The Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (3 of 10)Fletcher, John
General
The Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (3 of 10)
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Si._ Do but this one thing, on my knees I beg it,
Stay but two hours till I return again.
For I will to her, tell her all your merits,
Your most unvalu'd love, and last your danger;
If she relent, then live still, and live loving,
Happy, and high in favour: if she frown--
_Mem._ Shall I be sure to know it?
_Si._ As I live, Sir,
My quick return shall either bring ye fortune,
Or leave you to your own fate.
_Mem._ Two hours?
_Si._ Yes, Sir.
_Mem._ Let it be kept, away, I will expect it. [_Ex._ Mem. Si.
_Enter_ Chilax, _Fool and Boy_.
_Chi._ You dainty wits! two of ye to a Cater,
To cheat him of a dinner?
_Boy._ Ten at Court, Sir,
Are few enough, they are as wise as we are.
_Chi._ Hang ye, I'le eat at any time, and any where,
I never make that part of want, preach to me
What ye can do, and when ye list.
_Fool._ Your patience,
'Tis a hard day at Court, a fish day.
_Chi._ So it seems, Sir,
The fins grow out of thy face.
_Fool._ And to purchase
This day the company of one dear Custard,
Or a mess of Rice ap _Thomas_, needs a main wit;
Beef we can bear before us lined with Brewes
And tubs of Pork; vociferating Veals,
And Tongues that ne're told lye yet.
_Chi._ Line thy mouth with 'em.
_Fool._ Thou hast need, and great need,
For these finny fish-dayes,
The Officers understandings are so flegmatick,
They cannot apprehend us.
_Chi._ That's great pity,
For you deserve it, and being apprehended
The whip to boot; Boy what do you so near me?
I dare not trust your touch Boy.
_Enter_ Stremon _and his Boy_.
_Boy._ As I am vertuous,
What, thieves amongst our selves?
_Chi._ _Stremon._
_Stre._ Lieutenant.
_Chi._ Welcome a shore, a shore.
_Fool._ What _Mounsieur Musick_?
_Stre._ My fine Fool.
_Boy._ Fellow _Crack_, why what a consort
Are we now blest withal?
_Fool._ Fooling and fidling,
Nay and we live not now boys; what new songs, Sirra?
_Stre._ A thousand, man, a thousand.
_Fool._ Itching Airs
Alluding to the old sport.
_Stre._ Of all sizes.
_Fool._ And how does small _Tym Treble_ here; the heart on't?
_2 Boy._ To do you service.
_Fool._ O _Tym_ the times, the times _Tym_.
_Stre._ How does the General,
And next what money's stirring?
_Chi._ For the General
He's here, but such a General!
The time's chang'd, _Stremon_,
He was the liberal General, and the loving,
The feeder of a Souldier, and the Father,
But now become the stupid'st.
_Stre._ Why, what ails he?
_Chi._ Nay, if a Horse knew, and his head's big enough,
I'le hang for't; did'st thou ever see a Dog
Run mad o'th' tooth-ache, such another toy
Is he now, so he glotes and grins, and bites.
_Fool._ Why hang him quickly,
And then he cannot hurt folks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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