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
You have spoke well, Sir,
And now I see you are so conformable
I'll heighten you again, go to your house,
They are packing to be gone, you must sup there,
I'll meet ye, and bring Cloaths, and clean Shirts after,
And all things shall be well, I'll colt you once more,
And teach you to bring Copper.
Michael Perez:
Tell me one thing,
I do beseech thee tell me, tell me truth, Wife,
However I forgive thee, art thou honest?
The Beldam swore.
Estifania:
I bid her tell you so, Sir,
It was my plot, alas my credulous Husband,
The Lady told you too.
212]
Michael Perez:
Most strange things of thee.
Estifania:
Still 'twas my way, and all to try your sufferance,
And she denied the House.
Michael Perez:
She knew me not,
No, nor no title that I had.
Estifania:
'Twas well carried;
No more, I am right and straight.
Michael Perez:
I would believe thee,
But Heaven knows how my heart is, will ye follow me?
Estifania:
I'll be there straight.
Michael Perez:
I am fooled, yet dare not find it.
[Exit _Perez_.
Estifania:
Go silly Fool, thou mayst be a good Souldier
In open field, but for our private service
Thou art an Ass, I'll make thee so, or miss else.
[Enter _Cacafogo_.]
Here comes another Trout that I must tickle,
And tickle daintily, I have lost my end else.
May I crave your leave, Sir?
Cacafogo:
Prithee be answered, thou shalt crave no leave,
I am in my meditations, do not vex me,
A beaten thing, but this hour a most bruised thing,
That people had compassion on it, looked so,
The next Sir Palmerin, here's fine proportion,
An Ass, and then an Elephant, sweet Justice,
There's no way left to come at her now, no craving,
If money could come near, yet I would pay him;
I have a mind to make him a huge Cuckold,
And money may do much, a thousand Duckets,
'Tis but the letting blood of a rank Heir.
Estifania:
'Pray you hear me.
Cacafogo:
I know thou hast some wedding Ring to pawn now,
Of Silver and gilt, with a blind posie in't,
Love and a Mill-horse should go round together,
Or thy Childs whistle, or thy Squirrels Chain,
I'll none of 'em, I would she did but know me,
Or would this Fellow had but use of money,
That I might come in any way.
Estifania:
I am gone, Sir,
And I shall tell the beauty sent me to ye,
213] The Lady _Margarita._
Cacafogo:
Stay I prithee,
What is thy will? I turn me wholly to ye,
And talk now till thy tongue ake, I will hear ye.
Estifania:
She would entreat you, Sir,
Cacafogo:
She shall command, Sir,
Let it be so, I beseech thee, my sweet Gentlewoman,
Do not forget thy self.
Estifania:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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