A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Boy.+ If you are a vile person, or have done any great
wickedness, you were best look to yourself; for those he knows
by instinct, and assaults them with as much violence as may be.
+Moc.+ Then am I perished. Good sir, I had rather answer the
law than be terrified with his looks.
+Lor.+ Nay, you shall tarry, and take part with us, by your
favour.
+Æmi.+ How his eyes sparkle!
+Bravo.+ Look, where the ghost appears, his wounds fresh-bleeding!
He frowns, and threatens me; [O,] could the substance
Do nothing, and will shadows revenge?
+Lor.+ 'Tis strange,
This was a fearful murder.
+Bravo.+ Do not stare so,
I can look big too; all I did unto thee
'Twas by another's instigation:
There be some that are as deep in as myself;
Go and fright them too.
+Moc.+ Beshrew him for his counsel! [_Aside._
+Lor.+ What a just judgment's here! 'Tis an old saying,
Murder will out; and 'fore it shall lie hid,
The authors will accuse themselves.
+Bravo.+ Now he vanishes;
Dost thou steal from me, fearful spirit? See
The print of his footsteps!
+Moc.+ That ever my lust should be the parent to so foul a sin!
[_Aside._
+Bravo.+ He told me that his horrid tragedy
Was acted over every night in hell,
Where sad Erinnys, with her venom'd face,
Sits[363] a spectatrix, black with the curls of snakes,
That lift their speckled heads above their shoulders,
And, thrusting forth their stings, hiss at their entrance;
And that serves for an applause.
+Moc.+ How can you have the heart to look upon him? pray let me go,
I feel a looseness in my belly.
+Lor.+ Nay, you shall hear all out first.
+Moc.+ I confess it,
What would you have more of me?
+Bravo.+ Then fierce Enyo holds a torch, Megæra
Another; I'll down and play my part amongst them,
For I can do't to th' life.
+Lor.+ Rather to the death.
+Bravo.+ I'll trace th' infernal theatre, and view
Those squalid actors, and the tragic pomp
Of hell and night.
+Moc.+ How ghastly his words sound! pray, keep him off from me.
+Lor.+ The guilt of conscience makes you fearful, Signor!
+Bravo.+ When I come there, I'll chain up Cerberus,
Nay, I'll muzzle him; I'll pull down Æacus
And Minos by the beard; then with my foot
I'll tumble Rhadamanthus from his chair,
And for the Furies I'll not suffer them;
I'll be myself a Fury.
+Moc.+ To vex me, I warrant you.
+Bravo.+ Next will I post unto the Destinies,
Shiver their wheel and distaff 'gainst the wall,
And spoil their housewif'ry; I'll take their spindle,
Where hang the threads of human life like beams
Drawn from the sun, and mix them altogether--
Kings with beggars.
+Moc.+ Good sir, he comes towards me!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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