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
_Mem._ Come hither,
Have you brought your Instruments?
_Sur._ They are within, Sir.
_Mem._ Put to the doors a while there; ye can incise
To a hairs breadth without defacing.
_Sur._ Yes Sir.
_Mem._ And take out fairly from the flesh.
_Sur._ The least thing.
_Mem._ Well come hither; take off my doublet,
For look ye Surgeon, I must have ye cut
My Heart out here, and handsomly: Nay, stare not,
Nor do not start; I'll cut your throat else, Surgeon,
Come swear to do it.
_Sur._ Good Sir--
_Mem._ Sirrah, hold him,
I'll have but one blow at his head.
_Sur._ I'll do it,
Why what should we do living after you, Sir?
We'll dye before if ye please.
_Mem._ No, no.
_Sur._ Living? hang living.
Is there ne'r a Cat hole where I may creep through?
Would I were in the _Indies_. [_Aside._
_Mem._ Swear then, and after my death presently
To kill your selves and follow, as ye are honest,
As ye have faiths, and loves to me.
_Dem._ We'll do it.
_Eum._ Pray do not stir yet, we are near enough
To run between all dangers.
_Mem._ Here I am, Sir;
Come, look upon me, view the best way boldly,
Fear nothing, but cut home; if your hand shake, Sirrah,
Or any way deface my heart i'th' cutting,
Make the least scratch upon it; but draw it whole,
Excellent fair, shewing at all points, Surgeon,
The Honour and the Valour of the Owner,
Mixt with the most immaculate love I send it,
Look to't, I'll slice thee to the Soul.
_Sur._ Ne'r fear, Sir,
I'll do it daintily; would I were out once.
_Mem._ I will not have ye smile, Sirrah, when ye do it,
As though ye cut a Ladies Corn; 'tis scurvy:
Do me it as thou dost thy Prayers, seriously.
_Sur._ I'll do it in a dump, Sir.
_Mem._ In a Dog, Sir,
I'll have no dumps, nor dumplins; fetch your tools,
And then I'll tell ye more.
_Sur._ If I return
To hear more, I'll be hang'd for't.
_Mem._ Quick, quick.
_Dem._ Yes Sir,
With all the heels we have. [_Exeunt_ Surgeon, Demagoras.
_Eumen._ Yet stand.
_Pol._ He'l do it.
_Eum._ He cannot, and we here.
_Mem._ Why when ye Rascals,
Ye dull Slaves: will ye come, Sir? Surgeon, syringe,
Dog-leach, shall I come fetch ye?
_Pol._ Now I'll to him.
God save ye honour'd Brother.
_Mem._ My dear _Polydore_,
Welcome from travel, welcome; and how do ye?
_Pol._ Well Sir, would you were so.
_Mem._ I am, I thank ye.
You are a better'd man much, I the same still,
An old rude Souldier, Sir.
_Pol._ Pray be plain, Brother,
And tell me but the meaning of this Vision,
For to me it appears no more; so far
From common Course and Reason.
_Mem._ Thank thee, Fortune,
At length I have found the man: the man must do it,
The man in honour bound.
_Pol._ To do what?
_Mem._ Hark, for I will bless ye with the circumstance
Of that weak shadow that appear'd.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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