Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Count._ If he have the itch of Knighthood upon him, let him repair
to that Physitian, he'll cure him: but I will give you a note; is
your friend fat or lean?
_Laz._ Something fat.
_Count._ 'Twill be the worse for him.
_Laza._ I hope that's not material.
_Count._ Very much, for there is an impost set upon Knighthoods, &
your friend shall pay a Noble in the pound.
_Duke._ I doe not like examinations,
We shall find out the truth more easily,
Some other way less noted, and that course,
Should not be us'd, till we be sure to prove
Some thing directly, for when they perceive
Themselves suspected, they will then provide
More warily to answer.
_Luc._ Doth she know your Grace doth love her?
_Duke._ She hath never heard it.
_Luc._ Then thus my Lord. [_They whisper_
_Laz._ What's he that walks [_again_
alone so sadly with his hands behind him?
_Count._ The Lord of the house, he that you desire to be acquainted
with, he doth hate women for the same cause that I love them.
_Laz._ What's that?
_Count._ For that which Apes want: you perceive me Sir?
_Laz._ And is he sad? Can he be sad that hath so rich a gem under
his roof, as that which I doe follow. What young Lady's that?
_Count._ Which? Have I mine eye-sight perfect, 'tis my sister:
did I say the Duke had a Bastard? What should she make here with
him and his Councell? She hath no papers in her hand to petition
to them, she hath never a husband in prison, whose release she
might sue for: That's a fine trick for a wench; to get her husband
clapt up, that she may more freely, and with less suspition, visit
the private studies of men in authority. Now I doe discover their
consultation, yon fellow is a Pander without all salvation: But let
me not condemn her too rashly without weighing the matter; she's a
young Lady, she went forth early this morning with a waiting woman,
and a Page, or so: This is no garden house; in my conscience she
went forth with no dishonest intent: for she did not pretend going
to any Sermon in the further end of the City: Neither went she
to see any odd old Gentlewoman, that mourns for the death of her
husband, or the loss of her friend, and must have young Ladys come
to comfort her: those are the damnable Bawds: 'Twas no set meeting
certainly; for there was no wafer-woman with her these three days
on my knowledge: I'll talk with her; Good morrow my Lord.
_Gond._ Y'are welcome Sir: here's her brother come now to doe a
kind office for his sister; is it not strange?
_Count._ I am glad to meet you here sister.
_Orian._ I thank you good brother: and if you doubt of the cause of
my coming I can satisfie you.
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