A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Dor.+ Now Pambo, that makes him merry in his chamber, shall,
when the candle's out and he asleep, bring you into the chamber.
+Fran.+ But will he be secret?
+Dor.+ Will he, good soul! I am not to try him now.
+Fran.+ 'Sfoot, this is brave,
My kind lord's fool is my cunning lady's knave.
But, pray, how then?
+Dor.+ When you are in at door on right before you, you shall
feel the bed; give me but softly a touch, I'll rise, and follow
you into the next chamber: but truly, and you do not use me
kindly, I shall cry out and spoil all.
+Fran.+ Use you kindly! was lady e'er used cruelly i' th' dark?
Do you but prepare Pambo and your maid: let me alone with her
mistress. About eleven I desire to be expected.
+Dor.+ And till the clock strike twelve, I'll lie awake.
+Fran.+ Now ye dare kiss?
+Dor.+ Once with my friend, or so; yet you may take two,
Francis.
+Fran.+ My cast is ames-ace then.
+Dor.+ Deuce-ace had got the game.
+Fran.+ Why, then, you're welcome. Adieu, my dainty mistress.
+Dor.+ Farewell, kind Francis. [_Exeunt._
_Enter +Lorenzo+, as from horse._
+Lor.+ I have given them all the slip, the duke and all,
And am at home before them. I cannot rest,
Philippo and my wife run in my mind so:
I know no cause why I should trust him more
Than all the world beside. I remember
He told her that I bought the buck's-head, therefore
Deserv'd the horns: although I bid him try her,
Yet I did not bid him bid her with one eye
Love me, and with the other wink at a friend.
How we long to grow familiar with affliction;
And, as many words do aptly hold concordance
To make one sentence, just so many causes
Seem to agree, when conceit makes us cuckolds.
_Enter +Philippo+ and +Abstemia+. +Lorenzo+ aside._
And here comes proof apparent; hand in hand too!
Now their palms meet: that grasp begets a bastard!
+Phil.+ By your white hand, I swear 'twas only so.
+Lor.+ Poison of toads betwixt ye!
+Abs.+ Philippo, you have fully satisfied me.
+Lor.+ Insatiate whore! could not I satisfy ye?
I shall commit a murder if I stay:
I'll go forge thunder for ye. O, let me
Nevermore marry! what plague can transcend
A whorish wife and a perfidious friend! [_Exit._
+Phil.+ By the unblemish'd faith then of a gentleman,
And by your potent goodness (a great oath,
For you are greatly good), by truth itself;
For still I swear by you--what again hath pass'd,
Was at the first but trial of your chastity,
Far above time or story: as I speak truth,
So may I prosper.
+Abs.+ And came these trials from your breast only?
+Phil.+ Only from my breast; and by the sweet
Excellent blush of virtue, there is in you
Plenty of truth and goodness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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