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
Oh sweet Gentleman, is almost slain.
Margarita:
Away away and help him, all the house help.
[Exit _Servant_.
Leon:
How slain? why Margarita,
Why wife, sure some new device they have a foot again,
225] Some trick upon my credit, I shall meet it,
I had rather guide a ship Imperial
Alone, and in a storm, than rule one woman.
[Enter Duke, _Margarita_, _Sanchio_, _Alonzo_, Servant.]
Margarita:
How came ye hurt Sir?
Duke of Medina:
I fell out with my friend the noble Coronel,
My cause was naught, for 'twas about your honour:
And he that wrongs the Innocent ne'r prospers,
And he has left me thus for charity,
Lend me a bed to ease my tortur'd body,
That e're I perish I may show my penitence,
I fear I am slain.
Leon:
Help Gentlemen to carry him,
There shall be nothing in this house my Lord,
But as your own.
Duke of Medina:
I thank ye noble Sir.
Leon:
To bed with him, and wife give your attendance.
[Enter _Juan_.]
Juan de Castro:
Doctors and Surgions.
Duke of Medina:
Do not disquiet me,
But let me take my leave in peace.
[Ex. Duke, _Sanchio_, _Alon._ _Marg._ Servant.
Leon:
Afore me
'Tis rarely counterfeited.
Juan de Castro:
True, it is so Sir,
And take you heed, this last blow do not spoil ye,
He is not hurt, only we made a scuffle,
As though we purpos'd anger; that same scratch
On's hand he took, to colour all and draw compassion,
That he might get into your house more cunningly.
I must not stay, stand now, and y'are a brave fellow.
Leon:
I thank ye noble Coronel, and I honour ye.
[Exit _Juan_.
Never be quiet?
[Enter _Margarita_.]
Margarita:
He's most desperate ill Sir,
I do not think these ten months will recover him.
Leon:
Does he hire my house to play the fool in,
226] Or does it stand on Fairy ground, we are haunted,
Are all men and their wives troubled with dreams thus?
Margarita:
What ail you Sir?
Leon:
Nay what ail you sweet wife,
To put these daily pastimes on my patience?
What dost thou see in me, that I should suffer thus,
Have not I done my part like a true Husband,
And paid some desperate debts you never look'd for?
Margarita:
You have done handsomely I must confess Sir.
Leon:
Have I not kept thee waking like a hawk?
And watcht thee with delights to satisfy thee?
The very tithes of which had won a Widow.
Margarita:
Alas I pity ye.
Leon:
Thou wilt make me angry,
Thou never saw'st me mad yet.
Margarita:
You are alwaies,
You carry a kind of bedlam still about ye.
Leon:
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