The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, vol 2 | Page 6

there fall in compass of
her wishes, which she shall not be suddenly possess'd of? Loves she
Titles? by the grace and favour of my Princely Friends, I am what she
would have me.
Bri. He speaks well, and I believe him.
Lew. I could wish I did so. Pray you a word, Sir. He's a proper
Gentleman, and promises nothing, but what is possible. So far I will go
with you; nay, I add, he hath won much upon me; and were he but one
thing that his Brother is, the bargain were soon struck up.
Bri. What's that, my Lord?
Lew. The Heir.
And. Which he is not, and I trust never shall be.
Bri. Come, that shall breed no difference; you see Charles has given
o'er the world; I'le undertake, and with much ease, to buy his
Birth-right of him for a Dry-fat of new Books; nor shall my state alone
make way for him, but my elder Brothers, who being issueless, to
advance our name, I doubt not will add his. Your resolution?
Lew. I'le first acquaint my Daughter with the proceedings; on these
terms I am yours, as she shall be, make you no scruple. Get the
Writings ready, she shall be tractable; to morrow we will hold a second
conference. Farewell noble Eustace; and you brave Gallants.
Eust. Full increase of honour wait ever on your Lordship.

And. The Gout rather, and a perpetual Meagrim.
Bri. You see, Eustace, how I travel to possess you of a Fortune you
were not born to; be you worthy of it: I'le furnish you for a Suitor: visit
her, and prosper in't.
Eust. She's mine, Sir, fear it not: in all my travels, I ne'er met a Virgin
that could resist my Courtship. If it take now, we're made for ever, and
will revel it. [Ex.
And. In tough Welsh Parsly, which, in our vulgar Tongue, is strong
Hempen Halters; my poor Master cozen'd, and I a looker on! If we have
studi'd our Majors and our Minors, Antecedents and Consequents, to be
concluded Coxcombs, w'have made a fair hand on't. I am glad I have
found out all their plots, and their Conspiracies; this shall t'old
Monsieur Miramont, one, that though he cannot read a Proclamation,
yet dotes on Learning, and loves my Master Charles for being a
Scholar; I hear he's coming hither, I shall meet him; and if he be that
old, rough, testy blade he always us'd to be, I'le ring him such a peal, as
shall go near to shake their Belroom, peradventure beat'm, for he is fire
and flax; and so have at him. [Exit.

ACTUS SE[C]UNDUS. SCENA PRIMA.
Enter Miramount, Brisac.
Mir. Nay, Brother, Brother.
Bri. Pray, Sir, be not moved, I meddle with no business but mine own,
and in mine own 'tis reason I should govern.
Mir. But how to govern then, and understand, Sir, and be as wise as
y'are hasty, though you be my Brother, and from one bloud sprung, I
must tell ye heartily and home too.
Bri. What, Sir?

Mir. What I grieve to find, you are a fool, and an old fool, and that's
two.
Bri. We'll part 'em, if you please.
Mir. No, they're entail'd to 'em. Seek to deprive an honest noble Spirit,
your eldest Son, Sir, and your very Image, (but he's so like you, that he
fares the worse for't) because he loves his Book, and dotes on that, and
only studies how to know things excellent, above the reach of such
course Brains as yours, such muddy Fancies, that never will know
farther than when to cut your Vines, and cozen Merchants, and choak
your hidebound Tenants with musty Harvests.
Bri. You go too fast.
Mir. I'am not come to my pace yet. Because h'has made his study all
his pleasure, and is retir'd into his Contemplation, not medling with the
dirt and chaff of Nature, that makes the spirit of the mind mud too;
therefore must he be flung from his inheritance? must he be
dispossess'd, and Monsieur Gingle-boy his younger Brother--
Bri. You forget your self.
Mir. Because h'has been at Court, and learn'd new Tongues, and how to
speak a tedious piece of nothing; to vary his face as Sea-men do their
compass, to worship Images of gold and silver, and fall before the She-
calves of the season; therefore must he jump into his Brother's Land?
Bri. Have you done yet, and have you spoke enough in praise of
Learning, Sir?
Mir. Never enough.
Bri. But, Brother, do you know what Learning is?
Mir. It is not to be a Justice of Peace as you are, and palter out your
time i'th' penal Statutes. To hear the curious Tenets controverted
between a Protestant Constable, and