A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Des.+ Pish! the meanest thought Claudilla
Pleases to bestow here (under this humble guard)
Must be without the affright (my lord) of all the
Dangers in his muster, stare they like giants
On me, and in armies. As for Cleara,
If she held flattering glasses to her thoughts
Which render'd 'em wide and airy, they must not forfeit
Me. You may deserve her better. I'll not start, sir,
A scruple from his demands and yours. Expect it,
And so farewell. [_Going off._
+Pir.+ Farewell.----The time?
+Des.+ I shall think on't.
+Pir.+ Shall? It must not so tamely be thought on.
+Des.+ How?
+Pir.+ I spoke it, sir.
+Des.+ Are you sent to own the quarrel?
+Pir.+ No; but look on't with so much soul, as I think't
An honour to wear a sword in't.
+Des.+ Go, go hang it in your mistress's chamber!
It stinks, sir, of perfume.
+Pir.+ It may, sir (for destiny has many ways to the wood[26]),
Cut your throat; and then I'll give't your footboy.
+Des.+ My throat, Pirez! that saucy thought has
Ruin'd thee. [_Fight._
_Enter +Sampayo+ and +De Loome+._
+Samp.+ Hold, hold, colonel.
+De L.+ My lord, y'are hurt. [_To +Pirez+._
+Pir.+ I must owe him this for't.
+Des.+ Canst talk yet?
+Samp.+ Command your passion; see how the common herd
Come gazing in. Do not become their talk
And wonder. Noble Dessandro! put up, my lord!
Thank ye. [_They part._
+De L.+ Sir, my lord duke sent me to tell you
He expects your company.
+Des.+ I wait on him. [_To +Pirez+._] Bid the ladies tear
Their clean smocks to wrap you in.
+Pir.+ Insolent man! [_Offers to fight._
+Samp.+ Again! [_Exeunt._
_Enter three +Townsmen+, as the Watch._
+1st T.+ Was not I about to tell you so? They
would be afraid of true men, when we came.
+2d T.+ By'r lady; but that mun not serve their
turns; for we must know flatly which was plantan
and which defendam,[27] or we shall discharge but a
sorry conscience to the king's justice.
+1st T.+ I'll take my oath upon the corporal Bible,
I saw two glittering swords run a tilt, and two to
that, if need be.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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