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
General
The Elder Brother: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)
Fletcher, John
Comedy plays; English drama -- 17th century
_Ang_. Then we may walk.
_Char_. And talk of any thing, any fit for your ears, and my language;
though I was bred up dull, I was ever civil; 'tis true, I have found it
hard to look on you, and not desire, 'twill prove a wise mans task; yet
those desires I have so mingled still, and tempered with the quality of
honour, that if you should yield, I should hate you for't. I am no
Courtier of a light condition, apt to take fire at every beauteous face;
that only serves his will and wantonness, and lets the serious part run by
as thin neglected sand. Whiteness of name, you must be mine; why should I
rob my self of that that lawfully must make me happy? why should I seek to
cuckold my delights, and widow all those sweets I aim at in you? We'll
lose our selves in _Venus_ Groves of Myrtle, where every little Bird shall
be a _Cupid_, and sing of love and youth, each wind that blows, and curls
the velvet-leaves, shall breed delights, the wanton Springs shall call us
to their banks, and on the perfum'd flowers we'll feast our senses; yet
we'll walk by untainted of their pleasures, and as they were pure Temples
we'll talk in them.
_Ang_. To bed, and pray then, we may have a fair end of our fair loves;
would I were worthy of you, or of such parents that might give you thanks:
But I am poor in all but in your love. Once more, good night.
_Char_. A good night t'ye, and may the dew of sleep fall gently on you,
sweet one, and lock up those fair lights in pleasing slumbers; no dreams
but chaste and clear attempt your fancy, and break betimes sweet morn,
I've lost my light else.
_Ang_. Let it be ever night when I lose you.
_Syl_. This Scholar never went to a Free-School, he's so simple.
_Enter a_ Servant.
_Serv_. Your Brother, with two Gallants, is at door, Sir, and they're so
violent, they'll take no denial.
_Ang_. This is no fit time of night.
_Char_. Let 'em in, Mistris.
_Serv_. They stay no leave; shall I raise the house on 'em?
_Char_. Not a man, nor make no murmur oft I charge ye.
_Enter_ Eustace, Egremont, Cowsy.
_Eust_. They're here, my Uncle absent, stand close to me. How do you,
Brother, with your curious story? have you not read her yet sufficiently?
_Char_. No, Brother, no; I stay yet in the Preface: the style's too hard
for you.
_Eust_. I must entreat her; she's parcel of my goods.
_Char_. She's all when you have her.
_Ang_. Hold off your hands, unmannerly, rude Sir; nor I, nor what I have
depend on you.
_Char_. Do, let her alone, she gives good counsel; do not trouble your
self with Ladies, they are too light: Let out your Land, and get a
provident Steward.
_Ang_. I cannot love ye, let that satisfie you; such vanities as you, are
to be laugh'd at.
_Eust_. Nay, then you must go; I must claim mine own.
_Both_. Away, away with her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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