A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14
English drama
WILD. I warrant thee, wench; let me alone.
CARE. We'll in and undress us, and come again, for we must go in
at the back-door.
WILD. I'll meet you. Is the Captain gone?
[_Exeunt_ WILD _and_ CARELESS.
WAN. Yes, yes, he's gone.
JOLLY. Come, Master Parson, let us see the cook in readiness.
Where are the fiddlers? What will become of our plot? for the
coachman, Master Sad, and his friend, will stink of their jest if
this thrive.
PAR. They have slept all night, on purpose to play all day.
JOLLY. When the ribands and points come from the Exchange, pray
see the fiddlers have some; the rogues will play so out of tune
all day else, they will spoil the dancing, if the plot do take.
_Enter_ WILD _and_ CARELESS _in their shirts, with drawers
under, nightgowns on, and in slippers_.
WAN. Let's see them in the chamber first, and then I shall go
with some heart about the business. So, so, creep close and
quietly: you know the way; the widow lies in the high bed, and
the pallet is next the door.
[_They kneel at the door to go in; she shakes her coats over
them._
WILD. Must we creep?
WAN. Yes, yes, down upon your knees always, till you get a woman,
and then stand up for the cause: stay, let me shake my smock over
you for luck's sake.
JOLLY. Why so? I warrant you [I'll] thrive.
PAR. A pox take you, I'll pare your nails when I get you from
this place once.
WAN. Sweetheart, sweetheart, off with your shoes.
PAR. Ay, with all my heart, there's an old shoe after you.[270]
Would I gave all in my shop the rest were furnished with wives
too!
JOLLY. Parson, the sun is rising; go send in the fiddlers, and
set the cook on work; let him chop soundly.
PAR. I have a tithe-pig at home, I'll e'en sacrifice it to the
wedding.
[_Exit_ PARSON.
WAN. They will find them in good posture, they may take privy
marks, if they please; for they said it was so hot they could
endure no clothes, and my simplicity was so diligent to lay them
naked, and with such twists and turns fastened them to the feet,
I'll answer for't they find not the way into them in an hour.
_Enter_ SERVANT _and_ PARSON.
JOLLY. Why, then, they may pull up their smocks, and hide their
faces.
SER. Master Jolly, there was one without would speak with you.
JOLLY. Who was it?
SER. It is the lady that talks so well.
JOLLY. They say, indeed, she has an excellent tongue; I would she
had changed it for a face; 'tis she that has been handsome.
PAR. Who? not the poetess we met at Master Sad's?
JOLLY. Yes, the same.
PAR. Sure, she's mad.
JOLLY. Prythee, tell her I am gone to bed.
SER. I have done as well, sir: I told her Mistress Wanton was
here; at which discreetly, being touched with the guilt of her
face, she threw out a curse or two, and retreated.
WAN. Who is this you speak of? I will know who 'tis.
PAR. Why, 'tis she that married the Genoa merchant; they cozened
one another.
WAN. Who? Peg Driver, bugle-eyes?
JOLLY. The same, the same.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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