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
That's it I aim at,
That's it I hope too, then I am sure I rule him,
For innocents are like obedient Children
Brought up under a hard Mother-in-law, a cruel,
Who being not us'd to break-fasts and collations,
When they have course bread offer'd 'em, are thankfull,
And take it for a favour too. Are the rooms
Made ready to entertain my friends? I long to dance now
And to be wanton; let me have a song, is the great couch up
The Duke of _Medina_ sent?
Altea:
'Tis up and ready.
Margarita:
And day-beds in all chambers?
Altea:
In all Lady,
Your house is nothing now but various pleasures,
The Gallants begin to gaze too.
Margarita:
Let 'em gaze on,
I was brought up a Courtier, high and happy,
And company is my delight, and courtship,
193] And handsom servants at my will: where's my good husband,
Where does he wait?
Altea:
He knows his distance Madam,
I warrant ye he is busie in the celler
Amongst his fellow servants, or asleep,
Till your command awake him.
[Enter _Leon_.]
Margarita:
'Tis well _Altea_.
It should be so, my ward I must preserve him.
Who sent for him, how dare he come uncall'd for,
His bonnet on too?
Altea:
Sure he sees you not.
Margarita:
How scornfully he looks!
Leon:
Are all the chambers
Deckt and adorn'd thus for my Ladies pleasure?
New hangings every hour for entertainment,
And new plate bought, new Jewels to give lustre?
Servant:
They are, and yet there must be more and richer,
It is her will.
Leon:
Hum, is it so? 'tis excellent,
It is her will too, to have feasts and banquets,
Revells and masques.
Servant:
She ever lov'd 'em dearly,
And we shall have the bravest house kept now Sir,
I must not call ye master she has warn'd me,
Nor must not put my hat off to ye.
Leon:
'Tis no fashion,
What though I be her husband, I am your fellow,
I may cut first.
Servant:
That's as you shall deserve Sir.
Leon:
And when I lye with her.
Servant:
May be I'le light ye,
On the same point you may doe me that service.
[Enter _1 Lady_.]
1 Lady:
Madam, the Duke _Medina_ with some Captains
Will come to dinner, and have sent rare wine,
And their best services.
Margarita:
They shall be welcom,
194] See all be ready in the noblest fashion,
The house perfum'd, now I shall take my pleasure,
And not my neighbour Justice maunder at me.
Go, get your best cloths on, but till I call ye,
Be sure you be not seen, dine with the Gentlewomen,
And behave your self cleanly Sir, 'tis for my credit.
[Enter _2 Lady_.]
2 Lady:
Madam, the Lady _Julia_.
Leon:
That's a bawd,
A three pil'd bawd, bawd major to the army.
2 Lady:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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