Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_1 Gent._ Look, who comes here Sir, his love-fit's upon him:
I know it, by that sett smile, and those congies.
How courteous he's to nothing! which indeed,
Is the next kin to woman; only shadow
The elder Sister of the twain, because 'tis seen too.
See how it kisses the fore-finger still;
Which is the last edition, and being come
So near the thumb, every Cobler has got it.
_Sham._ What a ridiculous piece, humanity
Here makes it self!
_1 Gent._ Nay good give leave a little, Sir,
Y'are so precise a manhood--
_Sham._ It afflicts me
When I behold unseemliness in an Image
So near the Godhead, 'tis an injury
To glorious Eternity.
_1 Gent._ Pray use patience, Sir.
_Pas._ I do confess it freely, precious Lady,
And loves suit is so, the longer it hangs
The worse it is; better cut off, sweet Madam;
Oh, that same drawing in your neather Lip there,
Fore-shews no goodness, Lady; make you question on't?
Shame on me, but I love you.
_1 Gent._ Who is't Sir,
You are at all this pains for? may I know her?
_Pas._ For thee thou fairest, yet the falsest woman,
That ever broke man's heart-strings.
_1 Gent._ How? how's this Sir?
_Pas._ What the old trick of Ladies? man's apparel,
Will't ne'er be left amongst you? steal from Court in't?
_1 Gent._ I see the Fit grows stronger.
_Pas._ Pray let's talk a little.
_Sham._ I can endure no more.
_1 Gent._ Good, let's alone a little:
You are so exact a work: love light things somewhat, Sir.
_Sham._ Th'are all but shames.
_1 Gent._ What is't you'd say to me, Sir?
_Pas._ Can you be so forgetful to enquire it Lady?
_1 Gent._ Yes truely, Sir.
_Pas._ The more I admire your flintiness:
What cause have I given you, illustrious Madam,
To play this strange part with me?
_1 Gent._ Cause enough,
Do but look back Sir, into your memory,
Your love to other women, oh lewd man:
'Tas almost kill'd my heart, you see I'm chang'd with it,
I ha' lost the fashion of my Sex with grief on't,
When I have seen you courting of a Dowdie;
Compar'd with me, and kissing your fore-finger
To one o'th' Black-Guards Mistresses: would not this
Crack a poor Ladies heart, that believ'd love,
And waited for the comfort? but 'twas said, Sir,
A Lady of my hair cannot want pittying:
The Countrey's coming up, farewel to you Sir.
_Pas._ Whither intend you, Sir?
_1 Gent._ A long journey, Sir:
The truth is, I'm with child, and goe to travel.
_Pas._ With child? I never got it.
_1 Gent._ I heard you were busie
At the same time, Sir, and was loth to trouble you.
_Pas._ Why, are not you a whore then, excellent Madam?
_1 Gent._ Oh by no means, 'twas done Sir in the state
Of my belief in you, and that quits me;
It lies upon your falshood.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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