A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+De L.+ That shall not hinder our sport, I hope.
+La G.+ Expect the steward and his bottles; I'll warrant you.
+De L.+ The ladies too! we shall not tickle heartily else.
+La G.+ Where are the great ones bedded?
+De L.+ I' th' old place.
+La G.+ I' th' corner lobby?
_Enter +De Flame+ and +Cleara+ disguised._
+De F.+ You belong to the Duke de Bereo, sir?
+De L.+ Who told you so?
+De F.+ A friend that wou'd commend me with a poor suit
Unto you, sir, if you be Signior de Loome.
+De L.+ But this is no year for suit, sir.
+De F.+ Mine brings thanks ready-told, sir; look ye:
All double pistoles, signior.
+De L.+ Sir, I shall try my power, and be ready in any
Service t' ye, for my friend's sake.
+De F.+ D' ye know who 'tis?
+De L.+ Hum! no matter; I'll undertake your business.
+De F.+ Sir, can you please to pardon some light gold?
+De L.+ You shall find me a gentleman in anything for my friend's sake.
+De F.+ Nay, sir, it weighs a hundred pound at all, peradventures.
+De L.+ And I'll tell you one thing of myself, sir, more than
Perhaps my friend rememb'red: I am very honest, where
I take; and every man is not to be trusted in matters
Of such consequence. A very fair purse, I assure you!
+De F.+ Nest and birds are all your own.
+De L.+ Your business is done, believ't, sir; please you to kiss
The king's hand into the bargain?
+De F.+ At fitter opportunity, let me be ambitious of your
Offer: but I shall woo your courtesy to be only a
Looker on now.
+De L.+ Anything, sir, you can make worthy your request. Nay--I
hope, you do not wish me [to] forfeit good manners--as I'm
virtuous. [_Compliment for the door._
+De F.+ I am a stranger to the way.
Gentlemen, know yourselves, I beseech you.
+La G.+ To obey you, signior.
+De L.+ Sir, you need not speak on't to this man:
He's but my lord's barber. Since you command it so--
[_Exeunt +De Loome+ and +La Gitterne+._
+De F.+ Light, light, revenge! heave up thy gloomy tapers!
That thou may'st see thy smeared altar shine
In blood. Come, my Cleara! my better soul!
Whose gallant mind will leave thy name
In the first place of women, and raise thee temples.
Bravest of thy sex, I could expire on thy cheek,
And pay thee reverence, my most excellent sister.
+Cle.+ Just heaven and your brave virtue (my dearest brother)
Has waken'd my dull breast and trembling sex:
I do not feel one pale or coward thought;
But all [are] high and active to my wish.
+De F.+ I see it lovely in thy brow: like the gleaming
Dawnings of the morn, when day first kindles;
Yet our presage is fair.
_Enter +Duke+, whispering with +De Castro+._
+Cle.+ The Duke!
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