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
What _Andrew_? welcome, where's my _Charles_! speake _Andrew_,
Where didst thou leave thy Master? _And._ Contemplating
The number of the sands in the high way,
And from that, purposes to make a judgement
Of the remainder in the Sea; He is Sir,
In serious study, and will lose no minute,
Nor out of 's pace to knowledge. _Lew._ This is strange.
_And._ Yet he hath sent his duty Sir before him
In this fair manuscript. _Bri._ What have we here?
Pot-hookes and Andirons! _And._ I much pitie you,
It is the Syrian Character, or the Arabicke,
Would 'ee have it said, so great and deep a Scholar
As Master _Charles_ is, should ask blessing
In any Christian Language? Were it Greeke,
I could interpret for you, but indeed
I'm gone no farther. _Bri._ And in Greeke, you can
Lie with your smug wife _Lilly_. _And._ If I keepe her
From your French dialect, as I hope I shall Sir,
Howere she is your Laundresse, she shall put you
To th' charge of no more soape than usuall
For th' washing of your sheets. _Bri._ Take in the knave,
And let him eat. _And._ And drink too Sir. _Bri._ And drinke too Sir,
And see your Masters Chamber ready for him.
_But._ Come Doctor _Andrew_ without Disputation
Thou shall commence ith' Celler. _And._ I had rather
Commence on a cold bak'd meat. _Co._ Thou shall ha't, Boy. _Ex._
_Bri._ Good Mounsieur _Lewis_, I esteeme my selfe
Much honour'd in your cleare intent, to joyne
Our ancient families, and make them one,
And 'twill take from my age and cares to live
And see what you have purpos'd but in act,
Of which your visite at this present is
A hopeful Omen; I each minute expecting
Th' arrival of my Sons; I have not wrong'd
Their Birth for want of meanes and education,
To shape them to that course each was addicted;
And therefore that we may proceed discreetly,
Since what's concluded rashly seldome prospers,
You first shall take a strict perusal of them,
And then from your allowance, your fair daughter
May fashion her affection. _Lew._ Monsieur _Brisac_,
You offer fair, and nobly, and Ile meet you
In the same line of honour, and I hope,
Being blest but with one daughter, I shall not
Appeare impertinently curious,
Though with my utmost vigilance and study,
I labour to bestow her to her worth;
Let others speak her forme, and future fortune
From me descending to her; I in that
Sit down with silenc[e]. _Bri._ You may my Lord securely,
Since fame alowd proclaimeth her perfections,
Commanding all mens tongues to sing her praises;
Should I say more, you well might censure me
(What yet I never was) a Flatterer.
What trampling's that without of Horses?
_Enter_ Butler.
Sir my young Masters are newly alighted.
_Bri._ Sir now observe their several dispositions.
_Enter_ Charles.
Bid my Subsiser carry my Hackney to buttry,
And give him his bever; it is a civil
And sober beast, and will drink moderately,
And that done, turne him into the quadrangle.
_Bri._ He cannot out of his University tone.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account