liv'd her honor,
I do not pray I may out-live her shame.
_Orl._ Your Sister _Amiens_, is a whore, at once.
_Ami._ You oft have spoke that sence to me before,
But never in th[i]s language _Orleance_;
And when you spoke it fair, and first, I told you
That it was possible you might be abus'd:
But now, since you forget your manners, you shall find,
If I transgress my custom, you do lye,
And are a villain, which I had rather yet
My sword had prov'd, than I been forc'd to speak:
Nay, give us leave, and since you stand so haughtily
And highly on your cause, let you and I,
Without engaging these two Gentlemen, singly determine it.
_Long._ My Lord, you'll pardon us.
_Dub._ I trust your Lordships may not do us that affront.
_Ami._ As how?
_Dub._ We kiss your Lordships hand, and come to serve you here with
swords.
_Long._ My Lord, we understand our selves.
_Dub._ We have had the honor to be call'd unto the business, and we
must not now quit it on terms.
_Ami._ Not terms of reason?
_Long._ No, no [r]eason for the quitting of our calling.
_Dub._ True, if I be call'd to't I must ask no reason.
_Long._ Nor hear none neither, which is less:
It is a favour, if my throat be cut,
Your Lordship does me; which I never can,
[_A noise-within, crying down with your swords._
Nor must have hope how to requite: what noise?
What cry is that my Lord upon your guard?
So[me] treachery is a foot.
_Enter Lady_ Orleans, Lamira, Montague.
_Lady._ Oh here they are:
My Lord (dear Lady help me) help me all;
I have so woful interest in both,
I know not which to fear for most: and yet
I must prefer my Lord. Dear brother,
You are too understanding, and too noble
To be offended, when I know my duty,
Though scarce my tears will let me so to do it.
_Orl._ Out loathed strumpet.
_Lady._ Oh my dearest Lord,
If words could on me cast the name of whore,
I then were worthy to be loath'd; but know,
Your unkindness cannot make me wicked;
And therefore should less use that power upon me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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