A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Aur.+ Ravish a lock
From the yellow waiting-woman; use stratagems
To get her silver whistle, and waylay
Her pewter-knots or bodkin.
+New.+ Pretty, pretty!
+Bright.+ You think you have abus'd us now?
+Aur.+ I'll tell you:
Had I in all the world but forty mark,
And that got by my needle, and making socks,
And were that forty mark mill'd sixpences,
Spur-royals, Harry-groats,[209] or such odd coin
Of husbandry, as in the king's reign now
Would never pass, I would despise you.
+New.+ Lady,
Your wit will make you die a wither'd virgin.
+Bright.+ We shall in time, when your most tyrant tongue
Hath made this house a wilderness, and you
As unfrequented as a statesman fallen;
When you shall quarrel with your face and glass,
Till from your pencil you have rais'd new cheeks--
See you beg suitors, write bills o'er your door:
"Here is an ancient lady to be let."
+New.+ You think you are handsome now, and that your eyes
Make star-shooting, and dart.[210]
+Aur.+ 'T may be I do.
+New.+ May I not prosper if I have not seen
A better face in signs or gingerbread.
+Tim.+ Yes, I for twopence oft have bought a better.
+Bright.+ What a sweet, innocent look you have!
+Plot.+ Fie, gentlemen,
Abuse a harmless lady thus! I can't
With patience hear your blasphemies. Make me
Your second, madam.
+Tim.+ And make me your third.
+Aur.+ O prodigy, to hear an image speak!
Why, sir, I took you for a mute i' th' hangings.
I'll tell the faces.
+Tim.+ Gentlemen, do I
Look like one of them Trojans?[211]
+Aur.+ 'tis So; Your Face
Is missing here, sir; pray, step back again,
And fill the number. You, I hope, have more
Truth in you than to filch yourself away,
And leave my room unfurnish'd.
+Plot.+ By this light
She'll send for a constable straight, and apprehend him
For thievery.
+Tim.+ Why, lady, do you think me
Wrought in a loom, some Dutch piece weav'd at Mortlake?[212]
+Aur.+ Surely You Stood So Simply, Like a Man
Penning of recantations, that I suspected
Y' had been a part of the monopoly.
But now I know you have a tongue, and are
A very man, I'll think you only dull,
And pray for better utterance.
+Plot.+ Lady, you make
Rash judgment of him; he was only struck
With admiration of your beauty.
+Tim.+ Truly, and so I was.
+Aur.+ Then you can wonder, sir?
+Plot.+ Yes, when he sees such miracles as you.
+Aur.+ And love me, can't you?
+Tim.+ Love you! By this hand,
I'd love a dog of your sweet looks: I am
Enamour'd of you, lady.
+Aur.+ Ha, ha, ha! now surely
I wonder you wear not a cap: your case
Requires warm things! I'll send you forth a caudle. [_Exit._
+Bright.+ The plague of rotten teeth, wrinkles, loud lungs,
Be with you, madam.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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