Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Bawdb._ Give ground, whilst I drill my wits to the encounter,
_Devitry_, I take it.
_Devi._ All's that left of him.
_Bawdb._ Is there another parcel of you, if it be at pawn
I will gladly redeem it, to make you wholly mine.
_Vitry._ You seek too hard a pennyworth.
_Bawdb._ You too ill to keep such distance; your parts have been
long known
To me, howsoever you please to forget acquaintance.
_Vit._ I must confess I have been subject to lewd company.
_Bawdb._ Thanks for your good remembrance,
You have been a soldier _Devitry_ and born[e] Arms.
_Vit._ A couple of unprofitable ones, that have only serv'd
to get me a stomach to my dinner.
_Bawdb._ Much good may it do you, Sir.
_Vitry._ You sh[ould] have heard me say I had din'd first, I
have built on an unwholsome ground, rais'd up a house, before
I knew a Tenant, matcht to meet weariness, sought to find
want and hunger.
_Bawdb._ It is time you put up your sword, and run away
for meat, Sir, nay, if I had not withdrawn e'r now, I might
have kept thee; fast with you: but since the way to thrive
is never late, what is the nearest course to profit think you?
_Vitry._ It may be your worship will say bawdry.
_Bawdb._ True sense, bawdry.
_Vitry._ Why, is the[re] five kinds of them, I never knew
but one.
_Bawdb._ I'll shew you a new way of prostitution, fall back,
further yet, further, there is fifty crowns, do but as much
to _Protaldye_ the Queens favorite, they are doubled.
_Vitry._ But thus much.
_Bawdb._ Give him but an affront as he comes to the presence,
and in his drawing make way, like a true bawd to his
valour, the s[um]'s thy own; if you take a scratch in the arm
or so, every drop of bloud weighs down a ducket.
_Vitry._ After that rate, I and my friends would begger the
kingdom. Sir, you have made me blush to see my want,
whose cure is such a cheap and easie purchase, this is Male-bawdry
belike.
_Enter_ Protaldy, _a Lady, and Revellers_.
_Bawdb._ See, you shall not be long earning your wages, your work's
before your eyes.
_Vitry._ Leave it to my handling, I'll fall upon't instantly.
_Bawdb._ What opinion will the managing of this affair
Bring to my wisdom? my invention tickles
With apprehension on't:
_Pro._ These are the joyes of marriage, Lady,
Whose sights are able to dissolve Virginity.
Speak freely, do you not envy the Brides felicity?
_Lady._ How should I, being partner of't?
_Pro._ What you enjoy is but the Banquets view,
The taste stands from your pallat; if he impart
By day so much of his content, think what night gave?
_Vitry._ Will you have a relish of wit, Lady?
_Bawdb._ This is the man.
_Lady._ If it be not dear, Sir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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