A Select Collection of Old English Plays: Originally Published by Robert Dodsley in the year 1744
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays: Originally Published by Robert Dodsley in the year 1744
English drama
RUFF.
By his flesh, nose, eyes, and ears,
I will venter void of all cares:
He is not a soldier that doth fear any doubt;
If that he would bring his purpose about.
SNUFF.
Fear that fear list, it shall not be I:
By Gog’s wounds, I will make some neck stand awry;
If I lose my share, I swear by Gog’s heart,
Then let another take up my part.
HUFF.
Yet I hope to come the richest soldier away.
RUFF.
If a man ask ye, ye may hap to say nay.
SNUFF.
Let all men get what they can, not to lese I hope:
Wheresoever I go in, each corner I will grope.
AMBIDEXTER.
What, and ye run into the corner of some pretty maid?
SNUFF.
To grope there, good fellow, I will not be afraid.
HUFF.
Gog’s wounds, what art thou that with us dost mell?
Thou seemest to be a soldier, the truth to tell;
Thou seemest to be harnessed, I cannot tell how:
I think he came lately from riding some cow;
Such a deformed slave did I never see:
Ruff, dost thou know him? I pray thee, tell me,
RUFF.
No, by my troth, fellow Huff, I never see him before.
SNUFF.
As for me I care not, if I never see him more.
Come, let us run his arse against the post.
AMBIDEXTER.
Ah, ye slaves, I will be with you at the host:
Ah, ye knaves, I will teach ye how ye shall me deride.
[_Here let him swinge them about._
Out of my sight; I can ye not abide.
Now, goodman pouchmouth, I am a slave with you!
Now have at ye afresh again even now:
Mine arse against the post you will run?
But I will make ye from that saying to turn.
HUFF.
I beseech ye heartily to be content.
RUFF.
I insure you, by mine honesty, no hurt we meant:
Beside that, again, we do not know what ye are;
Ye know, that soldiers their stoutness will declare.
Therefore, if we have anything offended,
Pardon our rudeness, and it shall be amended.
AMBIDEXTER.
Yea, God’s pity, begin ye to entreat me?
Have at ye once again! by the mass, I will beat ye.
[_Fight again._
HUFF.
Gog’s heart, let us kill him; suffer no longer.
[_Draw their swords._
SNUFF.
Thou slave, we will see, if thou be the stronger.
RUFF.
Strike off his head at one blow:
That we be soldiers, Gog’s heart, let him know.
AMBIDEXTER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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