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
He would make it treason for that tongue that durst
But talk of war, or any thing to vex him,
You shall not goe.
Leon:
Indeed I must sweet wife,
What shall I lose the King for a few kisses?
We'l have enough.
Margarita:
I'le to the Duke my cousin, he shall to th' King.
Leon:
He did me this great office,
I thank his grace for't, should I pray him now,
To undoe't again? fye 'twere a base discredit.
Margarita:
Would I were able Sir to bear you company,
How willing should I be then, and how merry!
I will not live alone.
Leon:
Be in peace, you shall not.
[knock within.
Margarita:
What knocking's this? oh Heaven my head, why rascals
I thin[k] the war's begun i'th' house already.
Leon:
The preparation is, they are taking down,
And packing up the hangings, plate and Jewels,
And all those furnitures that shall befit me
When I lye in garrison.
[Enter _Coachman_.]
Coachman:
Must the Coach goe too Sir?
Leon:
How will your Lady pass to th' sea else easily?
We shall find shipping for't there to transport it.
Margarita:
I goe? alas!
Leon:
I'le have a main care of ye,
I know ye are sickly, he shall drive the easier,
And all accommodation shall attend ye.
Margarita:
Would I were able.
Leon:
Come I warrant ye,
Am not I with ye sweet? are her cloaths packt up,
And all her linnen? give your maids direction,
You know my time's but short, and I am commanded.
217]
Margarita:
Let me have a nurse,
And all such necessary people with me,
And an easie bark.
Leon:
It shall not trot I warrant ye,
Curvet it may sometimes.
Margarita:
I am with child Sir.
Leon:
At four days warning? this is something speedy,
Do you conceive as our jennets do with a west winde?
My heir will be an arrant fleet one Lady,
I'le swear you were a maid when I first lay with ye.
Margarita:
Pray do not swear, I thought I was a maid too,
But we may both be cozen'd in that point Sir.
Leon:
In such a strait point sure I could not err Madam.
Juan de Castro:
This is another tenderness to try him,
Fetch her up now.
Margarita:
You must provide a cradle, and what a troubles that?
Leon:
The sea shall rock it,
'Tis the best nurse; 'twill roar and rock together,
A swinging storm will sing you such a lullaby.
Margarita:
Faith let me stay, I shall but shame ye Sir.
Leon:
And you were a thousand shames you shall along with me,
At home I am sure you'l prove a million,
Every man carries the bundle of his sins
Upon his own back, you are mine, I'le sweat for ye.
[Enter Duke, _Alonzo_, _Sanchio_.]
Duke of Medina:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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