Plays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the firstVanbrugh, John
General
Plays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the first
Vanbrugh, John
Comedy plays; English drama -- 18th century; English drama -- Restoration, 1660-1700
_Const._ Why, then, to encourage you to Perseverance, tho' you may be
thoroughly ill-us'd for your Offences; I'll put you in mind, that even
the coyest Ladies of 'em all are made up of Desires, as well as we; and
tho' they do hold out a long time, they will capitulate at last. For
that thundering Engineer, Nature, does make such havock in the Town,
they must surrender at long run, or perish in their own Flames.
_Enter a Footman._
_Foot._ Sir, there's a Porter without with a Letter; he desires to give
it into your own Hands.
_Const._ Call him in.
_Enter Porter._
_Const._ What, _Joe_! Is it thee?
_Porter._ An't please you, Sir, I was order'd to deliver this into your
own Hands by two well-shap'd Ladies, at the _New Exchange_. I was at
your Honour's Lodgings, and your Servants sent me hither.
_Const._ 'Tis well; are you to carry any Answer?
_Porter._ No, my noble Master. They gave me my Orders, and whip they
were gone, like a Maidenhead at Fifteen.
_Const._ Very well; there.
[_Gives him Money._
_Porter._ God bless your Honour!
[_Exit Porter._
_Const._ Now let's see what honest, trusty _Joe_ has brought us.
_Reads._
_If you and your Play-Fellow can spare time from your Business and
Devotions, don't fail to be at ~Spring-Garden~ about Eight in the
Evening. You'll find nothing there but Women, so you need bring no
other Arms than what you usually carry about you._
So, Play-fellow: here's something to stay your Stomach till your
Mistress's Dish is ready for you.
_Heart._ Some of our old batter'd Acquaintance. I won't go, not I.
_Const._ Nay, that you can't avoid; there's Honour in the Case; 'tis a
Challenge, and I want a Second.
_Heart._ I doubt I shall be but a very useless one to you; for I'm so
dishearten'd by this Wound _Belinda_ has given me, I don't think I
shall have Courage enough to draw my Sword.
_Const._ O, if that be all, come along; I'll warrant you find Sword
enough for such Enemies as we have to deal withal.
[_Exeunt._
+SCENE+, _A Street_.
_Enter Constable, &c. with Sir ~John~._
_Constab._ Come along, Sir; I thought to have let you slip this
Morning, because you were a Minister; but you are as drunk and as
abusive as ever. We'll see what the Justice of the Peace will say to
you.
_Sir John._ And you shall see what I'll say to the Justice of the
Peace, Sirrah.
[_They knock at the Door._
_Enter Servant._
_Constab._ Pray, acquaint his Worship, we have got an unruly Parson
here: We are unwilling to expose him, but don't know what to do with
him.
_Serv._ I'll acquaint my Master.
[_Exit Serv._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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