Beaumont Francis

Beaumont and Fletcher's Works. Volume 9


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We were handsome men, and Gentlemen, and sweet men,

      And were once gracious in the eyes of beauties,

      But now we look like Rogues;

      Like poor starv'd rogues.

      Cla. What would ye do if ye were to die now?

      Fran. Alas, we were prepar'd. If you will hang us,

      Let's have a good meal or two to die with,

      To put's in heart.

      Mor. Or if you'll drown us,

      Let's be drunk first, that we may die merrily,

      And bless the founders.

      Cla. Ye shall not die so hastily.

      What dare ye do to deserve my favour?

      Lam. Put us to any service.

      Fran. Any bondage,

      Let's but live.

      Mar. We'll get a world of children,

      For we know ye are hainously unprovided that way;

      And ye shall beat us when we offend ye;

      Beat us abundantly, and take our meat from us.

      Cla. These are weak abject things, that shew ye poor ones.

      What's the great service ye so oft have threatned,

      If ye might see me, and win my favour?

      Jul. That business of discovery.

      Mor. Oh, I'll tell ye Lady.

      Lam. And so will I.

      Fran. And I,

      Pray let me speak first.

      Mor. Good, no confusion.

      We are before a Lady that knows manners;

      And by the next meat I shall eat, 'tis certain,

      This little Gentlewoman that was taken with us.

      Cla. Your Captains Sister, she you mean.

      Mor. I, I, she's the business that we would open to ye.

      You are cousened in her.

      Lam. { How, what is't you would open?

      Fran. { She is no Sister.

      Mor. Good Sirs how quick you are.

      She is no Sister, Madam.

      Fran. She is his.

      Mor. Peace I say.

      Cla. What is she?

      Mor. Faith, sweet Lady,

      She is, as a man would say, his.

      Cla. What?

      Lam. His Mistriss.

      Mor. Or, as some new Translators read, his.

      Cla. Oh me!

      Mor. And why he should delude you thus,

      Unless he meant some villany? these ten weeks

      He has had her at Sea, for his own proper appetite.

      Lam. His Cabin-mate I'll assure ye.

      Cla. No Sister, say ye?

      Mor. No more than I am brother to your beauty.

      I know not why he should juggle thus.

      Cla. Do not lie to me.

      Mor. If ye find me lie, Lady, hang me empty.

      Cla. How am I fool'd!

      Away with 'em Juletta, and feed 'em

      But hark ye, with such food as they have given me.

      New misery!

      Fran. Nor meat nor thanks for all this.

[Exit.

      Cla. Make 'em more wretched.

      Oh I could burst! curse and kill now,

      Kill any thing I meet, Juletta, follow me,

      And call the rest along.

      Jul. We follow, Madam.

[Exeunt.
Enter Albert and Aminta

      Amint. I must be gone now, else she may suspect me;

      How shall I answer her?

      Alb. Tell her directly.

      Amint. That were too suddain, too improvident;

      Fires of this nature must be put out cunningly,

      They'll waste all come near 'em else.

      Farewel once more.

      Alb. Farewel,

      And keep my love entire.

      Nay, kiss me once again, me thinks we should not part.

      Amint. Oh be wise, Sir.

      Alb. Nay, one kiss more.

      Amin. Indeed you're wanton;

      We may be taken too.

Enter Clarinda, Juletta, Crocale, Hippolita

      Cla. Out thou base woman.

      [By Heaven] I'll shoot 'em both.

      Cro. Nay stay, brave Lady, hold;

      A suddain death cuts off a Nobler vengeance.

      Cla. Am I made Bawd to your lascivious meetings?

      Are ye grown so wise in sin?

      Shut up that villa[ine]: and sirrah,

      Now expect my utmost anger.

      Let him there starve.

      Alb. I mock at your mischiefs.

[Exit.

      Cla. Tie that false witch unto that Tree,

      There let that savage beasts

      Gnaw off her sweetness, and Snakes

      Embrace her beauties; tie her, and watch

      That none relieve her.

      Hip. We could wish ye better fortune, Lady,

      But dare not help ye.

      Amin. Be your own friends, I thank ye.

      Now only my last audit, and my greatest,

      Oh Heaven, be kind unto me,

      And if it be thy Will, preserve.

Enter Raymond

      Ray. Who is this?

      Sure 'tis a woman, I have trode this place,

      And found much footing; now I know 'tis peopl'd.

      Ha, let me see! 'tis her face.

      Oh Heaven! turn this way Maid.

      Amin. Oh Raymond, oh Brother.

      Raym. Her tongue too: 'tis my Sister; what rude hand!

      Nay kiss me first, Oh joy!

      Amin.