English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Mag_. An hower since, beleeve it.
_Crac_. Is my Mistress stirring?
_Mag_. In truth, I know not.
_Sir Geff_. Nephew, demeane your selfe with[64] all respect
Toward the gentlewoman you affect.
You must learne with here since the citty
Could spare you none.--Ile to the lady.
[_Exeunt Bunch, Sir Geff. and Mag_.
_Crac_. Captaine, shalls into th'Celler, Captaine?
_Suc_. I like the Motion.
_Crac_. Come away, then: there is indifferent liquor in this house,
but that ith towne is most abominable. Weele drinke our owne healths,
Captaine.
_Suc_. Well considered; 'tis for our reputation.
[_Exeunt omnes_.
(SCENE 3.)
_Enter Bonvill, Clarinna, Belizea and Grimes_.
_Bon_. Come, you are wantons both: If I were absent,
You would with as much willingness traduce
My manners to them. What Idiots are wee men
To tender our services to women
Who deride us for our paines!
_Cla_. Why can you great wise men who esteeme us women
But equall with our parrets or at best
But a degree above them, prating creatures
Devoid of reason, thinke that when we see
A man whose teeth will scarce permitt his tongue
To say,--(he is soe like December come
A woing to the Spring, with all the ensignes
Of youth and bravery as if he meant
To dare his land-lord Death to single rapier)--
We have not so much spleene as will engender
A modest laughter at him?
_Bel_. Nay, theres his Nephew, _Crackby_, your sweet servant.
_Clar_. My Servant! I do admire that man's impudence,
How he dare speake to any woman.
_Bon_. Why, is he not flesh and blood?
_Clar_. Yes, but I question whether it be mans or no.
They talk of changlings: if there be such things
I doubt not but hees one of them.
_Bel_. Fie,[65] Sister; 'tis a prettye gent, I know you love him.
_Clar_. You hitt it there, I faith,[66]--You know the man?
_Bon_. Yes, very well.
_Clar_. Have you then ever seene such another monster?
He was begott surely in the wane of the moone,
When Natures tooles were at laime Vulcans forge
A sharpning, that she was forced to shake this lumpe together.
_Bon_. What man for heavens sake could your nicenes fancy?
_Clar_. Not you of all that ever I beheld.
_Bel_. And why, good wisdome?
_Clar_. Nay, do not scratch me because he is your choyse, forsooth.
_Bel_. Well, we shall see the goodly youth your curiositie has elected,
when my brother returnes, I hope.
_Clar_. I hope soe, too; I marvill where this Cub is,
He is not roaring here yet.
_Enter Thorogood_.
_Bon_. Frend, thou hast lost
The absolu[t]st characters deliverd by this lady:
Would thou hadst come a little sooner.
_Tho_. Ladies,
I must desire your pardon for my friend:
I have some busines will a while deprive him
Your sweet companies.
_Clar_. Take him away; we are weary of him.
_Bel_. Sister, lets leave the gentlemen alone,
And to our chambers.
[_Exeunt Bel. and Clar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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