Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Casta._ Out with it, God's name.
_Gab._ The Closset of my heart, I will lock here, wench,
[Laval _knocks within_.
And things shall make ye tremble. Who's that knocks there?
_Mar._ 'Tis _Lavall_.
_Gab._ Sit you still. Let him in.
I am resolv'd, and all you wronged women,
You noble spirits, that as I have suffer'd
Under this glorious beast-insulting man,
Lend me your causes, then your cruelties,
For I must put on madness above women.
_Cast._ Why do you look so ghastly?
_Gab._ Peace; no harm, Deer.
_Enter_ Lavall.
_Lav._ There, take my cloak and sword: Where is this Banquet?
_Mar._ In the next room.
_Casta._ How came he here? Heaven bless me.
_Lav._ Give me some Wine wench; fill it full, and sprightly.
_Gab._ Sit still, and be not fearful.
_Lav._ Till my veins swell,
And my strong sinews stretch like that brave _Centaur_,
That at the Table snatch'd the Bride away
In spight of _Hercules_.
_Casta._ I am betraid.
_Lav._ Nay, start not Lady; 'tis for you that I come,
And for your beauty: 'tis for you, _Lavall_
Honors this night; to you, the sacred shrine
I humbly bow, offering my vows and prayers;
To you I live.
_Gab._ In with the powder quickly:
So, that and the Wine will rock ye.
[_Lav._ Here, to the health]
Of the most beauteous and divine, fair _Casta_,
The star of sweetness.
_Gab._ Fear him not, I'll die first.
And who shall pledge ye?
_Lav._ Thou shalt, thou tann'd Gipsey:
And worship to that brightness give, cold _Tartar_.
By ---- ye shall not stir; ye are my Mistris,
The glory of my love, the great adventure,
The Mistris of my heart, and she my whore.
_Gab._ Thou ly'st, base, beastly Lord; drunker then anger,
Thou sowsed Lord, got by a surfeit, thou lyest basely.
Nay, stir not: I dare tell thee so. Sit you still.
If I be whore, it is in marrying thee,
That art so absolute and full a villain,
No Sacrament can save that piece tied to thee.
How often hast thou woo'd in those flatteries,
Almost those very words, my constancie?
What goddess have I not been, or what goodness
What star that is of any name in Heaven,
Or brightness? which of all the virtues
(But drunkenness, and drabbing, thy two morals)
Have not I reach'd to? what Spring was ever sweeter?
What _Scythian_ snow so white? what crystal chaster?
Is not thy new wife now the same too? Hang thee,
Base Bigamist, thou honor of ill women.
_Casta._ How's this? O! Heaven defend me.
_Gab._ Thou salt-itch,
For whom no cure but ever burning brimstone
Can be imagin'd.
_Lav._ Ha, ha, ha.
_Gab._ Dost thou laugh, thou breaker
Of all law, all religion, of all faith
Thou Soule contemner?
_Lav._ Peace, thou paltry woman:
And sit by me, Sweet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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