A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Pet.+ I'll tell you, sir, I have made an experience that way
on my nature: when I have hired a creature for my pleasure,
as 'tis the fashion in many places, for the like time that I
told you of, I have been so tired with her before 'twas out,
as no horse like me; I could not spur my affection to go a jot
further.
+Gas.+ Well said, boy! thou art e'en mine own son; when I was
young, 'twas just my humour.
+Lio.+ You give yourself a plausible commends.
+Pet.+ I can make a shift to love: but, having enjoyed,
fruition kills my appetite: no, I must have several objects of
beauty to keep my thoughts always in action, or I am nobody.
+Gas.+ Still mine own flesh and blood?
+Pet.+ Therefore I have chose honour for my mistress, upon
whose wings I will mount up to the heavens; where I will fix
myself a constellation, for all this under-world of mortals to
wonder at me.
+Gas.+ Nay, he is a mad wag, I assure you, and knows how to put
a price upon his desert.
+Pet.+ I can no longer stay to dilate on these vanities;
therefore, gallants, I leave you. [_Exit._
+Lor.+ What, is he gone? Is your son gone?
+Gas.+ So it seems. Well, gallants, where shall I see you anon?
+Lor.+ You shall not part with us.
+Gas.+ You shall pardon me; I must wait upon my son. [_Exit._
+Lor.+ Do you hear, signior? A pretty preferment!
+Lio.+ O sir, the lustre of good clothes or breeding,
Bestow'd upon a son, will make a rustic
Or a mechanic father to commit
Idolatry, and adore his own issue.
+Ang.+ They are so well match'd, 'twere pity to part them.
+Lor.+ Well said, little one,
I think thou art wiser than both of them.
But this same scorn I do not so well relish;
A whoreson humorous fantastic novice,
To contemn my daughter! He is not worthy
To bear up her train.
+Lio.+ Or kiss under it.
Will you revenge this injury upon him?
+Lor.+ Revenge! Of all the passions of my blood,
'Tis the most sweet. I should grow fat to think on't,
Could you but promise.
+Lio.+ Will you have patience?
Be rul'd by me, and I will compass it
To your full wish. We'll set a bait afore him,
That he shall seize as sharply as Jove's eagle
Did snatch up Ganymede.
+Lor.+ Do but cast the plot,
I'll prosecute it with as much disgrace
As hatred can suggest.
+Lio.+ Do you see this page, then?
+Lor.+ Ay, what of him?
+Lio.+ That face of his shall do it.
+Lor.+ What shall it do? Methinks he has a pretty innocent
countenance.
+Lio.+ O, but beware of a smooth look at all times.
Observe what I say: he is a syren above,
But below a very serpent. No female scorpion
Did ever carry such a sting, believe it.
+Lor.+ What should I do with him?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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