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.  Seek not, Eustace, by violence, what will be offer’d to you on easier composition; though I was not alli’d unto your weakness, you shall find me a Brother to your bravery of spirit, and one that, not compell’d to’t by your sword, (which I must never fear) will share with you in all but Angellina.

Mir.  Nobly said, Charles, and learn from my experience, you may hear reason, and never maim your fighting; for your credit, which you think you have lost, spare Charles, and swinge me, and soundly; three or four walking velvet Cloaks, that wear no swords to guard ’em, yet deserve it, thou art made up again.

Eust.  All this is Lip-salve.

Mir.  It shall be Hearts-ease, Eustace, ere I have done; as for thy Father’s anger, now thou dar’st fight, ne’er fear it, for I’ve the dowcets of his gravity fast in a string, I will so pinch and wring him, that, spight of his authority, thou shalt make thine own conditions with him.

Eust.  I’le take leave a little to consider.

Char.  Here comes Andrew.

Mir.  But without his comical and learned face; what sad disaster, Andrew?

And.  You m[a]y read, Sir, a Tragedy in my face.

Mir.  Art thou in earnest?

And.  Yes, by my life, Sir; and if now you help not, and speedily, by force, or by persuasion, my good old Master (for now I pity him) is ruin’d for ever.

Char.  Ha, my Father!

And.  He, Sir.

Mir.  By what means? speak.

And.  At the suit of Monsieur Lewis; his house is seiz’d upon, and he in person is under guard, (I saw it with these eyes, Sir) to be convey’d to Paris, and there Sentenc’d.

Mir.  Nay, then there is no jesting.

Char.  Do I live, and know my Father injur’d?

And.  And what’s worse, Sir, my Ladie Angellina—­

Eust.  What of her?

And.  She’s carri’d away too.

Mir.  How?

And.  While you were absent, a crew of Monsieur Lewis friends and kinsmen, by force, brake in at th’ back part of the house, and took her away by violence; faithful Andrew (as this can witness for him) did his best in her defence, but ’twould not do.

Mir.  Away, and see our Horses sadled, ’tis no time to talk, but do. Eustace, you now are offer’d a spatious field, and in a pious War to exercise your valour; here’s a cause, and such a one, in which to fall is honourable, your dutie and reverence due to a fathers name commanding it; but these unnatural jars arising between Brothers (should you prosper) would shame your victory.

Eust.  I would do much, Sir, but still my rep[u]tation!

Mir.  Charles shall give you all decent satisfaction; nay, joyn hands, and heartily, why, this is done like Brothers; and as old as I am, in this cause that concerns the honour of our Family, Monsieur Lewis (if reason cannot work) shall find and feel there’s hot blood in this arm, I’le lead you bravely.

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