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
_Bri_. Your eare in private. _And_. I suspect my master
Has found harsh welcome, he's gon supperless
Into his study; could I find out the cause,
It may be borrowing of his books, or so,
I shall be satisfi'd. _Eust_. My duty shall Sir,
Take any forme you please; and in your motion
To have me married, you cut off all dangers
The violent heats of youth might beare me to.
_Lew_. It is well answer'd. _Eust_. Nor shall you my Lord
For your faire Daughter ever finde just cause
To mourn your choice of me; the name of husband,
Nor the authority it carries in it
Shall ever teach me to forget to be
As I am now her servant, and your Lordships;
And but that modesty forbids, that I
Should sound the Trump of my owne deserts,
I could say my choice manners have been such,
As render me lov'd and remarkable
To th' Princes of the blood. _Cow._ Nay to the King.
_Egre._ Nay to the King and Councel. _And._ These are Court admirers,
And ever eccho him that beares the bagg.
Though I be dull-ey'd, I see through this jugling.
_Eust._ Then for my hopes: _Cow._ Nay certainties. _Eust._ They stand
As faire as any mans. What can there fall
In compass of her wishes which she shall not
Be suddenly possess'd of? Loves she titles?
By th' grace and favour of my princely friends,
I am what she would have me. _Bri._ He speakes well,
And I beleeve him. _Lew._ I could wish I did so.
Pray you a word Sir. He's a proper Gentleman,
And promises nothing, but what is possible.
So far I will go with you; Nay I add,
He hath won much upon me, and were he
But one thing that his brother is, the bargain
Were soone struck up. _Bri._ What's that my Lord? _Lew._ the heire.
_And._ Which he is not, and I trust never shall be.
_Bri._ Come, that shall breed no difference; you see
_Charles_ has giv'n ore the World; Ile undertake,
And with much ease, to buy his birthright of him
For a dry-fat of new bookes; nor shall my state
Alone make way for him, but my-elder brothers,
Who being issueless, t'advance our name,
I doubt not will add his; Your resolution?
_Lew._ He first acquaint my daughter with the proceedings,
On these terms I am yours, as she shall be,
Make you no scruple, get the writings ready,
She shall be tractable; to-morrow we will hold
A second conference: Farewell noble _Eustace_,
And you brave Gallants. _Eust._ Ful increase of honour
Wait ever on you[r] Lordship. _And._ The Gowt rather
And a perpetual Meagrim. _Bri._ You see _Eustace_,
How I travail to possess you of a fortune
You were not born to; be you worthy of it,
Ile furnish you for a Suitor; visit her
And prosper in't. _Eust._ Shee's mine Sir, fear it not:
In all my travailes, I nere met a Virgin
That could resist my Courtship. _Eust._ If take now,
Ware made for ever, and will revel it. _Exeunt._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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