A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
English drama
WENCH. Mistress Tickleman has sent you a letter, and expects your
company at night: and entreats you to send her an angel, whether you can
come, or whether you cannot.
[SPENDALL _reads_.
_Sweet rascal; if your love be as earnest as your protestation, you will
meet me this night at supper: you know the rendezvous. There will be
good company; a noise of choice fiddlers;[153] a fine boy with an
excellent voice; very good songs, and bawdy; and, which is more, I do
purpose myself to be exceeding merry; but if you come not, I shall pout
myself sick, and not eat one bit to-night,_
_Your continual close friend_,
NAN TICKLEMAN.
_I pray send me an angel by the bearer, whether
ye can come, or whether ye cannot._
SPEND. What's the price of these two?
WENCH. Half a crown, in truth.
SPEND. Hold thee; there's an angel, and commend me to my delight; tell
her I will not fail her, though I lose my freedom by't. [_Aside._
WENCH. I thank you, sir. Buy any fine handkerchiefs?
[_Exit_ WENCH.
LONG. You are taken, sir, extremely: what's the object?
GERA. She's wondrous fair.
LONG. Nay, and your thoughts be on wenching, I'll leave you.
GERA. You shall not be so unfriendly; pray, assist me:
We'll to the shop, and cheapen stuffs or satins.
SPEND. What lack you, gentlemen? fine stuffs, velvets, or satins? pray,
come near.
GERA. Let me see a good satin.
SPEND. You shall, sir. What colour?
GERA. Faith, I am indifferent. What colour most affects you, lady?
GERT. Sir!
GERA. Without offence, fair creature, I demand it.
GERT. Sir, I believe it; but I never did
Tie my affection unto any colour.
GERA. But my affection, fairest, is fast tied
Unto the crimson colour of your cheek.
GERT. You relish too much courtier, sir.
LONG. What's the price of this?
SPEND. Fifteen,[154] indeed, sir.
LONG. You set a high rate on't; it had need be good.
SPEND. Good! if you find a better i' th' town, I'll give you mine for
nothing. If you were my own brother, I'd put it into your hands. Look
upon't; 'tis close-wrought, and has an excellent gloss.
LONG. Ay, I see't.
SPEND. Pray, sir, come into the next room: I'll show you that of a lower
price shall perhaps better please you.
LONG. This fellow has an excellent tongue: sure, he was brought up in
the Exchange.
SPEND. Will you come in, sir?
LONG. No; 'tis no matter, for I mean to buy none.
GERA. Prythee, walk in; what you bargain for, I'll discharge.
LONG. Say so? fall to your work, I'll be your chapman.
[_Exeunt_ SPENDALL, LONGFIELD.
GERA. Why do you say I flatter?
GERT. Why! you do;
And so do all men when they women woo.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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