Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)Fletcher, John
General
Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)
Fletcher, John
Comedy plays; Drama
[Enter _Juan_, _Alonzo_, and _Perez_.]
Juan de Castro:
Why thou art not married indeed?
Michael Perez:
No, no, pray think so,
Alas I am a fellow of no reckoning,
Not worth a Ladies eye.
Alonzo:
Wou'dst thou steal a fortune,
And make none of all thy friends acquainted with it,
Nor bid us to thy wedding?
Michael Perez:
No indeed,
There was no wisdom in't, to bid an Artist,
An old seducer to a femal banquet,
I can cut up my pye without your instructions.
Juan de Castro:
Was it the wench i'th' veil?
Michael Perez:
Basto 'twas she,
The prettiest Rogue that e're you look'd upon,
The lovingst thief.
Juan de Castro:
And is she rich withal too?
Michael Perez:
A mine, a mine, there is no end of wealth Coronel,
I am an asse, a bashfull fool, prethee Coronel,
How do thy compa[ni]es fill now?
Juan de Castro:
You are merry Sir,
184] You intend a safer war at home belike now.
Michael Perez:
I do not think I shall fight much this year Coronel,
I find my self given to my ease a little,
I care not if I sell my foolish company,
They are things of hazard.
Alonzo:
How it angers me,
This fellow at first fight should win a Lady,
A rich young wench, and I that have consum'd
My time and art in searching out their subtleties,
Like a fool'd Alchymist blow up my hopes still?
When shall we come to thy house and be freely merry?
Michael Perez:
When I have manag'd her a little more,
I have an house to entertain an army.
Alonzo:
If thy wife be fair, thou wilt have few less
Come to thee.
Michael Perez:
But where they'l get entertainment is the point Signior.
I beat no Drum.
Alonzo:
You need none but her taber,
May be I'le march after a month or two,
To get me a fresh stomach. I find Coronel
A wantonness in wealth, methinks I agree not with,
'Tis such a trouble to be married too,
And have a thousand things of great importance,
Jewels and plates, and fooleries molest me,
To have a mans brains whimsied with his wealth:
Before I walk'd contentedly.
[Enter _Servant_.]
Servant:
My Mistris Sir is sick, because you are absent,
She mourns and will not eat.
Michael Perez:
Alas my Jewel,
Come I'le goe with thee, Gentlemen your fair leaves,
You see I am ti'd a little to my yoke,
Pray pardon me, would ye had both such loving wives.
Juan de Castro:
I thank ye
[Exit _Perez_, Servant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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