A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Sim.+ Abed! a bawd with two teeth would not mumble bacon so:
then he is so sparing, you shall wear nothing but from the
broker's at second-hand; when, being an ancient's wife, you
shall be sure to flourish.
+Moll.+ Prythee, go in and busy the old man with a piece of
Reynard the Fox,[80] that he may not disturb us; for at this
hour I expect Ancient Young and my brother.
+Sim.+ Well, I leave you to the managing of Ancient Young,
while I go in and flap the old man i' th' mouth with a
fox-tail. [_Exit._
_Enter +Alexander+ and +Ancient+._
+Moll.+ Look, look, an' he have not brought him just upon the
minute. O sweet, silken Ancient, my mind gives me thee and I
shall dance the shaking of the sheets[81] together.
+Alex.+ Now, you Mistress Figtail, is the wind come about yet?
I ha' brought the gentleman: do not you tell him now, you
had rather have his room than his company, and so show your
breeding.
+Moll.+ Now, fie upon you; by this light you're the wickedest
fellow! My brother but abuses you: pray, sir, go over again,
you've a handsome spying wit, you may send more truth over in
one of your well-penned pamphlets, than all the weekly news we
buy for our penny.
+Anc.+ Pox on't! I'll stay no longer.
+Alex.+ 'Sfoot, thou shalt stay longer; we'll stay her
heart--her guts out.
+Moll.+ Ha, ha! how will you do for a sister then?
+Alex.+ Prythee, Moll, do but look upon him.
+Moll.+ Yes, when I ha' no better object.
+Alex.+ What canst thou see in him, thou unhandsome hideous
thing, that merits not above thee?
+Moll.+ What would I give to kiss him! [_Aside._
+Alex.+ Has he not a handsome body, straight legs,[82] a good
face?
+Moll.+ Yes, but his lips look as if they were as hard as his
heart.
+Anc.+ 'Sfoot, shalt try that presently.
+Moll.+ You're basely, sir, conditioned. Pah!
+Alex.+ Why do you spit?
+Moll.+ You may go. By this light, he kisses sweetly. [_Aside._
+Alex.+ Do but stay a little, Moll: prythee, Moll, thou knowest
my father has wronged him; make him amends, and marry him.
+Moll.+ Sweet Master Spendall, spare your busy breath; I must
have a wise man, or else none.
+Alex.+ And is not he a wise man?
+Moll.+ No.
+Alex.+ Why?
+Moll.+ Because he keeps a fool company.
+Alex.+ Why, you are now in's company.
+Moll.+ But birds of a feather will fly together; and you and
he are seldom asunder.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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