Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10) — John Shaqi
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
I shall be master of it,
'Twas built for my bulk, the rooms are wide and spacious,
203] Airy and full of ease, and that I love well,
I'll tell you when I taste the Wine, my Lord,
And take the height of her Table with my Stomach,
How my affections stand to the young Lady.
[Enter _Margarita_, _Altea_, Ladies, and Servants.]
Margarita:
All welcome to your Grace, and to these Souldiers,
You honour my poor house with your fair presence,
Those few slight pleasures that inhabit here, Sir,
I do beseech your Grace command, they are yours,
Your servant but preserves 'em to delight ye.
Duke of Medina:
I thank ye Lady, I am bold to visit ye,
Once more to bless mine eyes with your sweet Beauty,
'T has been a long night since you left the Court,
For till I saw you now, no day broke to me.
Margarita:
Bring in the Dukes meat.
Sanchio:
She is most excellent.
Juan de Castro:
Most admirable fair as e'r I look'd upon,
I had rather command her than my Regiment.
Cacafogo:
I'll have a fling, 'tis but a thousand Duckets,
Which I can cozen up again in ten days,
And some few Jewels to justifie my Knavery,
Say, I should marry her, she'll get more money
Than all my Usury, put my Knavery to it,
She appears the most infallible way of Purchase,
I you'd wish her a size or two stronger for the encounter,
For I am like a Lion where I lay hold,
But these Lambs will endure a plaguy load,
And never bleat neither, that Sir, time has taught us,
I am so vertuous now, I cannot speak to her,
The arrant'st shamefac'd Ass, I broil away too.
[Enter _Leon_.]
Margarita:
Why, where's this dinner?
Leon:
'Tis not ready, Madam,
Nor shall not be until I know the Guests too,
Nor are they fairly welcome till I bid 'em.
Juan de Castro:
Is not this my _Alferes_? he looks another thing;
Are miracles afoot again?
Margarita:
Why, Sirrah, why Sirrah, you?
204]
Leon:
I hear you, saucy Woman,
And as you are my Wife, command your absence,
And know your duty, 'tis the Crown of modesty.
Duke of Medina:
Your Wife?
Leon:
Yes good my Lord, I am her Husband,
And pray take notice that I claim that honour,
And will maintain it.
Cacafogo:
It thou beest her Husband,
I am determin'd thou shalt be my Cuckold,
I'll be thy faithful friend.
Leon:
Peace, dirt and dunghil,
I will not lose my anger on a Rascal,
Provoke me more, I'll beat thy blown body
Till thou rebound'st again like a Tennis-Ball.
Alonzo:
This is miraculous.
Sanchio:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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