Francis Beaumont - Beaumont & Fletchers Works (2 of 10) – the Humourous Lieutenant стр 2.

Dem. And fight against me?

Cel. Ten to one, I should do it.

Dem. Thou wouldst not hurt me?

Cel. In this mind I am in I think I should be hardly brought to strike ye, Unless 'twere thus; but in my mans mind—

Dem. What?

Cel. I should be friends with you too, Now I think better.

Cel. No, I confess, I am a fool, a woman: And ever when I part with you—

Dem. You shall not, These tears are like prodigious signs, my sweet one, I shall come back, loaden with fame, to honour thee.

Dem. Prethee, No more of this, I cannot find her.

Cel. That shews as far beyond my wither'd beauty; And will run mad to love ye too.

Dem. Do you fear me, And do you think, besides this face, this beauty, This heart, where all my hopes are lock'd—

Cel. I dare not: No sure, I think ye honest; wondrous honest. Pray do not frown, I'le swear ye are.

Dem. Ye may choose.

Cel. But how long will ye be away?

Dem. I know not.

Cel. I know you are angry now: pray look upon me: I'le ask no more such questions.

Dem. The Drums beat, I can no longer stay.

Cel. They do but call yet: How fain you would leave my Company?

Dem. I wou'd not, Unless a greater power than love commanded, Commands my life, mine honour.

Cel. But a little.

Dem. Prethee farewel, and be not doubtfull of me.

Dem. I will Celia, I will be carefull.

Cel. My heart, that loves ye dearly.

Dem. Prethee no more, we must part: [Drums a March. Hark, they march now.

Cel. Pox on these bawling Drums: I am sure you'l kiss me, But one kiss? what a parting's this?

Cel. I have done: farewel Sir, Never look back, you shall not stay, not a minute.

Dem. I must have one farewel more.

Cel. No, the Drums beat; I dare not slack your honour; not a hand more, Only this look; the gods preserve, and save ye.

ACTUS SECUNDUS. SCENA PRIMA

Ant. What, have ye found her out?

Char. We have hearkned after her.

Ant. What's that to my desire?

Char. Your grace must give us time, And a little means.

Tim. She is sure a stranger, If she were bred or known here—

Ant. Your dull endeavours Enter Menippus. Should never be employ'd. Welcom Menippus.

Men. I have found her Sir, I mean the place she is lodg'd in; her name is Celia, And much adoe I had to purchase that too.

Ant. Dost think Demetrius loves her?

Men. Much I fear it, But nothing that way yet can win for certain. I'le tell your grace within this hour.

Ant. A stranger?

Men. Without all doubt.

Ant. But how should he come to her?

Men. There lies the marrow of the matter hid yet.

Ant. Hast thou been with thy wife?

Men. No Sir, I am going to her.

Ant. Go and dispatch, and meet me in the garden, And get all out ye can. [Exit.

Men. I'le doe my best Sir. [Exit.

Tim. Blest be thy wife, thou wert an arrant ass else.

Char. I, she is a stirring woman indeed: There's a brain Brother.

SCENA II

Dem. I will not see 'em fall thus, give me way Sir, I shall forget you love me else.

Dem. I have lost my self.

Leo. You are cozen'd.

Dem. And am most miserable.

Leo. There's no man so, but he that makes himself so.

Dem. I will goe on.

Dem. Charge but once more Leontius, My friends and my companions are engag'd all.

Leo. Nay give 'em lost, I saw 'em off their horses, And the enemy master of their Arms; nor could then The policie, nor strength of man redeem 'em.

Dem. And shall I know this, and stand fooling?

Leo. By my dead Fathers soul you stir not, Sir, Or if you doe, you make your way through me first.

Dem. Thou art a Coward.

Dem. Pray do not kill me, These words pierce deeper than the wounds I suffer, The smarting wounds of loss.

Lieu. I know not: I am mall'd: we are bravely beaten, All our young gallants lost.

Leo. Thou art hurt.

Dem. All the young men lost?

Leo. Now Sir, Do you find this truth?

Dem. I would not.

Lieu. Pox upon it, They have such tender bodies too; such Culisses, That one good handsom blow breaks 'em a pieces.

Leo. How stands the Enemy?

Lieu. Even cool enough too: For to say truth he has been shrewdly heated, The Gentleman no doubt will fall to his jewlips.

Leo. He marches not i'th' tail on's.

Lieu. When shall I get a Surgeon? this hot weather, Unless I be well pepper'd, I shall stink, Colonel.

Leo. Go, I'le prepare thee one.

Lieu. If ye catch me then, Fighting again, I'le eat hay with a horse. [Exit.

SCENA III

Leu. Have ye written to Merione?

1 Ma. Yes, Madam.

Leu. And let her understand the hopes she has, If she come speedilie—

1 Ma. All these are specified.

Leu. And of the chain is sent her, And the rich stuff to make her shew more handsom here?

1 Maid. All this is done, Madam.

Leu. What have you dispatcht there?

2 Maid. A letter to the Country maid, and't please ye.

Leu. A pretty girle, but peevish, plaguy peevish: Have ye bought the embroydered gloves, and that purse for her, And the new Curle?

2 Maid. They are ready packt up Madam.

1 Ma. I have wrought her.

Leu. You know for whom she is?

1 Ma. Very well, Madam, Though very much ado I had to make her Apprehend that happiness.

Leu. These Kind are subtile; Did she not cry and blubber when you urg'd her?

1 Ma. O most extreamly, and swore she would rather perish.

Leu. Good signs, very good signs, Symptoms of easie nature. Had she the Plate?

1 Ma. She lookt upon't, and left it, And turn'd again, and view'd it.

Leu. Very well still.

1 Ma. At length she was content to let it lye there, Till I call'd for't, or so.

Leu. She will come?

1 Ma. Do you take me For such a Fool, I would part without that promise?

Leu. The Chamber's next the Park.

1 Ma. The Widow, Madam, You bad me look upon.

Leu. Hang her, she is musty: She is no mans meat; besides, she's poor and sluttish: Where lyes old Thisbe now, you are so long now—

2 Ma. Thisbe, Thisbe, Thisbe, agent Thisbe, O I have her, She lyes now in Nicopolis.

1 Ma. An ancient woman, with a maid attending, A pretty Girl, but out of Cloaths; for a little money, It seems she would put her to your bringing up, Madam.

Leu. Let her come in. Would you ought with us, good woman? I pray be short, we are full of business.

Wo. I have a tender Girl here, an't please your honour.

Leu. Very well.

Wom. That hath a great desire to serve your worship.

Leu. It may be so; I am full of Maids.

Wom. She is young forsooth— And for her truth; and as they say her bearing.

Leu. Ye say well; come ye hither maid, let me feel your pulse, 'Tis somewhat weak, but Nature will grow stronger, Let me see your leg, she treads but low i'th' Pasterns.

Wom. A cork Heel, Madam.

Leu, We know what will do it, Without your aim, good woman; what do you pitch her at? She's but a slight toy—cannot hold out long.

Wom. Even what you think is meet.

Leu. Give her ten Crowns, we are full of business, She is a poor Woman, let her take a Cheese home. Enter the wench i' th' Office. [Ex. Wom. and 1 Ma.

2 Ma. What's your name, Sister?

Phe. Phebe, forsooth.

Men. Prithee, good sweet heart, I come not to disturb thee, nor discourage thee, I know thou labour'st truly: hark in thine ear.

Leu. Poor, weak man, I have a thousand eyes, when thou art sleeping, Abroad, and full of business.

Men. You never try'd her?

Leu. No, she is beyond my level; so hedg'd in By the Princes infinite Love and Favour to her—

Men. She is a handsome Wench.

Leu. A delicate, and knows it; And out of that proof arms her self.

Men. Come in then; I have a great design from the King to you, And you must work like wax now.

Leu. On this Lady?

Men. On this, and all your wits call home.

Men. As we go in, I'le tell ye. [Exeunt.

SCENA IV

Soul. Faith neither great, nor out of indiscretion. The young men out of heat.

Leo. No, no, by this hand, Sir, We fought like honest and tall men.