The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 170 pages of information about The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.

The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 170 pages of information about The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.

Char. Dispatch, what?

Bri. Why the Land.

Char. You are deceiv’d, Sir.  Now I perceive what ’tis that wooes a woman, and what maintains her when she’s woo’d:  I’ll stop here.  A wilful poverty ne’er made a Beauty, nor want of means maintain’d it vertuously:  though land and moneys be no happiness, yet they are counted good additions.  That use I’ll make; he that neglects a blessing, though he want a present knowledge how to use it, neglects himself.  May be I have done you wrong, Lady, whose love and hope went hand in hand together; may be my Brother, that has long expected the happy hour, and bless’d my ignorance; pray give me leave, Sir, I shall clear all doubts; why did they shew me you? pray tell me that?

(Mir. He’ll talk thee into a pension for thy knavery.)

Char. You, happy you, why did you break unto me?  The Rosie sugred morn ne’er broke so sweetly:  I am a man, and have desires within me, affections too, though they were drown’d a while, and lay dead, till the Spring of beauty rais’d them; till I saw those eyes, I was but a lump, a chaos of confusedness dwelt in me; then from those eyes shot Love, and he distinguish’d, and into form he drew my faculties; and now I know my Land, and now I love too.

Bri. We had best remove the Maid.

Char. It is too late, Sir.  I have her figure here.  Nay frown not, Eustace, there are less worthy Souls for younger Brothers; this is no form of Silk, but Sanctity, which wild lascivious hearts can never dignifie.  Remove her where you will, I walk along still, for, like the light, we make no separation; you may sooner part the Billows of the Sea and put a barr betwixt their fellowships, than blot out my remembrance; sooner shut old Time into a Den, and stay his motion, wash off the swift hours from his downy wings, or steal Eternity to stop his glass, than shut the sweet Idea I have in me.  Room for an Elder Brother, pray give place, Sir.

Mir. H’as studied duel too; take heed, he’ll beat thee.  H’as frighted the old Justice into a Feaver; I hope he’ll disinherit him too for an Ass; for though he be grave with years, he’s a great Baby.

Char. Do not you think me mad?

Ang. No certain, Sir, I have heard nothing from you but things excellent.

Char. You look upon my cloaths, and laugh at me, my scurvy cloaths!

Ang. They have rich linings, Sir.  I would your Brother—­

Char. His are gold and gawdie.

Ang. But touch ’em inwardly, they smell of Copper.

Char. Can ye love me?  I am an Heir, sweet Lady, however I appear a poor dependent; love you with honour I shall love so ever.  Is your eye ambitious?  I may be a great man; is’t wealth or lands you covet? my Father must die.

Mir. That was well put in, I hope he’ll take it deeply.

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The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.