A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Mis. Scr.+ Surely my spirit gave me it was she;
And yet to see, now you have not your wire
Nor city ruff on, Mistress Sue, how these
Clothes do beguile! In truth, I took you for
A gentlewoman.
+Sea.+ Here be rare plots indeed!
Why, how now, sir, these young heads have outgone us.
Was my son o' th' plot too?
+Plot.+ Faith, sir, he
Is married too. I did strike up a wedding
Between him and my sister.
_Enter +Timothy+ and +Aurelia+._
Look, sir!
They come without their maidenheads.[262]
+Sea.+ Why, this
Is better still. Now, sir, you might have ask'd
Consent of parents.
+Tim.+ Pray forgive me, sir.
I thought I had match'd a lady, but she proves----
+Sea.+ Much better, sir: I'd chide you as a fish,
But that your choice pleads for you.
+Tim.+ Mother, pray
Salute my wife, and tell me if one may not
Lie with her lips: nay, you too, Mistress Holland,
You taught her to make shirts and bone-lace; she's
Out of her time now.
+Mis. Hol.+ I release her, sir.
+Ware.+ I took your sister for a lady, nephew.
+Plot.+ I kept her like one, sir. My Temple scores
Went to maintain the title out of hope
To gain some great match for her; which you see
Is come to pass.
+Ware.+ Well, Master Seathrift,
Things are just fallen out as we contriv'd 'em:
I grieve not I'm deceiv'd. Believe me, gentlemen,
You all did your parts well; 'twas carried cleanly;
And though I could take some things ill of you,
Fair mistress, yet 'twas plot, and I forget it.
Let's in and make 'em portions.
+Sea.+ Lead the way, sir.
+Ban.+ Pray stay a little.
+Ware.+ More revelations yet?
+Ban.+ I all this while have, stood behind the curtain.
You have a brother, sir, and you a father.
+Plot.+ If he do live, I have.
+Ban.+ He in his time
Was held the wealthiest merchant on th' Exchange.
+Ware.+ 'Tis true, but that his shipwrecks broke him.
+Ban.+ And
The debt for which he broke I hear you have
Compounded.
+Sea.+ I am paid it.
+Ban.+ Then I thank you. [_+Bannswright+ undisguises._
+Ware.+ My brother Plotwell!
+Ban.+ Son, I wish you joy.
+Plot.+ O my bless'd stars! my father!
+Ban.+ And to you, fair mistress,
Let it not breed repentance that I have,
For my security, to 'scape your father,
Awhile descended from myself to this
Unworthy shape. Now I can cast it off,
And be my true self. I have a ship which fame
Gave out for lost, but just now landed too,
Worth twenty thousand pounds, towards your match.
+Sea.+ Better and better still.
+Ware.+ Well, what was wanting
Unto our joys, and made these nuptials
Imperfect, brother, you by your discovery
Have fully added.
_Enter +Cypher+._
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