 | Beggars Bush |  |
Scæna Quinta.
Enter two young Merchants.1. Mer.
VVell met sir, you are for this lusty wedding.
2. Mer.
I am so, so are you I take it.
1. Mer.
Yes,
And it much glads me, that to doe him service
Who is the honour of our trade, and luster,
VVe meet thus happily.
2. Mer.
He's a noble fellow,
And well becomes a bride of such a beauty.
1. Mer.
She is passing faire indeed, long may their loves
Continue like their youths, in spring of sweetnesse,
All the young Merchants will be here
No doubt on't,
For he that comes not to attend this wedding
The curse of a most blind one fall upon him,
A lowd wife, and a lazie: here's Vanlock.
Enter Vanlock and Francis.
Vanl.
VVell overtaken gentlemen: save ye.
1. Mer.
The same to you sir; save ye faire Mistris Francis,
I would this happie night might make you blush too.
Vanl.
She dreames a pace,
Fran.
That's but a drowsie fortune.
3. Mer.
Nay take us with ye too; we come to that end,
I am sure ye are for the wedding.
Vanl.
Hand and heart man:
And what their feet can doe, I could have tript it
Before this whorson gout
Enter Gerrard.
Ger.
Blesse ye Masters.
Vanl.
Clause? how now Clause; thou art come to see thy Master,
(And a good master he is to all poore people)
In all his joy, tis honestly don of thee.
Ger.
Long may hee live sir, but my businesse now is
If you would plase to doe it, and to him too.
Enter Florez.
Vanl.
He's heere himselfe.
Flo.
Stand at the doore my friends?
I pray walke in't welcome faire Mistris Francis,
See what the house affords, ther's a young Lady
VVill bid you welcome,
Vanl.
VVe joy your happinesse.
Exit.
Flo.
I hope It will be so: Clause nobly welcome,
My honest, my best friend, I have been carefull
To see thy monys—
Ger.
Sir, that brought not me,
Do you know this Ring againe?
Flo.
Thou hadst it of me.
Ger.
And do you well remēber yet, the boone you gave me
Upon returne of this?
Flo.
Yes, and I grant it,
Be it what it will: aske what thou can'st, I'le do it;
Within my power.
Ger.
Ye are not married yet
Flo.
No,
Ger.
Faith I shall aske you that that will disturb ye,
But I must put ye to your promise.
Flo.
Do,
And if I faint and flinch in't—
Ger.
Well said Master,
And yet it grieves me too: and yet it must be.
Flo.
Prethee distrust me not.
Ger.
You must not marry,
That's part of the power you gave me: which to make up,
You must presently depart, and follow me.
Flo.
Not marry Clause?
Ger.
Not if you keep your promise,
And give me power to aske.
Flo.
Pre'thee thinke better,
I will obey, by heaven.
Ger.
I have thought the best Sir.
Flo.
Give me thy reason, do'st thou feare her honesty?
Ger.
Chaste as the yee, for anything I know, Sir.
Flo.
Why should'st thou light on that then? to what purpose?
Ger.
I must not now discover.
Flo.
Must not marry?
Shall I breake now when my poore hart is pawn'd?
When all the preparation?
Ger.
Now or never.
Flo.
Come, 'tis not that thou would'st: thou dost but fright me.
Ger.
Upon my soule it is Sir, and I binde ye.
Flo.
Clause, can'st thou be so cruell?
Ger.
You may breake Sir,
But never more in my thoughts, appeare honest.
Flo.
Did'st ever see her?
Ger.
No:
Flo.
She is such a thing,
O Clause, she is such a wonder, such a mirror,
For beauty, and faire vertue, Europe has not:
Why hast thou made me happy, to undo me?
But looke upon her; then if thy heart relent not,
I'le quit her presently, who waites there?
Ser.
within.
Sir.
Flo.
Bid my faire love come hither, and the company,
Pre'thee be good unto me; take a mans hart
And looke upon her truly: take a friends hart
And feele what misery must follow this,
Ger.
Take you a noble hart and keep your promise;
I forsooke all I had, to make you happy.
Enter Bertha. Van-donck, and the rest Merchants.
Can that thing call'd a woman, stop your goodnesse?
Flo.
Looke there she is, deale with me as thou wilt now
Did'st ever see a fayrer?
Ger.
She is most goodly.
Flo.
Pray ye stand still.
Ber.
What ayles my love?
Flo.
Did'st thou ever,
By the faire light of heaven, behold a sweeter?
O that thou knew'st but love, or ever felt him,
Looke well, looke narrowly upon her beauties.
1. Mer.
Sure h'as some strange designe in hand, he starts so.
92
This Beggar has a strong power over his pleasure
Flo.
View all her body.
Ger.
'Tis exact and excellent.
Flo.
Is she a thing then to be lost thus lightly?
Her mind is ten times sweeter, ten times nobler,
And but to heare her speak, a Paradise,
And such a love she beares to me, a chaste love,
A vertuous, faire, and fruitfull love: 'tis now too
I am ready to enjoy it; the Priest ready: Clause,
To say the holy words shall make us happy,
This is a cruelty beyond mans study,
All these are ready, all our joyes are ready,
And all the expectation of our friends,
Twill be her death to do it.
Ger.
Let her dye then.
Flo.
Thou canst not: 'tis impossible.
Ger.
It must be.
Flo.
'Twill kil me too, 'twil murder me by heaven Claus
I'le give thee halfe I have; come thou shalt save me.
Ger.
Then you must goe with me: I can stay no longer
If ye be true, and noble.
Flo.
Hard heart, I'le follow:
Pray ye all goe in againe, and pray be merry,
I have a weighty businesse, give my cloake there.
Enter Servant (with a Cloake.)
Concerns my life, and state; make no enquiry,
This present houre befaln me: with the soonest
I shall be here againe: nay pray goe in Sir,
And take them with you, tis but a night lost, Gentlemen.
Van.
Come, come in, we will not loose our meat yet,
Nor our good mirth, he cannot stay long from her
I am sure of that.
Flo.
I will not fray; beleeve Sir.
Exit.
Gertrud, a word with you;
Ber.
Why is this stop, Sir?
Flo.
I have no more time left me, but to kisse thee,
And tell thee this, I am ever thine: farewell wench.
Exit.
Be.
And is that all your ceremony? Is this a wedding?
Are all my hopes and prayers turnd to nothing?
Well, I will say no more, nor sigh, nor sorrow; oh me,
Till to thy face I prove thee false.
Exit.
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