A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14
English drama
PAR. Yes, anything; what is't, Captain?
WILD. If this jest could do it, yet 'tis base to gain a wife so
poorly. She came hither, too, for sanctuary; it would be an
uncivil and an unhospitable thing, and look as if I had not
merit enough to get a wife without stealing her from herself:
then, 'tis in mine own house.
CAPT. The better; nay, now I think on't, why came she hither? How
do you know the plague is there? all was well at dinner; I'll be
hanged if it be not a plot: the lovers, too, whom you abused at
dinner, are joined with them: a trick, a mere trick of wit to
abuse us! and to-morrow, when the birds are flown, they'll laugh
at you, and say, two country-ladies put themselves naked into the
hands of three travelled city wits, and they durst not lay hold
on them.
CARE. A pox upon these niceties!
WAN. If they have not some design upon you, hang me: why did they
talk so freely before me else?
CARE. Let's but try; we are not now to begin to make the world
talk; nor is it a new thing to them to hear we are mad fellows.
CAPT. If you get them, are they worth having?
WILD. Having? yes.
CAPT. If you miss them, the jest is good. Prythee, Ned, let me
prevail; 'tis but a mad trick.
WILD. If we would, how shall we get into the chamber?
WAN. Let me alone for that; I'll put on my country simplicity,
and carry in a chamber-pot; then, under pretence of bolting the
back-door, I'll open it--and yet I grudge them the sport so
honestly; for you wenchers make the best husbands: after you are
once married, one never sees you.
CAPT. I warrant thee, wench.
WAN. No, faith, I have observed it, they are still the doating'st
husbands, and then retreat and become justices of the peace, and
none so violent upon the bench as they against us poor sinners.
Yet I'll do it; for upon my conscience, the young gentlewoman
will fall upon her back, and thank me.
[_Exit_ WANTON.
CAPT. Away, go then, and leave your fooling; and in the morning,
Ned, get in, and plead naked with your hands in the bed.
PAR. And if they cry, put your lips in their mouths, and stop
them.
CAPT. Why, look you, you have the authority of the church too.
WILD. Well, I am now resolved: go you about your part, and make
the report strong.
CARE. And d'ye hear? be sure you set the cook at work, that if we
miss, we may have a good dinner and good wine to drink down our
grief.
CAPT. Miss! I warrant thee, 'twill thrive.
[_Exit_ CAPTAIN.
CARE. Nay, if I knock not down the widow, geld me, and come out
to-morrow complete uncle, and salute the company with, You are
welcome, gentlemen, and Good-morrow, nephew Ned.
WILD. Uncle Tom, good morrow, uncle Tom.
_Enter_ WANTON.
WAN. All's done; the door is open, and they're as still as
children's thoughts: 'tis time you made you ready, which is to
put off your breeches, for 'tis almost day. And take my counsel,
be sure to offer force enough, the less reason will serve:
especially you, Master Wild, do not put a maid to the pain of
saying, Ay.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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