Poetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 5Bridges, Robert
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Poetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 5
Bridges, Robert
English drama; English poetry
They are caught, your ladyship: they are caught,
Driving away together: and Frederick
Was making love to Laura in the coach.
_R._ Now now! how’s this? Frederick so soon returned;
And taken by the honeysucker!
_N._ Sir,
Your honeysucking Frederick would have robbed
My sweetest flower: but like a skimming swallow
That takes a fly in his beak, I snapped him up
At the park gate.
_R._ He’ll prove a bitter morsel, 3090
I fear, St. Nicholas.
_N._ My lady, speak.
What shall be done to them that have infringed
The laws of the court? Whatever punishment,
I pray it fall on Frederick with more weight
Than on my Laura. I would not have such rigour
As might defer our marriage.
(_Gregory goes to Laura. Ricardo to Frederick._)
_D._ I shall award my judgment on you two,
Who have mocked not my rules only, but the common
Conventions of society, and preferring
The unwritten statutes of the court of Milan 3100
Have joined to act a lie, and me, your friend,
Deceived and wronged, whom ye had done well to trust.
One only honourable course is left—
My judgment on you is that you be married
As soon as may be. Therefore, Frederick,
I beg that you will draw the contract up
Between yourself and Laura with all speed.
And that my sister shall not lack a portion,
I will endow her with as goodly a sum
As what St. Nicholas promised. Now this time
Let there be no mistake. 3111
_N._ What’s this, Sir Gregory?
Cannot you hear?
_FREDERICK._
Your ladyship, I am bound
For ever to your service.
_L._ (_to D._). Am I forgiven, Diana?
_F._ (_to R._). Richard, how’s this?
_R._ (_to F._). I have won. (_aloud._) And let me say
That I for friendship’s sake will do as much
Toward Lady Laura’s portion as the Countess.
_N._ Sir Gregory ... Sir Gregory!
Is this the way I am treated? You do not hear?
Sir Gregory, speak!
_G._ (_to N._). I hear not what is said, St. Nicholas:
But I can see: and since you have caught your bride 3130
Running away, you must not look to me
To help you hold her. Surely what I promised
I promised in good faith: but what hath happened
Sets me at liberty. (_Laura goes to Gregory._)
_N._ And I am left out?
Am I a sacrifice?
_D._ Sir, be consoled:
You were not more deceived than I.
_N._ At least
Tristram shall not escape. I do beseech you
He may be punished for stealing my sonnet,
And shutting me in the cupboard.
_Re-enter Tristram and Flora._
_D._ Who come here?
_T. and Fl._ My lady, we ask for pardon. 3140
_R._ I take on me
To speak for them.
_D._ No need for that, your grace;
They are forgiven.
_N._ Why doth she say 'your grace’.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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