Bussy D'Ambois and The Revenge of Bussy D'AmboisChapman, George
General
Bussy D'Ambois and The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois
Chapman, George
Bussy d'Amboise, 1549?-1579 -- Drama; English drama -- 17th century; Revenge -- Drama; Tragedies (Drama)
_Henr._ Thanks to ye both: and kindly I invite ye
Both to a banquet where weele sacrifice
Full cups to confirmation of your loves;
At which (faire ladies) I entreat your presence; 130
And hope you, madam, will take one carowse
For reconcilement of your lord and servant.
_Duchess._ If I should faile, my lord, some other lady
Would be found there to doe that for my servant.
_Mons._ Any of these here?
_Duch._ Nay, I know not that. 135
_Buss._ Think your thoughts like my mistresse, honour'd lady?
_Tamyra._ I think not on you, sir; y'are one I know not.
_Buss._ Cry you mercy, madam!
_Montsurry._ Oh sir, has she met you?
_Exeunt Henry, D'Amb[ois], Ladies._
_Mons._ What had my bounty drunk when it rais'd him?
_Gui._ Y'ave stuck us up a very worthy flag, 140
That takes more winde than we with all our sailes.
_Mons._ O, so he spreds and flourishes.
_Gui._ He must downe;
Upstarts should never perch too neere a crowne.
_Mons._ Tis true, my lord; and as this doting hand
Even out of earth (like Juno) struck this giant, 145
So Joves great ordinance shall be here implide
To strike him under th'Ætna of his pride.
To which work lend your hands, and let us cast
Where we may set snares for his ranging greatnes.
I think it best, amongst our greatest women: 150
For there is no such trap to catch an upstart
As a loose downfall; for, you know, their falls
Are th'ends of all mens rising. If great men
And wise make scapes to please advantage,
Tis with a woman--women that woorst may 155
Still hold mens candels: they direct and know
All things amisse in all men, and their women
All things amisse in them; through whose charm'd mouthes
We may see all the close scapes of the Court.
When the most royall beast of chase, the hart, 160
Being old, and cunning in his layres and haunts,
Can never be discovered to the bow,
The peece, or hound--yet where, behind some queich,
He breaks his gall, and rutteth with his hinde,
The place is markt, and by his venery 165
He still is taken. Shall we then attempt
The chiefest meane to that discovery here,
And court our greatest ladies chiefest women
With shewes of love, and liberall promises?
Tis but our breath. If something given in hand 170
Sharpen their hopes of more, 'twill be well ventur'd.
_Gui._ No doubt of that: and 'tis the cunningst point
Of our devis'd investigation.
_Mons._ I have broken
The yce to it already with the woman
Of your chast lady, and conceive good hope 175
I shall wade thorow to some wished shore
At our next meeting.
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