The Elder Brother: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10) — John Shaqi
The Elder Brother: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)Fletcher, John
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The Elder Brother: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)
Fletcher, John
Comedy plays; English drama -- 17th century
_And._ Why to a dainty Gentlewoman, young, sweet, and modest.
_Char._ Are there modest women? how do they look?
_And._ O you'll bless yourself to see them. He parts with's Books, he
ne'er did so before yet.
_Char._ What does my Father for 'em?
_And._ Gives all his Land, and makes your Brother heir.
_Char._ Must I have nothing?
_And._ Yes, you must study still, and he'll maintain you.
_Char._ I am his eldest Brother.
_And._ True, you were so; but he has leap'd o'er your shoulders, Sir.
_Char._ 'Tis well; he'll not inherit my understanding too?
_And._ I think not; he'll scarce find Tenants to let it out to.
_Char._ Hark! hark!
_And._ The Coach that brings the fair Lady.
_Enter_ Lewis, Angellina, Ladies, Notary, &c.
_And._ Now you may see her.
_Char._ Sure this should be modest, but I do not truly know what women
make of it, _Andrew_; she has a face looks like a story, the story of the
Heavens looks very like her.
_And._ She has a wide face then.
_Char._ She has a Cherubin's, cover'd and vail'd with modest blushes.
_Eustace_, be happy, whiles poor _Charles_ is patient. Get me my Books
again, and come in with me-- [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ Brisac, Eustace, Egremont, Cowsy, Miramont.
_Bri._ Welcome, sweet Daughter; welcome, noble Brother; and you are
welcome, Sir, with all your Writings; Ladys, most welcome: What, my angry
Brother! you must be welcome too, the Feast is flat else.
_Mir._ I am not come for your welcome, I expect none; I bring no joys to
bless the bed withall; nor Songs, nor Masques to glorifie the Nuptials; I
bring an angry mind to see your folly, a sharp one too, to reprehend you
for it.
_Bri._ You'll stay and dine though.
_Mir._ All your meat smells musty, your Table will shew nothing to content
me.
_Bri._ I'le answer you here's good meat.
_Mir._ But your sauce is scurvie, it is not season'd with the sharpness of
discretion.
_Eust._ It seems your anger is at me, dear Uncle.
_Mir._ Thou art not worth my anger, th'art a Boy, a lump o'thy Father's
lightness, made of nothing but antick cloathes and cringes; look in thy
head, and 'twill appear a foot-ball full of fumes and rotten smoke. Lady,
I pity you; you are a handsome and a sweet young Lady, and ought to have a
handsom man yok'd t'ye, an understanding too; this is a Gimcrack, that can
get nothing but new fashions on you; for say he have a thing shap'd like a
child, 'twill either prove a Tumbler or a Tailor.
_Eust._ These are but harsh words, Uncle.
_Mir._ So I mean 'em. Sir, you play harsher play w'your elder Brother.
_Eust._ I would be loth to give you.
_Mir._ Do not venture, I'le make your wedding cloaths sit closer t'ye
then; I but disturb you, I'le go see my Nephew.
_Lew._ Pray take a piece of Rosemary.
_Mir._ I'le wear it, but for the Ladys sake, and none of yours; may be
I'le see your Table too.
_Bri._ Pray do, Sir.
_Ang._ A mad old Gentleman.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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