fine new tricks to grieve; but I ne'er knew any but direct crying. Mel. I am a prattler: but no more. [Offers to stab himself. Diph. Hold, brother! Lys. Stop him. Diph. Fie, how unmanly was this offer in you! Does this become our strain? Cal. I know not what the matter is, but I am grown very kind, and am friends with you all now. You have given me that among you will kill me quickly; but I'll go home, and live as long as I can. Mel. His spirit is but poor that can be kept From death for want of weapons. Is not my hands a weapon good enough Or drink, or sleep, or have to do with that That may preserve life! This I swear to keep. [Exit. Lys. Look to him, though, and bear those bodies in. May this a fair example be to me, To rule with temper; for on lustful kings Unlooked-for sudden deaths from Heaven are sent; But cursed is he that is their instrument. [Exeunt. HE play of Philaster is supposed to have been first acted in 1608. It was originally performed at the Globe and afterwards at the Bankside. On the title page of the earlier editions (those of 1620 and subsequently) Beaumont's name is mentioned first, and it is probable that he wrote the larger part of the play. It was very popular, and went through a comparatively large number of editions. After the Restoration it was revived, and various adaptations of it were made at subsequent dates. |