English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Hostis_. No: what newes?
_City W_. No, I warrant ye, you never come abroad; this is to be
troubled with a fatte man, he never comes abroad himself nor suffers his
wife out of his sight: yee shall ever have a fatte Host either on his
bench at the dore or in his chair at the chimney; & there he spits and
spaules a roome like twentie Tobacco-takers. Oh! fye on them, beasts!
_Hostis_. I prethee, what newes?
_Citty w_. Oh! woman, the most hardfavoured newes, and without all
conscience: they say theres a statute made, any woman that buries her
husband is not to marrie againe of two monthes after.
_Hostis_. A tedious time, by Lady; a month were enough.
_Cittie w_. I, halfe a month; winter nights are long and colde. Ile tell
ye, I have buried sixe, and thank my good fortune I ever knewe the next
ere the other was in his winding sheete.
_Pre_. Mistris, my maister is angrie, and the Guests cal for their
Hostesse.
_Hostis_. Goe, I come: Gossip, when shall I see you agen?
_Citty w_. Nay, when shall I see you abroad? sildome, i'me sure.
_Hostis_. I must needes away; God buy you, Gossip.
_Cittie w_. God buy ye; Gods so, I have forgot wherefore I came: a word
ere you goe, the party yee wott on commends him unto ye, he that met the
other party in the white felt, the yellow scarf, and the round
_Venetian_,[246] when the other party kis't you, and I broake the jest
on him, when hee said kisses kindeles Coules and love searches.
_Hostis_. Oh! I remember him, yes faith, hee's prettie well set; hee
ha's the right trick with the tongue in his kisse, and hee dances
reasonably comely, but he fals heavie.
_Citty w_. He savours of a kinde of Gallant, but not of a Courtyer.
_Hostis_. Well weele have a night out, god be with ye, Gossip.
_Cittie wife_. God buy ye.
[_Exeunt_.
[ACT THE SECOND.
_Scene 1_.]
_Enter Lentulus and Tulley_.
_Lentu_. Not yours nor her owne, _Terentia_.--Yours in modestie, _Flavia_.
See, _Tulley_, what an active passive love hath plaide;
I love and am again beloved, but at the shrine
Where I do offer up my Cordiall sacrifice,
I am returnd with peremptorie scorne;
And where I stand but as a gazer, viewing
All alike, I am pursude
With violent passions, a speaking eye
Bindes favours and now discovering lines.[247]
Thy counsell now, deere friend; for at thy direction
Stands my thrall or freedome.
_Tul_. Oh my Lord, affection is unlimited,
Daring all dangers, having no tipe nor figure,
Beyond all arte.
Then tye not that (Great Lord,) to _Tullies_ awe;
Fancy forswears all reason, love all lawe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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