VALENTINE joins them. Val. Now to your business, uncle. Unc. To your state then. Val. 'Tis gone, and I am glad on't, name't no more, 'Tis that I pray against, and heaven has heard me ; I tell you, sir, I am more fearful of it, (I mean, of thinking of more lands or livings) To be a wilful beggar. Val. I am mad then, And so I mean to be; will that content you? How near the first inheritance! without fears! How free from title troubles! Unc. And from means too! Val. Means Why, all good men's my means; my wit's my plough; That wit and pleasure opens, are my tenants; Is but my next remove; and when I please To be more eminent, and take the air, A piece is levied, and a coach prepar'd, I care not whither; what need state here? sir? Val. Far longer than your jerkin, and wear fairer. Your mind's enclos'd, nothing lies open nobly; Your very thoughts are hinds, that work on nothing So full of dirt as this ('tis true) I'd shift it. But makes it equal whether his own use Val. What's my knowledge, uncle? Is't not worth money? what's my understanding ? How much or what's done for them; it is wicked. For all your beans in Rumnillo: now you know me. [The wit of Fletcher is excellent, like his serious scenes: but there is something strained and far fetched in both. He is too mistrustful of Nature; he always goes a little on one side of her. Shakspeare chose her without a reserve and had riches, power, understanding, and long life, with her, for a dowry.] THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN: A TRAGEDY. BY Three Queens, whose Lords were slain and their bodies denied burial by Creon the cruel King of Thebes, seek redress from Theseus, Duke of Athens, on the day of his marriage with Hippolita, Queen of the Amazons. The first Queen falls down at the feet of Theseus; the second at the feet of Hippolita, his bride; and the third implores the mediation of Emilia, his Sister. 1st. Qu. to Thes. For pity's sake, and true gentility, Hear and respect me. 2nd. Qu. to Hip. For your mother's sake, And as you wish your Hear and respect me. womb may thrive with fair ones, 3rd. Qu. to Emil. Now for the love of him whom Jove hath mark'd The honour of your bed, and for the sake Of clear virginity, be advocate For us and our distresses: this good deed Shall raze you out of the book of trespasses All you are set down there. Thes. Sad lady, rise. Hip. Stand up. Emil. No knees to me. * Fletcher is said to have been assisted in this Play by Shakspeare. What woman I may stead, that is distrest, Does bind me to her. Thes. What's your request? Deliver you for all. 1st. Qu. We are three queens, whose sovereigns fell before The wrath of cruel Creon; who endure The beaks of ravens, talons of the kites, eye And pecks of crows, in the foul field of Thebes. Thes. Pray you kneel not. I was transported with your speech, and suffer'd Your knees to wrong themselves: I have heard the fortunes Of your dead lords, which gives me such lamenting, As wakes my vengeance and revenge for them. King Capaneus was your lord: the day By Mars's altar, you were that time fair, Nor in more bounty spread her. Your wheaten wreath And swore his sinews thaw'd. Oh grief, and time, 1st. Qu. Oh I hope some god, Some god hath put his mercy in your manhood, Whereto he'll infuse power, and press you forth Our undertaker. Thes. Oh, no knees, none, widow; Unto the helmeted Bellona use them, And pray for me your soldier. Troubled I am. 2nd. Qu. Honour'd Hippolita, Most dreaded Amazonian, that hast slain The scythe-tusk'd boar; that with thy arm as strong, As any of us three; weep ere you fail; lend us a knee, Than a dove's motion when the head's pluckt off: Hip. Poor lady, say no more; |