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.

Eust.  And if I follow not, a cowards name be branded on my forehead.

Char.  This spirit makes you a sharer in my fortunes.

Mir.  And in mine, of which (Brisac once freed, and Angellina again in our possession) you shall know, my heart speaks in my tongue.

Eust.  I dare not doubt it, Sir. [Exeunt.

ACTUS V. SCENA II.

Enter Lewis, Brisac, Angelli[n]a, Sylvia, Officers.

Lew.  I’m deaf to all perswasions.

Bri.  I use none, nor doubt I, though a while my innocence suffers, but when the King shall understand how false your malice hath inform’d him, he in justice must set me right again.

Ang.  Sir, let not passion so far transport you, as to think in reason, this violent course repairs, but ruins it; that honour you would build up, you destroy; what you would seem to nourish, if respect of my preferment or my pattern may challenge your paternal love and care, why do you, now good fortune has provided a better Husband for me than your hopes could ever fancy, strive to rob me of him?  In what is my Lord Charles defective, Sir? unless deep Learning be a blemish in him, or well proportion’d limbs be mulcts in nature, or, what you only aim’d at, large Revenues, are, on the sudden, grown distasteful to you.  Of what can you accuse him?

Lew.  Of a Rape done to Honour, which thy ravenous lust made thee consent to.

Syl.  Her lust! you are her Father.

Lew.  And you her Bawd.

Syl.  Were you ten Lords, ’tis false; the pureness of her chaste thoughts entertains not such spotted instruments.

Ang.  As I have a Soul, Sir.

Lew.  I am not to be alter’d; to sit down with this disgrace, would argue me a Peasant, and not born Noble:  all rigour that the Law, and that increase of power by favour yields, shall be with all severity inflicted; you have the King’s hand for’t, no Bail will serve, and therefore at your perils, Officers, away with ’em.

Bri.  This is madness.

Lew.  Tell me so in open Court, and there I’le answer you.

Enter Miramont, Charles, Eustace, Andrew.

Mir.  Well overtaken.

Char.  Ill if they dare resist.

Eust.  He that advances but one step forward dies.

Lew.  Shew the King’s Writ.

Mir.  Shew your discretion, ’twill become you better.

Char.  Y’are once more in my power, and if again I part with you, let me for ever lose thee.

Eust.  Force will not do’t, nor threats; accept this service from your despair’d of Eustace.

And.  And beware your Reverend Worship never more attempt to search my Lilly pot, you see what follows.

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