Beaumont Francis

The Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy


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He whose Sword.

      Cle. Talk not so big, Sir, you will fright the Princess.

      Mem. Ha.

      Lucippe. No forsooth.

      Cal. I know ye have done wonders.

      Mem. I have and will do more and greater, braver;

      And for your beauty miracles, name that Kingdom

      And take your choice.

      Cal. Sir I am not ambitious.

      Mem. Ye shall be, 'tis the Child of Glory: she that I love

      Whom my desires shall magnifie, time stories,

      And all the Empires of the Earth.

      Cle. I would fain ask him —

      Lucip. Prithee be quiet, he will beat us both else.

      Cle. What will ye make me then, Sir?

      Mem. I will make thee

      Stand still and hold thy peace; I have a heart, Lady.

      Cal. Ye were a monster else.

      Mem. A loving heart,

      A truly loving heart.

      Cal. Alas, how came it?

      Mem. I would you had it in your hand, sweet Lady,

      To see the truth it bears you.

      Cal. Do you give it.

      Lucip. That was well thought upon.

      Cle. 'Twill put him to't Wench.

      Cal. And you shall see I dare accept it, Sir,

      Tak't in my hand and view it: if I find it

      A loving and a sweet heart, as you call it,

      I am bound, I am.

      Mem. No more, I'll send it to ye,

      As I have honour in me, you shall have it.

      Cle. Handsomly done, Sir, and perfum'd by all means,

      The Weather's warm, Sir.

      Mem. With all circumstance.

      Lucip. A Napkin wrought most curiously.

      Mem. Divinely.

      Cle. Put in a Goblet of pure Gold.

      Mem. Yes in Jacinth

      That she may see the Spirit through.

      Lucip. Ye have greas'd him

      For chewing love again in haste.

      Cle. If he should do it.

      Cal. If Heaven should fall we should have larks; he do it!

      Cle. See how he thinks upon't.

      Cal. He will think these three years

      Ere he prove such an Ass, I lik't his offer,

      There was no other way to put him off else.

      Mem. I will do it —

      Lady expect my heart.

      Cal. I do, Sir.

      Mem. Love it, for 'tis a heart that – and so I leave ye. [Exit Mem.

      Cle. Either he is stark mad,

      Or else I thinks he means it.

      Cal. He must be stark mad

      Or else he will never do it, 'tis vain Glory,

      And want of judgment that provokes this in him;

      Sleep and Society cures all: his heart?

      No, no, good Gentleman there's more belongs to't,

      Hearts are at higher prices, let's go in

      And there examine him a little better.

      Shut all the doors behind for fear he follow,

      I hope I have lost a lover, and am glad on't. [Ex. Lady.

      Actus Secundus. Scena Prima

Enter Memnon alone

      Mem. 'Tis but to dye, Dogs do it, Ducks with dabling,

      Birds sing away their Souls, & Babies sleep 'em,

      Why do I talk of that is treble vantage?

      For in the other World she is bound to have me;

      Her Princely word is past: my great desert too

      Will draw her to come after presently,

      'Tis justice, and the gods must see it done too.

      Besides, no Brother, Father, Kindred there

      Can hinder us, all languages are alike too.

      There love is everlasting, ever young,

      Free from Diseases, ages, jealousies,

      Bawds, Beldames, Painters, Purgers: dye? 'tis nothing,

      Men drown themselves for joy to draw in Juleps

      When they are hot with Wine: In dreams we do it.

      And many a handsom Wench that loves the sport well,

      Gives up her Soul so in her Lovers bosome;

      But I must be incis'd first, cut and open'd,

      My heart, and handsomely, ta'n from me; stay there,

      Dead once, stay, let me think again, who do I know there?

      For else to wander up and down unwaited on

      And unregarded in my place and project,

      Is for a Sowters Soul, not an old Souldiers.

      My brave old Regiments – I there it goes,

      That have been kill'd before me, right. —

Enter Chilax

      Chil. He's here, and I must trouble him.

      Mem. Then those I have conquer'd

      To make my train full.

      Chi. Sir.

      Mem. My Captains then —

      Chi. Sir, I beseech ye.

      Mem. For to meet her there

      Being a Princess and a Kings sole Sister

      With great accommodation must be cared for.

      Chi. Weigh but the Souldiers poverty.

      Mem. Mine own Troop first

      For they shall die.

      Chi. How, what's this?

      Mem. Next —

      Chi. Shall I speak louder, Sir?

      Mem. A square Battalia —

      Chi. You do not think of us.

      Mem. Their Armours gilded —

      Chi. Good noble Sir.

      Mem. And round about such Engines

      Shall make