A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Ran.+ Sounds, was another fire-drake[93] walk in shange, we'll
run pack; was Maries have saved her labours, and was come after
Randalls. Maries, was Randall, that loves hur mightily Maries.
+Maid.+ Master Randall.
+Ran.+ How did watch let her go to Grace's Street?
+Maid.+ They knew me, and let me pass.
+Ran.+ Well now hur understands Maries loves Randalls so mighty
deal.
+Maid.+ If John have not told him, I'll be hanged. [_Aside._
+Ran.+ Maries shall go with Randalls to lodgings, and that hur
father work no divorcements, he will lie with her all to-night,
and marry her betimes next morning: meantime, hur will make
lands and livings fast.
+Maid.+ How? father! this is a mistake sure; and, to fashion it
fit for mine own following, I will both question and answer in
ambiguities that if he snap me one way, I may make myself good
i' th' other; and as he shall discover himself, I'll pursue the
conceit accordingly. [_Aside._] But will ye not deceive me?
maids[94] are many men's almanacs; the dates of your desires
out, we serve for nothing but to light tobacco.
+Ran.+
_If Randall false to Maries prove,
Then let not Maries Randalls love:
For Randalls was so true as Jove,
And Maries was hur joy.
If Randalls was not Pritain born,
Let Maries Randalls prow adorn,
And let her give a foul great horn
To Randalls._
Hur will love hur creat deal of much, hur warrant hur.
+Maid.+ And 'tis but venturing a maidenhead; if the worst come
to the worst, it may come back with advantage. [_Exeunt._
_Enter in her night-clothes, as going to bed, +Widow+
and +Maid+._
+Wid.+ Is not Mary come home yet?
+Maid.+ No, forsooth.
+Wid.+ 'Tis a fine time of night, I shall thank her for't: 'tis
past eleven, I am sure. Fetch the prayer-book lies within upon
my bed.
+Maid.+ Yes, forsooth. [_Exit._
+Wid.+ I wonder what this gentleman should be that catched me
so like Jarvis: he said he has fitted old Bloodhound according
to his quality; but I must not let him dally too long upon my
daily company: lust is a hand-wolf, who with daily feeding, one
time or other, takes a sudden start upon his benefactor.
_Enter +Maid+._
+Maid.+ O mistress, mistress!
+Wid.+ What's the matter, wench?
+Maid.+ A man, a man under your bed, mistress.
+Wid.+ A man! what man?
+Maid.+ A neat man, a proper man, a well-favoured man, a
handsome man.
+Wid.+ Call up John: where's Jarvis?
+Maid.+ Alas! I had no power to speak; his very looks are able
to make a woman stand as still as a miller's horse, when he's
loading. O, he comes, he comes! [_Exit._
_Enter +Alexander+._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account