Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Orian._ Now my cold, frosty Lord, my woman-Hater, you that have
sworn an everlasting hate to all our sex: by my troth good Lord,
and as I'm yet a maid, my thought 'twas excellent sport to hear
your honor swear out an Alphabet, chafe nobly like a Generall, kick
like a resty Jade, and make ill faces: Did your good Honor think I
was in love? where did I first begin to take that heat? From those
two radiant eyes, that piercing sight? oh they were lovely, if the
balls stood right; and there's a leg made out of a dainty staff.
Where, the Gods be thanked, there is calf enough.
_Gond._ Pardon him Lady, that is now a convert[ite].
Your beauty, like a Saint hath wrought this wonder.
_Oriana._ Alass, ha's it been prick'd at the heart? is the stomach
come down? will it rail no more at women, and call 'em Divells, she
Cats, and Goblins?
_Gond._ He that shall marry thee, had better spend the poor
remainder of his days in a dung-barge, for two pence a week, and
find him self.
Down again Spleen, I prethee down again, shall I find favour Lady?
shall at length my true unfeigned penitence get pardon for my harsh
unseasoned follies? I'm no more an Atheist, no I doe acknowledge,
that dread powerfull Deity, and his all quic'kning heats burn in
my breast: oh be not as I was, hard unrelenting; but as I [am], be
partner of my fires.
_Oria._ Sure we [shall] have store of Larks, the Skies will not
hold up long, I should have look'd as soon for Frost in the dog
days, or another Inundation, as hop'd this strange conversion above
miracle: let me look upon your Lordship; is your name _Gondarino_?
are you _Millains_ Generall, that great Bugbear bloody-bones, at
whose name all women, from the Lady to the Landress, shake like a
cold fit?
_Gond._ Good patience help me, this Fever will inrage my blood
again: Madam I'm that man; I'm even he that once did owe
unreconcil'd hate to you, and all that bear the name of woman: I'm
the man that wrong'd your Honor to the Duke: [I am hee] that said
you were unchast, and prostitute, yet I'm he that dare deny all
this.
_Orian._ Your big Nobility is very merry.
_Gond._ Lady 'tis true that I have wrong'd you thus,
And my contritio[n] is as true as that,
Yet have I found a means to make all good again,
I doe beseech your beautie, not for my self,
My merits are yet in conception,
But for your honors safety and my zeal
Retire a while, while I unsay my self unto the Duke,
And cast out that [evill] Spirit I have possest him with,
I have a house conveniently private.
_Ori._ Lord, thou hast wrong'd my innocence, but thy confession
hath gain'd thee faith.
_Gond._ By the true honest service, that I owe th[o]se eyes
My meaning is as spotless as my faith.
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