Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Lav._ But one short hour to cure me. [_Knock within._
Oh be not cruell: Oh! oh.
_Mar._ Heark, they knock.
Make hast for Heavens sake, Mistris.
_Gab._ This for _Casta_.
_Lav._ Oh, O, O, O! [_He dies._
_Mar._ He's dead: come quickly, let's away with him,
'T will be too late else.
_Gab._ Help, help up to th' chamber! [_Exeunt with Lavalls body._
_Enter Duke, Hellena, Gentile, Casta, and attendants,_
_with lights._
_Duke._ What frights are these?
_Gent._ I [a]m sure here 's one past frighting.
Bring the lights neerer: I have enough alreadie.
Out, out, mine eyes. Look, _Casta_.
_Lord._ 'T is young _Perolot_.
_Duke._ When came he over? Hold the Gentlewoman, she sinks; and
bear her off.
_Cast._ O my dear brother! [_Exit._
_Gent._ There is a time for all; for me, I hope, too,
And very shortly. Murdred?
[_Gabriella, Maria, with Lavalls body, above._
_Duke._ Who's above there?
_Gab._ Look up, and see.
_Duke._ What may this mean?
_Gab._ Behold it;
Behold the drunken murderer
Of that young Gentleman; behold the rankest,
The vilest, basest slave that ever flourish'd.
_Duke._ Who kill'd him?
_Gab._ I; and there 's the cause I did it:
Read, if your eyes will give you leave.
_Hell._ Oh! monstrous.
_Gab._ Nay, out it shall: there, take this false heart to ye;
The base dishonor of a thousand women:
Keep it in gold, Duke, 'tis a precious jewel.
Now to my self; for I have liv'd a fair age,
Longer by some moneths then I had a mind to.
_Duke._ Hold.
_Gab._ Here, young _Perolot_; my first contracted
True love shall never go alone.
_Duke._ Hold, _Gabriella_.
I do forgive all.
_Gab._ I shall die the better,
Thus let me seek my grave, and my shames with me.
_Mar._ Nor shalt thou go alone my noble Mistris:
Why should I live, and thou dead?
_Lord._ Save the wench there.
_Mar._ She is, I hope; and all my sins here written.
_Duke._ This was a fatal night.
_Gent._ Heaven has his working,
Which we cannot contend against.
_Duke._ Alas!
_Gent._ Your Grace has your alas too.
_Duke._ Would 't were equal;
For thou hast lost an honest noble childe.
_Gent._ 'T is heir enough has lost a good remembrance.
_Duke._ See all their bodies buried decently,
Though some deserv'd it not. How do you, Lady?
_Hell._ Even with your Graces leave, ripe for a Monasterie;
There will I wed my life to tears and prayers,
And never know what man is more.
_Duke._ Your pleasure;
How does the maid within?
_Lord._ She is gone before, Sir,
The same course that my Lady takes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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