PHILASTER Essay Example For Students

PHILASTER Essay A monologue from the play by Beaumont and Fletcher NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from Philaster, or Love Lies A-Bleeding. Francis Beaumont John Fletcher. London: J.M. Dent, 1878. KING: To give a stronger testimony of loveThan sickly promises (which commonlyIn princes find both birth and burialIn one breath), we have drawn you, worthy sir,To make your fair endearments to our daughter,And worthy services known to our subjects,Now loved and wondered at; next, our intentTo plant you deeply our immediate heirBoth to our blood and kingdoms. For this lady(The best part of your life, as you confirm me,And I believe), though her few years and sexYet teach her nothing but her fears and blushes,Desires without desire, discourse and knowledgeOnly of what herself is to herself,Make her feel moderate health; and, when she sleeps,In making no ill day, knows no ill dreams.Think not, dear sir, these undivided partsThat must mold up a virgin, are put onTo show her so, as borrowed ornamentsTo talk of her perfect love to you, or addAn artificial shadow to her nature.No, sir; I boldly dare proclaim her yetNo woman. But woo her still, and think her modestyA sweeter mistress than t he offered languageOf any dame, were she a queen, whose eyeSpeaks common loves and comforts to her servants.Last, noble son (for so I now must call you),What I have done thus public is not onlyTo add comfort in particularTo you or me, but all, and to confirmThe nobles and the gentry of these kingdomsBy oath to your succession, which shall beWithin this month at most.