A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14
English drama
WID. Well, sir, we'll accept this courtesy; and when you come
into Suffolk, you shall command my house.
WILD. Prythee, call Bess, and bid her bring sheets to make the
bed. I'll go and fetch in a pallet, 'tis as good a bed as the
other; and if you will stay the removing, we'll set up a
bedstead.
PLEA. No, a pallet, pray. But what shall we do for night-clothes,
aunt?
WILD. Why, what are those you bought, my sister?
WID. Is not that linen gone yet?
CARE. No, faith, madam, his man forgot it, till the carriers were
gone last week.
WILD. Will that serve?
PLEA. Yes, yes, pray do us the favour to let us have it, 'tis but
washing of it again.
WILD. Nay, it will serve: discourse no more; I'll fetch the
bundle; and, prythee, fetch the combs and looking-glasses I
bought the other day: for other necessaries that want a name the
wench shall furnish you with.
WID. Nay, but where is she, nephew?
WILD. I'll call her, if she be not gone to bed. It is an
ignorant young thing; I am to send her to my sister's in the
country; I have had such ado to put her in the fashion.
PLEA. What country is she? Prythee, Master Wild, let's see her.
WILD. I'll call her down.
[_Exit_ WILD.
SAD. Madam, now we see y' are safe, we'll kiss your hands, and
wait upon you to-morrow.
WID. It must be early then, sir, for I shall borrow my nephew's
coach, and be gone betimes into the country, to take a little
fresh air, and prevent the search.
CON. Pray, madam, be pleased to command ours.
WILD. No, sir, I humbly thank you; my nephew's will hold our
company.
CON. Your humble servant, Mistress Pleasant.
SAD. Your servant, madam.
PLEA. Good night, Master Constant.
WID. Sir, you'll excuse us, we have nobody here to light you
down.
CARE. Madam, I am here your servant as much as those who wear
your livery; and this house holds no other. We can be civil,
madam, as well as extravagant.
WID. Your humble servant, Master Careless.
CARE. Gentlemen, if you'll wait on my lady to her chamber, then
I'll wait upon you down.
SAD. You oblige us, sir.
[_Exeunt omnes._
SCENE V.
_Enter_ WILD, CAPTAIN, WANTON, PARSON, _and_ JOLLY.
CAPT. The plague!
WILD. The plague, as I live; and all my relation is truth, every
syllable. But, Mistress Wanton, now must you play your
masterpiece: be sure to blush, and appear but simple enough, and
all is well: thou wilt pass for as arrant a chambermaid as any in
the parish.
PAR. Hum! new plots?
CAPT. Let me put on a petticoat and a muffler, and I'll so
chambermaid it, and be so diligent with the clean smock and the
chamber-pot.[268] Now would I give all the shoes in my shop to
lie with 'em both.
WAN. Let me alone to fit them; I can make a scurvy curtsey
naturally: remember, I am an Essex woman, if they ask.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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