Читать книгу The Little French Lawyer: A Comedy - Beaumont Francis - Страница 2

Din. Disswade me not.

Clere. It will breed a brawl.

Din. I care not, I wear a Sword.

Cler. And wear discretion with it,

Or cast it off, let that direct your arm,

'Tis madness else, not valour, and more base

Than to receive a wrong.

Din. Why would you have me

Sit down with a disgrace, and thank the doer?

We are not Stoicks, and that passive courage

Is only now commendable in Lackies,

Peasants, and Tradesmen, not in men of rank

And qualitie, as I am.

Cler. Do not cherish

That daring vice, for which the whole age suffers.

The blood of our bold youth, that heretofore

Was spent in honourable action,

Or to defend, or to enlarge the Kingdom,

For the honour of our Country, and our Prince,

Pours it self out with prodigal expence

Upon our Mothers lap, the Earth that bred us

For every trifle; and these private Duells,

Which had their first original from the Fr[enc]h

(And for which, to this day, we are justly censured)

Are banisht from all civil Governments:

Scarce three in Venice, in as many years;

In Florence, they are rarer, and in all

The fair Dominions of the Spanish King,

They are never heard of: Nay, those neighbour Countries,

Which gladly imitate our other follies,

And come at a dear rate to buy them of us,

Begin now to detest them.

Din. Will you end yet—

Cler. And I have heard that some of our late Kings,

For the lie, wearing of a Mistris favour,

A cheat at Cards or Dice, and such like causes,

Have lost as many gallant Gentlemen,

As might have met the great Turk in the field

With confidence of a glorious Victorie,

And shall we then—

Din. No more, for shame no more,

Are you become a Patron too? 'tis a new one,

No more on't, burn't, give it to some Orator,

To help him to enlarge his exercise,

With such a one it might do well, and profit

The Curat of the Parish, but for Cleremont,

The bold, and undertaking Cleremont,

To talk thus to his friend, his friend that knows him,

Dinant that knows his Cleremont, is absurd,

And meer Apocrypha.

Cler. Why, what know you of me?

Din. Why if thou hast forgot thy self, I'le tell thee,

And not look back, to speak of what thou wert

At fifteen, for at those years I have heard

Thou wast flesh'd, and enter'd bravely.

Cler. Well Sir, well.

Din. But yesterday, thou wast the common second,

Of all that only knew thee, thou hadst bills

Set up on every post, to give thee notice

Where any difference was, and who were parties;

And as to save the charges of the Law

Poor men seek arbitrators, thou wert chosen

By such as knew thee not, to compound quarrels:

But thou wert so delighted with the sport,

That if there were no just cause, thou wouldst make one,

Or be engag'd thy self: This goodly calling

Thou hast followed five and twenty years, and studied

The Criticismes of contentions, and art thou

In so few hours transform'd? certain this night

Thou hast had strange dreams, or rather visions.

Clere. Yes, Sir,

I have seen fools, and fighters, chain'd together,

And the Fighters had the upper hand, and whipt first,

The poor Sots laughing at 'em. What I have been

It skils not, what I will be is resolv'd on.

Din. Why then you'l fight no more?

Cler. Such is my purpose.

Din. On no occasion?

Cler. There you stagger me.

Some kind of wrongs there are which flesh and blood

Cannot endure.

Din. Thou wouldst not willingly

Live a protested coward, or be call'd one?

Cler. Words are but words.

Din. Nor wouldst thou take a blow?

Cler. Not from my friend, though drunk, and from an enemy

I think much less.

Din. There's some hope of thee left then,

Wouldst thou hear me behind my back disgrac'd?

Cler. Do you think I am a rogue? they that should do it

Had better been born dumb.

Din. Or in thy presence

See me o'recharg'd with odds?

Cler. I'd fall my self first.

Din. Would'st thou endure thy Mistris be taken from thee,

And thou sit quiet?

Cler. There you touch my honour,

No French-man can endure that.

Di[n]. Pl– upon thee,

Why dost thou talk of Peace then? that dar'st suffer

Nothing, or in thy self, or in thy friend

That is unmanly?

Cler. That I grant, I cannot:

But I'le not quarrel with this Gentleman

For wearing stammel Breeches, or this Gamester

For playing a thousand pounds, that owes me nothing;

For this mans taking up a common Wench

In raggs, and lowsie, then maintaining her

Caroach'd in cloth of Tissue, nor five hundred

Of such like toyes, that at no part concern me;

Marry, where my honour, or my friend is questioned,

I have a Sword, and I think I may use it

To the cutting of a Rascals throat, or so,

Like a good Christian.

Din. Thou art of a fine Religion,

And rather than we'l make a Schism in friendship

I will be of it: But to be serious,

Thou art acquainted with my tedious love-suit

To fair Lamira?

Cler. Too well Sir, and remember

Your presents, courtship, that's too good a name,

Your slave-like services, your morning musique;

Your walking three hours in the rain at midnight,

To see her at her window, sometimes laugh'd at,

Sometimes admitted, and vouchsaf'd to kiss

Her glove, her skirt, nay, I have heard, her slippers,

How then you triumph'd?

Here was love forsooth.

Din. These follies I deny not,

Such a contemptible thing my dotage made me,

But my reward for this—

Cler. As you deserv'd,

For he that makes a goddess of a Puppet,

Merits no other recompence.

Din. This day friend,

For thou art so—

Cler. I am no flatterer.

Din. This proud, ingratefull she, is married to

Lame Champernel.

Cler. I know him, he has been

As tall a Sea-man, and has thriv'd as well by't,

The loss of a legg and an arm deducted, as any

That ever put from Marseilles: you are tame,

Pl– on't, it mads me; if it were my case,

I should kill all the family.

Din. Yet but now

You did preach patience.

Cler. I then came from confession,

And 'twas enjoyn'd me three hours for a penance,

To be a peaceable man, and to talk like one,

But now, all else being pardon'd, I begin

On a new Tally, Foot do any thing,

I'le second you.

Din. I would not willingly

Make red, my yet white conscience, yet I purpose

In the open street, as they come from the Temple,

(For this way they must pass,) to speak my wrongs,

And do it boldly.                     [Musick playes.

Cler. Were thy tongue a Cannon,

I would stand by thee, boy, they come, upon 'em.

Din. Observe a little first.

Cler. This is fine fidling.

Come away, bring on the Bride

And place her by her Lovers side:

You fair troop of Maids attend her,

Pure and holy thoughts befriend her.

Blush, and wish, you Virgins all,

Many such fair nights may fall.

Hymen, fill the house with joy,

All thy sacred fires employ:

Bless the Bed with holy love,

Now fair orb of Beauty move.

Din. Stand by, for I'le be heard.

Verta. This is strange rudeness.

Din. 'Tis courtship, ballanced with injuries,

You all look pale with guilt, but I will dy

Your cheeks with blushes, if in your sear'd veins

There yet remain so much of honest blood

To make the colour; first to ye my Lord,

The Father of this Bride, whom you have sent

Alive into her grave.

Champ. How? to her grave?

Dina. Be patient Sir, I'le speak of you anon

You that allow'd me liberal access,

To make my way with service, and approv'd of

My birth, my person, years, and no base fortune:

You that are rich, and but in this held wise too,

That as a Father should have look'd upon

Your Daughter in a husband, and aim'd more

At what her youth, and heat of blood requir'd

In lawfull pleasures, than the parting from

Your Crowns to pay her dowr: you that already

Have one foot in the grave, yet study profit,

As if you were assur'd to live here ever;

What poor end had you, in this choice? in what

Deserve I your contempt? my house, and honours

At all parts equal yours, my fame as fair,

And not to praise my self, the City ranks me

In the first file of her most hopefull Gentry:

But Champernel is rich, and needs a nurse,

And not your gold: and add to that, he's old too,

His whole estate in likelihood to descend

Upon your Family; Here was providence,

I grant, but in a Nobleman base thrift:

No Merchants, nay, no Pirats, sell for Bondmen

Their Country-men, but you, a Gentleman,

To save a little gold, have sold your Daughter

To worse than slaverie.

Cler. This was spoke home indeed.

Beau. Sir, I shall take some other time to tell you,

That this harsh language was delivered to

An old man, but my Father.

Din. At your pleasure.

Cler. Proceed in your design, let me alone,

To answer him, or any man.

Verd. You presume

Too much upon your name, but may be couzen'd.

Din. But for you, most unmindfull of my service,

For now I may upbraid you, and with honour,

Since all is lost, and yet I am a gainer,

In being deliver'd from a torment in you,

For such you must have been, you to whom nature

Gave with a liberal hand most excellent form,

Your education, language, and discourse,

And judgement to distinguish, when you shall

With feeling sorrow understand how wretched

And miserable you have made your self,

And but your self have nothing to accuse,

Can you with hope from any beg compassion?

But you will say, you serv'd your Fathers pleasure,

Forgetting that unjust commands of Parents

Are not to be obey'd, or that you are rich,

And that to wealth all pleasure else are servants,

Yet but consider, how this wealth was purchas'd,

'Twill trouble the possession.

Champ. You Sir know

I got it, and with honour.

Din. But from whom?

Remember that, and how: you'l come indeed

To houses bravely furnish'd, but demanding

Where it was bought, this Souldier will not lie,

But answer truly, this rich cloth of Arras

I made my prize in such a Ship, this Plate

Was my share in another; these fair Jewels,

Coming a shore, I got in such a Village,

The Maid, or Matron kill'd, from whom they were ravish'd,

The Wines you drink are guilty too, for this,

This Candie Wine, three Merchants were undone,

These Suckets break as many more: in brief,

All you shall wear, or touch, or see, is purchas'd

By lawless force, and you but revel in

The tears, and grones of such as were the owners.

Champ. 'Tis false, most basely false.

Verta. Let losers talk.

Din. Lastly, those joyes, those best of joyes, which Hymen

Freely bestows on such, that come to tye

The sacred knot be blesses, won unto it

By equal love, and mutual affection,

Not blindly led with the desire of riches,

Most miserable you shall never taste of.

This Marriage night you'l meet a Widows bed,

Or failing of those pleasures all Brides look for,

Sin in your wish it were so.

Champ. Thou art a Villain,

A base, malitious slanderer.

Cler. Strike him.

Din. No, he is not worth a blow.

Champ. O that I had thee

In some close vault, that only would yield room

To me to use my Sword, to thee no hope

To run away, I would make thee on thy knees,

Bite out the tongue that wrong'd me.

Verta. Pray you have patience.

Lamira. This day I am to be your Soveraign,

Let me command you.

Champ. I am lost with rage,

And know not what I am my self, nor you:

Away, dare such as you, that love the smoke

Of peace more than the fire of glorious War,

And like unprofitable drones, feed on

Your grandsires labours, that, as I am now,

Were gathering Bees, and fill'd their Hive, this Country

With brave triumphant spoils, censure our actions?

You object my prizes to me, had you seen

The horrour of a Sea-fight, with what danger

I made them mine; the fire I fearless fought in,

And quench'd it in mine enemies blood, which straight

Like oyle pour'd out on't, made it burn anew;

My Deck blown up, with noise enough to mock

The lowdest thunder, and the desperate fools

That Boorded me, sent, to defie the tempests

That were against me, to the angrie Sea,

Frighted with men thrown o're; no victory,

But in despight of the four Elements,

The Fire, the Air, the Sea, and sands hid in it

To be atchiev'd, you would confess poor men,

(Though hopeless, such an honourable way

To get or wealth, or honour) in your selves

He that through all these dreadfull passages

Pursued and overtook them, unaffrighted,

Deserves reward, and not to have it stil'd

By the base name of theft.

Din. This is the Courtship,

That you must look for, Madam.

Cler. 'Twill do well,

When nothing can be done, to spend the night with:

Your tongue is sound good Lord, and I could wish

For this young Ladyes sake this leg, this arm,

And there is something else, I will not name,

(Though 'tis the only thing that must content her)

Had the same vigour.

Champ. You shall buy these scoffs

With your best blood: help me once noble anger,

(Nay stir not, I alone must right my self)

And with one leg transport me, to correct

These scandalous praters: O that noble wounds                     [Falls.

Should hinder just revenge! D'ye jear me too?

I got these, not as you do, your diseases

In Brothels, or with riotous abuse

Of wine in Taverns; I have one leg shot,

One arm disabled, and am honour'd more,

By losing them, as I did, in the face

Of a brave enemy, than if they were

As when I put to Sea; you are French-men only,

In that you have been laied, and cur'd, goe to:

You mock my leg, but every bone about you,

Makes you good Almanack-makers, to foretell

What weather we shall have.

Din. Put up your Sword.

Cler. Or turn it to a Crutch, there't may b[e] usefull,

And live on the relation to your Wife

Of what a brave man you were once.

Din. And tell her,

What a fine vertue 'tis in a young Lady

To give an old man pap.

Cler. Or hire a Surgeon

To teach her to roul up your broken limbs.

Din. To make a Pultess, and endure the scent

Of oils, and nasty Plasters.

Verta. Fie Sir, fie,

You that have stood all dangers of all kinds, to

Yield to a Rivalls scoffe?

Lamira. Shed tears upon

Your Wedding day? this is unmanly Gentlemen.

Champ. They are tears of anger: O that I should live

To play the woman thus! All powerfull heaven,

Restore me, but one hour, that strength again,

That I had once, to chastise in these men

Their folies, and ill manners, and that done,

When you please, I'le yield up the fort of life,

And do it gladly.

Cler. We ha' the better of him,

We ha' made him cry.

Verdo. You shall have satisfaction.

And I will do it nobly, or disclaim me.

Beaup. I say no more, you have a Brother, Sister,

This is your wedding day, we are in the street,

And howsoever they forget their honour,

'Tis fit I lose not mine, by their example.

Vert. If there be Laws in Paris, look to answer

This insolent affront.

Cler. You that live by them,

Study 'em for heavens sake; for my part I know not

Nor care not what they are. Is the[re] ought else

That you would say;

Din. Nothing, I have my ends.

Lamira weeps, I have said too much I fear;

So dearly once I lov'd her, that I cannot

Endure to see her tears.                     [Exeunt Dinant, and Cleremont.

Champ. See you perform it,

And do it like my Nephew.

Verdo. If I fail in't

Ne'r know me more, Cousin Beaupre.

Champ. Repent not

What thou hast done, my life, thou shalt not find

I am decrepit; in my love and service,

I will be young, and constant, and believe me,

For thou shalt find it true, in scorn of all

The scandals these rude men have thrown upon me

I'le meet thy pleasures with a young mans ardour,

And in all circumstances of a Husband,

Perform my part.

Lamira. Good Sir, I am your servant,

And 'tis too late now, if I did repent,

(Which as I am a virgin yet, I do not)

To undoe the knot, that by the Church is tyed.

Only I would beseech ye, as you have

A good opinion of me, and my vertues,

For so you have pleas'd to stile my innocent weakness,

That what hath pass'd be[t]ween Dinant and me,

Or what now in your hearing he hath spoken,

Beget not doubts, or fears.

Champ. I apprehend you,

You think I will be jealous; as I live

Thou art mistaken sweet; and to confirm it

Discourse with whom thou wilt, ride where thou wilt,

Feast whom thou wilt, as often as thou wilt,

For I will have no other guards upon thee

Than thine own thoughts.

Lamira. I'le use this liberty

With moderation Sir.

Beaup. I am resolv'd.

Steal off, I'le follow you.

Champ. Come Sir, you droop;

Till you find cause, which I shall never give,

Dislike not of your Son in Law.

Verta. Sir, you teach me

The language I should use; I am most happy

In being so near you.                     [Exeunt Verdone, and Beaupre.

Lamira. O my fears! good nurse

Follow my Brother unobserv'd, and learn

Which way he takes.

Nurs. I will be carefull Madam.                     [Exit Nurse.

Champ. Between us complements are superfluous,

On Gentlemen, th' affront we have met here

We'l think upon hereafter, 'twere unfit

To cherish any thought to breed unrest,

Or to our selves, or to our Nuptial feast.                     [Exeunt.

Cler. We shall have sport, ne'r fear't.

Din. What sport I prethee?

Cler. Why we must fight, I know it, and I long for't,

It was apparent in the fiery eye

Of young Verdone, Beaupre look'd pale and shook too,

Familiar signs of anger. They are both brave fellows

Tri'd and approv'd, and I am proud to encounter

With men, from whom no honour can be lost;

They will play up to a man, and set him off.

When e're I go to the field, heaven keep me from

The meeting of an unflesh'd youth or, Coward,

The first, to get a name, comes on too hot,

The Coward is so swift in giving ground,

There is no overtaking him without

A hunting Nag, well breath'd too.

Din. All this while,

You ne'r think on the danger.

Cler. Why 'tis no more

Than meeting of a dozen friends at Supper,

And drinking hard; mischief comes there unlook'd for,

I am sure as suddain, and strikes home as often,

For this we are prepar'd.

Din. Lamira Loves

Her Brother Beaupre dearly.

Cler. What of that?

Din. And should he call me to account for what

But now I spake, nor can I with mine honour

Recant my words, that little hope is left me,

E're to enjoy what (next to Heaven) I long for,

Is taken from me.

Cer. Why what can you hope for,

She being now married?

Din. Oh my Cleremont,

To you all secrets of my heart lye open,

And I rest most secure that whatsoe're

I lock up there, is as a private thought,

And will no farther wrong me. I am a French-man,

And for the greater part we are born Courtiers,

She is a woman, and however yet,

No heat of service had the power to melt

Her frozen Chastity, time and opportunitie

May work her to my ends, I confess ill ones,

And yet I must pursue 'em: now her marriage,

In probabilitie, will no way hurt,

But rather help me.

Cler. Sits the wind there? pray you tell me

How far off dwells your love from lust?

Din. Too near,

But prethee chide me not.

Cler. Not I, goe on boy,

I have faults my self, and will not reprehend

A crime I am not free from: for her Marriage,

I do esteem it (and most batchellors are

Of my opinion) as a fair protection,

To play the wanton without loss of honour.

Din. Would she make use of't so, I were most happy.

Cler. No more of this. Judge now,

Whether I have the gift of prophecie.

Beaup. Monsieur Dinant,

I am glad to find you, Sir.

Din. I am at your service.

Verd. Good Monsieur Cleremont, I have long wish'd

To be known better to you.

Cler. My desires

Embrace your wishes Sir.

Beaup. Sir, I have ever

Esteem'd you truly noble, and profess

I should have been most proud, to have had the honour

To call you Brother, but my Fathers pleasure

Denied that happiness. I know no man lives,

That can command his passions, and therefore

Dare not condemn the late intemperate language

You were pleas'd to use to my Father and my Sister,

He's old and she a woman, I most sorrie

My honour does compel me to entreat you,

To do me the favour, with your sword to meet me

A mile without the Citie.

Din. You much honour me.

In the demand, I'le gladly wait upon you.

Beaup. O Sir you teach me what to say: the time?

Din. With the next Sun, if you think fit.

Beaup. The place?

Din. Near to the vineyard eastward from the Citie.

Beaup. I like it well, this Gentleman if you please

Will keep me company.

Cler. That is agreed on;

And in my friends behalf I will attend him.

Verd. You shall not miss my service.

Beaup. Good day Gentlemen.                     [Ex. Beaup. and Verd.

Din. At your Commandment.

Cler. Proud to be your servants.

I think there is no Nation under Heaven

That cut their enemies throats with complement,

And such fine tricks as we do: If you have

Any few Prayers to say, this night you may

Call 'em to mind and use 'em, for my self,

As I have little to lose, my care is less,

So till to morrow morning I bequeath you

To your devotions; and those paid, but use

That noble courage I have seen, and we

Shall fight, as in a Castle.

Din. Thou art all honour,

Thy resolution would steel a Coward,

And I most fortunate in such a Friend;

All tenderness and nice respect of woman

Be now far from me, reputation take

A full possession of my heart, and prove

Honour the first place holds, the second Love.                     [Exeunt.

Lami. Sleeps my Lord still, Charlote?

Char. Not to be wak'd.

By your Ladiships cheerfull looks I well perceive

That this night the good Lord hath been

At an unusual service, and no wonder

If he rest after it.

Lamira. You are very bold.

Char. Your Creature Madam, and when you are pleas'd

Sadness to me's a stranger, your good pardon

If I speak like a fool, I could have wisht

To have ta'ne your place to night, had bold Dinant

Your first and most obsequious servant tasted

Those delicates, which by his lethargie

As it appears, have cloy'd my Lord.

Lamira. No, more.

Char. I am silenc'd, Madam.

Lamira. Saw you my nurse this morning?

Charl. No Madam.

Lamira. I am full of fears.                     [Knock within.

Who's that?

Charl. She you enquir'd for.

Lamira. Bring her in, and leave me.                     [Exit Charlote.

Now nurse what news?

Nurse. O Ladie dreadfull ones.

They are to fight this morning, there's no remedie.

I saw my Lord your Brother, and Verdone

Take horse as I came by.

Lamira. Where's Cleremont?

Nurse. I met him too, and mounted.

Lamira. Where's Dinant?

Nurse. There's all the hope, I have staid him with a trick,

If I have done well so.

Lamira. What trick?

Nurse. I told him,

Your Ladiship laid your command upon him,

To attend you presently, and to confirm it,

Gave him the ring he oft hath seen you wear,

That you bestowed on me: he waits without

Disguis'd, and if you have that power in him,

As I presume you have, it is in you

To stay or alter him.

Lamira. Have you learnt the place,

Where they are to encounter?

Nurse. Yes 'tis where

The Duke of Burgundie met Lewis th' eleventh.

Lamir. Enough, I will reward thee liberally,                     [Exit Nurse.

Goe bring him in: full dear I loved Dinant,

While it was lawfull, but those fires are quench'd

I being now anothers, truth forgive me

And let dissimulation be no crime,

Though most unwillingly I put it on

To guard a Brothers safetie.

Din. Now your pleasure,

Though ill you have deserv'd it, you perceive

I am still your fool, and cannot but obey

What ever you command.

Lamira. You speak, as if

You did repent it, and 'tis not worth my thanks then,

But there has been a time, in which you would

Receive this as a favour.

Din. Hope was left then

Of recompence.

Lamira. Why I am still Lamira,

And you Dinant, and 'tis yet in my power,

I dare not say I'le put it into act,

To reward your love and service.

Din. There's some comfort.

Lami. But think not that so low I prize my fame,

To give it up to any man that refuses

To buy it, or with danger of performance

Of what I shall enjoin him.

Din. Name that danger

Be it of what horrid shape soever Ladie

Which I will shrink at; only at this instant

Be speedie in't.

Lamira. I'le put you to the trial:

You shall not fight to day, do you start at that?

Not with my Brother, I have heard your difference,

Mine is no Helens beauty to be purchas'd

With blood, and so defended, if you look for

Favours from me, deserve them with obedience,

There's no way else to gain 'em.

Din. You command

What with mine honour I cannot obey,

Which lies at pawn against it, and a friend

Equally dear as that, or life, engag'd,

Not for himself, but me.

Lamira. Why, foolish man,

Dare you solicite me to serve your lust,

In which not only I abuse my Lord,

My Father, and my family, but write whore,

Though not upon my forehead, in my conscience,

To be read hourly, and yet name your honour?

Yours suffers but in circumstance; mine in substance.

If you obey me, you part with some credit,

From whom? the giddy multitude; but mankind

Will censure me, and justly.

Din. I will lose,

What most I do desire, rather than hazard

So dear a friend, or write my self a coward,

'Tis better be no man.

Lamira. This will not do;

Why, I desire not, you should be a coward,

Nor do I weigh my Brothers life with yours,

Meet him, fight with him, do, and kill him fairly,

Let me not suffer for you, I am careless.

Din. Suffer for me?

Lamira. For you, my kindness to you

Already brands me with a strumpets name.

Din. O that I knew the wretch!

Lamira. I will not name him,

Nor give you any Character to know him;

But if you dare, and instantly ride forth

At the west port of the City, and defend there

My reputation, against all you meet,

For two hours only, I'le not swear Dinant,

To satisfie, (though sure I think I shall)

What ever you desire, if you denie this,

Be desperate, for willingly, by this light,

I'le never see thee more.

Din. Two hours, do you say?

Lamira. Only two hours.

Din. I were no Gentleman,

Should I make scruple of it; this favour arms me,

And boldly I'll perform it.                     [Exit.

Lamira. I am glad on't.

This will prevent their meeting yet, and keep

My Brother safe, which was the mark I shot at.                     [Exit.