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
What Sir, preparing for your noble journey?
'Tis well, and full of care.
I saw your mind was wedded to the war,
And knew you would prove some good man for your country,
Therefore fair Cousin with your gentle pardon,
I got this place: what, mourn at his advancement?
You are to blame, he will come again sweet cousin,
Mean time like sad _Penelope_ and sage,
Amongst your maids at home, and huswifely.
Leon:
No Sir, I dare not leave her to that solitariness,
She is young, and grief or ill news from those quarters
May daily cross her, she shall goe along Sir.
Duke of Medina:
By no means Captain.
Leon:
By all means an't please ye.
218]
Duke of Medina:
What take a young and tender bodied Lady,
And expose her to those dangers, and those tumults,
A sickly Lady too?
Leon:
'Twill make her well Sir,
There's no such friend to health as wholsom travel.
Sanchio:
Away it must not be.
Alonzo:
It ought not Sir,
Go hurry her? it is not humane, Captain.
Duke of Medina:
I cannot blame her tears, fright her with tempests,
With thunder of the war.
I dare swear if she were able.
Leon:
She is most able.
And pray ye swear not, she must goe, there's no remedy,
Nor greatness, nor the trick you had to part us,
Which I smell too rank, too open, too evident
(And I must tell you Sir, 'tis most unnoble)
Shall hinder me: had she but ten hours life,
Nay less, but two hours, I would have her with me,
I would not leave her fame to so much ruine,
To such a desolation and discredit
As her weakness and your hot will wou'd work her to.
[Enter _Perez_.]
What Masque is this now?
More tropes and figures, to abuse my sufferance,
What cousin's this?
Juan de Castro:
_Michael van owle_, how dost thou?
In what dark barn or tod of aged Ivy
Hast thou lyen hid?
Michael Perez:
Things must both ebbe and flow, Coronel,
And people must conceal, and shine again.
You are welcom hither as your friend may say, Gentleman,
A pretty house ye see handsomely seated,
Sweet and convenient walks, the waters crystal.
Alonzo:
He's certain mad.
Juan de Castro:
As mad as a French Tayler,
That has nothing in's head but ends of fustians.
Michael Perez:
I see you are packing now my gentle cousin,
And my wife told me I should find it so,
'Tis true I do, you were merry when I was last here,
219] But 'twas your will to try my patience Madam.
I am sorry that my swift occasions
Can let you take your pleasure here no longer,
Yet I would have you think my honour'd cousin,
This house and all I have are all your servants.
Leon:
What house, what pleasure Sir, what do you mean?
Michael Perez:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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