Beggars Bush: A Comedy: From the Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10) — John Shaqi
Beggars Bush: A Comedy: From the Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)Fletcher, John
History
Beggars Bush: A Comedy: From the Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)
Fletcher, John
Comedy plays; English drama -- 17th century
_Hub._ I dare not, nor I will not.
_Hem._ Gentle Huntsman,
Though thou hast kept me hard: though in thy duty,
Which is requir'd to do it, th' hast used me stubbornly;
I can forgive thee freely.
_Hub._ You the Earls servant?
_Hem._ I swear I am near as his own thoughts to him;
Able to doe thee--
_Hub._ Come, come, leave your prating.
_Hem._ If thou dar'st but try.
_Hub._ I thank you heartily, you will be
The first man that will hang me, a sweet recompence,
I could do, but I do not say I will,
To any honest fellow that would think on't,
And be a benefactor.
_Hem._ If it be not recompenc'd, and to thy own desires,
If within these ten days I do not make thee--
_Hub._ What, a false knave!
_Hem._ Prethee, prethee conceive me [rightly], any thing
Of profit or of place that may advance thee.
_Hub._ Why what a Goosecap would'st thou make me,
Do not I know that men in misery will promise
Any thing, more than their lives can reach at?
_Hem._ Believe me Huntsman,
There shall not one short syllable
That comes from me, pass
Without its full performance.
_Hub._ Say you so Sir?
Have ye e're a good place for my quality?
_Hem._ A thousand Chases, Forests, Parks: I'le make thee
Chief ranger over all the games.
_Hub._ When?
_Hem._ Presently.
_Hub._ This may provoke me: and yet to prove a knave too.
_Hem._ 'Tis to prove honest: 'tis to do good service,
Service for him thou art sworn to, for thy Prince,
Then for thy self that good; what fool would live here,
Poor, and in misery, subject to all dangers,
Law, and lewd people can inflict, when bravely
And to himself he may be law and credit?
_Hub._ Shall I believe thee?
_Hem._ As that thou holdst most holy.
_Hub._ Ye may play tricks.
_Hem._ Then let me never live more.
_Hub._ Then you shall see Sir, I will do a service
That shall deserve indeed.
_Hem._ 'Tis well said, Huntsman,
And thou shall be well thought of.
_Hub._ I will do it: 'tis not your setting free, for that's meer nothing,
But such a service, if the Earl be noble,
He shall for ever love me.
_Hem._ What is't Huntsman?
_Hub._ Do you know any of these people live here?
_Hem._ No.
_Hub._ You are a fool then: here be those, to have 'em,
I know the Earl so well, would make him caper.
_Hem._ Any of the old Lords that rebel'd?
_Hub._ Peace, all,
I know 'em every one, and can betray 'em.
_Hem._ But wilt thou doe this service?
[_Hub._] If you'l keep
Your faith, and free word to me.
_Hem._ Wilt thou swear me?
_Hub._ No, no, I will believe ye: more than that too,
Here's the right heir.
_Hem._ O honest, honest huntsman!
_Hub._ Now, how to get these Gallants, there's the matter,
You will be constant, 'tis no work for me else.
_Hem._ Will the Sun shine again?
_Hub._ The way to get 'em.
_Hem._ Propound it, and it shall be done.
_Hub._ No sleight;
(For they are Devilish crafty, it concerns 'em,)
Nor reconcilement, (for they dare not trust neither)
Must doe this trick.
_Hem._ By force?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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