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
For your old boots, never be blank _Alonzo_,
Because this fellow has outstript thy fortune,
Tell me ten daies hence what he is, and how
The gracious state of matrimony stands with him,
Come, let's to dinner, when _Margarita_ comes
185] We'l visit both, it may be then your fortune.
[Exeunt.
[Enter _Margarita_, _Altea_, and Ladies.]
Margarita:
Is he come?
Altea:
Yes Madam, h'as been here this half hour,
I have question'd him of all that you can ask him,
And find him as fit as you had made the man,
He will make the goodliest shadow for iniquity.
Margarita:
Have ye searcht him Ladies?
Omnes:
Is a man at all points, a likely man.
Margarita:
Call him in _Altea_.
[Exit _Lady_.
[Enter _Leon_, _Altea_.]
A man of a good presence, pray ye come this way,
Of a lusty body, is his mind so tame?
Altea:
Pray ye question him, and if you find him not
Fit for your purpose, shake him off, there's no harm
Done.
Margarita:
Can you love a young Lady? How he blushes!
Altea:
Leave twirling of your hat, and hold your head up,
And speak to'th' Lady.
Leon:
Yes, I think I can,
I must be taught, I know not what it means Madam.
Margarita:
You shall be taught, and can you when she pleases
Go ride abroad, and stay a week or two?
You shall have men and horses to attend ye,
And mony in your purse.
Leon:
Yes I love riding,
And when I am from home I am so merry.
Margarita:
Be as merry as you will: can you as handsomely
When you are sent for back, come with obedience,
And doe your dutie to the Lady loves you?
Leon:
Yes sure, I shall.
Margarita:
And when you see her friends here,
Or noble kinsmen, can you entertain
Their servants in the Celler, and be busied,
And hold your peace, what e're you see or hear of?
Leon:
'Twere fit I were hang'd else.
Margarita:
Let me try your kisses,
How the fool shakes, I will not eat ye Sir,
186] Beshrew my heart he kisses wondrous manly,
Can ye doe any thing else?
Leon:
Indeed I know not;
But if your Ladiship will please to instruct me,
Sure I shall learn.
Margarita:
You shall then be instructed:
If I should be this Lady that affects ye,
Nay say I marry ye?
Altea:
Hark to the Lady.
Margarita:
What mony have ye?
Leon:
None Madam, nor friends,
I wou'd doe any thing to serve your Ladiship.
Margarita:
You must not look to be my Mr Sir,
Nor talk i'th' house as though you wore the breeches,
No, nor command in any thing.
Leon:
I will not,
Alas I am not able, I have no wit Madam.
Margarita:
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