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. Coote.+ Precious dotterel! [_Aside._
+Capt.+ Sir, I shall call it a courtesy if you shall please to
vouchsafe to pledge me.
+Tim.+ What is't, brother? Four or six?[55]
+Capt.+ Four or six! 'tis rich Canary: it came from beyond the
seas.
+Tim.+ I will do no courtesy at this time, sir; yet for one cup
I care not, because it comes from beyond the seas. I think 'tis
outlandish wine.
+Sue.+ Look how it glides!
+Mis. Coote.+ Now, truly, the gentleman drinks as like one
Master Widgeon, a kinsman of mine----
+Lieut.+ Pox on you! heildom![56]
+Tim.+ I ha' heard of that Widgeon, I ha' been taken for
him; and now I think on't, a cup of this is better than our
four-shilling beer at home.
+Lieut.+ You must drink another, sir: you drank to nobody.
+Tim.+ Is it the law that, if a man drinks to nobody, he must
drink again?
+Omnes.+ Ay, ay, ay. Fill his glass.
+Tim.+ Why, then, I will drink to nobody once more, because I
will drink again.
+Alex.+ Did not I tell you? More wine there, drawer.
+Sue.+ This pageant's worth the seeing, by this hand.
+Tim.+ Methinks this glass was better that t'other, gentlemen.
+Capt.+ O sir, the deeper the sweeter ever.
+Tim.+ Do you think so?
+Lieut.+ Ever that when ye drink to nobody.
+Tim.+ Why, then, I pray give me t'other cup, that I may drink
to somebody.
+Mis. Coote.+ I have not drunk yet, sir.
+Alex.+ Again, ye witch! Drink to the young gentlewoman.
+Tim.+ Mistress Lindabrides.
+Sue.+ Thanks, most ingenious sir.
+Tim.+ She's a little shame-faced. The deeper the sweeter,
forsooth.
+Alex.+ Pox on you for a coxcomb!
_Enter +Ancient Young+ [standing aside]._
+Anc.+ I' th' next room I have seen and heard all. O noble
soldiers!
+Tim.+ Here, boys, give us some more wine. There's a hundred
marks, gallants; 'tis your own, an' do but let me bear an
office amongst ye. I know as great a matter has been done for
as small a sum. Pray let me follow the fashion.
+Capt.+ Well, for once take up the money. Give me a cup of
sack, and give me your hand, sir; and, because our Flemish
corporal was lately choked at Delft with a flap-dragon,[57]
bear you his name and place, and be henceforth called Corporal
Cods-head. Let the health go round!
+Tim.+ Round! An' this go not round!--Some wine there, tapster.
Is there ne'er a tapster i' th' house? [_+Ancient+ shows himself._
+Alex.+ My worthy friend, thou'rt master of thy word.
Gentlemen, 'tis Ancient Young; you're soldiers; come, come,
save cap: compliment in cup. Prythee, sit down.
+Anc.+ Are you a captain, sir?
+Capt.+ Yes.
+Anc.+ And you a lieutenant?
+Lieut.+ Yes.
+Anc.+ I pray, where served you last?
+Capt.+ Why, at the battle of Prague.[58]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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