A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 12Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 12
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
PRIS. That would willingly run out of doors,
If that he had but law enough.
AND. I say----
JANE. Nay, ben't afraid; here's none shall do you harm.
AND. 'Tis one that brought his pigs to the wrong market.
You keep your woman here so fine, that I
Had like t' have made a proper business on't,
Before I was aware. If anything
Do prove amiss, indeed, la, you shall be
The father on't. But know, tralucent creature,
I am come off entire, and now am yours,
Whole Andrew Credulous, your servant's servant.
JANE. Methinks you contradict yourself: how can you
Be wholly mine, and yet my servant's servant?
AND. I do but compliment in that (I see
Downright's the best way here); if thou canst love,
I can love too. La, thee there, now! I'm rich.
JANE. I use not to look after riches; 'tis
The person that I aim at.
AND. That is me:
I'm proper, handsome, fair, clean-limb'd--I'm rich.
JANE. I must have one that can direct and guide me:
A guardian rather than a husband; for
I'm foolish yet.
AND. Now see the luck on't, lady;
So am I too, i' faith.
JANE. And whoe'er hath me,
Will find me to be one of those things, which
His care must first reform.
AND. Do not doubt that;
I have a head for reformation:
This noddle here shall do it. I am rich.
JANE. Riches create no love: I fear you mean
To take me for formality only;
As some staid piece of household stuff, perhaps,
Fit to be seen 'mongst other ornaments:
Or, at the best, I shall be counted but
A name of dignity; not entertain'd
For love, but state; one of your train; a thing
Took to wipe off suspicion from some fairer,
To whom you have vow'd homage.
AND. Do not think
I've any plots or projects in my head.
I will do anything for thee, that thou
Canst name or think on.
PRIS. Pray you try him, mistress.
By my virginity, I think he'll flinch.
AND. By my virginity (which is as good
As yours, I'm sure)--by my virginity,
If that we men have any such thing (as
We men have such a thing), I do believe
I will not flinch. Alas! you don't know Andrew.
JANE. Can you obtain but so much respite from
Your other sovereign's service, as to keep
Your eye from gazing on her for awhile?
AND. If I do look on any woman--nay,
If I do cast a sheep's eye upon any
But your sweet self, may I lose one of mine!
Marry, I'll keep the other howsoe'er.
JANE. I know not how I may believe you: you'll
Swear you ne'er cast a glance on any, when
Your eye hath baited at each face you met.
AND. Blind me, good, now: being you mistrust, I will
Be blinded with this handkerchief; you shall
See that I love you now. So, let me have
But any reasonable thing to lead me home,
I do not care, though't be a dog, so that
He knows the way, or hath the wit t' inquire it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account