English drama; Kings and rulers -- Succession -- Drama; Love -- Drama; Sicily (Italy) -- Drama; Tragicomedy
_Bell_. Scarce like her servant, but as if I were
Something allied to her; or had preserv'd
Her life three times by my fidelity.
As mothers fond do use their only sons;
As I'de use one, that's left unto my trust,
For whom my life should pay, if he met harm,
So she does use me.
_Phi_. Why, this is wondrous well:
But what kind language does she feed thee with?
_Bell_. Why, she does tell me, she will trust my youth
With all her loving secrets; and does call me
Her pretty servant, bids me weep no more
For leaving you: shee'l see my services
Regarded; and such words of that soft strain,
That I am nearer weeping when she ends
Than ere she spake.
_Phi_. This is much better still.
_Bell_. Are you ill my Lord?
_Phi_. Ill? No _Bellario_.
_Bell_. Me thinks your words
Fall not from off your tongue so evenly,
Nor is there in your looks that quietness,
That I was wont to see.
_Phi_. Thou art deceiv'd boy:
And she stroakes thy head?
_Bell_. Yes.
_Phi_. And she does clap thy cheeks?
_Bell_. She does my Lord.
_Phi_. And she does kiss thee boy? ha!
_Bell_. How my Lord?
_Phi_. She kisses thee?
_Bell_. Not so my Lord.
_Phi_. Come, come, I know she does.
_Bell_. No by my life.
_Phi_. Why then she does not love me; come, she does,
I had her do it; I charg'd her by all charms
Of love between us, by the hope of peace
We should enjoy, to yield thee all delights
Naked, as to her bed: I took her oath
Thou should'st enjoy her: Tell me gentle boy,
Is she not paralleless? Is not her breath
Sweet as _Arabian_ winds, when fruits are ripe?
Are not her breasts two liquid Ivory balls?
Is she not all a lasting Mine of joy?
_Bell_. I, now I see why my disturbed thoughts
Were so perplext. When first I went to her,
My heart held augury; you are abus'd,
Some villain has abus'd you; I do see
Whereto you tend; fall Rocks upon his head,
That put this to you; 'tis some subtil train,
To bring that noble frame of yours to nought.
_Phi_. Thou think'st I will be angry with thee; Come
Thou shalt know all my drift, I hate her more,
Than I love happiness, and plac'd thee there,
To pry with narrow eyes into her deeds;
Hast thou discover'd? Is she fain to lust,
As I would wish her? Speak some comfort to me.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account