A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Anc.+ You mean, 'twas worth more then; and that's another
handsomely begged. [_Kisses her again._
+Wid.+ You conclude women cunning beggars, then.
+Anc.+ Yes, and men good benefactors. My best wishes wait on so
sweet a mistress. Will you walk? [_Exit +Ancient+._
+Alex.+ I'll follow you. Woot think on't soon at night, or not
at all? [_Aside to +Jarvis+._
+Jar.+ I would not have my wishes wronged; if I should bring it
about handsomely, you can be honest. [_Aside._
+Alex.+ Can [I]? dost conclude me a satin cheat? [_Aside._
+Jar.+ No, a smooth gallant, sir. Do not you fail to be here
soon at nine, still provided you will be honest: if I convey
you not under her bed, throw me a top o' th' tester, and lay me
out o' th' way like a rusty bilbo. [_Aside._
+Alex.+ Enough; drink that. [_Aside, giving him money._]
Farewell, widow; Fate, the Destinies, and the three
ill-favoured Sisters have concluded the means, and when I am
thy husband----
+Wid.+ I shall be your wife.
+Alex.+ Do but remember these cross capers then, ye
bitter-sweet one.[46] [_Exit._
+Wid.+ Till then adieu, you bitter-sweet one. [_Exit._
+Jar.+ This dinner would have showed better in bed-lane; and
she at the other side holdeth her whole nest of suitors [at]
play. What art decks the dark labyrinth of a woman's heart!
[_Exit._
_Enter +Mary Bloodhound+ and +Sim+._
+Moll.+ Marry old Ear-lack! is my father mad?
+Sim.+ They're both a-concluding on't yonder; to-morrow's the
day; one wedding-dinner must serve both marriages.
+Moll.+ O Sim! the Ancient, the delicate Ancient; there's a
man, and thou talk'st of a man; a good face, a sparkling eye, a
straight body, a delicate hand, a clean leg and foot. Ah, sweet
Sim! there's a man worth a maidenhead.
_Enter +Bloodhound+ and +Ear-lack+._
+Sim.+ But I say, Master Ear-lack, the old man! a foot like a
bear, a leg like a bed-staff, a hand like a hatchet, an eye
like a pig, and a face like a winter peony;[47] there's a man
for a maidenhead.
+Moll.+ O look, look! O, alas! what shall I do with him?
+Sim.+ What? why, what shall fifteen do with sixty and twelve?
make a screen of him; stand next the fire, whilst you sit
behind him and keep a friend's lips warm. Many a wench would be
glad of such a fortune.
+Blood.+ Your oath struck it dead then, o' my side?
+Ear.+ Five hundred deep of your side, i' faith, father.
+Blood.+ Moll, come hither, Moll; I hope Sim has discovered the
project.
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