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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

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Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)

Name: Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)
Author: Fletcher, John

Fletcher, John

Comedy plays; Drama

And hereabouts I lost her; stay, that's she,
      'Tis very she,--she makes me a low court'sie,
      Let me note the place, the street I well remember.

                                                                        [Exit.

      She is in again, certain some noble Lady.
      How happy should I be if she love my master:
176]  A wondrous goodly house, here are brave lodgings,
      And I shall sleep now like an Emperour,
      And eat abundantly: I thank my fortune,
      I'll back with speed, and bring him happy tidings.

                                                                        [Exit.

      [Enter three old Ladies.]

1 Lady:

      What should it mean, that in such haste
      We are sent for?

2 Lady:

      Belike the Lady _Margaret_ has some business
      She would break to us in private.

3 Lady:

      It should seem so.
      'Tis a good Lady, and a wise young Lady.

2 Lady:

      And vertuous enough too I warrant ye
      For a young Woman of her years; 'tis pity
      To load her tender Age with too much Vertue.

3 Lady:

      'Tis more sometimes than we can well away with.

      [Enter _Altea_.]

Altea:

      Good morrow, Ladies.

All:

      'Morrow, my good Madam.

1 Lady:

      How does the sweet young Beauty, Lady _Margaret_?

2 Lady:

      Has she slept well after her walk last night?

1 Lady:

      Are her dreams gentle to her mind?

Altea:

      All's well,
      She's very well, she sent for you thus suddenly
      To give her counsel in a business
      That much concerns her.

2 Lady:

      She does well and wisely,
      To ask the counsel of the ancientst, Madam,
      Our years have run through many things she knows not.

Altea:

      She would fain marry.

1 Lady:

      'Tis a proper calling,
      And well beseems her years, who would she yoke with?

Altea:

      That's left to argue on, I pray come in
      And break your fast, drink a good cup or two,
      To strengthen your understandings, then she'l tell ye.

2 Lady:

      And good wine breeds good counsel.
      We'l yield to ye.

                                                                      [Exeunt.

177]
      [Enter _Juan de Castro_, and _Leon_.]

Juan de Castro:

      Have you seen any service?

Leon:

      Yes.

Juan de Castro:

      Where?

Leon:

      Every where.

Juan de Castro:

      What office bore ye?

Leon:

      None, I was not worthy.

Juan de Castro:

      What Captains know you?

Leon:

      None, they were above me.

Juan de Castro:

      Were you never hurt?

Leon:

      Not that I well remember,
      But once I stole a Hen, and then they beat me;
      Pray ask me no long questions, I have an ill memory.

Juan de Castro:

      This is an Asse, did you never draw your sword yet?

Leon:

      Not to do any harm I thank Heaven for't.

Juan de Castro:

      Nor ne'r ta'ne prisoner?

Leon:

      No, I ran away,
      For I had ne'r no mony to redeem me.

Juan de Castro:

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Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)

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